People, Places and Things  

By Gwen DeRu
IT’S VETERANS DAY WEEKEND!!  ENJOY THE HOLIDAY!
THIS IS THE SEASON…OUTDOOR SPORTS… FOOTBALL… BASKETBALL… WALKS IN THE PARK AND FALL FUN TRIPS!!
ENJOY THE COOL DAYS AND TAILGATING FUN!!
Birmingham is still commemorating the 50th Anniversary of 1963 – a pivotal year in the city’s history and the civil rights movement.  The eyes of the world are ‘still’ on the city.
Even though the holiday spirit is in the air…. Visitors are here taking in the old, but more the new. And, people are still exploring the history of the city, the state and the world.
Even though Halloween has passed…the season goes on and 2014 is right around the corner.

Here are a few photos of HALLOWEEN around City Hall…,
HALLOWEEN GREETERS AT CITY HALL!
BUSINESS OWNERS, ENTREPRENEURS & CREATIVES WORKSHOP – BUILD YOUR BUSINESS CREDIT, today, 8 – 9”30 a.m. to help teach business owners and entrepreneurs how to establish and maintain strong business credit.  FREE.   It will be at the SocialVenture at 5529 First Avenue South, 35212.  The speaker is Warren Giardina, Vice President & Principal Business Banker, today.  Wes Mindingall, Relationship Manager is the speaker on November 14, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.   This comprehensive workshop aims to educate business owners with the difference between personal and business credit, steps to improve a poor business credit score and how strong business credit can help grow your enterprise plus.
PATTI AUSTIN AT SAMFORD UNIVERSITY – THE MUSIC OF ELLA FITZGERALD WITH PATTI AUSTIN, Friday at the Samford University ‘s Wright Center.  Grammy Award-winner Patti Austin delivers wit, exhilaration and a drop-dead gorgeous voice in this celebration of Ella Fitzgerald’s work.  Hear all the classic Ella songs with Ms. Austin’s sentimental voice and fresh voice as she takes on the legendary jazz singer’s legacy.
NEW CIVIL RIGHTS ART EXHIBIT – The Birmingham Public Library will have a new art exhibit that commemorates the civil rights movement with a Saturday, 3 – 5 p.m. special reception including the artists.  Fairfield, Alabama resident and retired art professor Dr. William E. Colvin curated the exhibit titled ‘Birmingham 2013: Remembering the Movement that Changed the World.’  It proposes that the dreams of freedom and civil liberty that African Americans have had for 50 years are now realities.  Nearly 50 pieces created by more than 25 artists from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida highlight historic moments such as the 1963 bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, marches in Kelly Ingram Park and more.  Two of Dr. Colvins’ works are in the exhibit – ‘The Visionist’, an acrylic painting of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and ‘Diane Hash Paying the Price of a Sit-In,’ a watercolor depiction of a young woman in a jail cell.   Works by other artists cover a wide variety of styles including Marcella Muhammad, Dr. Art Bacon of Talladega and E. Bruce Phillips, Birmingham resident and Tuskegee art professor.  See more at bplonline.org/exhibits/colvinexhibitbrochure.pdf.
SHERYL UNDERWOOD SPEAKS AT OMEGA PSI PHI LUNCHEON – CELEBRATING THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT is what the Omega Psi Phi fraternity is inviting everyone to observe. The National Achievement Week Program is when the Omega Psi Phi will recognize the Omega Men.  A luncheon will be held at the Pine Tree Country Club, 5100 Whispers Pine Drive, Saturday, 11 a.m.  Special guest is SHERYL P. UNDERWOOD.  Call (850) 341-9965 or (205) 478-4948 for more.
VETERANS FREE AT THE BIRMINGHAM ZOO – In honor of Veterans Day, all active and retired military and their dependents will receive free admission to the Birmingham Zoo on Sunday and Monday when presenting a valid military identification.   There are so many new things to see.  Call or visit birminghamzoo.com for more.
5K AT THE FUNCTION THIS WEEKEND – Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to, but never quit.  This Saturday, 8 a.m. at The Bethesda, 321 19th Street & Avenue D, Birmingham 35208 is the walk that everyone has been talking.  Race packet pick-up is the day before on this Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. at The Bethesda Life Center.  Race starts 8 a.m. on Saturday for the 5K Start Time and 9 a.m. for the 1mile Fun Run Start Time.  The starting line is:  321 19th Street Ensley.  Check it out.  The course includes running through historic Ensley along 14th Street and through Tuxedo Park.  The race also plays an important role in helping to educate Birmingham residents about the prevention of heart disease.  The one of a kind race is expected to attract dozens of runners including business, community and governmental officials.
MAX RED CARPET SAFETY AWARDS BANQUET – This Sunday the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority will honor some of transit’s finest at the Red Carpet Safety Awards Banquet.
You don’t want to miss getting your copy of the..
2014 ALABAMA AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY CALENDAR – AT&T will present the 2014 Alabama African American Calendar on Tuesday.  You are cordially invited to the Unveiling Ceremony.  The program is 6 p.m. and the Calendar Signing is 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre in the Alabama School of Fine Arts.  The History Makers for the 2014 calendar are:  Thom Gossom, Arthur Shores, Amelia Boyton Robinson, Ralph David Abernathy, Alexis Herman, Herschell Lee Hamilton, Benjamin Sterling Turner, John L. Leflore, Richard Arrington, Henry Panion, Lawrence J. Pijeaux, and Dinah Washington.  For more call (205) 714-0888.

FOR GROWN FOLKS….AND FOOTBALL FANS!!
PHASE II BAND AND SHOW AT THE ‘NEW’ TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE – Sundays you can hear the EMMANUEL BLACKMON ALLSTARZ BAND & SHOW, 9 p.m. at the Tide And Tiger Lounge.  Doors open at 7 p.m. If you have ever gone to a football game at Legion Field, you have seen the Tide and Tiger Lounge on Graymont Avenue right in front of the stadium.  It has been there for over 55 years making it one of the oldest bars in Birmingham.  The husband and wife owners (The Braxtons) are looking to attract an older crowd.  Mr. Braxton says he is keeping it ‘old school, gray haired, and for the baby boomers…it doesn’t matter about your skin color…just having a good time.’  Music by DJ BATMAN is said to bring back all the good ‘ole’ music…and memories.  Sounds like a place to be during the holidays…or anytime.  Happy Hour is 7 – 9 p.m.  Call (205) 503-3880 or 613-6913 for more. (Tell them Gwen sent you.   I will see you there!)
Here are a few more things going on…
THIS WEEKEND…. GET OUTDOORS… TAKE A WALK in Alabama Parks, you will love it.
JAMES GREGORY at the STARDOME COMEDY CLUB – For more, call (205) 444-0008.
TODAY….
MAGIC CITY LIVE AFTER 5, with DOWNRIGHT performing 5 – 9 p.m. at the BJCC uptown Birmingham.
ALL NIGHT HAPPY HOUR, 5 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
FRIDAY….
HEELS & CHUCKS featuring SHARON ADERLY, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
THE REVIEW BAND, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground.  202-3640.
SATURDAY….
Don’t Miss the…
THE OLD SCHOOLERS TAILGATE – Wallace Lounge will host a Tailgating Party on Saturday during the day.  This is the neighborhood supporting each other as the 5K RACE AT THE JUNCTION gets started and goes throughout the day.   This event is becoming a revitalization of the Ensley area residents have been working on for years.  The City of Birmingham through REV Birmingham and many other organizations are still promoting the revitalization of the City and its neighborhoods.
Game, music and snacks, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
SOUTHSIDE SOUL WITH DANI AND SHARRON BAND, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground. AND, AFTER MIDNIGHT OLD SCHOOL AFTER PARTY, 11:59 p.m.
SUNDAY….
PHASE II BAND AND SHOW, 9 p.m. at Tide & Tiger Lounge 409 Graymont Avenue (across from Legion Field.)  For more, call (205) 229-4829 or 502-3880.
SALSA SUNDAYS, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
MONDAY….
NAPPY NIGHT – Music at Boujee Lounge, every Monday at 204 Avenue U in Pratt City, 8 p.m. with good jerk food, vendors and music.  See you there on Mondays!
SAVE THE DATE – COMING IN 2014…
FEBRUARY 1 – The 2014 SICKLE CELL GALA – IT’S SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO, The Premier event of the Year is Saturday, February 1 at the Sheraton Hotel, Grand Ballroom in downtown Birmingham presented by the Central Alabama Sickle Cell Foundation.  Make your reservations now.
There is a ‘birthday celebration’ at the Tide and Tiger Lounge this Saturday Night starting at 8 p.m.  Call (205) 503-3880 or 417-5191.
NOW….a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT! …TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!!  ENJOY!!
Well, that’s it.  Tell you more ‘next’ time.
(People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@ya