If you plan on voting, and you’re not yet registered, hurry! You have until Friday to register. Where?

• any branch of the Jefferson County Libraries;
• any courthouse.

For more info, visit the Alabama secretary of state site.

Also, you can check out sample ballots (PDF) for Jefferson and Shelby Counties. Warning: The Jefferson County sample ballot has 162 pages, reflecting the various districts and races. Apparently, they included “Ralph Nadar” on the list of presidential nominees — especially amusing since it’s spelled Ralph Nader.

And for those wondering who won the mayoral runoffs in Brighton, Calera, Fairfield, Gardendale, Graysville Montevallo, Pelham and Trafford … wonder no more: Here are the complete results.

It’s two weeks until Election Day!

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

Who knew that fatty
foods could be so fattening?
asked the growing crowds.

• • •

Read more haiku.

Movie review: ‘ ‘Bama Girl’

sidewalk.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Erin Shaw Street

“At the University of Alabama, every girl wants to be homecoming queen.”

Every girl? Really?

Such is the assertion from documentary director Rachel Goslins, whose documentary “’Bama Girl” follows a black finalist for homecoming queen. Maybe not every student covets the crown, but the movie is sure to spark some interesting conversations.

The film closes the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival on Sunday.

(more…)

The Vice President stopped by Alabama Thursday to help a couple of congressional candidates. Republicans Wayne Parker and Jay Love were supposed to play host to President Bush, but instead had to settle for Dick Cheney and the half-million dollars he helped raise.

The cost was $1,000 to attend, $10,000 to have a photo op with the veep. Bush canceled Wednesday, choosing to remain in Washington to work on the economic crisis.

Hey, a half mil in a couple of hours? Economic crisis solved!

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

Barry McCulley is out. The three-term Homewood mayor was trounced by council member Scott McBrayer by nearly a 3-to-1 margin in today’s municipal elections.

Tommy Joe Alexander won re-election for Irondale mayor with 60 percent of the vote, beating three challengers, including former mayor and convicted extortionist David Krider.

Up to five other incumbent mayors are also out in Argo, Brighton, Clay, Leeds, Lipscomb and West Jefferson. Mayors in Columbiana and Fairfield could be in runoffs on Oct. 7.

The new officials take office Nov. 3.

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

Polls are open, as voters pick their city leaders in 40 municipalities in Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

In Homewood, incumbent Barry McCulley faces a challenge from council member Scott McBrayer. (The council members all Seven council members ran unopposed for re-election.)

In Irondale, incumbent Tommy Joe Alexander is running against council members Joan Ratchford and John Schoen, as well as former mayor David Krider. During his second term, Krider resigned, plead guilty to extortion and served two years in prison. Oy.

• More info on all the races
• Locate your polling place, or call Jefferson County, 325-5550; Jefferson County (Bessemer only), 481-4105; or Shelby County, 669-3913.

Polls close at 7 tonight.

Look for results on Wade on Birmingham tonight after polls close.

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

June 20, 2008

City Stages
1929 Third Ave. N., No. 900
Birmingham, AL 35203

Dear Guy McCullough and George McMillan:

Thank you for your hard work for the past 20 years on City Stages, including this year’s milestone festival. While your dedication and past success have kept the event going, we’ve decided to terminate your services effective immediately.

It should surprise no one that ticket sales didn’t reach stated goals and that the event will again lose money. This follows the pattern of previous years. And though you’ve publicly stated that each year would show an improvement in revenues, even with costs under control, the event bleeds money.

And while attendees and non-attendees can continue to debate the quality of the lineup or the importance of other factors (timing, weather), your track record has been one of continued debt, unresponsive leadership and increased dependence on public funds.

(more…)

City Stages 2008, the historic 20th edition, has wrapped. We’ll know in a week whether or not it lost money, broke even or turned a profit to help erase its persistent debt.

Not having been since 2006, I was glad to check out the familiar sights and sounds. Not much has changed, and for those who like the feel of the downtown event, that should be of great comfort. For those who crave even modest improvement, that news is downright disheartening.

(more…)

The big 2-0. Yes, City Stages 2008 launches its 20th edition on Friday. (Oh, how we miss the tongue-twisting title sponsor …) In honor of this milestone, we present our best of the fest playlist.

Look for artists from every stage and every style. Enjoy the sonic diversity of these 20 tracks, even if you can’t make it this weekend.

One’s a freebie, the rest will run you about $20 on iTunes.

The songs in detail, after the jump …

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Meanwhile, Obama makes history

In today’s state primary, Sen. Jeff Sessions handily won the Republican primary, facing state Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, who bested two opponents to take the Democratic nomination.

For the Court of Criminal Appeals, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Clyde Jones won for Place 1 on the Democratic ticket, facing the winner of the GOP runoff between appeals court attorney Beth Kellum and former Montgomery County District Judge Lucie McLemore. For Place 2, deputy state attorney general Mary Windom (Republican) will face Montgomery attorney Aimee Cobb Smith (Democrat).

And for Public Service Commission president, Lucy Baxley, who ran uncontested on the Democratic ballot, will face the GOP runoff winner, either Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (senior adviser to Gov. Bob Riley and former chairwoman of the Alabama Republican Party) or Matt Chancey.

(more…)

It’s time to vote in the state primaries. Congressional seats, judges and commissions at stake. Yes, commissions.

Step 1: Find your polling place with this magic form.

Or call Jefferson County, 325-5550; Jefferson County (Bessemer only), 481-4105; or Shelby County, 669-3913.

Step 2: Go to your polling place by 7 tonight.

Step 3: Cast your ballot. (See sample ballots.)

Step 4: Drink heavily. Or if you’re in a dry county, drink heavily.

Remember, if you have problems at your polling place:

• Notify a poll worker immediately.
• Obtain a complaint/evaluation form (or download jpgs of pages 1 and 2). Print it, fill it out, copy and mail it.
• Call the state attorney general at 1-800-831-8814 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday or fill out this online form.
• And tell the probate court for Jefferson County (325-5203) or Shelby County (669-3713).

Look for results on Wade on Birmingham tonight after polls close.

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

In the long stretch between Super Duper Tuesday and actual Election Day lies the fair state primary. Our guide to Tuesday’s polls …

Q: Where do I vote?

A: The answer is a call away. Jefferson County: 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): 481-4105, Shelby County: 669-3913.

Q: What can I expect to see on the ballots?

A: Check out the sample ballots (PDF) by county [map] and party …

• Democratic Party: Jefferson (unavailable) | Shelby
• Republican Party: Jefferson | Shelby

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GOP nominee to tour Black Belt, hit Birmingham fund-raisers

Republican presidential nominee John McCain has returned to Alabama to lure voters in a state that went for Mike Huckabee in February. The Arizona senator will start in Selma this morning, which has already seen visits by Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

After a swing through the Black Belt, he’ll stop tonight in Birmingham for a fund-raiser at the Sheraton ($1,000 and $2,300 for tickets) and then to Soho in Homewood for a young professionals fund-raiser (a thrifty $100 per ticket).

The Black Belt is among the poorest regions in the nation, though U.S. Steel announced Friday that it would build a $150 million, 75-job plant in Sumter County later this year.

Just 197 days until Election Day.

Can McCain win over the evangelicals and traditional Southern Republicans who voted Huckabee? What do you think?

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

‘The Biggest Loser: Couples’ live recap, episode 16 (season finale)

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Ginny and Wade

Roger Shultz of Enterprise takes his last last weigh-in. Can he make it to the final three of “The Biggest Loser”? And will he win the $250,000 grand prize?

The live recap of the live two-hour finale — plus details on where you can meet him in person this weekend — after the jump …

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‘Biggest Loser’ player Roger Shultz reveals all before finale

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Ginny

Trainer Bob Harper, left, and Roger Shultz

He may be better known these days, at least by the ladies, as a record-breaking competitor on “The Biggest Loser” than as a linebacker for the Crimson Tide. But Roger Shultz owes it to an intense focus on weekly weigh-ins on the NBC reality competition.

The season concludes at 7 p.m. Tuesday, where the Enterprise native could win $250,000 during the live broadcast.

Shultz talked by phone about his experiences, his chance of being chosen for the final three, and being identified by his missing tooth.

• I have to know: Was chef Rocco DiSpirito’s pepper steak really as good as your mama’s?

It was pretty good. It was different. He added peppers at first thinking it would be a Chinese dish. (laughs)

• Did you ever think you would make it to the final four?

Realistically, no. All I thought was, stay above the yellow line and good things will happen. I took it one week at the time. And then, things happened like (the final twist where America votes).

• That final weigh-in was intense …

You should’ve been there with me! But it was still exciting-losing the most weight of anyone on campus. It was the first time I focused in on a number and really fine-tuned my diet and workouts to reach it for the final weigh-in.

Unfortunately, that was a motivator for everyone.

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