As Election Day draws ever closer, the money men are hard at work behind the scenes. Case in point: Two-term mayor Bernard Kincaid, left, is fighting off eight other candidates. At least his campaign war chest is full, thanks mostly to one man, attorney Donald Watkins and his $95,000 contribution. Oh, PAC transfers, is there anything you can’t do?

The self-proclaimed scandal-free candidate returned the love with $40 million in city deposits in Watkins’ Birmingham-based bank, Alamerica. That’s a lot of free toasters. See, everybody wins!

Other big money candidates include Carole Smitherman ($94,750 from 30 PACs) and Larry Langford ($79,000 from 14 PACs). And it’s all legal. Scandalous, but legal.
• Birmingham News: Kincaid’s campaign has one big contributor | City is Alamerica’s top patron

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The sales pitch starts with
promise and ends with something
short of nirvana.

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As Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival gears up for its ninth outing later this month, you have a chance to see what’s on the lineup tonight.

As part of its monthly Salon, Sidewalk organizers will show trailers and discuss programming. See what goes into putting on a festival and what you can expect as a film fan.

The Salon takes place at 7 tonight at Rojo, 2921 Highland Ave S. [map]. Doors open at 6 for networking and drinks, plus free snacks.

Also, be sure to check out the festival site, which includes new features allowing users to create custom schedules and blogs related to the festival (such as this handsome one).

Look to Wade on Birmingham for more preview coverage of the film festival, including reviews and giveaways.

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Action! Complete Sidewalk 2007 coverage.

Burnt something litters
air around oven as a
smelly souvenir.

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Even UPS
man needs love. Hot, boxy loads
from big cargo truck.

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Go forth and divide,
cried the devil to his flock.
Who will stop the lies?

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Artwalk, downtown’s annual two-day event, takes place Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. If you haven’t been before, maybe you need a reason to attend.

We have 10 …

1. Someday our prints will come … Our pal and friendly printmaker Charles Buchanan will be back at Artwalk, in the tiniest space available. We helped carry his display boards to his car this one time, which kinda makes us like co-printmakers. Or not. You could stop by, just to praise his freshly revamped Web site. Or gush over his My Birmingham essay in August’s Birmingham Magazine. Or buy a print. Or 12.
• James Morgan, esq., 2314A First Ave. N. [map]

(more…)

It all started with
trying to do it all and
ending with burnout.

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More than hope, more than
faith, this is true, this is fate.
Yeah, we’re breaking free.

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Jackie the welder. Photo by callingstorm.

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Look, I’m wearing white!
Nyaah, nyaah. You can’t write me a
ticket, fashion cop.

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Enjoy your Labor Day!

You toil your life
away, and for what? Pension
and food and shelter.

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Then and now

The leader of the pack: Very soon, a mayor will reign, whether it’s the current one or any of the eight (and counting) challengers. Can Birmingham save itself? Can a mayor make a difference?

A series of mayoral forums (not debates, sigh) are allowing voters to ask questions in limited fashion. One such forum this month brought five candidates to the stage to discuss the homeless problem. [Listen to forum podcasts.] (more…)

“How is work going?”
The reply each time? “Busy.”
Which beats “Not busy.”

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