The Alabama Shakes
I’ve been on a bit of a music binge since coming back from the holidays. One group that’s been in heavy rotation for me is the Alabama Shakes. The singer’s voice is intensely amazing and the guys on the instruments kind of have an blues groove, but different somehow. It’s nice to hear something unique these days.
I think their first album is due out sometime the first half of 2012. Until then, you can get their digital EP for $4 and YouTube is full of live performances as well to help with your Alabama Shakes fix.
Alabama Shakes “Going to the Party & Hold On” (YouTube)
Alabama Shakes “I Found You” (YouTube)
Coyote Watch 2012 in Bluff Park
We have one (or maybe more than one?) new furry resident in Bluff Park. According to the Bluff Park Forum, they moved in back just before Christmas. We haven’t seen him yet, though I don’t blame the coyote for hanging out around Mr. P’s. They have some really good food there!
We’re on the lookout!
Moonlight on the Mountain Mention
The Birmingham News and al.com have a piece on the struggles facing our neighborhood’s local music venue. Apparently, things are tough over at Moonlight on the Mountain with less than $100 in the bank, month-to-month. I admit that I have never checked it out, but hope to do so. It’s an interesting idea, giving unknown names a place to be discovered and play. Moonlight on the Mountain doesn’t sell food or drinks. So the only revenue seems to be ticket sales
Here is there calendar of scheduled performers. They even have open mic nights. Hopefully 2012 will be a good one for this unique venue up here on the Bluff.
Tree Recycling in Bluff Park and Hoover
It’s time to take the tinsel down and start vacuuming up the pine needles. I just swapped some emails with the Hoover Trash & Recycle folks. They said that we have two choices for tree disposal this year:
- 1. we can place our tree out by the curb on our normal trash day, or
- 2. starting Thursday, December 29th we can drive it over to Municipal Lane (across from the Lake House) and drop it off. They said that the banners marking off the drop off area will be up by Thursday.
I hope you all had a great Christmas and found some time to enjoy the season. It was a fun one for us. We’re very thankful this year for good friends and a healthy family.
Now, time to start looking to 2012 . . .
Local Chef Traveling the World
Bluff Park resident Drew Robinson is down in Uruguay this week learning from the locals about how they do BBQ and grilling. Robinson is a chef for the Alabama-based Jim N Nicks BBQ chain and a member of the Fatback Collective which placed third in the 2010 Memphis in May competition.
It sounds like Drew and crew are learning lots and taking good notes. He is posting about their travels over on FoodRepublic.com. If this first appetizing update is any indication of what’s on the menu, it’s a quick series that you are going to want to keep up with. The Fatback Collective is also posting to their Twitter account.
Safe travels, y’all!
Getting chilly in Bluff Park
This past weekend was absolutely gorgeous! Today was beautiful too, with the temperature in the upper-80′s. But, um, have you checked the forecast for tomorrow? Brrrrrrrrrr.
Von Maur is coming to Galleria
I can’t tell you how nice it is to see some new life and planning happening over at the Galleria. The Birmingham Business Journal is reporting that plans are moving forward for a Von Maur to take over the old Macy’s space and for the Wynfrey hotel to become a Hyatt.
I had never heard of a Von Maur, but looking over their site, they seem to offer similar brands and price points to what Parisian did “back in the day”. It will be great to get some new life and energy to that corner of the mall. Here is to hoping for smooth sailing and minimal red tape.
Bluff Park Gets a Mention…
over on the MagicCityPost.com! It’s about the new “art stuff” up at the old Bluff Park School. The post has some history in there, that’s new to me and some photos of the new interiors that I had not seen. Go Bluff Park!
Hoover getting an Earth Fare
Finally something is going into the old empty CompUSA store next to the Galleria and it’s a grocery store. Earth Fare is a “natural food” grocery. I’m not sure exactly what that means (maybe something along the lines of Whole Foods). There is more good info over in this story on al.com.
