Inspired Southerner

We tell real stories about the South.

Wordless Wednesday: A Philanthropic State

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Bo Bikes Bama in Auburn, Alabama

Six years ago on April 27, 2011, devastating tornadoes hit the state of Alabama. That day, more than 200 people were killed by these storms.  Bo Jackson a former Auburn football player wanted to do something to help the state recover.

In 2013, Bo started the one day ride in Cordova, Alabama, the hardest hit town during the storms. According to the Bo Bikes Bama website money is raised for the Alabama Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund which provides money for disaster  preparedness and emergency management resources.

To date over $1 million has been raised and over 200 homes have been constructed. The people of Alabama have always been some of the most philanthropic in the nation.

Wordless Wednesday: There’s So Much Going On In Birmingham, Alabama!

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Every week or almost every week, I try to attend an event in Birmingham.  I often wonder if people know how many events take place in this area on a weekly basis.

Last week I attended two theatrical performances that were outstanding. One was ‘Rain, a tribute to the Beatles’ it was similar to a performance I saw in London about five years ago. Performers who looked eerily like the Beatles performed a history of the Beatles music. It was a loud rock n’ roll event, but it kept us all entertained for two and half hours.

Friday I went to a performance of ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ which proved to be as entertaining as it was in London.   The actor who played the Phantom was exceptional. There were few changes in the production itself, but overall, it was very well done.

I can truly say if you want something to do in Birmingham, you can find it.

Wordless Wednesday: Out With the Old In With the New

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Cheers to the New Year! I am so ready to kiss 2016 goodbye!  2016 by far was an interesting year to me.  I will leave it that thought there.   My mantra is, “out with the old and in with the new!”   So here’s to the New Year, may you have peace, love, joy, happiness and prosperity!  I hope all of your hopes, dreams and wishes come true in 2017.

Bonus: Here is my playlist for a Happy New Year!

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday: The Christmas Song that Drove My Mam’maw Crazy

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There was no grandma I knew or know that was too happy with the Christmas song that was released in the late ’70s: ‘Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer.’  In fact, my mam’maw Kennedy despised the song, so much so she would leave the room when it came on! It was common for her to have music playing over the speakers at her house all year, and especially during the holidays.  She loved Christmas music, but when the above mentioned song came on she would roll her eyes and leave.   Whoah be unto us grandchildren, if we started singing it to her, and we did.  We would run after her singing the song, she would laugh because she had a fabulous sense of humor. Oh how I wish I could sing that song to her now. I miss her everyday and even more so during the holidays.  I can see her now, giving me that look when the song came on, but lest we forget, she drove me crazy playing the Alvin and Chipmunks Christmas Song over and over.  The Chipmunks song and Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer make me smile every time I hear them, and I hear them often during the holidays because they always are a part any Christmas playlist I create.

Here is my 2016 Christmas Tree Decorating Playlist:

 

Wordless Wednesday: Birmingham’s Ironman

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Most who love Birmingham, love the city’s iconic Ironman who has been sitting on top of Red Mountain since 1936.  Vulcan is the largest cast iron statute in the world! Renovations to Vulcan park and the statue were made during the years of 1999-2004.  I love attending meetings at the park and taking visitors to the statute.  I was there last week for an organization meeting.  Vulcan Park and Museum also recently renovated and expanded their gift shop “The Anvil,” and just yesterday the Birmingham Kiwanis Club announced a $4 Million gift to expand the north side of the park.  These are exciting times for a the City that continues to be magical.  See plans for the expansion at the Birmingham Business Journal .  To plan your visit go to Visit Vulcan .

We tell real stories about the south. ~Kara Kennedy, Publisher