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Each day of this issue, Birmingham folks will tell us why they're thankful.  We'll begin with some of our contributors...

Thursday, November 26, 2009

I have always loved the Constitution.  I have always admired its structure, intent, and forethought.  I actually like it so much I teach about it.  However, I was never really thankful for it until I lived and was wrongfully arrested in a country without it.  It was when I got back here that it dawned on me how much gratitude and respect it really deserved. -- Craig Thompson (safely enjoying his Thanksgiving break with his wife (Sara), family and friends)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 Read more...

There is a lot going on in town this weekend.  What I think I'm most excited about, though, is a chance to hear the ASO, one of the best symphonies in the southeastern U.S., perform Mozart's Requiem.

I was about twelve the first time I watched Amadeus.  It was right around the time that my piano studies had become serious.  I had a new teacher, Mrs. Knight, who lured me deep into the Art Music world, talking to me about composers as though they were still living, dishing gossip and intrigue, playing her favorite pieces for me, drawing me into the romance of a time when, in my young imagination, art was the only thing that mattered.
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Monroe Golden was simply the first person that came to mind for this month's Artist in Residence.  Maybe it's something about the November 15th issue's theme being Gratitude, because Monroe is absolutely a gracious person.  I've known Monroe for years.  We met at a BAMA concert when I was a student at the University of Montevallo.  One of the student performers, a certain flautist, introduced Monroe to me with one of those arrogant, music major, know it all smirks.  So proud to introduce Monroe as his friend, so proud to be performing one of Monroe's pieces.  Since then, Monroe and I have crossed paths in the music world many times, and I have come to see him as a comforting presence whenever I am attending a new music concert.  Read more...

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Iron Road Score

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Natchez Trace Score

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Demopolis Score

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I’m starting to really tire of the phrase, “in these difficult, economic times." Despite all the hardships in these difficult, economic times, I’ve found solace in freelance work, odd jobs, and the glorious feeling of being untethered from a corporate job. ("Untethered" is a fancy way of saying, I hope I make rent this month.) You see, I was recently laid off from a major magazine publisher here in the sleepy hamlet of Birmingham City, USA.  June 5th, 2009, approximately 9:45 a.m. 82°, winds coming in from the east, with low barometric pressure of 20.90 inches to be exact. Not that I’m hung up on it mind you. Oh heavens no!  This is the rebirth of the Renaissance Person. Much like Leonardo da Vinci, we’ll all become our own personal combination of artist, scientist, engineer and physician.

I’m quite thankful that I have the occasional freelance gig, support from friends and family and five... five dollar... five dollar footlooooong. Half for lunch, half for dinner. Oh Cold Cut Trio on whole wheat, is there no magic you can’t do? Read more...