Even supermodels-in-training need a break. And thus, the “America’s Next Top Model” clip show.
Whee.
At least Tyra gave us some new clips of our current and departed contestants, including Top Five finalist Dionne Walters of Montgomery and long-long-lost Samantha Francis of Pinson.
All the photos, after the jump …
(more…)
Valerie Abbott, city council member since 2001, will run for mayor of Birmingham. She joins only one other declared candidate, attorney Patrick Cooper, in this year’s campaign.
Abbott began exploring a possible candidacy earlier this year, sending out letters to gauge financial backing. Earlier this evening, she said that while fund-raising continues, she has decided to run and will formally announce in mid- to late May.
Maybe the Hoover Bucs didn’t have the best season ever. Their hopes of a mythic national championship crashed hard earlier in the season. But the high school football powerhouse could still fulfill one record-breaking goal: a fifth straight state championship.
And so, Coach Propst and company are back on familiar turf, battling for the ring in one last game. It’s time for players, couples and teams to face their destiny in the hour-long season finale of “Two-a-Days.” (more…)
We leave for our Magic City Mission on Easter morning, but we could still use a few more items.
Our Hands on Birmingham team of six volunteers will be working next week with Hands on New Orleans to help rebuild the city. Thanks to your generosity, we’ll be taking enough donations to fill two pickups, including refurbished laptop computers from TechBirmingham, a new chainsaw, cleaning supplies and goodies for the long-term volunteers and staff there.
If you’d like to help, you still have time to give — check out the wish list, which shows what’s still needed and drop-off points near you.
Please consider a gift card (easy to transport, fits all budgets, doesn’t expire):
You can order them online or at store locations. (If you have them shipped, please send them directly to Hands on New Orleans, 2309 Dryades St., New Orleans, LA 70113.)
The drop-off deadline is Wednesday, April 4, so hurry!
We’ll send you postcards from New Orleans throughout the week as we help our neighbors in Louisiana and remind them that Birmingham still cares. Thank you for your support.
The Hoover Bucs love the smell of manure under the bleachers. Smells like … victory.
And so our heroes once again face their bitter rivals, the Vestavia Hills for a grudge rematch, this time during the state semifinals. If you hate the Rebels, well, this episode of “Two-a-Days” is for you. (more…)
We interrupt this season of “Two-a-Days” for the following announcement:
This week’s episode is a lousy clip show. How the heck do you put together highlights from a mere seven half-hour episodes of the Hoover Bucs? The producers could’ve at least just made it 20 minutes of Coach Propst ranting unbleeped …
Instead, we offer our “best of” from the season to date. (more…)
The progressive young professional group known as Catalyst will progress without a leader.
Cherie Fields, executive director for the past 12 months, will step down Thursday. She plans to continue serving on the advisory board. Meanwhile, the organization plans to discontinue the position, with the executive board resuming leadership duties.
Under Fields’ watch, Catalyst’s biggest venture has been Sustain City Stages, a fund-raising effort to erase the downtown music festival’s $800,000 debt and establish a rainy day fund. She also led the group in establishing its six key pillars, including leadership development, political awareness and arts and culture.
The group also recently relaunched its Web site. (more…)
Producer: “We need you kids to do something to jazz up this week’s episode of ‘Two-a-Days.’ ”
Kids: “We could have a bake sale. Or spend time with the elderly. Or cheer on the Hoover Bucs, our favorite team.”
Producer: “No! I’ve got it! You’re going to (dramatic pause) a psychic.”
Kids: (gasp!) (more…)
The sign-up deadline is just six days away for our volunteer trip to Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans. Please join us April 8-15 to help out the good folks of the Gulf Coast in our Magic City Mission, in partnership with Hands on Birmingham.
Still not sure? Meet Nic, a volunteer who went to Hands on New Orleans, and not only transformed the lives of others, but also his own. A recovering alcoholic, he found a way out of his personal darkness: “You can do anything.” See his story in this inspiring three-minute video.
And, our wish list needs someone like you to make it happen. Your gift of supplies and tools help keep Hands on Gulf Coast and Hands on New Orleans on track to rebuild their communities after Hurricane Katrina.
Won’t you lend a hand? The sign-up deadline for the trip is March 15.
Thanks for your consideration.
Her TV modeling career took a long strut off an abruptly short catwalk. But this teenager is determined to turn her passion for fashion into a living.
Samantha Francis, 19, became the second evictee on Wednesday’s episode of “America’s Next Top Model.” The CW reality competition, currently in its eighth season, features 13 women squaring off in photo shoots and fashion walks to win a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl.
The Pinson native discussed her runway ambitions, her bonding with fellow contestants and her Birmingham hangouts by phone Thursday.
Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole hour watching “America’s Next Top Model” for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy for making us write an essay telling you who we think these models are. Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.
Alabama contestants Dionne Walters and Samantha Francis, along with 10 other finalists, head back to school for some tough lessons in modeling and strutting.
All the photos, after the jump … (more…)
The playoffs continue, but the Hoover Bucs aren’t looking ahead to next week.
They’re looking ahead to next year
Yes, the seniors are looking forward to college, playing ball at another level, hanging out with their girlfriends, the whole campus experience. Except for Charlie, who may be repeating kindergarten at the rate he’s going. Even with higher education looming, the team faces the lowdown Thompson Warriors on the latest “Two-a-Days.” (more…)
The Magic City Mission needs your help. If you can’t go with us in April to volunteer in Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans, we have the next best thing to being there. Giving tools. And bottled water. And other supplies.
The wish list, provided by the Hands On Network, shows what’s needed by staff members and volunteers right away. The best item to give is a gift card, allowing this nonprofit volunteer group to replenish tools and materials, even gas, as needed. We have links to the retailers on the wish list page.
Come with us to join in the fun — signup deadline is March 15. If not, drop off an item or two by April 4 for us to deliver on April 8 to Louisiana and Mississippi. It’s the neighborly thing to do.
With more than 30 models available, who will strut ahead, and who will collapse on the catwalk? Only Sgt. Tyra can whip these gals into shape. “America’s Next Top Model” heads to boot camp.
Alabama contestants Dionne Walters and Samantha Francis might survive basic training, but that’s only the beginning. For the 13 finalists, it’s time to take a stand.
All the highlights from Wednesday’s premiere, shot by breathtaking shot … (more…)
A program reminder: Tune in tonight for the two-hour season premiere of “America’s Next Top Model.” Among the 13 finalists are the first two Alabamians in show history, Dionne (left) from Montgomery and Samantha from Pinson.
Wade on Birmingham will have all the drama in handy recap form following each episode.
The show airs at 7 tonight on CW 21, with a repeat at 7 p.m. Sunday.
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On the runway: more on “America’s Next Top Model.”
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