The Terminal http://virb.com/bhamterminal Virb 2.0 (@bhamterminal) en Where's Brooke Smith? http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1083381 Looks like we've had a lot of folks stumbling onto The Terminal recently trying to find out where NBC 13 traffic anchor Brooke Smith is. Well, according to her blog on the station's website she hasn't gone that far. The Albertville native is now preparing to host the latest edition to daytime news programming, Daytime Alabama, airing after their midday news broadcast.

The show doesn't officially premiere until next month, though preview episodes aired last week.

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:56:03 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1083381 The race is on! http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1083380 The city's getting ready for this year's edition of the Mercedes Marathon, including putting an additional rush on downtown Birmingham' current road repaving project]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:56:02 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1083380 Birmingham's shovel ready! http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1083379 I'll admit I didn't know what that term meant . until a recent consulting trip out to Colorado]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:56:01 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1083379 Fair Park Locomotive moving to Sloss http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1083378 35Birmingham's Fair Park has long been home to this 1917 "war baby" steam locomotive. Well, on February 22 it'll be settling into its new home on the grounds of the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark site. It is the result of an effort led by Mountain Book mayor Terry Oden to raise the $150,000 necessary to pay for the transport of the locomotive by flatbed railcar to its new home. The Birmingham News ran a piece in mid-January with details for those interested in helping out with the move.

BTW: If you wanted to check out some photos from the demolition of the raceway grandstand from last month, there's a photo set courtesy of Bob Farley over in The Gallery.

Photo: Courtesy of Sloss Furnaces

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:56:00 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1083378 "A sad day for hot dog fans" http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082261 That is how one commenter on the Birmingham News' breaking new blog described learning the news that Tony's Terrific Hot Dogs will be closing after 29 years in business next weekend. According to the piece, Tony Ippolito's looking forward to retirement, though it looks like many are going to miss out on the food.

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:40:42 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082261 Crestwood Coffee Company... for now http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082260 Pye Parson recently became the new owner of the Crestwod Coffee Company on Birmingham's East side. Pye also owns Birmingham IN spot Sol Garden two doors down from the neighborhood hangout spot, though she's not sure of her plans for that space when its lease is up later this year.

Since implemented and proposed changes include allowing customers to establish accounts and regaining its beer and wine license in the near future, it only makes sense to consider changing the name. If you stop by, consider dropping a suggestion in the box at the bar.

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:40:40 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082260 It's still Hip to be Civic http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082259 catalystfrontpage

Screenshot of Catalyst's new website.

I couldn't pass up a chance to plug Catalyst's new website before we continue on this morning's food kick. This evening they'll officically launch their redesigned website with an event at Rojo featuring a performance by Matthew Mayfield and a remote by Live 100.5 FM. If you've got a moment, stop on by, especially since the first 75 that show up get free drink vouchers. If you get a chance, send us some photos from the event so we can share them with our readers... just saying...

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:40:40 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082259 wOOt! Foodimentary wins a "Shorty" http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082258 food24Kudos to Foodimentary, a blog and Twitter feed based right here in metro Birmingham, AL (Homewood to be exact) as they are the winner of this year's Shorty Award for food! The Shortys recognize leaders in producing short content using the popular microblogging site. Here's a video primer for those not familar with Twitter.

Wondering just how popular and powerful Twitter can be? Foodimentary's profile currently provides fun facts about food to more than 29,600 followers!

We don't know if they'll be able to attend tomorrow's awards ceremony, but we hope they are able to, considering that CNN's Rick Sanchez will be hosting with tweeters Shaquille O'Neal and MC Hammer being involved in the fun.

Congrats!

Image: Foodimentary logo, courtesy of the website.

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:40:39 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082258 Who's new on Twitter? http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082257 Birmingham's Twitterverse keeps on growing...

twitter_28Some of the benefits of being on Twitter? Well, if you were following us last week, you would have had a chance to win tickets to opening night of Ain't Misbehavin' (congrats again to Michael Mayhew) and had a chance or two to get yourself a Terminal T (BTW, the new store launches - finally- tomorrow morning).

There are a lot of local organizations who've entered the scene. Here are links to a few of them (after the jump that is)...

BhamChamber - our regional Chamber of Commerce

BottletreeCafe - a great friend of The Hub and a great local music venue

BBGardens - Birmingham, AL's Botanical Gardens

DaytimeAlabama - Birmingham's newest midday show (on NBC 13)

We'll add more tomorrow, though you may want to add ones you know about to our comments section below.

]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:40:38 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1082257 Want to read Larry's State of the City address? http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1075174 Well, it's not available on the City of Birmingham's website as last year's is. You will find it over on BhamWiki. The guys over there painstakingly listened to Mayor Langford's remarks and transcribed his words for everyone to see.

So don't just hang out here, head on over there and check it out (though it is a fairly long read)! You could also check out the video of the mayor's comments during the Birmingham City Council meeting on January 27.

]]> Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:50:04 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1075174 Time for a Bojangles biscuit run... http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1075173 ... much closer to home. Charlotte, NC-based Bojangle's has announced plans to expand into the Birmingham, AL market, with hopes of opening four (4) locations in the metro area before the end of the year. We here see this as a great excuse to eat breakfast whenever we want, and that's important, even to their corporate office, especially when you take a look at their recipe for success.

]]> Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:50:02 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1075173 UPDATE: The switch goes on http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1075172 Despite Congress recently passing a delay of the switch from analog to digital television until June 12, many television stations (including several here in town) are still planning to go forward with "the switch" on the original date of February 17.

Currently NBC 13, CBS 42 and APT 9 all plan to proceed with the signal switch. We'd appreciate it if folks could chime in on if they know whether or not the other local stations will follow suit.

UPDATE: Just got word via Twitter (thanks James Spann) that ABC 33/40 will continue to broadcast in both analog and digital until June 12.

]]> Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:50:01 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1075172 Speaking of switches... http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1075171 Those of you that follow the r3vrb.com and bham.fm may begin to notice that both sites are loading a little slower than normal this afternoon. If you haven't heard yet (or haven't visited them before) allow us to elaborate.

The sites, maintained by former Timetable music writers Sam George and Whitney Sides respectively, have decided to join forces to become a new and improved bham.fm. The changeover is happening behind the scenes right now and will be celebrated with music and fun (how else?) at Speakeasy 1920 tomorrow evening. We'd tell you more, but it makes more sense to check out the announcement for yourselves.

We'll have an update on Timetable come Monday morning.

]]> Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:50:01 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1075171 Birmingham's first The First 48 episode premieres tonight http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1072330 Some of you may remember way back when Mayor Kincaid said that the Birmingham Police Department was not going to participate in the upcoming season of the popular A&E series The First 48, as brought up in a recent Black & White article. Well, tonight Birmingham will appear on the cable television series along with Tuscon, AZ beginning at 8 p.m. If you check out the episode, let us know what you think about it by adding to this posts comments below. And don't worry, if you don't get a chance to see this episode, there will be three other ones aired during the season, although we're not quite sure when they'll all air by... Or you can find out a little more about the detectives taking part in the filiming before you watch over at al.com.

]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:06:19 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1072330 Bruno's files Chapter 11 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1072329 Just in case you haven't heard the news, Birmingham, AL-based Bruno's Supermarkets has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier today. The press release states that operations will be restructured. The company last filed for Chapter 11 in 1998.]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:06:18 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1072329 Kyle threatened with "the boot" http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1071279 We're not really sure if Jefferson County Commission president Bettye Fine Collins would have really kicked out Birmingham Weekly columnist Kyle Whitmire at the end of today's post meeting conference. All we'll say is imagine what the post over on Mixed Media would have been if she had.

Kyle's piece from earlier today includes video from last week and links to the comments made by Collins that he attempted to raise questions about.

]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:00:45 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1071279 Help Hannah Grace http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1067599 Hannah Grace Harrison is a three year old girl from Dothan, AL who was diagnosed with cancer last Spring. She is currently at Children's Hosptial here in Birmingham, AL and she's finished her final round (6 total) of chemo including a bone marrow transfusion. We found out about Hannah from one of our former contributors, Travis Bryant.

Hannah Grace needs our help. She is in dire need of platelets. They are continuously giving her blood and platelet transfusions. If you live in the state of Alabama you can donate the platelets.]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:34:58 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1067599 Follow the progress of a "promise" http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1067598 childrens-webcam

Screenshot of Children's Hospital webcam feed.

Children's Hospital broke ground last week on its new expansion facility on Birmingham's Southside, one that will allow them to commit to being a greener part of our regional community. As part of the effort to make folks aware of the expansion of the hospital as part of the insitution's "Keeping Promises" fundraising campaign, folks can keep up with the construction via webcam as well as see what the completed project will look like and be kept aware of road closings and events associated with it.

We'll try to remind you from time to time to check in as well.

]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:34:57 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1067598 Fireworks at the BJCC yesterday http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1062370 We've known for some time (well, some of us have) that Alabama State Representative Mary Moore has wanted City Council representation on the BJCC's board. Well, yesterday she decided to make those comments again during the BJCC Board meeting and had some words with the city's current representation on the board, Mayor Larry Langford. Apparently, a lot of words.

I've got some words about the situation of my own today over on My Birmingham.

]]> Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:13:09 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1062370 Is the Heritage Festival returning? http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1062369 A quick look around the Internet late last night brought up this page of information for folks wondering about the future of the Birmingham Heritage Festival.

There is no location listed but there are dates for this year's event (in August) and contact information for anyone looking to be involved in the festival. We'll keep an eye on it and look forward to doing some coverage of it this summer.

]]> Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:13:09 -0800 http://virb.com/bhamterminal/posts/text/1062369