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

October 2, 2014

Gatorade’s Text-To-Win Sweepstakes on Limited Edition Bottles Gives Fans an Exclusive Experience at Talladega Superspeedway

Gatorade released three special Talladega Superspeedway-themed labels that features memorable historic moments at NASCAR’s Most Competitive track, which will celebrate its 45th anniversary with the Sunday, October 19, GEICO 500. The limited edition bottles are available on popular flavors’ Fruit Punch, Lemon-Lime, and Orange, and can only be found in participating Alabama and Georgia Wal-Mart stores.
To enter the contest, fans who reside in Alabama or Georgia can text “DEGA” to 732-573-6837, the code located in each Limited Edition bottle of Gatorade. The winner of the text-to-win sweepstakes will receive an incredible Talladega Superspeedway prize package for the GEICO 500.
The special program will run through Friday, Oct. 10. Gatorade has been an official partner of Talladega Superspeedway for the past 12 years, which includes the naming rights for Gatorade Victory Lane. The GEICO 500 will be the third and final event of the Contender Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Once the checkered flag falls, eligible drivers for the title will be reduced from 12 to eight. If a Chase Challenger wins the event, he will automatically advance to the Eliminator Round of eight.

The Quartet is Back for Talladega Superspeedway’s Infield Party –The Big One on the Blvd – on Friday, Oct. 17, with New Twists
Bowyer, Harvick, Stenhouse, Jr. & Dillon Return for Tons of Fun Which Will Pay Competition Winner $1,000
NASCAR drivers Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. and Austin Dillon had so much fun at Talladega Superspeedway’s first “Big One on the Blvd” Parade in the track’s infamous infield in May that they are coming back for more during the track’s Oct. 17-19 weekend.
The quartet will oversee a new flurry of activities, which begins with the “Hallow-Dega” costume contest, on Friday, Oct. 17. The crowd, as well as the drivers, will play a key role in determining the fan that walks away with $1,000 in cash, not to mention a lifetime of bragging rights. The champion of the “The Big One on the Boulevard,” will have to win a series of competitions, which will include food and beverages used in unique, vicarious ways.
The parade gets rolling at 6:30 p.m. (CST) on Friday night at the north end of Talladega Blvd., Bowyer, Stenhouse, Jr. and Dillon will be atop the lead float throwing out swag and welcoming fans to NASCAR’s version of Mardi Gras. The parade will make its way down the Blvd., building up excitement as it passes the most colorfully decorated campsites in all of NASCAR. At the south end of the Blvd. the parade will come to a halt, and Harvick will be anxiously waiting on the main staging area for the fan competitions.
On the track, Friday’s schedule at Talladega includes practice and qualifying for the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race as well as practice for the GEICO 500 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Saturday will see the drop of the green flag for the fred’s 250 event at high noon (CST), followed by the Food Land/Food Giant qualifying for the GEICO 500 at 3:40 p.m. (CST). Later in the evening, the Saturday Night Concert featuring Thomas Rhett will take place (Free admission with purchase of a Sunday GEICO 500 ticket). Sunday’s GEICO 500 gets underway at 1 p.m. (CST).
The track has many ticket options for fans of all ages, as well as hundreds of acres of FREE Camping. To find out more, call the Talladega ticket office at 1-877-Go-2-DEGA or visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

ODDtober at the Tennessee Aquarium

Birmingham Times

October 2, 2014

Four new creatures that are wonderfully weird
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – When the waters of the Amazon River recede during the dry season each year, the South American Lungfish deals with drought in an unusual way – by digging in. “It sounds weird, but Lungfish are obligate air-breathers,” said Elaine Robinson, one of the Tennessee Aquarium’s fish experts. “They can actually drown if denied access to the surface. So when their water source dries up, they burrow into the mud secreting a special mucous that keeps their skin from drying out.” Since they normally breathe air, these “fish out of water” can spend months underground until the next rainy season replenishes their river system.
Tennessee Aquarium guests will meet several new creatures and learn about many other wonderfully weird animals throughout the month of ODDtober. “This is a great time to celebrate animals that are somewhat bizarre or that display really cool behaviors,” said Thom Demas, the Aquarium’s curator of fishes. “Right now we are one of the only places where you can see Bigfin Reef Squid up close. These guys not only look like aliens, they lead pretty amazing lives.” Their “big fins” run along the lengths of their bodies, undulating to move with stealthy precision while stalking prey. If their eight arms and two tentacles don’t send a shiver down your spine, the way they peer at you will. “They have huge eyes, which when compared to their body size, are the largest in the animal kingdom,” said Demas. And, like their bizarre cousins the cuttlefish, Bigfin Reef Squid have the ability to change the color of their skin using special cells called chromatophores.
Aquarium guests will also find a new creature that’s missing most of its natural coloration. A ghostly-white baby American Alligator can be seen in the River Journey building. This animal, along with a few siblings, was recovered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last spring. “The occurance of white alligators, both leucistic and albino, is extremely rare,” said Dave Collins, the Aquarium’s curator of forests. “White hatchlings normally only survive a few days in the wild as their coloration makes them highly susceptible to predation and possible damage from sunlight.”
Leucism results from defects in pigment cells causing a lack of natural color in either all or part of the body. Albino animals have reduced pigment throughout their bodies, making their eyes appear red. Visitors will notice that this tiny gator has some pigment and normal eye color. The Aquarium also has two leucistic Alligator Gar among the massive freshwater species in the River Giants exhibit.
Another chilling species is the African Tigerfish, a recent addition to the Aquarium’s Lake Tanganyika exhibit. This top predator can often be seen patrolling the middle of this tank. Guests can easily see its razor-sharp teeth. “The Tigerfish earns its name,” said Brad Thompson, one of the Aquarium’s fish experts. “These fish have been known to stalk birds in flight from just below the surface. As the birds skim the surface to catch insects, the Tigerfish leaps out of the water to eat them. It’s truly incredible behavior. The Tigerfish is the only species of freshwater fish that I know of that has been documented catching birds in flight.”
Nearly two dozen Extraordinary Experiences will be offered free with Aquarium admission each day to introduce everyone to even more fascinating creatures. A special ODDtober cell phone audio tour will also deliver the 4-1-1 about what’s O-D-D in many other locations.
Costumed SCUBA divers will make daily appearances, even carving pumpkins underwater each Saturday in October.
Visit the Tennessee Aquarium’s website for a complete list of ODDtober programs: http://www.tnaqua.org/Oddtober Or, download the FREE Tennessee Aquarium app from the iTunes Store or Google Play.

African Americans are Critical to Helping Fight ALS

Birmingham Times

October 2, 2014

By now, we have all probably seen the Ice Bucket Challenge. It is wonderful that people from all walks of life come together to use social media for such good. The unity and generosity of hundreds of thousands of participants from different backgrounds has done even more than lead to donations of tens of millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations in the name of ALS, it has raised awareness of this devastating condition.
Many people now know about ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a devastating condition in which patients develop progressive muscle weakness leading to paralysis and death by respiratory failure, typically within 2-3 years of the first symptoms. The urgency of finding a cure is nationally recognized.
How do researchers intend to cure ALS? One of the first steps is to figure out what genes are damaged and lead to the disease. To find these genes, scientists are comparing the DNA of people with the disease to the DNA of people who do not have it. After genes are identified, the hope is that therapies will be developed to target what is damaged. In several diseases, it has already been shown that some people will respond better to one treatment over others because of the DNA they carry.
A troubling fact is that African Americans do not often volunteer for genetics research studies. As an African American and an ALS researcher at the National Institutes of Health, I rarely receive and study DNA from African Americans. Without African-American DNA in research studies, it is unclear how often we get ALS. That, frighteningly, has the potential to leave African Americans out of the equation when effective treatments for the disease are developed. It also hinders us scientists from learning everything about the disease regardless of ethnicity. We need comprehensive information about DNA from all backgrounds to know more precisely how the disease works.
So, what can African Americans do to help take us toward a cure for ALS? Here are a few steps to consider:

1)   Enroll in a genetics research study if you are suffering from ALS or a disease like ALS. Donating DNA is quick and simple. It can be a blood donation. If you are scared of needles, you can donate saliva.
2)   If you are not suffering from ALS, educate yourself about the disease so that you can disseminate the information to help others make informed decisions about study enrollment.
3)   Volunteer with nonprofit organizations on outreach initiatives.

The last several months have shown that the spread of information and action can allow us to bond as human beings and have a profound impact on others. The ALS community is grateful to have seen a range of people – from our sisters and brothers, to our neighbors, to athletes like LeBron James, entertainers such as Lady Gaga, and political leaders such as President George W. Bush, take up the Ice Bucket Challenge and take notice of ALS.
I’m now challenging African Americans to help us continue on the path to a cure by doing what it takes to make sure we are included in genetics study of ALS. My research team is conducting a study. If you or a family member are affected with ALS or a related disorder, we hope to hear from you. You can e-mail us at cc100h@nih.gov to find out more.

Janel Johnson, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Neurogenetics
National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health

Musical Notes

Birmingham Times

October 2, 2014

By Esther Callens

Undoubtedly Ray Charles was one of the greatest singer/songwriters to grace this century. His iconic style is matchless as he could belt out rhythm, blues, gospel, country, jazz, rock and roll tunes like no other.
To commemorate the life of this most accomplished artist, Concord Music, along with The Ray Charles Foundation and Hear Music, is set to release a treasured collection. Ray Charles – Genius Loves Company 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, will be in retail as of September 30, 2014. Originally released in 2004, Genius Love Company (Charles’s last studio recording) is a wonderful collection of duets with some of his friends that went worldwide Multi-Platinum, Gold and Silver producing eight Grammy Awards. It is a priceless compilation!
Genius Loves Company 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is a wonderful commemorative. In addition to the CD (that includes two bonus tracks), there is The Making Of Genius Love Company DVD. It consists of numerous interviews with the special guest artists (past and present), in-studio footage of the sessions, a marvelous expanded liner booklet with photos and many other surprises. It is quite impressive!
On recording the original Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles stated, “I’ve recorded with so many amazing artists in my career, but never on a duets album all my own. I thought it was time to have some of the friends that I love and the artists that I admire come into my studio and sing with me live.” Friends and fans are privileged and honored that Ray Charles had a chance to record this incredible last masterpiece!

Album listing and personnel: Here We Go Again (with Norah Jones); Sweet Potato Pie (with James Taylor); You Don’t Know Me (with Diana Krall); Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word (with Elton John); Fever (with Natalie Cole); Do I Ever Cross Your Mind? (with Bonnie Raitt); It Was a Very Good Year (with Willie Nelson); Hey Girl (with Michael McDonald); Sinner’s Prayer (with B.B. King); Heaven Help Us All (with Gladys Knight); Over the Rainbow (with Johnny Mathis); Crazy Love (with Van Morrison). Bonus Tracks: Mary Ann (with Poncho Sanchez); Unchain My Heart (Take 6).

Winn-Dixie Donates More Than $46,000 to Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama

Birmingham Times

October 2, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Breast cancer will affect one out of every eight women in their lifetime. In an effort to help fund research to find a cure, Winn-Dixie donated more than $46,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) through its Community Donation Program.
Winn-Dixie stores in the Montgomery region, which span across Alabama, Southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle, raised the funds for BCRFA through donations from customers over the course of six weeks.
“We are pleased with the response from our customers to support this worthy cause,” said Tim Flavin, regional vice president, Winn-Dixie stores. “We’re honored to support wonderful organizations like Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. The Winn-Dixie Community Donation Program provides a simple but essential way to tackle critical issues in our neighborhoods and we believe we can make a difference.”
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Winn-Dixie leadership and patrons, clearly demonstrated through their commitment to raise funds in support of breast cancer research,” stated Dolly O’Neal, co-founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. “BCRFA’s mission is: To help find a cure for breast cancer by funding promising Breast Cancer Research and to motivate community awareness and funding for that research. We are grateful for Winn-Dixie’s partnership, which helps us achieve both of these goals.”

To learn more about the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama and its efforts, please visit https://bcrfa.org.

Book News

Birmingham Times

October 2, 2014

By Esther Callens

New in retail is a vital plan that addresses obesity head on. The Hot Belly Diet-A 30-Day plan to Reset Your Metabolism, Lose Weight, and Restore Your Body’s Natural Balance to Heal Itself offers a natural approach to attain your desired weight. Written by Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar (with Kristin Loberg) featuring Deepak Chopra M. D.’s foreword, it presents a safe, sound method for weight loss.
A major concern that plagues many Americans is their health. In particular is weight and how to lose it. Likewise, confusion is easy when considering the various plans and products promoting to lose X number of pounds in a short span of time. However, the Hot Belly Diet is an exception as it works to restore your metabolism in order for itmto function properly, thereby weight loss is imminent.
Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar explains that all weight gain is derived from a single source. He states, “All have a common denominator: a weak digestive “fire.” The belly is the center of your being, and when you’re burning food inefficiently, you’re throwing your metabolism out of balance. Weak digestion causes food “sludge” to accumulate in your body, resulting in lethargy, toxicity, water retention, fat buildup, inflammation, and more.” In order to get the body to work at its optimal best, Dr. Kshirsagar employs the ancient Eastern practice of Ayurveda.
The Hot Belly Diet is divided into phases. During these phases the body goes through a transformational period. First there is a detoxification process that rids the body of impurities that it currently contains. Second is the diet itself listing what foods should be eaten and what times and how long this regiment is to be followed. Lastly is maintenance. Additionally included are recipes and sample menus to help in this life changing process. The importance of exercise is stressed and an insightful listings of Q & A is addressed. Dr. Kshirsagar puts emphasis on the fact that food is medicine and the body is made to heal itself. When following the Hot Belly diet these facts are attainable.
Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar is a leading authority on the ancient healing science of Ayurveda. His private clinic is located in Santa Cruz, Calif. Kristin Loberg has worked with numerous successful authors. Her latest is David B. Agus MD, his title is The End Of Illness.

American Heart Association’s CPR in Schools aims to reduce disparities in CPR

Birmingham Times

October 2, 2014

Ross Stores providing free CPR training resources to schools in need

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Kids learning bystander CPR may be the answer to reducing death from the more than 420,000 cardiac arrests that occur each year. Sadly, most of those victims die, often because bystanders don’t know how to start CPR, or are afraid they’ll do something wrong. Further complicating the issue are the disparities among Latinos and African-Americans, who are 30 percent less likely to have bystander CPR performed on them in an emergency, according to a study by the American Heart Association. People who live in lower-income, African-American neighborhoods are 50 percent less likely to have CPR performed. The AHA is training students, teachers and parents in CPR to help eliminate these inequities, exposing lifesaving skills to millions at a young age. Ross Dress for Less (“Ross”) is supporting AHA’s efforts to help save more lives in all communities by providing free CPR training resources to public schools in lower-income areas.
Researchers believe that teaching children in high-risk neighborhoods about lifesaving CPR and then having them share this knowledge with their families and friends is a key way to spreading the message. This initial research found that the biggest challenges for minorities in urban communities to learn and perform CPR are cost, fear and lack of information. For that specific reason, the Ross stores program will support schools in underserved communities. There are currently six Ross stores in Metro Birmingham.
The American Heart Association’s goal is to pair each Ross Dress for Less store with a nearby public school that has at least 50 percent of their students receiving free or reduced lunch. Schools will receive a CPR in Schools Training Kit™, teaching materials to implement the program, and a school-based report card at the end of the year that shows how many students they have trained.

His Plan is Unfolding The Dispensation of Conscience (Part 3)

Birmingham Times

October 2, 2014

For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13

In Genesis 4:25, we see the birth of Adam’s third son, Seth, through whose line the spiritual seed is renewed (remember the death of Abel at the hand of his brother, Cain). Verse 26 says, “And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name, Enos; then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.” Also from Seth’s line was Enoch, who “… walked with God and was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). These antediluvians through Seth’s line were an amazing group of people if by virtue of their age and faith and love of God.
You will want to read the genealogies of the line of Cain and the line of Seth. What a contrast! Be sure you do not get their offspring confused, because both men utilized some of the same names. Chapter 4 gives Cain’s descendants; Chapter 5 gives Seth’s line. This is important to the knowledge of where Seth’s descendant, Noah, fits into God’s plan.
Chapter 6 brings us to the events taking place immediately before the Flood. Cain’s descendants were marrying into Seth’s line. There have been different views on what is meant by “The sons of God and the daughters of men” in verse 2. I suggest the best reading for an understanding of that is The Expanded Panorama Bible Study Course by Eade, Fleming H. Revell Company, copyright MCMLXI. Yes, a very old but wonderful textbook on the dispensations, covenants, types, and biblical timelines.
In verse 3 the Lord said His spirit would not always strive with man because of the wickedness; hence, God’s decision to destroy man, whom He created, from the face of the earth. As the story unfolds, you will know that God in His loving kindness gave mankind an opportunity to repent, but to no avail. His grace was then extended to Noah and his family alone. Why? because “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (6:8). Through the ages, God has always had a man who would stand in the gap. John 1:6-7: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.” Noah was the antediluvian who stood in the gap, believing God.
Thank God for that witness, but God must always deal with sin. And because of the wickedness of man, the judgment of the Flood unfolds in Genesis 7. Enoch is a type of the saints who will be “caught up” before the tribulation without seeing death; Noah (preserved through the flood) is a type of the Israelitish people who will be preserved through the tribulation; and the Ark and all its parts is a type of Christ and the safety we have in Him alone.
Next time, we will continue in our overview. In the meantime please read through Chapter 8 of Genesis. Then on to Dispensation Three – Human Government.

Until then,
May you walk with the Lord in the Light of His Word.
Victor W. Baugh, Sr., Th.D., Ph.D.
Pastor, St. Luke AME Church
Havana, AL
Author of The Anchor Holds, Victor’s Story
http://www.thatgracemayabound.blogspot.com/ ©2012
That Grace May Abound Ministries International ©2014

Where Are You? (Part 2)

Birmingham Times

October 2, 2014

Thinking about the month of October and all the horrific events that happened unto us, our city, this year. We are about to come to the close or should I say, the end of another year. The state has organized government, police forces and army reserve; all for the peace and safety of the civilians or residents. All of this is great! But there are yet cracks for waters.
Scriptures declare that warning comes before destruction because God has always set watchmen on the walls of every city! When I revisit the past to see how things were executed by yesterday’s watchmen, it seemed that the damage was done when the church stood up; and the church, according to its responsibility in maintaining peace, had fallen asleep on the wall. The truth is, God is not a liar, neither is He ever-changing in basic foundations and principles for His church. We looked at the past to understand the inroads of the enemy, the progress of the battle and the promises of God for us, even our dwelling place.
In every city there is a hidden eldership. You will not find this grouping of saints listed in any human book. This circle of mature believers are established by God and groomed to stand in the gap until (1) victory is won and (2) the plans and purposes of the enemy are stopped at the gates. As Isaiah 62:6-7 declares: Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.
Some of these watchmen are obvious, others may be obscure intercessors or prophetic people. Unfortunately, many tend to believe that God has given an entire territory to them, an individual or one particular church or ministry. This is where the breakdown down occurred in the past. God always confirms a strategy through several witnesses. When the spiritual leaders of any city are walking in friendship, respect and the spirit of unity, then the full power of God can be released against principalities and powers. No one church or individual will ever be able to do it alone. God will not give humans that kind of glory. Prevailing and dominating forces will always go unhindered until the principle of agreement that God, Himself, established is employed. Jesus said, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:24).
Today my plea for the church in Alabama is to declare greater humility in prayer, supplications and warfare before God in 2015… The words of Jesus Christ in Revelation 2: 13, 3:2…I know your works and where you are, even where Satan is seated…Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die. 3:3… If we would acknowledge Him before situations happen on a regular discipline, Satan would not have the power to rob so many lives.
Until next week! Have a great one in Him!
Fun day Saturday October 4th, 9 a.m. til 3 p.m.
1024 Ethel Ln Off Hwy 11. Free lunch: join the talent show event! Bring the kids. Look to see you there!

God’s Timing

Birmingham Times

October 2, 2014

Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. Proverbs 31:25

If you have been in church any amount of time or have been around any elderly people, you have surely heard many times “everything happens in God’s time” or “He may not come when you want Him but He’s always on time” and usually you didn’t want to hear it because what you wanted you wanted right then. You’ve told yourself, in times of need, “God will work it out” and sometimes He did but sometimes He didn’t. As a result you may have found yourself doubting Him or working very hard to hold on to your faith. Well I’ve learned that God’s timing is so amazing that if you are truly paying attention, you will notice He is always right on time. Yep, just like they told you.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Sometimes you think you are ready for something but you aren’t and God knows it so He won’t let you have it. There are other times that you ask Him to do something and He already has but you haven’t reached the point of seeing it. God is never blind to what is going on in your life and He is so gracious that He will not let you walk into something you aren’t ready for. Rather than complain, praise Him for the delay. What God has planned for you has not changed and you should not stop preparing for it. Your blessing is on the way and will arrive when you are ready to receive it.

Prepare yourself and be ready,
Minister Deidra Bibb

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