U. S. Steel Announces Construction of Electric Arc Furnace and Tubular Products Coupling Facility in Jefferson County

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March 26, 2015

U. S. Steel Announces Construction of Electric Arc Furnace and Tubular Products Coupling Facility in Jefferson County

PITTSBURGH – United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X) is pleased to announce two capital investment projects valued at a total of $277.5 million. The first capital project is the construction of a technologically advanced electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking facility at its Fairfield Works in Birmingham, Ala., located in Jefferson County. The company will also construct a tubular products coupling facility at Fairfield Works to manufacture couplings with premium, semi-premium and American Petroleum Institute (API) connections for customers in the oil and gas industries.
“These investments will directly support U. S. Steel’s ongoing transformation journey,” said President & CEO Mario Longhi. “Together, these projects will enhance our operational flexibility and allow us to serve our customers better, two critical steps in creating shareholder value.”
The EAF is part of the company’s larger transformation, The Carnegie Way, in which a large number of initiatives to improve the company’s customer intimacy, operating flexibility, cost structure and raw materials position are being implemented. The tubular coupling facility is an integral part of the company’s plan to develop and manufacture oil country tubular goods (OCTG) products with premium connections. The facility will feature four coupling cells to manufacture couplings for all of U. S. Steel’s premium connections, including USS Liberty FJM®, USS-Patriot EBM™ and USS-Patriot TC™ connections, for customers in the energy industry.
U. S. Steel has received the necessary authorization and economic incentives from Jefferson County to invest $230 million to construct the EAF at Fairfield Works in place of the facility’s existing blast furnace and an additional $47.5 million in the construction of the coupling facility. The construction project will be a significant investment into Jefferson County, create approximately 650 temporary construction jobs over the course of both projects and ensure the future of steelmaking in Alabama.
Construction of the EAF will begin in the second quarter of 2015, with construction expected to be complete in the third quarter of 2016. The construction on the coupling facility is also anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2015 and is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2016. Throughout the process, U. S. Steel will continue to operate Fairfield Works’ steelmaking and finishing operations to serve both flat-rolled and tubular customers in accordance with market requirements.

Where are the Best Communities for Music Education in the USA?

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Birmingham Times

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March 26, 2015

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Where are the Best Communities for
Music Education in the USA?

Music Education grows in importance as new research shows music programs help to close the opportunity gap

CARLSBAD, Calif. —The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation recognized 388 school districts in 46 states as among the Best Communities for Music Education. In its 16th year, the program singles out districts for outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of the curriculum.
Not all of the nation’s 13,588 school districts are in harmony when it comes to promoting the arts and music education. According to the White House’s Turnaround Arts program, for example, 1.3 million elementary school students still have no access to music classes.
In addition to the 388 districts receiving Best Communities for Music Education recognition, 120 individual schools across the nation are being awarded the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA), which recognizes support for school-based music education programs.
The BCME and SMMA designations take on added significance this year with new research showing strong ties between music education and overall student success. A new body of evidence, released at the start of the school year by Northwestern University brain researcher Dr. Nina Kraus, shows that participation in music education programs helps improve brain function and sparks language development. The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal and national Public Radio highlighted the new research.
The President’s Committee on Arts and the Humanities’ Turnaround Arts program released a report this year that provides additional findings related to student success and music/arts education.
“The new research validates the relationships between student success and access to music education,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation. “Ensuring that every child has access to music in schools requires commitment by students, teachers, and those who determine school budgets. We commend the districts and schools that have earned the Best Community designation this year. They join with so many that believe, as we do, that there is a vital link between do-re-mi and the ABCs.”
The BCME program evaluates schools and districts based on funding, staffing of highly qualified teachers, commitment to standards and access to music instruction. Researchers at the Center for Public Partnerships & Research at The University of Kansas led the data review.
In past years a BCME designation has helped raise local awareness of quality music programs from coast to coast. Earning the designation has assisted communities in securing funds for music programs threatened by budget cuts, and acts as a source of community pride. News of past winners being recognized nationally often leads to local media coverage, community recognition and even billboards trumpeting the local school music programs.
A complete list of districts and schools receiving Best Community and SupportMusic designations from the NAMM Foundation in 2015 can be found at: http://www.nammfoundation.org/what-we-do/best-communities-music-education.

Alabama Youth Wrestler Claims State Title in Nevada

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Birmingham Times

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March 26, 2015

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Alabama Youth Wrestler Claims State Title in Nevada

Matthew Rodgers, 7th grader and Alabama’s 5x Youth State Champion, claims Nevada State Title to Triple Crown the weekend of March 13-15th. A former resident of Alabama, now living in Las Vegas, battled three days at the Riveria Casino to win first place in Greco, Freestyle and Folkstyle. He is a member of North Las Vegas Wrestling Club under the coaching staff of Brian Weber and Brandon Hargrove.

JUNIOR GIRLS DAY OUT COMMUNITY PROJECT

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Birmingham Times

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March 26, 2015

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JUNIOR GIRLS DAY OUT COMMUNITY PROJECT

PRESENTS

“BIRMINGHAM TREASURE HUNT 2015”

JUNIOR GIRLS LITERACY EXPLOSION EVENT

LITERACY PROGRAM VENUES, DATE & TIME Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 McWane Science Center, Birmingham Museum of Art,
Jazz Hall of Fame & Sports Hall of Fame
Saturday, March 28, 2015
8:30am- 4:30pm

PROGRAM FEATURES
**Treasure Hunt at Fun Historic Sites**
**Will the Real Mayor Please Stand Up Contest** **Read-a-thons, Spelling Bees & Literacy Relay Events** **Backpacks & Treasure Hunt Gift Bags** **Meals & Ice Cream Treats**
**Cool Prizes**

COOL PRIZES
New York Adventure Trip (NY) Hershey Chocolate World (PA) Kennedy Space Center Lunch with Astronauts (FL) Washington Fun Excursion (DC)
Starbucks Reading Tea Party
Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Party
Chick-fil-A Ice Cream Party
Digital Camera

FREE PROGRAM FOR GIRLS, 6-12 YEARS OLD

ON-LINE REGISTRATION @ www.juniorgirlsdayout.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION JGDO2007@yahoo.com . (843) 608-8719 .Twitter @JrGirlsDayOut Facebook “Junior Girls Day Out Community Project”

What Happened To  Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?

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Birmingham Times

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March 26, 2015

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What Happened To  Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?

By Rick Eriksen
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 remains missing and to this day there has been no trace of evidence of a plane crash in any ocean.
The day this happened news came out raw and fast. Reports in the first week or so claimed the aircraft climbed to 43,000 feet, which is the top service ceiling for a passenger aircraft. It would have been difficult to climb to that altitude with all those passengers and fuel. Most airliners operate in the high thirties and usually only after they burn off some fuel. Climbing to 43,000 feet would have come much later in the trip, if at all. At 43,000 feet a civilian aircraft is out of its intended environment and at that altitude, if anything happened to the pressure vessel (the hull) of the aircraft there is not time to react. Blood boils in 15 seconds at 41,000 feet so 43,000 would only be worse.
Flying this heavy airliner into this rarefied atmosphere had to be done by a well-trained pilot and not accomplished through autopilot. The aircraft would have stalled and went straight into the ocean, in which case there would have been a debris field miles around and easily seen from space-based high-resolution cameras. The plane did not stall, which raises the question: What was it doing up there?
If you wanted to hijack the plane and not have a few hundred upset passengers, the pilots would simply switch to 100 percent oxygen (which they can) and turn off the pressurization in the cabin. In seconds your passenger problem is resolved. From here, all that is left is to turn off the transponders and fly to some abandoned airfield in an off-the-grid location. From there you could hide the plane in an old hangar and dispose of the passengers.
So why go through all this to steal an airplane? One day we will see this aircraft again. From where the plane is presumably located now, and once refueled, it can go far in any direction. One could paint a new tail number on the plane, file a flight plan as someone else, take off from an uncontrolled location and join the air traffic control system. No one would know until it’s too late. In that scenario, there would be no alarm, no nothing and the plane could fly where they want under no ATC guidance.
The reason it makes no sense to steal a plane for nothing is that you can buy used 747s or other used airliners in auctions everyday on the cheap. If someone just wanted a plane for business, why not buy it?
What’s also interesting is that whoever did this did not dump airplane parts and bodies in the ocean. Some debris would at least create the illusion a crash occurred. But it’s a year later and nothing has been found. You cannot have a crash of that magnitude without debris. It has never happened in the history of aviation. Aircraft parts float, bodies float and somewhere in the world after a year someone would have found something. I hope I am wrong, but I am concerned that I am not.
Let’s hope the people responsible for the investigation are checking tail numbers.

ALABAMA STATE EARNS SPLIT ON DAY TWO OF SWAC ROUND-UP

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Birmingham Times

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March 25, 2015

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ALABAMA STATE EARNS SPLIT ON DAY TWO OF SWAC ROUND-UP

CONROE, TX – The morning gave the ASU softball team a boost in the conference standings and its’ first three-game winning streak of the season.

The afternoon game left the Lady Hornets wanting to accomplish more in their next turn at SWAC competition.

Alabama State (9-22 overall, 3-1 SWAC) completed play in the SWAC Round-Up with a sound 5-2 victory against Southern and followed that up with a 5-2 loss in the late game to Texas Southern on account of one bad inning.

In the circle, Maddie Phelps (5-10) found her spots and induced 10 ground ball outs on her way to a complete game against the Lady Jaguars (4-9 overall, 1-2 SWAC).

The junior scattered seven hits and allowed just two runs and walked none on 98 pitches. Phelps struck out four.

With the score tied at two, the Lady Hornets scored three decisive runs in the fourth.

A critical at bat by Jenna Mae Thorne made the difference. Thorne battled to a 3-2 count before singling up the middle to score Laura Aguilar for the winning run.

“I was really confident all week,” said Thorne, who batted 6-for-11 during the SWAC Round-Up. “It was an outside pitch that I usually have trouble with, but I just reacted instead of thinking about it. I knew I had to step up. Taking more pitches has made me more successful.”

Junior Alexis Johnson next stepped to the plate and connected for a two-run home run, her conference-leading sixth home run of the season, to pad the lead and give ASU a 5-2 lead for the balance of the scoring.

Valerie Centeno, Thorne, Kendall Core, Aleesa Yanez and Perry Hindi had two hits apiece for ASU.

In game two, Texas Southern used a four-run third inning and held on for a 5-2 win against ASU.

Thorne batted 2-for-3 with a run scored. Johnson doubled in Aguilar and Thorne for the Lady Hornets’ two runs.

Lady Tigers’ starting pitcher Samantha Jimenez kept ASU in check with a complete game while allowing just four hits and walked none.

Texas Southern improved to 7-11 overall and 2-1 in the conference.

Alabama State kept it close behind freshman Chelsea King, who pitched four innings and allowed just one run on two hits in relief.

Next, ASU will play at Florida A&M in Tallahassee on Thursday at 3 p.m.

#GOHORNETS#

Bobbi Kristina Transferred to New Facility But Isn’t Getting Better

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Birmingham Times

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March 24, 2015

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Bobbi Kristina Transferred to New Facility But Isn’t Getting Better
By Sonya Eskridge

Bobbi Kristina Brown has been released from Emory University Hospital, but this isn’t a sign of good news.
Whitney Houston’s daughter has been moved to a rehab facility near Atlanta, but there has been no improvement in her condition, TMZ.com reports.
Bobbi was moved to the new medical facility after doctors at Emory once again tried to take her off of life support and see if she responded to stimuli. After the attempts were unsuccessful, it was determined that Bobbi is still in the unresponsive state she’s been in since late January.
Arrangements were then made to transfer her to a venue that is better equipped for long-term care, and she was shuttled over on Thursday.
Her father Bobby Brown and aunt Pat Houston brought her belongings to the new facility, where doctors hope that Bobbi will make some type of recovery.
Supposedly, when doctors moved Bobbi’s breathing tube to her neck it was to prepare her for the kind of care she’ll get at the new facility. It’s not clear if her boyfriend Nick Gordon will be allowed to visit her there.
Bobby is still hoping and praying that his daughter will wake up from her coma.

DECA 2015 State Champions

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Birmingham Times

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March 24, 2015

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DECA 2015 State Champions
On February 19-20, the Alabama DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) State Conference was held here in Birmingham at the BJCC. DECA’s competitive events program directly prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA’s competitive events programs apply learning connected to business and promote competition to directly contribute to every student being college or career ready. Carver High School had three students: Bobbi Norwood (Hospitality & Tourism), Xavier Julius (Retail) and Destiny Stephens (Human Resource Management) to excel in the events.

April Walking Tours Start

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Birmingham Times

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March 23, 2015

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April Walking Tours Start

HuntsvilleWalkingTour — Alabama Tourism Department, 401 Adams Avenue Suite 126, Montgomery, AL 36103 United States

Some 26 towns across Alabama will be on display during Saturday mornings in April as part of the Alabama Tourism Department’s April Walking Tours.

A variety of community leaders will lead the free tours through the historic districts or courthouse square areas of their hometowns. The hour-long tours will start at 10 a.m. on April 4, 11, 18, and 25.

Towns and starting places for the April Walking Tours are: Athens, Athens Visitor Center; Atmore, Heritage Park; Birmingham, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute; Brundidge, Studio 116; Columbia, Old Bank Building (April 4 & 18 only); Columbiana, M & F Bank, Decatur, Old State Bank Building; Demopolis, Public Square; Dothan, Wiregrass Museum of Art; Elba, Chamber of Commerce; Fairhope, Fairhope Welcome Center; Florence, various locations; Foley, Welcome Center; Greensboro, Hale County Courthouse; Greenville, Historic Depot/Chamber of Commerce.

Huntsville, Constitution Village (April 4 & 11 only); Madison, Madison Roundhouse (April 18 & 25 only); Mobile, Cathedral Basilica; Montgomery; Montgomery Area Visitor Center; Mooresville, Mooresville Post Office; Phenix City; Amphitheater; Prattville, Prattaugan Museum; Selma, Selma-Dallas County Library; Sheffield, Sheffield Municipal Building; Troy, Chamber of Commerce; Tuscumbia, ColdWater Bookstore.

The tours are being coordinated by Brian Jones with the Alabama Tourism Department. “Alabama is the only state in the nation to hold statewide, simultaneous walking tours. These walking tours are a great way to get out and enjoy the spring weather and find out about the history of our state. We have done more than 2,000 walking tours since the beginning of the program twelve years ago and they keep increasing in popularity every year,” Jones said.

More information about the April Walking Tours is available on the Alabama Tourism Department website at www.alabama.travel.

Homicide Investigation

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Birmingham Times

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March 23, 2015

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Homicide Investigation

The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives are conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred Friday, March 20, 2015 in the 1000 Block of Tuscaloosa Avenue.

The victim has been identified as:Lemarkus Hamilton, B/M, 19, of Birmingham, Alabama

On Friday, March 20, 2015 around 4:10 p.m., West Precinct officers responded to the listed location on a person shot. Upon arrival, officers observed the victim lying at the bottom of the apartment steps suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the head and stomach area. The victim was treated at the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue and transported to UAB Hospital for treatment. On Sunday, March 22, 2015the victim died from his injuries.

Our preliminary investigation revealed that the incident started when the victim got into an argument with his mother’s boyfriend and the suspect got involved in the argument by grabbing the victim in a bear hug. After a short struggle, several witnesses reported seeing the suspect shoot the victim a couple of times before leaving the scene on foot. The suspect was later apprehended a couple blocks away by officers. If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, they are encouraged to contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit @ 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers @ 254-7777.

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The victim has been identified as:

Lemarkus Hamilton, B/M, 19, of Birmingham, Alabama

The suspect has been identified as:

Chanze Jones, B/M, 21, of Birmingham, Alabama

. A Murder warrant with a $250,000 bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.