A look at Birmingham in videos …

A look at iLead Escape, a conference for ministers last week at Faith Chapel Christian Center near McDonald Chapel (our vertical video of the week). From Janice Johnson.

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The Vestavia Hills High School Literacy Club created this commercial for the Birmingham Reads Book Drive Challenge. From Better Basics.

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The Birmingham Blaze beats the Panhandle Crusaders 14-12 in last week’s season opener at Carver Field. From T4Films.

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Selfie-guided tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. From Pimp Juice.

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Abby and Ava compete in and win the Champion Spirit Group Bama Challenge in February at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex downtown. From Cheer Pro Athletics.

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The Standing Ovation Talent Group performs “Four Little Girls — the Birmingham Church Bombing 1963” in February in Orlando. From Dionne Beasley.

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Andrew Robison (73) of Louisiana participates in February’s Future150 Underclassmen Camp Birmingham All-Star Game at Carver High in North Birmingham. From Drew Robison.

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Clips from Tuscaloosa’s Allison Boyd, a graduate of Birmingham-Southern. She has appeared in “Suburgatory,” “Oculus” and “Two Broke Girls.” From EC/FC.

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Super Bowl promo for Art Franklin on WIAT-42. From Kristi Joiner.

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Cab driver Steve K. records a passenger’s complaint about another cabbie in October. From Steve K.

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Cab driver Steve K. receives a note, “Snitches get stitches.” From Steve K.

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Cab driver Steve K.: “Yellow Cab speeds through Birmingham. Crash pic at end. 78-year-old cab driver disregards law. Known for speeding/racing.” From Steve K.

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Mary Greeley looks at Birmingham’s minimum wage battle with the Legislature. From Mary Greeley.

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Drone footage of the Zamora Shrine Center in Irondale. From Brian Campbell.

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WABM-68 station sign-off with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” From Bhamtown.

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Kansas City tribute band Almost KISS performs in 2014 at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham. From SuperKiss1100.

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The 2016 Birmingham Addy Awards intro video from UAB Digital Media. From Stephen M. Stark.

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An idea pitch, Level Up, for the 2016 Birmingham Addy Awards. From Stephen M. Stark.

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On “Deer and Wildlife Stories,” Keith Warren meets fellow deer breeder and Birmingham attorney Rusty Weaver, who owns Guntersville deer farm Weaver Two Whitetails. From Rustic River Media.

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Mississippi musician Luther Dickinson performs “Mayor Langford Birmingham Blues” earlier this month at the Acoustic in Bridgeport, Conn. From Frederick Matt.

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Promo for “A Night of Miracles Encounter” with Christina Glenn Weeks on April 24 at the BJCC South Ballroom downtown. From PCGWM.

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Drone footage of the Birmingham Zoo, including areas under construction. From Birmingham Zoo.

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Highlight reel for Jabari Weeks of Hueytown High. From Street Light Recruiting.

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Florida high schooler narrates his latest gamer video by describing his recent trip to Birmingham. From akaSyzygy.

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British metal band Bullet for My Valentine performs “Tears Don’t Fall” in February at Iron City on Southside. From Jennifer Devereaux.

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Weather Channel, Birmingham edition. From Welcome to the Woods.

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Drone footage of the weekly Birmingham Cars and Coffee meetup at Hoover Tactical Firearms. From William Panik.

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Rappers Cory Savage, Mississippi Maal, Digga and Roc Reels perform in “The Birmingham Underground Cypher Part 4.” From Roc Reels.

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Browsing Barnes and Noble. From 지상선.

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A visit to the 2014 Bassmaster Classic World Championship at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex downtown. From the Carlstar Group.

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Promo for WBHM (90.3 FM) storytelling program “Localore: Finding America.” From Chris Lewis, Nash Films.

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Celebrating Dr. Seuss during Read Across America earlier this month at Hayes K-8 School in North Avondale. From Jill Gilardi.

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Hanging out at Uptown and the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. From Charles Crepps.

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Nashville rock band the Vegabonds shows life on the road from Oxford, Miss., to Birmingham. From the Vegabonds.

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Singer-songwriter and actor Keith Robinson performs at Steel Lounge downtown. From Tanisha D. Davis.

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Baton Rouge rapper Kevin Gates chats with the audience earlier this month at Iron City (our other vertical video of the week). From Dorothy Gordon.

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Portland band Ant’lrd performs in November at Saturn in Avondale. From Non Films.

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Birmingham-Southern beats LaGrange College 93-91 in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Tournament last week at Emory University in Atlanta. From Emory Sports.

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Birmingham-Southern coach Chris Graves recaps the win. From Emory Sports.

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Rep. John Lewis of Georgia speaks at Moore Styles Barber Shop downtown while on a campaign stop with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. From Andre Thomas.

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A look at February’s Repticon Birmingham Reptile and Exotic Animal Show at the Zamora Shrine Center in Irondale (our other other vertical video of the week). From the Royal Wolf.

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IndyCar racing video game on a virtual track based on Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds. From WarlitzkiLp.

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Drone footage of Birmingham, including Vulcan Park, Railroad Park and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. From Marks Media Wedding Films.

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Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge performs “Who Are You Waiting For” in February at the Alys Stephens Center on Southside (our other other other vertical video of the week). From karisjhall.

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Javier and Erica demonstrate a Bachata combo. From Unricka Jenkins Jr.

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Athens, Ga., indie pop musician Kishi Bashi performs “It All Began With a Burst” at Iron City on Southside. From treser62.

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Time-lapse footage of sunset over Lake Purdy. From Matt Ezell.

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Helmet cam of a heat with the Alabama Pro Racers League at Autobahn Indoor Speedway in Bessemer. From SIMCO Motorsports.

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Krystal J. Grant performs “Bethena, A Concert Waltz” in February at Mountain Brook Community Church. From Ars Arvole.

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Exploring the Japanese Garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. From Nomadic Officiant.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Izabelle takes a trip to Birmingham (more on her blog). From BelleNaAmérica.

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The Immanuel Church on Southside shares its ministry plans for 2016. From A Morales Production.

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Samford broadcast student McClain McKinney discussing his goals and aspirations. From McClain McKinney.

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Country singer Kane Brown performs in February at Iron City on Southside (our vertical video of the week). From Bonnie B.

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Jeremy Carter of the Breakout Birmingham entertainment facility on expansion. From Starnes Publishing.

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Birmingham mayor William Bell talks with syndicated talk show “Matter of Fact” about being a Democratic city in a Republican state. From Matter of Fact.

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A dance tribute to the four girls killed in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. From klwcheeks.

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Birmingham heavy metal band Great Gospel performs in February at Saturn in Avondale. From Subere23 Let’s Play.

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Alabama State will hold a summer STEM boot camp on its campus in Montgomery for Birmingham city schools’ eighth and ninth graders. From ASU SocialMedia.

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O.J. Kolodziej of the Birmingham Fire Department discusses the importance of reading smoke, door control and understanding flow path of fires. From O.J. Kolodziej.

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A look at the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum in Leeds. From C.J. Campbell.

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“Race and Place”: “I explore some of the reasons my mother decided to raise my sister and [me] in Vestavia Hills, a predominantly white suburb outside of metro Birmingham.” From Akil Buggs.

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Birmingham’s luxury real estate comeback: Growth in business, as well as a vibrant new restaurant and retail scene, have attracted affluent young families to Birmingham. Bidding wars for fully renovated homes are taking place near downtown. More in the Wall Street Journal story. From Wall Street Journal.

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Frank Matthews rants about the Legislature’s halt to Birmingham’s minimum wage increase. From ABC 33/40.

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Promo for the play “Head Over Heels,” Saturday at the BJCC Concert Hall. From So Right Media.

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Brookwood Forest Elementary teacher Eleanor Walker on her efforts in teaching second graders by connecting them to outside resources. From Eleanor Walker.

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UAB biology department chair Steven Austad discusses “A Novel Hypothesis for the Evolution of the Dietary Restriction Effect” at Arizona State. From Arizona State University.

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Riding around Birmingham and visiting the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. From Operation Live Life.

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WIAT-42 footage of damage from a possible tornado Tuesday in Bessemer. From Associated Press.

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Mexican group Tierra Cali performs at El Potrero Night Club in South Roebuck. From Videos.

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Frito and Diana spend their vacation in Birmingham, visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park, Lightrails, Vulcan, Sloss Furnaces, the Birmingham Museum of Art and Red Mountain Park. From MarTous Travels.

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Mobile Christian metal singer Mattie Montgomery performs in 2014 at Zydeco on Southside. From Gabrie1 x.

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The Birmingham-Southern men compete in the 1-mile race at February’s Sewanee Indoor Invitational. From Sharks Soccer.

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Atlanta hardcore band Full Measures performs “Severed Ties” in February at the High Note on Southside. From Kamen Sale.

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New York students sing “This Little Light of Mine” with Bishop Calvin Woods during a February class trip to Kelly Ingram Park downtown. From Shaaray Tefila NYC.

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The Art, Beats and Lyrics February event at Regions Field. From Blaq Angel Media.

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L.A. singer Victoria Renée performs at the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation September fund-raiser at the Club. From Fowler Davis.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Pre-show fun with the band Florida Georgia Line in 2014 at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham. From Florida Georgia Line.

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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speaks Saturday at Miles College. From ABC 33/40.

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Philip Kimani performs at Laborers in Christ Ministries in Homewood. From Kikuyu Diaspora Television USA.

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Promotional video for the Birmingham Water Works. From Vulcan Media.

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WIAT-42 segment with Chris VanCleave, a k a the Redneck Rosarian, before his appearance at the Birmingham Home and Garden Show earlier this month. From Redneck Rosarian.

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Music from Faith Apostolic Church in West End. From Adrienne Nixonforfac.

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Taj India on Southside says thank you. From Linked2 Social.

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A look at the nonprofit group Animal League of Birmingham. From Starnes Publishing.

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Promotional video for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Alabama, featuring Ruben Studdard. From Telegraph Creative.

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Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio speaks Saturday at Samford University. From ABC 33/40.

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Christian rapper TobyMac performs “Til the Day I Die” earlier this month at Legacy Arena downtown. From Amber Smith.

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Sightseeing tours of the Virgin Mary in Sterrett. From Medjugorje Apparitions.

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Americana singer-songwriter Sara Syms performs “Fade to Blue” earlier this month at Moonlight on the Mountain in Hoover. From Sara Syms.

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Doc McKenzie performs in December at East Birmingham Church of God in Christ in Woodlawn. From Jerol Tyson.

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The 2007 Miles College Marching Band. From ShowtimeWeb.

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Michael Board II and Imani Love perform “Fences” by August Wilson at the 2013 National Forensics League National Tournament in Birmingham. From Imani Love.

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A trip to Railroad Park and more. From Randy and Anna.

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Emily Dave performs “Jar of Hearts” by Christina Perri for her Anti-Valentine’s Ukulele Special. From Emily Dave.

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The Block’s music video karaoke with Justin Bieber’s “I’ll Show You.” From The Block Birmingham.

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Talking to a supporter downtown at Saturday’s rally for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders. From Effectiveness Activator.

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Road trip to see R5 perform at Iron City on Southside. From FS PJ.

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Flying from Birmingham to Atlanta in January. From Trizity Tube.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

The following is an excerpt from Birmingham caterer Kathy G. Mezrano’s “Food, Fun and Fabulous.” Kathy G. and Company has been a city fixture for more than 20 years. Mezrano draws on her Lebanese heritage and Southern roots for her first cookbook, which features recipes and ideas for many party themes. 

In this excerpt, she shares her dishes based on fresh produce from farmers’ markets.

• • •

Chapter 6: Farmer’s Table

The farm-to-table movement basically refers to food that is ultra-fresh. Produce is harvested at the perfect moment — as opposed to picked early and then left to ripen in a box while it gets shipped from who knows where — and other products are sourced just as fresh as can be. This concept is near and dear to my heart. I have a special appreciation for local fresh produce, because my dad had a wholesale produce business for 50 years.

When I was growing up, we always had the freshest produce in season. We were doing farm-to-table long before it was chic. But I’m glad it’s popular now, because what better way to get excited about creating and sharing wonderful meals than going straight to the source. When you start with fresh and delicious ingredients, the rest is a breeze.

Yellow Tomato Gazpacho

Golden tomatoes are a new twist on a refreshing summertime favorite. You can also use red or green tomatoes. Or try layering all three in a mini-pilsner for a unique presentation. The soup is thick enough that the layers will stay intact beautifully.

Yield: Six to eight 1/2-cup servings

• 12 ounces fresh ripe yellow tomatoes, cored
• 2 cups mango puree
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons champagne vinegar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, small diced
• 1⁄2 medium red onion, small diced
• 1⁄2 medium white onion, small diced
• 1⁄2 jalapeño, minced
• 1⁄2 small zucchini, small diced
• 1⁄2 small yellow squash, small diced
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• Juice of one lime

In large pot, boil enough water to cover tomatoes. Add tomatoes to boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes to blanch them. Pull them out of the pot, and immediately transfer to ice water. Once cool, peel tomatoes, and cut in half. Gently squeeze over a fine-mesh strainer sitting inside a bowl to remove the seeds. Reserve the juice.

Puree tomatoes and combine with reserved tomato juice and all other ingredients. Season to taste with lime juice and cilantro. Chill and serve.

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Okra Casserole with Tomatoes

This is one of my dad’s specialties. He and my mother both loved to cook but, of course, when he cooked, she was the prep chef! Okra is one of my favorite Southern vegetables. It’s so versatile — you can fry it, pickle it, stew it or bake it. People usually love it or hate it, there’s no meeting in the middle, and that’s just fine. If you’re a fan, this is one delicious way to enjoy it.

Yield: 8-10 servings

• 2 pounds baby okra
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 3-4 ripe tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon organic chicken base

Wash and trim okra. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent and set aside. Sauté whole baby okra in same pan, add salt and pepper. Remove okra and line it up in rows in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Spread onion and garlic mixture on top of okra. Slice tomatoes in 1⁄2-inch rounds. Arrange on top of the okra mixture. Mix teaspoon of organic chicken base (I like Better Than Bouillon brand) with 1 cup warm water. Pour over mixture, and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

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Corn Pudding

Corn pudding goes with everything. It’s wonderful with grilled meats, chicken or fish. I like to use a sweet corn such as Silver Queen, but bicolor corn works as well. It may be baked in a buttered casserole dish or in individual ramekins. Be sure to use a water bath when baking.

Yield: 8 servings

• 8 ears sweet corn
• 1 Vidalia onion, minced
• 1 quart half and half
• 4 eggs, whisked
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Salt and white pepper to taste
• Nutmeg, dash

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Shave corn off the cob and use the back of the knife to scrape all the corn milk. Sauté onions in butter until translucent, add corn and half-and-half, and simmer until tender. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Blend in food processor or blender until smooth and kernels are no longer whole.

Whisk in eggs and pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch buttered casserole dish or ramekins and cover. Place the baking dish into a larger baking dish and add about 1 inch of water to the larger pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until set. Remove cover and bake until crust is golden.

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Farmer’s Market Pizza

Everyone loves pizza, and what a great meal for the whole family. Any combination of summer vegetables may be used. I like to add some fresh pesto and garnish with fresh basil just before serving.

Yield: 1 pie

• Pizza crust (prebaked or dough)
• Fl
our
• 3 tomatoes, variety of heirloom, Roma and globe
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄2 cup basil pesto (see below)
• 2-3 heads of sweet corn, roasted
• 8 ounces mozzarella, sliced
• 3 tablespoons basil, chopped
• Handful of arugula
• Handful torn kale
• 1⁄2 cup Parmesan
• 1⁄2 Vidallia onion, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Sprinkle flour onto baking sheet, then lay prebaked pizza crust on top, or roll out pizza dough with a rolling pin before placing on the sheet. Spread pesto over pizza crust.

Cut roasted sweet corn off the cob and spread it over pesto. Cut tomatoes into slices, laying them on top of the pesto and corn. Sprinkle salt and pepper over tomatoes. Add sliced mozzarella and kale leaves to pizza top.

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Garnish with arugula and Parmesan.

Basil Pesto

• 2 cups spinach leaves
• 4 cups basil leaves
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1⁄2 cup olive oil
• 2 cups fresh Parmesan, grated

In food processor, process spinach, basil and garlic, and with processor running, slowly add oil. Pulse in Parmesan, and set aside. Mixture should be thick.

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Hit the Produce Stands

Wherever you are, whatever the local produce and products, you can just feel the excitement in the air when the farmers’ markets open in late spring and run through the summer. Here in Birmingham, markets pop up everywhere — in hospital lobbies, corporate parking decks, downtown parks, community developments and Pepper Place Market, which is a personal favorite.

Our farmers grow everything from heirloom tomatoes, Silver Queen corn and okra to rattlesnake beans, lady peas and Chilton County peaches. In addition to the produce, there are farm-fresh, free-range eggs, pork and beef products, Alabama’s McEwen and Sons’ organic grits and cornmeal and other great offerings.

Our local chefs strive to preserve our Southern heritage and work with farmers to support locally grown food. So, if you want farm-to-table inspiration, you have to go to the farm — or at least the fabulous markets. Make a day of it!

• • •

“Food, Fun and Fabulous” (December 2015, Inspired Intermedia)

• Website | feature in al.com | feature in Over the Mountain Journal

Kathy G. Mezrano

• Website | Facebook | Twitter @KathyGandCo | LinkedIn | Instagram

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Promo for the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham. From Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham.

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Interview with retired teacher Faye Mills. From Sarah Lane Davidson.

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Highlights from the 2016 Birmingham Junior Challenge, part of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, earlier this month at Calera’s Timberline Golf Club. From Hurricane Junior Golf Tour.

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Resellers make a trip to Birmingham. From Alabama Pickers.

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Promotional video featuring Horsefeathers Farm owners Don and Candye Lundy in Columbiana. From Horsefeathers Farm.

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Approach and landing at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. From Jason Clarke.

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Report on the newly reopened Lyric Theatre downtown, and its place in history as a once-segregated venue. From Wochit News.

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Country artist Blake Shelton’s surprise free concert on Jan. 30 at Iron City on Southside. From Stratosfilm.

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Vestavia Hills’ Darry Yoga Studio performs at the Chinese New Year Festival earlier this month at Boutwell Auditorium downtown. From Wu Darry.

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“American Idol” winner Fantasia sings “Summertime” on Valentine’s Day at the BJCC Concert Hall. From ACEntric_Rugrat.

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L.A. pop-rock band R5 performs at Iron City. From Ms. Shino.

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A look at the Birmingham Girls Choir, based at Edgewood Presbyterian Church in Homewood. From Morgan Walston.

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“The Voice” contestant Melanie Martinez performs “Mrs. Potato Head” in October at Saturn in Avondale. From Austin Bryant.

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Singer-songwriter Bryson Tiller performs “Right My Wrongs” earlier this month at Iron City. From LyfeGoalz TV.

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A look at the Charlie’s Angels fund-raiser luncheon for the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. From Fowler Davis.

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Sunset over Railroad Park from LIV Parkside apartments. From Hawley Schneider.

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Claudia Garcia Jou of Akron, Ohio, competes at last week’s Samford Invitational indoor track and field event at the CrossPlex in Five Points West. From TheWangConnection.

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Iowa Christian metalcore band For Today performs “Foundation” earlier this month at Zydeco on Southside. From Chris J.

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Driving through downtown and Southside with Ailson Lopes. From Show de Turismo Pelo Mundo.

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Earlier this month, Metropolitan Tikhon visits St. Symeon Orthodox Church in the Highland Park neighborhood. From Shea Cole.

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Excerpt from British documentary on the civil rights movement in 1963 Birmingham. From General Certificate of Secondary Education History Files.

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New Orleans alternative rock band Mutemath performs on Valentine’s Day at Iron City. From Mallory Campbell.

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Interview with rider Austin Stroupe after racing last weekend in Arenacross at Legacy Arena. From Amsoil Arenacross.

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Interview with Jamie Whitehurst, director of development at Birmingham Aids Outreach in Lakeview. From Kacey Tanveer.

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Time-lapse video of “Watch Your Step,” an art installation using herbs and spices by Samford assistant professor Stephen Watson. From Stephen Watson.

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M&H Valve’s Menzo Parker talks about his manufacturing job in Anniston; Rick Davis of the Birmingham Business Alliance explains why manufacturing is important to Alabama’s fiscal health. From Alliance for American Manufacturing .

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Jo Ellen explains the table leader role for the Banquet for Life. From Sav-a-Life Vestavia.

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A documentary on Kelly Ingram Park. From Courtney Cannon.

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Kansas City musician A.J. Gaither performs on a cigar box guitar earlier this month at the Nick on Southside. From Colin Cunningham.

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Jesse J. Lewis on big changes at the Birmingham Times. From Alabama NewsCenter.

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A trip through last week’s World of Wheels at the BJCC Exhibition Halls. From phoenixfyre71.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

The Goss Metroliner press at the Birmingham News. From Joshua Self.

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Dancing at El Sol on Valley Avenue. From Daniel Morales Mr. Cali.

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Rockin’ at the M Lounge downtown. From Michelle Ellis.

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Making chorizo (our vertical video of the week). From Marco Antonio Ramirez Clemente.

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The Atlanta Red Warriors vs. the Birmingham Blitz in January. From lilradar21.

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In case you have a lot of faxes to send … From Bob Martin.

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Kristine Barnett speaks at August’s Ignite Conference at the Alys Stephens Center, an event focusing on special needs advocacy. From Kulturecity.

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Vermont rocker Grace Potter performs “Paris” in January at Iron City on Southside. From Michael Doyle.

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New Orleans rapper Curren$y performs in January at Zydeco on Southside. From Kris R.

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A 1992 report from WBMG-42 on Summerfest’s production of “Annie” at Boutwell Auditorium. From Neal Hunter Hyde.

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Skateboarding downtown. From Top How To’s.

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Highlight reel for volleyball player Kia Thomas. From Kia Thomas.

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January anti-abortion march on Southside. From Dominic Zaidan.

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Yo-yo break! From cflanagan150.

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Red sky in December (our other vertical video of the week). From Saren Binkerd.

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Promotional video for the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority. From Shift – An Idea Agency.

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Train at 32nd Street in 2000. From Larry Mims.

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Drag show at the Quest on Southside (our other other vertical video of the week). From Wentworth Waldrop.

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The Globe of Steel at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, January at Legacy Arena. From Jonathan Stringfellow.

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Highlights from the 2015 Barber Vintage Festival in October. From Good Spark Garage.

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Birmingham’s own Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires perform “Centreville” in December at the Nick. From the Nick.

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Music video for Birmingham rapper Floss the Mack covering “Cut It.” From Floss Mane McFarland.

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Jazz Linson participates in Skin Stories, in which subjects share experiences that shaped their body image and self-esteem. From Beautiful Bodies of Birmingham.

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Models Brandon C. and Brad QK feature underwear on a December rooftop. From Underwear News Briefs.

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Huntsville city council candidate Devyn Keith discusses his time in Birmingham. From Back Down South.

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Volleyball match in January at the Southern Power League. From Claire Behan.

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Drone footage of the Liberty National statue in Vestavia Hills. From Kevin Henderson.

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Seattle singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile performs “The Things I Regret” in October at Iron City. From HsvJackie.

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Pedaling to the top of the steepest hills during the 2016 Birmingham Bakers Dozen in January. From Matt Butler.

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Hokes Bluff country singer Drake White performs earlier this month at Rogue Tavern downtown (our last vertical video of the week). From Wendy Michael.

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A “Bad Blood” parody for the annual UAB med students’ skit night. From Jennifer Yang.

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Carver vs. Fairfield drumlines. From Tayler Sadler.

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January’s Birmingham Brawl 5 gaming tournament at Oakmont United Methodist Church in Homewood. From Birmingham Smash.

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Former owner of Club 21: “Just starting a new journey passing through Birmingham. There will be more to come. I also got a crazy stalker.” From Eclebs.

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Tagging along with the Birmingham Grotto of the National Speleological Society. From Dangerjudy.

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Riding the Expression Swing with Liam at Central Park in Homewood. From JBW Films.

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The 60m final at January’s Conference Clash at the CrossPlex in Five Points West. From Charles Allen Brown.

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Animals on parade at the Birmingham Zoo. From Starnes Publishing.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Deontée Gordon of REV Birmingham discusses economic growth for African-American residents. From JL.

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Promotional video for Birmingham’s business incubator. From Innovation Depot.

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Storm chaser on Christmas 2015 tracking tornadoes. From Enchanted LifePathTv.

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The Poppy Colon Christmas dance stand battle. From Nuway2live.

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Lifeline Children’s Services annual fund-raising dinner in November at the Sheraton Birmingham. From Lifeline Children’s Services.

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Promotional video for the book “Birmingham Foot Soldiers: Voices from the Civil Rights Movement.” From Nick Patterson.

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Motorcycle donuts (our vertical video of the week). From Hamzah Twezzy.

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Predictions for the Birmingham real estate market in 2016. From Jason Secor.

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Atlanta electronic rock band STS9 performs in November at Iron City on Southside. From David Montgomery.

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Celebrating the first papal anniversary. From Berea Internacional.

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Birmingham Cars and Coffee in December at Hoover Tactical Firearms and in Inverness. From Southern_Pride_GHIF.

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Drill demo. From WhiteFab Inc.

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The boys’ 4x200m relay at the Magic City Invitational in December at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Five Points West. From Bill Voigt.

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High school cafeteria fight (our other vertical video of the week). From LeakingIT.

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A visit to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds. From Luis Escobar.

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Promotional video for apartment complex Venue at the Ballpark. From Architectmedia.

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More from last week’s Birmingham Coffee and Cars in Hoover. From Paul Franks.

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Music video for “Birmingham” by Gina Kessler and the Martinis. From Bryan Rosen.

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Christmas project with Mountain Brook Community Church and nonprofit group KIDS Inc. From Alabama NewsCenter.

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In partnership with Ameresco, the Birmingham Housing Authority will improve infrastructure and save a projected $66 million in energy costs over the next 17 years. From Ameresco.

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January’s Birmingham Boat Show at the BJCC Exhibition Hall downtown. From Elite Rod Holders.

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Testing for fourth-degree black belt with Tiger-Rock Martial Arts at the BJCC Meeting Rooms. From Nic Wilson.

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The five tallest buildings in Birmingham. From MrPolarBear 333.

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A look at October’s third annual Magic City Sip and Shop at the BridgeStreet Gallery and Loft on Southside. From ThomasVisionFilms.

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New Orleans’ Trombone Shorty performs in December at Iron City. From Dan Lee.

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The Electric Power Research Institute, Southern Company and the Southeastern Solar Research Center at Southern Research’s Birmingham campus are conducting a large, multifaceted demonstration project on photovoltaic rays. From Southern Research.

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The history of Sloss Furnaces. From Alabama NewsCenter.

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Promo for January’s Elevate the Stage gymnastics competition at Legacy Arena. From Knight Eady.

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Telegraph Creative’s year in review and Christmas card. From Telegraph Creative.

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Memphis rock band Spaceface performs “Carnivore” in February 2015 at Iron City. From treser62.

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Enjoying the playground at Crestwood Park. From Toni Mckinney.

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Birmingham’s FunnyMaine performing at the Stardome Comedy Club in Hoover. From FunnyMaine.

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Birmingham rock band EveryDay but Friday performs “Fire Away” in December at Saturn in Avondale. From EveryDay but Friday.

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Al Jazeera report on Fairfield Walmart closing. From Al Jazeera America News.

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Birmingham jazz-pop band the Other Day performs “Epic Sol” in January at the Syndicate Lounge on Southside. From the Other Day.

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UAB pediatric oncologist Smita Bhatia discusses long-term and late effects experienced by cancer survivors. From Harborside Press.

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The YMCA of Greater Birmingham held its inaugural Thingamajig Invention Convention last summer at the YMCA Youth Center. From Birmingham YMCA.

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Time-lapse footage of the first Vulcan Classic game between Alabama and Oregon in December at Legacy Arena. From Knight Eady.

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Christmas storm and tornado batters Birmingham. From Associated Press.

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Proposed rezoning for Hoover schools, presented Thursday. From WIAT-42.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Free-running at Crestwood Park. From Jared Dobbs.

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JRT performs at the Straight Outta Birmingham Artist Showcase in November at Zydeco on Southside. From Justtin Curry.

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Promo reel for Birmingham-based Kilzo Films. From Kilzo Films.

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Time-lapse footage of the Lyric Theatre renovation. From Michael Panepento.

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Music video for “Birmingham (Pop That)” by HidNTrackz featuring Ben Trexel. From HidN Trackz.

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Primus performs “Moron TV” in 2014 at Iron City on Southside. From treser62.

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Under the direction of the Chaffin Carousel Carving School in Five Points South, Amber Hawk Swanson will produce a full-size wooden carousel mount in the likeness of Dottie, a 9-year-old RealDoll originally owned by a Disney World Imagineer and “doll husband” Nagus. Dottie is now in the shared custody of two doll owners Incred and Camp, who met online, discovered they live only 19 miles apart. From Amber Hawk Swanson.

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How to make cornbread. From Hamilton Young Ward.

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A look at the 19th annual Pig Iron BBQ Challenge at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in October. From Children’s Harbor.

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Birmingham saxophonist Vann Burchfield performs in 2011 at Jazz in the Park in East Lake Park. From Vann Burchfield.

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The Birmingham Boys Choir performs “Deep River” in January at Samford University. From Birmingham Boys Choir.

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Nashville country singer Chris Stapleton performs “Tennessee Whiskey” in June at Iron City on Southside (our other vertical video of the week). From Crystal Russell.

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Mastodon performs in November at Iron City. From Mark Frost.

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Southern Performance vs. Atlanta’s Keba Phipps Volleyball Academy in January at a Nashville tournament. From Ty Thomas.

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A December ride through Southside and downtown on the Vespa. From Dakota Kelly.

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New Jersey jam band Railroad Earth performs “Walk Beside Me” in March at Iron City. From zmanatl.

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Promo for the Game Zone Mobile. From Fernando Doyle II.

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Birmingham’s Guitar Hero, a multimedia group project for the fall 2015 semester. From Chromacraft.

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Promo for State Fair Coney Island in East Lake. From Phreal Innovations.

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First stop on the Bank Innovators Road Show, a series of small workshops where bankers work through research and case studies of the world’s most innovative banks to implement ideas. From Bank Innovators Council.

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FunkNation sound check at Iron City (our other other vertical video of the week). From backbeat3721.

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A discussion on the Returning to the Roots Of Civil Rights Tour, which includes Birmingham. From John Stanko.

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Cheap Trick performs in 2014 at Iron City. From Lee Moore Sr.

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Birmingham Lotus Project phase 1, post-performance improv with bilateral symmetry. From Julie Watters.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Snow flurries in Birmingham. From Randy and Anna.

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ESPN feature on Paul Finebaum caller Phyllis from Mulga. From ESPN.

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A rainy fall day at Black Creek Park in Fultondale. From Joey Prestley.

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A Rodan and Fields sales meeting earlier this month at the Birmingham Marriott (our vertical video of the week). From Emily Pennington.

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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks last week at Boutwell Auditorium. From Bernie Sanders.

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“Rick and Bubba” producer Chris Adler goes to the Bernie Sanders campaign event. From Rick and Bubba.

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Oakland heavy metal band Machine Head performs “Descend the Shades of Night” in December at Saturn in Avondale. From Mr. Gamma.

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California rock band Eagles of Death Metal performs in September at Iron City on Southside. From esmith2785.

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Promo for Birmingham startup Swoul Food. From SmartShoot Global.

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“Pray for My City” by Keli, Big Bang, Whittni and Willie. From kenxlmusic.

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Megan at Pump It Up last week in Pelham. From Anupam Agarwal.

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Atlanta artists Ferragamo Frost and Finesse Team perform at Onyx Lounge in Smithfield. From Dapper Donn.

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RV travel vloggers head to Birmingham, wandering around downtown and up to Vulcan. From Wanderlust Estate.

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RV travel vloggers visit Rickwood Field and the Civil Rights District while chatting with a homeless man. From Wanderlust Estate.

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Birmingham metalcore band Would You Kindly? performs “Sarcophagus” at the Syndicate Lounge on Southside. From Grow Visuals.

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UAB student Ophelia Johnson earns a Marshall Scholarship, the second in school history. From UAB News.

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A video being shot on location at night in North Birmingham (our other vertical video of the week). From Blackpower Nbham.

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More snow from Thursday in Birmingham. From Bill Levey.

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A look at “Tuxedo Junction,” a musical based on the early life of legendary jazz musician and Birmingham native, Erskine Hawkins. From Birmingham Children’s Theatre.

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Promotional video for Birmingham’s Down in Front Productions. From Down in Front Productions.

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San Francisco band the Dodos performs “Ohio” last week at Daniel Day Gallery in Lakeview. From Mark V Media.

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Swedish metal band Sabaton performs in October 2014 at Iron City on Southside. From Jeremy Ingram.

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Monster Jam earlier this month at the Legacy Arena. From jshlacoste06.

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A look at Birmingham-based medical products company Movi. From Telegraph Creative.

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Birmingham alt-rock band the Heavy Hearts performs earlier this month at the Nick on Southside. From the Nick.

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David Fleming of REV Birmingham speaks at January’s Junior League meeting. From the Junior League of Birmingham.

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Atlanta metal band Hounds performs in November at the Syndicate Lounge. From ShowDown5.

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The DigiTour Slaybells Ice in December at Iron City. From Corin Bischoff.

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A teaser for Five-Star Fitness’ 21 Days of Hell program. From Jason Flakes.

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Flying into Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport at Thanksgiving on a Cessna. From billinga.

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A sermon from Joyful News Christian Church in North Birmingham. From Torlise Atkins.

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Boston alt-rock band Guster performs “Demons” in February at Iron City. From treser62.

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Short film shot in Birmingham, set to “Jealousy” by Roy Wood$. From Ty Obsxura.

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Birmingham-Southern men’s basketball beats Thomas More in November’s Coach Connor Classic. From Anthony Wireman.

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Commercial for the Ex-Your-Size fitness program from More Than Conquerors Faith Church in Woodland Park. From Posey Visual Arts.

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Chartwell Dutiro performs in October at Trim Tab Brewing on Southside (our other other vertical video of the week). From Jeffrey Baer.

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Jacob Barnett speaks at August’s Ignite Conference at the Alys Stephens Center, an event focusing on special needs advocacy. From Kulturecity.

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Mountain Brook Junior High teachers give a shout out to speaker Josh Ochs. From Safe Smart Social.

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The Birmingham Youth Fellowship Choir performs in July at the Titusville AOH Church of God. From uspostman.

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The Lighthouse Singers Gospel Choir performed at the Gospel Music Workshop of America convention in Atlanta in 1984, the first predominantly white group to do so. A crowdfunding campaign could bring the California-based performers back to the event, this summer in Birmingham. From Ray Thompson.

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Tim Alexander addresses members of the Birmingham City Council on transportation access for everyone. From Joey Watson.

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A promo for Birmingham Kickball. From Cardboard Titanics.

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Center Point dance group Birmingham Slayers performs its routine, “King of the Stand Battle” by Poppy Colon. From Morgan Grace Films.

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Downtown shenanigans, with bonus drone footage. From Rogelio Hernandez.

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Footage from Birmingham locales, plus Muscle Shoals. From Mikey Rockwell.

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Documentary “The Bessemer Cutoff” follows Jar’Derrica Kidd, 19, as she speaks on outsiders’ misconceptions of the city and how they affected her perceptions of herself and her peers. From Dillon Hayes.

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Tanisha Iman performs at the third annual Transgender Day of Remembrance in November at Covenant Community Church in Center Point. From Maliek Powell.

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Promo for Birmingham artist Vibez. From Chasity Herron.

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The Psychedelic Furs performs “Heaven” in November at Iron City. From Barry Crane.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

McDonald’s workers protest minimum wage in November. From Gary Ransom.

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A night at Skky Nightclub in Five Points South. From Rico Kool.

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UAB engineers develop new method to repair elephant tusks. From University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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Riding up 22nd Street on Southside. From Brian Toone.

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The “BSC Sports Show,” covering football and the new Birmingham-Southern College president Edward Leonard. From BSC Panthers.

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Singer-songwriter Kishi Bashi performs “Manchester” in February at Iron City on Southside. From treser62.

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Three-fingered guitarist Nick Petta featured in a Fox 6 “Absolutely Alabama” from 2001. From strat383.

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Alabama Media Group competes in the Birmingham Corporate Challenge in August at Railroad Park downtown. From What the Wesson.

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A tour of Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church (our vertical video of the week). From DontcallmeMikey72.

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Promotional video for the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s #ChooseUAB campaign. From UAB News.

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A longer UAB promo video. From Alabama NewsCenter.

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Flying through LightRails. From Aero Retina Optics.

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Heather Bishop discusses the upcoming mission trip for Shades Students, part of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills. From Shades Students.

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A look at the 2015 Barber Vintage Festival at Barber Motorsports Park. From Revival Cycles.

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Riding around Birmingham (our other vertical video of the week). From Queen Tall T AGB.

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“Seven,” from Birmingham rock band Empire Springs. From Lindsey Hall.

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Fort Payne rock band Permagroove performs “Crazy Son” in November at Zydeco on Southside. From Mic Stowe.

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Country rock group Cadillac Three performs “I’m Rockin'” in November at Iron City on Southside. From Katherine Klimitas.

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Director Rebecca Dobrinski discusses the mission of the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center. From Alabama NewsCenter.

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Promo for Tuesday Block Parties in Roebuck at the Basement, founded by Matt Pitt. From the Block Birmingham.

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Cam Newton goes out in 2014 into the Birmingham community. From Cam Newton Foundation.

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Sealing a parking lot. From mikepaves.

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Gregg Allman performs “Melissa” last week at Iron City. From Craig B.

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A cheerleading competition this past weekend in Birmingham. From Pink Stallion.

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Nick and Virginia perform a number from “The Phantom of the Opera” at the Birmingham-Southern Opera Workshop (our other other vertical video of the week). From Nickd457.

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Georgia Select vs. the Birmingham Vipers in softball. From Georgia Select.

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James Jackson and Atlanta Praise performing in Birmingham. From Steven Hickerson.

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Dog obstacle course. From everaftershelties.

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Pastor appreciation video for Brad Brown at Shades Valley Community Church in Homewood. From Maddie Davis.

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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks in November at the BJCC North Exhibition Hall. From ABC 33/40.

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A Black Lives Matter supporter was tackled to the ground by Donald Trump supporters and removed by police. From Rise News.

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Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz speaks in December at the Trussville Civic Center. From the Trussville Tribune.

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The 15th anniversary celebration of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Birmingham. From BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

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In the Learning Collaborative, Parker High School and the University of Alabama at Birmingham address writing skills and college readiness. From Alabama NewsCenter.

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A performance of “Vedrò mentr’io sospiro” from Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro” at the Birmingham-Southern College Opera Workshop Scenes Program. From Nickd457.

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The choir at Faith Apostolic Church. From Adrienne Nixonforfac.

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A performance from Saturday’s Dance Across Birmingham 2016. From DanceTrance Birmingham.

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A promo for the 6th annual Birmingham’s Brightest Company Charitable Trivia Competition on April 28 at Old Car Heaven. From Impact America.

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A look at UAB’s Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center. From WebsEdgeHealth.

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Nashville singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton performs “Fire Away” on New Year’s Day at Iron City. From Andy Lamon.

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A family outing to the Birmingham Zoo. From Cheryl Fawn Ritchie.

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Birmingham’s Steel City Jug Slammers perform last summer on Second Avenue North downtown. From Jerry W. Henry.

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Injecting Juvederm into a patient’s lips. From Dr. Warren Seiler.

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Cincinnati songwriter Molly Sullivan performs at the Garage Cafe on Southside. From Fogged Clarity.

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Google Glass films driving through Birmingham during daytime and nighttime. From Chris Miller.

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From 2004, Tampa Christian band Underoath at Cave 9 on Southside. From Taylor Gonzalez.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

The Baby New Year(!) at the Bassnectar show on New Year’s Eve at Legacy Arena downtown (our vertical video of the week). From Lisa Marie Northcutt.

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Classroom Inc. brings game-based educational programs to Tarrant schools. From Classroom Inc.

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Stephen Watson, assistant professor of art at Samford, puts together an installation of spices and herbs at Centenary College in Shreveport, La. From Stephen Watson.

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Drone footage of home damage in southwest Birmingham from the Christmas EF-2 tornado. From WSB-TV.

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Bassnectar performs on New Year’s Eve at the Legacy Arena. From TDickison.

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Auburn coach Gus Malzahn does a victory dab dance after the Tigers’ win in the Birmingham Bowl last week. From Auburn Tigers on AL.com.

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Time-lapse footage from the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. From Down in Front Productions.

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Florida alternative rocker Elyse Therose performs “She Ran” in November at WorkPlay in Lakeview. From Elyse Therose.

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The 2006 women’s finals Association of Volleyball Professionals at the Hoover Met, featuring Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings vs. Nicole Branagh and Holly McPeak. From kmnh2so4.

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The Magic City Mega Bowl final 9 in June at the George Ward Disc Golf Course in the Glen Iris neighborhood. From the Disc Golf Channel.

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Chad Fisher performs “All The Way” at The Club as part of the Audiovore’s Spectra Sonic Sound Sessions. From Spectra Sonic Sound Sessions.

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At the Amtrak station downtown. From d32 se.

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Home tour (our other vertical and sideways video of the week). From Kerry Pruett.

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American Black Bear cub sisters Sassy and Bety almost ready to debut at the Birmingham Zoo. From Don Brownlow.

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Reel for Birmingham actor McClain McKinney. From McClain McKinney.

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A tour of John Stewart’s Birmingham District train set layout, based on the prototype Woodward Iron Railroad shortline. From Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine.

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A Polish take on the Mayor Bell-Councilor Lundy fight — don’t miss the big guest cameos. From TomoNews Poland.

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Skyline footage. From Alabama Media Group.

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Music video for “One Love” by Tampa hip-hop artist Toussaint Louie, filmed in Birmingham. From Greyson A. Welch.

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Night life promo video. From Big Shack ENT.

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Promo for custom jewelry by Birmingham’s Christie Ford. From Leather and Pearl Girl.

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Pittsburgh musician Buku performs New Year’s Eve at Matthew’s Bar and Grill downtown. From the Dirty Bass.

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Young adults sound off on living in Birmingham. From Avery Hoven.

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Gregory’s first Auburn game since the “Kick 6” and first bowl game. From Odie and Partners.

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“Front Porch Community,” by Melissa Thomas, a look at the Crestwood North neighborhood. From UAB Media Studies.

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You’ll never guess who got a drone for Christmas … From Steve Klein and Will Geiger.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

A look at Birmingham in videos, focusing on the holidays …

Santa arrives at the Ronald McDonald House on Southside for the annual Christmas party with the Junior Board and Student Leadership Council. From Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.

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Deck the Regions Bank building. From Jeffery Foster.

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Driving through Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at the Birmingham Race Course. From Michelle Naugher.

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Footmad’s annual Christmas dance on Dec. 12 at the Exceptional Foundation in Homewood. From Tom Gordon.

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Naughty and Nice performs “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” at the Voices of the South “Harmony Through the Year” concert last week at Hoover’s Spain Park High School. From Dennis R. Jones.

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Anonymous gives to the needy downtown as part of #OpSafeWinter. From Mad Anon 91.

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Christmas lights in Crestline from 2014. From Andrewsenterprisesin’s channel.

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The Birmingham Boys Choir performs “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” at the 37th annual Christmas concert earlier this month at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook. From Birmingham Boys Choir.

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Tubas perform “Deck The Halls” in the lobby of the Alys Stephens Center. From Jay Burnham.

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A time-lapse look at Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland. From Matt Glasscock.

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Hula hooping with lessons at a stress relief clinic at UAB’s medical school. From Carron Bullard.

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People really love filming Shadrack’s. From Dorvman George.

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Christmas wishes from the Birmingham News. From Lee Conaway.

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The First Presbyterian Church Handbell Choir performs “Carol of the Bells.” From SCP 4 MSU.

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Birmingham Dance performs a routine set to “It’s Christmas Time” by Smokey Robinson at Central Park Baptist Church in Ensley. From Birmingham Dance.

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Urban explorers pass out sleeping bags, gloves and hats to people in Atlanta and downtown Birmingham. From Decay is headed your way.

• • •

Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.

The following chapter is an excerpt from San Francisco author Tanner Latham’s “Know Thy Farmer.” He is a Piedmont native and a content strategist, writer, editor, radio reporter and multimedia storyteller. Latham is also a former Southern Living colleague of mine.

His book profiles 30 Alabama farmers and the food they provide to chefs and restaurants.

In this excerpt, Latham recounts a farm-to-table dinner at Sanctuary Farms.

• • •

Farm Dinner

The guests rolled in slowly in near-idling cars and discovered the bright, mid-afternoon sun bathing warm light over the house, barn and a patchwork layout of heirloom fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs anchoring this little farm. A freshly mown path welcomed them and led their steps through naturally wild lawn grasses. It served as an entre to the evening’s event — a first scent of a seven-course dinner, a true farm to farm table experience. And at the path’s end, awaiting each guest, was the first sip — Peach Cobbler Moonshine cocktails stirred and seasoned with locally made popsicles. There, too, was the first bite — skewers of hushpuppies and fried green Sun Gold tomatoes picked earlier that morning from the vines beside which they now mingled.

•

Garlic. That was what initially sparked chef Drew Terp’s interest in Milan Davis and Jeannine Freed of Sanctuary Farms. “It was some of the most incredible garlic I had ever seen,” says Drew, who first met the couple at their booth at the Market at Pepper Place. “They had some of the most beautiful produce I’ve ever seen in any restaurant I had ever worked for. I’ve used ginger imported from all over the world, and Sanctuary’s was the most gorgeous I can remember.”

The couple was fairly smitten with Drew as well. “He had this very positive and boisterous presence,” says Jeannine. “His passion for food was contagious, and his personality went along with it.”

The chef visited the farmers at the market each week, buying produce, chatting and slowly, strongly building a relationship. One Saturday morning, Drew offered to volunteer on the farm just to see what the couple was doing and learn more about their process. The farmers obliged, and throughout the summer, he and his girlfriend visited the farm in Etowah County, Ala., and helped clear brush, till, plant seed and harvest.

After working one day, Jeannine and Milan began talking to Drew about their idea of hosting a fall dining event similar to those held among their network of farmers. It was an opportunity for a chef to show off his or her culinary skills at a farm, sourcing most of the ingredients on site.

“We were reaching a point where we had enough food in our garden,” says Jeannine. “We envisioned it more as a celebration of accomplishments of the season and sharing them with those who come and experience it.”

Yet, the farmer couple had never done anything like that before and weren’t sure how to even begin, but they knew they wanted it to be right. Lucky for them, Drew had experience hosting such events, and he willfully partnered with them as an organizer.

“Drew’s obvious passion left us with no doubts that we were going to plan a wonderful experience for everyone who came,” says Jeannine.

•

The cocktail hour spilled seamlessly into supper, and the guests moved to the barn to seat themselves on wood-topped bales of hay at tables built by Milan from wood he had milled. Above them, string lights and herbs hung from rafters. Around them, used burlap fabrics draped doorways. Before them, flower centerpieces colored the tables. Overhead, the sun was just beginning to set.

As Chef Drew’s team brought out the first course, a charcuterie board with cured meats, local cheeses, a savory okra jam, radish pickles, pickled garlic and local honey, the guests’ eyes widened and lit up, a response repeated with each course presentation throughout the evening.

Then came wrinkled potatoes with Spanish tortillas, a small-bite dish Drew had learned about while traveling through the Canary Islands. After that, mixed greens with seared goat cheese, figs and honey vinaigrette followed by a sweet potato soup with sage farmer’s cheese and brown butter emulsion.

“Everything had a really nice balance. Each course allowed the vegetable to be what it was without covering it up,” says Jeannine.

For the main course, Drew presented a suckling pig with rosemary polenta, glazed baby carrots and wild persimmon pork jus. It had actually been supplied and cooked on site by Will and Liz Doonan of Heron Hollow Farms located in Lacon, Ala.

“We structured the menu so that we would have intricate courses followed by easier courses,” says Drew. “We wanted plenty of time to prepare the more difficult dishes.” With each course, servers poured wine and beer pairings provided by Grassroots Wine from Birmingham and Gadsden-based Back Forty Beer Company. As they placed the plates, the chef stood before the guests and guided them through the dishes, explaining the sources and answering questions.

“It’s my passion,” says Drew. “If you take a plate, and you set it down in front of somebody, they can just taste it and decide if they like it or not. But when you can put something out in front of somebody and tell them a story about it, now they are eating through your eyes and looking at the food through the creator’s vision. They get the story behind the food. It’s so important when people are eating to know there is a background behind the food.”

•

A big, beautiful pecan tree stood next to the barn, its branches extending far enough that their ends sagged to the ground and created a natural canopy and seating area. With the supper courses finished — the fork-clinking silenced — the guests moved from the table to the tree to watch a bonfire grow into a cozy blaze that popped sparks upward to the dark sky.

Local musicians provided a post-dinner soundtrack, picking and singing folk and bluegrass songs. And for the final taste, the chef’s team served dessert, sea salt caramel popsicles from Gadsden-based Frios Gourmet Pops and Drew’s grandmommy’s recipe pecan pie made from nuts that had fallen from the large tree.

•

According to Jeannine, watching someone taste the produce she and Milan grows is akin to the moment you feel when you meet your soulmate. “It’s like, ‘Yes! That’s what I’m talking about!'” she says. “When someone gets the whole process, it’s kind of like a camaraderie. There’s a lot of passion in that moment. I think, ‘These are my people!’ Those moments contribute to making it all worth it. We can grow beautiful food, but there has to be someone there who truly enjoys it.”

She says that this event could not have occurred without their “farm community of friends” who willingly helped to make it happen in a passionate and selfless way. Those farmer friends and musicians sat and dined at the tables alongside the guests and added another depth and dimension to the atmosphere.

In a broad sense, Jeannine believes that events like this only occur when people care from where their food comes. Drew agrees, stating that a major problem today is that people lose track of their food sources. “You go to the store or drive-through and you buy food that is packaged, but that’s not real food,” he says. “The realness of an event like this is picking carrots that morning and serving them that night. You take the food right from the farm, make something beautiful and then share it with those around you. That is what is all about.”

These intimate dinners symbolize the best that has come from the farm-to-table movement and from literally knowing your farmer. They display a through-line that connects those who participate. Chefs respect and revere the live produce and even animals that grow just steps away from the diners. And the guests, a table full of strangers sitting elbow to elbow who quickly bond over their commonalities, can directly ask the farmers about their challenges or the chef about his vision for the dishes.

“This was not only the best of a beautiful harvest and a talented chef,” continues Jeannine. “But it was also a gathering where new friendships came together to show love and support among one another.”

•

Slowly, the guests peel away from the group and the bonfire’s warmth. With bellies full and smiles grand, they turn into the chill of the October evening and follow the same path, now lit by flickering, lighted bags, out to their cars. They occasionally steal a glance over their shoulders to view the glow of the barn and garden. But they have to return. Back to their homes. Back to their families. Back to their lives. Still, they now carry a memory that they’ll recount about a dinner that connected them to the land and to each other.

“This is how a community grows,” says Drew. “One person and story and experience at a time.”

• • •

“Know Thy Farmer” (November 2015, Friends of the Market)

• Website | Facebook | Instagram | Books-A-Million | feature in al.com | feature in Weld for Birmingham

Tanner Latham

• Website | Facebook | Twitter @tannerlatham | LinkedIn | Instagram

UAB president Ray Watts shows where he had his soul
surgically removed. 

Author’s note: In the past, I have worked in my capacity as a communications consultant for the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Dear Free UAB,

Only 21 months till kickoff. Without you, we would have no 2017 season for Blazer football.

Of course, Dr. Ray Watts is still president of UAB, still collecting $853,464 annually for hiding from faculty and students and performing an inept job. It was 1 year ago today that Watts and his bosses in Tuscaloosa killed three sports teams, only to resurrect them 6 months later.

The good news is that you’ve met every athletics funding deadline so far, even the ones that have been moved up in a brazen attempt to discredit you. Now that the University of Alabama System board of trustees has shifted even more of the burden usually assumed by colleges to fans and donors, it can spend even more insane amounts of money on its preferred team in Tuscaloosa.

Speaking of preferred teams, it’s nice to see the rifle team with its 2015-16 schedule intact. Sadly for the bowling team, it has had to go dark till next season (or the season after, maybe). And the on-campus stadium plan may live someday as an off-campus stadium on the BJCC property, safe from the trustees’ spiteful actions.

It’s heartening to see the students and the faculty united in its official lack of confidence in Watts. But to pry him from his cushy expensive president’s chair will take more than chants of “Fire Ray Watts” at basketball games in Bartow Arena.

Much more.

The simplest equation is to make it more expensive to keep Watts than to send him back to medicine full time with an unholy severance package. All across the South, calculators have been working overtime on cost-benefit analyses …

• Cheaper to keep or fire Les Miles at LSU? Keep, since the PR damage alone was astronomical.
• Cheaper to keep or fire Mark Richt at Georgia? Fire, though the numbers aren’t looking real solid.
• Cheaper to keep or fire president Tim Wolfe at Missouri? Fire (technically, resign), because football TV cash.

Watts is an expensive hot mess, but he’s simply not costly enough (yet) to trustees. I had suggested a year ago that UAB supporters oust him and then wrest the university from the UA System for the good of the school and Birmingham.

(If it was always about football and only football, then I guess … mission accomplished? But don’t be surprised when the board takes it away again.)

What does a Ray Watts cost UAB?

• His salary, $2,338.26 a day (and that’s if he hasn’t received a raise, oy).
• All those pricey consultants and attorneys.
• His security detail.
• His president’s mansion.
• The new secret biased report to kill football, which we’ll find out about in August 2017.
• The $1 billion Campaign for UAB, which was on pace to reach the finish line now but has slowed so much, it may be as late as 2019 (or worse).
• Lost tuition (plus future alumni donations) from plummeting enrollment, down 7.3 percent from fall 2014.

While all of these cost UAB money, the key to is to hit the board where it hurts most: the University of Alabama. The school is on track for another national championship, with the mountains of cash that come with it, so you must be clever and persistent in finding any financial weaknesses.

The Mizzou football team figured it out, using its leverage to force the school to act decisively and quickly on allegations of long-term racist harassment of students. Replacing Wolfe is far easier and cheaper than forfeiting to BYU.

Until you convince enough fans, football recruits, donors (individual and corporate), professors and politicians to abandon Tuscaloosa, you have no leverage. Until you steer away millions of dollars for buildings, players, coaches and research projects, you have no hope.

It may take years/election cycles. It may take scorched earth. It may take a beatdown of every board member’s company. But it can be done.

The fight has to be uglier and hit the trustees where it hurts most, right in the bank account.

Go Blazers,

Wade

• Internal debate: Should UAB football continue?
• Green and gold and black and blue: On the murder of UAB sports
• The $1 billion question: Can UAB afford to keep Watts as president?

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Working out. From Elevate Health and Wellness.

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Swedish tech death metal band Soreption performs earlier this month at Zydeco on Southside. From jamiebcarp1973.

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Raycom Media’s the Southern Weekend visits Avondale Brewing Company. From Rachel Leigh.

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The 68th National Veterans Day parade in downtown Birmingham. From National Veterans Day.

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Buffalo death metal band Cannibal Corpse performs earlier this month at Zydeco. From jamiebcarp1973.

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Checking out artist Mr. Howard. From Mr. Bates.

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Celebrity chef and author Gina Neely discusses the Magic City Classic. From Chanda Temple.

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Raycom Media’s the Southern Weekend visits Golden Flake. From Rachel Leigh.

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A look at the Urban Food Project. From REV Birmingham.

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Parents at St. Aloysius Catholic School in Bessemer talk about how the Alabama Accountability Act has created opportunities for their children. From Scholarships for Kids.

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Promo for the book “For the Beauty of Birmingham” from Charity Ponter Photography. From Banks Nash.

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Muscle Shoals band Firekid plays “Die For Alabama” earlier this month at the Syndicate Lounge on Southside. From Daniel Cambron.

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The Uri Band performs at Moe’s Original BBQ. From Uri Band.

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Massachusetts reggae band Stickfigure performs at Zydeco on Southside. From sidesho PSYonX.

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Raycom Media’s the Southern Weekend visits Vulcan. From Rachel Leigh.

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Raycom Media’s the Southern Weekend visits Miss Myra’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Vestavia Hills. From Rachel Leigh.

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The Birmingham Boys Choir performs “Gardener of the World” in September at Samford’s Brock Recital Hall. From SBMPCOM.

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The opening ceremony from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk fund-raiser earlier this month at Railroad Park downtown. From April Richelle.

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A 13-mile motorcycle ride on U.S. 280 at 6:45 a.m. to Southside. From Brandon Hughes.

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The collective Birmingham schools band performs “Isn’t She Lovely?” (our vertical video of the week). From Avion Greene.

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The final dress rehearsal for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony performed by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. From Alabama Symphony.

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