CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR TOCATTA FROM THE FIFTH ORGAN SYMPHONY   Right before Halloween I wrote a post about the BSC Organ Spooktacular and it got me thinking about one my favorite organ works.  Charles-Marie Widor's Tocatta from the Fifth Organ Symphony is an exciting piece of music!  I found it on YouTube and started a post that's been sitting in draft mode nearly all of November.....just never could think of a way to introduce it to my satisfaction.    I was at my parent's house this afternoon and noticed an Order of Worship for a memorial service of an gentleman and friend who passed away last month, Mr. Walter L. Baker, Jr.  He was a wonderful man and quite a character!  I was not able to attend and was interested to see what music was used in the service.  The Baker family has part... 11/22/2010

Fun Stuff To Do Around Birmingham! BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS   * HOLLYDAY MAGIC *     Where:  Birmingham Botanical Gardens When:  Thursday & Friday, December 9th & 10th - 4-6 pm Cost:  $30 for Members and $75 for Non-Members       I would love to go to this but this event is just for kids!  Both days will sell out so don't delay in registering your little ones for HollyDay Magic at The Birmingham Botanical Gardens.  Kids ages 5-11 will love making gifts, ornaments and cookies!  Wouldn't it be fun for a group of friends to go together?   For more information contact Phyllis Sutton at (205) 414-3958 or you can go ahead and register online for Thursday or Friday.          Birmingham Botanical Gardens are located at 2612 Lane Park Road near Mountain Brook Village and only minutes from do... 11/16/2010

  QR CODE MARKETING FOR BIRMINGHAM AL REAL ESTATE What is a QR Code? Can it help market and sell your Birmingham area home? These funny looking images are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned by an iPhone, Blackberry, Android and other smart phones and automatically take you to a URL (in this case one loaded with information on specific homes for sale). Your smartphone will need a QR Code Reader which can easily be downloaded from your phone's app store and there are plenty of free ones!   Scanning the code is as simple as taking a photograph.....point at the code, click, and in a few moments you are taken directly to a website where you can view photos, maps, and find more information about the home and neighborhood.  A potential buyer can easily pull up in front of your home a... 11/15/2010

  Fun Stuff To Do Around Birmingham!    ZOO SNOOZE! at The Birmingham Zoo         There is always something fun going on at The Birmingham Zoo!    Have you ever heard of a Zoo Snooze?  It's a spend-the-night party like none you've ever been to!    WHAT HAPPENS AT THE ZOO AFTER DARK?   The fun begins at 7 pm and includes camping out under the stars, a night tour of the zoo, an animal encounter, an activity appropriate for the age group of the participants, a carousel ride and a continental breakfast before going home at 7 am the next morning.   Don't want to camp out?  A shortened version, a Twilight Tour concludes at 10 pm and includes all the other activities of a Zoo Snooze.    This overnight adventure is a great idea for a birthday party, a church group outing.....really any organize... 11/13/2010

Just Rented This 2 Bedroom Home in Ensley Highlands Not to fret because we've got more rentals and I'm sure we've got one for you.  You'll find our remaining rentals listings at www.bhamwiirerentals.com.  We have rentals in the following areaa: Rental Homes in Trusssville, Alabama 6245 Jonathans Way Rental Homes in Birmingham (East Lake 316A 79th Street), Alabama Homes for Rent in Centerpoint, AL (near Winewood 1503 Harrison Lane)       RENTED: Ensley Highlands Overview Maps Photos Description Neighborhood $500 Residential Rental Main Features 2 Bedrooms1 Bathroom Location 1409 33rd Street Ensley HighlandsBirmingham, AL 35218USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Charita H Cadenhead Bham WIiRE Realty(205) 321-1200bhamwiire@... 11/08/2010

  Be a Sweetie & Get Sweet On A Cure! Please Support UAB's Comprehensive Cancer Center     Who doesn't love having a good excuse to indulge in something sweet and gooey?  This week offers lots of great excuses.....more than 60 of them!  Beginning Monday, November 8th through Sunday, November 14th more than 60 Birmingham-area restaurants, bakeries, candy shops and caterers are participating in Sweet On A Cure.        Each will be selling a specially designated sweet treat and donating 100% of the sale proceeds to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center.  In 2009 (the first year for the event) nearly $24,000 was raised and donated for cancer research at UAB.    Isn't this a great reason to cheat on that diet?   Fried Chocolate Pie, White Chocolate Blueberry Coo... 11/07/2010

  Things To Do In & Around Birmingham   1st Weekend in November 2010     Looking for something fun to do in Birmingham this weekend?     There's a lot to choose from!    Pile the family in the car and head to one or all of these events...     * * * * * * *   The Moss Rock Festival has a variety of events going on at the Preserve in Hoover and at Regions Park.  Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm there will be music, art, food, drink and lots more!  Park at Regions Park and take the shuttle over to the Preserve.  Admission is free!   * * * * * * *   Christmas Village is at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex November 3-7.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for children 6-12 and under 6 get in free.  This year there are over 700 booths of arts, crafts and gift items.  Santa will b... 11/06/2010

  O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE HOW LOVELY ARE THY BRANCHES!     Especially after my cats have climbed ALL your lovely branches and finally found their favorite one to sleep on, or instead chose the floor....<>....and so another holiday season begins!  I'll be "fluffing" the tree and repairing Christmas ornaments every day until it's time to put all the pretties away until next year.       Little Kitty was too tired to climb the tree....TG!         OH NO!  Santa lost his beard......again.   Thanksgiving will be here in a few short weeks and I better get myself psyched for the job of pulling the tree out of the attic as well as the many boxes of ornaments and Christmas doodads that my cats so dearly love to play with.  Indoor decorating wears me out, so I keep it simple on th... 11/02/2010

820 Marion Lane, Birmingham, AL (Barnisdale Forest) This is a lovely remodel by a very conscientious investor.  This investor goes well above and beyond carpet and paint.  Kitchen has had been totally gutted and replaced with beautiful cabinetry, ceramic tile flooring and appliances. The home is also adorned with hardwoord floors so reflective that you can see your face.  Here's just a glimpse of what the buyers were so impressed with:   Total Home Makeover in Barnisdale Forest Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood $107,900 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms Location 820 Marion LaneBirmingham, AL 35235USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Charita H Cadenhead Bham WIiRE Realty(205) 321-1... 11/02/2010

  Fun Stuff To Do Around Birmingham!   ALDRIDGE GARDENS   NATIVE AMERICAN POTTERY WORKSHOP       Where:  Aldridge Botanical Gardens When:  Wednesday, November 3rd from 10 am to Noon Cost:  $16 for members and $21 for non-members     Here's another fun way to explore your creative side at Aldridge Gardens!  This time it's a workshop on Native American Pottery led by Tammy Beane, an Alabama girl from Collinsville, nationally known for her beautiful pottery work.  What a great opportunity to learn from an expert how pottery was made thousands of years ago, right here in Alabama!  All the materials......clay and tools to decorate your pot will be provided.  You will not be be firing the piece at the workshop, but that can done after you take your pottery home.     Class size is limited so c... 10/30/2010

I didn't realize there were so many Birmingham Condos for sale or Birmingham Condominium's Complexes.  I have received 2 leads in the last few days for people looking for Birmingham Condos.  So I got to looking and there were a lot more Birmingham Condo listings than one would expect.  So to give you guys a little heads up there seems to be a small push for condos in Birmingham and if you have the resources to put some focus on that market you might want to jump on the wagon so to say.  I have already started creating my Birmingham Condos page and I hope to finish it later next week in the mean time check it out and any ideas you have would be appreciated. Below you will find quick links to Birmingham Alabama Condos by Price and if you are a consumer and you happen to find this post giv... 10/29/2010

  Halloween Fun In Birmingham!  BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN COLLEGE ORGAN SPOOKTACULAR     Organists Behaving Badly! (and having lots of fun)     Where:  Hill Recital Hall, Birmingham-Southern College When:  Sunday, October 31st from 9 to 11 PM FREE ADMISSION     If you've never attended a Halloween BSC Organ Spooktacular you don't know what you've been missing!   This recital is filled with spooky organ music and lots of mischievious fun!  Dr. Jim Cook and other talented organists are going to "treat" you to an unforgettable evening of frightful frolic (and maybe a few "tricks").  The Spooktacular starts promptly at 9 PM.....don't be late!  This is a family event, so bring the kids......there will plenty of time to go Trick or Treating before heading over to the Hilltop.   Birmingham-Southern ... 10/28/2010

  Fun Stuff To Do Around Birmingham!   HARRY POTTER NIGHT   PRESENTED BY The Birmingham Zoo and Emmet O'Neal Library A Night of MAGIC in November!     Where:  The Birmingham Zoo When:  Saturday, November 13th from 5 to 9 PM Cost:  $60 for Members and $75 for Non-Members         Harry Potter Night will be a blast for the entire family!  You will get to meet characters from the much-loved book series by J .K. Rowling and hang out in Diagon Alley where there will be lots of wizarding games and shops......get ready to enter into Harry's enchanted world!   A special treat is in store for children in Grades 3 through 6!  Have you ever imagined what it would be like to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?  Those who are interested can sign up for wizarding classes....there will b... 10/27/2010

Rental Home Listing in the Birmingham MLS Last week I wrote a post expressing my trepidation about the our MLS's decision to allow rental listings in the MLS.  We attended a meeting at our local Association and the Alabama Real Estate Commission's top legal counsel, Charles Sowell was on hand to explain the "truth and consequences" or rental listings in the MLS. The majority of the inquires came from brokers and agents that specialized in residential sales.  Their primary concerns were fears that by adding rental listings in the MLS, that they would be taking on the role of property managers or at least perceived as being property managers. Mr. Sowell quickly dispelled those concerns and stressed that even if they were considering property management, that they should think long and har... 10/26/2010

  Fun Stuff To Do Around Birmingham! BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS   CLASS WITH GLASS: HOLIDAY FUSED ORNAMENTS   Where:  Birmingham Botanical Gardens When:  Saturday, November 6th from 9 am to Noon Cost:  $60 for Members and $75 for Non-Members     I'm always looking for something interesting and different to do and this class sounds like so much fun!  Bring some friends and explore your creative side by attending this ornament making class at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens!  You don't need any experience working with glass to make these gorgeous ornaments.......and with the holidays right around the corner it's just in time for gift giving or decorating your own home.    This class will be taught by Deborah Ballog and materials will be provided to make 3 ornaments.  There will be some... 10/26/2010

In and Around Birmingham:  The 69th Annual Magic City Classic - October 30, 2010 Second only to the Alabama and Auburn rivalry, is the Magic City Classic: The annual football face off of the year between the Alabama State University(ASU) and Alabama A & M. It ain't nothin' but a party y'all.  Starting on Friday night October 28, 2010 the festivities begin. Thursday, October 28, 2010:  Alumni Pep Rally, 7:30 p.m.  at the B & A Warehouse Friday, October 29, 2010: Magic City Scholarship breakfast, 7:30 a.m at the Harbert Center Saturday, October 30, 2010:  Magic City Classic Parade:  8:00 a.m. in Downtown Birmingham Saturday, October 30, 2010:  Pre-game tailgate party, 11:00a.m., Legion Field Westside Parking Lot Saturday, October 30, 2010:  Pre-game show,  1:30 p.m., Legion Field Saturday... 10/26/2010

  Fun Stuff To Do In & Around Birmingham!   ALDRIDGE GARDENS   MAKING PINE NEEDLE BASKETS       Where:  Aldridge Botanical Gardens When:  Tuesday, October 26th from 10 am to 2 pm Cost:  $25 for members and $34 for all others     This event should be a lot of fun!  Ethel Owen (an award-winning basket maker and artist) will be here to share techniques of an ancient art.....using long leaf pine needles and raffia to create beautiful baskets.  You will begin a project in class that you will be able to finish at home.    All materials will be furnished......all you need to do is register and remember to bring a sack lunch.     Class size is limited so call today to reserve your spot! 205-682-8019   * * * * * * *   Aldridge Botanical Gardens is located at 3530 Lorna Road in Hoover.  There is ... 10/25/2010

Justin Beiber:  Ooooh I Like --- Love Him.  OMG. He's Coming to the Ham (Birmingham That Is) Okay parents pull out the credit card because your girls are going to see teen heartthrob Justin Beiber at the BJCC.  Yep you heard me, Justin Beiber.  And you thought the girls have been practicing their Halloween scream.  Nope, nadda, not one chance.  Just the meer mention of Juuuuus-tin sends them off into a tangent. Well this Just-in:  Justin Beiber will be headlining at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center. When:  Friday, December 21, 2010 Time:  7:00 p.m. Tickets:  $46.05-$67.65 (went on sale June 9, 2010) Ticket purchase:  Ticketmaster  Presented by:  XBox 360 10/22/2010

Warren H. Brown, Jr. Always Had My Back......No Matter What One year ago today, my friend Warren H. Brown, Jr. died.  We dated on and off for a little over 15 years.  Although when he died, we had not dated for nearly 2 years, he was still my friend and he still always had my back. Warren lived life very simply.   He didn't want much, he didn't need much.  He was no saint and I'm not trying to make a martyr out of him but he really cared about helping people.  He lived in the small house where his parents raised him and his sibling.  And at 57 years old, he was just about the youngest adult on the block.  A street lined with senior citizens (mostly woman who watched him grow up), and Warren made sure that he looked out for them.   His nickname was Sport, but you have to remember that we... 10/21/2010

Yea!  Disney on Ice is Coming to Birmingham Alabama!  Do I Have to Take a Kid? Disney on Ice.  Wow!  I remember when my daughter Candice was a little girl, we used to go to Disney on Ice.  I remember being so fascinated by everything:  the color characters, the ice skating, the excitement.  It was sheer beauty the way that the cast performed. I remember that every year, I would get really giddy when I heard the words "Disney on Ice" as it was being advertised on the radio.  A joy would come over me as if I I had a special invitation from Mickey Mouse himself.  Oh yeah and Candice was pretty excited too. I just found out that Disney on Ice:  Princess Wishes is coming to town beginning November 3, 2010 and the memories are of days gone by are rushing through my head.  Since Candice is all... 10/21/2010