Cash For Crooks Div. of Refuge In Trouble Times (RITT), PO Box 28083, Birmingham, Ala. 35228. Tywaun Perkins age 33, on October 31, 2013 was ambushed and killed around 8:40 p.m. as he was getting gas at a service station. The shooter approached from the alley without warning and opened fire on Perkins with what police believe was a rifle. There is a $5,000 reward for any tips leading to the arrest/conviction of person or persons responsible for his murder. Call CRIME STOPPERS at 205-254-7777 with facts: NO NICK NAMES PLEASE.
RITT works with other organizations and law enforcers to help get this info to you in hopes you might read them here, to help solve them. If you know of any case you desire to be seen here e-mail odussasplace@yahoo.com or call Minister Ward at 205-240-9910.
Always remember: Don’t allow reality to happen to you before you get involved. Thank you so much for your co-operation.
Was it for crimes that I have done, He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, Grace unknown! And love beyond degree! At the Cross, At the Cross …
Isaac Watts ______________
But God forbid that I should glory, Save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ … Galatians 6:14a
My how the years fly! Was it yesterday we were preparing to celebrate Good Friday and the death, burial and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus? Celebrate? Absolutely! These should be the most celebrated days of the year. We must add to those celebrations the birth of our Savior and the Coming Again of the King in Glory. All of these historical events hinge upon the Resurrection of Christ.
But here we are in the early days of springtime 2014, a time in our history when the skeptics are out in number, denying Christ in every aspect of His wonderful, sinless and perfect life, but a time in the Christian realm when we will once again focus on His Resurrection. Let me go on to say, and you’ve heard me say it before, every Lord’s Day, in fact, every day of our lives is a celebration of the Resurrection of our dear Savior. We must hold fast to Our Most Holy Faith!
So many events had to take place before the death and Resurrection of Christ. Space does not allow us to elaborate on them all. But in a nutshell, from the time of the introduction of the King, the Gospels systematically bring us all the truths concerning the perfect One who would be born into this sinful world. So in our list, we will start with the announcement of His birth to Joseph and the virgin Mary; His boyhood and growth “in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man”; His authentication and acceptance in certain cities; His authority to preach; His rejection; His authority to heal; His rejection; controversy; His disciples; more reception and more rejection; opposition to the King; His invitation to “whosoever will”; His instructions concerning the Kingdom to His disciples; the official presentation of the King – the triumphal entry; His authority; His invitation; preparation for His death, the death of the Cross; Rejection of the King – His betrayal, arrest, trial, the procession to Calvary, the crucifixion of the Son of God; His burial and the sealing of the tomb. Notice how many times I listed “rejection” and that was a partial list through the pages of the Gospels. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…” And finally, the Resurrection!
Using the method of calculating time among the Jews, Greeks, and Romans, Christ was in the tomb one whole central day and any part of each of the two other days. Hence, if He arose on the third day as the Scripture teaches, and He did, He was buried shortly before sunset on Friday afternoon. His body lay in the grave through Saturday, and He rose from the dead sometime before sunrise on Sunday morning. Seven times the Gospels state that He arose on the third day. Praise God! And because he arose, “death no longer has a hold on me”!
(Never let it be said that Jesus was not busy doing more of His redemptive work while He was three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. That is an important study that we will save for a future time.)
Mark 28:1-2 gives us the account of the arrival of the women at the tomb. “And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint Him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun.”
They were expecting to need help to roll the stone away, but when they arrived, they saw it had been moved. They, without fear, went inside and saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side. Luke’s account in 24:4 says “two men stood by them in shining garments” indicating they were angels. Of course, the women were terrified when they saw the men. Can you imagine having two angels in shining white garments come alongside you? The angels immediately dispelled their fears and told them, “He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spoke to you when he was in Galilee, saying, the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
I don’t know about you, but I need no more explanation. In fact, here we are centuries later and we still need no further explanation. Someone once said, “If God said it, I believe it, and that settles it. Someone even more brilliant and spiritual said it this way, “If God said it, that settles it, whether you believe it or not!” I like that, and I have no trouble believing the Word of God and the wonderful biblical account of His Resurrection. Hallelujah!
So we who believe do not search for the living among the dead. Our Savior is risen, indeed. Yet there are millions today who have difficulty or downright disdain for the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ. We must help them!
The Gospels, if the skeptic would only believe the Word of God, reveal much concerning the reports after the women knew Christ had risen. They ran with fear to the apostles. Peter and John ran for the tomb in excitement. They had to see for themselves. In fact, John outran Peter. These experiences give us a broad look at the fact that the disciples had trouble believing the Resurrection would take place. But not any longer. Faith had been lost in sight. (Something like what will happen to us when we see Christ at the rapture of the church. Our faith in Him will be overwhelmed when we behold Him face to face.)
Next there was His appearance to Mary Magdalene who had returned to the tomb and stood weeping. This, too, was a moment in human experience that gives us pause to understand the deep love Mary had for Christ. Jesus gave her instructions to tell the “brothers” that He was resurrected.
He appeared to some other women who had previously been to the tomb. They recognized Him immediately, fell to His feet and began to worship Him (Matthew 28:9). Jesus calmed them and gave them instructions to go also and tell the disciples to go to Galilee where He would meet them.
Further, there was the report of the Guard at the tomb, which created a stir among the Sanhedrin.
And we can never forget His appearance to the two men on the Emmaus Road, who said “… did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”
There were many other such appearances of Jesus before He commissioned the disciples in Matthew 28 before His ascension.
After His final word to them, He led them out of Jerusalem toward Bethany. He blessed them on the hillsides of the Mt. of Olives, and according to Luke 24:51, “…it came to pass that while he was blessing them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”
The story does not end with His ascension back to the Father. It is only just beginning for us, the work of the Cross having been finished, the price having been paid. Our sins can now not only be forgiven, but taken as far as the East is from the West to be remembered no more. That is up to us. We do not find the death, burial and resurrection of Christ to be unbelievable or offensive, neither are we ashamed and afraid to profess it. We find it to be “Love Beyond Degree”! For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17
Serving Him,
Victor W. Baugh, Sr., Th.D., Ph.D.
Pastor, St. Luke AME Church
Havana, AL
Edna Miller Gardner is like Hampton University’s towering Emancipation Oak. Her roots are deep and span the years; her branches are broad and strong, her leaves interconnect her family tree to ours, and her presence is undeniable. Edna Gardner and her extended family are truly a living tribute to
our university.
Edna Miller planted her Hampton roots in August 1942, when she arrived on Hampton Institute’s campus, full of joy and expectation that this would be the best experience of her life. She matriculated during a time of strict curfews and dorm mother oversight, mandatory chapel and quiet vesper time on Sunday, dress codes, and lady-like conduct. She studied business education during the day, but is known for saying that at night she’d “danced every dance and attended every party, every concert and every cultural activity.” World War II was underway and the Navy sent the Black seamen to Hampton and the ladies were asked to help entertain the troops. They danced, made friends and wrote letters encouraging our troops as they headed out to war. Edna’s joy was so exuberant that every friend and relative, including her brother Ross, visited her to experience the warmth and beauty of her new home by the sea. A lifetime of friendships and memories were imprinted on her heart.
Edna graduated in June 1946. She and her friend, Thelma Lee Johnson, were hired for the summer as business teachers for the Booker T. Washington Business College in Birmingham, Alabama. It was owned and run by Dr. A.G. Gaston and his wife Minnie Gadner Gaston. Ms. Gaston sent her brother, Thomas Gardner, to pick up the new teachers from the train station. The rest is history. Thomas and Edna married in
December of 1947, and began a family the next year.
Edna taught business and requited to the business college for 20 years, helping to train young Black servicemen and women to fill professional job openings up in post- war World War II America. She furthered her career as a business instructor at Lawson State Community College for another 20 years. As soon as the doors of desegregation pushed open, Edna was one of the first to enter and received a Masters degree in Business Education and recognized as a Pioneer of Desegregation by the University
of Alabama during their 40 and 50 year commemorative ceremonies. She also later completed graduate studies at New York University. As her children grew and were ready for college, Hampton Institute was always on the docket. She pushed them all toward the James River. All five of her children attended Hampton, and at one point, there were three Gardner boys matriculating at the same time.
Edna Garner’s eldest son, Thomas Gardner, Jr. is now retired and a prolific writer and poet. Her second son, Ross Gardner, M. D., graduated from Hampton and Meharry Medical College. He completed his residency and training in ENT and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery in Los Angeles and is now the owner and director of the Gardner Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Her third son, Eric Gardner, graduated from Hampton and is now co-owner and COO of Smith and Gaston Funeral Services, in Birmingham, Alabama. Her fourth son, Paul Gardner, Sr. is also a Hampton graduate, finished Hampton and Duke University, and is now in the health services management field. And Edna’s grandson, Paul Gardner, Jr., a psychology major and math major is slated to graduate from Hampton in 2014!
In addition to her own children, Edna Gardner helped to raised her niece, Michelle Miller, who is now an award- winning correspondent at CBS News, and a member of the advisory board of Hampton University’s
Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. Michelle’s work regularly appears on the “CBS
Evening News with Scott Pelley,” “CBS This Moring” and “CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood.”
And like her “Aunt Edna” Gardner Michelle Miller has roots that are deep, and branches that are strong. Michelle and her husband, Marc Morial, are the parents of two young children. And Marc, who is currently president of the National Urban League, is one of the country’s most accomplished servants and leaders. He is a primary catalyst for an era of change – a transformation for the 100-year- old civil rights organization. He is redefining civil rights in the 21st century with renewed emphasis on closing the
economic gap between whites and Blacks, as well as the gap between rich and poor Americans. Also, Morial is the former Mayor of New Orleans. During his tenure, according to 2000 census data, violent crimes and murders dropped by 60 percent, the unemployment rate was cut in half, and the city’s property rate decreased. Having led the city’s 1999 renaissance, Morial left office with a 70 percent approval rating.
The Gardner, Miller and Morial Family – together are a living testament of dedication to the growth and development of the Black family in America. They are all a part of the rich, deep roots and broad strong branches that connect Edna Gardner to Hampton University.
Edna has enjoyed 68 years as a Hampton Alumna. Over the years, she has returned to her “Home by the Sea” for graduations, homecomings and reunions. She has served as a Hampton University
Ambassador, as a recruiter in the Southeast, and as Alumni Chapter President and representative in Birmingham, Alabama. She has served three young Gardners, and two young (Miller) Morials who might also “be coming through Hampton, she says.
Edna Gardner has returned to Hampton once again, as the most-deserving matriarch of
this year’s Honored Black Family.
District 3 Jefferson County Commissioner James A. Stephens will be running for reelection later this year. Commissioner Stephens shared a few of the challenges he has faced during his time as commissioner and discussed how he has handled these obstacles as well as his hopes for the future for Jefferson County.
Restoring the Occupational Tax
Just as he entered office as commissioner, Stephens had to make difficult decisions regarding the occupational tax that would generate revenue for the county.
“We spent the entire year working through the budgeting process, making sure that our revenue and our expenses were balanced and we were able to accomplish that,” he said. “It adversely affected the lives of a lot of our employees and our constituents. Concurrently with that we were working with our legislature to try to restore the occupational tax, to bring back that revenue.”
2012 Storm Restoration and Future Provisions
In the spring of 2012 the tornadoes that ravaged parts of Stephens’ district put a halt on the occupational tax restoration and shifted the focus to repairing the storms’ damage to the areas of Oak Grove, Concord and North Smithfield.
“Everyone in the county engaged in the restoration and clean-up to try to restore the quality of life to the citizens whose lives it affected,” Stephens said. “We worked tirelessly day and night to make sure those people were taken care of.”
Since the tornadoes, provisions have been put in place such as storm shelters in case of future disasters.
Cooper Green Hospital
“One of the hardest jobs we’ve had is the restructuring of Cooper Green Hospital,” Stephens said. “It was a microcosm of what we did with the entire county.”
After a year of negotiations, the hospital was unable to reduce its spending, Stephens said. As a result, the inpatient care system was eliminated.
“That has been a very arduous and tedious task,” Stephens said.
Patients are now sent to UAB, UAB West, and Princeton Hospital if they need inpatient care; these are facilities that Stephens said are well equipped to handle the needs of those patients.
“I believe now that we are able to split off and put different clinics out in the communities in our counties,” Stephens said. “I know that we need one in Bessemer. We want to take those redirected indigent care dollars and partner with the private sector to go out and create that wagon wheel, where you have different clinics [as the spokes] and Cooper Green as the hub. I think of [maintaining good health] as maintenance on your car. If you have regular maintenance on your car, you don’t have breakdowns. Think of your body the same way. If you can establish [a] normal healthcare routine by making regular visits to the doctor, you don’t have those major catastrophes to where you need inpatient care. So it’s kind of like maintenance. It just makes good sense.”
Economic Development
“We need to reallocate our county dollars to roads and transportation and for economic development,” Stephens said. “If we put our dollars into economic development, we’ll grow the tax base. That means more people bringing money in instead of raising the rates of our constituents we have now. It’s good business and it makes good sense.”
Jefferson County Bankruptcy
In Nov. 2011, Jefferson County made headlines when it declared the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.
“The County through prior administrations created a Cadillac with the sewer system, where a Chevrolet would have [done] just as well,” Stevens said. “We reduced the debt by $1.4 billion which was a monumental task. That’s never happened before, that is a public entity actually de-levered to keep things.
To do this, Stephens said it was proposed that the sewer receiver would demand three 25 percent increases every six months in order to pay the creditors. Instead the county filed for bankruptcy which, in turn, increased sewer rates. Once the debt was decreased, Stephens said the next step was to insure that the sewer system is sustainable.
“Does anyone like rate increases? You don’t like them, I don’t like them, but unfortunately, they’re necessary in order to have [the sewer system] and move forward,” he said.
The Challenges Moving Forward
Bankruptcy, reforming Cooper Green Hospital and rebuilding after the tornadoes are a few of the challenges Stephens has faced during his time as commissioner, and while some issues have been solved, there is more work to be done, he said.
“Is there more to do? A tremendous amount of work [is a head of us],” Stephens said. “We need to work together. We need to enlist all of the stakeholders in Jefferson County. By stakeholders I mean community leaders, our mayors, our legislators and our business leaders. We need to unite to bring commerce back to Jefferson County. That’s where our future is.”
Jefferson County should follow the example of other counties that are able to place differences aside to work for a common goal, Stephens said.
“We all need to be pulling in the same direction,” he said. “The goal of this commission and the legislative body should be to improve the quality of life for each and every citizen of Jefferson County. That’s what we were elected to do. That’s what we’re expected to do and what we need is for the citizens to demand that.”
Working together, he added, is what will lead to prosperity for Jefferson County.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to sit on the Bessemer City Council and I have a very good working relationship with my mayor Kenny Gulley and his staff and that’s the kind of relationship we need to establish throughout Jefferson County,” Stephens said. “[Government] requires cooperation, communication and an action plan to get things done. Let’s finish the job we’ve started. Let’s bring the swagger back to Jefferson County.”
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Unaware that Quinn is hiding the closet eavesdropping, Brooke makes a big admission to Bill. Liam begins to speculate on Aly’s feelings for him when she invites him to dinner. Oliver photographs Maya for HFTF and shares with her his history with Hope. Later, Oliver photographs Aly for the company directory and she becomes embarrassed by all of the attention he is showing her. Katie and Ridge bask in their newfound love. At a Forrester Creations meeting, Ridge takes charge and fires an integral player on the team. Tension rises amongst the group when he subsequently tells Rick that this tenure as President needs to end now. Brooke turns to Eric for his support of Rick. Brooke, Rick and Hope are not happy as they listen to Ridge attempt to convince Eric to allow him to have Rick’s job. Family secrets come spilling out as Rick explains his anger to Ridge about Brooke and Brooke explains to Eric that Ridge has left her for Katie. In the photo studio, Aly and Oliver flirt. Ridge, Rick, Brooke, Hope, Caroline and Carter await Eric’s decision about Rick and Ridge. Eric makes a surprise decision and creates a new team to work together, namely Brooke and Ridge. Ridge is unrelenting in his opinion that HFTF is costing Forrester Creations more than money which causes Brooke to go off on him. Ridge backs down, but threatens Rick one more time that he won’t be president for long. Later, Ridge confides in Brooke that he is upset that she told Eric about he and Katie. Brooke makes a startling declaration to Ridge about his future, both personally and professionally. Brooke wonders if Eric has a hidden motive behind the decision that he’s recently made. Ridge has to hold himself back from punching his half-brother, Rick. Katie arrives unexpectedly and learns of Ridge and Brooke’s shared position. Katie accuses Brooke of manipulating the situation to get what she wants: Ridge. Maya and Carter go on a date and see Aly an Oliver. Aly is excited for her first date. Carter tells Maya he feels that Ridge is in the right.
THIS WEEK: Maya becomes unsettled when she witnesses an intimate moment between Oliver and Aly. Eric gives Ridge his unabashed opinion on his relationships with Brooke and Katie.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Nicole tries to cover up what she’s doing when Liam catches her trying to dispose of Chyka’s evidence. Jennifer tells Daniel she thinks Nicole lied to her. Aiden confronts Hope over what she said about him to Kayla. A distraught Marlena turns to EJ and Sami to help her out of a crisis. Kayla sympathizes with Caroline and helps deal with her fears. Ben is clearly smitten when he meets Abigail for the first time. Sami’s past threatens to prevent EJ from coming to Marlena’s rescue. Liam breaks into Jennifer’s house – not knowing Daniel and Nicole are on their way. Theresa and Brady get caught in a compromising position. Sami and Adrienne’s rivalry flares up and neither of them are about to back down. Liam sets up Daniel to look bad in Jennifer’s eyes. Nicole is stunned when Eric reveals he cannot marry her! She wants to know why, but Eric is through communicating with her about this. Liam’s plan against Daniel works and causes trouble for Daniel with Jennifer. Theresa does the unthinkable and tempts Brady with drugs. Things heat up between Nick and Gabi just as someone is poised to walk in on them.
THIS WEEK: Daniel wants to explain, but will Jennifer listen? Nicole looks for more answers.
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Monica uses everything she knows to help AJ win the battle of his life. When Nikolas arrives at Elizabeth’s, he senses that something is very off – as though she’s not alone! Nathan tells Madeline his theory about Silas’s alibi. An unlikely person is asked to bring down Ava. When Luke meets with Julian, he presents a scheme that could destroy Sonny. Tracy confronts Kiki about her compromising position with Luke. Silas and Kiki share an emotional moment. GH marks its 51st anniversary show with love, life and nostalgia. With the knowledge of AJ’s shooter weighing on them both, Carly and Sonny bond and reflect on their stormy history. Bobbie learns that Noah is in love with someone else, while Lucy is determined to end her affair with Scott for good. Now that Carly knows who shot AJ, a deeply concerned Sonny wonders if she will keep his secret. Meanwhile, Julian is suspicious of Ava’s good mood. Dante and Lulu are stunned to hear who will be representing Britt in the embryo case. Shawn freaks out when he learns about Jordan’s new job. Nathan, Sam and Silas are forced to work together – but who in the world is their target? Once Sonny comes clean about AJ, Carly contemplates keeping his secret from Michael. Ava eavesdrops on a staged conversation about Nakamura. After her tense encounter with Nikolas, Britt turns to Brad for comfort about Ben. Meanwhile, Obrecht’s master plan heats up as she plots her next move. Lulu visits Elizabeth seeking advice about Ben. Another disturbing twist is revealed in the Nakamura case. A nervous and anxious Ava runs into Morgan, who wonders if she’s telling all she knows. A torn Britt ponders over Obrecht’s latest scheme regarding Ben. Dante receives an unexpected visitor at the PCPD. Brad wants to tell Felix the truth about his role in the embryo theft.
THIS WEEK: Shawn questions Jordan about her new job, worried about her past. Nikolas is relieved when he finds out Ric didn’t spend the night with Elizabeth.
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
When Billy bumps into Kelly and asks what’s upsetting her, she tells him that they shouldn’t be talking since they promised to stay away from each other. Kelly tries to reassure Billy that everything will be fine as Victoria walks by and notices their discussion. Meanwhile, Stitch gets a call informing him that his divorce is final and that his wife plans on taking his son out of the country. Later, Victoria bumps into Stitch at The Underground. Avery has a heart-to-heart with Jack about Phyllis as they discuss how they intend to handle her long-term care. Neil and Hilary get stuck sharing a hotel room in Oklahoma after their plane was grounded for mechanical problems. They bond over March Madness and junk food. Ian Ward tells Leslie he wants to cut a deal. Lily and Lauren meet to discuss the upcoming fashion show at the Athletic Club. Lily confides in Lauren that she isn’t so sure Cane is happy working at the club thanks to Victor’s new challenge for him. Meanwhile, Victor asks if Cane figured out who set him up. Lauren mistakenly congratulates Abby and Tyler on their engagement after she read a post about them on GC Buzz. Abby is taken aback when Tyler says that it’s not a matter of “if” they get engaged, but “when.” When Sharon tells Dr. Mead that she wants to go home, Nick volunteers to help her recover. Later, Victor surprises Nick by saying he hopes Sharon recovers. After Nick leaves, Sharon bumps into the Cassie imposter and asks why she is still in town. Nick brings Sharon home to Noah and Faith. When Sharon mentions that things are going to be back to normal with one small exception, Nick explains that he is going to be staying at the house in case Sharon needs extra help. Devon runs into Hilary and Neil who seem to have gotten very chummy with each other after their trip to Los Angeles. Lily tries to contain her hostility while Neil and Hilary share their ideas for the upcoming fashion show. Summer and Fen make a toast to their new beginnings.
THIS WEEK: Kelly admits that she hopes that Victoria and Billy can put their marriage back together. Courtney tells Summer that she’s really a police officer.
MONTGOMERY – Alabama State designated hitter Waldyvan Estrada and pitcher Joseph Camacho were named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball Player and Pitcher Of The Week, respectively.
Estrada (6-0, 205, Jr., Loiza, PR / International Baseball Academy and HS) hit. 450 (9-for-20) in five games last week, with six runs scored, one double, one home run, and 10 RBI. Estrada had three multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games last week. Estrada hit a two-run double and a two-run homer as part of a four-RBI game at Samford last Tuesday. Estrada, who walked five times last week, had a .560 on-base percentage and a .650 slugging percentage as the Hornets won four games last week and moved into sole possession of first place in the SWAC’s Eastern Division. This season, Estrada is batting .354 with two home runs and 25 RBI with a .445 on-base percentage and a .475 slugging percentage.
Camacho (5-9, 170, Soph., El Paso, Texas / Franklin HS) earned Co-Pitcher of the Week honors with a complete game win at defending champ Jackson State in a 6-1 Alabama State victory. Camacho yielded nine singles among the 10 hits allowed, one unearned run, one walk and seven strikeouts in throwing a career-high 138 pitches. The career-long outing for Camacho was his second straight complete game victory. He had a seven-inning complete-game effort in an 11-1 win at Alabama A&M on March 15. This season, Camacho has a 4-1 record with a 1.85 ERA with a more than four-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio (37 strikeouts, eight walks) in six starts this season.
The Hornets, off to their best start in school history with a 21-8 overall record, 12-1 in SWAC play, open a five-game homestand Friday at 6 p.m. in the first of a three-game weekend series against North Carolina Central at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
New Enshrinement Criteria to be Implemented for International Motorsports Hall of Fame for 2015, Beyond
No individuals received required percentage of votes for induction this year
The International Motorsports Hall of Fame, adjacent to Talladega Superspeedway, will establish a new process for enshrinement beginning in 2015.
There will not be an International Motorsports Hall of Fame induction ceremony this year, as a result of no individual receiving the required 51 percent of the vote from the 120-person voting panel. The annual event was tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 1, as a kickoff to the Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
In early November last year, the Hall announced its second ballot with 22 finalists for the 2014 induction class. The percentage of votes cast for any of the finalists, however, from the panel which consists of media members as well as current International Motorsports Hall of Famers, didn’t meet the requirement for new membership. All 22, plus others, will be on the 2015 list for possible induction.
Currently, to be eligible for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, an individual must be retired in his or her line of work in motorsports for at least five years. However, that person may still be active in the sport in a different capacity. The Hall is dedicated to enshrining those who have contributed the most to motorsports, either as a driver, developer, engineer, promoter, etc.
Kyle Busch was Sunday’s winner in the fifth race of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, holding off the field during an “overtime” restart at Auto Club Speedway. His margin of victory was two-tenths of a second over rookie-of-the-year candidate Kyle Larson. In Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race, it was a role reversal with Larson going to Victory Lane, edging Kevin Harvick and Busch.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series:
• Busch became the fifth different winner in as many races, virtually cementing his place in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup, the season-ending 10-race battle for the Championship. Other winners thus far include Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Daytona), Harvick (Phoenix), Brad Keselowski (Las Vegas) and Carl Edwards (Bristol).
• Busch is a former winner at NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track – Talladega Superspeedway. He has actually won in all three of NASCAR’s touring series at the 2.66-mile venue. He was triumphant in the Aaron’s 499 at TSS in 2008 while going to the winner’s circle in the Aaron’s 312 in 2011. He also has two Camping World Truck Series victories (2009, 2010).
• Edwards now leads the championship standings, one point ahead of Earnhardt, Jr. (a five-time winner at TSS) and two over six-time Talladega victor Jeff Gordon.
• Edwards is the only Sprint Cup winner in 2014 who hasn’t gone to Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway. His best finish was his third-place effort last May.
NASCAR Nationwide Series:
• Larson, a rookie last season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will make his second Talladega start in the Aaron’s 312. He was involved in an accident during the 2013 event.
• Regan Smith, who won last year’s Aaron’s 312 at Talladega, and Trevor Bayne are tied atop the point standings, followed by Ty Dillon, Chase Elliott and Elliott Sadler.
ARCA Racing Series Presented By Menards:
• Grant Enfinger won the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race this past weekend at Mobile International Speedway (AL).
• The Fairhope, AL, native made it his second straight victory after capturing the season-opener at Daytona last month.
• His best finish at Talladega’s International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 ARCA race came in 2009 when he was third.
• 10-time ARCA Champion Frank Kimmel, the defending Champion of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200, recorded his 33rd consecutive top-10 finish in Mobile.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Martinsville Speedway (VA) this weekend for the STP 500 while NASCAR Nationwide Series returns to action at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, April 4 for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300. ARCA returns to action on April 27 at Salem Speedway (IN).
NASCAR returns to Talladega Superspeedway in 2014 with the Aaron’s Dream Weekend, which is set for May 2-4. The NASCAR Nationwide Series and ARCA Racing Series will take to the track on Saturday, May 3 while NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series machines take the green flag on Sunday, May 4. For ticket information, log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com
Gwen Deru, Vice President
Former CNN anchor and now Al Jazeera America special correspondent Soledad O’Brien, addresses the student body and faculty March 26 during the University Honors Convocation in Kean Hall. Earlier in the day, O’Brien was the featured speaker at the Honors Program 50th Anniversary Luncheon honoring Dr. McDonald Williams, the first Director of the Honors Program. (photo by Rick DelaHaya, TSU Media Relations)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Saying that the pursuit of excellence requires the desire to forge ahead in the face of obstacles, a prominent American journalist has told students at Tennessee State University that success comes with “finding out what you are best suited for” and going after it.
“Decide what success would look like for you and pursue it, but always with the thought to say, ‘what can this do for me,’” multiple award winning documentarian, news anchor and producer Soledad O’Brien, said Wednesday at a convocation in Kean Hall marking the 50th anniversary celebration of the TSU Honors Program.
Drawing from her own experience as a reporter earlier in her career, O’Brian, known for such documentaries as Black in America and Latino in America, said becoming a journalist after a Harvard education was not the route her parents expected her to go after paying so much to educate her.
“My first job was at a TV station, where not only was the pay small, but I was assigned to proofing copies and removing staples,” she said. “Eventually I got assignments doing sound, and in the process, I would include myself in the story, something that helped get me extra pay once the story was aired.”
This is where the woman who would become an anchor for NBC and CNN, two of the nation’s leading news organization, found her niche, she said.
“I love being part of the story that would help enhance someone’s life, and knowing that I have influenced something spectacular,” she said.
Telling the students that nothing good comes easy, O’Brien talked about the struggles of her own parents as mixed couple in America when interracial marriage was illegal in many parts of the nation including Baltimore where they lived.
“My father, a white Australian, and my mother, a black woman from Cuba, faced discrimination on all fronts, with my mother at times trying to hide her Hispanic identity because she wanted to blend in. To get marry they had to go to the District of Columbia but came back to Baltimore and kept their marriage a secret,” she said. “When my mother had her sixth child in 1967 that’s when the Supreme Court legalized interracial marriage. That means that we were all illegal children until 1967.”
Driving home her story of perseverance in the face of opposition, O’Brien told the students that had her parents given up, lots of dreams, including hers, would probably have been lost.
“They did not give up; they understood the importance of moving ahead because they believe in what they wanted, and that’s leadership,” she added.
O’Brien, now a special correspondent for Al Jazeera’s America Tonight, has won multiple Emmy and Tony awards for her reporting on issues in America. She was part of the CNN team that won an Emmy for the 2012 Election Coverage, and another Emmy for her special report Kids on Race.
She inspired the students to emulate examples from people who did not give up but showed true leadership to accomplish what they set out for.
“Martin Luther King Jr. was a regular person who stayed when others ran. He decided that he would use his voice to lead …that’s leadership. What are you going to do to leverage what your parents have invested in you,” she added.
O’Brien, who earlier joined TSU President Glenda Glover, alumni, special guests, faculty and students at an Honors Luncheon in the Gentry Center, congratulated the University for celebrating 50 years of recognizing the achievement of the best and brightest of the institution.
“We thank you for coming to join us for this very special celebration in the institution and for inspiring our students and all of us today,” Dr. Glover told O’Brien. “We wish you all the best as you continue your journey of excellence.”
Dr. Coreen Jackson, director of the University Honors Program, who also thanked O’Brien for accepting their invitation to speak at the 50th anniversary celebration, followed the President.
In addition to recognizing the year’s top honor students, the University paid tribute to the former Director of the University Honors Program, Dr. McDonald Williams and his wife, Dr. Jayme Coleman William, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The tribute included the presentation of the Dr. McDonald Williams Scholarship to Laurena Thomas, a junior Mass Communication major from Memphis with a 3.65 GPA.
TSU Students Capture Nine Tennessee Associated Press Awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – A trio of students from Tennessee State University’s Department of Communications were the recipients of the top Tennessee Associated Press awards recently, capturing nine awards in the student competition, up from six the previous years.
The Tennessee AP Broadcasters and Tennessee APME Best of College awards were announced on Saturday, March 22, and recognized Tennessee student journalists for outstanding performance in college journalism.
Students receiving awards included:
· 1st place, Best Radio Reporter, Chantell Copeland, senior Mass Communication major from Atlanta
· 1st place, Best Radio Newscast, Chantell Copeland
· 1st place, Best News Story, Brandi Giles, senior Mass Communication major from Nashville, Tenn.
· 2nd place, Best Use of Sound, Brandi Giles
· 2nd place, Best Radio Reporter, Miya Jefferson, 2013 graduate, Mass Communication major, Lansing, Mich.
· 2nd place, Best Newscast, Brandi Giles
· 3rd place, Best Feature Story, Chantell Copeland
· 3rd place, Best Radio Reporter, Brandi Giles
· 3rd place, Best Use of Sound, Miya Jefferson
According to Dr. Terry Likes, Chair of the Department of Communications, students excelled in reports aired on the campus radio station, WTST.
“Our new Center for Media Arts and Production houses WTST and our other media outlets in a converged media environment. The dedicated faculty teach committed students who are learning across media platforms to best prepare themselves for real-world opportunities.”
This is the third year the Associated Press has conducted a competition for college students in the state of Tennessee. The students from TSU competed in more than 12 different categories in the college contest against entrants from MTSU, Vanderbilt University, Lipscomb, UT-Chattanooga, UT-Martin, UT-Knoxville, Austin Peay State University, and Southern Adventist.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Lewis Group announced, recently, the Talladega Superspeedway 2014 Art Competition: “Celebrating the Sights and Sounds of the Motorsports World,” and urged middle school students to enter their artwork. The winning piece will be displayed in the Birmingham Times newspaper and at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR’s most competitive track.
“I encourage students to seize this opportunity to participate in this year’s art competition,” said Dr. Jesse Lewis, President, The Lewis Group. “I know that there are many young artists in Birmingham, and this competition will celebrate their talent. The winning piece will be published in the Birmingham Times and seen throughout the southeast as well as at Talladega Superspeedway.”
Guidelines and rules for the competition are as follows:
· Only middle school students in grades 5-8 may enter the art competition.
· Artwork must fall into one of the following categories: paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer generated art or photography.
The following guidelines apply to all submitted artwork:
· All submissions must be 2-dimensional.
· Each piece can be no larger than 28 inches high, 28 inches wide and 4 inches deep, including the frame. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it will be required to be framed and must adhere to the size guidelines.
· Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 lbs.
· Each entry must be original in concept, design and execution; no violation of US copyright laws. Pictures reproduced from existing photos, paintings graphics or advertisements will not be accepted.
· Work entered must be in the original medium (not scanned or a reproduction of a painting or drawing).
· A completed Student Release Form must be submitted with all entries.
All entries must be submitted to Gwen DeRu no later than April 25, 2014.
Students with questions about the art competition should contact Gwen DeRu, Vice President, The Lewis Group at (205) 251-1666.
A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club 47th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon, to be held Thursday, April 10, 11:30 a.m. at The Club (1 Robert S Smith Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209).
The A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club is pleased to announce its 47th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon at The Club on Thursday, April 10. This year’s luncheon, themed “Race to the Finish,” welcomes guests and alumni to honor the Club’s 47 years of service to thousands of at-risk children in the Birmingham and Bessemer communities.
Event Chairman Mr. Terry Kellogg of Blue Cross Blue Shield will welcome keynote speaker and Olympic Legend, Ms. Jackie Joyner-Kersee. A six time Olympic medalist, including three Olympic gold medals, Ms. Joyner-Kersee dominated the Olympic heptathlon and long jump events throughout her career which spanned four Olympic Games.
Emceed by Steve Crocker of Fox 6, the event will also feature the presentation of the “Dr. A.G. Gaston Vision Award” recognizing deserving partners who make a significant impact in the lives of children in the Birmingham-metro community. Doors open at 11 a.m. (CST)
For more information and about tickets, call Rose Walker, Director of Development, 205-923-3377 or email her at rwalker@aggbgc.org. -A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club is a 501(c)(3) agency
