http://101birmingham.org

101 is an open-source collaborative developing innovative and visionary solutions to improve the urban experience in Birmingham. We are after the answer of one simple question, “Birmingham would be a better place if….”. Many organizations have asked this question and many are acting on those answers, yet the ability to visualize possibilities, take action, and connect people striving for the same outcome have yet to materialize. It is important for a “place” to exist where ideas and solutions are not hoarded but open for everyone to interpret and development.

101’s goal is to produce 101 actual suggestions for improving Birmingham. These encompass a broad range of topics; drawing on the physical, social, environmental, political and aesthetic realms. They range from one-liners to complex propositions. Many propose new physical forms while others focus on restructuring existing organizations or policies.

Do you have an idea about how to make Birmingham a better place to live, work, and play? Tell us about it! either post a comment or join us at one of our meetings at 6:00 on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, located at Temple Studios on the 2nd floor of Woodrow Hall, 5504 1st Ave North, Birmingham AL.

“Our Center, located at 714 37th Street South in Birmingham, offers public meditation sittings, core teachings in Shambhala wisdom as well as Buddhist dharma teachings.  Those of all spiritual traditions are invited to explore our offerings in the quest to find a mind of compassion, gentleness and sanity.

MEDITATION SCHEDULE

Mondays: 7 - 8 pm,
8:00 - 8:30 discussion.
Tuesday: 7 - 8 pm sitting.
Thursday: 7 - 8 pm sitting.

More details…

The Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center is part of an international community of urban meditation and rural retreat centers founded in 1973 by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche,a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, artist, author, and poet. The community is now led by his son and spiritual heir, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.

The Shambhala vision is one that emphasizes the cultivation of fearless, gentle, and intelligent action in the world.”

4036 5th Ave South
Located across the street from Avondale Park

Neighborhood Bar
Outdoor Patio
Art Openings
Private Parties/Receptions

Open 7 days a week
mon-fri 3:00 pm-12:00 am or later..
Sat 1pm-2am
Sun 2pm-12am

“The Literacy Council offers training workshops for volunteers interested in becoming basic literacy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutors. Both training sessions are 5 hours long and are administered in two two-and-a-half hour workshops held on the second and third Tuesday of most months. Training is free, but a materials charge may apply. Click here to register for a tutor training workshop.

You could be the person that changes someone’s life by giving him or her the gift of reading. If you can read, you can help break the cycle of illiteracy.

There are more than 90,000 adults in this area that need help improving their reading skills. These individuals have problems completing everyday tasks such as filling out a job application, reading a prescription drug label, writing a check, reading a map, or reading bedtime stories to children or grandchildren.  Illiteracy is also a contributing factor to many social problems including unemployment, poverty, crime, and violence.  Illiteracy is generational; the children of illiterate parents are twice as likely as their peers to be illiterate.  More than 40% of children entering fourth grade are unable to read at grade level. ”

7 pm     6$

Spring St Fire House

412 41 st s

Master Puppetry & Ukulele by Geppetta - http://geppetta.weebly.com/

Evan Greer, Queer Singer Songwriter of the Riot Folk! Collective - http://www.myspace.com/evangreer

Sorry Ya’ll, Alabama’s Professional Tear Jerkers - http://www.myspace.com/sorryya39ll

Corpus Euphonium, Chris and a suitcase, stella and rhea moving, Stephen McClurg plays upright bass, Dave Ault on Tenor Sax, and Adam Bird on Alto Sax. They don’t have computers.

YAKUZA DANCE MOB- …..that’s exactly what it is. http://www.myspace.com/yakuzadancemob

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“Welcome to McEwen & Sons, located in the quaint community of Wilsonville, Alabama. Several years ago, my wife Helen and I started the corn-grinding business in an effort to embrace a healthier diet emphasizing organic foods and whole grains. We purchased our ownstone burr grist mill to grind only the finest organic corn into some of the most delicious cornmeal, grits, and polenta products available today. We also bag, seal, and sell healthy, hearty rolled oats and golden flax seed.”

30620 Hwy 25
Wilsonville, AL 35186

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Monami Farms is an emerging southeastern organic food company based out of Birmingham, AL. Monami Farms’ mission is to contribute to and enhance the local food community by providing clean food only from local growers.

“We are a branch of Catalyst for Birmingham and work to foster discussions on issues of environment and sustainability. We believe that gardens are good for all people and also provide an amazing opportunity for healing. We strive to bring together people from all communities to work in gardens to heal and nurture those who work both mentally and physically.
Our Goals…
1. We support local gardens.
2. We work to foster growth of more gardens.
3. We seek to empower the youth.”

“For decades, Birmingham existed because of and for iron and steel production. As the South’s only truly industrial city, the confluence of geographic, social and economic factors created a peculiar place, too urban and industrial for the South, and too rooted in Southern culture and geography for the North. But as heavy industry fell apart locally, and companies like Sloss downsized and eventually closed their doors, and the Civil Rights Movement took hold nationally, Birmingham’s social cohesion came apart at the seams. The intervening 50 years is the story of Birmingham’s attempt to make sense of white flight, widespread political corruption, and economic malaise.

The Heaviest Corner on Earth is devoted to the critical study of the contemporary city of Birmingham in light of this past. With an emphasis on urbanism and cultural geography, we trace the ways in which the historical patterns of the city continue to influence the city today. Through this process, The Heaviest Corner seeks to inform the discussion of what Birmingham could be through an analysis of what it once was. If we are critical and hard upon the city of Birmingham, it is only because we believe that it has a potential, manifested in its original urban design, that can only be realized if we are as hard upon Birmingham as Socrates was upon Athens.”

About the editors:

Brad Barnett is currently pursuing graduate studies in urban design at University of Texas-Austin. While on staff at AIA Seattle, an architecture non-profit, he managed their gallery and participated in issues related to urban design, sustainable development, and historic preservation. As a composer and artist, his work focuses on the use of field recordings, sound repetition, and conventional orchestration. He has degrees in philosophy and psychology.

Amos Jasper Wright is a writer who recently returned to Birmingham, AL from Boston, MA. He holds degrees in philosophy and English from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is working on his M.A. there in English literature and creative writing. His poetry has been published in Aura and the Birmingham Arts Journal; he is currently at work on several novels, including: “The Sins of Jefferson County”, “The Roads of Salt”, “And the Grass Shall Grow Over Your Cities” and “Meet Me In Bolivia.” He is also the founding editor of the White Whale Review, an electronic literary journal. He can be contacted at Blobject345@gmail.com

Monthly Meat Deliveries to Birmingham and Chattanooga