a plan for romance
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 by Wade Kwon
Let’s get takeout and
light a fire, listen to
jazz and talk softly.
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the poorly chosen few
Tuesday, February 10, 2015 by Wade Kwon
They come prepared, sort
of, to take up slack and spark
a hope-like feeling.
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Voters decide on 3-mill tax increase for Birmingham schools Tuesday
Monday, February 9, 2015 by Wade Kwon
Class at Green Acres Middle in Ensley, one of seven
Birmingham schools on the state’s failing schools list.
Birmingham schools have seen their share of challenges in recent years. Declining enrollment. Rancor over the use of pepper spray on disruptive students. Seven schools on the state’s 2015 list of failing schools.
Could more pre-kindergarten and arts classes help students?
Tuesday, city voters decide on a 3-mill property tax increase to fund such measures. Approval would expand pre-KÂ classes to all elementary schools, add fine arts programs in all Birmingham schools and music and band electives for elementary and middle schools.
Sample ballot
The 30-year increase would bring in an additional $7.8 million annually. A home owner with a house valued at $100,000 would see a tax increase of $30 per year, starting in 2016. Homeowners 65 and older would be exempt.
Voters can find their polling place online or by calling the city clerk’s office at (205) 254-2290.
Also:
Video: Report on school tax referendum
Update
For Tuesday's property tax referendum in Birmingham, voter turnout was 5.8%. #alpolitics #bham pic.twitter.com/BJmJGbSa3g
— Wade Kwon, Data Guru (@WadeOnTweets) February 12, 2015
The Birmingham channel: On the map
Monday, February 9, 2015 by Wade Kwon
A look at Birmingham in videos …
Homewood Middle starts wrestling team for girls. From ABC 33/40.
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“Bad Tourism: Birmingham.” From Contact Buzz Comedy.
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I think someone built a Birmingham Police car in “Grand Theft Auto.” I think. From MrOxPlay.
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Coach Myreon Jones puts the Birmingham Storm through drills and workout. From KdotLove205.
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The IBM Smarter Cities Challenge came to Birmingham to work on access to healthy food. From IBM Citizenship.
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Glen Hansard performs “Come Away to the Water” Feb. 2 at Iron City on Southside. From Cady Weldon.
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Nashville rock band Steelism plays “Blind Beggar” on Dec. 9 at Aloft in Homewood. From Paste Magazine.
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James Spann and Dan Satterfield cover Winter Storm 1992 live for WBRC-6. From bamaguynbham.
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Promo for Relay for Life at Birmingham-Southern College. From Brittany Arias.
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Lyman Ward Military Academy performs at the 2014 Veterans Day parade. From Lyman Ward Military Academy.
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http://instagram.com/p/yyI68HwBzA/
Sneaks the hedgehog. From Mark Leo.
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See the documentary “Our Mockingbird,” shot in Birmingham.
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Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.
the purposely driven life
Monday, February 9, 2015 by Wade Kwon
Let our planners and
schedules overflow with plans
to remain busy.
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#sundayread for Feb. 8, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015 by Wade Kwon
Photo: Andrea López (CC)
My picks for #sundayread for Feb. 8, 2015:
- On “Our Mockingbird,” and a Harper Lee sequel novel
- Husband’s salary makes life easier for @AnnBauerWriter. On patronage and writing
- Bryan Stevenson: “America’s Mandela,” a book excerpt (RT @Jay_Reeves)
- Y’all Connect: New books from speakers: The real you, plus zombies
- The 20 Most Satisfying Kisses in TV History, by Joanna Robinson @jowrotethis
- A Normal Day in the Unusual Life of Michael Keaton, by Tom Chiarella @Chiareality
- What’s your biggest fear in blogging?
- How to read like a writer, by Maria Popova @brainpicker
- Vulture ranks all 121 Billy Joel songs, by @heybonanos
- Flashback: Project Bulk – Day 162: Where does it end?
- Oral History of “The Facts of Life,” compiled by Will Harris @nonstoppop
- The Kill Team: How US Soldiers in Afghanistan Murdered Innocent Civilians by @MarkBoal
- These Guys See Hundreds of Millions in Nike Resale Profit by @LisaEChow (via @ramit)
- My neighborhood revolution, one letter at a time, by @dwatkinsworld
More posts from Wade this week:
The latest #sundayread tweets
- More #sundayread recommendations from me
hour three at the dmv
Sunday, February 8, 2015 by Wade Kwon
The guards eye us with
suspicion. The lines grow with
unlicensed drivers.
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estranged fruit
Saturday, February 7, 2015 by Wade Kwon
Bananas cannot
marry bananas, only
peaches. Just ask God.
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making money
Friday, February 6, 2015 by Wade Kwon
Sheets of paper, disks
of metal with holes, bits and
bytes, chickens to trade.
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the healing of the mind
Thursday, February 5, 2015 by Wade Kwon
They suffer in the
silence of the void till heard
and loved by healers.
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Watch Birmingham high schools in doc ‘Our Mockingbird’
Wednesday, February 4, 2015 by Wade Kwon
Author Lee to roll out ‘Mockingbird’ sequel book in July
Video: “Our Mockingbird”
Sandra Jaffe’s documentary “Our Mockingbird” made a national TV debut Tuesday. The timing couldn’t have been better.
Readers worldwide rejoiced at the same-day announcement that reclusive author Harper Lee had long ago penned a sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The new book, “Go Set a Watchman,” arrives July 14 with 2 million copies.
While the title is already a best-seller, several writers have raised concerns about the book’s timing and Lee’s health. A Jezebel essay mentions:
“Harper Lee’s sister Alice Lee, who ferociously protected Harper Lee’s estate (and person) from unwanted outside attention as a lawyer and advocate for decades, passed away late last year, leaving the intensely private author (who herself is reportedly in ill health) vulnerable to people who may not have her best interests at heart.”
The Associated Press reports Lee’s condition at her sister’s November funeral:
“Grieving, ill and seated in a wheelchair, Lee talked loudly to herself at awkward times during the service for her beloved older sister and attorney, Alice, according to two family friends who attended the November service. Lee mumbled in a manner that shocked some in attendance, said one of the friends.”
Such is the passion over the author and her beloved 1960 novel.
The documentary features two Birmingham-area schools putting on a stage version of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Jaffe, the filmmaker, hails from Mountain Brook.
The movie streams online till March 6.
President Bush awards the Presidential Medal
of Freedom to Harper Lee in 2007.
harmony among the ribs
Wednesday, February 4, 2015 by Wade Kwon
The smoking hut crammed
barbecue lovers of all
stripes for a sit-down.
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string bean dreams
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 by Wade Kwon
A day will come when
tiny rows of crops nourish
our sun-baked bodies.
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The Birmingham channel: Half the city
Monday, February 2, 2015 by Wade Kwon
A look at Birmingham in videos …
Exploring the City Federal building downtown at night. From Matt Glasscock.
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The band Wray performs “Jennifer” at Communicating Vessels in Woodlawn. From Spectra Sonic Sound Sessions.
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Truck stop sermon. From Bro Darrell.
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Jan. 18 promotional event with “Jersey Belle” star at Dyron’s Lowcountry restaurant in Mountain Brook. From Jaime Primak Sullivan.
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Birmingham Baker’s Dozen ride on Jan. 17. From Matt Butler.
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A race across trampolines at the Steel City Jump Park at the Crestwood Festival Center. From TwYcH811.
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The band 8 Feet of Soul performed “Stormy Monday” Sunday at Daniel Day Gallery in Lakeview. From Joey Nettleman.
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Ninth-grade students from Shaaray Tefila study civil rights in Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham with nonprofit organization Etgar 36. From Shaaray Tefila NYC.
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Lauren Lippeatt leads a class on “Fierce Flow” yoga. From Lauren Lippeatt.
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Interview with attorney Doug Jones, part of the Jesus at Work series at Avondale United Methodist Church. From Brandon Harris.
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Texas metal band Flyleaf performed Sunday at WorkPlay in Lakeview. From aerialjane.
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A student’s hip hop routine last week at the UAB International Bazaar. From UAB.
• • •
Send us links to your videos. | More videos on the Birmingham channel.
rodent rituals
Monday, February 2, 2015 by Wade Kwon
Will a sweeping cold
front bring more rain tomorrow?
Ask the damn groundhog.
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