Survivors of the recent storms and tornadoes in Alabama who suffered damage should apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, even if they have insurance or aren’t sure they are eligible.

On that early spring afternoon, the air was unsettled and the temperature was in the 80s.

As I write this, it has been exactly one week since Alabama was left bruised and bleeding by one of the most vicious clusters of tornadoes ever recorded in the United States. Over the last seven days, I have felt—along with sadness for those who were lost, or who lost everything— a few overwhelming emotions.

STORM BY THE NUMBERS: The series of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that ravaged the South last week has claimed at least 328 lives as of May 4, according to press reports. That makes this storm cycle the second deadliest outbreak in U.S. history. Seven states—Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia, Louisiana and Tennessee—were affected.

From my fevered mind, Dear Reader, spring forth these oh-so Immodest Proposals like torpedoes of truth. Yes, some call my proposals wacky. Let them.

Hi there, ladies and germs. It’s Syd. We met here in early February, remember? I’m the Voice of Freaks Everywhere, Tribune of the Radical Middle, etc.?

For more than 10 years, Railroad Earth has been a prominent figure in the “Jam Band” music scene. The roots/Americana sextet has found its place in this community that thrives on improvisation and welcomes everything from electronica to string-band music into its fold.

Exciting as it sounds, Alabama Ballet’s production of Dracula isn’t the only Halloween related shin-dig in Birmingham this weekend, not by a long stretch. Here are a few other events you might want to take a look at, if you dare!.

Chances are by now you’ve heard the story of Tyler Clementi. He’s the Rutgers University freshman who recently jumped off a bridge and died after the Internet’s oft-unseemly Klieg lights and a cruel roommate outed his sexual preference in humiliating fashion. Or perhaps you heard about Justin Aaberg, the 15-year-old boy who was bullied into hanging himself by kids who thought his sexual orientation was somehow their business.

Alabama Theatre advocate Cecil Whitmire dies: Birmingham lost one of its greatest advocates last week. Cecil Whitmire, whose work made the restoration and reopening of the beautiful Alabama Theatre possible, died Sunday at 74 after a brief illness in his hometown of Corryton, Tennessee. He was a constant presence at the Alabama, often greeting people on the sidewalk outside the box office, and will be remembered as gentle, affable man who was beloved by many of the people whose lives he touched.