Filed under: Birmingham, AL, Civic Engagement, civic/service organizations, other cities, urban issues
Even if you just stumble across this page, I’d love to hear what ideas you may have from your own towns about this post.
Bets and I had some friends over for drinks to celebrate the end of the Carnival season before the beginning of Lent and my attempt to get back into decent shape before Memorial Day. While enjoying beer and wings, the conversation shifted to the norm: what’s going on and how can we change things. Among those at the gathering were friends that we did not make until we met here in Birmingham, though we were actually neighbors in Savannah. The conversation with them about what we missed about Savannah while being honest and frank about its shortcomings made me think about simplifying the statement I earlier today (if that’s possible). The main thing that seems to drive the future of a city is communication on all levels. The question is how many people really take advantage of the tools and resources currently available to reach this goal
Planned changes to my office’s website in the next two or three weeks that will make our intentions somewhat clearer. Several organizations in the region are trying to make their websites cleaner and simpler. While this eventual streamlining may be well for those of us on the other side of the technological divide, there are many people here in town that do not have access to a computer and that do not “know” what’s going on. The coolest thing about my time in Savannah was watching the availability of information change and how that change impacted the way things were done in the city. It is still far from perfect. The key is figuring out how to plug in wherever you are. We all operate in spheres of influence that prevent us from seeing everything going on. activeculture.info, organizational websites and the newspapers are fine, but what about 4” x 5” cards announcing upcoming events. Let’s beat them over the head with flyers announcing what’s going on. And not just art gallery openings, and not just in the usual places. How about getting some of this information in West End, Ensley and Pratt City? Even if they do not attend at first, the seed is planted for the next time.
For those of us who experienced college, this is nothing more than taking our extracurricular activity experiences and applying them to modern times. The only real way to affect change is to get out there and make it known every way possible.
I’m tired of selling those that do not have the right “tools” short; I’ll get off the soapbox only after making people aware of all that their city has to offer. But it takes a change in attitude that a city must undertake thoroughly and completely before that happens. If we’ve truly done everything that we can and people are still apathetic, then it will just have to stay the way it is. People must begin to consider the fact that everyone wants to see their city succeed; now let’s figure out how to get everyone to the table. Let me know what you think.
Cheers.
Filed under: Birmingham, AL, Catalyst, Civic Engagement, civic/service organizations, urban issues
For those of you not familiar with Catalyst for Birmingham, two things to do before you continue:
1) Check out their website
2) Point of disclosure: I’m on the steering committee (like I said a while back, I have a hard time saying the word “no,” plus it’s a great organization). However, what I write on my blog is my opinion and not that of the entire committee.
Now that those things are out of the way,
Today the organization announced that they have hired a director to manage the day-to-day operations. Cherie Fields, a Birmingham native, will assume the duties of director officially tomorrow, beginning with a meeting of the organization’s steering committee. Cherie’s focus will be to help manage the goals and needs of the membership base of the organization and to assist the steering committee as it attempts to fulfill these goals. These two objectives are extremely important as the organization attempts to reinvigorate itself. She’s going to do a great job and is going to have a lot of fun doing it.
Joining the steering committee re-engaged me in a study of young professional organizations that started while in Savannah. I found the concept of the creative class interesting, though flawed, and ability to pull together young progressives for events such as the Memphis Manifesto as impressive and necessary for the future of cities as they hoped to become. The result has been following the activities of several organizations around the country and beginning to track the activities of similar organizations in our region. So far it’s been a lot of fun to learn how other groups are driven to make their communities better. It’s also made me aware of things that could be tried here to continue progress in the Magic City.
One of the issues faced by Catalyst is its perception as a downtown-focused or young professional-focused organization. I’ve been reminded recently of the one thing that drew me to Catalyst when meeting with Alan Hunter in August 2004: the idea that an organization was open to anyone that wanted to join and that it could make a difference. Young professionals may make up the leadership of the organization, but to me it’s always been a focus on allowing ideas from anyone that wants to voice them to be expressed. That is why it has never used the latest “catch phrase” to describe itself and why I hope it never will. What drives Catalyst is that its members are committed to change; it is what drives most civic organizations at their core, and hopefully for the better. Instead of calling them “hipsters,” “bobos,” “yp’s” or “progressive,” let’s call them what they really are: people who care about seeing good things for their native or adopted hometown. Let’s cheer them on rather than find new ways to meet and not share information.
A hope for the near future is to have a meeting of all of these organizations, providing an opportunity for civic and political leaders to know what’s being talked about out there, what’s really being talked about around town.
Thoughts? Comments?
Cheers.
Filed under: baseball, Birmingham, AL, Black History Month, News Media (as source & subject), Uncategorized
One for the ages
It was an interesting turnout yesterday and an INSANELY LONG game. The ones that appeared were the diehards, the ones that sought refuge from the rest of the world and those just looking for an excuse to call their parents and friends and tell them that they were going to be on TV (i.e., me). While reports had the crowd at Rickwood Field at 4,000, you get the feeling that more people would have been aware had the game been publicized to the general public more. The wind didn’t help matters much either. Nonetheless, my mom got to see me look like a geek on television. Those that felt left out by not being able to attend, there’s still some home: the annual Rickwood Classic is scheduled for June 22. And of course there’s always the option of trying to convince them to hold the Negro Leagues event again, providing everyone a chance to enjoy the game. Click here to learn about those that were elected to the Hall of Fame today in a special called vote to honor former Negro Leagues stars.
Jump and wine
Today is a chance to listen to Carnival (or at least get in the mood) courtesy of www.pointalive.com. This website originates from Point Fortin (where my uncle just happens to be the mayor) and should give listeners a pretty good idea of the way things are going down there. The server has been slammed on and off for most of the day. Something to keep in mind is the number of Trinidadians living off of the island trying to listen. If you’re patient, you’ll eventually have some fun bopping your head along.
No chance for failure
Finally, I figure I haven’t had a real rambling commentary for a while (that is the name of the blog after all)… I will freely admit that I’d become a fan of Love Monkey, the CBS drama that did not involve murder, explosions or “reality” television. I’d been wondering why the show did not come on two weeks ago when I was looking forward to an excuse to take a break from watching the Olympics. For some unknown reason, I finally decided to check out one of my favorite music magazines earlier today, Paste. While trying to catch up with the rat race, I learned of the show’s current “hiatus” though plans call for their not to be a return.
Now, call me a weird individual, (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing), but I keep wondering how three episodes is enough to measure the success of a television show. I’ve been wondering just how many people tuned in to watch the show and were upset that a rerun of NCIS was on instead. It’s funny that networks never mention what those numbers are instead. I also realize that I’m one of the few on this information superhighway that does not have cable television, probably shielding me from the news longer since I’m not wired up on the latest gossip from E! Online or similar stations. For Love Monkey, the idea of looking at something other than a court room, police precinct or an emergency room was quite refreshing as was the music. The issue is more with providing an opportunity for shows to truly succeed, even this age of instant gratification where something has to be an instant success. People are more frightened than ever to take their time and take a chance. It’s led to a cookie cutter style that is slowly beginning to infiltrate all that we do.
Though in a perfect world a cable network or another station would pick it up and run with it, I’ll include the link to the online petition but accept that part of our creativity is disappearing daily whenever execs refuse to take a chance.
Cheers.
Filed under: Birmingham, AL, Civic Engagement, civic/service organizations, News Media (as source & subject), urban issues
If you stumble across this post this afternoon, live in the metro Birmingham region and want to help support one of our greatest assets, please consider stopping by Ruffner Mountain tomorrow afternoon beginning at 3 p.m. We will be holding an organizational meeting for the Friends of Ruffner Mountain, which I mentioned sometime last week, wherever this link takes you 🙂
This is an interest meeting and the idea is to identify those that may want to volunteer at the Nature Center in various ways, including fund raising. I hope some of you will make the pilgrimage out there tomorrow, even with the raindrops falling on your heads.
I also have one more link to an existing young professional organization to post. For those that want to learn more about this initiative, please click here; it should answer most of your questions.
The Young Advisory Board for Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Thanks to our friends over at Wade on Birmingham for that lead.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the fact that this is one of the busiest weekends in the Caribbean. Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago reaches its climax over the next few days. Being raised by Trinidadians, it was my belief that my year basically began and ended with the festival. In some respects, it still does. It’s a great chance to remember what you’re grateful for as well as an opportunity to determine what you need to do to better yourself in the coming months. Of course, the most important thing is to point out all of the cool things going on right now. So, over the weekend the sounds of jazz, pop and hip hop on my computer are replaced with the sounds of calypso and soca. And I’d like to offer a couple of links to get everyone in the mood.
Toronto-Lime.com
TriniSoca.com
And in case you wondered just how seriously Trinis take Carnival, click here to see the importance of the upcoming World Cup soccer warm-up match taking place on Tuesday, courtesy of the Trinidad and Tobago Express.
Enjoy your Friday evening. Cheers!
Filed under: baseball, Birmingham Jaycees, Birmingham, AL, Black History Month, Civic Engagement, civic/service organizations, Relay For Life, Rickwood Field
Leading off
The ESPN Classic game featuring the Birmingham Black Barons taking place on Sunday afternoon that I’ve previously mentioned received some great press in two of our local publications today: The Birmingham News and Birmingham Weekly. I’m hoping there’s a great turnout. It definitely provides an opportunity to take a good look at and honor some history, complete with individuals that hover larger than life over the game and our culture. Few things embody the ability to slow down and enjoy life than being at a ballpark. You don’t even necessarily have to be watching the game. It’s definitely something to get you in the mood for the season to begin, especially with players beginning to report for spring training in Arizona and Florida.
Civic organizations round up, Part 1
I have to put on my Jaycees board member hat for a moment: The Birmingham Jaycees are having a bowling night at Lightning Strikes Lanes in Trussville this evening beginning at 6 p.m. You can always imagine the worst part of your week sitting at the end of the lane to motivate some high scoring this evening. If you have a chance, please come on out. Keep a lookout for a blog site for the chapter in the coming weeks.
Please take a moment to view my personal webpage for the upcoming American Cancer Society Relay for Life event in Leeds/Moody on May 19. I plan to take part in that event as a member of the Birmingham Jaycees team. The page has links to addition information and provides opportunities to donate online. I encourage you to at least visit to learn more about this incredible project.
More later. Cheers.