BYD President Selected For Congressional Black Caucus Institute “Boot Camp”

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July 21, 2014

Yawntreshia Coleman, community organizer and President of the Birmingham Young Democrats (BYD), has been selected for the Congressional Black Caucus Institute Political “Boot Camp” July 19-27, 2014. Coleman was nominated by Congresswoman Terri Sewell.

“I am very proud of the Birmingham Young Democrats and the hard work that they put in throughout the year to help elect Democrats and grow our party. I am very excited that their president, Yawntreshia Coleman, will represent Alabama’s 7^th District at this year’s CBC Boot Camp,” Sewell said. “I know that Yawntreshia will bring the knowledge and skills she learns in Washington back home to make a change for the better in our district and to encourage more young people to get involved in the political process”.

“I am very appreciative of this opportunity,” Yawntreshia Coleman said. “I can’t wait to get back from D.C. and share what I have learned. Everything I learn will definitely help us with our goal of training young democrats to manage campaigns and run for public office in the future”.

The Political Training “Boot Camp” Program is an initiative of the CBC Institute designed to generate a pool of minority professionals who are well-qualified with regard to public and private sector policy and the conduct of political campaigns and issue advocacy.

The Minority Affairs Chair of the Birmingham Young Democrats, Prince Cleveland stated, “This is a tremendous opportunity not only for Yawntreshia, but for Birmingham Young Democrats as a whole. The training and knowledge she will bring back to Birmingham will help BYD in our mission to maintain a vibrant youth movement within the party.”

Coleman also hopes this training helps her build the capacity to turnout the vote for democratic nominees in the November general election. Additionally, she wants to lead successful issue advocacy campaigns and feels this experience will further equip her with the knowledge and skills to be instrumental in improving Alabama public policy.

Alabama Young Democrats (AYD) President Sam Gerard stated, “It is an amazing opportunity that some of our most important AYD players can attend this kind of rigorous political training session. The next decade of political progress in Alabama is dependent on people like Yawntreshia who attend these kinds of programs and bring that invaluable experience back to the ground level to make Alabama as politically competitive as possible”.

The CBCI Political Leadership “Boot Camp” is a highly-acclaimed nine-day intensive program. It is designed to help participants develop the expertise to become the leaders, strategists, and key staff members who will conduct successful candidate and issue campaigns or lead public and private sector policy work.

Chicken Salad Chick Announces Additional Birmingham Franchise

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Birmingham Times

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July 21, 2014

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Southern fast-casual restaurant concept to open second area franchise

(BIRMINGHAM) Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s newest fast-casual restaurant concept, has announced the development of a second location in Birmingham. The new restaurant, set to open in mid-November, will be located in SoHo Square at 1830 29th Avenue South, Homewood, AL 35209. The company’s first area location is scheduled to open in the Village at Lee Branch in September. “It was very important for us to select the right locations in Birmingham, and we can confidently say that we’re very pleased to move forward in Homewood,” says president Kevin Brown. “We appreciate the patience of our loyal fans in Birmingham, and are excited to open two area locations by the end of this year.”

Born In Alabama – The Chicken Salad Chick concept was established in Auburn, Ala. in 2008 in the kitchen of founder, Stacy Brown. Stacy quickly learned that selling a homemade recipe from her kitchen is against the law, and after being shut down by the health department, she decided to solicit the business expertise of her future husband and fellow founder, Kevin Brown. Together, they opened a small takeout restaurant which quickly grew to enormous demand and additional locations. The unique concept puts an edgy twist on a southern classic by offering customers a “custom-fit” chicken salad experience, with 15 original flavors to choose from, as well as gourmet soups, flavorful side salads and freshly-baked desserts. Chicken Salad Chick has sold 85 franchises to be developed across the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina & South Carolina, and has plans to expand nationally in the coming years. “We are thrilled to announce another coming Birmingham location,” said Chicken Salad Chick Founder Stacy Brown. “So many of the guests that we see in our Auburn restaurants are from Birmingham, so we are very much looking forward to serving them, as well as many new guests, in their own communities!”

Worst Campaign Ever

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Birmingham Times

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July 18, 2014

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When I used the headline to write about Terri Sewell’s campaign I was under the impression that I would never use this headline again. I thought that Sewell ran the worst campaign, even though she won, which I predicted she would. The reason being was because she had no opposition.

The worst campaign ever conducted was by County Commissioner George Bowman. Here is a person who has been a county commissioner for eight years and cannot raise $50,000 to run a campaign. The county commissioner’s salary is in the neighborhood of $100,000 per year, and until recently Richard Finley’s salary was $70,000, in addition to Dr. Horace Huntley who was making $65,000 a year. To add this up, during the four year period Bowman’s salary would have been $400,000, with Huntley and Finley’s salaries amounting to about $280,000. If each had given 10 percent of their earnings to the campaign they would have collected $50,000. It would seem to me this would be a small dollar amount to pay, considering what you will receive.

They spent no money for advertising, they had no major endorsements, and the small yard sign they put up wasn’t even legible; in other words, no one could read them. My analysis of this is that Bowman had no intention, for whatever reason, of winning. It’s my understanding he hired a consultant. I have no earthly idea who he hired, but what I do know about consultants is that every time someone loses their job, for whatever reason, they become a consultant. They attempt to become a consultant in the same area they were just fired in; however, this concept is not bad because they can give you advice on what not to do.

Other winners and losers…. The beginning part of this article was written on Tuesday morning before the vote, the following was written after the vote. I still contend that Bowman ran a terrible campaign. While all the influence from the known people in the community were endorsing Earl Hillard Jr. Bowman still won. The exit poll showed that Bowman was the most liked and trusted politician in the state. In other words, people genuinely believed that he was totally and completely honest. Moreover, they felt as though he has been on the right side of all the major issues, which have arisen from the Jefferson County government.

In all probability, the closest race in history was between Sandra Little Brown and Shelia Smoot. The exit poll shows that 20 percent of all the people who voted for Sandra Little Brown were under the impression that Smoot was already on the county commission. The most shocking race of all was that of the congressional district, with Paul DeMarco and Gary Palmer. Almost everyone was under the impression that DeMarco was going to win and they were shocked by the margin he lost to Palmer. Now, Palmer must face a Democrat in November and most people believe he will win simply because it’s a Republican territory.

It’s not over yet, they have to count the absentee ballots and Shelia still has a chance to win. On the other hand, the county does not automatically conduct recounts. If any candidate is to request a recount it will cost them $10,000.

AG Strange Announces Deadline of August 1 For Consumers to File Claims in DRAM Lawsuit

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Birmingham Times

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July 17, 2014

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(MONTGOMERY) Attorney General Luther Strange announces that eligible consumers have an August 1 deadline to file claims in a settlement involving electronic devices purchased between 1998 and 2002 that use Dynamic Random Access Memory, or DRAM.

The national $310 million settlement was filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of California and involves claims of price fixing against 12 DRAM manufacturers. The minimum payment for smaller purchases is expected to be $10 but the actual payment amount could be more depending on the total number of claims filed.

DRAM is a high-density, low-cost per bit memory component that stores digital information and provides high-speed retrieval of data. DRAM is sold separately or pre-installed in electronic devices such as computers, graphic cards, video game consoles, MP3 players, printers, PDAs, DVD players and DVRs.

Claims may be filed online at www.DRAMclaims.com. More information about the settlement is available by visiting www.DRAMclaims.com, calling toll-free 1-800-589-1425 or emailing info@DRAMclaims.com.

First Black Woman to Win Olympic Gold Dies in Georgia

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Birmingham Times

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July 17, 2014

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(ALBANY) The first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, Alice Coachman Davis, died early Monday in south Georgia. She was 90.

Davis’ death was confirmed by her daughter, Evelyn Jones. Davis won Olympic gold in the high jump at the 1948 games in London with an American and Olympic record of 1.68 meters (5.51 feet), according to USA Track and Field, the American governing body of the sport. Davis was inducted to the USA Track and Field Hall of fame in 1975, and was inducted to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004. ”Going into the USOC Hall of Fame is as good as it gets,” she told The Associated Press in a 2004 interview. ”It’s like Cooperstown, Springfield and Canton,” she said, referring to the sites of other prominent Halls of Fame. Davis was the only American woman to win a gold medal at the 1948 games. According to Olympic historian David Wallechinsky, Coachman was honored with a 175-mile motorcade in Georgia when she returned from London. However, the Black and white audiences were segregated at her official ceremony in Albany. Recollecting her career in the 2004 interview, Davis speculated that she could have won even more Olympic medals, but the Olympics weren’t held in 1940 or 1944 because of World War II. She retired at age 25 after winning the gold medal in London. ‘I know I would have won in 1944, at least,” said Davis. ”I was starting to peak then. It really feels good when Old Glory is raised and the National Anthem is played.” Davis attended Tuskegee University and also played basketball on a team that won three straight conference basketball titles. She won 25 national track and field championships – including 10 consecutive high jump titles – between 1939 and 1948, according to USA Track and Field. Growing up in the deep South during the era of segregation, Davis had to overcome multiple challenges. The New Georgia Encyclopedia says she was prohibited from using public sports facilities because of her race, so she used whatever equipment she could cobble together to practice her jumping. ”My dad did not want me to travel to Tuskegee and then up north to the Nationals,” Davis told the AP. ”He felt it was too dangerous. Life was very different for African-Americans at that time. But I came back and showed him my medal and talked about all the things I saw. He and my mom were very proud of me.” Davis won her first national high jump title at age 16 according to USA Track and Field, and worked as a school teacher and track coach after retiring.

An elementary school in her home town is named in her honor and opened in August 1999 according to Dougherty County schools officials.Vera Williams, a secretary at Meadows Funeral Home in Albany, said Meadows will be handling Davis’ memorial service, but plans haven’t been finalized yet. Davis’ cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

T-Pain Headlines Back-to-Campus Concert at JSU

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Birmingham Times

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July 17, 2014

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Come back to campus with T-Pain! Jacksonville State University’s Office of Housing and Residence Life presents T-Pain in Concert along with Matt and the Browncoats on Saturday, August 16 at Dillon Field, adjacent to JSU’s Stadium Tower.

JSU students get in free; general admission is $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. Tickets are available online CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS Gates open at 6 p.m. with Matt and the Browncoats taking the stage at 7 p.m. T-Pain will follow. Concessions will be offered on site and all tickets are standing room.   This concert is part of JSU’s Cocky Daze move-in week.

Getting Enough Sleep is as Critical to Overall Health as Diet and Exercise

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Birmingham Times

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July 17, 2014

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(NAPSI) Like many Americans, you may spend hours at the gym, choose all the right foods and think you’re in peak health—but you could be missing a vital part of the equation.
If you’re not sleeping seven to nine hours each night, you’re unlikely to achieve optimal health, according to the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project, a collaboration of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Sleep Research Society (SRS). The group aims to promote awareness of the dangers of chronic sleep loss and untreated sleep illness to encourage measurable behavior changes. “The urgency of our message cannot be overstated: Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury and the pursuit of healthy sleep should be one of our top priorities,” says Dr. Safwan Badr, national spokesperson for the Healthy Sleep project. “Sufficient sleep is one of the three pillars of a healthy lifestyle – as important as good nutrition and regular exercise.” CDC data indicate that 28 percent of U.S. adults sleep six hours or less in a 24-hour period. Poor sleep increases the risk of physical and mental health problems, mortality, accidents, injuries and disability. “Poor sleep has a cumulative impact on nearly every key indicator of public health, including obesity, hypertension and diabetes,” says Janet B. Croft, PhD, senior chronic disease epidemiologist in CDC’s Division of Population Health. “Healthy sleep is a vital sign of good health.”

How do you know if you’re getting enough sleep? The Healthy Sleep project recommends these tips:
Quantity: Get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Most adults need at least seven hours of nightly sleep for optimal health and productivity. Set a regular bedtime that is early enough for you to get a full night of sleep. A recent CDC study linked too little sleep (six hours or less) with chronic diseases—including coronary heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and obesity.

Quality: Ensure that the quality of your sleep is good. Avoid anything that can lead to fitful, interrupted sleep. “It’s important to understand that both the quality and quantity of sleep affect your health,” said SRS President Janet Mullington, PhD. “Alcohol, caffeine and some medications can leave you tossing, turning and waking up feeling unrefreshed despite enough time in bed.”

Timing: Follow a consistent schedule. Your body sleeps best at night, when it’s dark, and functions best when you keep a regular bedtime. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time every morning—even on weekends.
Health: Seek help for your sleep problems. Can’t stop snoring? Besides being a nuisance to your bed partner, loud and frequent snoring can be a warning sign for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a dangerous, potentially life-threatening disease characterized by episodes of complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep. At least 25 million adults in the U.S. have OSA and treatment could mean better sleep and improved health.
“Millions of people have an untreated sleep illness that prevents them from getting the best sleep,” says Badr. “Treating a sleep problem can be life-changing, helping you to be healthier and happier.” If you have difficulty falling or staying asleep or wake up feeling exhausted, speak with a board-certified sleep medicine physician, who has the training and expertise to diagnose and treat sleep illness.
For more information or to find a nearby sleep specialist at an AASM-accredited sleep center, visit www.sleepeducation.org/healthysleep.

Workplace Talk at the Barbershop

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Birmingham Times

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July 17, 2014

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This article is written as a testament to my alertness as a barber of long-standing. I can remember when the steel workers were my big money clients. In those days men that worked in the steel plants would talk about their work. They would talk so descriptively that I could envision them at work doing their various tasks.

We are people of the land and our ancestry goes back to the African slave and manual labor in agriculture and crop production. I am sure that Barbershop Talk was exciting, inspirational and thought provoking. Even in captivity and under servitude, there was unity at the barbershop. In my time as a barber I have been exposed to many brothers and sisters who were the first Blacks to do the jobs they were doing here in Birmingham in the ’60s and ’70s. They worked at the phone company, water works, gas company, many banks, car dealerships, bus drivers and cab drivers for white cab companies. The department stores of note were all located in the downtown area at that time; as you can see I am painting a picture of Barbershop Talk as it was back in the day when all of the Black firsts in various careers were heroes and heroines in the Black community.

I thank God for allowing me to live through the first 50 years of the struggle for equality, now young folk, it’s up to you. Now I am not asking you to believe this because I said it, I am asking you to study to show your own self-approval.

By: Pete Stone

Tips to Help You Play to Win

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Birmingham Times

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July 17, 2014

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(NAPSA) If you’re a man who is carrying a few extra pounds, there’s good news. Any time can be the right time to start and strengthen healthier habits and lose the weight.
Some find that the warmer weather of summer and early fall can be a great time to get in shape. That’s because the longer days can make it easier to find workout partners or teams to join. It can also be a great time to enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, peaches and sweet corn. With extra pounds linked to health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers, getting to a healthy weight can be a step in the right direction.

To help you get in the game, here are some tips from the Weight-control Information Network (WIN), a national information service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health:

Get Fitter, Stronger, Faster
• Start with a level of activity that feels doable. For example, 10 minutes each day. Increase frequency, time and intensity as you become able to do more.
• Mix it up. To get and stay on track, try different kinds of activities. Make sure your routine includes aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, biking), strength training (free weights, crunches, push-ups), and flexibility exercises like stretching or yoga.

Power Up With Nutrient-Dense Foods And Drinks
• Eat and drink smart. Choose foods and drinks that pack plenty of vitamins, minerals and fiber into fewer calories. Fruit, vegetables, lean meats and seafood, and water or fat-free milk are all good options.
• Outsmart your inner picky eater. Sneak in fruits and vegetables. Add berries to your cereal or crunchy vegetables to your sandwich.

Stick With It For The Long Run
• Form your own team. Find a workout partner or group to help you stay on track.
• Reward yourself when you reach your goals. Plan a basketball or soccer game, bike ride or healthy cookout with friends or family.

Learn more from WIN’s “Getting on Track: Physical Activity and Healthy Eating for Men.” The brochure features more tips and ideas for men, tools for figuring out if your weight is healthy, ways to assess portion sizes based on everyday items, and ideas for overcoming barriers to better health. Contact WIN to get a single copy free. Or go to www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/. Being overweight has been linked to health problems in men. That’s why getting to a healthy weight can be a step in the right direction.

Leela James Fall For You Lands Top 10 on Billboard R&B Albums Chart

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Birmingham Times

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July 17, 2014

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(New York, NY) R&B/Soul singer-songwriter Leela James lands #7 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart and #12 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hip Albums Chart with her critically well-received album Fall For You. USA Today declares “James brings it, every time” and Yahoo! Music adds the “gimmick-free R&B, Fall For You is a captivating, modern listen.” Released July 8 via J&T Records/BMG, Fall For You is Leela’s fourth studio album of her career.

As a special treat for her fans, the soul singer revealed a stream of the contemporary ballad “Save Me” off her new album via SoundCloud today. The song was co-written and produced by budding singer-songwriter Joe Ryan, who also lends his vocals to the track. Tonight Leela will grant her fans never-seen-before access into her personal and professional life with the premiere of R&B Divas LA on TV One. As one of the newest cast members to star in the hit reality series, viewers will gain insight into her career as she gears up for the release of “Fall For You”.

Leela’s current single and title track “Fall For You” is actively climbing the Urban AC radio charts and the video can be seen on VH1 Soul, Centric and online at VEVO.com. Produced by Leela James and co-written with Rex Rideout (Ledisi, Babyface, Luther Vandross), the tender, introspective and poignant ballad has been hand-picked for recommendation by several wedding publications and Essence names it “the perfect summer wedding song.”

Be sure to catch the commanding performer and powerhouse vocalist on tour this summer and visit LeelaJames.com for new tour date announcements.