Beware, for the day
comes at a steep cost to tax
cheats and laggards, too.

• • •

Read more haiku.

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 9 preview

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

Video: Preview for tonight’s episode.
Are the Heroes about to make the boldest move,
or simply the dumbest?

The Heroes are on a roll with four consecutive wins on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.” They may just make it to the merge on even footing with the Villains. In fact, it would take something really stupid on their part to throw away that momentum.

Enter J.T.

It appears Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. has a plan. A big plan. Because the Heroes see Russell Hantz alone on a tribe of female Villains, they suspect a women’s alliance is about to send him packing. Maybe the Heroes could flip the game by handing Russell their hidden immunity idol.

Newly risen Darth Vader says, “No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!”

Will J.T. convince his teammates? And will it be the best, or worst, move in “Survivor” history?

Episode 8 recaps:

• Wade on Birmingham
• The Birmingham News
• Host Jeff Probst: “J.T. has some major recovering to do because he flat out got busted and it didn’t go over well with the rest of the tribe that he went looking for the idol without telling anybody.”

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

• • •

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

Like a forecast by Punxsutawney Phil’s evil twin, it’s 6 more weeks of pollen in the South. Weather experts attribute it to our unseasonably cold winter.

Pollen counts are 10 percent higher than normal so far. Oaks produce 3,000 to 6,000 pollen particles per cubic meter, but only 10 are needed to trigger allergies.

The Tuscaloosa News offers these tips for reducing allergy symptoms:

• Stay indoors. Keep window and doors shut.
• If you must work outside, do it in the early morning when pollen is at its lowest levels.
• Wear a facemask and eye protection if working in the yard.
• Make sure the car air conditioning is set to recirculate the air inside the vehicle.
• After being outside, wash your face clean, especially around the eyes and nose.
• Try over-the-counter allergy medications, or else visit an allergy specialist.

How have you dealt with this tough pollen season?

Photo by jjlapierre/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Gallons of sugar
water soothe on hot days. And
then, the kidney stones.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Pollen-encrusted
world keeps the nostrils clenched and
the oxygen scarce.

• • •

Read more haiku.

The Birmingham Business Alliance is holding a series of forums for Jefferson County Commission candidates starting tonight. All five forums start at 6 p.m.

• District 1 | tonight, The Harbert Center, downtown [map]
• District 5 | Tuesday, Hoover City Hall, council chambers [map]
• District 3 | April 19, McAdory High School, McCalla [map]
• District 2 | April 22, Lawson State Community College, A.G. Gaston Auditorium [map]
• District 4 | April 26, Tarrant City Hall, council chambers [map]

[Map of Jefferson County Commission districts]

The alliance is taking voter questions ahead of time through an online form.

Bright House and Charter plan to record the forums to show on their on-demand channels.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

The land zips by, but
with a tactile breath. Helmet
on, feet pedaling.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Virtual greens on
widescreens lie in wait for crowds
of upscale gawkers.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Robot slave who takes
out the trash and feeds the dogs
and raps: Where are you?

• • •

Read more haiku.

Somehow, it always
gets done. Leftover items
seem to disappear.

• • •

Read more haiku.

People will talk, but
then someone actually
listens. Game over.

• • •

Read more haiku.

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 8 recap

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

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The Heroes are on a roll. They get a little food, win a little immunity, and suddenly, they think they’re kings, damn ass hell kings.

After all, the Villains lost only one member. Who led them. And kept them unified. And helped them dominate at challenges.

On “Survivor,” a little momentum can go a long way.

Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. wonders if having a secret immunity idol might not be a bad thing. And the Villains, well, “Coach” Ben Wade is upset. Sandra Diaz-Twine is pissed. Jerri Manthey is disgruntled. Russell Hantz is … wishy-washy?!

Who packed up camp? Who went on an idol hunt? And who outfoxed Russell? Find out, after the jump …

(more…)

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 8 preview

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

Video: Preview for tonight’s episode.
The Villains are out for blood. Each other’s.

Looks like the Heroes have the big M on their side. That would be momentum.

But with 12 contestants left, the Villains might have a big M on their side, too. Merge.

We’ll know tonight on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.”

Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. looks to be sitting pretty, since his tribe has a couple of victories to keep their morale up. Plus, the Villains seem to be in a tizzy after last week’s ouster of leader “Boston Rob” Mariano.

Can the Heroes continue their winning ways? Has Russell Hantz of the Villains made himself the leader, or simply the next target?

Episode 7 recaps:

• Wade on Birmingham
• (Mobile) Press-Register
• Host Jeff Probst: “Russell vs. Boston Rob will go down as one of the greatest battles of all time. I want them back. Now.”

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

• • •

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

Questions get harder.
The prizes, bigger. No help
from the audience.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Spring sometimes likes to
hide herself between winter
and summer, too cute.

• • •

Read more haiku.