Classifieds

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

Employment

University of Montevallo
is accepting applications for the following positions:

•   Manager, Donor Relations
•   Administrative Assistant I – Student Life
•   Library Assistant III/Interlibrary Loan

Visit https://jobs.montevallo.edu

UM is an EO Employer
BT05/08/14
__________________
Marketing/Research Assistant
College degree in Communications/Advertising/Business
or two years exp. in sales/research or related field preferred.
Send resume to Jean Ziegert, Dir. of HR, Alabama’s ABC 33/40,
800 Concourse Parkway #200, Birmingham, AL 35244.
E-mail: jeanz@abc3340.com. No phone calls, please. EOE
BT05/08/14
__________________
DRIVERS

Drivers, CDL-A:
Home EVERY Weekend!
ALL Loaded/Empty Miles Paid!
Dedicated Southeast!
Or Lease: No Money Down, No Credit Check.
1-800-397-2753
BT05/08/14
__________________
AUTOMOBILE

2006 Chrysler 300
Call Sammy at 205-814-8454

2010 White Malibu
Call Sammy at 205-814-8454

2008 G.M.C. Sierra SLE
Red extended cab
Tow package extra clean
Call Sammy at 205-814-8454

2003 Blue Infinity G35
Fully loaded with Navigation
Luxury 6 speed sports car
Call Ivory at 205-821-0491

2008 G.M.C. Yukon
Black, nicely equipped
3rd row seat, family fun
Call Sammy at 205-814-8454
BT05/08/14
_________________________________
LEGALS

NOTICE OF COMPLETION

In accordance with Chapter 1 Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Bennett Building, Inc., Contractor, has completed the contract for the Gymnasium Addition and Renovations to Wilsonville Elementary School, for the State of Alabama and the Shelby County Board of Education, owners, and have made request for final settlement of said contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Lathan Associates Architects, PC located at 1550 Woods of Riverchase Dr #200 Hoover, AL 35244.
Bennett Building, Inc.
120 Shady Acres Road
Alabaster, AL 35007
BT05/08/14
___________________
DeKalb County Hospital Association
D/b/a Dekalb AmbulanceService

Invitation for Request For Proposal

The Dekalb County Hospital Association, a public body, shall hereby solicit a Request for Proposal quotes for a comprehensive management service to provide and maintain an E.M.S. Electronic Data System.

Detailed bid specifications may be obtained from:

Mail: Dekalb Ambulance Service P.O. Box 680643
Fort Payne, AL 35968

Physical Address: 208 Airport Road SW Fort Payne, AL 35968

Or by calling: (256)845-4027ext.0 and ask for Mark Ford, Director

Or by email: dekalbamb101@aol.com

Request for Proposal quotes must be submitted to the above address by July 3 at 1:59 p.m. CST. All quotes must be submitted in sealed format and labeled “RFP # 2014- 2020501: EMS ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEM/SERVICE from (insert your company name here).” Request for Proposals not received by stated deadline and/or improperly formatted will be rejected.

The Dekalb County Hospital Association reserves the right to interpret all matters pertaining to the Request for Proposal award and to reject any or all Request for Proposals. Request for Proposals will be opened at the office of the Director, Mark Ford at 2:00 p.m. CST, July 3, 2014. The Dekalb County Hospital Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, creed, color or other basis as prohibited by law.
BT05/08/14
___________________
INVITATION TO BID

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

FOR

Taxiway Safety Area Improvements – Taxiway H
BAA Project Number: AF022.000.000-2014

Sealed Bids will be received on behalf of the Birmingham Airport Authority (BAA) at the BAA Office located at the Medical Forum Building 950 22nd Street North, Suite 750, Birmingham, AL 35203, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Bids shall be opened and read aloud at 11:30 a.m. local time the same day at the Southern Museum of Flight located at 4343 73rd Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35206.

The bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope and/or container plainly marked on the outside with the name, address, and license number of the bidder; the name of the project (Taxiway Safety Area Improvements – Taxiway H) and the time and date due (10:00 a.m. local time, Tuesday, June 10, 2014). Submitted Bids are to be addressed to the attention of Mr. Lowrenzo Taylor, Project Manager, Birmingham Airport Authority, Birmingham, Alabama 35212.

The scope of work consists principally of the following approximate quantities:

690
CY
UNCLASSIFIED EXCAVATION
1690
CY
BORROW EXCAVATION
108
LF
18″ SPAN, 11″ RISE REINFORCED CONCRETE ARCH PIPE, CLASS III
140
LF
18″ REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE, CLASS III
52
LF
30″ REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE, CLASS III
420
LF
18″ REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE, CLASS IV
4
EA
INLET, DOUBLE GRATE
18318
SY
SODDING (BERMUDA)
1040
CY
TOPSOILING (FURNISHED FROM OFF THE SITE)
13
EA
MEDIUM INTENSITY TAXIWAY EDGE LIGHT (L-861T), OMNI-DIRECTIONAL WITH BLUE QUARTZ LENS L-867 BASE MOUNTED, IN PLACE
1
EA
JUNCTION BOX
2
EA
GRATE INLET, TYPE PR
140
LF
REMOVING CURB
860
SY
REMOVING RIPRAP

A Pre-Bid conference will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 starting at 3:00 p.m. local time at the Southern Museum of Flight located at 4343 73rd Street N., Birmingham, Alabama 35206. All Invitation to Bid participants are strongly encouraged to attend this conference.

Beginning Tuesday, May 20, 2014, Invitation to Bid Packages containing specifications and other contract documents may be purchased from Volkert, Inc., located at 2 20th Street North, Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35203, phone number (205) 214-5500, upon payment of One Hundred-Fifty and No/100 dollars ($150.00) to Volkert, Inc. for each set of contract documents (This fee will be refunded by Volkert, Inc. for contract documents that are returned in reusable condition within 10 days of bid opening).

All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding $50,000.00 must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended.

Each Seal Bid shall be accompanied by a Bid Bond, in an amount equal to five (5%) percent of the bid price, made payable to the Birmingham Airport Authority. Bid Bond shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements established in the Invitation to Bid documents. No personal or company checks, money order, or cash will be accepted as a form of Bid Security. All participants submitting a bid in amounts exceeding $50,000.00 must be licensed under provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended.

DBE Policy: It is the policy of the Birmingham Airport Authority (Authority) that DBEs as defined in 49 CFR Part 26, will have maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of all Authority projects and the bidders will take all necessary and reasonable steps to ensure that DBEs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform subcontracts. Additional DBE information is contained in the full Invitation to Bid package.

Requests for information or clarifications regarding this Invitation to Bid may be submitted, via email, to the BAA Project Manager, Mr. Lowrenzo Taylor, ltaylor@flybirmingham.com, Birmingham Airport Authority. All such request must be submitted no later than Tuesday, June 3, 2014. Additionally, all interested Participants must notify the BAA of their intent to submit a Bid no later than 5:00 p.m. local time on June 3, 2014.
BT05/08/14
___________________
INVITATION TO BID

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport

FOR

Runway Safety Area Improvements – Runway 18
BAA Project Number: AF024.000.000-2014

Sealed Bids will be received on behalf of the Birmingham Airport Authority (BAA) at the BAA Office located at the Medical Forum Building 950 22nd Street North, Suite 750, Birmingham, Al. 35203, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, June 10, 2014. Bids shall be opened and read aloud at 11:00 a.m. local time the same day at the Southern Museum of Flight located at 4343 73rd Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35206.

The bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope and/or container plainly marked on the outside with the name, address, and license number of the bidder; the name of the project (Runway Safety Area Improvements – Runway 18) and the time and date due (10:00 a.m. local time, Tuesday, June 10, 2014). Submitted Bids are to be addressed to the attention of Mr. Lowrenzo Taylor, Project Manager, Birmingham Airport Authority, Birmingham, Alabama 35212.

The scope of work consists principally of the following approximate quantities:

38560     CY            UNCLASS EXCAVATION
160       CY          CONTROLLED LOW-STRENGTH MATERIAL
72       LF           30” REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE, CLASS III
184       LF           22” SPAN, 14” RISE REINFORCED CONCRETE ARCH PIPE, CLASS III
456        LF              66” REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE, CLASS III
3               EA           INLET, GRATE 47850       SQ YD       SODDING (BERMUDA)

A Pre-Bid conference will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 starting at 2:00 p.m. local time at the Southern Museum of Flight located at 4343 73rd Street N., Birmingham, Alabama 35206. All Invitation to Bid participants are strongly encouraged to attend this conference.

Beginning Tuesday, May 20, 2014, Invitation to Bid Packages containing specifications and other contract documents may be purchased from Volkert, Inc., located at 2 20th Street North, Suite 300, Birmingham, Al. 35203, phone number (205) 214-5500, upon payment of One Hundred-Fifty and No/100 dollars ($150.00) to Volkert, Inc. for each set of contract documents (This fee will be refunded by Volkert, Inc. for contract documents that are returned in reusable condition within 10 days of bid opening).

All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding $50,000.00 must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended.

Each Seal Bid shall be accompanied by a Bid Bond, in an amount equal to five (5%) percent of the bid price, made payable to the Birmingham Airport Authority. Bid Bond shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements established in the Invitation to Bid documents. No personal or company checks, money order, or cash will be accepted as a form of Bid Security. All participants submitting a bid in amounts exceeding $50,000.00 must be licensed under provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended.

DBE Policy: It is the policy of the Birmingham Airport Authority (Authority) that DBEs as defined in 49 CFR Part 26, will have maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of all Authority projects and the bidders will take all necessary and reasonable steps to ensure that DBEs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform subcontracts. Additional DBE information is contained in the full Invitation to Bid package.

Requests for information or clarifications regarding this Invitation to Bid may be submitted, via email, to the BAA Project Manager, Mr. Lowrenzo Taylor, ltaylor@flybirmingham.com, Birmingham Airport Authority. All such request must be submitted no later than Tuesday, June 3, 2014. Additionally, all interested Participants must notify the BAA of their intent to submit a Bid no later than 5:00 p.m. local time on June 3, 2014.
BT05/08/14
___________________
The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority will receive sealed bids for:

Install Screening Material and New Lighting, Video Display Uptown At the BJCC #2

This will be for the use of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, Birmingham, Alabama. General Contractors will be required to make a good faith effort to include MBE and DBE companies in the execution of this project.

The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham, Alabama will receive bids, up to the hour of 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2014, and will thereafter be publicly opened and read aloud at the BJCC Executive Board Room 4th Floor, North Exhibition Hall in Birmingham, AL. Bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished by the Authority. Bids shall be clearly identified on the exterior of the package with bidder’s name, address, STATE CONTRACTOR LICENSE NUMBER, the name of the project being bid, and time and place of bid opening. Sealed bids shall be properly identified.

Construction contracts shall be awarded only to qualified Contractors, licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors, as required by Title 34, Chapter 8, and Code of Alabama. Contracts in excess of $50,000 shall be awarded only to Contractors licensed as required by the 1978 Code of Alabama, Title 34, and Chapter 8 as amended. Bidders must be “responsible” in accordance with criteria in the bid and as stipulated by Title 30-2-3-(e) of the code of Alabama.

A copy of this bid package is available at the above address or on our website: www.bjcc.org (under Jobs & Vendor Opportunities – Open Bids section). There is no charge for downloading bid documents. Documents will also be available at the pre-bid meeting and in the BCIA Plan Room.

Bids may be sent to BJCC Purchasing Department, Attn: Purchasing Coordinator, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203. Any bid not received by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed bids shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified. All bids received after 1:30 p.m. on the bid date will be returned unopened.

A Cashier’s Check drawn on an Alabama Bank or bid bond, executed by a Surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in Alabama, payable to the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority in the amount of 5% of the amount of bid, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bidder’s bid. Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in the amount of 100% of the contract price will be required when the Contract is presented by the Contractor to the Authority.

A pre-bid meeting will be conducted Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in the BJCC Executive Board Room.

Questions concerning the specifications should be directed to Jerry Nelms, Facility Engineer, at (205) 458-8409 or email Jerry.Nelms@bjcc.org.
Sharon Proctor
Purchasing Coordinator
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
BT05/08/14
___________________
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID
Additions to Ohatchee High School
Ohatchee, Alabama

Sealed bids from qualified General Contractors for Additions to Ohatchee High, for the Calhoun County Board of Education, will be received from qualified General Contractors only at the offices of the Calhoun County Board of Education, 4400 McClellan Boulevard, Anniston, Alabama, until 2:00 PM, May 13, 2014.
No Bids will be accepted after 2:00 PM, May 13, 2014. This requirement will not be waived. The official time will be determined by the Architect, or his designated representative. The proposals will be publicly opened May 13, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the location listed above.

All Bids must be on a lump-sum basis. Submit three copies of the Bid on the Bid Form provided, without changes, in a sealed envelope bearing the Contractor’s name and current Alabama license number. Bids that do not bear the Contractor’s current license number on the outside of the envelope will be returned without being opened.

A bid bond payable to Calhoun County Board of Education, in an amount not less than five (5) percent of the amount of the proposal, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bid. Performance and Statutory Labor and Material Payment Bonds in the amount of 100% of the Contract Price will be required at the signing of the Contract.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on May 1, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at Ohatchee High School, located at 100 Cherokee Trail, Ohatchee, Alabama 36271. Due to the nature of this project qualified General Contractors wishing to submit a bid must attend the pre-bid conference. It is strongly recommended that asbestos abatement contractors and other major subcontractors (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Roofing and Masonry) attend the Pre-Bid Conference. If the number of bidders who attend the pre-bid conference decreases so there is little or no competition, others may be allowed to bid or the bid may be postponed at the discretion of the Owner.

Drawings and Project Manual will be open to public inspection beginning April 21, 2014 at the offices of the Calhoun Country Board of Education, CMH Architects, Inc., F.W. Dodge Company Plan Room, and Reed Construction Data. Bidders must call the Owner and Architect’s office at least 24 hrs in advance to arrange a time to review the documents. These documents cannot be removed from the Owner’s or Architect’s office nor will any copies of these documents be provided to bidders.

Bid Documents may be obtained from the Architect upon deposit of $200 per set. Said deposit is non-refundable and is for the cost of reproduction and mailing plans and bid documents. Other sets for contractors, and sets for subcontractors and dealers, may be obtained from Alabama Graphics, 2801 5th Ave. S, Birmingham, AL 35233, (205-252-8505) for the cost of printing and handling.

The Architect for this project is CMH Architects, Inc., 1800 International Park Drive, Suite 300, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, phone (205) 969-2696.

Bid Submittal: Bids must be submitted on proposal forms furnished by the Architect or copies thereof. All bidders bidding in amounts exceeding that established by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors must be licensed under the provisions of Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama, 1975, and must show evidence of license before bidding or bid will not be received or considered. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technical errors if in the Owner’s judgment, the best interests of the Owner will thereby be promoted.

Liquidated Damages: Apply to this project in the amounts specified in the General and Supplemental Conditions.

Bids submitted may not be modified, withdrawn, or cancelled by the bidder for a period of 60 days after the bid date.

Nonresident Contractors must accompany any written proposal documents with a written opinion of any attorney at law licensed to practice law in such nonresident bidders’ state of domicile, as to the preferences,
if any or none, granted by the law of that state to its own business entities whose principal places of business are in that state in the letting of any or all public contracts.

Bonds required by the Contract Documents shall be issued by a Surety Company licensed to do business in the State of Alabama having a bond rating of at least A- according to Best’s Key Rating Guide, without reinsurance or other agreements to enhance its rating.
Joe Dyar
Superintendent
Calhoun County Board
of Education
BT05/08/14
_________________
ADVERTISEMENT for BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATION
And NOTICE of INTENT to RECEIVE BIDS
from PREQUALIFIED BIDDERS

Pre-qualification submittals will be received by the Owner’s Representative/Project Manager, Juan DeOnis on behalf of Office of the Associate Vice President, Facilities & Capital Projects, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees at (UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294 until 4:00 PM Central Time May 27, 2014. The original and two (2) duplicates of submittals are required for pre-qualification approval; however, facsimile transmission copies may be transmitted to the Project Manager at (205) 975-7000 to expedite the review process with hard-copies of the submittals to be delivered within 24 hours.

RELOCATION OF THE TAUB GYM AND OUTPATIENT OT GYM
For The
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Project No.: H145002A

A. SCOPE OF WORK:

The scope of work generally includes demolition of an area of approximately 4,400 s.f. of interior partitions; finishes and systems back to the building shell and rebuilding a portion of the interior area configured for the new functions. New work includes metal studs and drywall, architectural finishes, plumbing, fire protection, HVAC, and electrical work. Work will be performed within the operating hospital facility using high levels of infection control measures and the contractor should have experience with the implementation and maintenance of infection control measures and interim life safety measures in a hospital environment as well as experience in performing construction in an operating hospital.

B. PRIME CONTRACTOR BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATIONS:

Prime contractor bidders interested in submitting a proposal must apply for pre-qualification and must be licensed under the Provision of Title 34, Chapter 8, and Code of Alabama, 1975. A copy of current Alabama Contractors license is to be included in pre-qualification submittal.

Only prime contractor bidders who have completed the pre-qualification process and that have been approved will be eligible to submit a bid for the Project. Prospective Bidder’s Pre-qualification Package must be received by the Owner’s Project Manager no later than 4:00 PM Central Time, May 27, 2014 after which no further requests will be considered.

Pre-qualification Requirements Information Package may be obtained from the Architect upon letterhead request.

The pre-qualification procedure is intended to identify responsible and competent prime contractor bidders relative to the requirements of the Project. Each prospective prime contractor bidder will be notified of the results of the pre-qualification, no later than May 30, 2014 by 5:00 PM Central Time.

Bidders previously prequalified for this project remain prequalified and no further submittal from those bidders is required.

The Owner reserves the right to waive technical errors in applications, or abandon the pre-qualification process, should the interests of the Owner appear to be promoted thereby.

Progress Design and Construction Documents:
Prior to the pre-qualification deadline, project progress plans and specifications may be examined at the following location:

Architect:
Birchfield Penuel & Associates
2805 Crescent Avenue, Suite 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
Mr. Clay Birchfield
205-870-1876
205-870-3058
clayb@bpa.net

C. BIDS BY PRE-QUALIFIED PRIME GENERAL CONTRACTOR BIDDERS

Documents:
After notice to pre-qualified bidders is given, the pre-qualified prime contractor bidders may obtain bid documents from the Architect (see address above) upon deposit of $100.00 per set. The deposit is refundable in full on the first two (2) sets issued to each prime general contractor bidder upon return of documents in reusable condition within ten (10) days after bid opening. Additional sets for pre-qualified prime contractor bidders, subcontractors, vendors, or dealers may be obtained upon payment of the same deposit. The deposit for additional sets shall be refunded less the cost of printing, reproduction, handling and distribution, upon return of the documents in reusable condition within ten (10) days after bid opening.

Bid documents will be available at the following locations after notice to pre-qualified bidders is given. Drawings and specifications may be examined at the Office of the Architect; at the AGC Internet Plan Room, 5000 Grantswood Road, Irondale, AL 35210; at the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, 601 37th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35222; and at the Reed Construction Data Office, 30 Technology Pkwy, South, Suite 500, Norcross, GA 30092-2912; and electronically through McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge.

Bonds:
A certified check or bid bond payable to the University of Alabama at Birmingham in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Statutory Labor and Material Payment Bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract.

Bids:
Bids must be submitted on proposal forms or copies thereof furnished by the Architect. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for a period of ninety (90) days. The Owner reserves the right to reject bids if such action is determined to be in the best interest of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to revoke pre-qualification of any bidder in accordance with Section 39-2-12, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended in 1997 (by Act 97-225). The Bid Date is June 19, 2014 at 2:00 PM Central Time at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, Alabama 35294.

Proposals may be hand delivered or received by mail on the date of the bid opening at the Office of Juan DeOnis, Director of Program Planning Facilities and Capital Projects, 2020 Building, 2020 8th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, until 12:00 noon. After 12:00 noon of the date of the bid opening, proposals must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed proposals shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified. All proposals received after 2:00 p.m. on June 19, 2014 will be returned unopened.

Nonresident Prime Contractor Bidders:
Under Section 39-3-5, Code of Alabama, 1975, nonresident prime contractor bidders must accompany any written bid documents with a written opinion of an attorney licensed to practice law in such nonresident prime contractor bidder’s state of domicile as to the preferences, if any or none, granted by the law of the state to its own business entities whose principal place of business are in that state in the letting of any or all public contracts. Resident prime contractors in Alabama, as defined in Section 39-2-12, are granted preference over nonresident prime contractors in awarding of contracts in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by the laws of the state of domicile of the nonresident.

Fire Alarm Work
In accordance with Title 34, Chapter 33A, of the Code of Alabama 1975, bidders for fire alarm work of this project, if any, must include with their bid, evidence of licensure as required by the act, by including with the bid submittal, a valid State Fire Marshal’s permit.

D. PRE-BID CONFERENCE
A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on June 2, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the site of the work. Meet at the main first floor lobby of the Spain Rehabilitation Center. It is mandatory that all pre-qualified prime contractor bidders attend the Pre-Bid Conference.

BT05/08/14
___________________
ADVERTISEMENT for BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATION
And NOTICE of INTENT to RECEIVE BIDS
from PREQUALIFIED BIDDERS

Pre-qualification submittals will be received by the Owner’s Representative/Project Manager, George Griswold on behalf of Office of the Associate Vice President, Facilities & Capital Projects, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees at UAB Health System Planning, 2020 Building, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35233 until 4:00 PM Central Time, May 13, 2014. The original and five (5) duplicates of submittals together with a .pdf-formatted electronic version are required for pre-qualification approval; however, facsimile transmission copies may be transmitted to the Project Manager at (205) 975-7000 to expedite the review process with hard-copies of the submittals to be delivered within 24 hours.

REBIDDING FOR
UAB FIRE ALARM REPLACEMENT QBT, NEW HILLMAN, AND OLD HILLMAN
For The
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
UAB Project No.: H135001A

A. SCOPE OF WORK:

Work consists of replacing full and partial building fire alarm systems. Work includes new fire alarm system panels, devices, conduit, wiring, programming, and certification. Work also includes associated electrical work, repair of building finishes, and removal of old system components. Work will be performed within the operating hospital facility using high levels of infection control measures. The contractor should have experience with the implementation and maintenance of infection control measures and interim life safety measures in a hospital environment as well as experience in performing construction in an operating hospital.

B. PRIME CONTRACTOR AND ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATIONS:

Contractor bidders interested in submitting a proposal must apply for pre-qualification and must be licensed under the Provision of Title 34, Chapter 8, and Code of Alabama, 1975. A copy of current Alabama Contractors license is to be included in pre-qualification submittal. Electrical Contractor/Subcontractor bidders interested in submitting a proposal must have a State of Alabama Fire Marshal’s Certified Fire Alarm Contractor Permit which is to be included in the pre-qualification submittal.

Only bidders who have completed the pre-qualification process and have been approved will be eligible to submit a bid for the Project. Prospective Bidder’s Pre-qualification Package must be received by the Owner’s Project Manager no later than 4:00 PM Central Time, May 13, 2014, after which no further requests will be considered.

Pre-qualification Requirements Information Package may be obtained from the Engineer upon letterhead request sent by mail at the address below or scanned into an email to dhuddleston@ssoe.com.

The pre-qualification procedure is intended to identify responsible and competent prime contractor bidders relative to the requirements of the Project. Each prospective prime contractor bidder will be notified of the results of the pre-qualification, no later than May 16, 2014 by 5:00 PM Central Time.

Bidders previously prequalified for this project remain prequalified and no further submittal from those bidders is required.

The Owner reserves the right to waive technical errors in applications, or abandon the pre-qualification process, should the interests of the Owner appear to be promoted thereby.

Progress Design and Construction Documents:
Prior to the pre-qualification deadline, project progress plans and specifications may be examined at the following location:

Engineer:
SSOE Group
3504 7th Avenue South
Birmingham, Al 35222
205-323-2373
205-322-2731
David Huddleston
dhuddleston@ssoe.com

C. BIDS BY PRE-QUALIFIED PRIME GENERAL CONTRACTOR BIDDERS

Documents:
After notice to prequalified bidders is given, the prequalified General Contract bidders may obtain bid documents through the UAB Digital Plan Room at http://uab.algraphics.com/, 2801 Fifth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233 (Laura Loggins, telephone 205-252-8505 or email lloggins@algraphics.com). Prequalified General Contractor bidders must submit to Alabama Graphics a refundable bid check payable to SSOE in the amount of $200.00 per set. The deposit is refundable in full on the first two sets issued to each prime General Contractor bidder upon return of documents in re-usable condition within 10 days after the bid opening. Additional document sets for prequalified General Contractor bidders, subcontractors, subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, or dealers may be obtained as a direct purchase from Alabama Graphics, non-refundable.

Bid documents will be available at the following locations after notice to pre-qualified bidders is given. Drawings and specifications may be examined at the Office of the Engineer; at the AGC Internet Plan Room, 5000 Grantswood Road, Irondale, AL 35210; at the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, 601 37th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35222; and at the Reed Construction Data Office, 30 Technology Pkwy, South, Suite 500, Norcross, GA 30092-2912; and electronically through McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge.

Disclaimer: The Owner and Architect shall not be responsible for errors or erroneous information related to the Bid Documents copied and/or reproduced from sources other than previously listed. It shall be the responsibility of each pre-qualified bidder, subcontractor, vendor, supplier or other service provider to verify the correctness of Bid Document issue dates, addendums and all information related thereto, prior to preparing and submitting construction bids on the projects listed and/or described within this public advertisement.

Bonds:
A certified check or bid bond payable to the University of Alabama at Birmingham in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bidder’s proposal. Performance and Statutory Labor and Material Payment Bonds will be required at the signing of the Contract.

Bids:
Bids must be submitted on proposal forms or copies thereof furnished by the Engineer. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for a period of ninety (90) days. The Owner reserves the right to reject bids if such action is determined to be in the best interest of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to revoke pre-qualification of any bidder in accordance with Section 39-2-12, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended in 1997 (by Act 97-225). The Bid Date is June 3, 2014 at 2:00 PM Central Time at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB System Planning, 2020 Building, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, Alabama 35233.

Proposals may be hand delivered or received by mail on the date of the bid opening at the Office of George Griswold, Project Manager, 2020 Building, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, Alabama 35233, until 12:00 noon. After 12:00 noon of the date of the bid opening, proposals must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed proposals shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified. All proposals received after 2:00 p.m. on June 3, 2014 will be returned unopened.

Nonresident Prime Contractor Bidders:
Under Section 39-3-5, Code of Alabama, 1975, nonresident prime contractor bidders must accompany any written bid documents with a written opinion of an attorney licensed to practice law in such nonresident prime contractor bidder’s state of domicile as to the preferences, if any or none, granted by the law of the state to its own business entities whose principal place of business are in that state in the letting of any or all public contracts. Resident prime contractors in Alabama, as defined in Section 39-2-12, are granted preference over nonresident prime contractors in awarding of contracts in the same manner and to the same extent as provided by the laws of the state of domicile of the nonresident.

D. PRE-BID CONFERENCE
A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on May 19, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the site of the work. Meet at the West Pavilion ground floor atrium elevator lobby. It is mandatory that all pre-qualified prime contractor bidders attend the Pre-Bid Conference.
BT05/08/14

_______________________________________

Two Alabama Youth Honored  at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker pays tribute to Birmingham and Prattville students 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alabama’s top two youth volunteers of 2014, Kimya Loder, 18, of Birmingham and Laura Grace Henry, 11, of Prattville, were honored in the nation’s capital for their outstanding volunteer service during the 19th annual presentation of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Kimya and Laura Grace – along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country – each received $1,000 awards and personal congratulations from Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker at an award ceremony and gala dinner reception held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), named Kimya and Laura Grace Alabama’s top high school and middle level youth volunteers in February. In addition to their cash awards, they each received an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent to Washington, D.C., for four days of recognition events.
Kimya, a senior at Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, created a business etiquette and goal-planning forum to encourage preteen girls to dream big and make plans to reach their goals. Kimya traces her program back to her experience as a 7-year-old Brownie Girl Scout, when she first realized the value of service and the opportunities available to women in today’s world. As a scout, “I began to understand the importance of sisterhood and girl power,” she said, and “learned that success is accomplished through a dedication to bettering the lives of others.”
Over the years, Kimya participated in leadership programs, debating tournaments, empowerment conferences and other activities that gave her the knowledge, skills and inspiration to create “It’s Your World – Change It” in 2012. At her first forum, Kimya led nearly a dozen girls in a discussion of goals, obstacles and the importance of planning. Then the girls described their personal dreams on a “vision board,” outlining college, travel, career and other ambitions. “When each girl presented her vision board, I saw the same excitement in their eyes about life that I had seen when I was a young Girl Scout,” Kimya said. A key objective of Kimya’s forum is to make girls aware of business and professional fields in which women are under-represented, and to help them think about careers they might not otherwise consider. “My goal is to inspire young girls to dream big, and open doors of opportunity not previously opened,” said Kimya.
Laura Grace, a fifth-grader at Prattville Christian Academy, has volunteered nearly 2,000 hours and raised more than $10,000 for local, state and national charities since the age of 5, most recently collecting funds to build and furnish a clubhouse for children displaced by domestic violence. She has established her own nonprofit foundation, “It Starts With One,” to promote youth volunteerism. “My parents always taught me that anything good that has ever happened began with one person taking one step to make things better,” said Laura Grace. So she has volunteered eagerly over the years for a wide variety of organizations including the Children’s Miracle Network, the American Red Cross, a local food bank and an animal shelter.
After volunteering at a shelter for victims of domestic violence, Laura Grace concentrated on creating a children’s clubhouse at the facility. “The children I saw were so sad and scared,” she said. “I knew I had to give them a place that would put a smile on their faces.” She met with a local builder to design the clubhouse, and then raised money to build it by selling lemonade, conducting garage sales, and writing letters to solicit donations. The funds she collected also were used to buy a TV, DVD player, movies, games, art supplies, books, pajamas and personal care bags for children at the shelter. The new amenities were officially unveiled at a grand opening last October, attended by Alabama’s first lady and several elected officials.
“These honorees are shining examples of what is possible when young people use their energy and initiative to help their communities,” said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. “We are proud to recognize their accomplishments, and look forward to seeing the great things they achieve in the future.”
“Through their service, these students have not only made a difference in the lives of others – they’ve provided their peers with a powerful example of what it looks like to be an outstanding youth volunteer,” said Barbara-Jane (BJ) Paris, president of NASSP. “Congratulations to each of the 2014 honorees for a job well done.”
Youth volunteers in grades 5-12 were invited to apply for 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the HandsOn Network. More than 30,000 middle level and high school students nationwide participated in this year’s program.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program was created in 1995 to identify and recognize young people for outstanding volunteer service – and, in so doing, inspire others to volunteer, too. In the past 19 years, the program has honored more than 100,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.

Take the Diapers Off!

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

When it comes to spiritual warfare, I believe everyone will agree that pressure ushers everyone who understands the term cause and effect, into a higher place of maturity. A few years ago, I was asked to preach at a New Year’s Eve service. In accepting the invitation, I knew I had to wait on the Lord of the eve to give me a theme or thought for the people. Through the years we’ve heard catchy slogans, rhyming and rapping. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these if they work, in as much as holidays are not mandates from our God; but, if we are going to gather, let’s hear from Himself.
It was a shocking thing to hear the words “Take the diapers off!” Space doesn’t allow for me to do a word to word recall of the sermon, and even though I was the speaker, I am constantly pondering these words. Hebrews 6: 1b … Let us go on unto perfection… Ephesians 4:14 …That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine…; Hebrews 5:12 For when the time you ought to be teaching, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Every one that uses milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe!
Strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who, by reason of use, have their senses exercised (trained) to discern both good and evil… I Corinthians 3:1-4…Brethren, I could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able…
As a body, here lies the heart of the Father. Going to church and giving your life to Him is a great thing, but there is so much more to Him than that. These two will position you to begin the walk. These will get you to first base, but that’s all. The connotation of diapers says that we are yet acting as children, speaking as children and doing childish things. Diapers say that we yet look to someone else to cleanse our mess-ups for us: that, we have not yet learned to fall on our face until we are delivered and cleansed from fleshy issues; we are in church, but we are also comfortable enough to walk around with bowel and its stench still stinging. Paul said it this way “You are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men?”
There is so much more to the scriptures than eternal life and a blessing plan from God…. Search the scriptures for in them YOU THINK you have eternal life, and they are they that do testify of Me, says the Lord… There are so many mysteries to unfold, truths to be understood and exposed… But as long as the Body and mind are immature, we have very little fellowship among each part as a whole. The Father, in our present season, is challenging all of His children to move into another place with Him, that we may have true fellowship among the members as well. Truth scatters confusion! Until another visit!

Remember, Bishop George G. Bloomer May 7th and 8th!

Sean Wilson Named New Head of School at International High School of New Orleans

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

The International High School of New Orleans (IHS) is pleased to announce its selection of Sean Wilson as the school’s new Head of School. The school’s board of directors, Voices for International Business and Education (VIBE), made their selection at their March Board Meeting.
“We are thrilled to have Sean Wilson as our new Head of School,” said IHS Board President Rob Couhig. “Sean’s extensive experience, combined with his commitment and passion for local language immersion education made him the ideal choice for our school. We will be lucky to have him and know that he will bring IHS to a new level of excellence. ”
Mr. Wilson has been the Head of School at the high performing language immersion International School of Louisiana for eight years, seeing it through the expansion to two additional campuses. During his tenure, ISL expanded the number of students and campuses it served, including Jefferson Parish. ISL was named Charter School of the Year, a Certified World Language School and was consistently a high-performing school.
“I look forward to bringing my experience in a language rich, culturally diverse environment to the high school level,” said Mr. Wilson. “The programs I put in place at the International School of Louisiana are thriving and I am ready to take on a new challenge and ensure that students have a quality language immersion high school to continue their global education.”
The finalists were selected from a careful nationwide search process of nearly 100 candidates eventually narrowed down to three finalists.
“I believe that immersion education is crucial in developing a student’s critical thinking skills and providing students with a competitive edge that they may not have had otherwise. My goal at IHS is to secure a path of language learning for many of the region’s immersion students through high school,” said Mr. Wilson. “I am thankful to ISL for the wonderful experiences I had there and to IHS for allowing me to continue my passion on another level.”

OLS Adults Learn About Poverty

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

OUr Lady of Sorrows_1 — (left to right) April Hines, Bryne Boyer, Jacqueline Johnson, Kina Handra, Frances Smith, Sister Karen Ann Lotscher, OSB, Msgr. Martin Muller, Dale Richards, Zuleida Aguirre, and Lee Ann Self get together after Sister Karen Ann’s Adult Education talk at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

(left to right) April Hines, Bryne Boyer, Jacqueline Johnson, Kina Handra, Frances Smith, Sister Karen Ann Lotscher, OSB, Msgr. Martin Muller, Dale Richards, Zuleida Aguirre, and Lee Ann Self get together after Sister Karen Ann’s Adult Education talk at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

“It’s easy to do things in times of crisis. It’s harder to be there every day,” Kristina Scott told a crowd during Adult Education at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Homewood on May 4. Scott, executive director of Alabama Possible, presented On Being a Good Neighbor: Poverty in Alabama. Alabama Possible is a nonprofit organization that educates, collaborates, and advocates reducing poverty in hopes of ending it. She said her goal at OLS was to give insight “on who our neighbors are and some of the needs and struggles that they might have, and some of the systemic barriers we have.”
Scott said Alabama is currently the seventh poorest state in the country, according to new census data, with about 900,000 people living below the federal poverty line. “In Alabama nearly as many white people are in poverty as African Americans,” she said. “If you look at the number of people, this is a Black and white problem, this isn’t urban or rural. It’s both.”
She explained situational poverty, caused by divorce or death, versus multi-generational poverty. “If you grew up as a low income child you are much more likely to be a low income adult,” she said. Showing a map of child poverty she said, “300,000 Alabama children live below the poverty line. They are challenged with food security so they might not have adequate nutrition which impacts their intellectual development. They are more likely to have underperforming schools which also impacts their employment options down the line and don’t have the quality of life and family structure….”
Scott said that according to polls, year after year, Alabama is one of the most religious states in the nation. “The Gallup organization consistently finds that Alabama is between the second and fourth most religious state in the country,” she said. “We’re also one of the most generous and charitable states in the country based on charitable deductions on our tax forms.”
She said it is a fundamental law in western and eastern religions to help one another.
“So, what does it mean to love thy neighbor as thyself,” she asked. She said that meeting immediate needs for low income children is important and making sure that they have food at school like breakfast and lunch can make a difference. She also cited child care challenges for mothers who need to work as being part of the problem. “What can you do to build relationships to help overcome the big challenges? Because people don’t move out of poverty in large groups, they move out one by one because of relationships,” she declared.
Scott observed that the Catholic Church through Catholic Charities and other agencies are on the front lines of helping neighbors: “I love coming to talk to y’all because you get it. So thank you. Not all of our brothers and sisters are as enlightened.” Scott said she believes if parishioners and others take their “philanthropy and advocacy and our volunteerism and we think about relationship-based work, which is hard, keep showing up at the same place, you will build relationships that we can achieve our potential, that every Alabamian can achieve their potential and that will also let us love our neighbors as ourselves.”

The Way I See It

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

by Hollis Wormsby, Jr.
Change in Values Greatest Change in My Lifetime
As I approach my 58th birthday and I look back on life, I realize that the biggest and worst change I have seen in my lifetime is a change in the core values of our community. I was born in a time when people took pride in their community, beginning with their own home and then extending to the community in general.
As a young child in my parent’s home on Saturday morning we had bleach parties. My mother would fill up buckets with hot water and bleach and send us off to clean various parts of the house. In those days cleaning the house literally meant washing the walls with a rag and warm water. Outside could be heard the sound of yards being cleaned and cars being washed. Everybody wanted to have the sharpest yard and the cleanest car. My grandfather would often say to us as he encouraged us to do our jobs well, that it isn’t what you have, it is how you take care of it. The household that was not run like this was the exception – not the rule.
I did not grow up in a neighborhood full of garbage. As children we were taught never to litter, and if an older person saw you litter they had the right to tell you to pick up whatever you dropped and if you didn’t they knew how to call your parents and tell them both that you littered and you wouldn’t listen, and my older readers know what came next.
When I was a child adults didn’t care what I wanted, or for the most part how I felt. The adults in my life felt it was their job to teach me how to be an adult, and if that meant I did not like them so be it, but I knew not to even consider being disrespectful. And my older readers know well why.
The Priest who runs Holy Family told me during an interview that the biggest change he had seen in his lifetime, was that fathers now wanted to be friends with their children. And he added it is quite probable that you cannot be friend and an effective father at the same time. My grandfather used to say to his children when they were raising their children, “Your children have lots of friends, what they need from you is to be parents.”
Many people would have you believe that teaching youth respect for authority and discipline is just making punks out of them. But most of the people who tell me this are not doing anything productive themselves.
At some point you have to decide what values you want to live by, and what behaviors you find acceptable in your life and your community. Some would have you believe that things have always and will always be the way they are, and that there is nothing we can do about it. This is simply not true.
We are a people strong enough to have endured slavery and Jim Crow, and to still be strong enough to lead what many believe to be the greatest civil rights insurrection in the history of the world. We are a people who have shown pride and strength of character. We may have a bad element in our community, but they are not our community.
One thing I have learned over time in wanting to be a voice of change in the community, you cannot attack people, you have to attack behaviors. We have to establish that there are behaviors we are not going to accept in our community, no matter who the perpetrator. We have to establish that there are values that we treasure and demand be respected in our communities, and establish that there is no place some behaviors will be accepted, and literally drive away those who refuse to change their negative behavior when confronted.
It is true that some people are never taught better. We also have to change that through mentoring and outreach programs. But even with this group we have to demand immediate change in behavior or suffer the consequence, and again at some point the consequence must become if you are going to live like that, you can’t live here.
Or at least that’s the way I see it.

Are Miracles Real and Possible?

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him. 1 Kings17:17
When you think of a miracle, what comes to mind? Maybe someone walking that couldn’t walk, seeing that couldn’t see or what about coming back to life that was dead? It’s interesting when I ask people that question how many different answers I get. I’ve been watching a new series on TV called Resurrection and even the Pastor of the church is having a difficult time accepting the miracle of a dead person returning to life years later and it sparked a curiosity in me. I began to wonder how many Christians don’t believe God can still heal the sick or even raise the dead.

Jesus said, Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12

Maybe Jesus isn’t walking around touching others but miracles are still happening every day.

And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah: and the soul of the child came back to him and he revived. 1 Kings 17:21-22

You have the power to do more than you believe you can and if you can’t do it God can. Yes He can still change what is going on in your life “with the twinkling of an eye.” Yes He can deliver you from that addiction, abusive relationship, those unappreciative people and more. The fact that He woke you up this morning is a miracle in itself, so for the rest of the day look for more. He is not through yet. We serve a living God and He can and still does perform miracles. Don’t give up and don’t stop believing.

Your life is a miracle,
Minister Deidra Bibb

Work for Oprah This Summer! She is Hiring Paid Interns and More

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

NATIONWIDE (BlackNews.com) – Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul and queen of daytime television, is hiring paid interns and employees at her OWN Network television channel. The company has immediate positions available in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
For internships she is looking to hire an Integrated Ad Sales Marketing Summer Intern, a Branded Entertainment Summer Intern, a Business and Legal Summer Intern, and a Digital Marketing Summer Intern. All internship positions offer a 10-week, paid or for-credit learning experience. The program offers students valuable industry knowledge and skills through opportunities such as hands-on training, project management.
Aside from interns, she is also looking to hire a Freelance Digital Video Assistant that can provide high-level administrative support, including schedule and travel management, expense reports, sensitive communications, and acting as liaison to top OWN executives within and outside of the company.
There are also open positions for a Finance Senior Manager, Sales Planner for Oprah.com, a Freelance Print Designer, a Freelance Designer/Animator, a Sales Manager, and more.
For more details and/or to apply, visit: www.findinternships.com/2014/04/the-own-internship-program.html
To search hundreds of other 2014 internships, visit: www.FindInternships.com

A Foundation for Living

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

Liberating the Spirit

Many of us often say, “Let your conscience be your guide.” There are limits to that philosophy. It is possible to deaden the conscience. Remember the old “Dennis the Menace” comic strip or TV show. In one episode, Dennis is found sitting on the kitchen counter with his hand in the cookie jar with a few of his friends saying, “My Dad always says to listen to my conscience. And as I looked at the cookie jar my conscience said, ‘Go for it.’” I understand what Dennis the Menace means, especially when I am following the rules of morality and not listening to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit must be freed to do its work in us but in order to do that it must be liberated. We free the Spirit within when we move from relying upon our conscience to an awareness of God’s presence and power expressed through our consciousness.
In the Bible Jesus is confronted with following the Laws of Moses concerning the stoning of a woman caught in adultery or practicing the spirit of love and forgiveness. The rule of law said, stone her! Unconditional Love or agape love said, forgive her. Conscience says kill this woman. Consciousness says save her. She has broken commandments. She has to be killed. It is the Law. According to societal demands one of our greatest generals who presided over the War in Iraq and later became our CIA director, General David Petraeus violated the rules of marriage. He had to resign. He was put to shame. If we commit a crime, we must do the time. That is the rule of Law that governs our society. But as Christians we follow a higher law that comes from the liberated Spirit of Christ. That law says love one another and always be willing to restore, reconcile and forgive. If we claim to be Christians and are not willing to follow this higher law of love we are imprisoned in morality and are servants to our laws, traditions and history. We become slaves to our conscience, not our consciousness and we miss the message of Christ.
I want to follow Christ and be freed from morality and conscience and live by the spirit of God. There are two ways to make that possible. First, by not relying on our conscience only to guide us but listening to the Spirit of God that’s available to us in our consciousness. What is conscience? Conscience is our sense of right and wrong. Note the word “sense.” Conscience pretends to know what is right. Consciousness is an awareness of what is right and doing it automatically. Conscience is borrowed from our parents, extended family, husband, wife or significant others in our life, like our teachers and friends. We do the right thing because we have been told it is the right thing to do. But like Dennis the Menace, we can justify doing almost anything when it seems right at the moment. Acting on principles is of the society. It’s okay, but does not arise in our being. When we are aware and filled with Christ’s Spirit, we act rightly because we know the right thing to do. When our eyes are open there is light, we don’t try to go through the wall, we go through the door. When there is no light we grope in the dark and rely on others for sight. Reliance on others is conscience. Relying on God in Jesus Christ is relying on the Spirit of the living God.
The second way of liberating the Spirit through our consciousness is by relying on our re-birth in Christ (spirituality) and not on morality (Human rules of conduct). Spirituality can deteriorate into morality. When there is no light within or if the light dims or dies, tradition kicks in, history, denominationalism, morality takes over. This is what happened to the scribes and Pharisees who brought Jesus a woman supposedly caught in adultery. They were acting on morality. They had long received the laws of Moses. They knew what the law said and they wanted to trap Jesus in His teaching of love and forgiveness with this event. But one thing they did not count on, Jesus turning the tables on them with a simple statement, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” And this statement leads us to an understanding of the scripture, “And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience.” How many times have we been convicted by our conscience yet return to old sins? The scribes and Pharisees left convicted by their conscience but slaves to morality. The message is through the liberation of our spirit we receive the blessings of forgiveness given to the woman caught in adultery. The message was lost on the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus freed the woman’s spirit. The Pharisees felt guilty but were not ready to change. Liberation of the spirit is transformation. When the spirit is freed we wake up and move from morality and conscience to total dependence on the Spirit of the living God in Jesus Christ. Our spirit is free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty.

Bring Back Our Girls!!!!!!!

By

Birmingham Times

-

May 8, 2014

0

Bring Back Our GIrl — Celebrity activist Africa Byongchan Yoon, nee Engo, left, comforts a supporter during a call-and-response exercise at a rally in solidarity for the 234 Nigerian girls abducted from their school in April, Friday, May 2, 2014, outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. The rally uses the hashtag #bringbackourgirls. (John Minchillo / AP Images for ILAGLO)

Celebrity activist Africa Byongchan Yoon, nee Engo, left, comforts a supporter during a call-and-response exercise at a rally in solidarity for the 234 Nigerian girls abducted from their school in April, Friday, May 2, 2014, outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. The rally uses the hashtag #bringbackourgirls. (John Minchillo / AP Images for ILAGLO)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Expresses Outrage Over Abduction of Nigerian Girls

CHICAGO, Ill. – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority condemns the abduction of hundreds of Nigerian girls and joins the worldwide rallying cry to “Bring Back Our Girls!”
Speaking on behalf of the Sorority’s 265,000 members and those in 985 chapters worldwide, Carolyn House Stewart, International President, denounced the abductions and declared that the Sorority fully supports U.S. and international efforts to ensure the safe return of these girls.
“It has been almost three weeks since the barbaric violence and abduction of the girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Nigeria. A quick response is required, which includes a plan to deter future acts of this nature,” declared Stewart.
According to the Associated Press, the girls, ages 15-19, are thought to have been taken across Nigeria’s borders to be sold into marriage.
This incident is a prime example of human exploitation, an issue that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has educated communities about through its M.I.N.D.S. campaign against human trafficking. Since the launch of the M.I.N.D.S. campaign in January of 2013, Alpha Kappa Alpha has consistently raised awareness about human exploitation. Stewart stated, “The sorority has used community forums to raise awareness and advocate for stricter enforcement and stiffer penalties. This international travesty powerfully punctuates the need for our program initiative.”
“This is a pivotal moment for the world as the future of young girls everywhere is at stake,” Stewart emphasized. “We need to unite and send a strong message that the lives of all girls are valued and their quest for education and access to education merits global support. We need to continue to raise awareness, deter any elements that threaten progress, and decry the acts in Nigeria and elsewhere through our words and actions.”
On Tuesday, Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped eight additional girls from a village near one of the Islamists’ strongholds in northeastern Nigeria overnight, police and residents said.
The abduction of the girls, aged 12 to 15, follows the kidnapping of more than 200 other schoolgirls by the militant group last month, whom it has threatened to sell into slavery.
Lazarus Musa, a resident of the village of Warabe, told Reuters that armed men had opened fire during the raid.
“They were many, and all of them carried guns. They came in two vehicles painted in army color. They started shooting in our village,” Musa said by telephone from the village in the hilly Gwoza area, Boko Haram’s main base.
A police source, who asked not to be identified, said the girls were taken away on trucks, along with looted livestock and food.