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Kevin Durant Is An Extension Of The LeBron Decision

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From left: Klay Thompson; Kevin Durant; Steph Curry. (The Shadow League).

By J.R. Gamble

©2016, The Shadow League

From left: Klay Thompson; Kevin Durant; Steph Curry. (The Shadow League).
From left: Klay Thompson; Kevin Durant; Steph Curry. (The Shadow League).

NBA Players are Utilizing and Maximizing Their True Power

It all started with the highly publicized ESPN special, “The Decision.” Instead of remaining in Cleveland where he had taken his team to the precipice of World Championship status but failed to get over the hump as a young NBA phenom, LeBron James decided to empower himself as a superstar player, cut a few corners and call his own shots.

He didn’t want to risk going another half-decade with a team that didn’t have the goods to deliver the city of Cleveland its long-desired championship. As his greatness developed, the NBA world started expecting more and more, often criticizing the NBA’s new King for his team’s playoff failures.

Those LBJ fans who were infatuated with his unrivaled athleticism, brute strength and gazelle-like speed blamed the players around him. Despite being on a first-place Eastern Conference squad that won 66 and 61 games in back-to-back seasons, LeBron supporters insisted that Cleveland’s supporting cast was weak and didn’t provide King James with the talent he needed to win.

 

 

 

For full story…  TheShadowLeague.com

 

This story originally appeared on TheShadowLeague.com, a site dedicated to journalistically sound sports coverage with a cultural perspective that insightfully informs sports fans worldwide.

LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION

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Are you glad some people didn’t cross your path during your B.C. days? You know what I mean. The days before you met Christ. The days when your maturity level was not where it is today. The days when you almost ran out of “new mercies.” The days when people would push your buttons and your response was…let’s just say, ungodly. Those days when you didn’t where bracelets asking What Would Jesus Do nor ones that said God Is Bigger. If truth be told, if they got a “piece” of your mind back in those days, they better be glad that’s all they got!

I love the example Jesus sets for us when it comes to handling trying situations. Many times throughout the Bible as people made false accusations, even hurled insults at Him, Jesus made no reply. He said absolutely nothing! In one passage, it says, “But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise” (Matthew 27:14).

How often do we take this approach? (I know…He’s still working on me too.) Jesus understood that His reaction to the ways of the world would one day be a roadmap for you and me. Whether we like it or not, our lives are a stage and many have taken a front row seat to see how we, as believers, will handle life’s ups and downs. The ups, they gently nod. The downs…they sit on the edge of their seats anxiously waiting to see our reaction. Waiting when you have been lied on.  Waiting when the promised promotion never materializes. Waiting when the spouse is caught cheating. Waiting when the diagnosis is unfavorable. Waiting when God does not hasten to answer your prayer. The world waits….

Today, I challenge you to be like Jesus and leave them in shock. Allow your silence to reveal that you understand “the battle is not yours.”  Allow your silence to reveal that “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” Believe it or not, your silence often speaks louder than any words that could be uttered from your mouth.

Remember, on this stage, you are the leading actor. Jesus is the writer and director. He has already shown you what to do and He knows what happens in the final scene.

And now, it’s TAKE ONE.

On the script, your only line is…(SILENCE).

Ready….Lights. Camera. Action.

For more about Tijuana J. Williams, visit www.sharingmyheartblog.com

People, Places and Things By Gwen DeRu

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Gwen DeRu

HAVE SOME FUN IN THE SUN!

 

THIS WEEKEND

DINO DISCOVERY – THEY’RE BACK! at the Birmingham Zoo where the dinosaurs are returning to the Birmingham Zoo all of July. This limited-time exhibit features 12 life-sized, North American-native animatronic dinosaurs at heights of nearly 20 feet, weighing almost 7 tons and measuring 85 feet in length. For more call (205) 879-0409.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING! Deontay Wilder vs. Chris Arreola at the BJCC Legacy Arena, next Saturday at 4 p.m.

TODAY

MOVIES AT AVONDALE PARK – Back to the Future will be showing at Crestwood Park, 7 p.m. for 3 years and older. For more call (205) 623-0582.

THIRSTY THURSDAY at the Baron’s game at Regions Field.

OLIVIA’S HAPPY HOUR, every Thursday at Olivia’s Bar and Lounge with $.50 wings and drink specials, 4 p.m.  For more call (205) 326-2881.

LIVE AT STEEL, 8 p.m. with SHARRON performing and DJ CDUBB in the Mix at Steel on First Avenue at 23rd Street, downtown Birmingham. Get your live music and dance on every Thursday night.

 

FRIDAY

COMEDIAN Carlos Mencia at the StarDome Comedy Club, this weekend.

Carlos Mencia
Carlos Mencia

FANCY FRIDAYS, 5 p.m. featuring JILLIAN GRAY with YARBROUGH & COMPANY every Friday at Legends on 18th Street North, Downtown. Birmingham. This is an After Work Experience hosted by Keely and Tiger and catered by Chef Jones.  Call (205) 212-4406 for more.

PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.

 

SATURDAY

JOE WEBB’S ANNUAL FOOTBALL CAMP – Join Carolina Panthers QB Joe Webb for a free football camp, at Wenonah High School, 8 –a.m. – 1 p.m. for ages 6-12.

 

SUMMER FUN DAYS AT THE ZOO – Visit the zoo today and tomorrow, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. for the California Sea Lion ‘Farley and Gio 002 Birmingham Zoo, half price admission, half-price rides, $1 hot dogs and get up-close with the elephants in Trails of Africa, the Predator Zone, Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show and feed the lorikeets in the Schaeffer Eye Center.  Call (205) 538-4508 for more.

RAILROAD PARK is where the fun is Saturday.

SOULFUL SATURDAY at Steel 1st and 23rd Club.

 

SUNDAY

INTRODUCTION TO GENEALOGY, 2:30 p.m. at the Central Library in the Southern History Department, 1st Floor f Linn Henley building.

SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

 

MONDAY

PLAY BALL is the Negro Southern League Museum and BPL sharing the newest Museum to be added to the Birmingham community at the Inglenook Branch Library.  For more call (205) 849-8739.

 

TUESDAY

INTRODUCTION TO GENEALOGY, 2:30 p.m. at the Springville Road Regional Library.

OLIVIA’S HAPPY HOUR, 4 p.m., every Tuesday, at Olivia’s Bar and Lounge with $.50 wings and drink specials.  For more call (205) 326-2881.

PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.

TIDE AND TIGER ON THE PATIO, 4 p.m. until on Graymont across form Legion Field.

 

FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS

SATURDAY, 9 a.m.Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip on the Elk River near Elkmont, AlabamaDetails: The section we will paddle is easy with few obstructions. This is a scenic stretch of river located in a very rural area. Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their boat. To rent a kayak, call Fort Hampton Outfitters (256) 431-8988 to reserve your rental kayak. Children age 10 and over are welcome. If you would like to have dinner at the restaurant after the kayak and canoe trip, bring your things to clean up with and a change of clothes.

Depart 9 a.m. from the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride. Reservations Required: You must call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email seoutings@Bellsouth.net if you plan to come on this kayak and canoe trip

 

FOR MUSIC LOVERS

 

JAZZ PIANIST MARK HARRIS II, at the Perfect Note in Hoover at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Mark Harris
Mark Harris

JAZZ IN THE PARK HELENA– Enjoy JAZZ IN THE PARK at the Helena Amphitheater with THE RUBBER BAND EFFECT, 6 – 9 p.m.

TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE – CHECK OUT….the TIDE AND TIGER!  Every Tuesday enjoy wings for 50 cents and $5 drinks at half price. Every Sunday enjoy music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s with DJ Tide and Tiger.  For more information, call (205) 503-3880.

 

FOR CHILDREN

THE LITTLE MERMAID – Red Mountain Theatre Company will host the Little Mermaid tomorrow.  This is a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Call (205) 324-2424 for more.

ALADDIN, JR AT CHILDREN’S THEATRE – Disney’s Aladdin JR is an award winning score by ALAN MENKEN, HOWARD ASHMAN and TIM RICE that will send the audiences soaring on a flying carpet ride filled with romance and adventure. When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for this attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie and more are in Disney’s Aladdin JR., a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love. Recommended for: Children ages 3 & up. DATES: This and next weekend – Fridays, 7 p.m., Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays, at 2 p.m. This special takes place at the Birmingham Children’s Theatre’s Main Stage. The City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services  (DYS), in conjunction with the theatre, has free tickets available on a first come, first served basis until all tickets have been disseminated. (You will have to go to the DYS office to get them. No email, phone calls or fax requests will be accepted.) Call (205) 320-0879 for more information.

DINO DISCOVERY – THEY’RE BACK! at the Birmingham Zoo where the dinosaurs are returning to the Birmingham Zoo all of July.  This limited-time exhibit features 12 life-sized, North American-native animatronic dinosaurs at heights of nearly 20 feet, weighing almost 7 tons and measuring 85 feet in length. For more call (205) 397-0409.

2016 SUMMER MOVIE SERIES – The City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Series (DYS) has movies for youth that participate in the Summer Enrichment Program through the library.  Youth read a book, do a report and get a FREE ticket.  MOVIES: Friday – The Secret Life of Pets, July 22 – Ghostbusters and July 29 – Ice Age 5.  Call DYS for more information at (205) 320-0879.

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH JR. at the RMTC Cabaret Theatre, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for all ages. Call (205) 324-2424.

SUPERHERO SATURDAY at 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. is July 16 at the McWane Science Center.

BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM – The Public library’s Reading program is all summer long.  Check out the library nearest you….for movie tickets and more.

CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST MOVEMENT DAY CAMP – This annual camp will be held, Wednesday, July 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. where more than 100 youth ages of 11 to 16 years old are expected.  The camp offers participants a fun-filled day raising awareness and critical educational seminars to promote non-violence, knowledge of self, and individuality.  There will be tours, a movies, motivational speakers. With the Civil Rights Activist Movement Day Camp, youth can move closer to eliminating ignorance, discord, and inequality. For registration and more information on how you and your company can support the Civil Rights Activists Committee through sponsorship or team participation, visitwww.civilrightsactivist.org, contact Paulette Roby, Chairman of the Board, at civilrightsactivist.fs63@yahoo.com or call (205)-518-0321. Support the camp by donating any products and/or services that can be used to support the Committee‘s efforts and the young people during this event.

GROCERIES NEEDED FOR CHILDREN – The Greater Birmingham Ministries is asking for groceries as it’s time to collect food for the kids that are home from school this summer. Kid friendly food is needed. Drop off food and clothing any weekday, 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.  For more information, call (205) 326-6821 x 102 or email sarah@ghm.org

PREPARED, NOT SCARED CAMPS – Join Sheriff Mike Hale and others for a camp for grades 4- next week at Trussville and July 18-22 at Tannehill.  For more, go to www.freshairfamil.org.

5th ANNUAL NEXT LEVEL FOOTBALL CAMP – Join former NFL player Jeremy Towns and Nick Williams of the Kansas City Chiefs with other notables, July 15th at Legion Field, for ages 8-17. 

HAPPY HEALTHY KIDS FAIR – Join other children and parents in the Birmingham Area at the Happy Healthy Kids Fair on August 6, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Riverchase Galleria.

TAKE A CHILD TO THE DOCTOR DAY is September 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the YMCA Youth Center, 2400  7th Avenue North. Call (205) 320-0879 for more.

DISNEY DREAMERS ACADEMY is taking applications until October 31, for youth ages 13-19 that live in the United States and enrolled in high school grades 9-12. For more go to: disneydreamersacademy.com.

 

FOR ART LOVERS

ART AND CONVERSATION – Today, Art and Science: Framing Early Photography and Its’ Discourse. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA).

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, today 7 p.m. at the BMA.  FREE.  There will be tapas and cocktails, 5-9 p.m.  This is First Thursday.

BOURBON POUR AT THE BMA is today, 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. FREE.  MORGAN MURPHY, author of Southern Living’s Bourbon and Bacon knows that there is an art to pouring bourbon and is the host.

SLOW ART SUNDAY is this Sunday, 2-3- p.m. at the BMA where you can unlock the secrets works in the Museum’s collection by cultivating the art of looking slowly.

 

FOR COMEDY LOVERS

AT THE STARDOME: Every Thursday is Positively Funny Improv.  Check out CARLOS MENCIA…You know him from The Mind of Mencia (Comedy Central), Two 1/2 Hour HBO Specials, Comedy Central presents Carlos Mencia and WB Recording Artist… all this weekend.  Call (205) 444-0008 for more.  MORE: July 15-17 – ARNEZ J. and July 22-24 – RICKEY SMILEY.  See you there!

 

 

BIRMINGHAM FASHION WEEK!

If you are interested in fashion, style and live in the immediate Birmingham Area, Birmingham Fashion week is August 25-27 at the Boutwell Auditorium. 

The Birmingham Fashion Week was founded on the ideals for bringing unity to our community through fashion. The 6th Annual Birmingham Fashion Week will be bigger and better than ever before.  See local and national designers, local and national boutiques, rising design stars, emerging designers with models, make=up and hair artists competing as the showcase their talents on the runway.  Hair and Makeup Artists deadline is tomorrow, Friday.  For more information, go to www.bhamfashionweek.com.

FRONT COVER MODELING presents ‘MeKa Fashion Statement,’ featuring special guest models, 6- 8 p.m. on July 24, Sunday at the Cotton’s Building (Ensley) located at 400 – 19th Street, 35218.  For more information, call (205) 920-3727 or (340) 513-2046.

THE CITY OF DA-SH FASHION SHOW, SUNDAY, July 24th, at the Bessemer Civic Center. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. Show starts at 4 p.m. Postura International and DA-SH magazine is hosting The City of DA-SH fashion show. There will be door prizes, live performances and vendors.  For more information, call (205) 705-2354.

 

COMING SOON

JULY 16 -17 – SLOSS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL.

JULY 23 – TASTE OF FOURTH AVENUE JAZZ in the Historical District.  FREE

AUGUST – ESTELLE WITHERSPOON DINNER by the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund

AUGUST 20 – EVO 2016 5K FIT CHALLENGE at Sloss Furnace, 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

AUGUST 27 – FASHION WEEK at the Boutwell Auditorium.

AUGUST 31 – RENSHAW DAVIES, the New Orleans folk and roots duo is at The Nick, 10 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 8-10 – SAINT GEORGE MELKITE GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD FESTIVAL

OCTOBER 22-23 – TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY’S Alabama 500 and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, the most anticipated NASCAR Chase Elimination races of 2016.

 

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@yahoo.com.)

Classifieds: July 7, 2016

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Employment

_____________________________

Wanted 1,000,000 Properties

Houses, Land, Buildings Etc. We also take over payments as well.

Have unwanted property? Call Randy@256-399-5454 and leave me a message or send me a picture of the property on my email Randy_battles@yahoo.com.

 

BT 07/07/2016

_______________________

JEFFERSON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

The Jefferson County Housing Authority is seeking a Maintenance Mechanic for our Bessemer location.  This position requires performing a variety of journeyman level plumbing, electrical, carpentry building, equipment maintenance and repair work.  Oversee and participate in the installation and repair of water and sewer lines, other maintenance and repair projects in which more than one person is required.  Assist in training new employees and directing the work of less skilled employees.  Prepare records of work performed and supplies used.  Periodically, serve as worker on-call for emergency calls during periods in which no one is scheduled to work, such as nights, weekends, and holidays.  To be considered for this position, please email or fax your resume to Dallas Thomas, Maintenance Coordinator, at dthomas@jcha.com or fax to 205-841-6727, Attention Dallas Thomas.

Resumes must be received no later than 4:30 P.M. (Central Time) on July 27, 2016

 

BT 07/07/2016

_______________________

University of Montevallo

Admissions Counselor

Visit https://jobs.montevallo.edu

UM is an EO Employer

 

BT07/07/2016

_______________________

Legal

_____________________________

DATE June 17, 2016

TO:                     Prospective Offerors

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION:                     16-01

SEPARATE SEALED SUBMISSIONS FOR:  General Architectural and Engineering Services

PRE-SUBMISSION CONFERENCE DATE/TIME: July 1, 2016 / 10:00 A.M. CST

 

LOCATION:              HABD Central Office

Tenants Meeting Room

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

WILL BE RECEIVED AT: HABD Central Office

Procurement Administrator

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

CLOSING DATE: July 15, 2016

 

TIME: 2:00 P.M. CST

 

LOCATION: HABD Central Office

Procurement Administrator

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

By submission the offeror agrees, if the offeror’s  submission is accepted, to enter into a contract with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD), to complete all work as specified or indicated in the contract documents, for the contract price and within the contract time indicted in the RFQ.  The offeror further accepts the terms and conditions of the RFQ.

Proposals must be prepared in accordance with the section entitled “Form of Response,” and will be evaluated by the HABD.  Evaluation will be based on the criteria within this RFP.

Copies of the RFQ, which includes the scope of services, conditions and requirements, may be obtained from the HABD Procurement Office located at the address listed above.  Persons who require special accommodations should immediately contact the HABD Procurement Office at (205) 521-0611.

The HABD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all submissions, or any submission, and to waive any informalities or irregularities.

The HABD in accordance with the Executive Orders 11625 and 12138 promotes participation by businesses owned and operated by disadvantaged and historically underutilized businesses.  Section 3 business requirements must also be met.

A copy of this solicitation is available at www.habd.org under the Procurement Section.  Questions regarding the attached RFQ should be directed to the Procurement Administrator, in writing ten (10) days prior to proposal due date.  Questions received after the deadline will not be answered.

Contracting Officer:       Michael O. Lundy, President/CEO

 

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___________________

IN THE FAMILY COURT FOR THE

FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

CASE NO.  2016-DR-38-0134

 

SUMMONS

 

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF ORANGEBURG

Thomas Darby

Plaintiff,

-vs-

Emma F. Darby,

Defendant,

 

NOTICE OF FILING

 

YOU WILL TAKE NOTICE HEREBY that the Summons and Complaint in the within matter were filed in the County of Orangeburg, State of South Carolina on February 8, 2016.

TO:  THE DEFENDANT ABOVE NAMED

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint in this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a copy of your answer to the Complaint upon the subscriber at 340 Summers Avenue (Post Office Box 811) Orangeburg, South Carolina 29116, within thirty (30) days after the service.  If you fail to answer the Complaint within that time, the plaintiff shall apply to the Court for a judgment by default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

 

June 28, 2016

Orangeburg, SC

 

/s/Lawrence Keitt

Lawrence Keitt, Esquire

Attorney for the Plaintiff

340 Summers Avenue

  1. O. Box 811

Orangeburg, South Carolina 29116

(803) 531-2379

Fax (803) 534-2897

 

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_______________________

REQUEST FOR BIDS HOUSING REHABILITATION BID ANNOUNCEMENT       BID #: 88-16R  

Electronic Bids will be accepted by the Jefferson County Purchasing Department no later than 11:59 p.m. on July 25, 2016 for proposed owner-occupied housing rehabilitation work at various addresses in Jefferson County:

Bids will be opened at 10:00 a.m. on July 26, 2016, in Room 830 of the Jefferson County Courthouse. Interested parties may get a copy of the bid package at Jefferson County Purchasing: 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Suite 830, Birmingham, AL 35203.

All interested contractors must meet the minimum contractor requirements for bidding on or before the date and time that bids are due. All questions must be written and faxed to (205) 214-4034 or e-mailed to Carmen Jones at jonesc@jccal.org

 

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_______________________

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

THE BIRMINGHAM LAND BANK AUTHORITY, a Public Corporation,

Plaintiff,

v.

 

TO: JOHN HUNTER; KATIE SHEROR; DAVE JEFFERSON; ELEANOR H. MERRIDA; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

TAKE NOTICE that on June 23, 2016, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed an Amended Complaint in the above-styled case and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

A part of the SE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Section 20, Township 17 South, Range 3 West, being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at the NW corner of Block 3. Martin Lockhart Survey, as recorded in Map Book 1, Page 329, thence east along the South line of Hiberian Street 105 feet; thence South 55 feet; thence West 105 feet; thence North to the Point of Beginning.

Property Address: 1131 Hibernian Street, Birmingham, AL 35214

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for August 12, 2016 in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 9:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Caroline W. Jackson, City of Birmingham Law Department at (205) 254-2369.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

Dated this the _____ day of _________________, 2016.

 

Anne-Marie Adams, Circuit Clerk

 

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_______________________

DATE June 30, 2016

 

TO:              Prospective Offerors

 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL:                     16-12

 

SEPARATE SEALED PROPOSALS FOR:  Property Management Services for Tuxedo Terrace Apartments  a Mixed-Income Hope VI Property

 

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE DATE/TIME: July 18, 2016 / 10:00 A.M. CST

 

LOCATION:       HABD Central Office

Tenants Meeting Room

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED AT: HABD Central Office

Procurement Administrator

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

CLOSING DATE: July 29, 2016

 

TIME: 2:00 P.M. CST

 

LOCATION: HABD Central Office

Procurement Administrator

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

By submission of a proposal the offeror agrees, if the offeror’s  proposal is accepted, to enter into a contract with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD), to complete all work as specified or indicated in the contract documents, for the contract price and within the contract time indicted in the RFP.  The offeror further accepts the terms and conditions of the RFP.

Proposals must be prepared in accordance with the section entitled “Submittal of Proposal,” and will be evaluated by the HABD.  Evaluation will be based on the criteria within this RFP.

Copies of the RFP, which includes the scope of services, conditions and requirements, may be obtained from the HABD Procurement Office located at the address listed above.  Persons who require special accommodations should immediately contact the HABD Procurement Office at (205) 521-0611.

The HABD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, or any proposal, and to waive any informalities or irregularities.

The HABD in accordance with the Executive Orders 11625 and 12138 promotes participation by businesses owned and operated by disadvantaged and historically underutilized businesses.  Section 3 business requirements must also be met.

A copy of this solicitation is available at www.habd.org under the Procurement Section.  Questions regarding the attached RFP should be directed to the Procurement Administrator, in writing ten (10) days prior to proposal due date.  Questions received after the deadline will not be answered.

Contracting Officer:       Michael O. Lundy, President/CEO

 

BT 07/07/2016

_______________________

DATE June 30, 2016

 

TO:                 Prospective Offerors

 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL:       16-13

 

SEPARATE SEALED PROPOSALS FOR:  Developer Partner for the Southtown Court

Redevelopment

 

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE DATE/TIME: July 20, 2016 / 10:00 A.M. CST

 

LOCATION:                HABD Central Office

Tenants Meeting Room

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED AT: HABD Central Office

Procurement Administrator

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

CLOSING DATE: July 29, 2016

 

TIME: 2:00 P.M. CST

 

LOCATION: HABD Central Office

Procurement Administrator

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

By submission of a proposal the offeror agrees, if the offeror’s  proposal is accepted, to enter into a contract with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD), to complete all work as specified or indicated in the contract documents, for the contract price and within the contract time indicted in the RFP.  The offeror further accepts the terms and conditions of the RFP.

Proposals must be prepared in accordance with the section entitled “Submittal of Proposal,” and will be evaluated by the HABD.  Evaluation will be based on the criteria within this RFP.

Copies of the RFP, which includes the scope of services, conditions and requirements, may be obtained from the HABD Procurement Office located at the address listed above.  Persons who require special accommodations should immediately contact the HABD Procurement Office at (205) 521-0611.

The HABD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, or any proposal, and to waive any informalities or irregularities.

The HABD in accordance with the Executive Orders 11625 and 12138 promotes participation by businesses owned and operated by disadvantaged and historically underutilized businesses.  Section 3 business requirements must also be met.

A copy of this solicitation is available at www.habd.org under the Procurement Section.  Questions regarding the attached RFP should be directed to the Procurement Administrator, in writing ten (10) days prior to proposal due date.  Questions received after the deadline will not be answered.

Contracting Officer:       Michael O. Lundy, President/CEO

 

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_______________________

DATE July 1, 2016

 

TO:                    Prospective Offerors

 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL:         16-14

 

SEPARATE SEALED PROPOSALS FOR:  Consulting Services: Rental Demonstration              (RAD) Transformation Plan

 

PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED AT: HABD Central Office

Procurement Administrator

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

CLOSING DATE: July 29, 2016

 

TIME: 2:00 P.M. CST

 

LOCATION: HABD Central Office

Procurement Administrator

1826 Third Avenue South

Birmingham, AL  35233-1905

 

By submission of a proposal the offeror agrees, if the offeror’s  proposal is accepted, to enter into a contract with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD), to complete all work as specified or indicated in the contract documents, for the contract price and within the contract time indicted in the RFP.  The offeror further accepts the terms and conditions of the RFP.

Proposals must be prepared in accordance with the section entitled “Submittal of Proposal,” and will be evaluated by the HABD.  Evaluation will be based on the criteria within this RFP.

Copies of the RFP, which includes the scope of services, conditions and requirements, may be obtained from the HABD Procurement Office located at the address listed above.  Persons who require special accommodations should immediately contact the HABD Procurement Office at (205) 521-0611.

The HABD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, or any proposal, and to waive any informalities or irregularities.

The HABD in accordance with the Executive Orders 11625 and 12138 promotes participation by businesses owned and operated by disadvantaged and historically underutilized businesses.  Section 3 business requirements must also be met.

A copy of this solicitation is available at www.habd.org under the Procurement Section.  Questions regarding the attached RFP should be directed to the Procurement Administrator, in writing ten (10) days prior to proposal due date.  Questions received after the deadline will not be answered.

Contracting Officer:       Michael O. Lundy, President/CEO

 

BT 07/07/2016

_______________________

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids for MUSEUM OF ART JEMISON GALLERY RENVOVATIONS at 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard, North Birmingham, AL 35203 will be received by the City Architect in Conference Room 215 Birmingham City Hall, Birmingham, Alabama until 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 28, 2016 at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

All bids must be on a lump sum basis.  Bids are to be submitted in duplicate on the Proposal Form provided with specifications.  No pre-qualification of bidders will be conducted prior to receiving bids.

Under the Alabama State Code, Section 39-2-4, as amended by Act #97-225, it is required for any contract exceeding $50,000 that the Bidder submit with his bid, either a cashier’s check, drawn on an Alabama bank, or a bid bond, executed by a surety authorized and qualified to make bonds in Alabama, payable to the City of Birmingham, in an amount (subject to a maximum of $10,000.00) equal to five percent (5%) of the bid.  In order for a bid to be considered, it must be accompanied by an acceptable bid bond or cashier’s check.

Any bid submitted for an amount of $50,000 or more, the bidder must be a licensed general contractor in the State of Alabama in accordance with Section 34-8, of the Alabama State Code.  Contractor’s license number shall appear on the outside of the envelope used to submit bid.

Proof of insurance will be required when the contract is signed.  The City will review and execute the contract within twenty (20) days unless the successful contractor agree

A Pre-bid Conference to review and discuss the project will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Birmingham City Hall Conference Room 215, 710 20th Street, North  Birmingham, AL 35203.

Bid documents are opened to public inspection at the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits—Architectural Division, Room 220 City Hall, 710 20th Street North Birmingham, AL 35203.  Electronic version of the bid documents may be viewed online at McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, http://www.construction.com/; AGC/iSQFT Plan Room, http://www.alagc.org/resourcesServices/internetPlanRm/; Reed Construction Data, http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/; and at the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, 3600 Fourth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222.

Bid documents may be viewed and purchased through the City of Birmingham online plans room site at http://BirminghamBids.algraphics.com.  Any cost for reproduction shall be the responsibility of bidders.

Since award may not be made within thirty (30) days, no bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after the date of the bid opening.

The City reserves the right to reject any or all bids submitted, and to waive any informalities.

IMPORTANT BIDDER INFORMATION

Bidders are expected to prepare their bid to include all necessary material, labor, bonds, permits, overhead, profit, taxes, insurance, etc. costs.  It is not the City’s obligation to bring mistakes/omissions in bid to bidder’s attention.  If after bid opening, a bidder determines he has a mistake in bid, he may seek withdrawal of his bid without forfeiting his bond, if the request is in writing within three (3) work days after the bid opening, and is accompanied by clear and convincing evidence of the mistake.

All cashier’s checks or bid bonds will be returned immediately after bids are checked and tabulated to all except the three (3) lowest bona fide bidders.  Bid bonds shall be returned to the three (3) lowest bona fide bidders when the contract is signed and performance and payment bonds and insurance are furnished by the successful bidder.  If award is not made within fifteen (15) days after bid opening, all bid guarantees will be returned except for those of the potentially successful bidders.  If after sixty (60) days, no award has been made, all bids shall be rejected and the potentially successful bidder’s guarantee will be returned unless the bidder agrees in writing to a time extension.  If a time extension is effected, bidder may substitute any cashier’s check for a satisfactory bid bond.

Any contract resulting from this Invitation to Bid shall not be assignable without prior written consent of the City.  Under no conditions, shall the contract be assigned to an unsuccessful bidder whose bid was rejected as non-responsive and/or non-responsible.

A Notice to Proceed will be issued by the City within fifteen (15) days after final contract execution unless both parties agree in writing to a longer period of time.

Special attention is called to the applicability of the Birmingham Plan-Construction Industry Program to the project.  Under this Program, the utilization of Minority Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MBE/DBE) is encouraged on a voluntary basis.  The Construction Industry Authority established a system of floating MBD/DBE goals which may differ from year to year and project to project.  Overall, these goals shall not be less than the historical participation of MBD/DBE’s in construction projects of the City and its agencies.  Additional information about this Program is contained in the Project Manual and may be obtained from the Executive Director, Birmingham Construction Industry Authority at 3600 4th Avenue, South, Birmingham, Alabama  35222 (Telephone:  205-324-6202).  For federally funded contracts, the provisions of the President’s Executive Order 11246 and federal agency regulations requiring affirmative action to achieve employment and utilization of minority persons and business will apply.

As a matter of public policy, the City of Birmingham agrees to make opportunities available to the maximum extent possible, to actively include Historically Underutilized Business Enterprises (HUBE’s) such as architectural firms, engineering firms, investment banking firms, other professional consultant services providers, and construction contractors as part of business, economic and community revitalization programs.

Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked:  MUSEUM OF ART JEMISON GALLERY RENVOVATIONS may be hand delivered to Conference Room 215 City Hall, Birmingham, Alabama, or mailed to:  City of Birmingham Planning, Engineering and Permits Department, Architectural Division, Room 220 City Hall, 710 North 20th Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35203.  Bids sent by any express carrier (Federal Express, UPS, Airborne, etc.) must specify delivery to Room 220 City Hall.

It is the bidder’s responsibility to make sure that his bid is in the possession of the City Architect on or before 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 28, 2016.   Bids received after this time will not be considered.

Alan Terry Oglesby, City Architect

 

BT 07/07/2016

Taking Steps to Curb the Domestic Violence Epidemic

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YWCA CEO Yolanda Sullivan expresses her frustration and anger with the domestic violence-related killings that have happened in Birmingham throughout the year. (Ariel Worthy/Birmingham Times)

By Ariel Worthy

The Birmingham Times

YWCA CEO Yolanda Sullivan expresses her frustration and anger with the domestic violence-related killings that have happened in Birmingham throughout the year. (Ariel Worthy/Birmingham Times)
YWCA CEO Yolanda Sullivan expresses her frustration and anger with the domestic violence-related killings that have happened in Birmingham throughout the year. (Ariel Worthy/Birmingham Times)

 

Coral Wilson’s son couldn’t believe he had been shot by his father.

Wilson’s angry ex-husband had gone on a rampage after she filed a restraining order against him. Wilson and four of her children were shot after he became enraged because he couldn’t see his kids.

Wilson’s death, the 13th domestic violence–related murder in Jefferson County this year, sparked rallies and caused organizations like the One Place Family Justice Center (FJC) to spring into action.

“Enough is enough!” said Yolanda Sullivan, YWCA Central Alabama chief executive officer, during a May 10 rally at Kelly Ingram Park.

Just this week, according to the Shelby County sheriff ‘s office, a 36-year-old Calera man was arrested in the murder of his 31-year-old wife. At the time of his wife’s death, the man, who is in jail on a $1 million bond, was the subject of a protection from abuse order pending in Montgomery County, according to published reports.

A number of steps are underway to help curb the epidemic.

The FJC—a collaboration among the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office, the YWCA Central Alabama, the Birmingham Police Department, and the Crisis Center Inc.—is now open four days a week (Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to help victims escape violent relationships.

“It really is about escaping,” said FJC Executive Director Allison Dearing. “It takes a lot to get out of a domestic violence situation.”

Takes a Toll

LaShondra Dansby, who lost two family members to domestic violence, said witnessing the cruelty while growing up affected her as an adult.

“I had posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety, and I had problems showing love to my own children,” said Dansby, who has two daughters. “It takes a toll on everybody involved. I think it’s awesome that the Y provides counseling for children.”

For the longest, Dansby said she would not let her children hug her around her neck.

“I would instantly go into fight mode if anyone got near my neck,” she said.

Dansby’s mother, Frances Dansby, and her brother, Allen Dansby, were killed by her father. (See “Witness to Abuse … Beginning at Age 2.”)

Dansby recalled always being in and out of the YWCA shelter with her mother and brother as a kid. Even when they would move out, her father would always find them.

One time after they went through transitional housing, their father showed up.

“We were happy, enjoying our life, finally, and he showed up,” Dansby said. “He snatched the screen door open and cursed saying, ‘Get your bags! Let’s go!’”

When it comes to escaping domestic violence, people often give advice on what a victim should do, but they never consider all possible causes.

“You always get different people who say what victims should have and could have done, and what they would have done,” Dansby said. “‘Why didn’t she leave?’ is what they always ask. What do you tell the people who do leave and their abuser finds them every time?”

According to Dearing, people who are close to and care for the victims oftentimes do not react correctly in the situation, even though they mean well.

“Sometimes abusers will sabotage the relationships a victim has so that they are disconnected from any support system,” Dearing said. “When family members get frustrated and say things like, ‘Don’t call me again in the middle of the night’ or ‘I’m not going through this with you again,’ it plays into the what the abuser wants.”

“There is so much more to escaping and staying safe and being self-sufficient when you’ve been a victim of domestic violence,” Dearing said. “It’s not a quick-leave situation. You have to make sure you have somewhere safe to go.”

Awareness

Brandon Falls, district attorney for Jefferson County and president of the FJC’s board of directors, is familiar with domestic violence cases. One, in particular, stood out to him.

“A case I prosecuted when I was in the office for less than two years,” Falls recalled. “It was before the passage of domestic violence laws [in 2000]. The victim’s boyfriend got her into the passenger seat of her minivan. He drove her around all day and wouldn’t let her go. He would periodically take her head and bash it into the dashboard of the vehicle. She suffered really serious injuries. Had that man been charged under the current domestic violence laws, he would have faced a much longer prison sentence.”

There are so many resources available now, and Dearing believes more domestic violence incidents are being heard.

Falls said he does not think the number of domestic violence cases have increased, but that the number of homicides have drawn attention to the issue.

“We do hope the awareness we have tried to bring will encourage more victims to reach out for services that can help them get out of a domestic violence situation,” Falls said.

Help Is Available

The FJC is a one-stop service for domestic violence victims. The organization provides shelter, counseling, medical assistance, and transportation, as well as help with legal services—including filing police reports and working with counsel.

Falls said there has to be a higher level of support for domestic violence victims because they are not like other victims.

“If it’s a robbery, the victim probably will never see the person again,” Falls said. “A domestic violence victim sees their offender first thing in the morning and last thing at night.”

The FJC tries to protect victims as much as possible—even online. Their website, oneplacefjc.org, features a Quick Exit button that diverts the victim to YouTube and erases the site’s browsing history.

The FJC also helps victims of sexual violence.

“Often, when you think about tools a person uses to control a partner, sexual violence is very often part of that,” Dearing said.

Dansby recalls the last time she saw her mother.

“She left the house, and I kept hearing a car running outside,” Dansby said. “After about 15 minutes, I looked out the window and saw my mom sitting in the car. When I looked out the window, she looked up at me and smiled. She backed the car out, pulled off, and drove over the hill. That was the last time I saw my mom.”

When it comes to relationships, Dansby said she always remembers her mother’s advice.

“She would always tell me, ‘If they look, act, or play like they want to put their hands on you, run. Don’t look back. You can’t change them, they mean it. Don’t look back.’”

Witness to abuse . . . beginning at age 2

0
Lashondra Dansby's mother Frances Dansby and her brother Allen Dansby were killed by her father after years of domestic violence. Dansby said witnessing the abuse over the years made it hard for her to show love to others. (Ariel Worthy/Birmingham Times)

By Ariel Worthy

The Birmingham Times

Lashondra Dansby's mother Frances Dansby and her brother Allen Dansby were killed by her father after years of domestic violence. Dansby said witnessing the abuse over the years made it hard for her to show love to others. (Ariel Worthy/Birmingham Times)
Lashondra Dansby’s mother Frances Dansby and her brother Allen Dansby were killed by her father after years of domestic violence. Dansby said witnessing the abuse over the years made it hard for her to show love to others. (Ariel Worthy/Birmingham Times)

 

Now at age 39, Lashondra Dansby feels comfortable talking about the domestic violence incident that claimed her mother’s and brother’s lives. Her mother had been the victim of abuse since Dansby was a child.

“I’m alright now,” she said in a recent interview. “I’ve always wanted to get to a point where I could share their story so their deaths won’t be in vain. I feel if you can reach out to at least one person, you’ve done your duty. Hopefully they’ll reach out to someone else.”

Here’s her story:

Dansby and her family, who lived in Birmingham, would always cringe when her father came around.

“We were our happiest when [my father] was gone,” Dansby recalled. “When he became a truck driver that was awesome because he was gone a lot, but we knew when he came back it was going to be something,”

“The first time I remember him doing anything to my mom I was maybe two,” Dansby said. “Often people say you can’t remember anything from that age, but I do.”

Dansby remembered the last time her mother decided to leave her father. He had been away from home for a few days, and as usual he came home “creating chaos.”

“My mom was in the room reading. He came in and immediately started ranting and raving about her stealing some money from him,” Dansby recalled.  “He jumped on the bed and started choking her, and he dragged her from their bedroom to the dining room and he took her head and he hit it against the window seat. We ended up going back to the shelter.”

That was her mother, Frances Dansby’s last straw. On their wedding anniversary, her mother filed for divorce. “She didn’t want anything, she just wanted to be free,” Dansby said.

After they moved out, Dansby’s 15-year-old brother decided to stay with his father because he did not want to leave his friends, but Dansby and her mother would check on him frequently.

One day her father took her mother to buy a car. “My brother and I offered to go, but my dad was adamant about us not going,” Dansby said. “My mom came back and she had a look on her face as if she had seen a ghost. She was frantic, and wanted to leave immediately. My dad pretended as if nothing happened.”

Her father attempted to kill her mother and himself by running into an 18-wheeler, Dansby said.

The next day her mother went to visit her father and that day was the last time she saw her mother, Dansby said.

“I used to get mad at myself for not remembering certain details,” Dansby said. “She had on some bright shorts, some tiny socks, some tennis shoes, a black auburn shirt that had a basketball on it and her purse was black.”

Dansby said her mother and her brother, who was living with her father at the time, were murdered. The year was 1993. She was 16 at the time.

Their bodies were never found, but Dansby believes her father put their bodies in an area he knew best: Hooper City.  “That’s where he was from and he knew the area like the back of his hand,” she said.

Her father received a life sentence, Dansby said but she wanted him to tell her the truth.

“He wouldn’t make eye contact with me, he wouldn’t look at me at all.” Dansby said. “He was still lying to me, telling me that my mom took my brother to store” and he didn’t know what happened to them.

Her father died while in prison in 2011 from a heart attack, Dansby said.

5 Tips for Women in Domestic Violence Situations

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A protester holds a sign at the Black Out Domestic Violence rally on May 10, held by the YWCA. (Ariel Worthy/ Birmingham Times)
A protester holds a sign at the Black Out Domestic Violence rally on May 10, held by the YWCA. (Ariel Worthy/ Birmingham Times)
A protester holds a sign at the Black Out Domestic Violence rally on May 10, held by the YWCA. (Ariel Worthy/ Birmingham Times)
  • Know the signs of abuse

If you are able to answer yes to any of these questions, you are a victim of domestic violence

Does your spouse regularly find fault with you or tell you are worthless?

Does he refuse to let you have friends?

Does he keep you from seeing your family?

Does he stop you from leaving the house without a valid reason?

Does he make you afraid by what he says (for instance, does he threaten you)?

  • Tell someone

Talking to someone is a form of help. Confide in someone if you have been isolated from most of your family and friends, this is a form of breaking out of suffering in silence. This could also mean that you are creating a relationship with someone who could possibly save your life.

  • Have a protection plan

Creating a protection plan is essential for domestic violence because there has to be an escape from the home during an attack to protect you and/or your children. You need this plan if you are in an abusive relationship or recently got out of one especially if you remain in the same home as the abuser. Your abuser can also search for you.

These are the elements of a protection plan:

Be aware of the sort of behavior that precedes an attack. Is alcohol an element of abuse? Are there other indicators that an attack is about to happen? Usually, there are.

Decide on some safe place you can go with your kids. This might include a church, the mosque, a crisis shelter, another home, relatives, friends, hotel, or another place in which you feel safe.

Decide how you will get there. Keep some money and a set of extra keys with you and some with your family and/or friends, so you can leave by taxi. This way, even if you don’t have money, you can quickly escape to the friend’s house by taxi when you feel an attack is imminent. You might arrange with friends, neighbors or relatives that they will come and pick you up when you feel it is necessary. The police or social workers also might help.

Decide how you may escape from your home when an attack is imminent. Make sure you know where the nearest public phone is and try to memorize the number of the local shelter and what to take when you leave.

  • Be prepared

If you are in a situation where you need to immediately leave your home, do not stop to collect anything. You should keep birth certificates, passports, restraining orders, court documents, social security cars, credit cards, medicine, spare keys, children’s clothes and toys. If you have been planning to leave, start slowly collecting these things.

  • Go somewhere safe

Places like hospitals, women’s shelters, domestic violence crisis lines, doctors, social workers, etc. have departments for domestic violence. These resources can help when you are dealing with your situation, possibly saving you and your children’s lives.

Compiled by Ebone’ Parks.

 

Contact info for help

The YW operates two confidentially located shelters for women and children fleeing abusive homes. The shelters serve Blount, Jefferson and St. Clair counties.

Call the YWCA Crisis Line at 205-322-4878 or 1-800-650-6522

  • Family Violence Shelter 24/7 Crisis Line

205-322-4878

  • Family Justice Center

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

205-325-5252 Ext. 4740

Oneplacebirmingham.com

1-800-799-7233 | 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

(800) 650-6522 Toll Free

(334) 793-5214 Administrative

generalinfo@houseofruthdothan.org

 

Birmingham Nonprofit Receives $5.86 Million to Help At-Risk Individuals

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Kerri and Jeh Jeh Pruitt, founders of The Dannon Project.

By Barnett Wright

The Birmingham Times

Kerri and Jeh Jeh Pruitt, founders of The Dannon Project.
Kerri and Jeh Jeh Pruitt, founders of The Dannon Project.

 

A Birmingham–based nonprofit that assists at-risk youth, as well as currently and formerly incarcerated individuals across Central Alabama, last week received $5.86 million from the federal government to continue with its re-entry and career-pathway programs.

The Dannon Project, founded by Jeh Jeh Pruitt of Fox 6 and his wife Kerri in 1999, was one of 40 organizations in the nation to receive the grant from the U.S. Labor Department.

“We are very excited to get this grant, which will give us an opportunity to help our young people,” said Andre Taylor, a project director with Dannon. “It’s really rewarding when we can bring in somebody whose life has been in disarray, turn them around, and show them that there is a better way and they can be successful.”

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell said, “This is outstanding news for the Dannon Project, a phenomenal resource in our community, as well as individuals looking to successfully reintegrate into society after having been incarcerated. These funds will allow at-risk individuals to receive the hard and soft skills, and other wrap-around services they need to get a fresh start and become productive citizens. This is a win-win situation for our communities.”

The Dannon Project—named for Jeh Jeh Pruitt’s brother, Dannon, who was killed by a man who had recently been released from prison—serves individuals in Jefferson, Calhoun, and Clark counties. The grant money will be used in a number of areas, including job training; career readiness and placement; employment assistance; financial literacy; substance abuse treatment; and mental-health screening and treatment. And, according to Taylor, up to 500 young men between ages 18 to 24 will be helped.

“We treat them like family,” he said. “They might not have the family support. They might not have the father figure in the home. We try to provide mentors to help.”

The grants are part of a series of new actions taken by President Barack Obama’s administration to reduce recidivism and promote reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Among the areas covered: Reentry Demonstration Projects for Young Adults, Training to Work, Pathways to Justice Careers, and Linking to Employment Activities Pre-Release.

The program provides the opportunity for organizations to build a customized project built on evidence-based and informed interventions, serving young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 who have been involved in the juvenile or adult justice system and reside in high-poverty, high-crime communities.

“America works best when we field a full team, but far too many people who have been involved with the criminal justice system are being left on the sidelines,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez as a part of the announcement. “These grants are an important step in fulfilling our promise as a land of second chances by moving beyond locking people up and instead working together to unlock their potential.”

Crime Stoppers’ Chairman gives $6K for Brighton to purchase police cars

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Frank Barefield (photo provided)

By Ariel Worthy

The Birmingham Times

Frank Barefield (photo provided)
Frank Barefield (photo provided)

 

After months of financial turmoil, the city of Brighton has received help with the purchase of two new police cars.

The financially-strapped city received $6,000 from Frank Barefield, chairman of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama to acquire two cars from Jefferson County.

“I saw on TV that the city had no police cars and [the police officers] were using their personal vehicles,” Barefield said in an interview Wednesday. “I saw the county was going to provide them with two cars, and I offered to pay for it.”

The cash comes almost three months after Brighton faced major safety problems including not enough money to fund some of its police vehicles.

“Having an officer drive his own car while on patrol is not something I could even begin to live with,” Barefield said. “When I heard what a bargain the cars were, I wanted to buy more.”

Jefferson County gave the city two cars in addition to the ones Barefield helped pay for.

Getting the cars is paramount for residents in the community, said County Commissioner Sandra Little Brown.

“The citizens need public safety around the clock and now they have four good cars,” Brown said.

With all of the issues faced in the city, four new police cars are a step in the right direction, Barefield said.

“It’s a privilege to be able to help law enforcement,” he said. “Anything I can do to help law enforcement I definitely will do; it worked out well.”

Crime Stoppers has been in operation since 1981. So far this year tips have resulted in 67 felony arrests that cleared 169 felony cases for which Crime Stoppers has authorized $50,415 in rewards.Cleared cases have included capital murder; murder; attempted murder; trafficking heroin; burglary, forgery and receiving stolen property, according to Crime Stoppers.

crimestoppers

Mustafa Eke’vu: An artist who looks inward and beyond the material aspirations

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By Ariel Worthy

The Birmingham Times

Mustafa
Mustafa Eke’vu

 

Mustafa Eke’vu sat in Golden Temple Café on the Southside as he spoke to everyone who passed by.

Most of the people are no strangers to him, because they have a piece of his art somewhere in their home, Eke’vu said.

In the Magic City iron and steel statues are the norm, and a number have been made in Eke’vu’s studio on the west side of Birmingham.

He is an artist, a blacksmith and someone who makes iron.

“I was born an artist,” Eke’vu said. “When I was in high school I was selling pencil portraits.”

Eke’vu, 57, who attended Hueytown High School, got his start in blacksmith after he was offered a job at Instant Heirloom, which used to be on the Southside. At his job, by watching co-workers, Eke’vu learned how to do blacksmith and make iron.

“When you have knack for something people can try to teach you to enhance what you know, but if you know something, you’re going to make it happen yourself,” Eke’vu said.

He became the only person who knew every aspect of working in the shop from cutting and measuring the steel, to shining and polishing the final product.

Eke’vu began doing art shows in 1995, displaying his talents to the city of Birmingham. His first art show was the Magic City Art Connection. “I remember taking nine pieces out there, and I sold eight; I passed out hundreds of business cards that day,” he said.

From there, he began taking custom orders, and since has done work for Bill Cosby’s wife, Camille Cosby; Mayor Akira Yoshinari of Birmingham’s sister city Hitachi, Japan and actress Robin Givens.

His most notable pieces are in Birmingham. The Fred Shuttlesworth Humanitarian Award was most recently presented to Bobbie Knight, chairperson at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

“[Bobbie] said she wanted something different because trophies are boring,” Eke’vu said. “She said, ‘What do you think about a dome?’ Which is the center of the Civil Rights Institute.”

Eke’vu said a dome was elegant, but something bigger would have been more appropriate for the award. From their brainstorming, he created a globe.

“The figure of the world, naturally, is always a winner,” Eke’vu said. “Bobbie wanted to make something more artsy and precious . . . so the person could use this art at their home or in their office. I sketched it and sent it back to her and she said, ‘that’s it.’”

Mustafa (1)

Eke’vu created a three dimensional globe with intricate details of each continent, but the most difficult part was creating the base.

“I originally did a base made out of wood, but it wasn’t strong enough,” Eke’vu said. “I ended up doing a base that looks like an arched bridge over water.”

Many of other pieces are over town. His favorite is a ballerina piece that stands outside of Steeple Arts Academy of Dance in Mountain Brook.

“It really took something to do,” Eke’vu said. “The technique is my own; I haven’t seen it done anywhere else.”

Eke’vu is currently working on creating 30 pieces that he says will be upscale and “intricately detailed.”

Asked how he approaches his artwork, Eke’vu said, “Mankind is so thoroughly immature that their very own gifts, outward material aspirations and compliments almost invariably contravenes them ever truly looking inward.”