Wade on Birmingham

Archive for March, 2010

J.T. on ‘Survivor’: Pocket full of immunity

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 4 preview

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

Video: Preview for tonight’s episode.
The immunity idol scramble is on.

Wade on Birmingham - Survivor Heroes vs. VillainsWho needs challenge skills or people skills when you can have an immunity idol? Or two?

The hunt begins for the coveted idols in tonight’s episode of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.” Will Russell Hantz of the Villains tribe snag one from thin air? Will our Hero from Mobile, James “J.T.” Thomas Jr., uncover one before his teammates do?

And why on Earth is “Coach” Ben Wade bawling? The dragonslayer needs to slay the dragon of insecurity.

Plus, a bonus scene from last week’s episode.

Video: The Heroes celebrate
their first Immunity Challenge win.

Episode 3 recaps:

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains ” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on CBS 42. Full recap tonight following the show.

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Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

almost a blizzard

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

When it snows three times
in a season in the South.
invest in long johns.

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a question of worth

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The lone monk used an
abacus to calculate
his worth before God.

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at the holi table

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

To enjoy the feast,
you must prove your faith and wear
a colorful face.

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olympic dreams: vancouver mush

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

A host city with
too much warmth can’t keep much snow
on the mighty slopes.

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olympic dreams: pucks unlimited

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Faceoff. Deke, shot, block.
Icing, pass … fight! Penalty.
Shot, shot, score! Horn! Roar!

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olympic dreams: down the frozen colon

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The track has a rep.
The athletes have a mission:
Steer straight, fast and true.

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olympic dreams: blue borders

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Exposed veins pulse with
energy from the mountain
as ants slide between.

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olympic dreams: i got my half-pipe

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Baggy gymnasts of
the snowboards twist round and round,
hanging in mid-air.

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olympic dreams: good and bumpy

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Mogul minefield stands
between agile skiers and
medals podium.

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olympic dreams: ski, shoot, ski

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

With rifles at the
ready, skiers charge across
snowy countryside.

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Convicted ex-mayor Larry Langford faces sentencing Friday

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Larry Langford’s friend Bill Blount will be in prison for 52 months.

Wade on Birmingham - The trial of Larry LangfordLarry Langford’s other friend Al LaPierre will be in prison for 48 months.

Both were sentenced Friday in Tuscaloosa by U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler. Both had testified against their friend Langford during his federal trial in October.

He faces his sentencing on Friday in Tuscaloosa. Langford, who was convicted on 60 counts of bribery, money laundering, conspiracy and fraud, faces up to 30 years in prison.

Not surprisingly, prosecutors are asking for the 30-year sentence plus more than $360,000 in fines ($241,843 in forfeiture and $119,985 in restitution). Langford’s defense attorney expects the worst, likening a long sentence for his 63-year-old client to a “death sentence.”

We’ll have Coogler’s decision on the sentence Friday on Wade on Birmingham.

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Complete coverage: The trial of Larry Langford from Wade on Birmingham.

olympic dreams: cavalcade on ice

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Hicks, clowns and native
characters strap on skates to
wow judges and fans.

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olympic dreams: brush with glory

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The disk sails down the
rink, aimed with bristled intent
at icy bull’s eye.

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EXCLUSIVE: The reshuffling of Sidewalk

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Gay film festival moves to fall; new hires in the works

Wade on Birmingham - Sidewalk Moving Picture FestivalThe Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival has made major moves for 2010. Its parent organization, the Alabama Moving Image Association, has filled out its event calendar, shuffled a festival and made room for two new positions. Executive director Chloe Collins shared the details via e-mail.

Birmingham Shout, the organization’s springtime gay/lesbian film festival, will move to fall, specifically Sept. 24-26. So, both Shout and Sidewalk 2010 will take place on the same weekend in downtown Birmingham.

Collins says that the move allows for “exciting cross promotions, audience development, important interactions and a stronger focus on serving each event’s mission.

“Though the dates and footprint will be the shared, Shout and Sidewalk will be distinct events with unique marketing, community steering, volunteers, parties, events and, of course, programming. Shout will have its own venue — screening films both Saturday and Sunday — allowing patrons more opportunities and flexibility compared to last year which offered two screens on one day, forcing patrons to choose one film experience over another.”

Shout started in 2006, having grown and shrunk in its previous four runs. (Coincidentally, Sidewalk started in 1999 as a spring festival before moving to the fall the following year.) The festival’s revenues and financial health remain unclear.

Collins and other staff members will oversee Shout, while the festival’s programmer will be Billy Ray Brewton, co-founder and president of Theatre Downtown.

Two-day passes will allow entrance to both festivals. Filmmakers submitting movies with gay/lesbian themes will choose which festival or festivals to enter, rather than the programming committees. Collins added that the two festivals will work together to avoid double-programming any film.

• With the approval of the 2010 budget, Sidewalk is looking to hire a development/communications manager (a newly created staff position) and an education and outreach coordinator (a contract position).

The festival terminated the project coordinator position, most recently held by Natalie Hummel.

After the 2009 event, the organization went from a $10,000 deficit to a $20,000 surplus.

Update: Rebecca Pugh is the new development/communications manager. She previously worked as an assignment editor at NBC 13 before spending the last 3 years in a similar role at Tampa’s ABC affiliate.

Upcoming Sidewalk events include:

  • Tonight | monthly Sidewalk Salon, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rojo on Southside, featuring Mark Stricklin of the Birmingham-Jefferson Film Office
  • Thursday | Pre-Oscar Bash fund-raiser, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kress Building, 301 19th St. N., downtown. $20, $15 for Sidewalk members. For tickets and more information, visit the site.
  • March 9 | Sidewalk Silver Screen Encore Series, featuring “That Evening Sun,” 7 p.m., Virginia Samford Theatre, 1116 26th St. S., Southside. $8. For tickets and more information, visit the site. [Review from Wade on Birmingham]
  • March 15 | deadline for submissions for Sidewalk 2010.

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Action! Complete Sidewalk Festival coverage.