Wade on October 2009
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009A look back at all things and people and events 2009 …
Video: The Birmingham Museum of Art
unveils “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Oct. 1 | The Birmingham Museum of Art showed its new exhibit, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,” to the media. We gave you a sneak peek. Heads up: The exhibit closes in 10 days …
Oct. 6 | This site turned 4. We remembered. On time.
Oct. 6 | One in seven registered voters showed up for the city runoff election. We almost counted the votes by hand. The new city council and board of education is set, but not without controversy weeks later, with political maneuverings for the presidency of both bodies.
Oct. 9 | This site became a nominee for Birmingham’s Best 2009 in the Local Web Site category. Our plea for no votes is a raging success, as we finish as a runner-up.
Oct. 19 | We begin daily coverage of The Trial of Larry Langford, as Birmingham’s mayor has his day in Tuscaloosa federal court. Wade on Birmingham covers the trial on this site and through a special Twitter account, including live coverage on Day 5.
Oct. 20 | Arrest warrants are issued for two City Stages officials, George McMillan (at left) and Denise Koch, for bad checks. And the band played on.
Oct. 25 | HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy was back in town answering questions about his assets to help repay the $2.87 billion fine for a civil suit. You have to read it to believe it.
Oct. 28 | Birmingham mayor Larry Langford is convicted on 60 counts of bribery, money laundering, fraud and conspiracy. It brings an abrupt end to his 2 years in office, a term marked by hubris, financial woes and hypocrisy. Langford’s conviction turns council president Carole Smitherman into interim mayor, the first woman to hold the office.
Oct. 29 | We review Chris Thile jamming with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
Oct. 30 | One of Birmingham’s biggest sporting events, the Magic City Classic, saw Alabama A&M defeat Alabama State in the 68th match. More than 55,000 fans attended, and we had the preview.
See all of our October coverage.
• • •
Haiku flashback
birmingham renewed: baby steps (Oct. 30)
Who we are as a
city comes not from who leads
but who does the work.
• • •
365 days of Birmingham’s best and worst: Wade on 2009
