Chamber Names Director of Workforce Development

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July 24, 2014

(TUSCALOOSA) The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama has announced that it has named LeNa` Powe as its Director of Workforce Development effective August 15. Powe will serve as The Chamber’s primary liaison to the Region 3 Workforce Development Council and West Alabama Works, of which the Chamber now serves as both managing and fiscal agent for. She will provide a central point of contact for any private or public entity seeking information and assistance with workforce training in the seven-county region. Powe will be responsible for building alliances and coordinating with local training providers, employment agencies, Chambers of Commerce, IDBs/IDAs, education officials and elected leaders.

Powe brings strong leadership and experience in workforce development, education and public policy to the Chamber. She most recently worked for the Birmingham City Council as a community liaison and external community affairs representative. In that role, Powe helped launch the Birmingham Live campaign to increase workforce development partnerships and opportunities in the City of Birmingham.

Prior to this, she worked for the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) as an education and workforce development project manager where she was responsible for marketing and managing signature workforce events, had oversight of workforce and student recruitment efforts, and coordinated educational outreach initiatives and partnerships. She also developed the Talent Recruitment Newsletter and managed the Talent Recruitment Project, as well as supported several workforce development projects under BBA’s Blueprint Birmingham strategic plan.

Before moving into the aforementioned role at BBA, Powe served as a project manager for minority and small business development for the organization. Powe is a native of Birmingham and a two-time graduate of The University of Alabama, receiving a BA in Community Development and an MA in Communication Studies. The list of honors and awards she has earned is impressive. Powe was named a USA Today All-American Team nominee, Second Runner-Up for the 2009 Miss Alabama Community Service Award, 2013 Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama Role Model Award and served as Miss Tuscaloosa 2007, among other honors.

Chamber President and CEO Jim Page said, “Ensuring that we have an adequately prepared workforce has become of critical importance to business and industry leaders throughout this entire region. It has long been a top priority for the Chamber’s Board of Directors, investors and local workforce development officials. The vision, experience and energy that LeNa` will bring to this effort on a full-time, daily basis will allow us to continue to put words into action. We are very proud to add someone of her caliber to an already outstanding team of professionals.”

Lake Lurleen to Host Wakeboard Tournaments

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Birmingham Times

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July 24, 2014

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Lake Lurleen State Park will host two Alabama International Novice Tour (INT) Wakeboard Tournaments on August 2-3. Both tournaments will begin at 9 a.m. Practice rounds for the tournaments will take place on Friday, August 1, between 1-5 p.m. Lake Lurleen State Park is located at 13226 Lake Lurleen Rd., Coker, AL, 35452. Wakeboard, kneedboard, wakeskate and wakesurf riders of all skill levels are invited to compete. “From beginner to pro-level, anyone can take part in the Lake Lurleen tournaments,” said Mike Townsend, one of the event organizers and owner of Mike’s Water Sports Lessons in Northport, Ala. “We have a division for your skill level no matter your age. We encourage everyone to come out and compete or to just watch.” During the Lake Lurleen tournaments, competitors also can earn points toward competing in the INT Eastern Region Championship which will be held at Lake Jewel in Florence on September 26-27. For more information about Alabama INT, contact Kim Jones at (205) 487-1445/al@intleague.com or Mike Townsend at (205) 394-4054/mikeswatersports@gmail.com.
The Alabama State Parks Division operates and maintains 22 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water. These Parks rely on visitor fees and the support of other Partners like local communities to fund the majority of their operations. To learn more about Alabama State Parks, visit www.alapark.com.

Fifth Third Bank is Legacy Sponsor of 2014 National Urban League Conference

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Birmingham Times

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July 24, 2014

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Fifth Third Bank has announced that it is a proud legacy sponsor of the 2014 National Urban League Conference.

(CINCINNATI) The event will take place in the Bank’s headquarters of Cincinnati from July 23-26 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. The 2014 conference, which is titled “One Nation Underemployed: Bridges to Jobs and Justice,” will convene political, business and community leaders to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act while confronting record job losses with strategies and actionable plans for recovery and economic empowerment for all.

“We could not be more proud or excited about being an integral part of the 2014 National Urban League Conference in our home city,” said Vice President Camino Smith, a speaker at the conference’s Education Summit and director of Community & Economic Development at Fifth Third Bank. “Fifth Third is a leader in financial empowerment for individuals of all ages and we are breaking new ground in the reemployment space by helping our out-of-work customers find jobs. Our sponsorship of this conference is enabling us to demonstrate our deep commitment to the community and is an opportunity for us to more deeply engage in issues facing the African American community specifically.”

Fifth Third Bank will have a significant presence at the conference. The Company will have an active career fair booth for recruiting talent. Bank employees will conduct workshops on its financial empowerment resource for small businesses called SmallBizU. Additionally, Fifth Third’s Financial Empowerment Bus – a 40-foot retrofitted city bus transformed into a mobile financial classroom on wheels – will be a key attraction at the conference expo on Thursday, July 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, July 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, July 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fifth Third professionals will be onboard the bus to provide conference guests with financial resources and training as well as to provide access to top quality financial services.

Pride is the key

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Birmingham Times

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July 24, 2014

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One of the most important words in building a city is pride, by the citizens. If some, maybe a few of us can recall, many years ago most of the people who lived in the housing communities had a garden and flowers. Every Friday they would have a clean-up day. Today the people living in housing communities depend on everyone except themselves to create a garden, plant flowers, cut grass, or even pick up paper. They don’t even call the repo service to tow away cars that have been sitting in their streets for more than two years. Furthermore, they have this unwritten law that if a person breaks the law they will not report it to the proper authorities.

“Pictured is an example of pride. The young girl in this photo is Jayla Kirkland, receiving the 2014 HABD Athlete of the year award. Kirkland lives in The Birmingham Housing Community, and is going the 10th grade. She displays a sense of pride in her community.”

Pride is the key word in the housing community and also a key word in the communities of Titusville and Smithfield. Both of which have turned out the best lawyers, doctors, athletes, schoolteachers, ministers, businessmen and women than any other city in the state of Alabama, in addition to almost any other city in America. I failed to mention the civil rights leaders. The two or three neighborhoods that we can build upon are presently plagued with people fixing hair on the front porch, barbershops in the back room, car washes in lots of the neighborhood, automobile quick-fix shops, rundown houses, cars parked in the front yard and lots with grass that hasn’t been cut in years.

The City of Birmingham is not responsible for this; the people who live in the communities are responsible. We are the ones who need to fix our community. There is an old saying that states, “charity starts at home and then spreads abroad;” we must take one neighborhood at a time and make sure that every neighborhood follows. It makes a difference in your self-esteem when you live in a neighborhood and see beautiful yards, trees, flowers and clean streets. If the neighborhood president and city council, with whatever district it may be, would take this task on and do all the things in a neighborhood that its citizens are supposed to, it would make one proud to say that they live in Smithfield, Titusville, or whatever neighborhood it may be. Crime would go down 100 percent and young people who are fortunate enough to move out of the neighborhoods into surrounding cities would come back to Birmingham. These things mentioned in this column have nothing to do with how much money one has or your occupation, it has to do with pride.

This week we are going to have company, some executives from the Democratic committee are coming to Birmingham. Downtown is beautiful, the streets are clean, the restaurants are open, and in other words it’s impressive. How impressive do you think it would be if we could carry people from the Democratic National Convention through the communities of Smithfield and Collegeville? It is not the city’s responsibility to clean up your house, and it is not the city’s responsibility to give you a ticket for parking on your lawn. It is our responsibility, and we should have the pride.

By: Dr. Jesse Lewis

Step out to a healthy summer with local, free walking groups and outdoor activities offered by MyDiabetesConnect

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Birmingham Times

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July 24, 2014

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With school out for the summer and warmer weather finally here, it’s a great time to get outdoors and take advantage of parks near Birmingham. Why not pack a healthy picnic and hike along a trail at Oak Mountain State Park or check out a free yoga class at Railroad Park after work? It turns out that what is good for the body is also good for the soul. According to the Centers for Disease Control, physical activity can help you control blood glucose, weight, and blood pressure, as well as raise “good” cholesterol and lower “bad” cholesterol. These play an important role in taking a proactive approach to managing diabetes as well as taking steps to prevent it.Here are just a few of our area’s parks and trails that are free and open to the public:
· Red Mountain Park
Red Mountain Park is located in the southwest corner of Birmingham. The park is situated on 1,200 acres, extending approximately 4.5 miles east-to-west along Red Mountain. Red Mountain Park offers free trail hiking from 7 a.m. until dusk every day of the week, and other interactive outdoor activities like zip-lining and biking.

· Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve is a 1,011 acre natural oasis located on one of the last undeveloped stretches of the Red Mountain ridge known as Ruffner Mountain. Enjoy a short stroll or explore the mountain for an all day hiking adventure. With miles of peaceful forested trails and several overlooks, Ruffner Mountain provides one of the most spectacular views of the city.

· Oak Mountain State Park
The day-use activities at Oak Mountain State Park set it apart from the rest. With the oldest continuously operating BMX Track in the nation, more than 50 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails and a marina for fishing and canoeing, at the picturesque 9,940-acre park, there is something for people of all ages to enjoy.

· Railroad Park
Railroad Park, Birmingham’s newest park, is located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, across from Regions Field and UAB. It is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days per week. There is no cost for park entrance. Participants may choose to walk, jog or bike the 3/4 mile loop around the park, or join one of several free fitness classes from spring to fall during on weeknights. There is also outdoor gym equipment and two play areas for children with modern playground equipment and a climbing dome.

· Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is Alabama’s largest living museum with more than 10,000 different plants in its living collections. The Gardens’ 67.5 acres contains 25+ unique gardens, 30+ works of original outdoor sculpture, guided by miles of serene paths for leisurely walking.

If you are interested in joining a free local walking group, MyDiabetesConnect offers a free walking group that meets every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Railroad Park Pavilion located on 17th Street Plaza. All are welcome to attend, so visit mydiabetesconnect.com for more information about how to get involved.

MyDiabetesConnect.com is an online Birmingham-based resource guide that helps identify low-cost and free opportunities for physical activity like local parks and trails. This local searchable website is helping Birmingham communities promote healthy lifestyles, reduce the risk of diabetes and encourage diabetes management by promoting a variety of local, free, and low-cost programs and services. The site provides the location, contact information, directions and other key information. You can also customize your search to locate resources in or near your neighborhood.

White Preacher Sets Himself On Fire to Inspire Justice For African Americans

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Birmingham Times

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July 24, 2014

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When Caucasian retired pastor Charles Moore (pictured) set himself on fire on June 23rd at a Grand Saline, Texas, step mall parking lot, he was reportedly prayerful that his act of suicide did not go in vain. Moore, who had dedicated his life to fighting against racism, left behind a suicide note that reportedly states he has decided to kill himself because he was haunted by the yester-year lynchings of African Americans and wanted his death to inspire social reform, according to the New York Daily News. The 79-year-old United Methodist clergyman’s note, which was left on his vehicle’s windshield, reportedly stated:

“Many African-Americans were lynched around here. I have decided to join them by giving my body to be burned,” he wrote.

According to police, the Harvard Divinity School graduate drove to the parking lot of a dollar store in the very same home town where racism reigned supreme and lynchings were a common occurrence once upon a time. Moore then doused himself with gasoline and struck a match. Witnesses tried to extinguish the flames; Moore was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital. The letter Moore left also described how the cruel and inhumane racist acts he had witnessed a young child never stopped troubling his soul: “When I was about 10 years old, some friends and I were walking down the road toward the creek to catch some fish, when a man called ‘Uncle Billy’ stopped us and called us into his home for a drink of water — but his real purpose was to cheerily tell us about helping to kill ‘n–s’ and put their heads up on a pole,” he wrote. “A section of Grande Saline was (maybe still is) called ‘pole town,’ where the heads were displayed. It was years later before I knew what the name meant.

The man who was a true devotee to selfless acts of compassion took on many social causes throughout his life. Besides being an active civil rights supporter, Moore went on a two-week hunger strike in the ’90s to herald the rights of homosexuals. He also spoke against the death penalty and sexism as well. Working in a slum in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, and traveling to work in developing nations in Africa and the Middle East were also among Moore’s many humanitarian efforts.

Despite all of Moore’s selfless acts, he felt self-immolation would be his ultimate contribution to possibly bringing even more attention to racism: “I have no significant achievements to offer. So I am laying down my life here today, in order to call attention to issues of great human concern.”

By Ruth Manuel-Logan

WHAT’S HAPPENING… TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE SOUTHEAST

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Birmingham Times

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July 24, 2014

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There is always something to do in the southeast, in Birmingham, in Nashville, in Atlanta, in Panama City Beach…year-round but especially in the summer and fall. This guide ‘What’s Happening Travel Guide to the Southeast’ will give you ‘a taste’ of what there is in the area.

If you are planning a vacation, or wish that you could visit family …or just want to see something in the area, then this travel guide is for you.

There are attractions of all kinds, great shopping, the ’best’ dining in the world, great nightlife, best jazz in the country, more American Idols or contestants than you can name, more sports than you can imagine with the world’s greatest outdoors for fun, golf, fishing, hunting, then… there are the hills, valleys and beaches with white sand and emerald water… and so much more. There are cities with history of various kinds – civil war, historical, civil rights history and great Indian. Check them out… even if not in this guide. Some towns have it all. Great schools, a thriving job market, safe streets, plenty to do. The best offer is one thing more: A reason to go home… again. In Birmingham you are in for a major treat if shopping for art and antiques. Whether a sophisticated collector of fine art or a master browser who loves to go junking, you will find what you can’t live without in the southeast. You will find this guide useful for selecting where or what to start with – people, places, or things.

Read about some things in the Birmingham Times or ask the people in the southeast. They are the best to share what their city or state has to offer. And, you can read about ‘some of it’ in the – What’s Happening Guide! So, …check it out!!!!

Ten Smart Tips For Healthy Travel

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Birmingham Times

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July 24, 2014

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Whether for business or pleasure, many Americans will be traveling internationally this year—and your fun and efficiency will go further if you make sure the basics of health and safety are not neglected.
How to Travel Well

To help, Dr. Omur Cinar Elci, Chair of St. George’s University’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, shares his top 10 tips on staying healthy when traveling:

1. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on vaccines and health alerts at your destination and visit your doctor, preferably four to six weeks before your trip, to get vaccines and any medicine you may need.
2. Strengthen your immune system before you travel by exercising and taking vitamins.
3. Get seven to nine hours of sleep the night before you fly.
4. Pack healthy snacks for the plane (nuts, veggies and fruits) but make sure to consume them in flight so as not to bring them into another country.
5. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, water, water.
6. Skip alcohol and caffeine.
7. Keep your hands and personal items out of the seat back pocket to avoid germs. Imagine how many people have read that magazine.
8. Wash your hands frequently and carry a travel-size antibacterial sanitizer.
9. Use sunscreen and insect repellent.
10. Once you return home, see a doctor immediately if you are not feeling well or if you notice any abnormal changes in your body. Be sure to let the office know you’ve recently been out of the country. Many times, an illness will take a few days to appear.

Keep these ideas in mind and the next time you travel you’ll be better able to peek at the sights in the peak of health.

Annual Back To School Jamboree

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Birmingham Times

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July 24, 2014

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Alpha Kappa Omega Hearts And Phi Gamma Rho are volunteering at one of their annual community service projects, packing school bags. for the Fairfield City Schools, Annual Back to School Jamboree. This event, will be held on Saturday, August 9, from 9:30a.m. to 2p.m., at Fairfield High Preparatory School, Clements Stadium. School bags will be given to all grade levels (K-12) that are in the system.

There will be Fun, Food and Live Entertainment.

VACATION ESCAPES

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Birmingham Times

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July 22, 2014

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Get Away and Save..

(NAPSI) It’s not always where you’re going but who’s by your side that can create some of your best vacation memories. According to a recent PhoCusWright study, 70 percent of travelers said vacations are more about spending time with the people they care about rather than the destination.That said, the place you stay at can make a difference in the quality of time you get to spend with friends and family. You can reconnect in spacious and comfortable accommodations with a vacation rental. Unlike hotels, these come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from beach homes to villas to houseboats. They can fit large groups opting to stay together and share vacation costs, and small parties looking for a more intimate vacation.
Vacation Rental Benefits
• Room for everyone to enjoy. Travelers can spread out, relax and cherish time together in roomy common living areas as well as retreat to private bedrooms, many of which have individual televisions. Plus, in a vacation rental, you’ll likely have more than one bathroom.
• Homelike amenities. Familiar conveniences such as in-unit washers and dryers can make packing for vacation easier, lighter and less time consuming. Simpler packing can translate to less stress throughout the vacation and the possibility of saving money on airline baggage charges.
• Fully equipped kitchens. These can also cut costs since you can prepare and enjoy a home-made meal together in the rental instead of dining out. Eating in can also be the healthier option, according to recent studies.
• More value for your money. With an average size of 1,850 square feet, vacation rentals are more than five times as large as the average hotel room, so you get more space for the money. What’s more, the average rental costs less: $68.51 per bedroom compared to the average hotel room price of $106.08.

Find Deals On Vacation Rentals right now, vacationers can take advantage of deals of up to 35 percent off a stay with Wyndham Vacation Rentals. Opting for professionally managed companies such as Wyndham Vacation Rentals, which is backed by a Vacation Rental Bill of Rights that ensures quality standards and service, can offer peace of mind throughout the vacation experience.
For more information about the benefits of a vacation rental or to book your next stay, visit www.WyndhamVacationRentals.com.