Wade on Birmingham

The Birmingham channel: Love languages

Monday, February 13th, 2017

A look at Birmingham in videos …

A look at nonprofit volunteer group Hands on Birmingham. From Alabama NewsCenter.

Promoting last summer’s Gospel Mix Tour (our vertical video of the week). From Annilia Mosley.

Coca-Cola memorabilia collectors. From the Coca-Cola Co.

Climbing Lost Roof in the boulder field at Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover. From Parker Satterfield.

More climbing at Moss Rock Preserve. From George Evans.

An afternoon at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. From Griffith Mehaffey.

The “Star Wars: Battle Pod” arcade game at BumperNets in the Riverchase Galleria. From BumperNets.

Morehouse freshman Rosevelt Morris Jr. of Birmingham makes his vlogging debut (our other vertical video of the week). From R.J. Morris.

A 2014 game featuring UAB at Mississippi State. From Luke Loveless.

Leroy Falcon and Ken Walker on Nashville Bound, a Birmingham artist development academy, in October at the Forum Theater downtown. From Jerry W. Henry.

Trussville’s Brinkley Rackstraw performs at the same show. From Jerry W. Henry.

Birmingham singer-songwriter Hollye Horton performs at the same show. From Jerry W. Henry.

The full Nashville Bound Reunion Show. From Jerry W. Henry.

Discussing the golf swing. From the Golf Guys.

The Prblms featuring Youngblood performs “Fiji” at WorkPlay in Lakeview. From the Prblms.

Promo for Ruffner Mountain. From Ruffner Mountain.

Driving in to work (our other other vertical video of the week). From Raynell Brian Johnson.

Former governor Don Siegelman arrives Wednesday at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. He was serving a 78-month sentence at the federal prison in Oakdale, La.; he’ll serve the last 6 months in home detention in his Vestavia Hills house. (Our other other other vertical video of the week.) From Great Jasper.

Promo for Dr. Tanikqua D. Moore and Focus-MD clinic in Mountain Brook. From Focus-MD.

Students from Fairfield’s Restoration Academy visit the Chick-fil-A corporate headquarters in Atlanta. From Aly Hathcock.

Atlanta R&B singer K. Michelle performs in December at the Merienda Lounge on Southside. From Hip Hop B’ham.

San Francisco roots-pop band Front Country performs “Millionaire” in January at Iron City on Southside. From Zmanatl.

Time-lapse drone footage of an August sunset. From Southern Sky Pix.

L.A. rock band Badflower performs “Heroin” in January at WorkPlay in Lakeview. From Stephanie Amber.

Promo for the Brown Marx Building downtown. From TWI.

A video from October against the deportation of Javier from Birmingham. “Javier is a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit to recover his unpaid wages and protect his labor rights. Javier’s former employer threatened to report him to immigration during a meeting with the workers and their attorney regarding the lawsuit. One week later, ICE arrested Javier at his workplace.” From Adelante TV.

Optimus Prime on the dance floor (our other other other other vertical video of the week). From Catedraticodj.

ZZ Top performs “Legs” in October at the BJCC Concert Hall downtown. From Kevin Henry.

Comedian Rickey Smiley talks to students about how he grew up in Birmingham. From TVOne.tv.

Up early at the airport (our other other other other other vertical video of the week). From G3 Badger.

Promo for Avondale Brewing Company. From Massey Creative.

A September episode of “Fox 6 Sideline.” From Rick Karle.

Birmingham alternative band the Murder of Jane Crow performs “Intermezzo” in Five Points South, a video entry for NPR​’s 2017 Tiny Desk Contest. From the Murder of Jane Crow.

Danielle “Quarter Horse” Bess runs at the USATF Hoover Alumni Invitational, December at the CrossPlex in Five Points West. From Sabrina Darling.

Singer CeeLo Green performs in March at Iron City on Southside. From Jacqueline Yau.

Dr. Mia Cowan discusses her Brook Highland clinic, MiBella Wellness Center (our other other other other other other vertical video of the week). From Dr. Mia Cowan.

An Uber driver waits for a passenger at the airport (our other other other other other other other vertical video of the week). From Daniel Chapel.

Trailer for “4 Little Girls: A Dance Film” by Queens filmmaker Kerri Edge. From Kerri Edge.

Blues Traveler performs “Run Around” in November at Iron City on Southside (our other other other other other other other other vertical video of the week). From Sean Mahoney.

Hip-hop artist Tyler, the Creator performs in 2015 at the Sloss Music and Arts Festival (our other other other other other other other other other vertical video of the week). From Elizabeth Short.

Hooping with Eliza Thompson. From Elizalien.

Time-lapse video from 2013 drive along I-20 from Shreveport to Birmingham. From ボブねこ.

Ohio middle school student’s proposal for a national monument for young civil rights protesters in 1960s Birmingham. From James Lautzenheiser.

Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes performs in 2014 in Birmingham. From Kalie GH.

Extended cut of “Goremet,” a 2009 comedic short by Billy Ray Brewton and Drew Brown. From Drew Brown.

Elevator at Homewood City Hall parking garage. From Element Elevators.

“Just a quick look at a few memories I found in my library, with new music.” From B-Hold Da General.

Anthony Hamilton and Guy perform on New Year’s Eve at Legacy Arena downtown. From Twilight Productions 2.

A Vietnamese Catholic church procession outside Our Lady of La Vang, St. John Bosco Church in Woodlawn. From Lymvideolth.

Test footage around Birmingham. From Patrick Daugherty.

Hanging out in Birmingham. From Kristen Hofmeister.

Unidentified flying object over Birmingham. From Luizito*.* salas.

Singing at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church downtown. From Francesca Mereu.

Talking with WWE wrestler Dolph Ziggler in January. From Big Communications.

Quinceañera in Birmingham. From DJ Diego Flores.

Entrepreneur Jim Cavale on Birmingham’s future. From Jim Cavale.

Promo for either a static display billboard or the electronic sign atop Two North Twentieth downtown. From Transformation Media.

YouTube star Colleen Ballinger performs “Defying Gravity” as Miranda Sings in January at the Alabama Theatre downtown. From Diane Watkins.

Ballinger greets Birmingham fans downtown.

Edwards Financial Group uses the Fetch online platform to hire a salesperson (our other other other other other other other other other other vertical video of the week). From Get Fetched.

Night freestyling (our final vertical video of the week). From Contray Burrell.

Trains around downtown Birmingham and Irondale. From Mbmars01.

A summer family trip to the Birmingham Zoo. From Universal You.

New York’s By Smith at Birmingham Fashion Week 2016 in Boutwell Auditorium downtown. From Tchambers71.

Playing racquetball at the UAB Campus Recreation Center. From Todd Shaw.

A look at the Original Gospel Harmonettes from Birmingham, one of the most successful female gospel groups of the 1950s. From True Gospel Man.

Checking in on the “Birmingham Cypher Part 2” release party in January at the Syndicate Lounge on Southside. From Rambo and Bknott.

Talking with service advisor Ralph Daniel at Royal Automotive in Vestavia Hills. From Royal Automotive.

Visiting the Birmingham Boat Show in January at the BJCC East Exhibition Hall. From Alabama NewsCenter.

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Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

The Birmingham channel

Wade on August 2009

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

A look back at all things and people and events 2009 …

Video: Bill Blount joins Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks
with a guilty plea.

Aug. 1 | We counted down the days to former mayor Larry Langford’s original Aug. 31 trial date with our greatest series ever, Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks. Seriously, look how many criminals we stuffed into one month …

Who didn’t make the list? Langford, convicted Oct. 28. And pipe maker McWane Inc., whose latest fine is $4 million.

Aug. 10 | A juicy morsel: Wade on Birmingham had the exclusive scoop on the exclusive screening of the documentary “Food, Inc.” P.S. We love our news tipsters.

Aug. 11 | The dirge continued as we presented the Birmingham Heritage Festival lineup and demise in the same day. P.S. Never piss off Ludacris. Ever.

Aug. 25 | Our Vote 2009 coverage kicked into high gear with our extensive look at the Birmingham city council and board of education races. Later, we had results from all 18 races, nine of which were headed to runoffs.

Aug. 27 | The end of August also means the start of our monthlong coverage of the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, with an in-depth look at the local films plus the opening night documentary, “Best Worst Movie.”

See all of our August coverage.

• • •

Haiku flashback

football season: dear coach (Aug. 31)

Please take us to the
national championship
(or else, you’re fired).

• • •

365 days of Birmingham’s best and worst: Wade on 2009

Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks: Don Siegelman

Monday, August 24th, 2009

In August, we’re celebrating Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks, whether they be liars, thieves, extortionists, swindlers or thugs. A 30-part series running daily until Birmingham mayor Larry Langford’s Aug. 31 Oct. 19 federal trial. Thanks to Bhamwiki for helping with this project.

Don Siegelman

Don SiegelmanPositions held: Alabama’s governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state; Vestavia Hills resident after leaving office in 2003.

Wanted for: fraud (2004); bribery, mail fraud and obstruction of justice (2005)

Date of conviction: June 29, 2006, convicted alongside HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy; 2004 trial went nowhere after prosecutors dropped all charges on second day.

Sentence: 7 years 4 months in prison, 3 years probation, $50,000 in fines, $181,325 in restitution and 500 hours community service.

Criminally fun fact: Siegelman served nearly 9 months in a low-security Louisiana federal prison before being released in March 2008 on appeal bond. His case is under review by the House Judiciary Committee and was featured in a February 2008 episode of “60 Minutes.”

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Additional reading:

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Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks: Bill Blount

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

In August, we’re celebrating Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks, whether they be liars, thieves, extortionists, swindlers or thugs. Running daily until Birmingham mayor Larry Langford’s Aug. 31 federal trial. Thanks to Bhamwiki for helping with this project.

Bill Blount

Bill BlountPositions held: Montgomery investment banker, handled Jefferson County’s bond swap deals

Wanted for: bribery and conspiracy, indicted with Al LaPierre and Langford

Date of conviction: today, admitting to bribing county commissioners Langford and Mary Buckelew.

Sentence: Sentencing date to be determined. Blount faces up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy and 5 years in prison for bribery (prosecutors wil ask for 52 months), plus up to $500,000 in fines. Plea agreement says he will forfeit $1 million. Blount is expected to testify in Langford’s trial.

Criminally fun fact: The government says Blount paid for several of Langford’s expensive purchases, including $11,750.40 at Bromberg’s Fine Jewelers and nearly $30,000 in 4 years at Remon’s Clothier.

According to the Press-Register (Mobile), Blount has had a tangled history of bond financing deals gone sour, from two 1995 deals for the City of Mobile that warranted investigation by the FBI and the IRS, and a state warehouse construction project from 2001 pushed by political pal and then Gov. Don Siegelman.

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Additional reading:

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Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks: Richard Scrushy

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

In August, we’re celebrating Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks, whether they be liars, thieves, extortionists, swindlers or thugs. Running daily until Birmingham mayor Larry Langford’s Aug. 31 federal trial. Thanks to Bhamwiki for helping with this project.

Richard Scrushy

Richard ScrushyPositions held: founder of Birmingham-based HealthSouth, TV talk show host

Wanted for: fraud and conspiracy (2005); bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud (2006)

Date of conviction: acquitted of 2005 charges, but convicted alongside former governor Don Siegelman on June 29, 2006.

Sentence: nearly 7 years in prison, then 3 years probation, $400,000 in fines plus up to $150,000 to repay cost of incarceration. On June 18, Scrushy lost a civil suit and was ordered to pay $2.87 billion.

Criminally fun fact: Scrushy set up a ministry in 2006 to feed African children and provide mortgages. He helped found the charity organization Computer Help for Kids with convicted former Birmingham pol John Katopodis and mayor Larry Langford; the charity employed gay porn star Ryan Idol as a computer technician for $30,000.

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Additional reading:

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Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks: Gregory Clarke

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

In August, we’re celebrating Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks, whether they be liars, thieves, extortionists, swindlers or thugs. Running daily until Birmingham mayor Larry Langford’s Aug. 31 federal trial. Thanks to Bhamwiki for helping with this project.

Gregory Clarke

Gregory ClarkePosition held: pastor, New Hope Baptist Church (6,000 members)

Wanted for: filing false tax returns, owing $35,684 in back taxes

Date of conviction: July 20, 2007

Sentence: 21 months in prison, but was released from Atlanta federal prison in April after 14 months served. He’s serving the remainder of his sentence in a Birmingham halfway house.

Criminally fun fact: Clarke says he was targeted by the Bush administration for his support and friendship of former governor Don Siegelman [letter, Jan. 12, 2009, PDF].

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Additional reading:

Wade on February 2008

Thursday, June 26th, 2008

Then and now

Does not compute: Back in his Fairfield days, Mayor Langford set up a charity with pals John Katopodis and Richard Scrushy to get computers to kids. Except that tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars went to him, Katopodis and a gay porn star. All of this came out in court as HealthSouth and Katopodis sued each other.

Both sides settled in March without revealing the terms of the deal. Frankly, plenty was revealed already.

Meanwhile, Langford’s latest effort to give computers to kids rolls on, having ordered an additional 14,000 laptops this week without Birmingham school board approval. The technology upgrades could cost millions for a system already struggling to keep facilities open.

More on Larry Langford and John Katopodis.

Keep reading for more updates, plus a scandalous photo of yours truly, after the jump …

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Heads and tales: We dare defend

Thursday, April 10th, 2008

If Alabama hasn’t received enough national media attention lately, the drought is over, friends.

Exhibit A: Don Siegelman freed by “60 Minutes.” The former governor talked with the news magazine about seeing his story and his challenge for Republican operative Karl Rove.

Check out his brief interview from last Sunday’s broadcast …

• Siegelman Future Hinges On Appeal [CBS News]

Exhibit B: How bad is the state’s tax system? PBS news magazine “Now” investigates.

“Now” gets inside the lives of three Alabamian families — each in a different income bracket — to document the impact of regressive tax policies on people’s lives and wallets. The program follows a working mom to a grocery store, showing viewers how a 10 percent sales tax on groceries makes a significant difference in what her family eats.

Viewers travel to the backwoods to meet a couple who have always held jobs but still face hunger. They wonder why the government takes such a big share of the salary they earn. The program also spends time with a well-to-do suburban couple who benefit from a system that gives them huge tax breaks, and we hear their opinion on a tax hike.

The show airs at 8:30 p.m. Friday on APT-10 (a one-time only resurrection from its current time slot, 3:30 a.m. Sundays, banished there by the cowards at Alabama Public Television). Video and podcast will be available next week on the show’s site and on iTunes.
• Alabama Tax Policies [APT]

Exhibit C: As the corruption in Alabama’s two-year college system comes to light, lawmakers are running scared. Many “work” for the system, and are now being hauled before a grand jury to prove they’re not in it just for money. Oh, but think of the children poorly educated not-quite-collegians! (Hat tip to our pal Dave.)
• Fear, Paranoia and, Yes, Some Loathing in Alabama State House [New York Times]

Also:

  • Rains bring nearly full capacity for local pollution- and pharmaceutical-tainted lakes
  • Council approves mayor’s plan to beat council with pointy sticks
  • Ah, spring, when a young man’s fancy turns to— er, fancy? Really?

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More headlines | send us your news tips.

Heads up: Reversal of fortune

Friday, March 28th, 2008

don siegelman After nine months in prison, Don Siegelman is a free man. Sort of.

The former governor, convicted in 2006 of bribery, mail fraud and conspiracy, will be released from an Oakdale, La., prison camp on bond today as his appeal is considered. Meanwhile, co-convict Richard Scrushy remains locked up, his release denied because of flight risk.

The appeals court says enough substantial questions remain about the conviction to allow the release. Siegelman could end up in Washington, testifying before the House Judiciary Committee. Ironically, he didn’t even take the stand at his own trial.

How bizarre is this legal maze? See the “60 Minutes” report from February and judge for yourself.

The Birmingham News: Siegelman leaving prison on appeal

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More headlines | send us your news tips.

Heads up: ’60 Minutes’ on Siegelman? Here

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

In case you missed the broadcast — and apparently Huntsville and Mobile did — check out the 13-minute report from “60 Minutes.” It uncovers some odd doings behind the conviction of former governor Don Siegelman. Plus, you can watch him rake the yard in the big house.

Karl Rove has denied any involvement, and Alabama Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard called Jill Simpson (who named Rove in her CBS interview) a liar.

Lingering questions:

  • Did Simpson knowingly omit details in her congressional testimony?
  • Why won’t the Justice Department share its files on the case?
  • Why did Rove skip testifying before Congress? And why didn’t Congress compel him?
  • Did the prosecution’s star witness write out his testimony? If so, why wasn’t it shared with the defense?
  • And finally, was Siegelman’s crime bribery, politics as usual, or just being in the enemy party?

CBS: Did Ex-Alabama Governor Get a Raw Deal?

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More headlines | send us your news tips.

Heads up: ’60 Minutes’ on Siegelman? Yes

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

Update: Watch the full report from “60 Minutes” broadcast on Feb. 24.

This time for sure: “60 Minutes” will air its investigation of whether former governor Don Siegelman was targeted by GOP strategist Karl Rove. A main source, Republican attorney and operative Jill Simpson claims she was asked by Rove to photograph Siegelman in a compromising position with an aide (shades of l’affaire McCain). Rove denies any such campaign.

Siegelman’s conviction for bribery has drawn criticism from 52 former states’ attorneys general, hinting that it, too, was the result of more Republican dirty tricks.

Here’s a sneak peek of the story, which airs at 6 p.m. Sunday on CBS 42 (opposite the Oscar lead-in, Barbara Walters):

Bonus video: Reporter Scott Pelley shares inside info, after the jump …

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Heads up: ’60 Minutes’ on Siegelman?

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

don siegelmanCBS news magazine “60 Minutes” has been investigating whether White House politics pushed for the prosecution of former governor Don Siegelman. He and HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy were convicted on charges of conspiracy, bribery and more. Republican operatives with White House ties have been accused of setting up Siegelman, a Democrat. Among those interviewed by CBS is Rep. Artur Davis (D).

The story had originally been scheduled to air in November, but was postponed, stirring up blog rumors galore. It could air at 6 tonight on CBS 42 or within the next few weeks. (The show Web site doesn’t say one way or the other.)

Update: It’s not Feb. 17. Maybe Feb. 24? (Against the Barbara Walters special before the Oscars.)

Update: Yep, Feb. 24.

Update: Watch the full report from “60 Minutes.”
Hartselle Enquirer: Legislators not happy with Riley’s numbers

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More headlines | send us your news tips.

Wade on June 2007

Sunday, July 1st, 2007

Then and now

D&D, dungeons and dollars: The Dick and Don show has moved to federal prison. After netting about seven years each and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy and former governor Don Siegelman are in custody, awaiting appeal.

Not much left to say, except see you in 2014.

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Scrushy, Siegelman: Hard time, hard copy

Friday, June 29th, 2007

Scrushy and SiegelmanIt’s not the first time Don Siegelman and Richard Scrushy have made Page One of newspapers.

But their sentencing-turned-shackling made for front-page news across Alabama.

Check out the full gallery after the jump.

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Heads up: Scrushy, Siegelman behind bars

Thursday, June 28th, 2007

scrushy, siegelman

The case is just about closed on the two local boys made bad. Former governor Don Siegelman and HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy were both sentenced to prison and six-figure fines, then immediately taken into custody earlier this evening.

Siegelman, the only Alabama governor with a prison sentence, won’t be free until late 2014 (barring parole). He’ll have to cough up more than $230,000 and perform 500 hours of community service. And don’t forget the three years of probation.

Scrushy, mogul turned evangelist turned con, won’t be out until spring 2014 (barring parole); he’ll have three years probation when out. He must shell out more than $400,000, not counting having to repay the costs of incarceration, which will easily be more than $150,000 if he serves the full term.

The pair racked up all kinds of charges: mail fraud, conspiracy, bribery, obstruction of justice. They were convicted one year ago tomorrow.

Has justice been served? Tell us after the jump. Plus, bloggers’ reactions.

Birmingham News: Siegelman, Scrushy taken into custody.

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