kitchen duet

Debra “Debbie” Beebe had wanted to be on “Survivor” since applying for the second season in 2000. Instead, she wound up in Brazil in the 18th season of “Survivor: Tocatins – The Brazilian Highlands.”

Her tribe had the advantage going into the merge. She aligned with power players since Day 3. So where did it go wrong for Beebe, the middle school principal from Auburn?

(Alabama’s other player, James Thomas Jr. of Mobile, remains in the game.)

She played a strong social game, despite the lack of camera time, and she started to emerge as a physical threat. But in Thursday’s episode, she had to settle for sixth place.

In a conference call earlier today, Beebe discussed the high points, the low points, her allies and what’s next.

(more…)

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paradox of awesome

Friday, May 8th, 2009

To be awesome, you
can’t announce your awesomeness.
(Unless you’re awesome!)

• • •

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Alabama on ‘Survivor’: Debbie does desperation

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

‘Survivor: Tocantins,’ episode 12 recap

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

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It’s a mad scramble with only six players left on “Survivor.” But with J.T. and Stephen firmly in control, is it really anybody’s game? Or theirs to lose?

Plus, special guest star Eddie George! (ooh, ahh)

Can James Thomas Jr. of Samson trust Stephen? Can Debra Beebe of Auburn trust anybody?

Who buys big at the auction? And who’s being sold down the river? Find out, after the jump …

(more…)

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that much sunnier

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Even during the
stretches of rain, a peek of
sunlight seems so bright.

• • •

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Alabama on ‘Survivor’: The wizards of bids

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

‘Survivor: Tocantins,’ episode 12 preview

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

VIDEO: Teaser for tonight’s episode

A quickie look at tonight’s “Survivor: Tocantins” above. Recap to follow the show.

What kind of auction will they have? An extreme auction! Because you can’t spell “auction” without “action.”

Is James Thomas Jr. of Mobile headed to the final two with Stephen? Has Debra Beebe of Auburn run out of hiding places?

Catch up:

Previous recap from us,
And one from Jeff.

We’ll see you back here tonight after the episode.

Bonus videos, after the jump …

(more…)

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Heads up: What will kill Birmingham first?

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

A race between swine flu and lost jobs

View H1N1 2009, swine flu, in Alabama in a larger map

U.S. Steel announced earlier today that it plans a temporary shutdown of its Fairfield plant, which employs 2,000 workers. Shutdown and restart dates were not announced. The plant is one of the company’s five (out of seven) North American operations shutting down.

But back to swine flu for a moment …

Health officials announced the first likely case of swine flu in Jefferson County on Saturday. They also confirmed that one Madison child did in fact contract swine flu (see “Heads up: Alabama reports two possible swine flu cases”).
Shelby County announced its first case of swine flu on Tuesday, later identified as a student at Inverness Elementary, which does not plan to close. (The federal government no longer advises schools to close in case of swine flu.)
Overall, Alabama has 25 cases, with 21 in Madison County. The strain of swine flu has turned out to be milder than previously thought.

Above is a map with confirmed and probable swine flu cases in Alabama.

So what’s hurting us more: economic meltdown or mild bug? Or both?