Southern Sojourner

Tannehill Promenade Rumors

There is a lot of interest and, now that the clearing has begun, real excitement for the Colonial Development going up here in Bessemer/McCalla.

I have a couple of friends who are hawks trying to get the scoop on what is happening.  They have joined me in scouring the Colonial Properties website in hopes of getting some information.  The last leasing plan I downloaded from the website was still generic.  But apparently sometime recently another version of the leasing plan was posted on the website and one of my friends found it and sent it over to me. 

My guess is that there are still some negotiations going on, so Colonial removed it from their website, but here are some of the retailers that have been at one point actually listed on a Colonial Properties lease plan.

Target (127,307 sf)
Publix (45,600 sf)
Best Buy (30,000 sf)
Ross Dress for Less (25,000 sf)
JCPenny (83,675 sf)
Amstar Cinemas (53,000 sf)

Those are the big box retailers listed.  No Home Depot as has been often rumored.  The big area are filled with those listed above, so aside from Home Depot purchasing and building on out-parcels, I don't know where they would go. 

There are two restaurants listed.  One is a Habernos and the other is a Chik-fil-a.  The Chik-fil-a is listed in parentheses so I don't know what that means but It is on out-parcel number 4. Ie xpect more restaurants to come online. 

There is one out-parcel listed as a hotel parcel. 

Smaller retailers include:
Super Cuts
Lorch's
Mr. Birch
Head Start
Newk's
Nail Model
Game Stop
Sally Beauty
Premiere Tan
Bama Fever
Payless Shoes
GNC
Lane Bryant
Bath and Body Works
Shoe Department
Kay's Jewelers
Rue 21
Maurice's
Pearl Vision

Many of the out-parcels appear to be still available.  Hoping for a good coffee shop and a real pub not some generic sport bars/ redneck joint.  All of this, I suppose still borders on rumor, but there are some legs to this one.  Come on out to beautiful Southwest Jefferson County.  It is the best deal going.

Help a Friend

An acquaintance of mine is doing some PhD research at an international seminary.  Some of her work relates to the church's teaching and impact (if any) regarding sex.  If you have about two minutes, you could help her out by completing this survey.  Thanks.

Working for the Man

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that CEO compensation average a multiple of about 400 times the average employee working for him or her.  400 TIMES!  Geez, this is getting ridiculous.

You have to be careful

If the episode of Billy Jo Shaver didn't cause pause for consideration of the ill effects of inebriation, then perhaps this educational video will be more effective....

A Diamond Someday

Well, I am playing poker the other night with our regular crew and my friend Michael (whom I met through this humble blog) who is a newshound and retainer of all sorts of pop culture minutiae, brought the arrest of Billy Jo Shaver to my attention.    It appears that old Billy Jo shot someone in the mouth after leaving a bar.  There are conflicting stories but here is the affadavit:

A few thoughts or lessons we can learn from this:

1. You don't mess with Billy J
2. You don't need to drink in bars with names like Papa Joe, that is an invitation to shoot or be shot
3. Shaver's honest. His words again, "I'm just an old chunk of coal, but I going to be a diamond someday."  Perhaps that day will come within the wall of a Texas penal institution.  But just in case, if I were an inmate, I'd let Billy Jo ahead of me in the cafeteria line.

We'll miss you Billy!

Sex in the City

It is early Tuesday evening. The Tuesday following last Friday's  Birmingham News article exposing Rick Ousley's moral failures.  For those who may not know who Ousley is, suffice it to say that he was somewhat of an evangelical celebrity in the Birmingham area. 

Upon reading the article, I was furious and ranted to my wife.  There was no remorse or repentance indicated by Ousley or his ministry's board, rather the reluctant acceptance that he was caught.  It made me sick.  I had planned on writing at length on it, but after reading through the comments (many of them very disturbing) over at Birmingham Blues, I decided not to.  Let's just admit that this is sad, sad, sad.  I just don't know what else to say. 

Sunday's Fish Wrapper on B'ham

The Bham News had a great introductory piece on the issues facing Birmingham. It plans to follow up and do more in depth features on the some of the "issues" in the months ahead, and I will look forward to them. 

I thought their analysis of the issues was right on.  Now to be on the record, I wish to say that I love Birmingham.  I live here because I love it, but we have do have some issues, and I would like to think that this feature will be the continuation of already started dialog that will lead to eventual action that will lead to a better Birmingham for my little girl, Emerson, who is to arrive in this world in less than two months. I hope to comment more in the days ahead but here are the issues as outlined in yesterday's paper:

• Trust
• Government
• Blight
• Economy
• Education
• Leadership

Fat Tuesday and Other Calendar Events

Happy Fat Tuesday everybody! I will be celebrating the day with my annual Pancake Party.  Many in my faith community will be gathering at my place tonight where we will consume a ton of flapjacks and burn the palm fronds from last Palm Sunday for use at tomorrow's Ash Wednesday service.  If you read this, you are invited.  You don't have to worship with us or worship anywhere, just enjoy good fellowship and pancakes. Just show up around 6:30 PM tonight.

Since my calendar is filling and things are getting exciting, I thought I would share a few other things that you may want to join in on. I'd love to see you.

This weekend, right here in the Bass Fishing Capital of the World, the Bassmaster Classic will be taking place on the great Lay Lake. Check out the outdoor show and weigh-in at the BJCC.  Good times!

Next Tuesday, February 27, our Emergent Cohort is attending a free screening of I Know I am Not Alone at the superb Workplay Theater. We will meet at the bar area around 7:45.  Join us for the viewing and the exchange of thoughts afterward via conversation or blogs.  Thanks to Nick to getting this lined up.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY EVENTS UPCOMING:

• Sunday, March 4, a screening of the documentary It's a Thick Book (cf. trailer) at Workplay Theater at 3 P.M.
• Tuesday, March 13, Bishop Will Willimon speaks to the Over The Mountain Democrats Minister's Caucus at the Homewood Public Library at 6:30 P.M.
• Sunday, March 18, Celebration of seven years of marriage to my beautiful bride!
• April 16-18, Emergent Theological Philosophical Conversation in Philadelphia with Jack Caputo and Richard
• May 1st, my daughter's due date!

Hope to see you at a few of these. 

Things aren't always what they seem or are they?

Interesting documentary coming

I have been an advocate for constitutional reform in Alabama for several years.  A Homewood High School native has put together a documentary entitled It's a Thick Book.  The hope is to get it aired in local theaters around the state.  Be sure to support it and let other's know.  Here a promo.