50 “FREEDOM OAKS” to be Planted at Red Mountain Park

Birmingham Mayor William A. Bell, Sr., music legend William “Bootsy” Collins, former NFL player – Gary Burley and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens will host a kickoff event for the planting of 50 “Freedom Oak” trees at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on Saturday, January 11, at 2 p.m. The event is to kickoff the Commemorative Tree Planting Ceremony that will be held at Red Mountain Park beginning in the Spring 2014.

This planting will commemorate “50 Years Forward,” closing out Birmingham’s yearlong anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. As Birmingham has moved beyond the segregation and oppression of its pre-Civil Rights struggles, this event provides an opportunity to not only reflect on the city’s past, but also look forward to its future.

The Freedom Oak tree is a native species grown from locally collected seeds. It is rarely seen in commerce but is an essential part of local landscapes. Each seed can live for multiple human generations, sustaining the rich biodiversity that comprises Alabama’s natural heritage.

The planting will be an annual event to remind future generations of Birmingham’s historical connections to the Civil Rights Movement and promote a new era of progress for the city.  “We have selected Red Mountain Park as the planting site in part due to its historical significance in the building and development of Birmingham,” says Gary Burley.

The kickoff event will feature a tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and a premiere video from music legend “Bootsy” Collins.

The Wenonah High School Class of 1968 meets each fourth Monday from
6-7 p.m. to discuss class business and upcoming events for classmates.
Meetings are held in the Thelma Catlin Auditorium Library Building at Lawson State Community College (West Campus). Be in the loop. We are family!
The contribution of your time, talent, and input will ensure an even more enjoyable fellowship time with classmates. Come join us in the planning of events together and have fun with former classmates and old friends.
For more information contact:
Wenonah High Class of 1968
P.O. Box 28373
Birmingham, AL 35228- 0004
or call Mary Gladney 205. 520-4386

During the Birmingham City Council Meeting held Tuesday, January 7, 2014 Council:

Approved a Resolution adopting the 2014 City of Birmingham Legislative Agenda; the agenda includes:



Deferred Payment Lending

The City of Birmingham supports further regulation of deferred payment lending (payday lending), title lending and pawn companies and restrictions on the proliferation and predatory practices of these businesses.

Wine and Beer in Single Serve

The City of Birmingham supports legislation that will limit and/or restrict the sale of single serve cans and bottles of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages on ice, drug paraphernalia, and sexually explicit materials near the front entrances of convenience stores, grocery stores and other retailers.

Enhanced Funding for Mass Transit

The City of Birmingham supports legislation to provide alternative dedicated streams of funding for public transit, and also legislation that can amend existing funding streams to increase funds that can enhance the ability of the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority to play an even greater role in supporting economic development throughout the metro area.

Water Works

The City of Birmingham does not support legislation to change the existing governance of the Birmingham Water Works Board.



Education Accountability Act

The City of Birmingham supports legislation that amends the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 so that funds are not reduced for schools identified as failing and greater support is provided for public education. 
“We have a good working document,” said Council President Johnathan Austin. To review the full legislative agenda log on to www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Johnathan Austin at 254.2678.

Other items approved by the Council at today’s meeting include the following:

1. Placed on consent a Resolution assenting to the vacation of 402.14 square feet of subsurface rights along 1st Avenue South, 141.00 square feet of subsurface rights along 18th Street South, 401.10 square feet of subsurface rights along the 1st Avenue South alley, 140.00 square feet of subsurface rights along 17th Street South, 1632.57 square feet of air rights along 1st Avenue South, 576.00 square feet of air rights along 18th Street South, 1616.40 square feet of air rights along the 1st Avenue South alley and 560.00 square feet of air rights along 17th Street South- all situated around Block 124 (between 17th Street South and 18th Street South and also between 1st Avenue South and 2nd Avenue South), on behalf of Parkside Residences, LLC., City of Birmingham, a municipal corporation, HRT of Alabama, Inc., KPC Realty, LLC, Railroad Square, LLC., The Children’s Hospital of Birmingham, Corporate Furnishings, Inc., owners, so that the developer can construct a new mixed use building (retail and residential) with the proposed balconies encroaching into the air space right-of-way and the footings encroaching into the subsurface right-of-way. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Sheila Tyson at 254.2358.

2. Placed on consent a Resolution approving the agreement with Village Creek Human and Environmental Justice Society, Inc., Birmingham, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00, renewable annually subject to funds availability, for a term not to exceed five (5) years, to promote the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Birmingham area and authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement.

3. Approved a Resolution appointing four (4) members to the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority Board of Directors, Joyce E. Brooks, Patricia Bozeman Henderson, Bacarra Mauldin and W. Frank Topping said terms expiring August 10, 2017. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Kimberly Rafferty at 254.2348.

4. Placed on consent a Resolution approving payment to Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, California, in the amount of $126,164.00 as exhibition loan fee for the exhibit “Delacroix and the Matter of Finish” to be on display at the Birmingham Museum of Art, for the term February 23, 2014 through May 18, 2014.

Announcements and Reminders:

1. Due to a lack of agenda items, the Special Called Transportation and Communication Committee Meeting on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, has been canceled.

2. A Special Called Public Improvement and Beautification Committee Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 2:00 p.m., Conference Rooms D & E.

3. The Birmingham City Council will host a second work session with state lawmakers on Thursday, January 9, 2014, 10:30 a.m., at the Birmingham Crossplex.

4. The Budget and Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, January 13, 2014, 4:00 p.m., Conference Rooms D & E.

5. The Economic Development Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, January 13, 2014, 4:00 p.m., Conference Rooms D & E.

6. The Planning and Zoning Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, 4:00 p.m., 5th Floor Engineering Conference Room.

7. The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Committee Meeting scheduled on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, is canceled.

Are you unable to attend the Birmingham City Council meetings? Watch Council Meetings on demand. From anywhere in the world you can log on to www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org and click on the tab Watch Council Meetings; or from the comfort of your home, tune to Bright House Cable Channel 244. The Birmingham City Council meetings are free and on demand. 
 The City of Birmingham will make reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to enjoy all city services, programs and activities. If accommodations are required for public meetings, please contact John Long, Senior Public Information Officer, with reasonable advance notice by emailing John.Long@birminghamal.gov, or by calling 205-254-2036.

    On January 20, 2014, at 6 p.m. at the Carver Theater in the Fourth Avenue Business District, Phoenix Productions, in association with Special Design Company Inc. will present a reunion performance of Hollis Wormsby’s classic civil rights play, The Dream Lives.
The Dream Lives was originally presented in January of 1989 at the City of Birmingham’s first official Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration. Dr. Abraham Woods and the Birmingham Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference held an open competition for playwrights to compete for the honor of presenting their work at the first holiday program, and the Dream Lives by then newcomer to Birmingham, Hollis Wormsby, was the unexpected winner. The play was presented to a standing room only audience at the Alabama Theater and left the audience both shaken and inspired.
At the time Wormsby was relatively unknown to the Birmingham community. Since that time he has established himself as a long time columnist with the Birmingham Times, where his column, The Way I See It, was a staple for more than a decade. He earned recognition for providing cutting edge commentary during 10 years as host and co-host on Talkback on 98.7 KISS FM, and four years as host of Real Talk on WENN. During that time he thought about returning to his love of the theater and the joy he got from working in that genre, but it seems something always had a higher priority.
All that changed last year when the City of Birmingham announced the events for the Fifty Years Forward Celebration. Wormsby saw the calendar of events and felt like the Dream Lives belonged on that calendar. And so he reached out to the Mayor and Councilman Hoyt and others and as has often been the case they answered. The Mayor’s Office provided a discount to use Boutwell Auditorium and recognized the play as part of the Fifty Years Forward Events. Though the play is being held at the Carver Theater, the early recognition by the Mayor’s Office was crucial to fundraising and recruitment efforts. Councilman Steven  Hoyt, committed $1,250 in discretionary funding.  The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute has partnered by allowing use of video from their archives as part of a video montage for the play’s opening. The Dannon Project and Special Designs Inc., signed on as nonprofit sponsors and on January 20, at 6 p.m. at the Carver Theater an all-star Birmingham cast will take to the stage to bring the story to life once again.
The cast will include Birmingham theater legend, as well as Birmingham Foot Soldier, Rickey Powell, also known by many as the voice of the Civil Rights Movements.  Rickey will play the lead role of Reverend Johnson, the leader of a church involved in Civil Rights activities at the time of Dr. King’s death. Helen Lyles will play the role of the Pastor’s wife, and Alicia Johnson Williams, Director of Make It Happen Theater Company will play the role of Reverend Johnson’s daughter-in-law. Annie Joe Avery, another artist whose voice is featured in Birmingham Civil Rights Institute exhibits will also play a role in the play as will Vicky Stokes, who was featured in the original as a principle character will now serve as a musical guest.
Alvin Garrett known for his work with Ruben Studdard, as well as recognized for having written four songs including Find Myself A Love, on the new Joe album, will both perform and create music for the show. And Logan, a Birmingham singing sensation will also share his talents on this night.
Those who have seen the play before will really want to come out for this performance. This is the third time the play has been in production and it really is true that the third time is the charm. According to Wormsby they have made the story so much richer and have integrated the music and the special effects in so much more seamlessly, that this is a better production than what we did earlier.  Rickey Powell says that he is pleased to be a part of this cast, and actually asked to be included because he believes this play tells the story of the Civil Rights movement as well or better than any he has seen. But please don’t get the impression that because this is a Civil Rights play it is going to be boring. The play features new music, comedic dialogue, and enough twists and turns to insure that you will leave the Theater entertained. You will just also leave with a better understanding of and feel for the sacrifices made in the name of the freedoms we indulge in today.
The Dream Lives will be presented at the Carver Theater of January 20, 2014 at 6 p.m.  Tickets will be $ 20. For ticket information please call the Carver Theater at 327-9424.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham Metro Diversity Coalition will hold its fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Walk on Saturday, Jan. 11, to honor the legacy of MLK and promote healthy living all at once. This year, the BMDC is partnering with the Birmingham Peace Project and Greater Birmingham Ministries to provide food for local individuals and families in need. Everyone is asked to bring non-perishable food items to the event, which is themed “Food365.”
“Local food resources have been impacted by the economy,” said Velma Williams, BMDC vice-chair and coordinator of the walk.
“Families have less to buy food with now, and the local food banks are low on inventory. After people are served meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas day . . . then what?”
Vendor Registration will begin at 10 a.m. on the day of the walk. Walkers should arrive at the main assembly point by 11 a.m. for an opening ceremony, and the walk will begin at noon. The walk around Railroad Park’s loop is approximately 3/4 of a mile. The free and family-friendly event will also feature activities, entertainment, and a white dove release in honor of the late civil rights legend.
In addition, representatives from various local health organizations and agencies will be on hand during the walk to share information and educate participants about potential health risks. The annual walk brings together people of all backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and walks of life from the City and its suburbs to promote harmony and peace. Businesses, families, community organizations, scout groups, school clubs, and faith groups are encouraged to participate.
Sponsors for this year’s event include Railroad Park and The Trak Shak.
The BMDC was established in 2007 as a nonprofit 501c3 and is carrying out its vision in the Greater Birmingham area to foster mutual respect and equality for all through advocacy, collaboration, and education.

For more information about the BMDC, visit www.birminghammetrodiversitycoalition.org

Honorable Houston L. Brown to address 28th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast
 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The 28th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast, held Monday, January 20 at 7a.m. at the Boutwell Auditorium, will feature the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama Judge Houston L. Brown as keynote speaker. The breakfast, themed “Birmingham Unity: Embracing Liberty and Justice for All”, is the oldest Unity Breakfast in the country. It is held each year to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Circuit Judge Houston L. Brown was elected Presiding Judge for the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama in January 2013. Judge Brown has been a Circuit Judge since April 5, 2000 and has served in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions of the Circuit Court.
The Honorable Judge Brown, a native of Birmingham and graduate of A. H. Parker High School, holds a B. A. in Economics from Talladega College and a J. D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He has practiced law in Jefferson County since 1973 and is the recipient of numerous community and professional awards for his service through the years.
“This breakfast invokes the spirit of Dr. King’s vision for a more racially and socioeconomically unified world,” said Hezekiah Jackson, IV, Metro Birmingham Branch NAACP President and 2014 Chair of the event. “Unity is strength. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. In the wake of Birmingham’s economic recovery, and conclusion of the 50 Years Forward commemoration, this 2014 Unity Breakfast sets the stage for continued solidarity and progress within our city.” The Unity Breakfast is presented by the Birmingham Metro Diversity Coalition, Greater Birmingham Ministries, Metro Birmingham NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Community Affairs Committee of REV Birmingham.
Sponsorships are still available and tables can be purchased at the REV Birmingham Downtown Office, located at 505 20th Street North, Suite 150. Individual tickets are sold at the Boutwell ticket office. Anyone wanting more information can contact Unity Breakfast Coordinator Aaron Carlton at 205.324.8797.

REV Birmingham (REV) revitalizes places and energizes business to create vibrancy in the City of Birmingham. REV is an economic development organization that stimulates business growth and improves quality of life in Birmingham’s City Center and its Neighborhood Commercial Centers. REV is a private-public partnership that was formed in 2012 by the strategic merger of Operation New Birmingham and Main Street Birmingham. For more information visit www.revbirmingham.org.

Dr. Jesse J. Lewis, Sr.

The residents of Gate City have a right to be concerned with their safety. It’s very unfortunate that an incident of this magnitude should happen to anyone. It’s unfortunate that so much misinformation is being passed out by people who have a personal interest and people who are mean-spirited. These people are passing out inaccurate information, for whatever reason God only knows.
Several companies have made financial contributions that some people say the residents have never received. There is a group of people who allegedly are working with attorneys to recruit clients and get kick-backs. There are people who do not even live in the housing community who are attempting to receive food, clothing and monetary compensation.
As always, the media is looking for the worst scenario they can dig up. For example, they are interviewing residents in other housing communities asking them if they have smelled gas in the last two years. Of course, they said they smell it every day. These are the same people who have lived in the housing communities for over 30 years and always have derogatory remarks about the community facilities, the administration, etc.
There is no one in the housing community who could have foreseen what happened. If it could have  been foreseen, the administration would have moved people before it happened.
A meeting held by the Birmingham District Board of Commissioners is subject to the Open Meeting Act, which states meetings held by the deliberative policy making body to discuss a matter is to be open to the public, including the media. However, a meeting of Housing Authority (HABD) managers with residents is not subject to the Open Meeting Act. The recent meeting held at Marks Village was not a public hearing. Managers wanted to talk with residents and have residents talk with managers regarding site matters.
One hundred ninety-five (195) residents signed in for this meeting. Some expressed the misconception that they would receive payments or Section 8 vouchers, neither of which was accurate. A few disgruntled residents left. More than 100 people remained for most of the nearly two hour meeting.
These meetings are for announcements to the residents and are not public meetings. The media was not permitted in the meeting. The media shows interest only when it is perceived that the meeting enhances the story. The same was true when HABD met with residents to discuss a railroad proposal with its residents. Since the issue is no longer dominant in the media, monthly meetings have been held without media interest.
Residents are entitled to the dignity and respect of personal privacy. Individuals who live in public housing have the same rights to personal privacy in their home and organizational environments as other citizens. It appears, that there is an approach to having a double standard for those who live in public housing. There is nothing to hide, but there are rights to protect. As advocates for those who live in public housing, HABD will restrain these intrusions to personal liberty.
Some media personnel were heard to say, this is a public housing authority meeting and I am coming in. This approach is an indignation to personal liberty that ought to be constitutionally available to the citizens who live in public housing. The same media operatives, if confronted with a similar situation in their residences would likely express outrage, particularly if it included some governmental entity.