Thicket in Folio Magazine

Folio reporter Jason Fell interviewed me last week for a story he was writing about the relative strength of regional magazines, "Regional Markets Remain Strong for Magazines." Though I don’t really know if regional magazines are in better shape than other types of magazines, I have noticed that sounding the death knell for magazines in general has become popular. Has anyone been in Barnes and Noble lately and looked at the magazine rack? Does it look empty to you?

It reminds me of a haughty fellow I met at a dinner in Colorado. He had written a marketing book about word of mouth advertising. Throughout the evening he talked loudly and brashly about how word of mouth is the ONLY effective form of marketing. Two days after I got home he sent me an e-mail to see if our magazine would review his book. I told him I would just tell someone.

Posted by Lee Hurley

How Green is Alabama, Anyway?, continued

As if the feature that appeared in our April/May issue (How Green is Alabama, Anyway?) wasn’t enough, this post covers the many, many items that we couldn’t fit in the story—and hopefully continues the conversation. In this, and the magazine, the idea was to take a look at the condition of Alabama’s environment—and how our citizens, organizations, politicians, and policy makers are (or aren’t) responding.

The essential question I danced around in the feature—and, I think, failed to sufficiently answer—was who leads this charge to change in Alabama? Does it start with our elected leaders or at a grassroots level? At the personal, household level, we all can strive to reduce our consumption and recycle more (even if it means finding a centralized location to recycle glass since few municipalities in the state—with the exception of Athens, Auburn, Daphne, and Fairhope do so) yet the larger issues such as public policy, transportation, regulations and other require larger solutions.

In its 2006 National Environmental Scorecard, the nonprofit League of Conservation Voters analyzed the 2nd session of the 109th Congress and frankly, Alabama (and many other Southern states) were found wanting in terms of their protection of the environment on a national level [Editor’s note: as we were going to press, the 2007 scorecard became available]. Looking at key votes on items such as offshore and artic refuge drilling, low-income energy assistance, environmental funding, and other subjects, along with Idaho, North Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, Wyoming and Georgia, Alabama’s Senate average voting record against the environment was poor. Senators Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby improved from 4% to 5% in 2005 but returned to 0% in 2006. In deference to Sessions, at the local level, he recently helped secure $1 million in funding for the new Red Mountain Park in Birmingham and was instrumental in Dugger Mountain wilderness protection and establishing Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge near Anniston. And for years, Shelby has said that if local Birmingham authorities could raise $20 million for public transportation (they couldn’t), he would provide a 4-to-1 match of $80 million in support of this effort.

Overall, the House did better, with Congressman Artur Davis’ 50% voting record on the high end and Congressman Robert B. Aderholt’s 0% on the low end which represents his consistent anti-environmental action in Congress (a lifetime voting record of 3%). Give our politicians voting record, this raises a valid question: Does this represent what Alabama voters want from their legislators with regards to environmental protection? If it is, then there’s an argument to advance in support of our senators and congressmen. If not… In 2006, 1,431,980 pounds of material were recycled at the Alabama Environmental Council’s Birmingham recycling center alone—yet Alabama has no bottle bill that encourages glass recycling, an effort has consistently been defeated in the 1980s and 90s in the state legislature. Again, the will of the people—or something else?

In my article, I highlighted the fact that in Birmingham, two new major parks and one expanded one are poised to transform Birmingham into one of the greenest cities in the United States. What I didn’t add was that Birmingham would be wise to continue supporting these efforts: Atlanta, ever the competitive cousin to Birmingham, is talking about a revolutionary 22-mile ribbon of connected parks, light rail, and trail corridor called the Atlanta BeltLine Initiative, that would encircle downtown with a transformative green circle. It would be rich, rich irony indeed if a sprawl addicted city like Atlanta managed to nudge past Birmingham in this regard.

Some Alabama municipalities have seized the initiative. Cool Cities, a volunteer organization of cities that have made the commitment to stop global warming by signing the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement, includes a handful of Alabama cities such as Auburn, Bessemer, Huntsville, Mantua Township, and Tuscaloosa (by comparison, North Carolina has 25 cities signed on, Georgia 9, South Carolina 8, Tennessee 7, Mississippi 2, and Florida has too many to count).

Yet short of a new state constitution that frees the hands of counties and cities—or the painstaking process of amending the current constitution article by article—change will come slow at the municipal level in Birmingham and other cities in Alabama. Further complicating the process for cities is that while a municipality may have more home rule control than the county, development outside of a city’s limit is going to affect the city—even though the city often has no means to control those developments. For every rural town such as Greensboro and Newbern that benefit from a program like the Auburn University’s Rural Studio, other are often chasing jobs. “Plenty of counties would take German-steel maker ThyssenKrupp for the jobs it provides,” Quinn continues, “and yet what about the environmental impact that such a plant will bring?”

Alabama Power offers a renewable energy program that uses Alabama-grown switchgrass as its main fuel source (call 1-800-245-2244 to sign up) PowerSouth Energy Cooperative which supplies electricity to 385,000 customers in Alabama and Florida, offers the Green Power Choice program as well. Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks and Montgomery's Mayor Bobby Bright recently announced a partnership to turn used cooking grease into biodiesel fuel for the city’s fleet vehicles, and opened a new Center for Alternative Fuels Biodiesel Production facility in the city.

And Alabama schools are contributing, too. The new Homewood Middle School in Birmingham earned a Silver LEED certification, and others such as Hilltop Montessori School, the new Trussville High School, and planned Vestavia Hills Public Library are in the process of gaining LEED certification. Birmingham Southern College just started an Urban Environmental Studies program, the first of its kind in the state. Auburn University’s Rural Studio architecture program has been consistently experimenting with recycled materials and green building methods in their inventive projects such as rooftop water collection culverts at a Greensboro baseball field that reuses the water in toilets. And Auburn University’s 40 Tiger Transit buses recently switched from diesel fuel to biodiesel, a cleaner burning alternative produced from domestic renewable sources, making it the first university in Alabama to do so. Alabama 4-H has even seized the momentum as is set to open the first planned gold-certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) environmental education building in the eastern United States on Lay Lake near Columbiana.

Yet aside from all these agencies, organizations, towns, and politicians, what is ultimately reduces down to are the 4,599,030 individuals that make up Alabama. We set the agenda by demanding and using local recycling programs, by our generous donations to nonprofits, by volunteering, by getting involved, by agitating for positive change. When was the last time you wrote your state senator or congressman? When was the last time you called a local city counselor? When was the last time you or your family volunteered locally for an event that benefited your town, your village, your local environment and the people who live there?

The good news, finally, is that trying to assembly even a modicum of a list of all the individuals, nonprofits, businesses, municipalities, and state bodies that take an active role in making (or trying to make) Alabama more green and a more healthy place to live is a daunting task. That’s a good thing. This was not the case even 15 ago. “Back in 1990, there were maybe 10 people statewide at nonprofits doing educational work on the environment,” observes environmentalist Pat Byington, publisher of Bama Environmental News and former director of the Alabama Environmental Council. “Today, it’s more like 100, and there are plenty more running various outreach organizations.”

Ultimately, someone in Alabama doesn’t have to give a hoot about Al Gore or the World Wildlife Fund. You don’t have to feel altruistic. Be selfish. Our Garden of Eden, Alabama, is undergoing a dramatic decline. And we’re the ones that can help.

[As an aside, Alabama Public Television is taking a look at just this question in a segment called Alabama Goes Green with Lakia Richardson which airs Friday, May 16 at 7:00pm.]

Posted by Todd Keith

Editor Julie Keith on Fox6 & WBHM's Tapestry Today

Edwin Marty and I were on Fox6 today talking about Thicket's story on local farming and the importance of food being produced locally. And the segment went well, but the neatest thing was connecting with folks at the station whom I have not seen in several months, hearing their comments about the magazine, and seeing other guests on the show who I already know or would like to know.

For example, I got there a little late and literally ran into the building ahead of two older couples carrying boxes—turns out that was the brilliant potter Jerry Brown from Hamilton, Alabama, there to promote his pottery festival this weekend. And garden expert Linda Askey, who writes a story on container gardening that will appear in our second issue, happened to be there as well with some lovely garden pots. Edwin knew Linda through the garden/farming world and knew of Jerry Brown too, so there was lots of talking on and off the set..."old home week," as my grandparents used to say. It was a great trip to the station, not just for the chance to promote the magazine and Edwin's remarkable efforts at Jones Valley Urban Farm, but for the opportunity to again find folks in the Thicket. Folks can view the TV segment here >>.

And then tonight, to complete a great day of Thicket news, a segment on the magazine ran on WBHM's Tapestry program. You can download the audio file of the interview on their site >>.

Posted by Julie Keith

Thicket in the News

A February Birmingham Business Journal story called “The Juggling Act: Balancing careers and family responsibilities brings challenges” by Carey Estes cites Thicket editor, Julie Keith, as well as several other working moms striving to strike the right balance between challenging careers and family. "I love spending time with my kids, but I've always needed to be in a work environment with peers and developing and creating projects and products," Julie said. "So as tired and exhausted as I am sometimes, I'm as motivated by my work at times as I am by being with my family. I don't think I could do it any other way." A previous Birmingham Business Journal story touched on the magazine as well.

In a February business roundup story in The Birmingham News, Thicket magazine was also referenced. “The premier issue of Thicket, a lifestyle magazine, has been released and is available at newsstands and bookstores around the state. The Birmingham-based magazine is the brainchild of Editor-in-Chief Julie Keith, formerly of Portico magazine; Lee Hurley, a founder of Portico; Todd Keith, a travel editor and editor of Sweet Tea Journal; and Garrick Stone, an ad salesman formerly with Portico and Black & White. Thicket magazine will focus on business, politics, education, faith, environmental issues, sports, music, gardening, travel and shopping as well as other state lifestyle issues. The first issue includes a feature on Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and a look at the Alabama Quail Trail.”

An amusing take on our cover story on Governor Bob Riley is explained in a February blog called Legal Schnauzer, operated by Roger Shuler, which poses the rhetorical question is Thicket “another right-wing rag for Alabama?” The answer may have less to do with Thicket than it does with the Legal Schnauzer’s clear animus towards Alabama’s governor. More references follow.

Starting Tuesday, February 26th, Thicket will be part of the WYSF/Red Diamond "Get Your Morning Started" promotion where they will be giving away free issues of Thicket and cups of Red Diamond coffee. Thicket will be promoted for the next four weeks. You can listen to WYSF, Birmingham's Hit Music Station, at 94.5FM, which is also home to Thicket music review Scott Register’s weekly show, Reg’s Coffee House. Listen for our tag-line, "Pick up your premier issue of Thicket magazine... Alabama's new statewide magazine...redefining Alabama."

Posted by Todd Keith

Comments From Our Readers on the Premier Issue

I just recently learned of your publication and was very impressed with the depth of the articles especially the features on local and state culture and interest stories.
Jo Ellen Schneider, Eufaula

Loved the magazine - especially Daniel Wallace's piece and the one on the governor. Your letter from the editor promised me a magazine passionate about sharing new ideas and explaining old ones. I felt like my brain will be energized, but that my spirit will be served in some way too. The photography, especially in the story about farmers, was so beautiful I could see framing it... or eating it! Congratulations on this new baby!
Mary Ann Smith-Janas, Homewood

Just wanted to mention how much I’m enjoying Thicket. I find myself sharing with others the stuff I’m reading and learning from the pages. “I – Must – tell - others….” My mind keeps saying over and over, over and over. I even had my daughter reading your gray line of Alabama facts this morning on the way to school.
Kimberly Moore, Vestavia

Thank you for the wonderful new magazine, Thicket. The Storytellers article on that “New Face” (literally and figuratively) Trip Pittman was excellent. Please convey my thanks to Lauren Simpson.
Senator Trip Pittman, Daphne

I received my copy today, and am trying to flip through it but folks keep stealing it from me! I haven't even gotten to read this one, and I'm already looking forward to the next!
Tina C., Montgomery

Impressive first issue. Congratulations. I’m glad to see Mark Kelly writing again. He wrote for me when I was editor of the Birmingham Business Journal. Look forward to more issues.
Jim Degraw, Birmingham

I brought one Thicket to show my teachers and they said they liked them. My homeroom teacher (Ms. Jones) said that it was really cool. I love the “Are You Smarter Than A Fourth Grader” quiz in the back.
Kaley Bush, (5th grader), Decatur

A friend gave me a copy of your new magazine. It is great. Very well done and interesting and innovative. The picture of the Governor on the cover grabs attention. Please keep up the good work. I love your magazine and can't wait for the next issue.
Scott E. Carrier, Florence

Just finishing reading the premier issue. It is outstanding! Everything from the content to the actual writing to the book/CD selections -- everything -- just a cut above. And now I have that "thingy" that falls out of magazines, so I can sign up for my subscription. Bask in it for a moment. Only a moment, though, because you have set your own standard, and it is quite high.
Erin Roney, Homewood

I finally got some time yesterday to look at the magazine, and it's fabulous! I know you're proud. I think it's smart and classy, and I can't wait to see more. The only downside is that I realized I am not as smart as a fourth grader. Alas.
Kathy English, Mountain Brook

Thanks for sending your first issue of Thicket to me. I enjoyed reading the magazine and have shared it with co-workers. It’s wonderful--and refreshing--to have a smart magazine full of information about the state we live in, including politics, art, and even entertainment. I’m originally from New Orleans so I learned about Alabama from the facts listed at the bottom of the pages too.
Georgina, Huntsville

A friend of mine read a copy at his office, and here is what he said: “It was far more substantive than a lot of the other magazines that have come out recently. Also, this had more of a statewide feel as opposed to just over the mountain Birmingham. I liked it.”
John Norris, Birmingham

Smart magazine, smartly written and edited too. Good stories with clear writing. Unbiased writing and very good, even quite powerful portraits! Good pictures - a very well "illustrated" magazine. All the photographers have worked very hard and picture editing is quite flawless. Magazine on good paper - very well printed too. Book / music reviews and related write-ups fun and very well written. The Mobile article is very nice too... it adds a touch of "let's travel and visit Alabama"... nice! The new natives: BRAVO ! Excellent, to be continued I hope! summa summarum: keep it up
Guido Maus, Birmingham

I am very impressed with the premiere edition of Thicket. Congratulations on a job well done.
Nannette, Birmingham

What an interesting publication. No other publication focuses on the fun and interesting side of our state. I enjoyed reading about Governor Riley and his approach for getting things accomplished. I’ll be looking for the next issue of Thicket.
Sherry Hartley, Bessemer

Let me say how great the premier issue looks! Fantastic job. You should be proud and very optimistic about the future.
Barry A. Ragsdale, Homewood

Well done on the first issue! A fresh read and a fresh perspective. Thicket's promise for something new appears to have hit the mark. We loved the pure variety of stories.
David MacLeod, Birmingham

Just finished perusing your new magazine and I send you a hearty "Well done!"
Mac Logue, Homewood

Premier Issue is Out!

Despite a remarkably challenging (and at times just-plain-difficult) late-December/early-January here in the Thicket, we’ve managed to get the first issue shipped to the printer, loaded onto big giant trucks, and distributed into homes and bookstores and grocery stores all across Alabama. I still can’t believe it’s actually happening. Like right now. AT THIS VERY MOMENT, someone in some town somewhere could be opening her mailbox or pausing in the checkout line, looking at the premier issue, and thinking, “Now, what is this?” Ooh…it gives me chills.

Just so you know, we mailed between 20,000 and 25,000 copies into homes from the Tennessee Valley to Mobile Bay, working off of a list of ZIP codes of communities we wanted to reach. So if you got a magazine in your mailbox, that’s how we found you.

The remaining issues were sent to bookstores and newsstands and doctors’ waiting rooms—all kinds of places where folks might stop and say, “Now, what is this?”

With luck (and good magazine-making), everyone’s initial curiosity will evolve into a dedicated group of readers that likes what we’re up to and wants to see more of it.

If you got a copy of Thicket, tell us what you think. Good, bad, indifferent—we just want to hear your thoughts. You can email any of us by clicking on the “contact” link.

If you didn’t get a copy and can’t find one in your hometown (see where we're distributed), click on the “subscribe” link, and we’ll get you one in a jiffy.

Happy reading!

Posted by Julie Keith

Regions Bank chief economist Bob Allsbrook says the outlook is good for Alabama’s economy.

In which Thicket writer Beth Wilder expands on her Business column in the premier issue, “The Future’s So Bright” regarding the state’s economic future.

Slowing, but not Stopping
Three strikes and you’re out—at least that’s how it goes in baseball. But when it comes to our economy, three strikes might not necessarily mean the batter heads back to the dugout. Bob Allsbrook, chief economist for Regions Bank, has been following economic trends in Alabama and around the country for over 20 years, and according to him, the game isn’t over. “We are definitely entering into an economic slow-down,” he says, “but probably not a full-blown recession.”

“As a nation, we have three strikes against us right now,” he explains. “First of all, our financial obligations ratio (a consumer’s required monthly payments relative to his take-home pay) is at an all-time high and has been for the last eight quarters, mainly because of the housing market. Add a second strike—rising gas prices—on top of our inability to purchase what we want, and that leads to strike three, a general malaise among consumers. We are anxious about spending and borrowing money. When all of these factors come together, the economy has to slow down.”

Is Alabama Immune?
Yet Allsbrook says, the future is not all that gloomy. “Economists will debate by the hour whether or not we are in a recession. I say no. If you want a technical label of recession put on the slow-down, the answer has to be ‘no’ because employment will hold up. You can’t have a full-blown ‘recession’ if unemployment numbers stay low, and I think they will.” Allsbrook explains that American companies want to hold on to their highly skilled workers because that is how they compete globally against foreign manufacturers. This, he does not foresee huge layoffs for those workers in the near future.

Low unemployment numbers are one reason Allsbrook feels that Alabama will weather any economic storm that blows our way. With the growing auto industry, as well as the announcement of a new ThyssenKrupp steel plant to be built near Mobile, the job market for skilled workers in this state seems better than ever. “I’ve been saying for 10 years that Alabama has the best economic story in the nation. I know that’s quite a statement, but there’s no hedging to it. We have the most impressive economic change of any state in this country.”

Allsbrook actually predicts that Alabama’s economy will grow at a faster rate than the U.S. economy during the next two years, something that has never happened. “There is nothing inherently better about Alabama than other Southern states,” he says. “Our political process finally recognized that and decided we didn’t have anything to offer other than incentives and a trained workforce. So we committed ourselves to providing that, and as a result, the outside investment has arrived. We have exceeded critical mass as far as getting enough jobs here.”

One Big Obstacle
In Allsbrook’s opinion, there is only one hurdle for future economic growth in Alabama: our educational system. “These companies want literate employees, and many of our schools are failing. There is a perception out there that is in many cases a reality. While we certainly have some great school systems around the state, we also have high school graduates who can’t read. When we try to lure outside investors, that negative image we have is always an obstacle. The image is understandable, and we have to work harder to overcome it.” According to Allsbrook, strengthening our public school system will only add to the overall good health of the Alabama economy.

Posted by Beth Wilder