Fairy Pup Muva Chrissy Scott: Proud Owner of the One-Stop Dog Shop’

September 26, 2024

Chrissy Scott, also known as “The Fairy Pup Muva,” grooms Roscoe, her 5-year-old Bichon Frise. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Ameera Steward | For The Birmingham Times

From dog grooming to dog breeding, Chrissy Scott, also known as “The Fairy Pup Muva,” is dedicated to offering teeth cleaning, boarding, treats, meals, breeding for canine companions—”a one-stop dog shop,” she said.

“… It’s hard to place myself into one pet category. The Fairy Pup Muva—pronounced mûh-vah—is all encompassing,” she added.

Scott even hosts dog parties (she calls them “dog pawties”) and birthday, aka “barkday,” celebrations because “we aren’t the only ones that want to be celebrated and feel special,” said the business owner.

“Our fur babies bring us so much joy and support,” Scott added. “It’s important to celebrate them whenever we can because they don’t live forever, even though I really wish they did.”

Scott is happy to help people invest in their pets because “dogs are part of our family. We love them, we want to see them just as happy as we are, if not happier.”

Even though animals are nonverbal, their love for humans speaks volumes, so they should be taken care of in the best ways possible, she said.

“Taking care of fur babies provides them a high quality of life and extends their life expectancy,” said the 30-year-old Birmingham native. “The more care, love, [and] affection we pour into them, the longer they’ll stay around to receive it. … Why wouldn’t you invest in their well-being and spoil them whenever possible?”

Nature’s Best Friend

Chrissy Scott, also known as “The Fairy Pup Muva,” with from left: Milkshake, 6-month-old Shihchon, baby of Honey Bee, a 2-year-old Shih Tzu; and Roscoe, a 5-year-old, Bichon Frise. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Growing up in Birmingham’s Ensley neighborhood, Scott always had a love for animals. “My dad and my dad’s side of the family are big animal lovers, so I always thought I was going to be a veterinarian,” she said.

Scott loved anything that had to do with animals. For example, “The Wild Thornberrys,” an animated show on the Nickelodeon television channel about a family of wildlife documentary filmmakers that ran from 1998 to 2004, and “Doctor Dolittle,” a movie about a doctor who could speak to animals, were among her favorites when she was younger.

Scott loved the shows so much that she befriended a squirrel in her Ensley neighborhood. “I literally adopted a pet squirrel,” she laughed. “Every morning when the squirrel would come out of the tree, my mom [told me], ‘You would take your snacks out of your daycare bag and feed the squirrel, The squirrel would grab the snack and run right back up the tree.’”

Scott has an older sister and older brother on her mother’s side of the family and an older brother and two younger brothers on her dad’s side. She attended Fairfield High School and graduated in 2012. She enrolled at Tuskegee University, a historically Black college and university (HBCU) in Tuskegee, Alabama, to start her veterinary studies. Before she could make her mark, though, “life took some unexpected turns,” she said.

“God was leading me down a different path, … so I had to pivot. There were times I felt discouraged, … but I always knew I would be doing what I love—and here I am,” she said.

After a year at Tuskegee, she returned to Birmingham and tried to finish her studies at Bevill State Community College. However, while she was studying, the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and changed everything.

“The way that classes were being operated was hybrid, and I’m more of a hands-on learner. I like to be in the classroom. I need that type of foundation and stability,” Scott said.

Dog-Friendly Recipes

Although the pandemic halted her studies, it lit a fire in her to start a business. Scott woke up one day with an idea to make dog Christmas stockings, treats, and holiday boxes, and this prompted her to look into dog-friendly recipes for snacks. She also went to speak with a veterinarian at the Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic in Birmingham to ensure that the treats she wanted to create would appeal to dogs.

“It started with dog stockings, and I sold out within one week,” said Scott, who began selling her handiwork via social media and word of mouth because she wasn’t sure about the response she would get from the community.

When a friend mentioned dog parties, “That pushed me into a different realm,” said Scott.

“I was able to throw these elaborate, themed dog parties with the help [and creativity of a friend, India Brown-Johnson]. … Before I knew it, I was prepping dog buffets and cakes all over the city.”

Scott’s celebrations run the gamut: she’s hosted dog parties for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day that consist of treats and cakes based on the theme of the party, so the dogs get to eat and play—almost like a child’s birthday party.

Chrissy Scott, also known as “The Fairy Pup Muva,” grooms Roscoe, her 5-year-old Bichon Frise. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Making the Cut

Before Scott knew it, people started asking if she cut dog hair, which made her nervous because it was something she hadn’t explored yet: “I had to do a lot of research,” she said.

Scott decided to take virtual courses on dog grooming, and she practiced on the four-legged companions of her family and close friends.

“I just stepped out on faith, and I started accepting a few more people,” she said. “People started coming back [for my grooming services], and then they told other people. … Before I knew it, God blessed my business and my hands so much that the word of mouth and [number of] clients started to be bigger [than I could handle].”

Scott not only needed a bigger place but also struggled to keep up with the grooming needs of her own dogs—Roscoe, a 5-year-old Bichon Frisé; Honey Bee, a 2-year-old Shih Tzu, and their baby, Milkshake, a 6-month-old Shihchon.

Scott found a groomer for her own dogs: Ashley’s Loving Touch Grooming in Irondale, Alabama, where she was offered a grooming table after a few months of taking her fur babies for regular visits. Scott has been operating at Ashley’s for a year now, while also working at a banking and financial services company, where she’s been employed for 10 years.

“There are a lot of things on my plate,” said Scott. “[Still], I believe that my business is really going to go to the top.”

The Fairy Pup Muva

“We love our dogs just as much as [everyone else],” said Scott, who operates out of Ashley’s Loving Touch Grooming in Irondale, Alabama. “My overall mission is to continue to educate people that look like me so that we can continue to provide the best care for our dogs.”

The Fairy Pup Muva—pronounced mûh-vah—knows her trade well. In 2013, she worked as a kennel tech for Mercy Animal Clinic, where she learned how to bathe dogs, as well as clean their ears and trim their nails.

“It helped build the foundation for me to birth my business,” she said.

As for teeth cleaning, in 2024 she attended GROOM’D, a grooming-focused pet trade show held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. After the competitions were over, all of the Black groomers did a giveaway, and Scott won a full doggy dental cleaning system along with training and advertising merchandise.

Investing in Pets

Overall, Scott believes her skill set comes from genetics, God, the motto of “never stop learning,” and constant motivation from her mother, Veronica Lewis. Also, her dad, in addition to being an animal lover, is a self-taught barber—and Scott remains a student of her craft, as well.

“I’m always looking for grooming courses to learn different techniques. I make sure I follow a lot of groomers and grooming pages, so my social media is also being used as a learning tool versus a distraction,” she said. “I am human, [though], so I do find a balance between educating myself … and using it to decompress.”

Scott connects with other Birmingham-area groomers, too. “We help each other, and that’s what I love about the grooming community here,” said Scott, who believes people invest so much into their pets because “dogs are part of our family, [and] we love them.”

She added, “Taking care of fur babies provides them a high quality of life and extends their life expectancy. The more care, love, [and] affection we pour into them, the longer they’ll stay around to receive it. … Why wouldn’t you invest in their well-being and spoil them whenever possible?”

An Array of Services

Chrissy Scott, also known as “The Fairy Pup Muva,” grooms Roscoe, her 5-year-old Bichon Frise. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Scott’s grooming services range from $65 to $95 and up, depending on the animal’s size. She emphasized that she does not accept aggressive dogs or dogs that have to be sedated to be groomed; this protects not only her but also the dog and its peace of mind. She offers bath-only services, too, which include a full bath, ear cleaning, and nail trimming that range from $25 to $65 and up, depending on size. Scott’s teeth-cleaning services include a basic cleaning, from $10 to $15, and deep cleans, which are $85 and involve the removal of tartar buildup, a gum detox, and a tongue scrub. She also provides coloring services, done with dog friendly dye, and offers dog boarding, ranging from $25 to $35 per day.

In addition to dog-care services, Scott hosts dog parties, which can include a full setup with decor, dog food, and more. Parties can cost $500 and up; if she provides a cake, it starts as low as $12 and increases depending on how elaborate of a cake the customer wants. She also can provide dog treat table or dog food buffet, with prices ranging between $50 and $75.

Outside of parties, Scott also creates and sells dog treats and meals, for which the prices vary. Many of her treats and meals are themed based on the current holiday, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving specialty meals.

The investment is well worth it, said Scott, because we want to see our dogs be as happy as we are, if not happier.”

Animals are nonverbal, but their love for humans speaks volumes, so they should be taken care of in the best ways possible. “They are my babies,” said the business owner, who sees infinite possibilities for The Fairy Pup Muva.

“I want to be able to, one day, visit different farms [and service animals],” said Scott. “I really don’t have just one species I have a passion [for working] with. I really want to work with all animals. … I love learning about them [and] being around them, so it’s just a matter of time before I’m at a farm near you.”

Visit The Fairy Pup Muva for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Brittani Purifie’s Love of Being the ‘Fine Dog Muvaa’

Birmingham Times

September 26, 2024

DOGS — Birmingham’s Brittani Purifie has a growing social media following, including 1.7 million on TikTok, 519,000 on Instagram, and 519,000 on Facebook. (Provided Photos)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Make no mistake, Birmingham’s Brittani Purifie knows exactly why she has a growing social media following, including 1.7 million on TikTok, 519,000 on Instagram, and 519,000 on Facebook.

It’s because of some furry friends named Ms. Daisy Clarice and Autumn Night, both American Staffordshire Terriers; and Phillip Kartel and Big Daddy La’Flare, both English Bulldogs.

There’s also Kar’Ma Leilani a French Bulldog, as well as Lillian Kodak Grace an English Bulldog, who passed away in January 2024.

The outpouring of love following Lillian’s passing was touching, said Purifie: “People were reaching out with so much love, empathy, compassion, and just being there for us. I’ll never forget that.”

Purifie, 28, known as the “Fine Dog Muvaa,” added, “I knew people would be sad when she passed away, [but] to see her impact on so many people [made me] feel like it really brought our community together. I feel like we had a community before, but losing Lillian really brought out the world. I had people from Australia reaching out about her.”

Brittani Purifie, known as “The FineDog Muvaa,” with Phillip Kartel. (Provided)

Ms. Lady

Purifie was born and raised in Birmingham, where she “started loving dogs as a child,” she said.

Her first pet was a Dalmatian named Ms. Lady: “My dad got her for me. I never knew what happened to her. One day she just disappeared,” Purifie recalled. “I have never not had a pet.”

Purifie graduated from Shades Valley High School in 2014 and enrolled at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) in Huntsville, Alabama, where she was in the education program and graduated in 2019.

Although Purifie attended AAMU, her love for Bulldogs—the school’s mascot—began long before she knew where she would attend school.

“I used to watch “Dogs 101,” [an American documentary series that originally premiered on Animal Planet], and that’s where I learned about English Bulldogs. I always wanted one named, ‘Money.’ The breed just represented bold, lazy luxury to me. I promised myself I would own one, and then I was blessed with three,” said Purifie.

“Originally, it had nothing to do with AAMU, until I went to my first homecoming game and learned about Butch Henry, [the school’s mascot], and the Bulldog Run. I promised myself then that my English Bulldog would participate in the Bulldog Run alongside Butch and one day be the face of AAMU. Big Daddy did the Bulldog Run last year, [during the school’s homecoming game], and I cried like a baby on the way home.”

Brittani Purifie attended Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) in Huntsville, Alabama, where she was in the education program and graduated in 2019. (Provided)

While in college, Purifie often babysat the dogs of her classmates and peers: “I would babysit people’s puppies on campus … I was a junior and senior, and people would bring their puppies to me, and I would keep them for free.”

“No matter where I am, if a dog is there, it literally always gravitates toward me,” she said. “Even when the owner says, ‘Oh, they’re mean’ or ‘They’re aggressive,’ they get around me and turn into a puppy.

“I have no clue why dogs love me so much, but I love them more than I love myself. It’s like we understand each other without ever using words. They trust me, and I trust them.”

Discovering Short Videos

Putting her beloved fur babies on social media came naturally. Purifie taught at Jones Valley Middle School in Birmingham, making educational content for social media.

“I always recorded [my dogs, putting] them on Snapchat and stuff like that. … Then one day, a friend said I should get on TikTok,” Purifie said.

It would not be until 2020, at the height of COVID-19 pandemic, that she would go on TikTok, a social media platform designed for creating, sharing, and discovering short videos.

“I did not even start with dog content. I was making teacher content. My dogs made their way in because of [COVID-19],” PurIfie said.

She remembers her first viral moment: “I lived in apartments called The Park at Sunderland off Highway 79, [in Tarrant, Alabama]. When Big Daddy was a puppy, he did not like to come inside the house. I was yelling at him to come in, and he just refused.”

Although it can be overwhelming at times, Purifie said she is,” grateful, especially when people have full-breed dogs and need advice. We do not have a lot of advocates for Pit Bulls, like Autumn and Daisy, [American Staffordshire Terriers, which are closely related to Pit Bulls], or Pit Bull mixes. I love bulldogs, and when people reach out to me for advice, I try to be as honest and open as possible and just tell them something that I do myself.”

Purifie learned about dogs from her mother, Tori “Barbara” Hudson, and father, Undra Purifie Sr. “My daddy and mom taught me everything I know about dogs. I implement everything my parents taught me into my content and use it in my everyday life,” she said.

Purifie earned her master’s degree in secondary education at from Montevallo University, in Montevallo, Alabama, in 2021.

In March, Purifie took a step back from the classroom but was asked to return for this school year, this time teaching high school.

She said, “This is my first year teaching high school students. When I first started teaching [at Jones Valley], I was teaching eighth grade. Middle school was my thing, but I knew I wanted to teach high school because all kids need a champion, … especially when they’re in high school. I try to bring some type of normalcy to their life. My classroom is set up like a real classroom, and my all goes into these kids.”

Follow Brittani Purifie on Instagram (@FineDogMuvaa and @BigDaddy_Nem), TikTok (@BigDaddy_Nem), and Facebook (Big Daddy Nem).

This story was updated at 11:45 a.m. on 9/26/2024 to update the social media following.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

Birmingham Times

September 26, 2024

Trombone Shorty The Eastern 2023 — Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue with Dumpstaphunk will perform at Avondale Brewing Co. (Photo Credit: independent.com)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

TODAY…

**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!

**MAX TRANSIT JOB FAIR, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at 1801 Morris Avenue, downtown. Explore career opportunities within the transit system including bus operators, skilled mechanic, detailed maintenance staff with competitive pay, benefits and more.
**NICK TEALE with EDMONDS BUTLER BAND at The Nick Rocks.
**LATE NIGHT THURSDAYS with GREAT JANE at The Nick Rocks.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**OPEN MIC with EUNICE ELLIOT at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**THE USED at Iron City.
**NEAL FRANCIS with DAISYCHAIN at Saturn.
**ALABAMA BLAZIN BINGO, 6 p.m. at Overtime Grill and Bar.
**FILM at Sidewalk Film.
**KARAOKE WITH JOSEPH, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

FRIDAY…
**MAX TRANSIT JOB FAIR, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at 1801 Morris Avenue, downtown. Explore career opportunities within the transit system including bus operators, skilled mechanic, detailed maintenance staff with competitive pay, benefits and more.

**THE WEEPING WILLOWS and LACHLAN BRYAN at the Nick.
**SUBSONICS with ANGEL FACE at Saturn.
**LATE NIGHT WITH DJ JACK BAMA at The Nick.
**PANIC STRICKEN, 7 p.m. at the Avondale Brewing Company.

SATURDAY…

**KARAOKE SATURDAYS, 3 p.m. at 3605 Gray Avenue, Adamsville, with the ALL-EN ONE BBQ with Chef Randy ”Dee” Allen and The Lovely LaToria at the 7 Angels Coffee & Smoothie Café.
**LIBRA SEASON with DIRTY REDD BDAY BASH at D’Zire.
**BURLESQUE NIGHT with Host BELLA DONNA at The Nick.
**JON SPENCER with THE SUEVES at Saturn.

**THE MAJOR DUDES at The Nick Rocks.
**LATE NIGHT with R.1.Y.T. at The Nick Rocks.

SUNDAY…

**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.

**TEE OFF FOR PEACE with GOLF FOR GUNS, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Top Golf.

** RAILROAD PARK PICNIC to CELEBERATE BIRMINGHAM. FREE FUN for all ages. Enjoy live music, food and family-friendly fun.
**THE UPSTAIRS COMEDY SERIES, 7 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Company.

**CAKE at Avondale Brewing Co.
**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing
**EVERY 4TH SUNDAY TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick Rocks.
**TOGETHER BREAKFAST & WITCHSTATIC at the Nick Rocks.

MONDAY…

**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at the Nick.

**THE MOTH STORY CLAM: ELBOW GREASE at Saturn.

TUESDAY…

**JORDY SEARCY with CARBER COMMODORE at Saturn.
**SUPERSTAR KARAOKE TUESDAYS at The Nick Rocks.
**JOSE CARR EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at True Story Brewing.

**STRFKR at Iron City.

WEDNESDAY…

**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**KAZHA at The Nick Rocks.
**FIGHT CLUB OPEN DECK with Host LEMON BELOVED! Every Wednesday at The Nick Rocks.

**TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE w/DUMPSTAPHUNK at Avondale Brewing Co.

**MANNEQUINE PUSSY with MARGARITAS PODRADAS at Saturn.

NEXT THURSDAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**PATSY’S PLAYHOUSE BURLESQUE KARAOKE at The Nick Rocks.
**LATE NIGHT THURSDAYS with GREAT JANE at The Nick Rocks.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**THE MOSS at Saturn.
**MIDLAND: THE GET LUCKY TOUR w/ ELVIE SHANE + CARTER FAITH at Avondale Brewing CO.

NEXT FRIDAY…

**TALIB KWELI at Iron City.
**GUILLOTINE, SHADOWS OF THE WIND AND MECHANYZED at the Nick.
**VAMPIRE RAVE at Saturn.
**LATE NIGHT WITH DJ JACK BAMA at The Nick.

NEWS TO KNOW

**BBJ TOP BIRMINGHAM WOMEN 2024 – The Birmingham Business Journal unveiled its 2024 Top Birmingham Women who have established themselves in their companies or organizations. Honorees are ABRA BARNES, Barnes & Associates; BETH DAVIS, Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama; JENNIFER DEVEREAU SEGERS, Huie Fernambucq & Stewart; BOBBIE KNIGHT, Miles College; MICHELE KONG, The University of Alabama Birmingham; RACHEL LARY, Lightfoot Franklin & White; LORI PURNELL, Spencer; CHARLOTTE SHAW, Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority; GLENDA THOMAS, Electra Grid Solutions; and ANNE YUENGERT, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP.

THINGS TO DO…

**SATURDAY – THE AVONDALE GALLERY WEST OPEN VENUE TOURS, 12 – 2 PM. at 589 Bessemer Super Highway in Midfield. For more, go to the avondalewest.com or call 205-887-4002.

**SATURDAY – RHYTHMS OF COLOR Art Festival & Student Art Competition, 5- 9 p.m. at the Harbert Center.

**SUNDAY – SWING FOR SAFETY – GOLF FOR GUNS is hosting Swing for Safety, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Top Golf. Bring your child or sponsor a child for $20.00 with this 50sc3 kickoff fundraiser that is aiming to replace that 9 mm with a 9 folf iron. Several prizes will be awarded. There will be fountain sodas, lemonade and water. Free lifetime membership for guests and golf clubs will be provided. For more call 205-873-4572. TEE OFF FOR PEACE!!!

**SUNDAY – BIRMINGHAM MUSIC CLUB, Michael J. & Mary Anne Freeman Parlor Concert ‘MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY’, 2:30 p.m. at Aldridge Botanical Gardens with vocalist KRISTIN KENNING and Pianist JOHN ROBERTSON. For details, contact BhamMusicClub@gmail.com.

**OCTOBER 5 – CERAMIC HAND-BUILDING CLASS: Create Functional Pottery with Cheryl Lewis, 10 a.m. – Noon at Space One Eleven.

**OCTOBER 12 – 6^th ANNUAL LULA K. JORDAN BBQ COOK-OFF COMPETITION, 12 noon – 4 p.m. at 129 60^th Street North. For more, call 205-595-8156.

**ALABAMA FARMERS MARKET FALL FESTIVAL, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Finley Market with live music, food, inflatables, games, pumpkin patch, face painting, outdoor flea Market.

**OCTOBER 20 – 7^th ANNUAL MAGIC CITY MAC+ CHEESE FESTIVAL, 1-4 p.m. at Back Forty Beer Company. There will be music by SOUTHERN CHOICE, a kid’s zone with balloon artists, face painting and more. Cheesiest Pet costume contest is being held for the first time. Submit your photos via social media for first, second and third prize on the day of the festival. This is a communitygriefsupport.org/macfest/ event. For more, apope@communitygriefsupport.org or 205-870-8667.

**NOVEMBER 16 – FRENCH MATTING with Patty B. Driscoll, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Space One Eleven.
AT THE ALABAMA GULF COAST…

**OCTOBER 10-13 – The ANNUAL NATIONAL SHRIMP FESTIVAL on the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores. Find great artisan booths, exciting family activities, live music and delicious seafood fresh from the Gulf.

FOR FILM LOVERS…
At Sidewalk Film Film Center + Cinema …

**THIS WEEKEND…THE SUBSTANCE starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid. Directed by Coralie Fargeat.
**TODAY -THE GODFATHER PART II starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

**FRIDAY – SUNDAY – THE WILD ROBOT starring Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal and it Connor. Directed by Chris Sanders.
**SATURDAY – THE SOUND OF MUSIC starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Eleanor Parker. Directed by Robert Wise..

Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time. People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send your contact info with your events, your things of interest and more to: gwenderu@yahoo.com and thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com.

Tailgating: Making the Best of a Fall Football Tradition

Birmingham Times

September 26, 2024

Fall has officially arrived. The sounds of school bands playing, and cheerleaders cheering can be heard throughout our country. Friday night lights are alive and well with collegiate football games on Saturday, followed by pro football games on Sunday. Yes, it is a smorgasbord football weekend in America. A season millions of fans anxiously look forward to all year long.

Where football stadiums are packed with these anxious fans rooting for their favorite team and eagerly ready to claim their bragging rights, other enthusiastic fans remain outside the stadium tailgating with food and drinks cheering their favorite team to victory as well.

Fun can be had both inside as well as outside the stadium. With tailgating growing in popularity there are safety tips which should be followed to keep the celebration fun and safe.

To start, plan ahead. Having the right set-up and accessories makes tailgating easy for the host and comfortable and enjoyable for your guests. You want to avoid too much direct sun exposure, so plan for shelter (tents) with chairs.

g can be a fun way to spend time with family and friends. (Adobe Stock)

Keep all ages safe from the sun, so always have sunscreen handy and reapply every two hours or less. Be sure everyone stays hydrated. Try to select a shady spot and wear protective clothing such as a hat and sunglasses. Symptoms of too much sun exposure include skin that’s red and blistered, chills, nausea or dizziness. Remember people of color require sunscreen to help protect their skin from the sun’s UV rays.

A quick list of safety items to always have on hand as you plan for your tailgate are as follows:

Carry a first aid kit with band-aids, ointment, etc., to manage any cuts and burns.• Do not forget the ice and coolers to help keep food at the right temperature and keep beverages chilled.
Water is key to stay hydrated. Bring bottled water to share and have refillable containers on hand.
Protect yourself from splatters and burns while grilling by wearing an apron and using heat-resistant gloves.
Cleanup is easy with antibacterial cleaning wipes, and they will help sanitize the area, too.

Tailgating can be a fun way to spend time with family and friends. As you are planning the day, be sure to take some extra time to Keep an Eye on Safety measures. It will make the event much more enjoyable. Over the next few weeks, the safety articles will focus on specific areas of tailgating safety.

“We have laws on the books … we don’t have law enforcement officers to stop it or go after [perpetrators] and hold them accountable.”

Birmingham Times

September 26, 2024

STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND FORMER BPD ASSISTANT CHIEF ALLEN TREADAWAY ON HOW BPD STAFFING SHORTAGES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO HIGHER CRIME; BIRMINGHAMTIMES.COM, SEPT. 23.

EXCLUSIVE – Miles College Takes Another Step to Acquire Birmingham-Southern College’s Campus

Birmingham Times

September 25, 2024

By Barnett Wright

The Birmingham Times

Continue

Birmingham is ‘Resilient,’ Says Mayor Woodfin as He Consoles a Grieving City

Birmingham Times

September 25, 2024

BhamMayor0925 — Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, center, with City Councilors Latonya Tate, left, and Crystal Smitherman discuss the shooting last weekend that left four dead and 17 others injured. (Sym Posey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

As a city continues to mourn the lives of four people killed and 17 others injured in a Southside shooting, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said on Tuesday the city is resilient and will find a way to heal from the tragedy.

However, in a 30-minute press conference he also acknowledged the toll not only for the victims’ families and survivors but also law enforcement and medical providers who also were impacted.

“This is a resilient community and so are the residents and the community members … so we will get over this,” he said. “The best way is to get through it together. One of the things we can do in addition to praying with each other and for each other is being there for each other.”

Authorities in Birmingham said “multiple suspects” opened fire in Birmingham’s busy entertainment district over the weekend, killing four people, injuring 17 and leaving city residents shaken. Officials are offering up to $100,000 in reward money for information.

The city will allocate tax dollars to help alleviate some of these issues including with money from Washington, said the mayor, adding that he spoke with Alabama Senator Katie Britt who obtained $4.2 million for Birmingham’s Real Time Crime Center.

He said the senator pledged to provide every possible federal resource for local law enforcement to combat violent crime in Birmingham and they discussed ways to partner to strengthen public safety in the city.

Asked about being a consoler for many who are grieving the mayor said, “we have to be there for the entire community, which includes our first responders who bear the emotional weight of that … The hospital staff and what they saw and the lives they saved.”

While at the hospitals in the aftermath of the shooting the mayor said he saw scores of people and pandemonium that caused fear “and then the scream. That mother screamed. I know that mother’s scream because my mother had that scream,” said Woodfin who lost an older brother to gun violence in 2011.

The mayor said it’s easy to get on social media, point the finger and tell elected officials they’re not doing their job.

“And we can handle all that,” he said. “We’ll absorb and take all of that. But we all have to project strength through unity. And we believe that we will heal our community, but it has to be together.”

As Alabama Struggles to Cut Poverty, Birmingham Shows Hopeful Signs

Birmingham Times

September 25, 2024

Birmingham, Alabama, USA downtown city skyline. — By multiple measures, the Birmingham area has seen dramatic declines in unemployment since the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

By John R. Roby | JRoby@al.com

Poverty rates in Alabama remained higher than much of the nation last year, new federal data shows, though some larger cities and counties saw significant job growth and rising incomes.

This month, the U.S. census bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) released a slew of data updating poverty and other economic statistics for 2023. The numbers showed the national poverty rate declining from 12.6 percent to 12.5 percent, a decrease that was small in size but statistically significant, census officials said at a Wednesday news conference.

Along with the national drop in poverty, “We’re back to our median household income peak, we are back to [pre-COVID] 2019 levels for full-time year-round workers, and our earnings for all workers are higher than [in] 2019,” the bureau’s Liana Fox said.

Alabama, though, was one of eight states with poverty rates above 15 percent. The state’s estimated rate of 15.6 percent was not a significant change from the previous year’s 16.2 percent estimate.

Poverty rates in the Birmingham metro areas, though, did not significantly change. They ranged from 8.9 percent in St. Clair County to 23.5 percent in the city of Birmingham, and rose slightly in Shelby County, to 9 percent.

The city, however, saw its unemployment rate decline significantly, from 6.3 percent to 3.5 percent.

By multiple measures, the Birmingham area has seen dramatic declines in unemployment since the pandemic. In 2021, the ACS estimated the city’s unemployment at 7.1 percent — more than twice the rate in 2023. Last year, Gov. Kay Ivey lauded the metro area’s 2 percent unemployment rate — measured by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

“It wasn’t that long ago that our unemployment numbers were north of 10 (percent),” State Finance Director Bill Poole said separately in 2023. “It’s creating new challenges in the workforce; we all know that, but it is great to have low unemployment.”

Previous reporting by The Huntsville Times also found poverty rates were above the national average in a majority of Alabama’s counties as of 2022. A Times analysis of the new data on poverty, employment and median household income for the Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile metro areas found that though the picture it paints is familiar, there are bright spots around the state. They include:

Madison County, where median household incomes rose 7.5 percent, from an estimated $80,123 to $86,192 – among the highest in the state.
The city and county of Mobile, where poverty rates declined significantly – from 22.9 percent to 15.2 percent and 19.1 to 15.8 percent, respectively.
Baldwin County, where the poverty rate fell from 13.4 percent to 9.7 percent.

The city and county of Mobile also saw estimated unemployment rates fall significantly, from 5.6 percent to 3 percent and 5.5 percent to 3.1 percent, respectively. Unemployment in the Mobile area, including Baldwin County, has dropped by more than half since 2021, when the coast began to recover from tourism declines related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Beth Gendler, president and CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, said the industry has “come back strong,” based on indicators like lodging and retail sales tax revenue that point to increased occupancy. Retail sales tax revenue passed $1 billion in 2021 for the first time ever, she said, and has not declined.

More visitors “means local businesses hiring more staff, which means the drop in unemployment,” she said. “Additionally, finding workers became very competitive in 2021 with restaurants and other businesses offering hiring bonuses.”

The Press-Register in Mobile has reported on plans to address affordable housing shortages through the Gateway Initiative, a 150-acre campus that will provide lodging and childcare for 2,000 seasonal workers.

Median household income in the Huntsville area remained among the highest in the state, continuing a trend more than a decade in the works. In fast-growing Limestone County, the median $81,942 was not significantly different from 2022’s estimate of just over $84,00, while Huntsville city’s estimate was $73,319. All were well above Alabama’s as a whole — $62,212, itself significantly up from 2022’s estimated $59,674.

“Today you really don’t have to be a rocket scientist or engineer to have a good-paying job here in Huntsville,” Mayor Tommy Battle said last week in his state of the city address.

‘I Was a Very Happy Man Because I Was Marrying a [Very] Beautiful Lady’

Birmingham Times

September 25, 2024

BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times

ALFONSO AND LUCILLE SMITH

Live: Fairview in West Birmingham

Married: July 20, 1970

Met: July 1969, over the phone. Alfonso had been a widower for a year after losing his wife to a brain aneurysm when his late wife’s sister, Willie-Chrissy Williams, contacted Lucille, who was a divorcee. Lucille, who was the ‘neighborhood insurance lady’, remembered the conversation this way:

“[Willie-Chrissy] called me and said Alfonso wanted to talk to me, so I thought he wanted to buy some insurance. And then she called me the next night and said, ‘he likes you’, and I said, ‘he don’t know me to like me’ and then Alfonso called the [following night],” Lucille said. The two talked and. “…he said he wasn’t looking for a new wife, he just wanted to meet a nice Christian woman. And then he started dating me and changed his mind [about dating],” she laughed.

First date: The following weekend in late July after that call. They went to see a karate movie they can’t remember.

While Alfonso doesn’t recollect the name of the movie, he does remember “Lucille was good-looking to me, and I thought she was a person I could grow to love,” he said.

Lucille said, “I remember Alfonso being quiet. He was in the church, and I remember him needing somebody to help him take care of all those children [his four remaining minor children],” Lucille laughed. “I was [apprehensive] on that date because I was thinking about that.”

The turn: For Alfonso, “I started getting serious on the first date, I wasn’t thinking about nobody else,” he said. For Lucille, the turn came “when he started talking about getting married, that’s when I started taking him serious. That was almost a year later,” she said.

The proposal: July 1970 over the phone. “The only thing I remember is calling her and asking her if she will marry me, and she said ‘yes’, she didn’t hesitate,” Alfonso said.

Lucille remembers it differently. I said, ‘I thought you weren’t looking for a wife…’ and then I changed my mind and said, ‘yes’,” she laughed.

The wedding: At Lucille’s niece’s apartment in North Birmingham. Their wedding colors were green and pink and was officiated by the Rev. William Hamilton of First Baptist Church Ensley. Lucille wanted to note that her daughter, Celeste Williams, was her maid of honor, age 12 at the time, and her son, Cedric Williams, was Alfonso’s best man, age 18 at the time.

Most memorable for the bride was her sisters in attendance. “My two older sisters came from Detroit, Michigan, and I was happy about that,” said Lucille.

Most memorable for the groom was his joy. “I was a very happy man because I was marrying a [very] beautiful lady,” Alfonso said.

They honeymooned in Orlando, Florida. “It was short and sweet,” Lucille said.

Alfonso and Lucille Smith met in July 1969 over the phone. The pair married a year later. (Provided Photos)

Words of wisdom: “I always pray to the Lord, and the Lord kept both of us together despite all the transitions and things we went through, and I thank the Lord for bringing us from the first time we met to our 50th anniversary,” Alfonso said.

Lucille said she didn’t have “words of wisdom” but did want to say. “When we married, we had seven children in the house, three of mine, and four of his. He worked two jobs, and I worked three jobs because I had to take care of the house and the children and work. And by the time he got home, we didn’t have time to do nothing but go to bed. On Saturdays we worked around the house and on Sundays we got up and went to Sunday school. We didn’t have any energy to fight and that served us well,” Lucille laughed.

Happily ever after: The Smiths attend First Baptist Church in Ensley, where Alfonso serves as a deacon and Lucille a deaconess who taught Sunday School for 20 years. They are a blended family with 12 adult children, three of whom have passed away. Asked the number of grandchildren and great grands they have, Alfonso said, “We have more than we can keep count of.”

Lucille, 93, is a Selma, Alabama, native, and attended A.H. Parker High School. She graduated from Ruth Polo Beauty School in Birmingham with a cosmetology license and worked for Booker T. Washington Insurance Co. for 20 years.

Alfonso, 93, is an Ensley native, and A.H. Parker High School grad. He served in the U.S. Army for two years in the engineering department. He worked for EBSCO Industry for 33 years as the assistant warehouse supervisor, Birmingham Cable as a warehouse supervisor for 10 years, and Auto Electric, delivering automobile parts until he retired at 88.

“You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column, or know someone, please send nominations to Barnett Wright bwright@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love story unique.

Birmingham Personal Injury Attorney | Guster Law Firm, LLC