Some people see ghosts
not on Halloween but in
the car, the closet.

• • •

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The right candy is
whatever lands in your bag
from trick or treating.

• • •

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Battered spirits seek
shelter against the bumps and
bruises of living.

• • •

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Sometimes employees
don’t recognize freedom till
they’re sprung from their jobs.

• • •

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The mountain to climb
is not made of piled earth but of
paperwork and debts.

• • •

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“America’s Next Top Model” special report

By Nadria Tucker

Fierce, but in a different way.

We’ve followed Kendal Brown of Northport on her journey toward becoming “America’s Next Top Model” for the last 4 weeks. With each new episode, we’ve watched her progress from a girl with “potential” to a model who seems to know how to pose (and not act the fool) in front of the camera.

Can she keep up the momentum? And can she hold her own with … a masked wrestler? And just who did leave the bobby pins in the dishwasher?

Find out, after the jump …

(more…)

A faint snore marks the
onset of slumber, dreaming
up new ideas.

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Video: Before you pose, you see the ring.

One runway was four stories up. This week’s runway is a conveyor belt. What’s the next runway? Hot coals? Broken glass? Venomous snakes?!

Anything goes on “America’s Next Top Model,” including a photo shoot with masked wrestlers.

Let’s watch to see if Kendal Brown of Northport tames the moving walkway and the covert crusher. Then come back here to check out Nadria Tucker’s recap.

Also:

• Episode 4 recap
• Our interview with Kendal Brown

Video: In Soviet Russia (and L.A. undergound),
runway walks you!

“America’s Next Top Model” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays on CW 21.

• • •

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• • •

On the runway: more on “America’s Next Top Model.”

Blogging takes you places. This blog has taken me to places around the state and around the country. That may sound odd for a news site focused on Birmingham, but that’s how blogging works. It opens the door to places beyond your tiny domain.

Wade on Birmingham celebrates its fifth anniversary today. Let us look at the places charted and uncharted on the journey to date.

The blog of 2010 is not too different from the 2005 model. I still write a majority of posts, including a daily haiku. I still focus on Birmingham with occasional glances at the newsworthy in Alabama, too.

But looking closer, the evolution of this news site becomes more apparent. Nearly 3,000 posts have made this into a unique resource for the metro area, with 20 guest bloggers to date. I’ve had countless scoops and exclusives, plus special reports on everything from politics to crime to food to pop culture.

Why? Why invest so much time and effort and even a little money into this humble enterprise?

Because the opportunities continue to pour in for this online journalist.

I talked about blogging last week in Baton Rouge and will discuss it again next week in Las Vegas. I’ve already booked a speaking gig for 2011 here in town. So working on this site contributes directly to my expertise in this niche area.

Wade on Birmingham also gives me the opportunity to talk about this community: its challenges, its successes, its future. One reason why I believe many residents have become apathetic about the state of the city — and the city is in bad shape — is because they aren’t aware of the alternatives.

When you travel, you see amazing things and meet amazing people. You see how other cities have reliable and affordable buses and trains, or attractions where vacant buildings once stood. You see thoughtful development and invading tourists and hometown pride.

In short, you see the things Birmingham is not. Or the Birmingham that could be.

(I wish more of you would slip the surly bonds of Jones Valley to voyage to other places. Travel broadens the mind and ignites the soul.)

A few would prefer that Birmingham’s problems remain unnamed and unpublicized, that it creates an air of discontent. I respectfully disagree. If you want people to stop talking about the numerous long-term problems of this city, let’s solve them once and for all.

Ideas are fine. But actually working together to put those ideas in place? More of that, please.

I don’t have all the answers. But many of you do. This site is built not on one individual’s efforts, but on the collective efforts of too many people to name here. I’m eternally grateful to the readers, who never hesitate to give praise or criticism when needed.

I’m also grateful to tipsters, fellow bloggers, interview subjects, sponsors, photographers, rabble rousers and developers who had a hand in what you see before you. It really took a village.

Blogs come and go, many during these past 5 years. But this blog will be around for awhile. As blogging here has taken me places, let it carry you to the undiscovered corners of our fair city. Let it showcase the heroic efforts of everyday people. And yes, let it also continue to bring persistent problems to the forefront, so that we may defeat them rather than defer them.

Whether you came in on Day 1 or Day 1,827, welcome to Wade on Birmingham. We have a lot to talk about.

Wade Kwon is a Birmingham native and publisher of Wade on Birmingham.

• • •

First, second, third and fourth anniversary posts.

Photo: Jelani Newton, J&M Photography and Design

High five. Nine to five.
Take five. Five-finger discount.
Five years and counting.

• • •

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“America’s Next Top Model” special report

Before “America’s Next Top Model,”
Kendal Brown was on track to work in health care.

By Nadria Tucker

Kendal Brown’s first plane ride didn’t just take her to Los Angeles, but into living rooms across the country.

The then-23-year-old Northport native left her small, close-knit community to join the ranks of contestants hoping to be crowned “America’s Next Top Model”

Her risk has paid off. For the last 4 weeks, Brown has earned praise from judges such as designer Diane von Fürstenberg and Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley. Her performance on the show has steadily improved, and she seems poised to go far in the competition.

Brown answered questions via e-mail on host Tyra Banks, her competitors and her teeny tiny problem with becoming a nurse.

• Why did you try out for “Top Model” on Tyra.com? Had you auditioned before?

I was a member of Tyra.com, and I always follow her to see what she is doing. She always gave you tips on makeup, clothes, food, hair, everything a girl loves, and you also get to be picked by Tyra herself. Who doesn’t want that?

The supermodel herself wants me to try our for “America’s Next Top Model” — that’s awesome.

People think I didn’t have to audition and wait for hours, but I did. I had to experience everything everyone else had to do.

I went to an audition in Birmingham for Cycle 14 and didn’t get to go in because I didn’t have a passport. I was devastated. That’s OK: God wanted me to be in [Cycle 15], the high fashion cycle. That’s the way I see it.

• • •

Buy the entire Season Pass from iTunes. [aff. link]

• • •

• Do you think the show portrays you accurately?

I think they did, because I am funny, kind of shy at times and say whatever is on my mind. I will tell you the truth.

You can tell everything I’m thinking from my facial expressions. I show everything on my face. My facial expressions are priceless, ha ha. I don’t try to hide anything.

• Who did you get along with? Who did you dislike?

I pretty much got along with everyone. I’m not a person who likes to get into arguments and fights. I was away from my family. I was already missing them, so fighting and arguments would have made me stressed out. I was more focused on the prize and winning.

The two I was really close with were Terra and Chris (White). Terra and I, we are similar in ways. We are about the same age. She is a very sweet, down-to-earth person. Her sister Chris is hilarious. She knows how to have a good time. They are honest and loyal, and they are from the South, so you can’t go wrong with that.

An upcoming challenge puts Brown in the wrestling ring.

• What was working with Tyra really like?

Working with Tyra is awesome. It’s a little intimidating at first, because she is so beautiful, and we’re talking about the Tyra Banks, the supermodel who graced the covers of thousands of magazines.

Once you get comfortable and get to know her and talk with her, all your nerves go away, because she is just that down to earth. She is an all-around beautiful person inside and out.

There are many working models who probably didn’t get the opportunity to work with her, and I did.

• Why did Tyra ask you about your virginity in the first episode?

On the application, it asks you to name three interesting things about yourself, and I stated I was a virgin. I haven’t dated in high school at all. I started my real, first relationship when I was 20.

I’d rather experience love and get to know that person, rather than just have sex with them. You can have sex with anybody, but if you don’t have love, true feelings, commitment, honesty, trust, it’s nothing. I like to have those before I make a big decision like that.

• Are you still enrolled at Virginia College in Birmingham?

No.

• What were you studying?

I was studying to be a health care reimbursement specialist, because I wanted to work in the nursing field, but I didn’t want to be hands-on with the patients. I am a germaphobe. That wouldn’t be a good job for me, so I figured I can be behind the desk, working with computers, typing and putting health information in the computer system. As I get older, I can see myself behind a desk.

I was on the president’s list two semesters in a row, 4.0 (GPA), so I am pretty smart.

• What was the most important thing you learned on the show?

(Modeling) is not as easy as people might think it is. It is hard work.

I remember watching the shows and always saying, “Why is she crying?” I can honestly understand now, since I have experienced it. You will never know how much it takes, until you experience it.

• How does the reality of modeling compare to what you imagined it to be?

It’s harder than what I expected. Waking up early in the mornings, staying on set for hours and hours …

You have to know your angles and your best side, take direction well and model from head to toe. It’s not just standing there like people think. You may think you’re doing well, but the picture is saying otherwise.

• What advice would you give aspiring models?

Do your homework. Study your favorite model: the way she poses, everything.

Know the fashion designers, the latest trends and photographers. Know what type of modeling you want to do.

Send your pictures to modeling agencies. It doesn’t have to be professional, but make sure you have a swimsuit on, so the agency can see your body. They should tell you what kind of pictures to send them on their website.

Stay away from scams. You shouldn’t have to pay up front or at all.

Stay focused, passionate, dedicated, driven and just believe in yourself. You can do anything you put your mind to.

“America’s Next Top Model” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays on CW 21.

• • •

Birmingham writer Nadria Tucker (@NadriaTucker) dabbles in magical realism and the Southern gothic tradition, but always keeps an eye toward the future of Southern fiction. Her award-winning fiction is character driven and sometimes dark, but usually plays fair. Her work has been featured in publications such as The2ndHand, Lipstick and Birmingham Magazine.

• • •

Subscribe to the RSS feed or e-mail for the latest “America’s Next Top Model” news and updates.

• • •

On the runway: more on “America’s Next Top Model.”

Old cell phones, iPods
don’t head to the farm, but to
a wiry grave.

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Republican nominee Robert Bentley and Democratic nominee Ron Sparks will have a lot to discuss tonight at the gubernatorial debate. The FBI made arrests today in a federal gambling probe involving alleged bribes to state lawmakers. Those arrested this morning include VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor and lobbyist Robert Geddie.

Both nominees have discussed gambling during previous debates and campaign stops.

Tonight’s debate will focus on economic development and business. The hourlong event, sponsored by the Birmingham Business Alliance, starts at 6 p.m. at Hill Recital Hall on the Birmingham-Southern College campus. Admission is free and open to the public.

The debate will be carried live on Fox 6 and on the station’s website.

Election Day is Nov. 2.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

The napkin rings must
be just so, the dining room
dust free. Perfect clench.

• • •

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It’s not so much the
timing as it is the waste
of years and minutes.

• • •

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