United Way of Central Alabama, Inc. recently launched its 2013 fundraising campaign with a goal of $37.9 for the state’s largest charitable organization. Funds raised are allocated to over 80 partner agencies with programs in target impact areas such as education, financial stability, health and access to services.
This year’s kickoff featured an education theme with nationally recognized educator, Salome Thomas-EL. Addressing the need for more PreK programs he said, “We need to invest in our children at their youngest ages.” United Way supports 50 PreK classrooms in Central Alabama through its Success By 6 initiative that provides quality early childhood education. Success By 6 classrooms  promote having teachers with degrees or training in early childhood development, small class sizes, appropriate child-to adult ratios, an appropriate curriculum and family-centered practices.
The 2013 Campaign Chairman, Fred McCallum, president, AT & T Alabama, added that, “Education is the core of improving our children’s lives.”
The 2013 Campaign Goal announcement is the largest in the organization’s history as they celebrate their 90th anniversary.

Officer Washington with the Bessemer Police Department spoke to the students about school bus safety and accident prevention.  Grades K-2 was the first group to hear Officer Washington.  He will come back at a later date and speak to Grades 3-5.

        A panel of Stillman College students discussed their summer internships and provided college and career guidance to attendees during Building Your Professional Brands, a workshop held September 12 on the College campus.
Tasha Washington, Director of Career Services, center, is pictured with panelists, from left to right, Derek Stallworth, who interned at Generations Primary Care in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Nicholas Jackson, who interned with the City of Birmingham; Nick Baldelli-Boggs, who interned at Camp Ramapo in Rhinebeck, New York; Joseph Pough, who interned at the University of South Alabama; Michael Cromartie, who interned with the University of Alabama Birmingham Minority Health Research Center; Jonathan McElwee, who interned at Prince, Glover and Hayes law firm in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Shaquitta Dent, who interned with the University of Alabama Birmingham Minority Health Research Center;  Teika Thompson, who interned in Alabama A & M’s  Research Experience for Undergraduates program; Lakevis Tabb, who interned at Mercedes-Benz in Vance, Ala.; Chris Ruffin, who interned at NBC 13 and with the City of Birmingham; Christopher Weeks, who interned at Bethel Baptist in Charlotte, N.C.; and Robert Crosby who interned at the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C.
During the program, Washington and the interns shared tips for academic and professional success. “If you want to be selected for internships, it’s important that you attend classes, arrive on time and strive to achieve academic success by doing your best. Your professors are the people who have to write your recommendation letters, so it’s important that they have a positive impression of you,” Washington stated. “All of this is related to your brand. You want to be the quintessential professional, someone that others can depend on. This will help you to secure internships and employment and be prepared for whatever lies ahead.”

Founded in 1876, Stillman is a private, liberal arts institution, making a huge impact on the lives of the students it serves and the greater community. Stillman provides an intellectually elite, high-quality education for a diverse student body. The College enlists a dedicated faculty with 92 percent holding terminal degrees. Additionally, a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1 guarantees that students receive the very best in instruction and preparation. Leading the way in the acquisition and use of technology, Stillman offers 20th century tradition with 21st century instruction.

Stillman College invites the community to participate in an “open mic” program held in conjunction with the international celebratory event “100 Thousand Poets for Change” on Friday, September 27, from noon to 1 p.m., at the outdoor amphitheater on the College campus. Stillman, which has celebrated the event each year since its inception in 2011, selected the theme “Living the Dream – 50 More Years” for its 2013 celebration. Students, faculty, staff and community members will present poetry, music and other creative works related to the theme. Pictured above are Jasmine McElwee-Malone (standing) and Chelsea Reese (seated) at the 2012 “100 Thousand Poets for Change” program, where they combined poetry and art in a dynamic and thought-provoking presentation.
Created by poet Michael Rothenberg, 100 Thousand Poets for Change is a grassroots organization that brings communities together to call for positive change within the framework of peace and sustainability. From September 27 to 29, poets, musicians, writers, and others artists will host poetry readings, public demonstrations, community picnics, parades, concerts, and other events in recognition of the role of poetry and art in promoting social, environmental, and political change.  Thus far, activities are planned in over 100 countries around the world and in hundreds of U.S. cities.
The entire community is invited to attend the open mic, which is sponsored by the College’s Department of English.

For additional information, contact Dr. Doris Davenport at 205-247-8127, Dr. Norman Golar at ngolar@stillman.edu, or Dr. David Saffo at 205-366-8813. The event is free and open to the public. 
 For information on 100 Thousand Poets for Change events nationwide and worldwide, visit: 100tpc.org.

John Sherman Elected Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Coca-Cola Bottling Company United has announced the election of John Sherman to Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer effective October 1, 2013. In that role, Mr. Sherman will lead the reorganization of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United’s legacy operating units, Commercial Leadership, Operational Marketing and Customer and Revenue Management. He will also lead the transition and integration of the recently announced acquisition of new franchise operations in Alabama and Georgia.
“John Sherman’s field experience with Coca-Cola United, his deep understanding of our operating model and his passion for our business serve as a solid foundation for leading our commercial operations during a truly transformational and exciting time for our Company and the Coca-Cola System in North America,” said Claude Nielsen, Chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United.  “As we expand through franchise acquisitions as part of the next step in creating a stronger U.S. Coca-Cola business model, I have every confidence that John Sherman will lead with distinction.”
Sherman, a native of Augusta, Georgia, began his career in the Coca-Cola system as a part-time clerk in the Route Accounting Department of The Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company. After graduating from Georgia Tech, he joined Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE), rising to the position of Region Manager with responsibility for CCE’s Alabama and South Georgia franchises.  In 1990, Sherman joined Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, serving as Director of Marketing /East Region and most recently as President of Coca-Cola United/East Region.

Cash For Crooks div of Refuge In (RITT) Trouble Times Community Development, Inc., PO Box 28083, Birmingham, Al., 35228 share the story of Justin Kindred.  On August 18, 2013 he was found in a car shot at 44th Place North and 8th Avenue Alley in Kingston Project.  No one to date has been arrested for his murder.  As of today, September 23, Birmingham has had 53 homicides,  46 of them were males, 7 were females, 1 death caused by stray bullet and 5 victims were minors.  We need help from you in solving this and other cases like these.  If you or anyone you know have info on either of the cases found in Cash For Crooks files, call 205-254-1764 or Crimesstopers @205-254-7777.  Pease DO NOT USE NICKNAMES but be detailed; if an arrest/conviction is made you may be rewarded for the tip.  NO ONE WILL KNOW YOUR NAME.  RITT works with local and state wide law-enforcers to help our communities be a safer place to live, please help.  If you know of any case that needs spotlighted, contact Minister Ward at 205-240-9910 or e-mail us at oddussaspace@yahoo.com.   If it takes a village to raise the children; then why not one (1) witness come forth to bring closure to the victims who are hurting from lost of loved ones, friends, parents, etc.  Thank you and God bless you to encourage you in making the call.  Amen.

Homicide Investigation  

The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives have arrested and charged a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation. The victim was discovered at 1407 17th Avenue South, Apartment 207.

The victim has been identified as:
James Belyeu, W/M, 54, of Birmingham, Alabama.

The suspect has been identified as:
Robert Buddenhagen, W/M, 28, of Birmingham, Alabama. A Murder warrant with a $75,000 bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.

Officers from the South Precinct responded to the incident location to investigate a report of an assault. The officers arrived to find the victim lying unconscious inside his apartment. Birmingham Fire and Rescue responded to the scene and transported the victim to U.A.B Hospital for treatment. The victim remained in I.C.U. until hospital staff pronounced him deceased on Friday, September 20, 2013.
Officers learned that the incident took place sometime between Saturday, September 14, 2013 and Monday, September 16, 2013 when the victim was found. The victim was found to have been engaged in an argument with the suspect about their relationship prior to the assault. The victim suffered subsequent fatal wounds as a result of a beating by the suspect.

Homicide and Meth Lab Investigation

The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives are conducting a homicide and meth lab investigation. The incident occurred on Friday, September 20, 2013 at approximately 6 a.m., at 3652 Clairmont Avenue.

The victim has been identified as:
Derrick Phillips, W/M, 23, of Birmingham, Alabama.

South Precinct officers responded to the incident location to investigate a report of shots fired in the area. The responding officer was unable to locate anyone or activity in the area. Approximately twenty minutes later officers received a report of a deceased person inside an apartment. Upon arrival, officers located the victim lying inside the apartment unresponsive. Birmingham Fire and Rescue arrived and pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.
While inside the apartment, officers noticed a strong odor and observed components of what appeared to be an active meth lab. Detectives from the BPD Narcotics Unit arrived and confirmed that the meth lab was active and contained potentially dangerous chemicals. The homicide investigation inside the apartment was temporarily suspended until the potentially dangerous chemicals were removed from the apartment.
If there is anyone who has information pertaining to this case, they are encouraged to contact the BPD at 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 254-7777.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In the Birmingham Airport Authority Board of Directors’ meeting, directors received a progress update on the airport’s most significant capital improvement project. Jeff Hart was there to speak on behalf of Brasfield & Gorrie/BLOC, the project’s contractor.
The airport’s terminal modernization continues to show the significant progress made by the project team. Demolition work on the airport’s apron and rotunda located at Concourse C is nearing completion.  Removal of the 30 year old roof on the north portion of the terminal is complete and new roof monitors and exterior wall construction has begun on Concourse C. Work in the parking deck related to the terminal modernization project continues with foundation work on new passenger crosswalk at parking deck elevator C.  The improvement for this transition came about to meet the Authority’s goal of enhancing passengers’ experience from the parking deck to the aircraft and back.
Birmingham Airport Authority’s Project Coordinator, Tom Wesley updated the board on the project’s finances.  The project is approximately 75 percent complete as of today. The Birmingham Airport Authority has 75 percent of the contracts paid and still expected to be complete by summer 2014, on time.
On September 6, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell announced $8,849,665 in funding for the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport for security enhancements and VALE infrastructure.      Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport has been granted $6,001,875 for terminal security enhancements and $2,847,790 for VALE Infrastructure. Through the Voluntary Airport Low Emission Program (VALE), the Birmingham Airport will be able to finance equipment lower emissions on the airfield, gas electrification, and other air quality improvements. By the end of the terminal modernization project, the Birmingham Airport Authority will apply for LEEDs silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its sustainable terminal project. The security grant will be used to fund several security aspects related to the terminal modernization project. The Birmingham Airport Authority is responsible for 10 percent matching funds for each grant awarded. The VALE grant has reduced the Airport Authority’s portion of the project funding from $13 million to $10 million. “We continue to seek additional funding sources to help alleviate the cost to our airline partners,” said Al Denson, Birmingham Airport Authority President/CEO, “We are grateful for the support of everyone involved in securing these grants.
Board members received a presentation by independent auditors, Banks, Finley, White & Company on the Authority’s annual audit report.

Free digital titles with just a library card and an Internet-connected computer,
Smartphone, or tablet

Birmingham, Alabama—The Digital Bookmobile National Tour (www.digitalbookmobile.com) will showcase the free e-book download service from Birmingham Public Library’s Central location at 2100 Park Place on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. At this free event, readers of all ages will learn how to download e-books from the library through interactive demonstrations and high-definition instructional videos. A gadget gallery—featuring Samsung Galaxy Tablet, Windows Phone 8, Kindle Fire, Nook HD+, Sony Reader, Creative Zen, iPad Mini, Creative Zen X-Fi, and much more—will help visitors discover portable devices that are compatible with the library’s download service.

Library card holders can also check out and download digital titles anytime, anywhere by visiting http://www.bplonline.org.

“When the Digital Bookmobile stopped at our location in 2010, we had hundreds of visitors to walk through and become familiar with downloadable devices,” said Birmingham Public Library Director Renee Blalock. “As a result, we have increased our collection of e-books and other downloadable items.  We are committed to keeping pace with changing technology and the needs of our community.”

The Digital Bookmobile is housed inside an 18-wheel tractor-trailer. This 74-foot community outreach vehicle is a high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile that has served communities for decades. The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players, all of which help visitors explore Birmingham Public’s download service. Interactive learning stations give visitors an opportunity to search the library’s digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and sample e-books, audiobooks, music, and video.

Patrons can take advantage of the download service 24/7 when they visit the library’s website. From there, they can browse the growing collection of bestselling, new release, and classic titles, and check out a digital title with a valid library card. Once downloaded, digital titles can be enjoyed on a computer or transferred to supported mobile devices. Many audio titles can also be burned to audio CD. At the end of the lending period, titles will automatically expire and are returned to the digital collection. There are never late fees or damaged items.

The Digital Bookmobile is a service of the Birmingham Public Library and is operated by OverDrive, Inc. To check out and download digital books and more, visit http://www.bplonline.org.