One ‘Invisible Primary’ deserves another — or maybe 20.

Tonight is the first reporting deadline for presidential candidates — a barometer the punditry calls the “Invisible Primary.” Candidates are downplaying their fundraising potential, mostly to decrease expectations so they can exceed those expectations later.

This first reporting date has been important in the past for winnowing the field of candidates, but in this election cycle the Invisible Primary might be more important than ever. With as many as 20 states now considering a Feb. 5, 2008, primary, that date could turn into a virtual national primary. The gradual thinning of the field most of us remember might be a thing of the past.

Alabama, perhaps, deserves credit for originating the early primary idea, moving the primary up from the political no-man’s land of June. However, with so many states frontloading the election cycle, Alabama might find itself politically irrelevant again.

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KIDS LOVE APRIL FOOL’S DAY: And so do we. Sure, we’re not the pranksters we used to be, but most of us still at least give a passing thought each April 1 to pulling a fast one on someone – usually someone near and dear. So, what better way to counter the “Mama, (this)” and “Mama, (that)” you’ve tolerated all week from the little ones with a little April Fool’s payback. But trust us, it’s not conniving enough to induce the kicking and screaming you’d like to avoid. It’ll just throw ‘em for a loop. The Birmingham Shambhala Meditation CenterChildren’s Meditation Program, which is an introductory course for kids, ages 7-10. It comes complete with storytelling and kids yoga. Best of all, its free. All they ask is that you accompany the youngsters and participate in part of the program with ‘em. It’s from 1:30-3 p.m., so if you attend Sunday services somewhere else, this shouldn’t conflict. People don’t ask for the handshake shocker a second time, but chances are the kids’ll want another go ‘round with this one. Give the BSMC a shout at 595-8757 for more info, or go online to www.shambhala-birmingham.org.

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Richard Scrushy’s probation officer wants the former
HealthSouth CEO to wear a LoJack on his ankle after Scrushy went AWOL in south Florida. Scrushy was on vacation with his family to Disney World when he left his approved hotel for warmer climates near Miami, according to the probation officer’s report.

Last June, a federal jury in Montgomery convicted Scrushy of bribing former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman for a seat on the Certificates of Needs Board, an influential hospital regulatory agency. Since then his attorneys have engaged the government in a bizarre series of motions, alleging that jurors had improperly taken information from the Internet, against the court’s instructions.
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The former head of the Jefferson County environmental services department, Jack Swann, this afternoon was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison and fined $250,000 for his role in a widespread bribery scheme. In addition to the fine, Swann was ordered to pay more than $350,000 in restitution to the county.During his tenure at the county, Swann oversaw more than $3 billion of sewer rehabilitation and expansion projects. Last year a federal jury in Birmingham found Swann had directed business to certain contractors, in exchange for favors, including a two-week trip to Europe, a $1,000 gift certificate to the Alabama Booksmith and extensive renovations and landscaping on his Vestavia Hills home.

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STILL A GENTLEMAN: For fans of bluegrass, two nights of Jerry Douglas could only get better if the achingly angelic Alison Krauss stepped out for a song or two. But, to be honest, it’s good to finally get a chance to see the dobro-genius Douglas step out from the Union Station crew and do his own thing again. For those needing a brief history on the 12-time Grammy conqueror, pay attention: He started off with The Country Gentlemen, joined J.D. Crowe and The New South (with Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs), and later formed Strength in Numbers with Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer and Mark O’Connor. Basically, if you want to know why bluegrass is still relevant today – a lot of it has to do with Mr. Douglas. Along the way he also became a full-time member of The Whites and became the dobro session player of choice for everyone from Emmylou Harris (God bless her, still gorgeous) and Ray Charles. Of course, most casual listeners today know him as the man sliding all over the solos in Alison Krauss and Union Station tours. After so much touring with Krauss (oh yeah, that’s got to be awful!), Douglas is finally with his own band again, playing two shows at this Saturday, March 31. Both the 7 & 9:30 p.m. sets are $25 each. 380-4082 or www.workplay.com

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Following a federal investigation can be a lot like tracking a submarine, always beneath the surface except for periodic moments when a periscope peeks at its target.

It seems the government has Commissioner Larry Langford in its sights. In recent months various federal agencies have subpoenaed documents from Jefferson County and they will soon take depositions from three current and two former county commissioners — Langford, Shelia Smoot, Bettye Fine Collins, Mary Buckelew and Gary White.

But a new turn this week seems to indicate that Langford is Target No. 1.
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The Birmingham News Co. can’t demolish its historic former home just yet.Two weeks ago, the Birmingham Design Review Committee (BDRC) said it could no longer deny the News a demolition permit because, under law, the committee could only deny such a request for six months.

In the BDRC’s Wednesday, March 28, meeting, however, Chairman Sam Frazier said he had interpreted the law incorrectly and that the committee’s denial actually can be permanent and prevent the News from ever receiving a demolition permit. The committee then voted unanimously to sustain its denial of the News’ demolition request.

“We now make it clear that the denial is on record and that there has been no demolition permit granted,” Frazier said. “I misled the committee by my interpretation of the law [last meeting].”

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Tuesday morning the Birmingham City Council approved a superfluous resolution supporting an entertainment district at the BJCC, only minutes after rejecting a resolution supporting inclusiveness in the city because some members said it was superfluous.

Performa, a Memphis-based developer, has tentatively agreed to build an entertainment district including restaurants and bars at the BJCC, even without a domed stadium or smaller 40,000-seat arena. The entertainment development would require no public financing, and Performa did not ask the council for permission. Nonetheless, the council voted unanimously to support Performa.

The vote comes after three weeks of confusion caused by another prospective developer, ForgeCo. That company proposed to build the whole complex, including a 70,000-seat domed stadium without any public money. However, ForgeCo refused to tell where it would get the money for the project and would not share its financies with the BJCC board. Ultimately, ForgeCo and its potential partners could not prove their proposal was legitimate.

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GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY:Without even venturing outside (though, please, please, get outside in this 75-degree weather and see what you read about later) you can learn a ton about our tortured, beloved, conflicted, potential-rich and angst-ridden Birmingham. How, you ask? By consulting Bhamwiki – the Wikipedia-inspired site about all things Birmingham. Part of the Project to Document the Birmingham District (that also includes the snap-happy, camera-totin’ fiends at the “Magic City Flickr Group”), www.bhamwiki.com includes entries on everything from city history to the latest news on downtown landmarks – info all submitted by locals. Chronicling history as it happens, essentially. The site just passed the 2,000-entries mark (a posting about the Adamsville community of Docena) and is growing by the minute. Of course, democracy is not always perfect (SEE: “United States, current president”), so double-check the facts you find on Bhamwiki – you can always send in corrections. And let us know what you find!

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UPDATE: Read War on Dumb in the March 29 issue of the Birmingham Weekly.

This morning The Birmingham News reported that Birmingham City Councilor Valerie Abbott is considering running for mayor. At City Hall this has been common knowledge for the last six months, but the News article is the first time Abbott has spoken about the prospect in a public way. She is officially and unofficial candidate.

Nevertheless, her indecision remains. She is considering it, still, which might be the biggest obstacle between her and the mayor’s office. While she’s a candidate for the job, it’s not yet clear whether she wants the job.
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