Will 105.5 FM stay “The Vulcan?”

With all of the conversation (or at least light name calling) taking place here on the blog and elsewhere about the recent changes in Birmingham’s terrestrial radio line-up, no one has asked a question that I thought would have been among the first in this city: Has anyone talked to the big guy up on top of Red Mountain about using his name?

The word from the Vulcan Park Foundation (VPF) is that they have not been spoken to as of yet. This issue particularly piqued my interest after taking a look at how the current website for the new station looks and wondering if it would meet criteria for getting permission, leading to a phone call to VPF for clarification on the organization’s policies regarding the use of the name and the image of the Roman god of fire and forging. For those that are not aware, the image of Vulcan and the name are trademarked by VPF as laid out on their website.

We’ll just have to wait and see what’s going to happen: will Birmingham’s new rock station decide on a new look for their site, or will they have one of the shortest name runs in the history of local radio? Let’s hope that both parties have a chance to meet soon, as is said to be the case. We’ll let you know more as information becomes available.

“The Pursuit of Happyness” screening tonight allows us to give back

Driving by the Alabama Theatre yesterday I noticed that one of the sides of the marquee mentioned a screening of the new Will Smith film, “The Pursuit of Happyness,” to take place at the historic landmark this (Thursday) evening. Today’s Birmingham News has an article explaining the purpose of this free screening.

Firehouse shelter previews ‘Happyness’, The Birmingham News, 12.7.2006

The presentations being made should put a face with our homelessness issue here in Birmingham, Alabama. It should also provide an excellent opportunity to give from the heart this holiday season, whether it is through food or monetary donations to the firehouse Shelter. I’m hoping to get there in time to have one of the 500 seats available for the screening. If you’ve got some time (and those planning to go to the comedy show at the Bottletree mentioned in yesterday’s post have some time; it starts at 9 p.m.) take a look at what has been said to be a great film and start out the holiday season right.

New program to create leaders among area students

I’m still getting back into the swing of things, so our focus on the young professional movement has been slightly weak as of late. Today’s News is again the source of a story that talks of a new partnership between the Birmingham City Schools and Alagasco to create a program similar to Leadership Birmingham.

Program set to help students be leaders, The Birmingham News, 12.7.2006

This is not to say that a program does not already exist for high school students in the region. The Youth Leadership Forum is already an affiliate of Leadership Birmingham, servicing area high school juniors and seniors since 1986. The new program, called the Youth Leadership Academy, will start with four first year students from each of the nine high schools in the city’s school system. Let’s hope that this program is just another step in providing outlets for our future young leaders to get the opportunities they need to shine. The recent discussions have led me to believe that they have a lot to say and would love to be heard, much like those of us that always try to distance ourselves from them at times a little too quickly.

Stay warm and enjoy the day.

Cheers.

And remember December 7th!