The West End High School Class of 1974 is making plans for their 40th class reunion.
The meeting will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Rising Star Baptist Church
Address: 1320 Second Avenue West
Birmingham, AL
For more information please contact: Ms. Demetria Peoples Scott: 205-281-6479
The scheduled dates for the 40th class reunion: August 29-31.
During the Birmingham City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 Council:
Passed an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute the following documents required in connection with the City’s sale of property located at the corner of 16th St., South and 3rd Ave., South, to Cityville Venue at the Ballpark, LLC, which sale was authorized by Ordinance No. 13-7: (1) First Amendment to Ground Lease Agreement between the City and The Public Athletic Cultural and Entertainment Facilities Board of the City of Birmingham (“PACE”) under which the property being sold to Cityville will be released from the ground lease between PACE and the City and the City will pay the net sales proceeds to PACE. The City will retain the sum of $250,000.00 to undertake the replacement of a storm sewer culvert under a portion of the property; (2) Parking License Agreement among Cityville, the City and PACE under which Cityville will allow the City and PACE to use up to thirty-five (35) parking spaces on the property for employees and patrons of the Negro Southern League Museum building; (3) Construction Right of Entry Agreement between the City and Cityville under which the City will grant to Cityville the temporary right to use a portion of the Regions Field property and adjoining right-of-way in connection with the construction of a multifamily project on the property Cityville is acquiring from the City; (4) Covenants and Restrictions Affecting Land among Cityville, the City, PACE and the Birmingham Barons under which the City, PACE and the Barons will agree to certain restrictions on the Regions Field property to accommodate Cityville’s development and operation of the multifamily project; (5) Easement Agreement between the City and Cityville under which the City will reserve an easement for the storm sewer culvert under and across the property sold to Cityville and the City will agree to undertake the replacement of the culvert; and (6) Brownfield Development Tax Abatement Agreement between the City and Cityville under which the City will grant to Cityville an abatement of non-educational state and municipal ad valorem taxes on the property. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
Other items approved by the Council at today’s meeting include the following:
1. Passed a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Amended and Restated Development Agreement with City Center Company, LLC, an affiliate of Bayer Properties Company, LLC (“Bayer”), under which Bayer will develop a mixed use project in the former Pizitz Building located at 1821 2nd Avenue North (the “Project”), which will consist of 143 apartment units (including 29 affordable units), 21,000 square feet of retail space, 11,000 square feet of office space, and renovation of an adjoining parking deck, which will include approximately 380 parking spaces. The total investment by Bayer in development of the Project is anticipated to be in excess of $59,000,000.00. The City will provide certain incentives in support of the Project which will consist of the City providing an amount not to exceed $1,900,000.00 for the construction of public infrastructure necessary to complete the Project, the City providing up to $3,200,000.00 through a loan to Bayer or its designee pursuant to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 108 loan program, and the City supporting Bayer’s application to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority for a tax exemption on the purchase of construction materials. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
2. Passed a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Funding Agreement with Woodlawn Foundation under which Woodlawn Foundation will contribute $122,125.00 to the City, which is one half of the local matching funds required for the City to draw down the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program funding for certain public infrastructure improvements in Woodlawn and the City will undertake the public infrastructure improvements. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
3. Passed a Resolution determining that the City of Birmingham/Division of Youth Services Annual Easter Egg Hunt, to be held April 19, 2014, serves a public purpose that promotes goodwill and requesting that City of Birmingham funds be administered to pay for this event in accordance with Section 3-1-7 of the General Code of the City of Birmingham.For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
Announcements and Reminders:
1. The Transportation and Communication Committee Meeting will be held Wednesday April 2, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. in Conference Room “A.
2. There will be a Special Called Public Improvement Committee (PIC) meeting on Thursday April 3, 2014 at 4pm in Conference Rooms D&E. The regularly scheduled PIC meeting for April 9, 2014 has been CANCELLED.
3. The Public Safety Committee Meeting will be held Monday April 7, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
4. The Joint Budget & Finance and Economic Development Committee meeting will be held Monday April 14, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms D&E. The deadline to submit all items is April 8, 2014.
5. Council President Pro Tempore Jay Roberson will host the District 7 Town Hall Meeting April 24, 2014 at 6pm at Lawson State Community College in the Perry Ward Building.
MONTGOMERY – Alabama State’s Artrailia Lesane has been named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Runner of the Week.
Lesane, a sophomore distance runner from Fayetteville, N.C. had an amazing showing at the 63rd Annual Texas Southern Relays last weekend where she won the 5,000m run in a time of 17:27.43 which currently sits her 45th on the NCAA’s national list in this event. Lesane also had a sixth overall finish in the 1,500m run crossing the line in 4:41.49.
By EURWeb.com
Idris Elba is doing his part to give others a big break.
The actor has teamed with Samsung as a mentor for the company’s online talent competition. Potential competitors that were invited had until March 6 to apply for the competition via Facebook with a two-minute film that highlighed their particular project.
Since the competition launched on Feb. 3, more than 600 people have downloaded the app. The music category has emerged as the most popular, with performers already attracting garnering support for their videos.Each mentor will select the final four participants, who will be featured in a television series that will air on UK TV in spring 2014.
Fans of the completion can vote for the “People’s Choice” winner per category on Facebook. Winners will receive personal tuition and Samsung products that will support them in pursuing their dreams.
By Esther Callens
One of the most unique recordings ever released is found in saxophonist’s Ariel Alexander and guitarist’s Jon Bremen latest offering. Street Cries is the moniker by which this cutting-edge compilation goes by. To say it is avant-garde is truly an understatement, as it is way beyond that and more.
The concept behind Street Cries is simple. Each musician is allowed to record their parts and ideas on their own time. The outcome is fascinating. The opener, “Street Cries of Charleston”, is all over the place. Likewise, it lives up to its title. From the top the backdrop of the rapid succession of the percussions comes the sax, guitar and various other instrumentation thrown into the whirlwind of the hustle and bustle that the busy street employs. It is riveting. “Daisy” is a mid-tempo mellow tune that is perfect for dancing close to that special one. In contrast is “Pepper Pot”. Although the rhythm here is amped up considerably, it would still be considered at the lower range of Street Cries of Charleston. Although there are only five arrangements that are roughly around five minutes each, Street Cries packs a lot of depth in such a short time frame. One can’t help but wonder where future creative projects of Alexander and Bremen will take them next.
Saxophonist, composer, educator and entrepreneur – Dr. Ariel Alexander is a permanent fixture in the Los Angeles Jazz scene. She earned her B.A. at Indiana University and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California. She has presented numerous concerts and performed with Stevie Wonder, Take 6, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Patti Austin, and Ruben Studdard.
Jon Bremen studied music at Indiana University and the University of Southern California where he earned a doctorate in Studio/Jazz Guitar. He is a brilliant, innovative talent and the head of the music discipline at Los Angeles Southwest College.
Track listing: Street Cries of Charleston; Daisy; Pepper Pot; September; Yukon. Album Personnel: Ariel Alexander (saxophone, programming); Jon Bremen (guitar, programming); Louis Cole (drums); Vardan Ovsepian (keyboard, piano); Tim LeFevre (bass); Sara Leith (voice).
The Fabric Softener and You
Laundry: One tiny word that invokes horrible visions of being in a dungeon, chained to the washer and dryer, gasping for air while climbing out from under piles and piles of soiled clothes. Well, maybe that’s just my private nightmare. Sorting, separating, presoaking, washing, drying, folding and storing clothes away is not at the top of my at home list of things to do; just pondering all that makes me restless (perhaps you can relate), but I understand that washing clothes is a definite “must do” if I want fresh, clean garments… and I do! Usually once I get into the groove of my task I can sail along with an attitude of joy that I finally took time to tackle this unglamorous but necessary chore. During a recent laundry episode in the not so exciting adventures of Shellie Layne, out of sheer boredom with my dirty clothes saga, I decided to read the label on the detergent/fabric softener. I didn’t start using fabric sheets or liquid softener until just a few years ago because when I was growing up we were doing quite well to afford detergent and bleach, and laundry accessories like fabric softeners were a luxury. The label was simple to read but there was something about what I read that leaped off the bottle and almost landed with a splash in the washing machine’s soapy water. It was alive to me, and I immediately thought of you. It’s amazing how sharing my thoughts with you sneak in at such bizarre times – while doing laundry? Nevertheless, this is what came to mind.
It is not what is “on” our clothes that really matters; it is what’s “in” our clothes (us) that makes all the difference. The words on the bottle said “Clean That You Can See and Softness That You Can Feel”. I began to investigate and think more about my detergent/fabric softener team. What does any of this have to do with you? I am glad you asked. My simple detergent/fabric softener personifies the characteristics that I want to embody and perhaps you do too. Silly? Maybe, but read on.
When I purchased my laundry aid I realized that it was a two-in-one combo, it cleaned and softened. That fact was not so profound at the time; I just needed to wash clothes. This product that I took for granted cleaned my spots and stains in such a way that after the wash it was as if the stains were never there. My clothes looked better after having gone through the wash.
During my visit to Laundryville, (yes, everything has to be an adventure) I pulled the container down and focused on what to do. The label on the bottle explained exactly how much detergent/fabric softener to use in each load; it took very little to make a huge impact on the clothes. When poured it immediately changed the color of the water. The detergent/fabric softener changed the feel and the smell of my stinky clothes; well, they weren’t really that stinky. But, days after use the delightful fragrance lingered in the garments. Finally, after coming out of the dryer heat, they were smooth and I wasn’t zapped by the electricity of static cling that usually pulsates throughout the clothes. Hmmm I thought; what’s the lesson here?
If we were to take on the characteristics of my detergent/fabric softener we would realize that neither our presence nor our deeds have to be grandiose. It’s possible to make a great impact by small deeds and timely words. When we pour ourselves out and change the focus from our small, dirty, laundry-list of problems, we can change someone’s situation or maybe just their day. How fresh would we feel and make others feel by not adopting, but instead breaking down the harsh fabric of negative attitudes of those we come in contact with and leaving a lingering positive fragrance of encouragement, support and praise behind? And you remember, my detergent/fabric softener minimizes static cling. There should be less static and unrest at home and in the office when we are present and we should cling less to the problems and more to the solutions.
The next time you are chained to the washer and dryer for a few hours visiting “Laundryville”, you might give thought to this profound quote: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong, because someday in your life you will have been all of these.” – George Washington Carver
And just in case you might want to know, my favorite detergent/fabric softener is Tide with Downy.
“I may not have all the answers, but I know the One who does.”
Contact me via email at Athomewithshellie1@Yahoo.com or visit my web site at www.athomewithshellie.com
Birmingham, AL—Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell commended the head of the Alabama Department of Labor for adding services to help residents of Lowndes County find work.
In a release today announcing Alabama’s latest jobs numbers, Alabama Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees said his office this week began offering additional career center services in Lowndes County. Lowndes County has the fourth highest unemployment rate of Alabama’s 67 counties.
“Hopefully the free services offered there (Lowndes) will help the unemployed citizens in that area get back to work,” Surtees said in a statement.
Sewell, who is seeking a third-term with a continued focus on creating jobs in the 7th Congressional District of Alabama, said she hopes the Alabama Department of Labor will add extra services to help unemployed residents in other counties throughout her district.
“I would like to publicly thank Alabama Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees for taking this step to help the unemployed in Lowndes County,”Sewell said. “My hope is that the state will take additional action to help others who have suffered job loss. Helping the unemployed find jobs has been a top priority for me, and I look forward to continuing to work with state officials to find solutions.”
Sewell has sponsored an annual job fair, with the next taking place later this year in Montgomery. She is also working with local employers and Alabama’s two-year colleges to develop training and apprenticeship opportunities.
Last year, Sewell created Project R.E.A.D.Y. (Realizing Everyone’s Ability to Develop Yourself), which helps job seekers learn to search for jobs online and develop resume writing skills. She is committed to expanding that initiative in her third term.
For more information of the Sewell re-election campaign, go to www.sewellforcongress.com.
Greetings,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Second Annual Flame Awards Presentation in honor of the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a civil rights icon led by God to bring change and end segregation in Birmingham and around the country.
The highlight of our commemoration is this event tonight when legendary actor/philanthropist Richard Roundtree (John Shaft) speaks on the theme: “Fighting Breast Cancer like Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth Fought Segregation.” Rev. Shuttlesworth was fearless and courageous in his battle against segregation, and Mr. Roundtree will encourage each of us to be fearless and courageous in battling cancer and in raising awareness to the disease in men and in women.
This year, we honor 12 individuals who in their own way have exhibited the spark that Rev. Shuttlesworth ignited wherever he traveled. While many often saw the face of Dr. Martin Luther Jr. out front in the pivotal years of the Civil Rights Movement, it was Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth working behind the scenes, leading countless scores of others who powered the movement and instilled pride in a people. Most of our 2014 work behind the scenes, while some may fulfill a variety of public roles.
We congratulate: Judge Phillip Bahakel, Jefferson County Commissioner Sandra Little Brown, Birmingham businessman and former NFL star Gary Burley, Madison County Commissioner Robert Harrison, Jefferson County Tax Assessor Gaynell Hendricks, community activist Adolphus Johnson, community activist Big Walter Wilson, civic leader Clarence Mohammed, Birmingham Mayor’s Office Chief of Operations Jarvis Patton, voting rights activist and Selma attorney Faya Ora Rose Toure (Rose Sanders), Jefferson County Tax Collector J.T. Smallwood, and former Birmingham News assistant Metro Editor, Sherrel Stewart.
Frank Matthews
Founder, Outcast Voters League
5 red flags to avoid on your return
By: Rick Rodgers, CFP
It is no secret that one of the biggest fears people have is receiving an audit notice from the IRS. It ranks right up there with being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Of course, the IRS does nothing to alleviate this fear because the more frightened you are, the less likely you will be to cheat on your taxes.
The IRS audited one out of every 104 tax returns in federal fiscal year 2013. It’s becoming increasingly evident that the greater your total income, the more you’ll attract the agency’s attention. Last year, the IRS audited about 10.85 percent of taxpayers with income greater than $1 million. The audit rate dropped to 0.88 percent for those with income less than $200,000.
Some of the audits were taxpayers pulled at random. The rest of the returns are selected for examination in a variety of ways.
Lowering your IRS profile will help minimize your chances of being audited. Here are five ways to help you stay off the audit list.
1. Large Itemized Deductions: The IRS has established ranges for the amount of itemized deductions based on a taxpayer’s income. Deductions that exceed the statistical “norm” for a given state and region may be red-flagged for a closer look. This does not mean that you shouldn’t take legitimate deductions. Your deductions could exceed the IRS range due to high medical expenses and large charitable contributions. Take all valid tax deductions – just be sure you keep your backup documentation.
2. Self-Employment Income: The IRS believes that the vast amount of underreported income occurs among the self-employed. Self-employed taxpayers are audited by the IRS far more frequently than those who receive a W-2 for wages. People who are employed by others and receive W-2 income but also run a business that reports a loss are especially high on the IRS radar screen. You will need to be able to prove you are operating a business with the intention of earning a profit and not just trying to write off the expenses of a hobby. You will need to be able to pass both the “passive loss” and “hobby loss” rules in order for the deductions to stick.
3. Business Expenses: Big deductions for business meals, travel and entertainment are always ripe for audit. A large write-off will raise red flags if the amount seems too high for the business. Taxpayers claiming 100 percent business use of a vehicle is also a huge red flag. The IRS knows it’s extremely rare for an individual to use a vehicle strictly for business. The IRS looks for personal meals or claims that don’t satisfy the strict substantiation requirements.
4. Rental Properties: The IRS is scrutinizing rental real estate losses for those who claim to be real estate professionals. You must meet two requirements: 1. More than half of the personal services are performed in real property trades or businesses in which you materially participate, and 2.You perform more than 750 hours of services in real property trades or businesses in which you materially participate.
5. Home Offices: Taxpayers who operate a business from their home are entitled to deduct the portion of their home that is dedicated to operating the business. The IRS believes that many taxpayers use this deduction as a means of writing off personal expenses and carefully scrutinize tax returns that claim the home office deduction. Claiming this deduction greatly increases the chances that your tax return will be audited. You should consult a tax expert to determine if you are entitled to claim this deduction. If the tax savings are minimal you may opt not to claim the deduction simply to avoid the scrutiny. For details, see IRS Publication 587.
There is no way to completely audit-proof your return, and if you do get an audit notice from the IRS, don’t take it personally. It does not mean the IRS believes your return is fraudulent. When you get a notice, pick up a copy of IRS Publication 1 “Your Rights as a Taxpayer.” Be courteous and helpful without volunteering more information than what is requested. Plan ahead so that you are organized and can answer questions promptly. Ask for a postponement if you need more time to prepare.
If you are a self-employed taxpayer or have unusual circumstances that place your return outside of the statistical norm, let a professional prepare the return. Self- prepared returns are themselves more likely to be audited. The IRS believes that a non-professional has limited knowledge of the 4,000 pages of tax code.
Tax law is complex. The fee charged by an Enrolled Agent or CPA can be easily justified by the peace of mind they bring if you get the dreaded audit notice.
Evangelist C.L. Hatcher known as Brother CED
First let me say every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from The Father [James 1:17], and God is no respecter of persons [Acts 10:34]. Spiritual gifts are not given by man such as Daddy, Mama, Spouse, or Pastor. Man’s gifts are O.K. as well but they fade away and they often come with a price. If you treat me nice, I will treat you nice. When God gives us a gift it is given before we are born into this world. Before I formed thee, in the belly, I knew thee, and before thy camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the Nations” [Jeremiah 1:5]. Spirit gifts are not made to boasts of works, nay but by the law of faith [Romans 3:27-28]. I often tell people I don’t have a Ph.D., Masters Degree, Bachelors Degree, Doctorates Degree. If I may be honest with you all, I never received a GED, but my grandmother, and mother as well, led Brother CED to God. Which simply means someone prayed for me. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman availeth much [James 5:16 KJV].
This particular event was Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday celebration, January 26, I was given the honor of being a guest speaker with some of the most honorable men and women throughout this State. Thank God, one day we will go to a place called Heaven where everybody is a V.I.C., not a V.I.P., but a very important Christian because truly God is not a respecter of persons. I often tell people we all desire glory but we don’t want a story. We want “Amazing Grace” but we don’t want disgrace, we want ministry but we don’t want misery. We want progress but we don’t want the process. How can I tell someone how to get to if I have never been through? What He is telling us is the same thing he told Peter, … and the Lord said, “Simon, Simon behold satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee, that thou faith fail not and when thou hath converted strengthen thou brethren.” And He is telling us the same thing He told Peter. “Save don’t mean self”, but it means to serve. Once you are filled with The Holy Ghost go be a witness [Act 1:8]. Brother CED what is The Holy Ghost? Glad you asked. Do you remember Popeye the sailor man? When he ate his spinach, he got strong. When Clark Kent went to the telephone booth he came out as Superman. When the Incredible Hulk got mad he turned green and got strong but when you are filled with The Holy Ghost it’s like R. Kelly said, “I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky.” All I am simply saying is, if you ever desire a gift ask god to anoint you because the anointing destroys the yoke and removes burdens. The spirit of the Lord God anoints you, because He has anointed me to preach good tidings, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to open up the prisons to them that are bound [Isaiah 61:1-3].
Jesus told His disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they were filled with The Holy Ghost, because He knew they needed a supernatural, on top of their natural. Let me say, all of us have a gift, we must discover what it is. The Word says “greater He that is in you, than he that is in the world”[1 John 4-4].
I would like to take the this time, to let the readers know how I got to this point in my life. My family cried tears, they prayed, and I had to shed blood, and I am still a work in progress because the Word says, “ Being confident of this very thing that He which has begun a good work in you, will perform it, until the day Jesus Christ” [Phillipians 1-6]. And so when people tell you, who you won’t be, or who you might become, tell them, “God knows me better than anybody, and I am a work in progress. I might not look or act like other preachers, because I am a very peculiar person, I must say myself, but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an Holy Nation, a peculiar people [1 Peter 2-9].
So be who God made you to be, because it is hard being someone else, and God don’t like fake people, and Brother CED, don’t either.
May God Bless You, May God Test You, and Finally, May God Rest You. God Loves You And So Does Brother CED. Be Blessed!
