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.

• • •

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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 …

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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A look at Birmingham in videos …

“Unseen: No Ordinary Story,” a short documentary about homeless people in Birmingham. From Aly Hathcock.

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Birmingham native and actor Linc Hand at a fund-raiser for ovarian cancer. From Edie Hand.

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Cal Breed speaks at the Pecha Kucha event during Design Week Birmingham 2014. From Design Week Birmingham.

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Nashville rapper Hecto performs with Big Henry earlier this month at the Nick on Southside. From Hecto.

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Diversity discussions in the classroom. From Amber Torres-Lopez.

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Filmmakers Jon and Andy Erwin discuss “Woodlawn” with host Rob Dempsey. From HIS Radio.

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Monica K. Slater sings at the District 8 Party With a Purpose earlier this month at Ensley Park. From Monica Slater.

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YouTube star Joshua D and Friends perform earlier this month at the Comedy Club Stardome in Hoover. From Tay Kitten.

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A look at TrimTab Brewing Company from the National Beer Wholesalers Association. From Dean Hovell.

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Road trip to the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover and Railroad Park downtown. From Stanley Veus.

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Appalachian Crankie installation performance earlier this month as part of the East Lake Artist Village and Revive 2.0 East Lake at the College Theatre in East Lake. From Rosemary Johnson.

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“The Exit Plan Show” interviews Whitney Johns Martin with Birmingham’s TWV Capital Management. From Norman A. Hood.

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The Chris Robinson Brotherhood performs a cover of “The Music’s Hot” earlier this month at Iron City on Southside. From Natural Music.

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Katie Sunshine leads a hula hoop class in September at St. Vincent’s on Southside. From Carron HoopsAlot.

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The Komen Race for a Cure fund-raiser last week in Linn Park downtown. From Starnes Publishing.

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“I’m tired of light red Birmingham being on my mind” (our vertical video of the week). From Gabriel Lavender.

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Sara Evans performs “My Heart Can’t Tell You No” in 2012 at the BJCC Arena. From Timothy Ruebin.

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Brandi Carlile performs earlier this month at Iron City on Southside (our other vertical video of the week). From Eric Chester.

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Fred Spicer, executive director of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, talks about Antiques in the Gardens on the Rose Chat Podcast. From Rose Chat Podcast.

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Singer-songwriter and “The Voice” contestant Melanie Martinez performs earlier this month at Saturn in Avondale. From Kylie Benjamin.

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Jackson Browne performs a cover of “Mama Couldn’t Be Persuaded” earlier this month at the Alabama Theatre downtown. From David Eckoff.

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Drone footage of Vulcan. From Duncan Meredith.

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Promo video for Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Ensley. From United for Life Foundation.

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“A Life of Review” short film: “Considering suicide, Jeff takes the advice of a co-worker and calls a support hot line. The call, however, is not what Jeff expected it to be.” From Forever an Astronaut.

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Fashion show with Birmingham firefighters at the Southern Women’s Show earlier this month at the BJCC North Exhibition Hall. From al.com.

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Footage of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Kelly Ingram Park downtown. From A’Keriah Samuel.

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S.O.T.K. does the “Hotline Bling” dance. From Jacquez Young.

• • •

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

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Ariana Grande performs “Tattooed Heart” in September at the Legacy Arena downtown (our vertical video of the week). From Adam Wilson.

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A $10 million mansion to be auctioned off on Halloween. From DeCaro Luxury Auctions.

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Florida East Coast Railway train. From liltrainman.

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Drone footage of Railroad Park. From Jay Simpson.

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Time-lapse video of Birmingham artist Gina Hurry painting “Unless the Lord,” based on Psalm 127. From the Corner Room.

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Tuscaloosa’s Deontay Wilder defeats Johann Duhaupas by 11th-round TKO in September at Legacy Arena, televised live nationally on NBC. From Premier Boxing Champions.

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Nashville funk band Here Come the Mummies prepare for a late-September show at Iron City on Southside. From Here Come the Mummies.

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Driving through a parking lot course at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. From Josh Peek.

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The U.S. Women’s National Team working on ball movements and crossing during open practice in September at Legion Field. From CarKid.

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Tuskegee native and radio host Tom Joyner brings “Tour Tom” to Birmingham. From Alabama NewsCenter.

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Promo for “Building Stronger Men Everyday” program that focuses on improving literacy and math skills for fourth and fifth grade boys through magazine subscriptions. From Growing Kings.

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Birmingham native and author Daniel Wallace discusses “Big Fish” musical at Red Mountain Theatre Company. From Alabama NewsCenter.

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The 2015 auditions for “The Nutcracker.” From Birmingham Ballet.

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Hoover police captain Gregg Rector, Xavier Beasley’s aunt Laverne Beasley and community crime chaplain Harry “Traveling Shoes” Turner ask for help in the murder of Xavier Beasley. From Starnes Publishing.

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Dazzling Diamond Divas perform to ​iHeart Memphis’ “Hit the Quan.” From Dazzling Diamond Divas.

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California pop performer Jesika von Rabbit in September at Iron City on Southside. From thebrookiew.

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A report on the “It’s Nice to Have You in Birmingham” town hall by Yellowhammer Creative last week at Trim Tab Brewing Company in Lakeview. From WIAT-42.

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A look at March’s annual Natural Hair and Health Expo. From Visions Beauty.

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Vintage military vehicles from World War II rolled through Birmingham in September on the way to San Diego from northern Virginia. The cross-country convoy is part of “The Spirit of 45,” commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. From al.com.

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Nashville-based country singer Michael Ray performs in September at Tin Roof in Lakeview. From Brandi H.

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The Birmingham Youth Fellowship Choir sings at the Youth ‘N Praise back-to-school concert in July at the Titusville A.O.A. Church of God. From Ahkeem Lee.

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My pal Missy Burchart of the Literacy Council of Central Alabama shares her “aha Moment” as part of a Facebook contest. From My aha Moment.

• • •

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

The Drive-By Truckers perform at Iron City on Southside.
The venue has not only brought in bands from the South
but also from across the nation.

•

Get the full version of this essay in our free ebook.
Details at the end.

•

By Jackie Lo

Those of us who love Birmingham are slowly nurturing and hand-feeding this beautiful city with our passion and adoration. Naysayers have moved from and come back to a very different city. Outsiders have taken notice, written articles, shared our secrets. But, eventually the surprise will leave their tone and will be replaced with respect and their own adoration.

More traveling bands will put a pin in Birmingham on their tour maps. More people will attend local venues. Record shops will flourish, and underground radio will thrive and shake up the quality of music that hits our airwaves. Local bands playing at home will really mean something to everyone involved.

Women will make as much money as men do at the same job. They will be free to make their own choices about their bodies and not have to worry about what the politicians at the Capital have to say about it or if their rights or clinics will be shut down. Contraceptives will be affordable, and sex education will be available to everyone.

Gay marriage will be accepted in all counties in the state, and we will look back on that day outside the courthouse and realize we saw history happen in our city. A city that helped lead civil rights for race equality has now made strides for sexual equality. LGBT couples will be able to have all of the same rights that straight couples enjoy.

Drunk driving will be greatly reduced as ridesharing options such as Uber and Lyft will be available to our city. Waiting 45 minutes for a taxi will be a thing of the past. Public transportation will be easier and available in more places. Bike sharing will be a huge success as bike lanes and walking paths will spread throughout the city.

Marijuana will be legalized. We will be one of the last states to implement it, but when we do, we will realize it isn’t the terrible monster it’s made out to be. The war on drugs and violence within our city will have one less component, and our jails won’t stay at capacity because of it.

We will have a lottery that properly funds our education system to increase the quality of schools citywide. Our kids will be smarter than we ever were and “Alabama jokes” won’t hold the same weight they once did.

We will take pride in our amazing food and drinks, and more outstanding and award-winning restaurants and bars will open and be successful. We will have more places downtown that stay open at night and more late night options as well. “Locally Sourced” and “Locally Made” will be on every new menu.

Construction will continue to boom downtown, and we will keep moving into renovated old structures that once were abandoned and in shambles. New construction will continue to be thoughtful and add interest to our skyline, and everyone will see downtown as the place I’ve always loved.

Progress. That is what the future of Birmingham holds. We’ve seen it happening. It might be slow, but that’s our brand of progress, a slow and steady growth. We have pride, and we know how to fight. Wanting more and never being quite satisfied is what sets us apart. We always appreciate what we have to work for instead of what is simply given to us.

• • •

Jackie Lo (a k a Jacklyn Loquidis Hamric) is editor in chief of the blog I Am the F-Bomb, DJ for the weekly “Jackie Lo Show” on Substrate Radio, interior designer at Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds and a musician.

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

• • •

The full version of this essay and many more are available in the free ebook, “The Future of Birmingham.”

All you need to do is fill out this simple form. We’ll email you a link to download the book. (And, at no extra charge, we’ll add you to the mailing list for the free Y’all Connect newsletter.)

• • •

Read more essays in our special 10th anniversary series, The Future of Birmingham.

An excavator loads Caterpillar 777 dump trucks along the
Northern Beltline. The project has a projected $2 billion impact
on the metro Birmingham area.

•

Get the full version of this essay in our free ebook.
Details at the end.

•

By Johnathan F. Austin

You can see the future of Birmingham by the growing number of buildings and lofts emerging from the downtown skyline, and you can see it by the community revitalization projects.

But what is the blueprint for this remarkable city? Expansion in all areas of development and revitalization of the city’s neighborhoods, all sparked by the establishment of relationships at home and across the globe.

These relationships spawn innumerous opportunities. Just look at the lineup: the U.S. women’s national soccer team match; the Southeast U.S./Japan and Japan-U.S. Conference this fall; the Neighborhoods USA Conference in 2018; and the World Games in 2021.

These events change people’s long-held perceptions by letting them experience it first-hand and spread the gospel. That publicity is getting the attention of many companies. With the coming $530 million expansion of Kamtek, the potential growth for the aerospace industry at the Kaiser Aircraft Industries hangar complex at the airport, and the continuous development downtown, it is clear that Birmingham’s growth is expanding across all areas of business.

According to a University of Alabama study, the Northern Beltline will generate $2 billion in economic impact, nearly 21,000 jobs and $54 million in new tax revenue per year. The In-Town Transit Partnership and Bus Rapid Transit system will move residents and visitors around our city center with ease, convenience and reliability. This alone gives us hope for a better Birmingham.

Economic growth will bring more people and an increased sense of community for those who will call Birmingham home. This is why we as elected leaders are shifting our focus to the heart of it all, our 99 neighborhoods.

With the passage of the recent budget that emphasizes neighborhood revitalization, residents will see a decrease in blight and an immediate increase in pride. People will not only want to work and play in Birmingham, but live here, too.

While the blueprint has been laid out for business development and neighborhood revitalization, at the heart of it all is the enhancement of our schools. The recent hiring of superintendent Kelley Castlin-Gacutan puts our system well on its way to producing leaders for our community. After all, education is the most important economic development tool we have as a city.

As elected leaders, we make decisions that affect our communities both now and in the future. The council recently raised the city’s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour by 2017, the first city in the Southeast to do so. We are also paving the way for more innovative businesses like the Uber and Lyft ride-sharing apps. This council is progressive in its ideas, strategy and vision for a thriving Birmingham.

So, from the increased economic development, to the revitalization of our communities, to the innovative laws benefiting our citizens and businesses, coupled with a top-notch school system, the future of Birmingham is one that should excite residents and appeal to newcomers.

We are well on our way to becoming a premier city, best in its class.

• • •

Johnathan F. Austin is president of the Birmingham City Council and general manager of AirOps.

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

• • •

The full version of this essay and many more are available in the free ebook, “The Future of Birmingham.”

All you need to do is fill out this simple form. We’ll email you a link to download the book. (And, at no extra charge, we’ll add you to the mailing list for the free Y’all Connect newsletter.)

• • •

Read more essays in our special 10th anniversary series, The Future of Birmingham.

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Soccer fans the American Outlaws watch the World Cup championship match pitting the United States against Japan at Good People Brewing Company on Southside. From ng11787.

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Jazz singer Esperanza Spalding performs July 1 at Iron City on Southside (our vertical video of the week). From Iris Navarro.

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Highlights from the second annual Birmingham Black Rodeo in June at Legacy Arena downtown. From Randy Wilborn.

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Birmingham, the perfect place for the upcoming Southeast Creation Conference, “uncovering the scientific evidence for creation.” From Institute for Creation Research.

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Iowa heavy metal band Slipknot performs in May at the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham. From Brian Kell.

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Walking the cross near Uptown. From Jesus Is Real.

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Nashville blues artist Keb’ Mo’ performs “She Just Wants to Dance” in May at Iron City. From treser62.

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Praise break at the 2012 International AIM Convention in Birmingham. From Dorothea Cast.

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Hunter Jackson from Birmingham leaves a perfectly good plane. From Chattanooga Skydiving Company.

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The Church of God in Christ orchestra and the youth choir perform “I Wanna Be Holy” at the 2012 International AIM Convention in Birmingham. From Dorothea Cast.

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The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is part of Latino New South, a project designed to put it in touch with the city’s Latino community. From ArtsFwd.

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Birmingham mayor William Bell addressed the new roundabout and other improvements to Cahaba Road at a ribbon cutting on July 1. From Starnes Publishing.

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A farm family visits the Birmingham Zoo. From Farmtales.

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Dweezil Zappa and Zappa Plays Zappa perform Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention’s “Sofa No. 2” in April at Iron City. From treser62.

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Birmingham sunset on June 27. From David McElroy.

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The American Institute of Architects visits Pratt City on the 3-year anniversary of the April 27, 2011, tornado, documenting progress on neighborhood recovery and community building. From Joel Mills.

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A look at Operation HOPE Community Service. From LaTanya Millhouse.

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Teen Caitlyn shares her family vacation in Birmingham. From PassionatexBeautyx.

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The Yes We Code bus tour stops in June in Birmingham. From Alabama NewsCenter.

•

See episodes from the 7-year run of concert series “We Have Signal.”

• • •

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

A look at Birmingham in videos …

Jazmine Sullivan performs “Forever Don’t Last” April 8 at Iron City on Southside. From Vevo.

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Birmingham N-Scale Modular Club shows off an N-scale layout in Helena. From Route29a.

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Trucker BigRigSteve rolls southward in his 2012 Peterbilt 386 on I-65 near Birmingham. From BigRigTravels.

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Special June 12 meeting of the Birmingham Board of Education. From SomewhereITN.

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Sarah and Jeff Mills’ Doggie Daycare wedding downtown (our vertical video of the week). From Just Happy Hounds.

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Promo for “HighLife” TV show. From High Life.

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Atlanta AC/DC tribute band Sin City performs “Riff Raff” earlier this month at the Tilted Kilt in Inverness (our other vertical video of the week). From Henry Perry.

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An elephant dining out at the Birmingham Zoo. From An Innovative Pursuit.

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Trailer for “For a Few Zombies More,” the sequel to “Hide and Creep.” Shot in Birmingham. From Chance Shirley.

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Music video for “Psalm 19” by the Corner Room at Cahaba Park Church. From the Corner Room.

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Birmingham rock band Massimo Eddy performs “Pickpocket” at the Nick on Southside. From Neurodegenerate.

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Photojournalist Kerry Robinson’s news demo reel. From Kerry Robinson.

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Music video for “Escape Plan” from Birmingham band Nowhere Squares. From Nowhere Squares.

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Jack Royer reports on food relief efforts at the Christian Service Mission for Magic City Miracle, a day of service projects. From Jack Royer.

•

• • •

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A look at Birmingham in videos …

Rob Zombie performs last week at Iron City on Southside. From ALM 3.

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Pennsylvania rock band Halestorm performs “Dear Daughter” in April at Iron City. From Josh Corne.

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Birmingham Bar Foundation film on contributions from attorneys to the city’s civil rights movement in 1963. From Dragonfly Public Media.

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Promo for LA Photography. From Corey Carpenter.

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Slipknot last week at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham. From ALM 3.

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Michelle and Austin’s wedding. From Julia Robertson.

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YouTube performer Twaimz with “The Llama Song” in February at Iron City. From LiveLaughPuppyxo.

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Pizitz Middle student Bradford Billingsley debuted a line of designs Friday at Birmingham Fashion Week 2015 at Pepper Place in Lakeview. From Starnes Publishing.

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Breaking Benjamin performs “Failure” in April at Iron City. From David Bailey.

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Birmingham firefighter tribute 2015. From BFRSFAN.

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Drone footage of Railroad Park downtown. From David Henderson.

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Birmingham’s Scenario Skateboards. From Christopher Tickell.

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UAB Spirit Coordinator Ryan Martin introduces her vlog. From Inside Cheerleading.

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A look at Ensley’s Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School. From United for Life Foundation.

•

See Noah Galloway reach the Top 4
 on “Dancing with the Stars.”

• • •

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

A look at Birmingham in videos …

President Obama speaks Thursday at Lawson State Community College on the new steps the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking to protect consumers from abusive payday lending practices. From the White House.

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Driving while filming, part 1: daytime. From Alex Djesus.

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Driving while filming, part 2: nighttime. From Tatiana Youngblood.

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Driving while filming, part 3: using a dashcam. From vearexperts.

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South African rap-rave group Die Antwoord performs earlier this month at Iron City on Southside. From Will Bonn.

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My pal Chanda put together a report on the academies program at Birmingham schools. From Chanda Temple.

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Le’Andria Johnson sings “God Will Take Care of You.” From Henry Washington Jr.

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Ramsay high boys’ basketball. From Chandler Minton.

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Jimmy Swaggart preaches March 21, 1986, in Birmingham. From Louis Calzada.

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The Entertainers perform to Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” at the Alabama Theatre. From Masquerade Dance.

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Aerial footage of Patton Park in East Birmingham. From Howard Daniels.

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Promotional video “Health Is Movement” from Homewood Friends and Family Healthcare. From KS Films.

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Alabama technical mountain biking in March at Oak Mountain State Park. From Lon Cullen.

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Mountain Brook High alums return with their college a capella group to perform with the Birmingham Boys Choir. From Starnes Publishing.

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See Noah Galloway dance to Darius Rucker.

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

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-K 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:

• Coverage on ABC 33/40 | Fox 6

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 (@WadeOnTweets) February 12, 2015

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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A post shared by J. Maze (@aerialjane)

Texas metal band Flyleaf performed Sunday at WorkPlay in Lakeview. From aerialjane.

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UAB (@exploreuab)

A student’s hip hop routine last week at the UAB International Bazaar. From UAB.

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

Video: Birmingham Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts
raise $15,730.88 for the KIND fund.

They did it again.

After raising more than $18,000 in 2013, the Scouts based at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church pulled in $15,730.88 this year for the KIND Fund. The money goes to Kids In Need of Desks, a UNICEF campaign providing desks for schoolchildren in Malawi.

That translates into 484 students who no longer have to sit on the ground in school.

MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell helped launch the fund in 2009 and has raised $7.6 million to date. The 2013 check from Boy Scout Troop 415 and Cub Scout Pack 415 was the single largest donation to KIND then.

The Scouts hit the streets starting back in October to collect donations in buckets, as they told O’Donnell Monday night on his program, “The Last Word.”

Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church
prepare to donate to UNICEF.

KIND provides desks for students in Malawi.

Angela Blake

The Alabama Social Media Association holds educational lunches
throughout the year at the Hill Event Center at the Alabama
Theatre downtown.

In honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, I want to turn the spotlight on one of my favorite Birmingham nonprofit organizations …

It was 1 year ago at this time that I was deep in the throes of creating a new nonprofit organization. Six weeks later, we launched.

The Alabama Social Media Association has been an exciting journey of planting seeds, asking for favors and bringing to life a sorely needed resource: social media education.

I’ve always known Birmingham to be a font of social media experts, people who offer great advice and think innovatively about how we share information in the 21st century. Why were these folks not getting more recognition?

Because this city has grown a thriving digital community, we needed to put the spotlight on it throughout the year. It has been home to great conferences, including this past weekend’s WordCamp Birmingham, and many user groups. But very little for those who don’t work in the industry to jump in and learn and discover.

In 2011, we put on five free educational events, offering networking, lunch and a speaker with a 45-minute presentation. We met a great cross-section of the community, from law enforcement, from churches, from nonprofit groups and utilities and banks and startups. And we had a lot of fun. In addition, ALsocme held social events nearly every month to expand our social circles.

Behind the scenes, it has been a never-ending list of funds to find, people to meet and tasks to do or delegate. I have found it is one thing to serve on a board for an established organization, but quite another to build everything from scratch.

The truly exciting part is doing it our way, redefining expectations and constantly striving to improve, so that we may reach more people and share the bounty of social media knowledge in our community.

If you want to find out more about the Alabama Social Media Association, visit the website and also sign up for the free email newsletter. And if you’d like to volunteer to help with our events, our blog and more, fill our our application form. If you have a question, email alsocme@gmail.com.

• Alabama Social Media Association website | Facebook | Twitter @ALsocme
  

Video: a look at the Alabama Social Media Association