Three Sports Concerns

January 8, 2014

by Jesse J. Lewis, Sr.

Auburn is a great team. They were out-coached and out-played in the National Championship. One would have to admit the Southeastern Conference is the greatest of all the conferences.
There’s still racism in sports. I’m going to give you two examples and let you decide. One happened a long time ago and one happened recently.
Many years ago in 1935 Joe Louis fought Max Schmelling the first time. Max Schmelling was a German and Joe Louis was an Alabama native. Blacks were interested in fights because of Joe Louis. We didn’t have a radio but Ye Olde Tavern in Tuscaloosa, a drive-in restaurant, allowed Blacks to stand outside of the parking lot to listen to the radio. That night Max Schmelling knocked Joe Louis out after 12 rounds. The entire white audience burst out in applause.
Tiger Woods, incidentally a Black golfer, won five tournaments in 2013. Phil Mickerson won two and Adam Scott won two. There was a great debate over who was going to be Golfer of the Year. They finally decided to give the award to Tiger but the Golfer’s Writer’s Association gave their support to Adam Scott.
Whatever Tiger Woods does is severely criticized. I’m going to let you decide if there is still racism against Black athletes.

Anthony Grant and Tony Barbee will be fired in 2014

Now that football season is over we will be talking about Alabama and Auburn on every talk show. Auburn University is now at the bottom of the list in the Southeastern Conference in basketball. The only teams they can beat are Miles College and Stillman. If Alabama and Auburn keep trending in the same direction they are going then both coaches, Anthony Grant and Tony Barbee, will be fired. Alabama is accustomed to winning football, golf, volleyball, softball and most of all gymnastics.

Prediction for National Championship for 2014

The Southeastern Conference Championship will be played between Alabama and Auburn in 2014. Alabama will have a quarterback who can run, pass, block, kick and throw. They will never have a one-dimensional quarterback similar to A.J. McCarron again. When A.J. gets the ball everybody knows what he will do – pass or hand off the ball.

email:jjlewis@birminghamtimes.com

Rod Reed Named “12th Titan”

Birmingham Times

January 8, 2014

TSU Rod Reed — Photo courtesy of Sam Jordan / TSU Athletics

Photo courtesy of Sam Jordan / TSU Athletics

Courtesy Tennessee State Sports Information

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Prior to Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, the Tennessee Titans honored Tennessee State head football coach Rod Reed by naming him the “12th Titan.”
Reed was introduced following the pro team’s starters, ran through the tunnel and stuck a sword down into midfield while getting a standing ovation.
The Titans gave the unique honor to Reed following the Tigers’ record-setting 2013 campaign in which they posted a 10-4 record and won a playoff game for the first time since 1986.
Reed holds a 26-21 record over four years, including an 18-7 mark over the past two seasons and TSU has recorded at least two more wins in each of his previous three seasons.
Reed has coached 19 All-Americans, 15 in the past two seasons. Forty-two Tigers have made All-OVC teams in Reed’s tenure, including a school record 12 this past season.
In 2013, TSU won the Black College National Championship for the first time since 1982.

Brown Receives Weekly Honor From CSM

Birmingham Times

January 8, 2014

MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Alabama State University sophomore forward Bobby Brown has been named the College Sports Madness (CSM) Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Week.
Over ASU’s last two games Brown has averaged 17.5 points and seven rebounds per game. He scored 18 in the Hornets’ win over Thomas University and added 18 as the Hornets started conference action with a road win at Grambling State.
Brown has become ASU’s top bench player and is one of the reasons the Hornets’ bench has become one of its strengths this season. He is third on the team averaging almost 10 points per game and is also third on the team in rebounds averaging 4.5 per outing.
He is shooting 49 percent from the field and is hitting over 38 percent of his three point field goals. He has also shown drastic improvement at the free throw line this season and is hitting over 63 percent of his charity tosses.
Brown becomes the third Hornet to receive the weekly honor from CSM, joining teammates Jamel Waters and Brandon Graham who received the honor earlier in the season.

Graham Named CSM SWAC Men’s Basketball Players of the Week

Birmingham Times

January 8, 2014

MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Alabama State junior forward Brandon Graham has been named the College Sports Madness (CSM) Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Week.
Graham averaged 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in ASU’s games against Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Auburn Montgomery. He shot 69 percent from the field and hit four of his six three point field goals (67%) over the two games. He also added four blocks.
He is averaging 8.1 points per game for the Hornets and is grabbing 4.2 rebounds per game. He leads the team in blocks with 12 and is shooting 45 percent from the field.

Allen’s Last Second Shot Lifts TSU Past JSU in Overtime

Birmingham Times

January 8, 2014

NASHVILLE, TENN. — In a game that came down to the final seconds, the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team came away with a, 78-76, overtime win against Jacksonville State Saturday night in the Gentry Center.
Tennessee State (4-11, 1-1 OVC) overcame a double-digit deficit to pick up its first OVC win of the season and second straight victory at home.
For the first time this season, TSU had five players to score in double-figures led by Chelsea Hudson’s 30 points and eight rebounds. Jayda Johnson scored 11 while Rachel Allen, Brianna Lawrence and Alana Morris each finished with 10 points.
Jacksonville State (4-12, 0-3 OVC) was led in scoring by Destany McLin’s 24 points and nine rebounds while Candace Morton added 20 points and eight rebounds. Gia Banks tallied 11 for JSU.
After getting off to a slow offensive start, TSU outscored JSU 10-4 to knot the score at 14-all. The Gamecocks, however, answered with a run to regain the lead, 21-14 at the 9:51 mark.
TSU suffered another scoring drought and fell behind by double-digits with 6:07 left in the half.
Over the next several possessions the momentum shifted as TSU turned up its defensive pressure and held JSU scoreless for nearly four minutes. During the span, The Lady Tigers cut the deficit down to four points.
With 7.8 seconds on the clock Brianna Lawrence knocked down a triple from the corner to make the score, 33-31, in favor of Jacksonville State going into the break.
After both teams briefly traded buckets in the opening moments of the second half, JSU created a little distance behind an 8-2 run.
An old fashioned three-point play by Chelsea Hudson coupled with a lay-up from Alana Morris pulled TSU within two, 52-50, with 9:29 remaining.
At the 6:44 mark, TSU briefly took the lead, 57-56, following two made free-throws by Morris. JSU recaptured the advantage on the next possession and from there the teams battled.
The score was tied, 62-62, at the final media timeout. Down the stretch, TSU was trailing, 70-67, when Chelsea Hudson buried a triple from the top of the key with 46.5 seconds left.
With time winding down both teams missed their final shot attempts and the game went to overtime.
In the extra frame, TSU managed to go ahead, 74-73, after Chelsea Hudson scored in the paint. JSU answered with a bucket on its trip down the floor to make the score, 74-73, in favor of the home team.
The Gamecocks scored once again and took the lead, 74-75, before forcing the Lady Tigers to turn the ball over. After making one-of-two free-throws, JSU led, 76-74. On the ensuing possession, Brianna Lawrence hit a floater to pull TSU even.
Lawrence then forced a turnover to give possession back to the Lady Tigers. After missing two shots and hauling in two offensive boards, TSU called a timeout to draw up a play with 12 seconds left.
Out of the timeout, Rachel Allen drove to the lane and sank a short jumper with 2.7 seconds remaining.
JSU’s final shot attempt was off the mark.
Tennessee State shot 37.7 percent from the field despite only connecting 2-of-15 from long range. TSU, however, was able to make 18-of-28 from the free-throw line.
Jacksonville State shot 45.1 percent from the field, including 22.2 percent from beyond the arc while hitting 28-of-40 free-throws.
TSU held the advantage in rebounds, 44-40, points in the paint, 34-20, bench points, 25-10 and steals, 16-6.

TSU Records First OVC Win of the Season Over JSU

Birmingham Times

January 8, 2014

TSU Miller — (l-r) Gophers #13, Maverick Ahanmisi; Tennessee State Tigers #2, Patrick Miller; Gophers #32, Trevor Mbakwe; and Tennessee State Tigers #1, Kellen Thornton (in background) Photo by Eric Miller

(l-r) Gophers #13, Maverick Ahanmisi; Tennessee State Tigers #2, Patrick Miller; Gophers #32, Trevor Mbakwe; and Tennessee State Tigers #1, Kellen Thornton (in background) Photo by Eric Miller — (l-r) Gophers #13, Maverick Ahanmisi; Tennessee State Tigers #2, Patrick Miller; Gophers #32, Trevor Mbakwe; and Tennessee State Tigers #1, Kellen Thornton (in background)
Photo by Eric Miller

Courtesy Tennessee State Sports Information

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee State men’s basketball team notched its first Ohio Valley Conference victory of the season with a 70-65 home win against Jacksonville State on Saturday night.
Senior guard Patrick Miller led the Tigers with 19 points and added five rebounds, four assist and four steals.
Fellow senior Jacquan Nobles was second on the team, finishing with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including a 3-for-6 mark from deep.
Forward M.J. Rhett recorded a game-high 13 rebounds, helping Tennessee State (2-14, 1-2 OVC) to a 35-28 advantage on the boards.
The Gamecocks won the tip, but Miller stole a JSU pass, raced all the way down the court, and converted a contested layup for the game’s first basket.
Miller later converted a pair of free throws at the 12:50 mark to put the Tigers up, 13-7. Jacksonville State (7-11, 1-2 OVC) committed the first six fouls of the game, leading to seven of TSU’s first 13 points.
The Tigers continued to roll in the first half as a jumper by Ugo Mmonu made the score 22-15 with nine minutes to play before halftime.
Tennessee State made just two of its last 10 shots of the stanza, allowing JSU to go on a 15-9 run for the remainder of the period. However, TSU still led at the break for the second consecutive game, 31-30.
The Tigers were outshot during the opening 20 minutes, 46 to 37 percent, but held a 21-10 advantage on the glass.
Nobles drained a triple to start the second half, and Kennedy Eubanks added a layup on the next trip down the floor to put the Tigers back up by six.
JSU brought the TSU lead down to one with a bucket at the 15:22 mark, but back-to-back triples by Eubanks and Jay Harris made the score 46-41 in favor of the home side.
Nobles hit his third three of the game with 5:30 to go to put TSU up by eight, but the Gamecocks pulled within two with a 5-0 run later in the period.
Miller nailed a triple on TSU’s next possession to make the score 65-60 with only 1:36 left and the Tigers forced a turnover on the ensuing series.
From there, Tennessee State made 5-of-7 from the charity stripe and escaped with a five-point victory, 70-65.
The Tigers were 8-for-17 (47.1 percent) from beyond the three-point line during the game, including a 6-for-11 line for the second half.

From the Sidelines

Birmingham Times

January 8, 2014

Fourth Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Polar Plunge

Birmingham Times

January 8, 2014

Local area Law Enforcement Agencies are planning a freezing good time Saturday, January 18th, at Oak Mountain State Park Beach. Come join us at the beach, the site of the Fourth Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Polar Plunge. The plunge will begin at 10 a.m. on the beach with a costume contest prior to the plunge. All participants are encouraged to register early at www.alabamaletr.com. Registration for the Polar Plunge is $35. Participants will receive a T-shirt for their minimum registration. All the money raised will support the 136 Alabama Special Olympics athletes attending the 2014 USA Games in Princeton, New Jersey, June 14-21. See you on the beach!

Classifieds

Birmingham Times

January 8, 2014

Employment

Order Selector

Royal Cup Coffee, the leading coffee roaster and nationwide provider of gourmet coffees, teas and allied products offers an excellent opportunity for highly motivated and skilled individuals. We are currently accepting applications for an immediate opening for a full time 2nd Shift Order Selector.

This is a level 1 Warehouser Position. The primary duties are to select sales orders, maintain housekeeping/sanitation and other assigned duties such as loading, unloading, receiving, and product rotation.
Royal Cup offers competitive wages and an opportunity to grow your career. Royal Cup Coffee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To apply please visit online at www.royalcupcoffee.com/.
BT01/09/14

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DRIVERS

Drivers: $ign-on Bonus- Trainees & OTR Drivers!
Paid Orientation. Wiley Sanders Truck Lines, INC.
Recruiting: 855-777-9785
BT01/09/14

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Drivers: Home EVERY Weekend,
Dedicated Southern Lanes & OTR! All Miles PAID (Loaded & Empty)! Or Walk Away Lease:
No Money Down, No Credit Check.
1-800-397-2753
BT01/09/14

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BEDDING

Brand New Queen Pillow Top Mattress and Box,
still in bags, never used will SACRIFICE for $195
call 205-200-4523
BT01/09/14

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AUTOMOBILE

2008 Chevy Colorado
With covered bed,
Automatic crew cab
Call Floyd Morris
205-587-4313

2006 Chevy Silverado
Manual Transmission
Priced right, work truck
Call Sammy 205-814-6454

2008 Chevy Silverado
4 door Call Ivory
205-821-0491

2008 Dodge Ram
Loaded pick up
Call Sammy 205-814-6454

2004 Chevy Silverado
Automatic Crew Cab
Call Ivory 205-821-0491
BT01/09/14

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REAL ESTATE

Calling all singles ….

I have the best 2 BR with DEN home in Ensley Highlands for you. Beautiful yard, separate garage, C/A, porch and patio. Call me to take a look see; Cynthia Marzette (205) 910-7149 or Barnes and Associates (205)328-3330

Veterans looking for a home? I will work with you in any area of town to find you the best on the market. Call Cynthia Marzette (205) 910-7149 or ask for me at Barnes and Associates, (205) 328-3330.
BT01/09/14

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OFFICE BUILDING FOR SALE

Ideal for medical office or hospital equipment sales directly across from Baptist Princeton Hospital. Off street parking, private shower, beautiful reception room. & Cynthia Marzette (205) 910-7149 or ask for me at Barnes and Associates, (205) 328-3330.
BT01/09/14

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LEGALS

The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority will receive sealed bids for:

Signage for Uptown Entertainment District at the BJCC

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

The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham, Alabama will receive bids, up to the hour of 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2014, and will thereafter be publicly opened and read aloud at the BJCC Executive Board Room 4th Floor, North Exhibition Hall in Birmingham, AL. Bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished by the Authority. Bids shall be clearly identified on the exterior of the package with bidder’s name, address, STATE CONTRACTOR LICENSE NUMBER, the name of the project being bid, and time and place of bid opening. Sealed bids shall be properly identified.

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

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

Bids may be sent to BJCC Purchasing Department, Attn: Purchasing Coordinator, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203. Any bid not received by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2014, must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed bids shall be submitted in duplicate and shall be properly identified. All bids received after 1:30 p.m. on the bid date will be returned unopened.

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

A pre-bid meeting will be conducted Monday, December 23, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in the BJCC Executive Board Room.

Questions concerning the specifications should be directed to Jerry Nelms, Facility Engineer, at (205) 458-8409 or email Jerry.Nelms@bjcc.org.

Sharon Proctor
Purchasing Coordinator
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Birmingham City School System is soliciting sealed proposals for its 2014 E-Rate application from qualified service providers for Network Maintenance and Website Hosting. Sealed proposals shall be received by Birmingham City Schools at the office of Edward McMullen, Purchasing Department, 2015 Park Place, North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203 on or before 12:00 P.M. Central Standard Time, January 21, 2014. The services associated with this proposal is a critical component in the E-Rate application process and therefore will require all responding providers to comply with Birmingham City School System’s timeline for these projects.

Firms desiring consideration may obtain a copy of the proposals by visiting http://www.bhamcityschools.org/Page/332 or by contacting:

Edward McMullen
Director of Purchasing
Birmingham City Schools
Room 202
2015 Park Place North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Telephone (205) 231-4885
emcmullen@bhm.k12.al.us

Pre-proposal conferences will be held Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at the address indicated above for the following:
Website Hosting – 10:30 A.M. CST
Network Maintenance – 12:30 P.M. CST.
BT01/09/14

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ADVERTISEMENT for BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATION
And NOTICE of INTENT to RECEIVE BIDS
from PREQUALIFIED BIDDERS

Pre-qualification submittals will be received by the Owner’s Representative/Project Manager, Stan Cordrey on behalf of Office of the Associate Vice President, Facilities & Capital Projects, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees at UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35294 until 4:00 PM Central Time, January 28, 2014. The original and two (2) duplicates of submittals are required for pre-qualification approval; however, facsimile transmission copies may be transmitted to the Project Manager at (205) 975-7000 to expedite the review process with hard-copies of the submittals to be delivered within 24 hours.

UAB HIGHLANDS HOSPITAL RENOVATION
FOR INPATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY
For The
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Project No.: H135039A

A. SCOPE OF WORK:

Work consists of the renovation of two existing patient rooms into an inpatient Physical Therapy area and an adjacent area into equipment storage at UAB Highlands including demolition, metal studs and drywall, hardware, architectural finishes, fire protection, plumbing, and electrical work. Work will be performed within the operating hospital facility using high levels of infection control measures and the contractor should have experience with the implementation and maintenance of infection control measures and interim life safety measures in a hospital environment as well as experience in performing construction in an operating hospital.

B. PRIME CONTRACTOR BIDDER PRE-QUALIFICATIONS:

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

Only prime contractor bidders who have completed the pre-qualification process and that have been approved will be eligible to submit a bid for the Project. Prospective Bidder’s Pre-qualification Package must be received by the Owner’s Project Manager no later than 4:00 PM Central Time, January 28, 2014 after which no further requests will be considered.

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

The pre-qualification procedure is intended to identify responsible and competent prime contractor bidders relative to the requirements of the Project. Each prospective prime contractor bidder will be notified of the results of the pre-qualification, no later than January 31, 2014 by 5:00 PM Central Time.

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

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

Architect:
Birchfield Penuel & Associates
2805 Crescent Avenue, Suite 200
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
Mrs. Alicia Pughsley
205-870-1876
205-870-3058
aliciap@bpa.net

C. BIDS BY PRE-QUALIFIED PRIME GENERAL CONTRACTOR BIDDERS

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

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

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

Bids:
Bids must be submitted on proposal forms or copies thereof furnished by the Architect. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids for a period of ninety (90) days. The Owner reserves the right to reject bids if such action is determined to be in the best interest of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to revoke pre-qualification of any bidder ]n accordance with Section 39-2-12, Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended in 1997 (by Act 97-225). The Bid Date is February 18, 2014 at 2:00 PM Central Time at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB Hospital Planning, 2020 University Blvd., Birmingham, Alabama 35294.

Proposals may be hand delivered or received by mail on the date of the bid opening at the Office of Stan Cordrey, Project Manager – Facilities and Capital Projects, 2020 Building, 2020 8th Avenue south, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, until 12:00 noon. After 12:00 noon of the date of the bid opening, proposals must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed proposals shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified. All proposals received after 2:00 p.m. on February 18, 2014 will be returned unopened.

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

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

D. PRE-BID CONFERENCE
A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on February 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the site of the work. Meet at the UAB Highlands Hospital first floor main lobby. It is mandatory that all pre-qualified prime contractor bidders attend the Pre-Bid Conference.
BT01/09/14

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2014 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4x 4

Birmingham Times

January 8, 2014

by Cheryl Eldridge

This week’s tester was truly a man’s or woman’s dream. Trucks define masculinity, distinction, and driving such a big muscle as the Big Horn Crew cab, it makes you feel as if you are on top of the world. My tester came in a bright white clear coated exterior with canyon brown/light frost beige interior cloth seats.
My tester is a dressed up Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4X4 with base price of $38,250 and more than $6,000-worth of options. The bottom line on the sticker shows close to 44 grand, including almost a grand for destination charge. Seems like a big price for a pickup but it is loaded and luxurious. The base truck with V6 and no options may show a sticker price around 25 grand. The price range with all pickups these days is mighty broad depending on whether you just want a simple work truck or an urban cruiser with some machismo.
Styling gets a modest upgrade without risking the popular trucky styling from the last version of the Ram. A larger grille, LED turn signals and more modern headlight design is most noticeable. The big crosshatch grille remains unmistakably Ram as does the bulging hood and broad-shouldered fender profile.
My tester did not include running boards which are definitely needed because it’s a long step up into the cabin. Once up and into the power, 10-way, premium fabric bucket driver’s seat I find it firm and comfortable with a good driving position and lots of room. Those unfamiliar with this kind of vehicle could be overwhelmed by the size, height and commanding position up there. Adjustable pedals, and exceptional seat range will accommodate folks of many different sizes. Fit, finish and quality of materials inside are more like a mid-luxury car. As with its competitors, Ram has enhanced the center console to be essentially an office space where the guy who uses it for work can stow or spread out his computer, clipboards and everything else. He/she could even have a secretary managing things from the passenger seat if necessary.
This four-door has a generous rear seat as well – plenty to accommodate those extra crew members. The mechanisms that flip up the rear seat and fold out a little flat floor panel are easily operated with one hand – perhaps one of the easiest-to-operate systems we’ve encountered. The power sliding rear window panel is handy for ventilation when we don’t want to use the AC.
The 2014 Ram 1500 lineup sees the addition of an optional turbocharged diesel V6 engine. Meanwhile, the 4.7-liter V8 has been discontinued, and there are a few changes to trim levels.
After a significant round of improvements last year, the Ram 1500 pickup gets even better for 2014. Headlining the handful of updates this year is a new turbodiesel V6 engine. This is the only diesel engine offered in a light-duty full-size truck, and it promises impressive fuel mileage and towing capability.
One of the best things about driving the new diesel-powered 2014 Ram 1500 is that you’ll barely notice any difference compared with the gasoline-powered versions in normal driving. The cabin remains peaceful, and typical of diesels, there’s plenty of thrust for merging and passing, and it’s accessible from low rpm.
Of course, some consumers prefer the power characteristics of a traditional gasoline V8, so Ram will also continue to offer its 5.7-liter V8 engine as an optional upgrade over the base gasoline V6 engine. The torque ratings are very similar between the diesel engine and the gas V8, but the V8 has slightly higher towing capacities (depending on the cab/bed configuration you choose), and it’s actually a less expensive upgrade than the diesel. However, given that Ram expects the diesel V6 to top the base gasoline six-cylinder’s EPA fuel economy ratings, the extra up-front cost for the diesel is likely to pay for itself within a couple years.
The new engine option enhances what was already a class-leading truck. The Ram 1500 has the nicest interior of any full-size pickup. Its upgraded touchscreen interface is impressively easy to use and offers substantial technology capabilities. The 2014 Ram 1500 is a full-size pickup available in multiple body styles. The regular cab seats three and is available with either a 6-foot-4-inch or 8-foot cargo bed. The extended cab (“Quad Cab”) can seat up to six and comes only with the 6-foot-4 bed. The crew cab increases rear-seat legroom, and is available with either a 5-foot-7 or 6-foot-4 bed. There are six main trim levels: Tradesman, HFE, SLT, Sport, Laramie and Longhorn.
Many of the upper trim levels’ features are optional on the lower trims. A variety of packages (depending on trim level) are available as well. The Lone Star (Texas only) and my tester, the Big Horn (everywhere but Texas) are similar in that they bundle together a bunch of the SLT’s optional equipment along with special badging and trim. The Outdoorsman (available only on four-wheel-drive trucks) includes gray bumpers, a larger gas tank, underbody skid plates, tow hooks, all-terrain tires, a limited-slip rear differential, cloth bucket seats with console, two-tone paint and fender flares. Other notable stand-alone options include an air suspension (optional for extended and crew cab models only), integrated weatherproof bins (called RamBox) and an integrated trailer-brake controller.
Depending on the cab/bed configuration and axle ratio you choose, a properly equipped Ram 1500 V6 can tow up to 7,450 pounds, while the diesel Ram 1500 maxes out at 9,200 pounds. One with the 5.7-liter V8 can tow up to 10,450 pounds – which is less than its competitors, but not by much.
Standard safety equipment on the 2014 Ram 1500 includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, hill start assist, trailer sway control, front seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. A fully integrated trailer brake controller is optional.
A rearview camera and front/rear parking sensors are either standard or optional on all Ram 1500s. Models with Uconnect Access have an emergency telematics system that connects you with 911 operators at the touch of a button and provides stolen vehicle tracking.
The Ram 1500’s cabin is as good as it gets in the pickup segment. Even the lower trim levels boast an attractive design, with quality materials and intuitive controls that are reasonably easy to reach, while the luxurious Laramie’s wood-grain trim and leather upholstery is predictably posh. Seasoned truck owners might be thrown off at first by the rotary shift knob on the dashboard (which replaces a conventional shift lever), but it frees up useful space in the front seat, especially in Rams with a center console. The front seats themselves are soft, yet strike an adequate balance between support and comfort. The crew cab’s rear seat is very comfortable, offering loads of legroom and an agreeable seatback angle.
Two touchscreen interfaces are available (one 5 inches, the other 8.4 inches) that do a great job of controlling simple and complicated tasks. The touch buttons are large and easy to see at a glance, while physical knobs and buttons provide much appreciated redundant control. Updates to the touchscreen system have made it even easier to use and more visually pleasing than previous models. Other modern convenience features include keyless entry/ignition, adjustable pedals, Bluetooth, voice recognition, smartphone app connectivity and even WiFi hotspot capability.
The Ram provides plenty of standard and optional storage spaces. The quad cab has a clever fold-out flat floor space when you flip up the 60/40 rear seats, while the crew cab features watertight storage compartments under the rear floor as well as shallow bins under the flip-up backseat. Unique to the Ram 1500 is the optional RamBox feature, which places a pair of lockable compartments over the rear fenders inside the truck bed. With the right equipment levels, these compartments can even be locked and unlocked via remote.

Until next week, drive safe, buckle up and don’t text and drive.

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