Birmingham Awarded 2017 National Senior Games

November 20, 2014

Largest multi-sport event in the world for adults 50 and over
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Alabama Sports Foundation, City of Birmingham and Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced that Birmingham, Ala., has been awarded the 2017 National Senior Games presented by Humana, pending finalizing event details. Following customary procedure, once the National Senior Games Association awards a city the games, the city and its partners move forward to finalize the availability of venues, develop more detailed operational plans, and to secure financial commitments before accepting the bid. The Alabama Sports Foundation has signed a non-binding letter of intent to host the games and plans on finalizing details in the near future.
The National Senior Games is a 19-sport biennial national championship and is the largest multi-sport event in the world for men and women 50 and over. It will take place June 1-15, 2017, in numerous facilities and locations around Birmingham. Facilities include the Birmingham CrossPlex, the BJCC, UAB, Birmingham Southern College, Pelham Racquet Club, Liberty Park Athletic Facility, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and Oak Mountain State Park.
Previous cities that have been selected to host the National Senior Games are Minneapolis (2015), Cleveland (2013), Houston (2011), Palo Alto (2009) and Louisville (2007).
“It is an honor for the City of Birmingham to be selected as the finalist to host the National Senior Games, and now we have to bring it home,” stated City of Birmingham Mayor William Bell. “I’m asking the public and private sectors to come together to support this effort. The City has been working hard to bring the games to Birmingham for quite some time, and our dream is finally coming to fruition.”
A recognized multi-sport organization of the United States Olympic Committee, the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) is comprised of 49 Member Organizations and two Associate Member Organizations who conduct state or national multi-sport competitions, which serve as qualifiers for the National Senior Games. The National Senior Games is expected to bring over 12,000 qualified athletes, along with 25,000 family and friends to support the athletes. Athletes, family and supporters are expected to fill approximately 25,000 hotel rooms in Birmingham.
“We could not be more pleased that the National Senior Games Association has chosen the Greater Birmingham Community to host the 2017 National Senior Games,” stated Jim Smither, president of the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau. “With 12,000 athletes competing for two weeks and 25,000 family and friends cheering them on, this will be one of the largest sporting events that Birmingham has ever hosted. We anticipate this event will generate more than $36 million in economic impact for our community. With a good selection of first-class facilities and with our community partners, we plan to make the 2017 National Senior Games a memorable and successful event.”
The athletes will compete in 19 different medal sports competitions, including:
Sport                                                      Events
Archery                          Compound Fingers/Compound Release/Recurve/
Barebow Compound Fingers/Barebow Recurve
Badminton                   Singles/Doubles/Mixed Doubles
Basketball                    ½ court, 3-on-3 Teams, Men’s & Women’s Divisions
Bowling                         Singles/Doubles/Mixed Doubles
Cycling                          5K/10K (Time Trials),      20K/40K (Road Races)
Golf                                54-hole Scratch Play
Horseshoes                   Singles
Pickleball                    Singles/Doubles/Mixed Doubles
Race Walk                    1500M/ 5K
Racquetball                  Singles/Doubles/Mixed Doubles
Road Race                  5K/10K
Shuffleboard                Singles/Mixed Doubles
Softball                         Men’s & Women’s Divisions
Swimming
(short course yds.)     Backstroke: 50, 100, 200-Y;

Breaststroke: 50, 100, 200-Y;
Butterfly: 50, 100-Y;
Freestyle: 50, 100, 200, 500-Y;
Individual Medley: 100, 200-Y
Table Tennis                Singles/Doubles/Mixed Doubles
Tennis                           Singles/Doubles/Mixed Doubles
Track & Field              50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500M;
Discus, Hammer, High Jump, Javelin,

Long Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put, Triple Jump
Triathlon 400M Swim, 20K Cycle, 5K Run
Volleyball Men’s & Women’s Divisions
“This is a very prestigious event for our community and we are optimistic about finalizing the details to bring this event to Birmingham,” stated Gene Hallman, CEO of Bruno Event Team. “This event will reinforce Birmingham’s reputation as being a superior host to a wide variety of sporting events.”
For additional information about the National Senior Games, please visit www.nsga.com.

What’s Happening at Talladega Superspeedway and in motorsports with Gwen DeRu!

Birmingham Times

November 20, 2014

Talladega:grayscale — Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch (right) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., sign a partnership agreement between the track and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a nationwide program designed to strengthen hiring practices and combat the unlawful employment of unauthorized workers.

Talladega Superspeedway Ensures Compliance Through Image Partnership
Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR’s biggest, fastest and most competitive track, became the state of Alabama’s latest employer to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) this week as part of a nationwide program designed to strengthen hiring practices and combat the unlawful employment of unauthorized workers.
The 2.66-mile, 33 degree banked speedway became an ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) partner during a ceremony at the track. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private industry to partner with ICE to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents.
“We are happy to work with our local officials to ensure compliance and have a secure and stable workforce,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. “We are extremely proud to be a part of the program.”
“I’m pleased to welcome Talladega Superspeedway as an IMAGE partner,” said Raymond R. Parmer Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. “When employers make a proactive commitment to hire and maintain a lawful workforce, it’s good for their business, their customers and the community as a whole.”
Parmer oversees a five-state area of operations to include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
As a member of the IMAGE program, Talladega Superspeedway will receive specialized training for completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9, E-Verify, fraudulent identification document recognition and it will have direct access to an HSI special agent with expertise in worksite enforcement for matters concerning employment authorization and compliance.

Talladega 4-Wide Notes
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
•       Kevin Harvick became the 30th champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunday with an exciting victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The race featured all four contenders of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup battling near the front – whichever driver of the quartet finished the highest would be champion.
•       Harvick’s win at Phoenix a week ago propelled him into the championship hunt, and he took advantage. The Stewart-Haas racing driver is the first to win the season’s final two races since Carl Edwards in 2010.
•       Harvick becomes the third driver in history to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title and a NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship (2001, 2006), joining Bobby Labonte and Brad Keselowski.
•       Keselowski was third in Sunday’s race, followed by Paul Menard and Jamie McMurray – pole winner Jeff Gordon wound up 10th.
•       Kyle Larson was named the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year.

NASCAR Nationwide Series
•       18-year-old sensation Chase Elliott was crowned the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Saturday at Miami.
•       The rookie, son of 2-time Talladega winner Bill Elliott, finished 17th in Saturday’s race and claimed the title by 42 points over teammate and former Talladega winner Regan Smith.
•       Elliott Saddler, who won Talladega’s Aaron’s 312 in May, was third in the title chase followed by Bryan Scott and Ty Dillon.
•       Matt Kenseth won Saturday’s race followed by Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher.

Classifieds

Birmingham Times

November 20, 2014

Employment

BCBS of AL is seeking an Advanced Internal Auditor for its Birmingham, AL lctn to lead &
perform Financial &/or Operational audits & review of Private bus activities related to integrity
of internal controls & their compliance w/ applicable laws & reg. Must have a bach deg or
foreign deg equivt in Acct, Finance, Healthcare Admin or other rltd bus fld + 3 yrs exp in rltd
occptn of financial &/or operational audit or consulting. Send cov ltr & resume to BCBS of
Alabama, HR – Job #7528, 450 Riverchase Pkwy East, Birmingham, AL 35244.
BT11/20/14
________________
Wanted Senior Citizen that
would like to supplement income
Housekeeper
For light housework every 2 weeks for 3
hours. Must have references. You may
contact the following number:
(205) 213-5824
BT11/20/14
____________________
DRIVERS

Drivers: OTR Home Weekends,
Great Pay and Full Benefit Package
New Equipment. CDL-A 1 yr. exp.
Monthly Bonus Program.
Jay 256-432-3944
BT11/20/14
____________________
AUTOMOBILE

2004 Chevy Impala
Red, Low Miles
Call Sam at
205-815-6454

2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Power Train Factory Warranty
Leather, Sunroof
Unique paint Must See
Call Ladarius at
205-380-0593

2006 Chevy HHR
Red, Family fun
Call Sam at
205-815-6454

2004 Ford Expedition XLT
3rd row seat 2 wheel drive
Tow package, side step
Call Ladarius at
205-380-0593

2008 Dodge Charger
White, Tinted windows
Call Sam at
205-815-6454
BT11/20/14
_________________________________
LEGALS

PUBLIC HOUSING APPLICATIONS
SUSPENDED

JEFFERSON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY
4501 Little Drive
+BESSEMER, ALABAMA 35022
(205) 426-8948

Effective Monday, November 24, 2014, we will no longer accept applications for 3-Bedrooms at Terrace Manor (Bessemer) and Oak Ridge (Brighton) Apartments.
BT11/20/14
___________________
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID

The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority will receive sealed bids for:

Sheraton Birmingham Automatic Transfer Switch Replacement

This will be for the use of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, Birmingham, Alabama.

The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham, Alabama will receive bids, up to the hour of 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2014, and will thereafter be publicly opened and read aloud at the BJCC Executive Board Room 4th Floor, North Exhibition Hall in Birmingham, AL. Bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished by the Authority.

A copy of this bid package is available at the above address or on our website: www.bjcc.org (under Jobs & Vendor Opportunities – Open Bids section). There is no charge for downloading bid documents.

Bids may be sent to BJCC Purchasing Department, Attn: Purchasing Coordinator, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203. Any bid not received by 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 4, 2014, must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed bids shall be submitted in duplicate and shall be properly identified. All bids received after 10:00 a.m. on the bid date will be returned unopened.

A Cashier’s Check drawn on an Alabama Bank or bid bond, executed by a Surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in Alabama, payable to the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority in the amount of 5% of the amount of bid, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bidder’s bid.

Questions should be directed to Jerry Nelms, Facility Engineer, at (205) 458-8409 or email Jerry.Nelms@bjcc.org.

Sharon Proctor Purchasing Coordinator
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
BT11/20/14
_____________________
*ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
AT BIRMINGHAM
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for the University of Alabama at Birmingham requests sealed proposals from General Contractors for furnishing all labor and materials required for the Cosmetic Renovations to Spain Wallace 7th and 8th Floors North, UAB Job #H155002.

The scope of work includes painting the 7N and 8N units, installing new sheet vinyl flooring in patient rooms on 7N and corridors on 8N, installing new epoxy flooring in patient bathrooms on 7N, and minor electrical rough-in work on both floors. The area of work covers approximately 18,000 SF.

The work will be performed adjacent to functioning health care units and care will be taken to limit disruptions to the units. Work will be performed under infection control guidelines to ensure the safety of patients and staff. The contractor will be responsible for implementing and maintaining the infection control requirements, interim life safety measures, coordinating shutdowns with UAB, and maintaining a clean and organized job site.

UAB is a Signatory Sponsor to and affirms The Birmingham Plan ‑ Construction Industry Program (see the requirements thereof as stated in Paragraph 13 of the Supplementary Instructions to Bidders, Specification Section 00120).

Proposals will be received until 2:00 PM CST on December 09, 2014 and will thereafter be publicly opened and read aloud in the large conference room of the 2020 Building, 2020 8th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233. Bids must be submitted on Proposal Forms furnished. Proposals shall be clearly identified on the exterior of the package with the bidder’s name, address, State license number, the name of the project being bid, time and place of the bid opening. Sealed proposals shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified.

Proposals may be hand delivered or received by mail on the date of the bid opening at the Office of Juan de Onis, Director of Program Planning, 2020 Building, 2020 8th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, until 12:00 noon. After 12:00 noon of the date of the bid opening, proposals must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed proposals shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified. All proposals received after 2:00 p.m. December 09, 2014 will be returned unopened.

Construction Contracts shall be awarded only to prequalified Contractors, licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors, as required by Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama. Construction Contracts in excess of $50,000 shall be awarded only to Contractors licensed as required by the 1978 Code of Alabama, Title 34, Chapter 8 as amended. Bidders must be responsible in accordance with criteria in the bid documents and as stipulated by Title 39-2-3-(e) of the Code of Alabama.

A Cashiers Check drawn on an Alabama Bank or bid bond, executed by a Surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in Alabama, payable to The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama in the amount of 5% of the amount of bids, but in no event more than $10,000.00, must accompany the bidder’s proposals. Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in the amount of 100% of the contract price will be required when the Contract is presented by the Contractor to the Owner.

A Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on November 24, 2014 at 2:00 PM CST in the large conference room of the 2020 Building. UAB has designated that bid documents will be available for examination at the Plan Room of F.W. Dodge Corporation, 3000 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233; at AGC Internet Plan Room, 5000 Grantswood Road, Irondale, Alabama 35210; at The Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, 3600 Fourth Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222; the Construction Data Control, 398 DeKalb Technology Park, Atlanta, GA 30340.

Two (2) sets of bid documents will be issued by the Architect, Ghafari Associates, LLC., 2816 6th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35213 to qualified bidders upon deposit of $200.00 per set, by check drawn to the order of UAB. The drawings and specifications will be made available on November 24, 2014. Deposits will be refunded in full to bona fide General Contract bidders, and the difference between deposits and cost of reproduction and handling will be refunded to others, upon return of all documents in good condition. Deposits will be forfeited if bid documents are not returned within ten (10) days after the Bid Opening.
BT11/20/14
____________________

2015 Chevrolet Colorado

Birmingham Times

November 20, 2014

by Cheryl Eldridge and wire reports

Special, Elite and Adventurous! An epitome of the words that came to mind when I learned that I was in the pool of “first” journalists to test drive the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado.
The Colorado is definitely a Chevy with attitude and is new in its class of pickup trucks.
The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is an all-new model suitable for hauling, family outings, off-road excitement and going to the beach.
Everything about the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is new, from those fully boxed frames to the enlarged cabs that sit atop them to every button, knob and stitch inside. But the most transformative changes are concealed under the hood.
Now according to Edmunds, General Motors is re-entering the midsize pickup segment with the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado.
Gone are the tepid 2.9-liter four-cylinder and the loathsome 3.7-liter straight-5 engine. They’ve been replaced with smaller motors that are simultaneously more powerful and less thirsty, thanks to the efficiency of direct fuel injection and variable valve timing.
The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder now makes 200 horsepower (up from 185) and delivers 191 pound-feet of torque, 90 percent of which is available at just 2,000 rpm. But the optional 3.6-liter V6 is the one that really transforms this truck. It makes 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, a huge jump from the 242 of each made by the retired five-cylinder.
What’s more, both engines now come paired with a six-speed automatic instead of the last generation’s four-speed automatic. Fleet customers and bargain hunters can get their hands on a six-speed manual at the low end of the price scale, however.
The basic suspension layout is similar to the competition and isn’t much of a surprise. The front end rides on double wishbones and coil springs, while the back half sits atop the usual solid axle and leaf springs.
But there’s still something new underneath. More efficient electronic rack-and-pinion power steering replaces the hydraulically boosted steering of old. And the rear brakes are now discs instead of drums, which makes the standard stability control, traction control and antilock braking systems that much more effective.
Chevrolet offers the new Colorado in four trim levels. In all cases the 2.5-liter four-cylinder is the standard offering unless you buy a crew cab short bed 4×4 or any crew cab with the long bed. The V6 comes standard on these configurations.
The rubber floor mat special (vinyl, but who’s counting) goes by the name Base. It’s only available in two-wheel drive with the extended cab, the 2.5-liter four and the six-speed manual gearbox. And it only seats two because the usual rear side-facing jump seats are deleted.
Next up is the Work Truck, which is offered in all three cab and bed configurations. It can be upgraded to four-wheel drive, and the V6 is optional on those versions that don’t have it as standard equipment. The six-speed automatic is essentially standard unless you get the two-wheel-drive extended-cab configuration that mimics the Base truck.
The volume-selling LT sits one notch higher, and at this point the six-speed automatic is universal. It rides on 17-inch tires and alloy wheels, with 18-inch wheels and tires available as an option. Keyless entry comes standard here, as does the Chevy MyLink 8-inch touchscreen audio system and its extra USB port and Sirius/XM radio.
The steering wheel gets a grippy leather covering, telescoping adjustment and control buttons for the audio system and cruise control. Class-exclusive systems like lane departure warning and forward collision alert can be added as part of a Safety package, and the Convenience and Luxury packages bring heated seats, automatic climate control and a host of other goodies.
My tester, the Z71 sits atop the pile, having grown into a trim level unto itself instead of just an off-road package. Most of the contents of the Convenience and Luxury packages come standard, but the Safety package is not available. The 18-inch tires and wheels have been banished, too, in favor of the taller sidewalls of 17-inch rubber with an all-terrain tread. Four-wheel drive is not a prerequisite here because the Z71 also comes as a two-wheel-drive truck.  The smoothness of the powertrain is evident as soon as you fire the engine. There simply isn’t much idle vibration. It’s infinitely more refined than the old five-cylinder and it seems to have the edge on the Frontier and Tacoma.
The steering feels steady going straight ahead and the truck bends reassuringly into turns accurately and with not much body lean.

What Is the Interior like?

Apart from the seats, which look as inviting as they feel, the cab of the new Colorado is a revelation, moving or not. The bargain-basement feel of the old truck has been wiped away, replaced instead with a downsized version of the handsome interior of the Silverado 1500.
Easy-to-read gauges adorn the instrument panel, and the 8-inch MyLink touchscreen and its attendant controls fit well in the middle of the dash. The available $495 navigation upgrade utilizes the same screen and doesn’t compromise usability one bit.
The climate controls occupy a nicely arranged pod of their own just below, and the amply sized air vents they control are well positioned to spray cool air all around the enlarged cabin.
That’s a good thing because the back half of the crew cab gains the most from the makeover. A full 35.8 inches of rear legroom gives the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado crew cab a 2.2-inch advantage over the Frontier and a 3.2-inch surplus relative to the Tacoma. Throughout, the look and feel of the materials in the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado have been brought up a couple of pegs. More than anything, the upgraded interior of the new Colorado makes the Tacoma and Frontier feel long in the tooth.
The 4×4 version of the Colorado features a two-speed, low-range transfer case that’s electronically controlled by a switch on the dash. It’s a part-time system that lacks a center differential, so it’s not intended for use on paved surfaces. No surprise there.
Z71 models come with an automatic locking rear differential as standard equipment, and the “G80” option will add the same functionality to any Colorado all the way down to the Work Truck level.

What About Cargo and Towing? 

The bed of the Colorado is distinctive in that it looks so tall, and indeed GM says the cargo box is 2 inches deeper than the competition. It looks every bit of that, but the real advantage may be that a taller bed equals a longer tailgate.
And so 8-foot lumber doesn’t overhang the folded-down tailgate of the 6-foot-2-inch box. Dirt bikes look more at home back there, too. And Chevrolet has numerous bed hardware accessories available to tie it all down.
The numbers aren’t bad, either. Its maximum tow rating of 7,000 pounds gives the Colorado a 500-pound advantage on that front. And the towing numbers are directly comparable because, like Toyota, GM followed SAE J2807 tow-test guidelines.
It takes the Z82 Trailering package (receiver hitch and integrated seven-pin wiring), the V6 engine and the locking differential to get to this level, but there’s no optional axle ratio to buy. All V6 Colorados utilize the same 3.42 final-drive gears, which means the maximum tow rating and the rated fuel economy can be achieved by the same truck. If only the full-size truck market were this transparent and straightforward.
What’s more, the power and torque are there, and past experience with other GM six-speed truck transmissions show that the calibration team knows what it’s doing when it comes to towing. And yes, they’ve provided a Tow/Haul mode switch here, too.
This is the part where people expect the rug to get pulled out from under them, but that’s not going to happen here. The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado V6 4×2 with 63 extra horses and 7,000 pounds of towing capacity is rated at 21 mpg combined (18 city/26 highway). The old 242-hp five-cylinder it replaces was good for 19 mpg combined (17 city/23 highway).
What’s more, this makes the new 305-hp 3.6-liter V6 fractionally more fuel-efficient than the old 2.9-liter four-cylinder that was the old truck’s 185-hp base engine. That one was rated at 21 combined (18 city/25 highway) when paired with an automatic. Direct injection, variable valve timing and two extra cogs in the transmission are worth their weight in gasoline, it would seem.
You don’t need excessive towing and hauling capability, but you want the flexibility of a pickup truck. Or you simply want a truck that won’t fill up your entire garage and is easy to park. Either way, the Colorado delivers on both fronts and does so with much of the same refinement as its bigger brother.
The cost of this week’s tester – $36,535.

Until next week, drive safe, buckle up and please don’t text and drive

Cadillac CTS & CTS 3.6L TT Vsport

Birmingham Times

November 20, 2014

By Frank S. Washington

DETROIT – After a couple of days test driving the 2014 Cadillac CTS we looked at the price sheet for the car and said whoa. Not because the midsize luxury sedan was overpriced, but at $65,425 as tested, the price point was squarely in line with the midsize sedans offered by German luxury brands. Thus, the bottom line boiled down to could it compete?
To make that determination we started at the back of the car and worked to the front. The trunk was cavernous at 13.7 cu. ft. It was long, deep and looked like an adult could climb in and be quite comfortable. It could handle a couple of bodies or at least three perhaps four sets of golf clubs.
Still, the place for bodies, live ones, was in the back seat. And this is where the CTS excelled. The space in the midsize car’s rear seat rivaled a full-size sedan. There was plenty of headroom, legroom and because of the width of doors getting in and out didn’t require contortions.
Backseat passengers had their own automatic climate control system as well as heated seats. Those seatbacks would fold creating a pass-through, thus, making more cargo space. Yes, Cadillac says the car can handle five passengers but like most rear-wheel-drive sedans, four people are its comfortable capacity.
Privacy could be maintained by utilizing the manual shades for the side windows, of course there was a driver operated power shade on the rear window and ample light could be had through the panoramic roof. The front part was movable and the rear half of the glass pane over the rear seats was fixed.
The Cadillac CTS, like its siblings, distinguished itself in the front seats. Heated and cooled, they featured lumbar supports and manually operated lower leg supports. What’s more the center stack was button free.
First was the interior itself. It was perforated leather in a gray and red motif with French stitching throughout. And there was carbon fiber trim. There was also a bit of alcantara, a suede-like material used in upper trim line luxury vehicles, layered into the doors and onto the dash. That Cadillac used it in the CTS was evidence that the brand is reaching for the buyers of European luxury cars.
The CTS featured Cadillac’s CUE system (Cadillac User Experience). Everything – audio controls, climate controls, media controls, navigation controls, vehicle controls, and etcetera – could be managed from this surface that combined a touch screen, touch template and metallic icons. It was different and it was where the revamped Cadillac really distinguished itself from its competitors.
The car had a TFT screen that projected images of its instruments. It was customizable to display information that could be chosen from several menus. It was also confusing. There was too much information to read or to quick-glance while moving.
What made this hodge-podge of information palatable was the adjustable heads up display. It could show miles-per-hour plus the odometer, or mph plus the speed limit, or mph plus the direction the car was headed or mph plus the media that was being played. It was simple and it was just what you needed to know in real time.
Under the hood was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder direct injection turbocharged engine that made 272 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque. Of the CTS’ three engine choices, this one had the least amount of oomph.
Still, it was a capable power plant. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the CTS could move smartly. The engine was responsive, there wasn’t any overt turbo lag and being small, fuel economy wasn’t bad: 19 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
Later, we test drove the CTS Vsport. The car was at the top of the CTS food chain in terms of power. It had a 3.6-liter dual turbocharged V6 that made 420 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with this car’s torque was hard to keep at a cruising speed.
It was like driving a bullet that could make right angle turns. The CTS Vsport was light, maneuverable, had several ride modes including Touring, Sport and Track. At its core was Cadillac’s standard 3.6-liter V6 but it had been reamed and re-bored.
It had an all new cylinder block and head castings, stronger connecting rods, domed aluminum pistons with top steel ring carriers for greater strength, a10.2:1 compression ratio, integrated charge air cooler system with low-volume air ducts, two turbochargers that produced more than 12 pounds of boost (80 kPa), vacuum-actuated wastegates with electronic control valves, all-new direct injection fuel system, and tuned air inlet and outlet resonators and aluminum cam covers.
It’s laughable to think of the Vsport as having the same engine with a couple of turbochargers. Our Vsport had more power but cost less than the CTS with the 2.0 liter engine, $60,830. But it didn’t have a panoramic roof, alcantara and carbon fiber interior trim, no lower leg supports in the front seats and no rear shade screens on the side windows.
The CTS is longer, lower and lighter than the model it replaced. It had a 50-50 weight distribution and real time damping controls that Cadillac called Magnetic Ride Control. There were three ride settings on the 2.0-liter equipped car: touring, sport and snow. The suspension smoothed ruddy surface streets, handling was smart but the steering ratio could have been a tad quicker.
Cadillac’s shield grille was wider on the 2014 CTS. What has become the brand’s signature, its vertical LED daytime running lights were brighter and the headlamps flowed up into the hood line. At a glance the car looked like the old CTS but in that same glance you know it’s the new one. It is the same for the 2015 model.
The car had all of the bells and whistles you’d expect in this price range: back up camera, full stop adaptive cruise control and adaptive headlights, driver awareness package, 19-inch polished aluminum wheels, satellite radio, voice controls and of course OnStar with its myriad of attributes including locking or unlocking the doors in case you misplace your keys.
In a word, yes, the Cadillac CTS can compete with Germany’s finest in terms of performance, equipment, comfort, driving characteristics, style and ambiance. And for 2015, Cadillac continues to improve: Amongst its enhancements, the 2015 CTS now has available wireless phone charging, text message alerts, integrated, OnStar with 4G LTE and standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and a perpendicular parking feature added to available automatic parking assist.
With the world’s best luxury brands, it is all about style and technology encased in comfort. Cadillac is making a serious effort to join that group.

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.

Area School Leaders Advance in ASSB’S School Board Member Academy

Birmingham Times

November 18, 2014

AREA SCHOOL LEADERS ADVANCE IN

AASB’S SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ACADEMY

MONTGOMERY, AL – (November 2014) – When the Alabama Association of School Boards hosts its annual Academy Awards Luncheon from noon to 1:45 p.m. Dec. 5, local school board members will be among the honorees.

Fifty-two central Alabama school board members are among the 397 school board members statewide who advanced in the AASB School Board Member Academy, a school for school board members. They’ll be celebrated in the grand ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham.

The education leaders were recognized for their efforts to improve their boardmanship skills, increase their understanding of education issues and heighten their leadership skills by participating in the academy.

“It is such a pleasure to see our members invest in their development as school board leaders,” said AASB President Katy Campbell of the Macon County school board. “These school board members know the importance of growing and learning to improve their leadership skills. They know students perform better when their school systems are led by highly effective school boards.”

AASB has nine geographic districts. District 5 includes the Jefferson and Shelby county school boards, and the Alabaster, Bessemer, Birmingham, Gardendale, Fairfield, Homewood, Hoover, Leeds, Midfield, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville and Vestavia Hills city school boards as well as the Alabama School of Fine Arts Board of Trustees.

Friday’s awards program will feature Notasulga High School’s World Music Drumming Ensemble, which will entertain more than 500 education leaders from across the state. The awards program is a highlight of the Dec. 3-6 AASB Annual Convention and Orientation. Orientation courses will be taught Dec. 3 and 4 for new school board members and members interested in a refresher. Convention opens on Dec. 4, which is also when the association has its annual business meeting, the Delegate Assembly. The 2014 theme, Liberating Genius, is also the title of education technology expert Angela Maiers’ Dec. 6 general session address. Keynote speeches will be delivered Dec. 5 by character development expert Bill Ballenger on Break the Grey and 2013-14 Florida Superintendent of the Year Alberto Carvalho on the Miami Miracle.

Below are the local board members and the levels they achieved (*denotes former school board member and ***denotes first-time Masters Honor Roll):

Level I (Requires 25 training hours)

Linda Church, Alabaster
Sherman Collins, Birmingham
Nancy Ferren, Homewood
Cheri Gardner, Birmingham
Danny Garrett, Trussville
Christopher Hawkins, Homewood
Daagye Hendricks, Birmingham
Mark Hogewood, Vestavia Hills
Michael Hogue, Gardendale
Paul Howell, Pelham
Phillip Hyche, Leeds
Claire Mitchell, Bessemer
Kym Prewitt, Vestavia Hills
Dr. Barbara Regan, Pelham
Chris Segroves, Gardendale
Lyord Watson, Birmingham
Randall Woodfin, Birmingham
Karen White, Gardendale

Level II (Requires 50 training hours)

Wardine Alexander, Birmingham
Chad Anderson, Leeds
Jimmy Bice, Shelby County
Tamara Graham , Leeds
Oscar Mann, Jefferson County
Dr. John Myrick, Alabaster
Bill Roberts, Trussville
Scott Sisk, Leeds

Levels I & II

Sandra Brown, Birmingham
Derek Henderson, Alabaster
Adam Moseley, Alabaster
Janice Stallworth, Fairfield
Nathan Williams, Midfield

Level III (Requires 75 training hours)

Allen Bailey, Tarrant
Stan Garrett, Trussville
Gayle Glenn, Trussville
Eddie Penny, Fairfield
Randal Smith, Fairfield
John Ware, Midfield

Level IV (Requires 100 training hours, including all eight core curriculum courses)

· Earlean Cochran, Bessemer*

Master (Requires Level 4 plus 15 hours, including one additional core course)

Donna Frazier, Hoover, first year
Brian Giattina, Birmingham, first year
Seth Goldman, Fairfield, first year
Hattie Aikerson, Bessemer, second year
Peg Hill, Shelby County, third year
Verranzno Davis, Midfield, fourth year
Bruce Grant, Tarrant, fourth year
Jacqueline Smith, Jefferson County, fifth year

Masters Honor Roll (Requires completion of all four levels plus five consecutive years of earning Master recognition at any point during the members’ tenure on the board)

· Vera Eades, Bessemer

· Marion Easley, Fairfield

· Gene Horton, Tarrant

· Darlene Perkins, Bessemer

· Renna Scott, Bessemer***

· April Williams, Birmingham

The academy, founded in 1986, has four achievement levels based on the number of credit hours board members earn as they learn at academy conferences, workshops and other training events. There are eight core courses: roles and responsibilities, policy and planning, financial accountability, the optimal learning environment, academic achievement, staff development, effective boards and relationships and community engagement. Board members who complete the core courses and the academy’s four levels can continue their training to earn the Master School Board Member distinction and ultimately attain Masters Honor Roll recognition.

AASB’s academy year runs from July 1 to June 30. The academy helps board members comply with the School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012, which requires orientation of new board members and at least 6 hours of annual training. Two of those 6 hours must be from training done as a whole school board (with at least the majority of the school board in attendance). In the 2014 training year, Alabama’s individual school board members earned just shy of 15,382 combined training hours and school boards earned more than 354 whole board training hours. Training hours must be earned annually and do not carry over from year to year.

Adrian Peterson suspended without pay

November 18, 2014

Adrian Peterson suspended without pay for entire season

by Dave Campbell, Associated Press |

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL has suspended Adrian Peterson without pay for at least the rest of the season.

The league said Tuesday it informed the Minnesota Vikings running back he will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15 for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.

The NFL Players Association quickly announced its plan to appeal the punishment.

Peterson pleaded no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault in Texas for injuries to his 4-year-old son he was disciplining. He had been on paid leave from the team since Sept. 17.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Aug. 28 an enhanced crackdown on players involved with domestic violence.

___

OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

Birmingham Times

November 18, 2014

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

DECEMBER 2014 HIGHLIGHTS

Visit http://press.discovery.com/us/own/ for select episodic photography and screeners

CONTINUING SERIES (New Episodes)

(P) Denotes: Premieres

(F) Denotes: Finales

OPRAH: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Sundays (9 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET/PT)

“Oprah: Where Are They Now?” features updates on some of the biggest newsmakers and most memorable “Oprah”show guests of all time.

(P) Sunday, December 7 (9 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: Holiday Special with Kris Jenner, Kenny G, Kristin Cavallari & Oprah’s Favorite Things

Kris Jenner gives an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at her epic annual Kardashian holiday party, and what it takes for it all to come together. Plus, “The Hills” and “Laguna Beach” reality star Kristin Cavallari talks about how she built a fashion empire and what life is like as a mother of two at home just outside Chicago with her football star husband Jay Cutler. Then, Olympic skater Kristi Yamaguchi reveals her favorite holiday traditions and, next, one of the ‘Oprah’ show’s very first guests in 1986, all-time favorite saxophone player Kenny G, shows us how he spends the holidays. Plus, Adam Glassman, the creative director of O Magazine, gives an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into how he and Oprah gather the very best gifts for her Favorite Things list.

(F) Sunday, December 21 (9 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: Beth Holloway, Original Cast of MTV’s Real World Reunion & Popstar Tiffany

Oprah interviews Beth Holloway whose daughter Natalee disappeared during a high school graduation trip to Aruba. The story continues to be one of the most disturbing unsolved mysteries of the past decade, Plus, updates continue with the original cast of the groundbreaking reality show “The Real World” and 80’s pop princess, Tiffany, who lives in Nashville and reveals more about her rise to fame and relationship with New Kids on the Block.

DEION’S FAMILY PLAYBOOK

Saturdays (9 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET/PT)

“Deion’s Family Playbook” is the fun-filled and compelling real-life story of Hall of Fame football legend and celebrated baseball star, Deion Sanders. Deion, best known as “Prime Time,” is a single father raising his own five children (Deiondra, Bucky, Shilo, Shedeur and Shelomi) and also caring for five more (Tia, Florida, Heaven, Neveah and TJ) in hopes of providing them a better life. Raising ten kids isn’t easy, but with the help of his mother, Connie, his Aunt Scoodie, and longtime girlfriend, Hollywood producer Tracey Edmonds, Deion manages to contain the chaos … most of the time.

(P) Saturday, December 6 (9 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: No Place Like Home

Deion travels to Cleveland for NFL Hall of Fame week and winds up with a role in Tracey’s movie. Bossy and Shedeur’s prolonged absence begins to take its toll on Deion.

(P) Saturday, December 13 (9 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: Packing Up Paradise

With the big move to a smaller home just days away, Deion and the family make the most of their last week in the mansion. Florida and Tia’s feud gets to a boiling point, forcing Deion to intervene.

(F) Saturday, December 20 (9 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: We’re Not In Prosper Anymore

Moving into the new house proves to be harder on the family than anyone expected. Deion and Principle Shaver put Shilo to the test in his first days of high school. Tracey worries about how her new schedule will affect her and Deion’s relationship.

FLEX & SHANICE

Saturdays (10 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET/PT)

“Flex & Shanice” follows the lives of husband and wife duo, actor Flex Alexander (“One on One”), ’90s pop singer Shanice (“I Love Your Smile”) and their extended family all living together under one roof. From the outside looking in, Flex and Shanice are living the dream —they are beautiful celebrities with a long-standing marriage, gorgeous kids and a lovely home in suburbia. But what this fairytale couple has been hiding from the world is that they have been teetering on the edge of financial ruin for the past five years. So they moved their hilarious extended family in to help make ends meet, but nine people under one roof can add just as much stress as it relieves. Cameras follow Flex as he tries to rebuild the stand-up career that he abandoned 18 years ago, and Shanice as she heads back into the studio attempting to restart her R&B career. The family will try to hold it together as they aim to capture that one big break to help turn their luck around.

(P) Saturday, December 6 (10 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: 106

Shanice has been showcasing her talents in a play at a local theatre. When guests are a no show at a recent performance, Shanice wonders if she will ever get the attention of an A-list manager. Uncle Spirit decides to test Elijah’s aptitude by taking him down to the old neighborhood to play some chess in the park.

(P) Saturday, December 13 (10 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: 107

Flex has planned a camping trip for the entire family. When he finds out he has an opportunity to open for Charlie Murphy (“Chappelle’s Show”) in New York City, he takes advantage of the offer, leaving a disgruntled Shanice as camp leader for the trip. While Flex is in New York, he confronts his past and faces his fear of performing in front of a New York City audience.

(F) Saturday, December 20 (10 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: 108

Flex and Shanice are finally digging out of their financial hole. An unexpected residual check has allowed Flex and Shanice to plan a party for everyone who has helped them financially during their time of need. Alex Band from music group The Calling has been a longtime fan of Shanice and asks her to record a duet with him.

HOME MADE SIMPLE

Saturdays (9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET/PT)

“Home Made Simple” empowers viewers to take on simple do-it-yourself household projects with confidence. Returning host Soleil Moon Frye, along with her team of experts, deliver stylish and smart designs, clever crafts and “why-didn’t-I-think-of-that?” ideas while continuing to celebrate truly inspiring homeowners. Each week culminates with an emotional room reveal packed with surprises in addition to a new inviting space for friends and family to enjoy.

(P) Saturday, December 6 (9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET/PT) Episode: The Great Garage Getaway

The “Home Made Simple” team helps a busy nurse and community volunteer transform her garage from a cluttered eyesore to a dazzling den complete with updated lounge lighting, storage and seating solutions, and a reimagined buffet perfect for entertaining.

(P) Saturday, December 13 (9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET/PT) Episode: 10 Kids, No Room, No Problem

It’s a family affair when Soleil and the team rejuvenate an overwhelmed mother of ten’s neglected kitchen, laundry and dining rooms. Plus, Chef Jesse Brune invites Grammy nominated singer Shanice, from OWN’s “Flex & Shanice,”to share a secret family recipe that is truly worth singing about.

SURGEON OZ

Thursdays (10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

In this unprecedented ten-part series, “Surgeon Oz” follows the world renowned surgeon and celebrated talk show host, Dr. Mehmet Oz, behind the scenes into the operating room of one of the most respected hospitals, New York-Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center. Continuing a three-decade career that has been his passion since long before he became a household name, Dr. Oz performs real life miracles and 100 heart operations annually. In “Surgeon Oz,” Dr. Oz helps save his patients’ lives and connects with their families in emotional moments surrounding serious procedures that could mean life or death.

(P) Thursday, December 4 (10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: The Miracle Man

Dr. Oz faces an ethical dilemma when a patient in heart failure asks to remove the temporary heart pump that is keeping him alive. He will likely die on the table without it, but Dr. Oz must follow the patient’s wishes in what he fears is a suicide mission.

(P) Thursday, December 11 (10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: Mending Broken Hearts

Dr. Oz has a challenging case when he operates on a patient who needs not one, but two of his heart valves replaced. The patient’s wife lost her first husband following a routine operation, and she’s adamant that she will not lose another one in surgery.

(F) Thursday, December 18 (10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: A Warning Shot

Dr. Oz is shocked to see a killer blockage in the heart of a young 32-year-old woman. Meanwhile, Dr. Oz gets an invasive follow-up after a frightening result during a routine checkup.

(F) Thursday, December 18 (10:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET/PT) Episode: Right Diagnosis

A routine visit to the ER quickly turns into a life-or-death emergency and Dr. Oz must act quickly to save a young man’s life. In the operating room, Dr. Oz must perform a tricky repair on not one but two vital heart valves to save a woman’s life.

FOR BETTER OR WORSE

Wednesdays (9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Written, directed and executive produced by Tyler Perry, “For Better of Worse” centers on Angela Williams (Tasha Smith, “Why Did I Get Married Too?,” “Couples Retreat”), the owner of a successful beauty salon, and her husband of 13 years, Marcus (Michael Jai White, “Why Did I Get Married Too?,” “Spawn”). Marcus is a former professional football player who has recently partnered with Richard Ellington (Kent Faulcon, “American Beauty”) and Joseph Jetson (Jason Olive, “Raising Helen”) on a new sports news program called C-Sports Now. Marcus’s business relationship with Richard and Joseph is complicated, however, by the fact that Richard is dating Keisha (Kiki Haynes, “Nora’s Hair Salon”), Marcus’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his teenage daughter. In addition, Joseph’s girlfriend, successful real estate agent Leslie (Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008), is Angela’s best friend, which sometimes makes it difficult for the couples to keep their business and private lives from mingling.

(P) Wednesday, December 3 (9 p.m. – 9:30 pm ET/PT) Episode: The Mammogram – Part 2

Angela (Tasha Smith) struggles with telling Marcus (Michael Jai White) about her mammogram results.

(P) Wednesday, December 10 (9 p.m. – 9:30 pm ET/PT) Episode: Fear Of The Unknown

When Angela (Tasha Smith) learns she has an unknown mass that appears on her x-ray, the doctor insists she undergo a biopsy.

(F) Wednesday, December 17 (9 p.m. – 9:30 pm ET/PT) Episode: I Want Half

After Richard (Kent Faulcon) is informed he is late for a court date that he didn?t even know about, he believes Keisha (KiKi Haynes) somehow set him up.

SPECIALS

SUPER SOUL SUNDAY: SOUL-TO-SOUL

Sunday December 21 (7 p.m. – 8 p.m. ET/PT)

Oprah Winfrey sits down with award-winning performers, best-selling authors, and spiritual teachers to discuss life’s big questions. Oprah poses thought-provoking questions such as “what is the soul?” “what is the lesson that’s taken you the longest to learn?” and “what do you know for sure?” It’s a soul-stirring celebration of the most provocative insights and fascinating viewpoints from a remarkable roster of creative minds.

THE ROB BELL SHOW

Sunday December 21 (8 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET/PT)

Considered to be one of America’s most influential and progressive spiritual leaders, New York Times bestselling author Rob Bell shines a bright light on the topics we most want to talk about but often don’t know where to begin. Through riveting conversations with a live audience and creative on-camera storytelling, Rob explores themes such as “Owning Your Story” and “Wonder and Awe” as only he can. The special focuses on the universal desire to create a life of meaning, hope, and joy – making peace with your past, living and thriving in the present right here, right now.

Thanksgiving with Council President Johnathan Austin

Birmingham Times

November 18, 2014

Line Dance into Thanksgiving with Council President Johnathan Austin featuring:

D2 Line Dancing by Desi Keith

Magic City Ballers by Luellen Lucas

BIRMINGHAM, AL- Join Council President Johnathan Austin and burn those pre-Thanksgiving calories. On Thursday November 20, 2014 the D2 Line Dancing by Desi Keith and the Magic City Ballers by Luellen Lucas will take DISTRICT 5 by STORM at the “LINE DANCE FOR FITNESS” extravaganza at the Fountain Heights Recreation Center located at 1101 15th Avenue North, from 5:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m. You DON’T want to miss out!

Who: Council President Johnathan Austin

What: Line Dance into Thanksgiving at the Line Dance For Fitness Extravaganza!

When: Thursday, November 20, 2014, from 5:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

Where: Fountain Heights Recreation Center 1101 15th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35204

Come out and learn the latest line dances while burning calories and jamming to fitness just in time for the holidays. This event is “FREE” and open to the public. Instructors suggest that all participants wear comfortable clothes and rubber bottom shoes. Bottled water and healthy refreshments will be provided.

For more information, please contact District 5 Chief of Staff Courtney Hunter at (205) 254-2679.

Thieves Target Area Libraries

Birmingham Times

November 13, 2014

Birmingham, Alabama—For the fifth time in the last three months, thieves have broken into a Birmingham Public Library (BPL). Police responded to a call shortly after 7:30 a.m. regarding a glass break at the East Lake Branch location on Oporto Madrid Blvd. Upon arrival, police determined that other items may have been taken from inside the building. On yesterday, police responded to an alarm at the Smithfield Branch—the third break in at this location in as many months—where items were taken as well. In September, thieves broke into the Titusville Branch and made off with a costly piece of equipment.

“It is very disheartening that our libraries continue to be targeted,” stated Interim Library Director Angela Fisher Hall. “The public library is so important to the community it serves. The money that it takes to clean this up and make the necessary repairs or replacements, takes significant dollars away from library improvements, collections and programs. I think the community can help us in solving these crimes and hope that they will share what they know with the police.” Staff at the East Lake Branch will spend this morning having necessary repairs made, cleaning up the facility and preparing for the installation of security cameras. The facility will open to the public at 1:00 p.m. today.
The East Lake Branch of the Birmingham Public Library began its life in a 25×50 foot room on the second floor of the East Lake Fire Station in 1914. After land was purchased in 1926 for a separate facility, the completed East Lake Branch Library was a two-story, Georgian Revival structure with 8,000 square feet of usable space. It was built using the same stone and buff bricks as the current East Lake Fire Station next door. It opened its doors in 1928 close to three elementary schools (at the time Barrett, Robinson and Kirby), Woodlawn High School and Howard College (now Samford University located in Homewood).
Located at One-Eighth Avenue West, the Smithfield Branch Library is one of the oldest branches in the Birmingham Public Library System. It first opened in 1918 as the Booker T. Washington Library and was one of the state’s first libraries for black Alabamians. The branch library was located in three leased rooms of the Masonic Temple Building at 4th Avenue North and 17th Street. It was not until 1956 that the first Smithfield Library Branch building was dedicated. It holds an important place in the city’s history, being the first building specifically built to hold a library for black residents of Birmingham.

The Titusville Branch Library was established in 1957 as the Southside Branch Library. The present structure, built in 1992, is an expansive glass and gray granite building.

For additional information on BPL locations and hours of operation, please visit our web site at www.bplonline.org.

Homicide Investigation

The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives are conducting a homicide investigation. The incident occurred November 9, 2014 in the 700 Block of 2nd Avenue North.
The victim was not shot on Club Platinum’s parking lot but across from the club in a private lot.

On Sunday, November 9, 2014 around 5 a.m., North Precinct officers responded to the 200 block of 17th Street North on a person shot. Upon arrival, officers found the victim sitting in his car suffering from two gunshot wounds to the leg. The victim was transported to UAB hospital by Birmingham Fire and Rescue where he later died from his injuries.
Our preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was shot during a robbery attempt. The victim, along with his girlfriend, had left the club and were getting inside of their car when an armed Black male approached them and demanded money. The victim responded by retrieving his firearm from inside his car and both men exchanged gun fire. The suspect fled the scene in a silver colored vehicle. Shortly after the incident, the suspect was brought to UAB hospital also suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body. The suspect was also identified by witnesses from the scene as being the person that attempted to rob the victim. Detectives are investigating the death as a homicide.

If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, they are encouraged to contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit at 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 254-7777.

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