We’re no good at remembering anniversaries, even our own.

Saturday marked the two-year anniversary of this humble site, Wade on Birmingham.

At two years plus two days, this site has featured more than 1,200 posts, featuring our favorite city and state, all for our growing and loyal readership. A few highlights from the past 12 months:

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Enjoy your Labor Day!

Then and now

The leader of the pack: Very soon, a mayor will reign, whether it’s the current one or any of the eight (and counting) challengers. Can Birmingham save itself? Can a mayor make a difference?

A series of mayoral forums (not debates, sigh) are allowing voters to ask questions in limited fashion. One such forum this month brought five candidates to the stage to discuss the homeless problem. [Listen to forum podcasts.] (more…)

What’s the one thing that makes Birmingham unique for you?

That’s the question put forth by the good folks at Birmingham Magazine, which published a series of essays called “My Birmingham” in the current issue. One of those who answered the call? Yours truly.
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Then and now

The bucks start here: Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Fred Thompson (well, almost candidate in his case) stopped in town last month to meet the voters and raise the dollars. Both took part in private big ticket fund-raisers, and both are seeing their popularity rise in Alabama. Thompson, a Sheffield native, is the current front-runner among Republican candidates, while Obama jumped 8 percentage points to close the gap with fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton, according to a recent poll.

Who should receive your vote on Feb. 5? Sir Charles Barkley weighs in … after the jump.

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Have a wet and wild Independence Day! Or at least, wild.

Bonus video after the jump (not safe for work) …

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Then and now

D&D, dungeons and dollars: The Dick and Don show has moved to federal prison. After netting about seven years each and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy and former governor Don Siegelman are in custody, awaiting appeal.

Not much left to say, except see you in 2014.

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Then and now

Rollin’ with the homies: If you like the camaraderie of sports and the relaxation of imbibing, then we have an outing for you. We met the players and organizers behind Birmingham Kickball, a loose-knit group who play on the first Sunday of each month. Tomorrow’s 3 p.m. match will be at Crestwood Park, but the gang played a match last week against the Tragic City Rollers, raising money for the Crisis Center’s Rape Response.

Our pal Philip took photos. Take a look …

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Then and now

The leisurely stroll for mayor: Councilor Valerie Abbott decided to run for mayor of Birmingham, joining the uncrowded official field of one, attorney Patrick Cooper. With a mere 130 days to Election Day, you’d think incumbents, pols and crazies would be jumping into the fray left and right. And yet, it appears leading our fair city has all the appeal of, say, sports dome interior decorator.
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Then and now

In like a lion: Eight students died in a spate of tornadoes March 1 at Enterprise High School. The community continues to rebuild, but paused Thursday for graduation ceremonies. Two chairs were left empty for Jessica Bullinger and Melinda Gooch, two of the 21 valedictorians honored. Our pal Bob Johnson has the story.
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As we remember the service of those who died defending our country, take time to remember those who are still on duty abroad: Send a care package today.

It doesn’t cost much, just a few dollars or a few carefully chosen new items to share. These sites can help:

• Any Soldier
• Operation Gratitude
• USO Cares

Have a peaceful Memorial Day.

The journey of a 1,000 posts begins with one sentence, and apparently pauses for a mangled cliche.

This unremarkable snippet is post No. 1,000 on Wade on Birmingham. We celebrate with statistical trivia:

• 252: days needed for first 500 posts
• 309: days needed for second 500 posts
• 95,081: rank on Technorati at post No. 500
• 69,782: current rank on Technorati
• 203: posts on my personal site, WadeKwon.com

Thanks for your suggestions, your comments, your support and your catcalls. I appreciate your readership and your friendship.

Our volunteer team with Hands on Birmingham has arrived in New Orleans for a week of service. Follow along on our adventures on my personal site, with links to my many essays on this beloved city.

It’s all on my special New Orleans page at WadeKwon.com.

You’ll see updates in the upper right corner of this page.

And be sure to see how the Magic City Mission came to be.

Have a Happy Easter!

Comedian Eddie Izzard gives his insight on the true meaning of the holiday …