Titusville Day Celebration

September 4, 2014

The residents of the Titusville Community right here in Birmingham, Alabama are so excited to celebrate 30 years of unity in their community on Saturday, September 6. Titusville Day was established 30 years ago so the tri-community (North Titusville, South Titusville, and Woodland Park) could come together and celebrate the place where roots were established, people grew up, and the community that many consider home. Neighbors who may have moved elsewhere across the city or even the country can spend a day together almost like a family reunion of sorts. Titusville was established in 1910 and it was one of the first communities in the city where African Americans owned their own homes and started businesses. This community has a rich history and culture with quite a few renowned people whose roots started there like our very own mayor, William Bell, Sr., Carole Smitherman (attorney, judge, and former city councilor), and Condoleezza Rice (who served in the Bush administration for two terms) just to name a few.

This tri-community has 25 churches who, Mr. Ronald Bayles shared, “most will be a part of this historic celebration.” This day is supported by businesses, churches, and residents coming together to make this day of celebration take place each year. “People who grew up here and live here have a lot of pride in their community. This tri-community has been able to keep its luster because people care about their properties”, advised Mr. Bayles. This celebration typically takes place in July so that people would be able to come home during the summer around a holiday. However, the targeted date of July 5, has not worked out well over the past few years because of some changes in the planning. In its initial conception the celebration took place over the course of three days. However, it has worked out better for the planning committee and community to scale it down to one long day of exciting events in September.

The theme is “There is Unity in Our Community” and on September 6, the day starts off with a parade (or procession) at 7:30a.m. leaving the back area of Memorial Park, led by A.H. Parker High School marching band, and winding its way through the back streets of the community ending at South Elyton Church; where the reflective prayer breakfast takes place from 8:30-10:30a.m. Then the family fun day starts at 10a.m. in Memorial Park with vendors, food and fun until it is time for the movie in the park that begins at dusk. The day is meant to unify the community, people come home to see others they haven’t seen for a while, and it is all about family and a community that still values and practices unity. This vibrant community continues to thrive and teach new and younger generations how to have pride in the place they call home.

By Tina Kay contact@tinakay.net

WHERE IS MAYOR BELL???

Birmingham Times

September 4, 2014

(BIRMINGHAM) On Thursday, September 11th, Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. and the City of Birmingham will kick-off its annual Empowerment Week festivities. During Empowerment Week the City pauses to recognize the progress made in the area of civil rights and ultimately the human rights movement. The week of activities will commence with a city-wide day of Service where residents and corporate citizens are encouraged to actively participate in service projects across the city.

On September 11th Mayor Bell will also announce a comprehensive civic engagement plan that encourages individuals and groups work together for the common cause of making a difference in the community. This plan is a part of the RISE strategy. RISE combines community and economic development; promotes civic engagement and workforce development; and leverages public/private partnership as a strategy to positively impact and strengthen the City of Birmingham. RISE addresses the following four (4) areas of development and engagement:

Community Development
Economic Development
Workforce Development
Civic Engagement

As a part of the Civic Engagement plan, Mayor Bell plans to implement impact volunteer strategies that:

Identify priorities and use volunteers to target a community’s critical needs;
Engage the city’s corporate citizens and business community to play a more active role;
Use best practices to maximize results and program sustainability; and
Set clear outcomes and standards to gauge the city’s progress.

The mission of the RISE civic engagement strategy is: (1) to provide opportunities for individuals, community service groups, faith-based organizations and corporate service groups to engage in meaningful service projects that breathe new life into Birmingham’s neighborhoods, (2) improve the lives of our residents and promote growth and activity across throughout the city; and (3) To provide public/private partnership opportunities that increase Birmingham’s overall capacity to engage more volunteers and use collaborative resources to enhance our city’s parks and neighborhoods. The RISE civic engagement strategy includes the following programs and initiatives:

One to One – Neighbor Helping Neighbor is designed to get corporate citizens, neighborhood groups, schools, and other community organizations involved in preserving and enhancing the city’s parks and neighborhoods. Adoption Partners and their members take part in routine volunteer projects such as trash pick-up and graffiti removal and may also assist with larger special projects such as mulching, plantings, bench construction, painting and other work.

Love Your Block is a neighborhood revitalization and beautification initiative where neighborhoods are selected based on application standards which identify a community’s need that can be addressed through volunteer service projects with the goal of creating neighborhood pride and volunteerism. In 2013, mini-grants of up to $1,500 were awarded to 10 neighborhoods. In 2014, almost $20,000 has been awarded to 17 neighborhoods.

Birmingham C.A.R.E.S. (Citizens in Action Ready to Engage in Service) – The Mayor’s Office partners with residents, community organizations, faith based organizations and the business community to plan and implement the MLK Day of Service – Coincides with the federal holiday in January and Empowerment Week Day of Service (September 11th). On each of these days more than 2,000 volunteers will spread across Birmingham to help improve neighborhoods, parks, libraries and more.

Each of the RISE Civic Engagement initiatives work in concert to stimulate community revitalization, growth and pride; provide more family friendly and affordable housing solutions for residents; as well as ignite a boom of economic development in this city that is unprecedented and unparalleled. This initiative provides an opportunity for residents and local volunteers to partner with the City of Birmingham to transform blighted areas into community assets. In doing so, the City will:

create a safe environment for families to thrive;
residents will become more empowered and exhibit a better sense of pride in their community;
neighbors will work together and more closely with the City to address and solve community needs; and attract business to the area

Through the design and implementation of RISE, Mayor Bell has engaged a diverse group of nonprofit organizations, grassroots community groups, faith-based communities, the Birmingham City Schools, other private schools, local colleges and universities and the business community in the process of working together – with sweat equity and community reinvestment to build the best Birmingham ever. The initiatives outlined in RISE capitalize on the City’s strong service infrastructure and is supported by a dynamic combination of partners committed to community reinvestment and collaboration.

For information, please go to www.birminghamal.gov

DOUG E FRESH Joins the Soul Train Cruise

Birmingham Times

September 3, 2014

(FT. LAUDERDALE) The “World’s Greatest Entertainer” and original human beatbox, Doug E. Fresh will join the Soul Train Cruise (www.soultraincruise.com) for its upcoming journey through the Caribbean from February 22 through March 1. The multi-hyphenate superstar will help run “the show,” opening Club Soul Train every night with his DJ spinning the classics and new hits, hosting special events, moderating live panel discussions with the legendary artists onboard, and even performing a concert during the seven day voyage. Other artists performing on the cruise include Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Gladys Knight, James Ingram, KC & The Sunshine Band, The Spinners, Russell Thompkins, Jr. and the new Stylistics, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Regina Belle, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., original 5th Dimension Stars, Valerie Simpson, Will Hart of the original Delfonics, Hitzville: Vegas Style Motown Revue, DW3, comedian Alonzo Bodden and host Tony Cornelius. Original Soul Train dancers Cheryl Song and Derek Fleming will also be aboard, as well as Chicago’s Music Man George Daniels.

“Soul Train meant so much to me as a young artist,” says Doug E. Fresh. “To be a part of the Soul Train Cruise as it travels through the Caribbean Sea of my childhood brings my worlds together like never before.”

Doug E Fresh rocketed to stardom in the mid-1980’s with performances in the iconic hip hop film “Beat Street” and his international smash hit “The Show/La Di Da Di,” recorded with his Get Fresh Crew that included MC Ricky D (a.k.a. Slick Rick). He has remained one of the most recognizable and popular figures in music and pop culture, inspired The Dougie dance craze, was first rapper to perform at the United Nations for the United Nations Day Concert (in front of representatives from 193 countries), has been invited to perform at the White House and was commissioned by First Lady Michelle Obama to create the forthcoming album for Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative.

The Soul Train Cruise not only offers more than 30 concerts throughout the seven-day voyage, but also invites travelers to meet the stars during over 25 special events, ranging from cooking demonstrations to dance lessons, Q&A panel discussions to tribute shows, a gospel hour, musician seminars, wine tasting and personal meet and greet sessions. The cruise will also film interviews with artists in front of a live audience, airing on television on a future date. And Soul Train Cruise partner Sirius / XM will be aboard once again, recording exclusive radio shows with the artists and giving fans a backstage view into the excitement and the music that fill the ship while CENTRIC television also returns as title sponsor, hosting a number of the cruise’s most popular onboard activities. Held aboard the luxurious Holland America Eurodam, the Soul Train Cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for Turks and Caicos, San Juan (Puerto Rico), St. Thomas, the Bahamas and the private island of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

Soul Train has been an integral part of popular culture since its debut in 1970 and continues be a vital force in entertainment with its all-star Soul Train Awards shows. Soul Train is also one of the most successful shows ever created, holding the record for the longest, first-run, nationally syndicated television show ever and remains popular to this day. Vintage episodes have aired on CENTRIC in recent years, nearly 500,000 DVDs have been sold, and the Soul Train Awards draw international superstars to its annual ceremony.

Reservations for cabins on this cruise may be made now by visiting www.SoulTrainCruise.com or by calling (toll free) (855) SOUL TRAIN (855-768-5872).

Earl Calloway

Birmingham Times

September 3, 2014

Special to The Times

Smiling brightly on the cover of the Chicago Defender last week, were members of the Jackie Robinson West baseball team – the newly crowned Little League national champs. At the bottom of the page was Earl Calloway – a man who would have been one of their main supporters.

For most of his life, Calloway was a cheerleader for Black American achievement, especially the arts. On Aug. 20, the 87-year-old former Defender fine arts and entertainment editor died.

Calloway, who also previously worked at the Associated Negro Press, started writing at the Defender about talented Black visual and performing artists more than a half century ago when the mainstream media rarely covered their accomplishments.

In 1970, Calloway helped start America’s longest running exhibit of African American art, now called Black Creativity at the Museum of Science of Industry in Chicago.

“He was a very caring person,” said Theresa Fambo Hooks, a longtime Defender columnist, about Calloway, whose death was noted on the Defender’s front page last week. “He was always at work.” Calloway, a founding member of the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, took colleagues under his wings and mentored them – like William Rogers, a Defender account executive.

Rogers described Calloway as a classy guy who exposed him to classical music. Calloway, himself, was a pianist and singer. The Roosevelt University graduate performed in Puccini operas across the country. Some friends recalled him always singing. The Birmingham, Ala., native also was a sharp dresser. He looked like he was always going out. I first met Calloway as a youngster.

I played badminton against him as a preteen at my family’s home in Robbins, Ill., just south of Chicago. He was a family friend and one of the first journalists I met. Years later, he encouraged me to pursue my own dreams of becoming a journalist.

“You can do it,” he said.

He always was quick to give advice if I needed it.

When he learned of a problem, he wanted to help.

“We started up with the idea for ‘Black Esthetics’ (now Black Creativity) to save our Black artists,” recalled artist Douglas Williams, who was one of the founders of the exhibit. “We didn’t get in galleries. Whites had the galleries. We would send in our slides of our work and we never got our slides back. It was rough.” Williams said he organized the work of the visual artists – which during the first year was more than 100 artists.

Calloway, who helped in all areas of the festival, oversaw the performing artists. When big artists were in town to perform, Calloway also would convince them to briefly appear at the event, which is held annually in the winter.

During the first year, Chicagoans and gospel legends Mahalia Jackson and Thomas Dorsey performed at the festival. “(Calloway) was a hell of a team player,” Williams said. “He made sure he held up his end.” Calloway didn’t mind helping. He knew African-Americans needed the event. Calloway always made sure he held up his end to help Black America.

Norman Parish is a Chicago based journalist. For the last three decades, he has worked at newspapers in Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Phoenix and St. Louis, including two Black publications, St. Louis American and Chicago Citizen.

How to Avoid Fumbling the Football  in the Red Zone of Retirement

Birmingham Times

September 3, 2014

The 6 documents you need for your Estate Plan Playbook

The start of football season may be months away, but the game’s on the minds of many after the NFL draft. Minicamps are gearing up and team personnel are organizing in preparation for the 2014-15 season.

Football is a big deal in the United States – and so is the surge of retirees – 10,000 baby boomers every day for the next 18 years, says multi-certified planner Larry Roby. The last thing pre-retirees want to do at this stage of their lives is to fumble while in the red zone of their retirement date, he says.

“Only 23 percent of pre-retirees have calculated how much they’ll need to save for retirement, according to New Retirement Landscape; while three-quarters say they’re confident in the red zone of retirement, an equal amount of people haven’t even done the math yet!” says Roby, founder and president of Senior Financial Advisors, (www.sfabridge.com), a wealth-management firm that holds ethics and education as top priorities.

“Confidence in your retirement portfolio is good – if it’s justified. Otherwise, it can lull people into a false sense of security and lack of preparedness.”

Having a diverse portfolio and understanding your options for life insurance, Social Security and 401(k) or other retirement accounts are staples for retirement planning. But there are also six crucial documents that are often either not in an individual’s playbook or are overlooked.

Here are the six documents you need for a solid red zone estate plan:

• Joint Ownership — Enables you to own property jointly with another person and upon the death of the joint tenant, the surviving joint tenant automatically becomes the owner of the property.

• Last Will and Testament – A legal document which expresses the wishes of a person concerning the disposition of their property after death and names the person who will manage the estate.

• Durable Power of Attorney – Grants authority to another individual to act on behalf of the person who executes the instrument and are commonly used for legal and financial purposes.

• Durable Health Care Power of Attorney – Grants authority to another individual to make health care decisions on your behalf should you be unable to make such decisions.

• Advance Care Directive – A set of written instructions in which a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health, if they are no longer able to make decisions due to illness or incapacity.

• Living Trust – Created during your lifetime. Assets are transferred to the trust while you are alive. Provides written instructions for the disbursement of the trust assets upon your death.

“These documents can play a vital role in the major plays during the fourth quarter of your life,” Roby says.

“Understanding how they work now can make the difference between a last-minute victory or loss.”

Southeast Region Now Activated for the Alabama Trauma System

Birmingham Times

September 3, 2014

The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Office of Emergency Medical Services are excited to announce the activation of the Southeast Region (Region Five) in southeast Alabama in the Alabama Trauma System. The enactment of Act

No. 07-299, establishing a statewide trauma system in March 2007, offers a unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of the citizens of Alabama.

Currently there are five Emergency Medical Service regions participating, resulting in total coverage of Alabama. Prior to the inclusion of the Southeast Region there were 41 trauma centers in the trauma system. The activation of this additional region will bring 13 more trauma centers into the system, resulting in statewide coverage and a total of 57 participating trauma centers. There are 167 ground and two air units in Region Five, and 1,166 ground and 12 air units statewide. In addition, eight out-of-state air units are operating in Alabama.

Regions that are already participating in the trauma system have noted reduced hospital stays, which indicates timely trauma center arrivals to the appropriate hospital with the resources to treat their injuries. Prior to the inception of the trauma system, the average hospital length of stay was 5.72 days, compared to the 5.15 days after the inception of the system. This is approximately a 10 percent reduction in the length of hospital stays for traumas that have been reported to Office of Emergency Medical Services. Reduced hospitalization times lead to reduced health care costs per patient and improved patient outcomes.

“This is a great day for the Alabama Trauma System and for the citizens of our state,” Dr. William Crawford, EMS Medical Director, said. “With the activation of Region Five’s trauma centers we now have all of our state operating within the Alabama Trauma System. This should lead to fewer lives lost due to traumatic injuries, along with reduced health care costs and reduced hospital stays due to trauma. I certainly appreciate all of the hard work by all of the stakeholders to bring Region Five online in the Alabama Trauma System.”

The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Office of Emergency Medical Services applaud progressive hospitals, emergency medical service personnel, and Alabama Trauma Communications Center partners for working to provide needed access to care, and thus minimizing death and disability from trauma for all Alabamians.

The trauma system will operate in Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike and Russell counties.

These are the Southeast Region trauma centers and their designation levels. A Level II designation means a hospital can accept more complex cases than a Level III hospital.

Andalusia Regional Hospital, Level III

Baptist Medical Center South, Level II

Community Hospital, Level III

Dale Medical Center, Level III

East Alabama Medical Center, Level III

Flowers Hospital, Provisional Level II

Jackson Hospital, Level III

L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital, Level III

Medical Center Barbour, Level III

Medical Center Enterprise, Level III

Mizell Memorial Hospital, Level III

Southeast Alabama Medical Center, Level II

Troy Regional Medical Center, Level III

Forest Service and Partners Celebrate 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Ac

Birmingham Times

September 3, 2014

(GAINESVILLE) The U.S. Forest Service and many valued partners invite the public to help commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act with a celebration in downtown Dahlonega on September 6. The event, titled “Inspiring Stewardship,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. in Hancock Park and will include thought-provoking speakers, wilderness experts, vendors, educational exhibits, traditional skills demonstrations, live music and activities for kids. The keynote speaker for the event is Dale Bosworth, who served as Chief of the U.S. Forest Service from 2001 to 2007.

On September 3, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Wilderness Act, establishing the National Wilderness Preservation System. As a result of Americans’ support for wilderness over the past 50 years, Congress has added more than 100 million acres to this unique land preservation system. The 1964 Wilderness Act defines “Wilderness” as areas where the earth and its communities of life are left unchanged by people, where the primary forces of nature are in control, and where people themselves are visitors who do not remain.

“The 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act provides us all with an opportunity to celebrate the importance of its continued preservation for future generations,” said Betty Jewett, Forest Supervisor of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. “Wilderness benefits everyone, whether you visit a wilderness or simply appreciate the continued existence of areas where the Earth and its community of life are not controlled by humans.”

Georgia has all or portions of 14 Wilderness Areas, ranging from northern mountains to the coast. The Chattahoochee National Forest is home to 10 of these, covering more than 117,000 acres. These include the Cohutta, Mark Trail, Brasstown, Southern Nantahala, Tray Mountain, Rich Mountain, Raven Cliffs, Blood Mountain and Ellicott Rock Wilderness Areas.

Wilderness provides opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation, including hiking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, photography, and off-trail exploration.

“Among many benefits, wilderness gives us time to reflect and find solitude and solace to offset the busy world around us, and provides clean water and air, habitat for animals, and healthy landscapes for rare and endangered species to thrive,” said Jewett. “Protecting these special places requires active stewardship and responsible use. Wilderness is everyone’s to share and enjoy.”

Protect wilderness by learning more at www.wilderness.net and being a responsible visitor using Leave No Trace ethics at www.LNT.org. For more information on how to get involved with volunteer efforts on the national forest, contact the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests office at (770) 297-3000 or visit the website at www.fs,usda.gov/conf. Smartphone and tablet users can also view news and events, including volunteer opportunities, by using the forest’s free mobile app. Download the app by visiting www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mobile-app.

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is part of the Southern Region, with the Forest Supervisor’s office in Gainesville, Georgia, managing four District units in Blairsville (Blue Ridge District), Lakemont (Chattooga River District), Chatsworth (Conasauga District), and Eatonton (Oconee District).

Cullman Mother and Son Face Fraud and Tax Charges in Scheme to Steal from East Alabama Health Center

Birmingham Times

September 3, 2014

(BIRMINGHAM) Federal prosecutors have charged a Cullman mother and son in connection with a scheme to defraud federal government health agencies and a nonprofit east Alabama health center of more than $100,000 for personal expenditures including electronic fish finders, truck tires, cell phones and an adult website membership.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama charged Sheila Osborne Parker and James Robert Parker in separate informations filed in U.S. District Court. U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr., IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Veronica Hyman-Pillot, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Atlanta Regional Office Special Agent in Charge Derrick Jackson, announced the charges.

Sheila Parker, 59, faces six counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud and two counts of failing to file federal income tax returns. James Parker, 33, faces five counts of wire fraud and two counts of failing to file income tax returns. Both defendants have entered plea agreements with the government.

Sheila Parker worked for Birmingham Health Care, a nonprofit organization in Birmingham intended to provide free or low-cost health care services to the homeless and to people living below poverty level in the metro area. In 2008, BHC assumed responsibility for the fiscal affairs of Central Alabama Comprehensive Health Inc. in Tuskegee, and Sheila Parker began, on a contract basis, to perform bookkeeping and fiscal duties for that center. CACH was a nonprofit organization intended to provide primary and preventative health care to people in east Alabama, regardless of their ability to pay.

Both community health centers began receiving grants from the Health Resources and Human Services Administration, an arm of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 20 years ago, according to the charges and plea agreements filed. The overwhelming majority of BHC and CACH funding comes through grants administered by HRSA and HHS, and the two centers have received millions of dollars from those grants, according to the court documents.

“Today, these defendants acknowledge that they took money from a federally funded community health center intended to serve the poor and uninsured so the defendants could enjoy a more lavish lifestyle and indulge an expensive hobby,” Vance said. “That conduct is as unacceptable as it is criminal, and we are committed to addressing any criminal conduct that may have occurred as we move forward with the investigation,” she said. “It is outrageous that fraudsters, in order to fuel personal shopping sprees, would steal scarce taxpayer funds meant to provide critically needed health care services to poor and homeless individuals,” Jackson said. “Our agency is dedicated to uprooting such fraud.”

“Sheila Parker and James Parker completely disregarded the payment of their tax liability to the Internal Revenue Service,” Hyman-Pillot said. “It is a federal crime for individuals to deliberately neglect their filing requirements to the United States government. These actions jeopardize the integrity of our tax system, which fosters voluntary compliance.” According to the charges and plea agreements in the case, the Parkers carried out their fraud as follows:

Sheila Parker enlisted her son’s help with her duties for CACH and allowed him access to the center’s bank accounts. She permitted, and sometimes instructed him to use CACH funds for personal purchases. The total loss amount attributed to the Parkers’ fraud is $116,416 and the government seeks that amount in forfeiture from the two defendants.

The Parkers’ fraudulent transactions on CACH accounts between March 2010 and May 2011 included a $2,799 charge at Best Buy for two Lowrance Fishfinder/Chartplotters, a $328 charge at Systems & Services Technologies to make a payment on a bass boat, $3,500 charged through PayPal to send to James Parker’s then-girlfriend, a $668 charge at Tire Rack, and $14.95 spent at the adult website epoch.come to buy a one-month membership to “Jamie’s World.”

The bank fraud charges against Sheila Parker are the result of disputes she filed with Regions Bank on about 40 charges on CACH’s bank account. Although those were fraudulent charges made by Sheila and James Parker, she disputed the charges in an effort to conceal the fraud. Regions Bank returned about $30,668 to the CACH account for the charges Sheila Parker disputed.

Sheila and James Parker both face failure to file federal income tax returns for the calendar years 2010 and 2011. Sheila Parker acknowledges in her plea agreement that she failed to file a return on a gross income of $78,481 in 2010, and on $92,127 in 2011. She also acknowledges she failed to file returns every year from 2004 through 2012, and that for tax years 2008 through 2012, she owes the IRS $11,946.

James Parker acknowledges in his plea agreement that he failed to file returns for the tax years 2004 through 2011. In 2010, he had a gross income of about $90,215, of which $82,212 was illegal, according to his plea agreement. His gross income in 2011 was $24,729, all of which was illegal. According to his plea agreement, James Parker owes the IRS $17,658 for tax years 2004 through 2011.

The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and the HHS OIG investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tamarra Matthews-Johnson and Melissa Kay Atwood are prosecuting.

Regions Bank Supports National Preparedness Month with Tools, Resources and Advice for Customers and Communities

Birmingham Times

September 2, 2014

Month-long initiative starts with Regions Readiness Rallies at three locations: Birmingham, Indianapolis and Tampa

(BIRMINGHAM) Throughout September, Regions Bank (NYSE:RF) will support National Preparedness Month by providing resources, advice and financial tools to customers and communities, helping them prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Regions kicks off its initiative Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. CDT with the Regions Readiness Rally at the company’s Birmingham headquarters. ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann will be the guest speaker. The event is open to the public and provides a forum for community organizations to share information about preparedness. Regions customers are invited to attend the free event. Regions is also planning similar events in Tampa and Indianapolis later in the month.

Throughout September, Regions will provide updated information on RegionsBankNews.com and on Twitter, via @RegionsNews, in recognition of National Preparedness Month. Additional information will be available from the Disaster Resource Center on the company web site, regions.com. Tips for customers and small businesses are available to view and download from regions.com at the following links:

“Regions Bank has locations in 16 states, and nearly every one of our customers is vulnerable to or knows someone impacted by disasters, from tornadoes to hurricanes to straight-line winds,” said Steve McCleskey, vice president of business continuity and incident response for Regions Financial. “We’ve seen the dangers, and now we are working together to help our customers and communities prepare.”

Regions is also partnering with HOPE Coalition America to provide additional preparedness resources and tools. HOPE Coalition America offers an online financial preparedness test called “Are You Ready?” at http://dfrscore.org.

“We have a great relationship with Regions, and we are looking forward to partnering in an effort to have our communities ready for anything that comes their way,” said Oliver Bell, Southeast Region CEO of Operation HOPE and Director of HOPE Coalition America.

National Preparedness Month, now in its 10^th year, is a nationwide effort hosted by the Ready Campaign and Citizens Corps that encourages households, businesses and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies. For more information about the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit ready.gov, or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585.

Kevin Hart: ‘I Wish My Ex Nothing But the Best in Life’

Birmingham Times

August 28, 2014

Kevin Hart’s happiness doesn’t have to come at anybody else’s expense, the newly engaged actor claims. After some of his followers accused Hart of deliberately timing his engagement news with the premiere of his ex Torrei Hart‘s new reality show Atlanta Exes — she accused him of cheating in the first episode — the Real Husbands of Hollywood’s star had to respond.

“I wish y’all could see my face when I read some of the comments that you guys leave….I just want to take a second to share some COMMONSENSE with you guys!!!” he wrote on Instagram. “August 18th was @neekibaby actual Birthday…it wasn’t the day before or the day after. I will say this one more time & never repeat myself again….I wish my X Wife nothing but the best in life…I’ve moved forward with my life & have been doing so for the last 6 years. The only thing that was on my mind yesterday was making sure my lady had an amazing 30th B Day. I’m happy to say that my now FIANCÉ was blown away by the entire evening. #MissMeWithTheBulls–t #KillNegaitivityWithPositivity”

Hart, who popped the question to his longtime girlfriend Eniko Parrish on Monday, may have also had an awkward run-in with Torrei at popular Atlanta strip club Magic City. TMZ reports that both Kevin and Torrei were celebrating at the club on Monday night (Kevin his engagement and Torrei the premiere of her show) and were seated within sight of each other. Thankfully, everybody remained civilized and, while the exes didn’t speak to each other, a good time was had by all.

Sounds like both Harts have a lot to celebrate this week, and despite their back-and-forth in the media, they wish each other well.

By Evelyn Diaz

1...1,4581,4591,460...1,738 Page 1,459 of 1,738