Jobs, a stronger Alabama economy and the pocketbooks of seniors score a big win with decision that upholds current regulatory structure of energy industry.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The 60 Plus Association on behalf of its 80,000 senior citizen supporters in the Yellowhammer state recently offered a heartfelt “thank you” to the Alabama Public Service Commission for their decision upholding the current regulatory framework affecting the Alabama Power Company.
Proposed changes supported by environmental groups as well as the AARP would have imposed heavy new burdens on the energy industry that likely would have led to job losses and rate hikes for Alabama families and seniors, many of who are on fixed incomes.
Said 60 Plus Chairman Jim Martin, “We would especially like to thank Commissioners Jeremy Oden and Twinkle Cavanaugh not only for the transparency of this hearing process, but most importantly for their common-sense decision to uphold the current regulatory structure which serves to provide the citizens of Alabama with reliable energy at a fair and stable price. The hysterics of the opposition were unfounded, and this fair and open process proved that in full public view.
“In these difficult economic times it is crucial that energy costs be kept in line to protect the standard of living of Alabama families, and the most vulnerable among us. Commissioners Oden and Cavanaugh are heroes for throwing a lifeline to the hard working people of this great state who currently are having a difficult time keeping their heads above water. Regretfully Commissioner Terry Dunn chose instead to throw the people of Alabama an anchor, voting in support of the extreme agenda of the EPA and AARP that will kill jobs and result in higher power bills for all.
“Seniors need to ensure their voice is heard in this crucial debate that affects the financial well-being of every family. We urge you to take the time to thank Commissioners Oden and Cavanaugh, as well as ask Commissioner Dunn why he is taking the extreme position of the AARP to burden Alabama industry with unnecessary regulations and Alabama families with higher utility bills.”
by Jesse J. Lewis, Sr.
Every election is important. I would rate the upcoming election on August 27th as one of the top five most important ever held in the City of Birmingham. We stand on the threshold of moving forward or backward as it relates to the City of Birmingham and, moreover, our educational system.
The law that was passed in the last legislative session, the Alabama Accountability Act which allows parents to remove their kids from failing schools, is going to be devastation to our school’s financial structure. We all know that the state funds Boards of Education by student headcount. Every year we are losing more students. As a result, we have to cut services, consolidate schools and lay-off teachers and the Birmingham system still has several schools below the educational standard.
In order for the Board of Education to survive, we must put the proper people in place so that we can move in the right direction to save our system. This is not an endorsement because I do not personally know all the candidates running, but I do know the history of the ones presently seated. If you keep doing the same things, you keep getting the same results.
We need a City Council that will be accountable to the taxpayers and fund those projects that are revenue producing. I’ll be the first one to say that parks and recreation complexes are important to the growth and development of any city. We all know they do not produce tax revenue. Therefore we must rely heavily upon bringing new industry and businesses into the City so we can have more parks and recreations for our people.
I contend that the next four years will set the stage for what happens in Birmingham in the next 50 years. I happen to think that there will be very few surprises in who will return to the City Council and Mayor’s office. Mayor William Bell’s chance to return is 99.9 percent; Steven Hoyt’s chance of returning is 72.4 percent; Maxine Parker’s chance is 69.2 percent; Jay Roberson’s chance is 54.2 percent; Jonathan Austin’s is 51.3 percent; Kim Rafferty’s chance is 53.9 percent LaSaunda Scales is 50.8 percent and Valerie Abbott’s is 100 percent because she has no opposition and will automatically return.
In Carole Smitherman’s seat Sheila Tyson will win after a run-off and Roderick Royal’s seat will go to Marcus Lundy after a run-off. We are all aware that a low turnout favors the incumbent. I am predicting that the turnout will be 25 percent or less. I sure would like to be wrong – TURN OUT AND PROVE ME WRONG.
It is really too early to discuss 2016, but it just so happens it seems to be the topic of conversation especially to those people interested in the presidential election. Based upon all I hear, Hillary Clinton’s chances of winning the Democratic nomination is 98.9 percent. Her chances of winning the Presidency is 54.8 percent assuming she does not make any more blunders. She made one last week – making a campaign speech. Once you make campaign speeches too early and have to defend every word you say, you give your opposing candidate ammunition to criticize. Once she starts campaigning for President she’s going to have to go against some of President Obama’s policies. At some period in time she’s going to have to separate herself from her own husband. But she needs Obamas’ campaign machine and she needs her husband as interpreter of information. There is no doubt in my mind whether or not she is going to run in 2016. The truth of the matter is she is already running and the problem is she is starting too soon.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
I don’t know if you’ve noticed it, but I have. I’ve noticed the silence of the local church on some issues that affect us all. I’m not speaking about The Church—the Bride of Christ—the blood-bought Church of the Living God. I’m speaking about the local church. And when I speak of silence, obviously, I’m not referring to the head-banging, hard rock music that drowns out any hope of invoking the presence of a Holy God. It is the silence on particular issues that is deafening.
Why is it? Why that deafening silence?
For one thing, the church is in an apostate condition. If you’re a pastor and you don’t know that by now, you’re blinded to the truth concerning the times in which we live. You are obviously not familiar with the voice of the Holy Spirit of God who promised to teach us all things. Believe me, He does, if we’re in learning mode. So if you are not being taught by His Spirit, maybe you’re not living and walking in His Spirit, which means, perhaps, you’ve never had an encounter with the God of Glory in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. If this is the case, you need to face the dilemma and take care of your spiritual problem—the need for a Savior. Until then, you have no business occupying a pulpit, no business purporting to handle the Word of Truth.
That said, I’d like to return to the subject at hand—silence of the church.
One of the saddest portions of Old Testament scripture is when the prophet of God was unwelcome, his message was scorned, and the people became silent as they eased the prophet into the mire of the pit. It was easier that way. It relieved them of responsibility, so they thought. “Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchhia the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison; and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sank in the mire.”
Something similar happened in Matthew 14:1-3 when Herod the tetrarch, hearing of the fame of Jesus, seized John the Baptist, bound him, and threw him in prison for preaching the gospel of the kingdom. John had exposed Herod for the sinner he was and it angered Herod. In the final analysis, John the Baptist was beheaded in prison, his head brought in to the daughter of Herodius, who brought it to her mother. Such wickedness is unsurpassed. And silence prevails.
Let’s take a look from the prophet’s viewpoint. Isaiah had a lot to say on this subject. He used such calls to service as this: “Awake, awake, put on thy strength …” (52:1). If you read the entire chapter, you will see the urgency to “Arise, rise from the dust.” It’s time to awake out of apathy and speak to the sin problems.
In 40:29, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” In 58:1, God speaks through Isaiah and says, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.”
God has always had a voice crying in the wilderness. His expectation of His people is that we “Cry aloud and spare not.” Just tell the truth … align everything you do and say with the Word of God.
Again, in Isaiah 41:10, the prophet says, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” We have nothing to fear in speaking out for Christ, for He has promised the victory in battle; yet there remains silence in the church.
In our text (Ephesians 6:2), the Apostle Paul talks about spiritual warfare. Read it again. We’re at war, dear reader, and we have instructions on how to handle spiritual warfare, but before we can fight the battle, we have to understand the war—what it is; what it is not.
1. We do not fight against flesh and blood.
2. We do fight against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness; against spiritual wickedness in high places.
As pastor-teacher, my responsibility is to fight the good fight of faith. You ask, “Where do you get your authority?” Glad you asked. The answer is Romans 1:3-5: “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name …”
You see, I am instructed to preach the gospel of Christ. It is a matter of obedience to the mandate of the ministry of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18). “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” In verse 19, he emphasizes that he has “committed unto us the word of reconciliation and that we are ambassadors for Christ …”
Do I run the risk of being ridiculed and misunderstood because I preach against sin? Yes, indeed. Do I risk being rejected? Certainly.
How do I handle that? I don’t. I allow God to handle it for me. (We will talk more about that next time.) If we can believe God to point out our own sins and to cause our hearts to be heavy until we’ve repented, we must believe God to give us grace and strength to “Cry aloud and spare not.” Sometimes it hurts, but those are the instructions. “Spare not!”We must be filled with the Spirit of God, who causes us to believe it all and to preach it all.
Martin Burnham, Missionary pilot to the Philippines, killed in the cause of Christ, said to his wife, Gracia, “It seems to me that either we believe it all or we don’t believe at all.”
Do you believe it all? Pastor, do you preach it all? Or do you leave out the hard part, the controversial part, the part that might cause you sleepless nights and difficult days because you dared to expose obvious and deliberate sin?
We who are in Christ Jesus are the sentinel, the watchman on the wall. Jeremiah in 3:17 said, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.”
But listen … we must do the work of a watchman on the wall. We have responsibility in all of this. Ezekiel 33:6: “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.”
Lord, help us to break the silence and do the work we’re called to do.
Watch for a continuation on the subject of the silent church; until next time, keep your eyes on the prize, and don’t be afraid to speak the truth in love.
Victor W. Baugh, Sr., Th.D., Ph.D.
Pastor, St. Luke AME Church
Havana, AL http://www.thatgracemayabound.blogspot.com/
Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizen Services, Youth in Aging and Birmingham Parks and Recreation
Join with Rite Aid to Promote Senior Wellness
Birmingham, AL – August 15, 2013 – Rite Aid announced today that it will celebrate National Senior Citizens Day in Birmingham with a free health and wellness fair for local seniors on August 21 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the East Pinson Valley Recreation Center, 3000 Jefferson State Parkway on the campus of Jefferson State Community College. The event, which features health screenings, immunizations, seminars, games and lunch, is completely free to area seniors.
“We’re so pleased to partner with the Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizen Services, Youth in Aging and the Birmingham Department of Parks and Recreation to honor area seniors,” said Rite Aid District Manager Michael Seesholtz. “Like Rite Aid, these organizations are committed to helping seniors live healthy and active lives, not only on National Senior Citizens Day, but year round.”
Seniors attending the event will receive free screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes risk, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and free tests for cholesterol, glucose (or A1C if already diagnosed with diabetes) and bone density. Flu and pneumonia vaccinations will be available while supplies last and are covered by most insurance plans including Medicare Part B.
Each senior will also have the opportunity for a consultation with a Rite Aid pharmacist to review current medications and other immunization needs and to sign up for wellness65+, Rite Aid’s free senior loyalty program. The event also includes a variety of games plus informative seminars on relevant topics like “Medicare 101” and “Your Home Medicine Cabinet,” and all seniors will receive lunch and a gift bag with samples and information, courtesy of Rite Aid.
“We are equally pleased to partner with Rite Aid,” said Mrs. Derry Johnson, Interim Executive Director of the Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens. “This event aligns with the mission of the Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizen Services, which is to plan, coordinate and offer services to help support older adults in their quest for wellness and self-sufficiency.”
Rite Aid is coming to Birmingham as part of a national tour to help seniors become aware of its new wellness65+ program which offers unique services and benefits for seniors including exclusive sale pricing, +UP Rewards, 24/7 access to a Rite Aid pharmacist online or by phone, and the opportunity to earn points toward becoming a gold, silver or bronze member. wellness65+ Wednesdays, a benefit available only to wellness65+ members, are held the first Wednesday of each month at every Rite Aid store nationwide. On these days, all wellness65+ members receive 20 percent off all qualifying purchases. In addition, each wellness65+ Wednesday features wellness activities, such as free health screenings, valuable health information and other special offers. For information on other Rite Aid tour stops in Birmingham, visit www.facebook.com/riteaid.
Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with more than 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2013 annual revenues of $25.4 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at www.riteaid.com.
Paige Williams (Jackson State) and Luiza Griz (Alabama State) received player of the year honors while Jackson State and Prairie View A&M were selected to repeat as division favorites.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2013 SWAC Preseason Volleyball teams with Paige Williams (Jackson State) and Luiza Griz (Alabama State) tagged with player of the year honors.
Williams was voted SWAC Preseason Volleyball Player of the Year while Griz was selected as the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
The All-SWAC Preseason Volleyball teams and predicted order of finish was voted on by the conference coaches and sport information contacts. Points were compiled on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis for the predicted order of finish while head coaches and sport information contacts were not allowed to vote for his or her team.
Five schools posted at least two players on this year’s team with Alabama State, Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M, and Alabama A&M producing the most selections with three. ASU registered the most players on the first team landing all three selections. Jackson State’s two picks were also named to the first team.
Last season, Williams (MB • 6-1 • Sr. • Arlington, Texas) led the SWAC with 102 blocks averaging 1.17 per game. She helped JSU lead the league in blocks with 290 overall posting a team average of 2.27. The Lady Tigers captured the East Division title before winning a consecutive tournament crown behind a 22-match win streak. During the 2012 regular season, she received SWAC Defensive Player of the Week on three occasions en route to All-SWAC First Team and Tournament honors.
In 2012, Griz (DS • 5-7 • Sr. • Recife, Brazil) was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year while receiving a first-team selection to All-SWAC Volleyball. She finished third in the SWAC and accounted for more than 25 percent of ASU’s digs recording 399 for a 3.2 per game average. She was tagged defensive player of the week twice last year.
Griz and Williams join outside hitters Chelsey Scott (Alabama State), Mona Reed (Texas Southern), Rachel Owens (Prairie View A&M), middle blocker Mikayla Rolle (Jackson State), and setter Brooke Beasley (Alabama State) on the All-SWAC First Team.
In the predicted order of finish in the Eastern Division, last season’s tournament champion Jackson State garnered 86 points with 15 first-place votes to become the preseason favorite. Alabama A&M followed with 66 votes with Alabama State (61), Mississippi Valley State (46), and Alcorn State (31) closing out the prediction.
Prairie View A&M was tabbed the Western Division preseason winners with 82 points and 12 first-place votes. Texas Southern totaled 78 points and seven first-place votes for second with Arkansas-Pine Bluff (51), Southern (47) and Grambling State (37) closing out the division.
2013 ALL SWAC VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON TEAMS
Player of the Year
Paige Williams – Jackson State
First Team
Outside Hitters
Chelsey Scott – Alabama State
Mona Reed – Texas Southern
Rachel Owens – Prairie View A&M
Middle Blockers / Middle Hitters
Mikayla Rolle – Jackson State
Paige Williams – Jackson State
Setter
Brooke Beasley – Alabama State
Libero
Luiza Griz – Alabama State
Defensive Player of the Year
Luiza Griz – Alabama State
Second Team
Outside Hitters
Robyn Shannon – Texas Southern
Charae Caldwell – Prairie View A&M
Kyanna Sales – Alabama A&M
2013 Predicted Order of Finish
Eastern Division
Jackson State 86 (15)
Alabama A&M 66 (4)
Alabama State 61 (1)
Mississippi Valley State 46
Alcorn State 31
Western Division
Prairie View A&M 82 (12)
Texas Southern 78 (7)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 51
Southern 47 (1)
Grambling State 32
Points of Interest
• NCBW- Central Alabama Chapter, Inc. launched to serve 23 counties in Central Alabama.
• Senator Vivian Davis Figures, Alabama Senate Minority Leader and fellow NCBW Coalition Sister will serve as the host for the evening.
• M. Delois Strum, NCBW National President in Birmingham to install 52 professional African-American women leaders.
• NCBW – Central Alabama Chapter, Inc. launched during the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement and Bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. will be in Birmingham on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center to install 52 professional women as the new Central Alabama Chapter. Featured entertainment will be recording artist Eric Essix.
The newly formed NCBW – Central Alabama Chapter, Inc. is a progressive, proactive group of African-American women leaders that advocate on behalf of women of color through national and local actions and strategic alliances that promote its national and international agendas on leadership development and gender equity in health, education and economic development.
“NCBW – Central Alabama Chapter, Inc. is honored to serve the Central Alabama region and believe it’s a great way to continue the civil rights legacy of equality, unity and peace” said Bea Tatum, NCBW – Central Alabama Chapter, Inc. President-Elect.
Corporate sponsorships, tables and individual tickets are still available and can be purchased via the website, www.ncbwcentral-al.org or by contacting Adrienne Bell @ 205.835.2074.
The NCBW – Central Alabama Chapter, Inc. aims to fulfill the vision of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. by being an effective force in the community mobilizing women regarding issues that affect the community and serve as positive role models in the personal development of African American women. The NCBW – Central Alabama Chapter, Inc. will serve 23 counties including: Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, Talladega, Calhoun, St. Clair, Greene, Hale, Perry, Bibb, Lamar, Fayette, Walker, Pickens, Etowah, Sumter, Chilton, Coosa, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph, Tallapoosa and Chambers.
DETROIT – The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 is longer, wider, yet lighter than the model it replaced.
The new dimensions are not earth shattering but a couple of inches more in width and in length made a big difference in the two-seat roadster.
The cabin of the previous model, though luxurious, was a little tight. The power seats could not articulate anywhere near their capacity because of a lack of space and the cabin did seem a little close.
Both those shortcomings have been alleviated in the new model. The test car had top of the line power seats complete with messaging technology and air bladders that kept driver and passenger in place during aggressive maneuvers.
A combination of aluminum and high strength steel resulted in a car that was 200 lbs. lighter and a body that was 20 percent stiffer. The numbers meant that the car was lighter and it hugged the road through some sharp curves that were took at speeds a lot faster than those that were posted.
Last year marked the 60 anniversary of the SL. And though the Mercedes-Benz S Class is the company’s flagship model, the SL is its halo car.
The standard engine for America is smaller yet more powerful than the 5.5 liter V8 that it replaced. Plus, it gets better fuel mileage.
A dual turbocharged direct injected 4.6-liter V8 made 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the new SL was awfully athletic when the throttle was pushed with authority but sedate and refined at low speeds.
The car was quiet, the interior was soothing and the exterior was stunning. Mercedes’ SL had not lost the street credibility of previous models. Heads turned, it got thumbs up and a couple of drivers had to say “nice car,” as they pulled up beside it.
Less fuel consumption, partly, can be attributed to a start stop ECO system. When turned on by the driver, it shut off the engine when the car stopped and a foot remained on the brake pedal. Before the accelerator pedal was touched the engine restarted. This ECO system helped the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 achieve an EPA rating of 17 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway.
The new car retains its retractable hard top. This time it can be equipped with Magic Sky Control. An electric current can be sent through the panoramic roof panel changing it from a clear tint to what looked like dark blue. The roof also retracts into the trunk in a fairly swift 22 seconds.
A host of creature comforts, operational techniques and safety attributes were standard on the car. From its 600 watt sound system with bass speakers in the front of the car, emergency call system, blind spot warning as well as attention assist (the SL will wake you up if it thinks you’re falling asleep), to smart front airbags, knee bags, side air bags and head-thorax bags, seat belt tensioners and belt force limiters, the new Mercedes-Benz SL was a rolling platform of engineering prowess.
Surprisingly, automotive journalists have taken a lot of snipes at the new SL, criticizing everything from door handle openings, to the front window frame to even its windshield washer system and Facebook connection.
Some of the observations are valid. The silver spears on the front quarter panels and on the hood clutter the design of the new SL. But critics don’t count all that much with certain cars.
The Mercedes-Benz SL is an automotive icon. Unless the car looks hideous, it doesn’t matter to the public. The SL has gone where few cars arrive. It has attained a status based on what it is, not how it looks.
Stunning looks is a given, however, when it comes to this roadster and love it or hate it, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550’s sheet metal is distinctive. It looks like nothing else on the road, except a larger version of the Mercedes-Benz SLK.
What’s more, it has the sticker to prove its pedigree. Prices start at $105,500. With options, the test car sold for $124,345.
by Rev. John G. McDonald, Director of Catholic Education and Lifelong Formation
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School welcomes Ms. Chandra Farrier as its new principal. Ms. Farrier was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama and attended St. James Elementary, McGill-Toolen High School, and Springhill College, all in the same city. Ms. Farrier attributes her passion for Catholic education to her lifelong experience of being a student in Catholic schools.
Ms. Farrier earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in elementary education from Springhill College, and her degree in administration and supervision from the University of South Alabama. She worked for the Mobile County Public School System for 11 years as both a classroom teacher and administrator. In 2007, Ms. Farrier was hired as an administrator at Holy Family Elementary School and later became the principal at Holy Family. Ms. Farrier has a strong background in literacy education and has served on many diocesan advisory committees including the principals advisory committee, the system-wide SACS accreditation committee, and the curriculum development committee.
Ms. Farrier says, “Catholic schools provide strong spiritual and academic foundations, and are a safe place for children to learn. As the new principal of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, I want to offer an environment where the students can discuss and live out the values upon which their education is based.” Regarding the Our Lady of Fatima Community, Ms. Farrier says she “is ready to continue the tradition of excellence at Our Lady of Fatima, knowing that together as a community centered on Christ, we will meet all the goals we have for our children.”
Despite her busy career as principal, Ms. Farrier also finds the time to enjoy outside activities such as fishing and swimming. As a Gulf Coast native, she loves the beach and her adorable Chihuahua, Pumpkin.
