Ludacris admits to being a new dad but wants to keep baby mama out of his pockets
By EURweb.com
It seems Dwyane Wade isn’t the only celeb to find himself a baby daddy outside of his relationship.
Nope, he’s got company in the form of Ludacris, who also supposedly took a break from his main squeeze, Eudoxie, and ended up like D-Wade.
According to TMZ, Luda hooked up with “some random chick” and got her pregnant. He’s admitting he’s the daddy and even wants to legally establish his paternity and then set a hard limit on his child support.
The said “random chick”/baby mama goes by the name Tamika Fuller. She gave birth to Cai Bella Bridges on December 9th. And here’s where things get real interesting.
The rapper/actor is worried that Tamika knows she’s got a winning hand in the situation. So he’s filed legal documents – obtained by TMZ – claiming he’s only making $25,842.41 a month on average. Under Georgia law that means his monthly child support payment would be set at $1,754.66.
We’re guessing that Luda is hoping Tamika isn’t smart enough read this report and find out that according to Forbes, he is worth at least $12 million.
Good luck Luda. With Tamika … and Eudoxie.
One Man’s Opinion
Can we do this… yes we can
by Jesse J. Lewis, Sr.
The City of Birmingham is on the threshold of greatness. In order to be the best of the best, you have to work hard, smart and make some sacrifices.
We need to make this City great (I should use the word greater) because it’s the right thing to do and moreover, this City is presently being run by Black people.
I have said this many times, if you are Black, you cannot afford to be equal. We have to be better.
HERE’S WHERE WE START:
Education:
I contend that education is just like an engine to a car. If you do not have an engine in your car, you’re not going anywhere. If your education level goes down, the industry that plans to move in the City will also go down. In the event the education level goes down, crime goes up. Unquestionably, there is a direct correlation between education and crime.
When children drop out and move out of the City, it has a drastic effect on the dollar amount received from the State. Tax revenues go down, income to gas, water, electricity dissipates; apartments and houses get empty, which creates a jungle where it’s the survival of the fittest.
Thanks to Larry Langford’s penny tax, we got some new school buildings and we have to reach out to bring all the drop-outs back into schools so they can do something useful; teachers have to teach and the community has to seriously consider raising property taxes earmarked for the school system.
The Board of Education needs to purchase West Side Golf facility and turn it into a training facility where youngsters will come from all over the Southeastern Conference to see a golf training facility that’s the top in the United States.
The Board of Education needs to partner with Gary Burley, a former professional football player, who has created an organization called ProStart Academy. ProStart Academy is an extraordinary academic and athletic program, managed by former NFL players, and other professionals whose primary goal is to educate, train, develop and enhance the athletic, academic and life skill abilities of the students.
It is a combination of classroom and on-the-field instruction that develops both academic and athletic success. The program’s topics range from personal finance to college scholarships; from running better pass routes to public speaking skills; from study skills to nutrition.
The cost of the one year academy is $2000 and scholarships are available for those students who qualify. The Academy is a one year program that meets every Saturday at a local facility. Each student must commit to the program for the year and agree to abide by a code of conduct and sportsmanship. The Academy is for boys and girls in grades six through 12.
e-mail: jjlewis@birminghamtimes.com.
SPEAKING OF SOAPS
BY MEREDITH COOPER
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Ridge steps on a resentful Rick’s toes when he takes control over a Forrester Creations’ staff meeting. Brooke is stunned when she learns that not only does Katie know that Ridge has returned, but he has already gone to see her. Katie makes a final decision about her future in regards to Bill. Wyatt attempts to quell Hope’s concerns when she starts thinking about all that Quinn has done to keep Liam at bay. While having a heart-to-heart talk with Caroline, Bill reflects back on all of the recent mistakes that he has made that have put him in his current position. When Ridge questions her feelings for Bill, Brooke assures him that her relationship with her former lover is a thing of the past. Donna attempts to convince Katie that Ridge’s return will change the focus of Brooke’s attention away from Bill. Bill and Liam commiserate about the similarities in the current state of their personal lives. Ridge questions Brooke’s motives about why she wants Katie to reunite with Bill. Katie is caught off guard when Ridge comes to tell her about his plans regarding his personal life and his residency. Bill storms into Brooke’s house hoping to get back into her life and her bed. Eric and Donna reminisce about their marriage and the good times that they shared throughout the years. Brooke turns Bill down and talks him into trying to make things work between him and Katie. When Hope confronts her about her misdeeds, Quinn makes an attempt to right her wrongs. Bill resists Brooke’s efforts to show him the life that he could have if only he would reconcile with Katie. Ridge is still having a difficult time wrapping his head around Brooke’s betrayal of her own sister.
THIS WEEK: Hope is put on the spot when Liam asks her about her relationship status with Wyatt. Ridge offers Katie his support of her anger and resentment towards Bill and Brooke’s betrayal.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES
EJ pulls out all the stops to keep Abigail from talking to Hope. Per John’s request, Hope delivers life-changing news to Brady. Victor tries to apologize to Marlena – but it doesn’t go well. Later, Marlena has an unexpected message for Nicole. Daniel and Nicole team up to help Brady. Brady and Theresa have a rocky encounter at an AA meeting. Abigail and EJ argue about whether he’s telling the truth. JJ ends up in the middle of a sticky situation – which just may land him in jail.
Kate ropes Lucas into one of her schemes when she brings to town an old friend of Jordan’s. JJ fears he’s about to be caught with drugs. Hope realizes Ciara is having problems at school. Kate is eager to get information about Jordan from Sheryl but Lucas has reservations about using Jordan’s innocent friend. EJ fears he’s made a terrible mistake. Nicole conducts an emotional interview with Eric. Daniel has a breakthrough with Eric’s blood work and believes he’s close to exonerating his friend. Stefano is notified and is not pleased. Abigail makes a difficult confession to Jennifer. Kate sends Sheryl and Jordan on a collision course. Stefano orders Dr. Chyka to make sure Daniel does not uncover the truth.
THIS WEEK: Nicole is rattled by Eric’s admission. Kate eavesdrops on Jordan and Sheryl, waiting for something incriminating about Jordan’s past to come up.
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Franco freaks out when he thinks he sees Heather. Olivia reminds Franco that Heather’s other son, Steve Webber, killed someone. Maybe it’s genetic. Carly defends Franco to Michael. Ava and Carly have a fierce argument. Julian isn’t about to consider Morgan’s pleas to let him out of the Jerome business. Morgan makes a big decision about his situation. What if the police find out that TJ witnessed the warehouse shoot-out? Sonny urges Shawn to get TJ out of town. Rafe wants to tell Anna everything. Nathan questions Silas. Sam tells Molly that she trusts Silas. Molly may be forced to tell Sam that Rafe will never be able to accept that she is with TJ again. When Sam’s alone, Nathan shows up and she asks the detective what his visit is about? His response leaves her reeling in shocking disbelief. Heather is out for blood. Dangerous mental patient Heather is back in Port Charles gathering information for her master plan to bring harm to an unaware Carly. Franco threatens Ava to stay away from Carly but Ava, bully that she is, spews back her own threats. Nathan peppers Sam with lots of questions about Silas’s past, almost to the point of harassment. Then, Nathan drops a bombshell on Sam and reveals Silas’s dark secret. Anna knows the truth about the warehouse shooting incident and confronts the person who witnessed it all. Heather makes it look like Carly has left town – and Franco, behind forever. A saddened Franco goes to Carly’s house to patch up their recent squabble but it appears no one is home. Silas reveals his dark past to a shocked Sam. Nathan believes Silas’s story is a convenient lie. To protect his loved ones, Morgan reluctantly becomes a mole for Julian in Sonny’s organization but his sacrifice could turn deadly and dangerous. Although Franco realizes Carly has gone missing, Michael targets him for his mother’s disappearance. Heather forces Carly to write a goodbye letter. Carlos tells Sabrina he wants to be a significant part of her future. A jilted Sabrina considers telling Patrick the truth. Sonny catches Ava and Morgan in a compromising clinch. Heather’s kidnapping caper kicks into high gear. Franco swears to Michael that he saw Carly the day before. Kiki and Franco think Ava knows where Carly is. Franco finds an alarming clue about Carly’s whereabouts. When Felix reveals to Patrick and Robin staggering news about Sabrina, Patrick demands to know the whole truth.
THIS WEEK: Heather’s plan to frame Franco cuts to the chase. New evidence surfaces about Silas’s mysterious past.
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Summer thanks Nick for the way that he raised her and tells him she appreciates the good influence he’s had on her life. Meanwhile at Crimson Lights, Courtney and Noah enjoy an afternoon together. When Courtney goes to get a drink, her phone rings and Noah goes to grab it and is shocked to find a bag of pills in her bag. Michael finds a box outside his door with no card or name on it. He opens the box to reveal a cake that says Forget Me Not. Adam tells Victor that he is meeting with Avery to make sure that Victor never has any legal rights to Connor. Victor meets with his P.I. who gives him a file with all the information he asked for on the hit and run. Victor goes to see Paul and asks what kind of punishment the hit and run driver might be looking at. Paul reveals that the driver will most likely pay a fine and spend up to twenty-five years in prison. Paul questions why Victor is so curious about the case. Later, Paul gets a call from Christine and is happy to hear that she is willing to make a deal with the witness in Delia’s case. Meanwhile, a possible witness to Delia’s hit and run is brought into the police station interrogation room. Alex leaves the door open so Kevin can listen. The witness admits that he has some charges against him and Alex tells him he will see if he can cut a deal with the DA. he witness tells Alex that he saw the car and the driver who hit Delia. Jill tells Kevin about her frustrations with Katherine’s music box. Jill gets a call from an antique dealer who believes that the music box belonged to someone famous. When Jill grabs the box and intends to get to the bottom of the mystery, someone unexpectedly puts a stop to her plan. Billy and Victoria prepare to host Kelly for dinner when Stitch stops by and tells Victoria that he found her phone at Crimson Lights. Billy ends up inviting Stitch to stay for dinner as well. Billy and Stitch make small talk as Kelly arrives and is shocked to see Stitch there. As Chloe fusses over Connor, Neil gives Chelsea the good news that orders are pouring in for her line. Chloe realizes that Chelsea said yes to Adam’s proposal. Meanwhile, Victor and Adam have a tense discussion about the hit and run. Cane and Lily go to the hospital to meet with Dr. Kershaw about her test results. Meanwhile, Leslie tells Devon that all the charges against him have been dropped. Leslie tells Devon that he has a solid case for theft and fraud.
THIS WEEK: Sharon reluctantly tells Noah that she has been talking with Cassie. Nikki bumps into Avery and learns that Dylan went to try and find Ian Ward.
Cash For Crooks
Cash For Crooks Div. of Refuge In Trouble Times (RITT)
P.O. Box 28083
Birmingham, AL 35228
Today we are spotlighting Jeffery Burks, age 26, who on December 20th as he exited his car in the West End area was shot before entering his home. If you have heard anything or saw anything please contact Crimesstoppers at 205-254-7777. RITT is working with state and local departments to help solve some of the crimes that surrounds our city. Please NO NICK NAMES when calling.
If you have a case you’d like seen here, you may send an email to us at odussasplace@yahoo.com or call Minister Ward at 205-240-9910. Remember reality is: When it happens to you. Don’t let it happen before you get involved. RITT is doing a membership drive. If you desire to be a part of a moving organization nationally, call Minister Ward. Amen.
Birmingham City Leaders Present Unified Agenda for State Legislative Delegation
Members of the Birmingham City Council, school board, transit authority, water works board and the Mayor have prepared a unified Birmingham legislative agenda to present to state lawmakers for the upcoming 2014 session of the Alabama Legislature.
A special called Administration Committee Meeting was held last week with Mayor Bell to discuss all the issues the city would like addressed in the session beginning January 14.
A second working session with the Jefferson County delegation is scheduled on Thursday, January 9, at the Birmingham Crossplex, to present the combined agenda.
“All of us need to work together for the best interest of the city and we need to develop a better working relationship with our local legislative delegation,” said Council President Johnathan Austin. “Birmingham is the economic engine of the state. We need to do everything we can to ensure its long-term success and sustainability. We do that by not only passing local laws and ordinances but by also working with our local state representatives.”
The agenda being proposed by the city includes various items supporting or opposing state legislation that would affect economic development, payday lending, education, EPA regulations, mass transit and the water works board. State lawmakers have already prefiled several bills that could impact Birmingham.
The city supports state legislation for tax credits and incentives that encourage business development, neighborhood revitalization and job creation, and further regulation of the payday lending and title pawn industry. The city has done all it can locally to restrict the proliferation of such businesses. The city supports environmental protection legislation concerning the issuance or renewal of permits, the restriction of single serve wine, beer, drug paraphernalia and explicit materials near the front entrance of convenience stores, and increased funding for mass transit.
The city also supports legislation that would provide flexibility in local education budget priorities and facilitate partnerships between k-12 and post-secondary institutions. However, a request for the state to amend the Alabama Accountability Act is being suggested so that funds are not reduced for schools categorized as failing.
Fairfield Police Chief says proposal to cut department is a “slap in the face”
By Christy Hutchings
WBRC
FAIRFIELD, AL (WBRC) – The City of Fairfield’s police chief is speaking out after one council member proposed doing away with the Fairfield Police Department.
Fairfield Police Chief Leon Davis has spent the past 23 years serving and protecting Fairfield, and sums up very quickly how he felt when Council Member Willie Hardley suggested firing the department.
“Even the suggestion of terminating this department was a slap in the face to a lot of these guys and ladies who put their lives on the line daily for this city,” said Chief Davis.
The suggestion came after Hardely felt he wasn’t getting answers from the Mayor or the police about a recent case involving city property, and other recent burglaries.
“In terms of what they’ve solved were not hearing anything, reports nothing,” said Hardley.
However, the Chief isn’t supposed to report to the council; he reports to the mayor.
“Me and the mayor have an open line of communication. We speak maybe once or twice a daily. Even during the weekend we speak on things that are happening,” said Davis. “I think that one of the biggest problems is that some council members want to have authority, directive, the approval from the mayor to give us directives which the mayor is not going to do. and he’s instructed us we’re not to take directives from the council. He is our immediate supervisor who we answer to.”
Hardley says those conversations between the mayor and the chief should be relayed to council.
Davis says burglaries and thefts are down 30-40 percent in Fairfield, and his department is under staffed by 30 officers.
“Since this council has taken office and Mr. Hardley was named Chairman of Public Safety, I have not met with him, he has not asked me what does the police department need, he has not questioned me as to what we can do to make this police department strong, there has been no communication between us as far as what we can do to improve public safety,” Davis said.
Hardley tells me he never actually spoke to the Sheriff’s office about the possibility of them taking over Fairfield’s jurisdiction.
“I hate that it had to get to this point but I just wanted to get their attention. I wanted the mayors attention so I’m hoping we got his attention to do something,” said Hardley.
Tuesday night the council had a planned special meeting to discuss an ongoing investigation about the theft of some city property. That meeting was cancelled because not enough council members were in attendance. FOX 6 has learned that one absent council member, Primuse Mack, was unable to attend because he was behind bars in the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer. Mack is charged with enticing a minor.
People, Places and Things
By Gwen DeRu
Here’s wishing you a safe, healthy 2014…plus ‘all’ that you wish for you and yours!!! Enjoy….and Share the remainder of the Season! HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LeBOISE DeRU, SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN, BETTINA BYRD-GILES, RENEE KEMP-ROTAN, DRU HARRIS EALONS, CHUCK GEISEE, JAMES WILLIAMS, KYLE WHITMIRE, WILLIAM BARNES and HAROLD COX.
SHOWTIME BIRMINGHAM STYLE 2014 – PERFORMERS ARE INVITED – The Sickle Cell Foundation of Central Alabama is inviting all performers that might be interested in performing at the Showtime Birmingham Style 2014 to audition Saturday, January 18 at the downtown Birmingham Sheraton Hotel, 9 a.m. DETAILS – Must be 21, bring your music on CD (or instrument), sing, dance, a comedian, an instrumentalist or a member of a choir (individual or group. There is no Entry fee. It is a black tie, red carpet event on Saturday, February 1st. There will be a First Place Prize – $1,000, Second Place – $500 and Third Place – $250. Call (205) 780-2355 or 1-800-735-0405 or email caprenia.anthony@yahoo.com.
FREEDOM TREE PLANTING – The public is invited to attend the Freedom and Tree Planting reception and kick-off featuring Mayor William Bell, Sr., former NFL player Gary Burley and music legend Bootsy Collins who will debut the commemorative song and video, Saturday, 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Call (205) 943-2006 for more. Or email prostartacademy@bellsouth.net.
FOR ART LOVERS….
A New Art Form by Artist John Solomon Sandridge – A portion of the proceeds will go to BCRI Reception with Artist, Saturday, January 11 at 3 p.m.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) will present “Numinousneoism™, an exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist John Solomon Sandridge on January 13 through March 23, 2014 in BCRI’s Odessa Woolfolk Gallery. A special reception with the artist will be held Saturday, January 11 at 3 pm in BCRI’s Rotunda. The reception is free and open to the public. For more information call 205-328-9696 x 234.
BIRMINGHAM ATTORNEY GOES TO EGYPT – Local attorney Kathleen Johnson, of the firm Gespass and Johnson, has been selected to observe the referendum on Egypt’s proposed new constitution, scheduled to take place on January 14 and 15, as part of a United States delegation organized by Democracy International. She has vast experience in human rights and election work in some of the world’s most dangerous places, beginning as a United Nations Volunteer in Bosnia during, and immediately after, the wars in the former Yugoslavia. Since, she has investigated allegations of war crimes in Albania and Kosovo and has observed elections in Pakistan and Afghanistan. She has also served in various capacities for elections in less troubled countries, including post-war Bosnia and Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Estonia, Ukraine and Venezuela. Her international human rights advocacy has taken her to the Philippines, Bosnia, Croatia and Tajikistan.
MOUNTAIN BROOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOURTH ANNUAL LUNCHEON – The Mountain Brook Chamber presents its Fourth Annual Luncheon, Thursday, January 16, 11:30 a.m. at the Club Grand Ballroom. Mr. Richard C. Kessler Chairman and CEO of the Kessler Enterprise, Inc. is the keynote speaker. Reservations are required. Call (205) 871-3779 or welcometomountainbrook.com
REGISTER FOR THE V2V 10K – Register for the (Village to Village Run) January 25, 8 a.m. at welcometomountainbrook.com.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE – Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve will honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20) with a day of service project coordinated with Hands On Birmingham to work on Long Leaf Cottage, one of the Preserve’s original buildings, that is being renovated into an educational facility for the Preserve. The annual day of service commemorates the civic contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This is the 14th year that Hands On Birmingham has coordinated one of the largest days of service in the Hands On Network nationally.
Volunteers can register at http://www.handsonbirmingham.org/MLK.
FOR OUTDOORS LOVERS…
THIS SATURDAY, 9 a.m. Dayhike at the Limestone Rail Trail in Elkmont, Alabama. Details: This trail is located in extreme North Alabama just to the west of I-65 and a few miles south of the Tennessee-Alabama border. The hike is rated easy. We will hike a total of 5.3 miles. There is lots of lovely scenery along the path that was once a part of the Tennessee and Alabama Central Railroad. We anticipate that fall color will abound in the trees surrounding the trail. The trail is flat, no hills, and it winds through wetlands with wildlife and a great variety of birds. On the trail you will pass the site of the Civil War Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle. There is a brief presentation, at the beginning of the trail by Richard Martin (who is responsible for the trails created) on how the trail was created. Well-behaved, supervised children age eight and over able to walk 6 miles without complaining are welcome. There is an optional dinner afterwards. Depart 9 a.m. from the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride. Info: Terry Clement, (205)221-5901.
THIS SUNDAY, 1 p.m. Dayhike in Oak Mountain State Park. Details: Enjoy a moderate four-mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon. This is an excellent outing for introducing your friends to Southeastern Outings and for making new friends who enjoy the outdoors. Parts of this hike may be off the color-coded trails. There will be some ups and downs. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up able to walk the distance of about 4 miles and complete the hike are welcome. Share an adventure! Bring a friend. Depart 1 p.m. from the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot. Please bring $3/person ($1 seniors) park admission fee plus your drink. Info: Bonnie Black, (205)764-2989
CLASSES FOR MANAGING ‘YOUR’ MONEY – MAKE SMART MONEY MOVES – The Birmingham Public Library is offering free classes on money in the LAST The last CLASS is Jan. 23 – FOR CHILDREN….Bring the little ones to see Phillip “Mr. Mac’’ McEntee as he leads “A Penny Saved’’ in this 3:30 p.m. children’s program at Avondale Library, 509 – 40th St. South. Using Benjamin Franklin’s quote, “A penny saved is a penny earned,’’ Mr. Mac will teach children about the importance of saving money. The classes are part of a national grant program known as “Making Cents: Resources to Help Your Money Grow” and “Smart investing@your library®,” a partnership between the American Library Association and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. The Birmingham Public Library and 14 other libraries in Jefferson and Shelby counties offer the series. The programs will end in May 2014. Other BPL locations include Avondale, Five Points West, North Birmingham and Springville Road. All classes are free and open to the public. For more information, call Jim Murray at (205) 226-3690, visit www.making-cents.org.
HERE ARE A FEW MORE THINGS GOING ON…
THIS WEEKEND….
**CARLOS MENCIA at the STARDOME COMEDY CLUB. The Mind of Mencia (Comedy Central) and HBO Specials Comedy Central presents Carlos Mencia WB Recording Artist at the Stardome, again. WE love him here in Birmingham.
THEN, AT THE STARDOME… DON’T MISS… next weekend, COREY HOLCOMB on January 17-19 and HENRY CHO on January 30-February 2. Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you. Enjoy some good laughter and fun times while you eat some great food with your great friends. See you there! For more, call (205) 444-0008.
TODAY… STEVE ROBERTS QUARTET with ASHLEY ROBERTS, 8 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
FRIDAY…
**FRIDAY AFTER WORK, 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. at 25 West Oxmoor Road, Suite 26 in Homewood. Call (205) 572-1295 for more.
**STEVE MCCULLOUGH BAND 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
SATURDAY…
**ON PURPOSE with DWIGHT HOUSTON, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
SUNDAY….
**PHASE II BAND AND SHOW, 9 p.m. at Tide & Tiger Lounge, 409 Graymont Avenue (across from Legion Field.) For more, call (205) 229-4829 or 502-3880.
MONDAY….
**NAPPY NIGHT – Music at Boujee Lounge, every Monday at 204 Avenue U in Pratt City, 8 p.m. with good jerk food, vendors and music. See you there on Mondays!
TUESDAY…
**MUSIC with DJ BATMAN…at the New Tide and Tiger!!
WEDNESDAY…
**MUSIC with DJ BATMAN…at the New Tide and Tiger!!
AT THE NEW TIDE AND TIGER – In the neighborhood… Around the corner… Down the street…and across from the Legion Field Stadium on Graymont is the ‘new’ TIDE AND TIGER…. With music, good food and fun times. You can even play cards on some nights and get Dance Classes by PASQUALES every Saturday at 4 p.m. Check out the ‘new’ Tide and Tiger Lounge. For more call (205) 503-3880. Don’t say that I did not tell you when you hear about this ’best kept secret’ around. Tell them Gwen sent you.
**BAMA presents UAB Brass Quintet in free concert – The Birmingham Art Music Alliance will present the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Music’s Brass Quintet in a free concert of newly composed music by BAMA members at 7:30 p.m., in the Samford University Brock Recital Hall, 800 Lakeshore Drive.
COMING SOON…,
IN 2014 –
JANUARY 23 – NAREK ARUTYUNIAN, clarinetist performs Thursday, at the Alys Stephens Center.
JANUARY 24 and 26 – RIGOLETTO, Friday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. at the Wright Center, Samford University with Todd Thomas (Baritone, Rigoletto), Jan Cornelius (Soprano, Gilda), Michael Wade Lee (Tenor, Duke) and Steven White, Conductor. Call (205) 322-6737.
JANUARY 25 – C. S. LEWIS’ WILLIAM AND THE SENATOR’S DAUGHTER, 7 p.m. at the Brock Recital Hall, Samford University.
FEBRUARY 1 – SICKLE CELL GALA at the Sheraton Hotel.
MARCH 8 – UNCF MASKED BALL GALA, 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom.
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU DR. JESSE J. LEWIS, SR., LeBOISE DeRU, SENATOR LINDA COLEMAN, BETTINA BYRD-GILES, RENEE KEMP-ROTAN, DRU HARRIS EALONS, CHUCK GEISEE, JAMES WILLIAMS, KYLE WHITMIRE, WILLIAM BARNES and HAROLD COX.…AND TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!!
Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time.
(People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com)
MUSICAL NOTES
By Esther Callens
Hailed with an abundance of accolades is superstar, original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday. After a much needed hiatus, she returns taking her rightful place in mainstream music with the release of The Song Is You, her new album. Offering 15 beautiful tunes, The Song Is You sets the perfect mood for love.
Jennifer Holliday took Broadway by storm when she played Effie in the musical production of Dreamgirls. It was her performance that garnered a Tony Award. Likewise, her phenomenal recording of And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going (from Dreamgirls) earned her a Grammy. She went on to continue to make her mark on charts with singles I Am Love and I’m On Your Side. Now, Jennifer returns with her biggest project to date that encompasses a number of jazz and R&B standards. Need I say fans cannot be more excited?
All the melodies on The Song Is You are warm, rich and inviting. It is marvelous as Holliday is backed by an amazing orchestra. The stimulus behind Holliday’s latest (which was five years in the making) is the late, great composer Marvin Hamlisch – a dear friend of hers whom she had the privilege of working with. In fact, the title track (featuring Joe Gransden and The JG Big Band) is dedicated in his memory. Holliday puts an extraordinary spin a few classics such as “At Last”, “The Look Of Love”, “Nobody Does It Better”, and others lending her impressive vocals to each one. She gives a stellar show-stopping performance on “The One You Used To Be”, a title she penned. She closes the set with “Love Is On The Way”, a fantastic tune that is pushed to the limits with her signature moans – it definitely has the WOW factor!
The Song Is You is nothing short of priceless. It is set to hit retail on January 21st.
Let the People Vote
The two most important issues that the state of Alabama will be facing in 2014 are education and job creation. These two issues are usually tied together because education is so critical to getting a good job, as well as recruiting and growing business.
But education and job creation are also connected to two other important issues: gaming and a statewide lottery.
Gaming and the lottery have been issues in Alabama politics for decades now, and they still have not been resolved.
I have frequently and publicly been in support of establishing a statewide lottery. Estimates from the Legislative Fiscal Office show that we could bring in $250 million for our schools from a lottery.
Alabamians are already spending millions of dollars on a statewide lottery. We are just doing it in other states. Tennessee, Georgia and Florida all have their own lottery and are more than happy to take our money and spend it on their children’s education.
Mississippi does not have a state lottery, but their casinos in Philadelphia are certainly making money off of customers from Alabama. And the Indian gaming facilities in Alabama are reporting record growth in gaming revenues.
The time has come to let the people of Alabama decide the fate of gaming and a statewide lottery. This is a commitment Gov. Bentley made in 2010 when he said, “I believe the people of Alabama need to decide at the ballot box on a YES or NO vote whether to allow gambling or abolish all forms of gambling.” And I am asking the leadership in Montgomery to honor that commitment.
State leaders in Montgomery have tried to go around the voters and use the courts to determine the fate of gaming. I think that is wrong. This is a democracy, and we need to let the people decide.
That is why I will reintroduce legislation this year that will allow the voters to decide if we will create a state lottery. Under my bill, the revenue brought in from the lottery will only be used for education, with $50 million being used to put a school resource officer (i.e., security guard) in every public school while the rest of the revenue will be used to provide scholarships to students who make the A/B Honor Roll. These scholarships can help our children afford an education at any university, two-year college or technical school of their choice.
It is also time to decide – once and for all – if we will allow facilities like VictoryLand to continue to operate, and if we will enter into a compact with the Indians on their gaming facilities.
Currently, the state of Alabama has not entered into a compact with the Poarch Creeck Indians. The Indian’s gaming facilities are permitted under federal law, but because the state does not have a compact with them, we are missing out on millions of dollars that could go toward our schools, economic development and other state needs.
We need to negotiate a fair compact that allows the Indians to continue their operations but also guarantees that the state benefits as well.
And by going after VictoryLand and other legal gaming facilities, the only thing the state has done is eliminate jobs and prevent these facilities from paying taxes and creating more jobs.
It is time to resolve these issues once and for all. It is time to move forward and for state leaders to keep their promise to the people of Alabama. It is time to let the people vote!
Rep. Craig Ford is a Democrat from Gadsden and the Minority Leader in the Alabama House of Representatives.
