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City of Birmingham Schedules “Pride Where I Reside” Cleanup Day for August 3

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Birmingham Times
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Mayor Randall L. Woodfin has announced the City of Birmingham will stage a Pride Where I Reside city-wide cleanup for Saturday, August 3. (Adobe Stock)

City of Birmingham

Mayor Randall L. Woodfin has announced the City of Birmingham will stage a Pride Where I Reside city-wide cleanup for Saturday, August 3. The day will be a work day for multiple city departments and divisions, including public works, code enforcement, and parks and recreation. Residents, organizations and businesses are encouraged to take time during the day to clean up around their property, their streets, blocks and neighborhoods.

City staff and contractors involved in the Pride Where I Reside work day will address overgrown lots, blighted properties, illegal dump sites and more.

To encourage residents, businesses and organizations to do their part, the Department of Public Works will set-up additional roll-off dumpsters in each public works quadrant of the city to add convenience for individuals conducting their own cleanup. The roll-off dumpsters will be in place from August 3 to August 9. You can find these roll-off dumpsters at the following locations.

  • Intersection of Ishkooda – Wenonah Road and Old Wenonah Road
  • Wylam Park
  • Inglenook Recreation Center
  • Intersection of Georgia Road and Brussells Avenue

Dumpsters are regularly available at the city’s four Department of Public Works district offices. From August 3 to August 9, dumpsters will be available to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations.

Ensley District
1044 Avenue W

Eastend District
301 96th Street North

North Birmingham District
2413 27th Street North

Southside District
501 6th Avenue South

The city will extend business hours at the city’s Eastern Area Landfill (2787 Alton Road) from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 3. Individuals must show a driver’s license proving they live in Jefferson County. There is no fee for residential disposal. Please note: tires, contracting materials, and hazardous materials are not accepted at the landfill or dumpsters.

Residents who conduct their own cleanups are encouraged to showcase their work on August 3 with the social media hashtag #CleanUpBham.

Locked Out of Town Hall, 1st Black Mayor of a Small Alabama Town Returns to Office

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Birmingham Times
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Patrick Braxton was the only candidate to qualify for mayor of Newbern, Alabama, in 2020, but he was locked out of the town hall. In 2024, a court settlement handed him back the keys to the town. (Kyle Whitmire/AL.com, File)

By KIM CHANDLER | Associated Press

The first Black mayor of a small Alabama town who had been locked out of town hall by white officials is returning to the job.

Mayor Patrick Braxton is being recognized as the mayor of the town of Newbern, under a lawsuit settlement ending a long-running dispute over control of the town government. U.S. District Judge Kristi K. DuBose approved the agreement Tuesday, opening the way for Braxton to take over as the town’s first Black mayor and for the possible seating of the town’s first majority-Black town council.

The settlement also will require the town to begin holding municipal elections for the first time in decades.

“This victory marks a new chapter for Newbern,” Mayor Patrick Braxton said in a statement issued by the Legal Defense Fund, which represented Braxton and other residents in a lawsuit. “I am so grateful to finally get to serve the people of Newbern. This is a win for not only me, but for all of the residents of Newbern. After decades, we will finally be able to act as citizens to cast our ballots and actively participate in the democratic process.”

Newbern, a tiny town of 133 people about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Selma, has a mayor-council government but did not hold elections for six decades. Instead, town officials governed through “hand-me-down” positions with the mayor appointing a successor and the successor appointing council members, according to the lawsuit filed by Braxton and others. That practice resulted in an overwhelmingly white government in a town where Black residents outnumber white residents by a 2-1 margin.

Braxton, a Black volunteer firefighter, qualified in 2020 to run for the non-partisan position of mayor. Since he was the only person to run, he became the town’s mayor-elect. But Braxton said he, and the town council he appointed, were blocked from exercising their duties.

A lawsuit filed by Braxton and others said that existing Newbern town officials changed the locks on the town hall and refused to give Braxton the town bank account information. The lawsuit also alleged that the outgoing council held a secret meeting to set up a special election and “fraudulently re-appointed themselves as the town council.”

Town officials had denied wrongdoing. Before agreeing to settle the case, the defendants maintained in court filings that Braxton’s claim to be mayor was “invalid.”

Under the terms of the settlement, Braxton will be immediately recognized as mayor and be granted access to town hall. All other “individuals holding themselves out as town officials will effectively resign and/or cease all responsibilities with respect to serving in any town position or maintaining any town property or accounts,” according to the plan. The Newbern city council positions will be filled either by appointment or special election. The town will also hold municipal elections in 2025.

“The settlement achieves that goal the plaintiffs have always sought which is recognizing Patrick Braxton as the elected mayor of Newbern and having a town council that represents the residents of Newbern. The settlement puts an end to the practice of ‘hand me’ down government and requires the mayor and town council to hold regular elections as provided under state law,” said Richard Rouco, an attorney for the plaintiffs.

Birmingham Trio Created a Brotherhood, then a Clothing Brand For All Genders and Ages

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Birmingham Times
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Broken Dreams clothing brand co-founders, from left: Carlton “Tae” Gamble; Anthony “TK” Sears and Jonathan “JB” Blanks photographed In downtown Birmingham. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)

By Ameera Steward | The Birmingham Times

With a love for creativity and self-expression, the men behind the Broken Dreams clothing brand knew they were destined to partner for a bigger purpose. After much deliberation, Jonathan Blanks, Carlton Gamble, and Anthony Sears, who’ve known each other since they were teenagers, decided to collaborate and debut their first collection in 2014.

The brand is for all genders and all ages, with a colorful yet simplistic style—but there is also something else at play. “The whole concept behind the brand is … to keep pushing, keep your faith, and always believe in yourself,” said 32-year-old Gamble, also known as “Tae.”

“As you keep pushing, things will start to manifest, and you’ll be able to see things come together for you,” he added. “… keep pushing and keep your faith regardless of what might happen.”

A strong pillar for the Broken Dreams team is brotherhood, which is the foundation of the partnership.

Inspiration

Blanks, 32, and Sears, 33, met in middle school, and then attended Minor High School in Adamsville, Alabama. They met Gamble through a mutual friend later. The three have been a trio ever since, but it wasn’t until they all transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) that they reconnected and their friendship grew into a business relationship.

“We kind of just all had a passion for it, had an interest in it,” Blanks said, adding that the group came up with a plan, a concept, and a name inadvertently.

Although fashion had always been something the three gravitated toward, they didn’t know anything about the business. One night, while they were hanging out in Blanks’ apartment, the conversation turned toward starting a business. Someone threw out the idea of a clothing line, and they each agreed that it was something they could accomplish. They came up with the name that same night.

“It was just natural for us,” recalled Blanks. “The [origin of the name] connected with us because it has many layers to it, and we each can give our own interpretation of it. The foundation of the name represents overcoming any obstacles or setbacks that may come in life. Never stop working toward your dreams and goals.”

Their inspiration for clothing designs can come from anywhere—music, their travels, anything positive. They each bring ideas to the table, which brings diversity to the brand’s image because “we all have unique styles, but [they’re] kind of the same,” said Gamble.

“We might start with something as small as a jacket, and then we might just add on from there,” he said. “We might have a certain silhouette we like, but then we might eventually put our own touch on it. … It’s a group effort for sure.”

Once they come up with a concept, Gamble is usually the team member who designs the mock-up, which they all review, suggesting changes or next steps. After that the team discusses fabrics, cuts, colorways, samples, marketing ideas, and more to complete the final product. Then they send it to the manufacturer, and it takes approximately two weeks to get their sample product back.

Broken Dreams designs clothing for men, women, and children at a price point that ranges from $12 to $185.

“We put a lot of thought into the pieces and the quality of the product,” Sears said.

Blanks added, “We’re not just here to make a quick dollar. We could easily just throw out anything just to try to sell it, … [but] we go out of our way, spend more on high quality, and cut our profit to give the people a better product.”

“We pride ourselves on customer service,” said Gamble.

Broken Dreams clothing brand co-founders, from left: Carlton “Tae” Gamble; Anthony “TK” Sears and Jonathan “JB” Blanks photographed In downtown Birmingham. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)

A Shoulder to Lean On

“The best part of being part of this team is that if one of us is lacking, if one of us is going through something, if one of us is not able to perform at our highest level, you know your brother is going to have your back,” Blanks said. “I’ve been through a lot of different things in life. … There were times when I was down and just couldn’t … be part of certain things at certain points, but it wasn’t an issue for the brand at all because [Sears and Gamble] had my back and vice versa: If they go through something, I’ve got their back.”

Sears said, “I look at them like they are my brothers. If they ever need something—I know they probably wouldn’t ask, but they can ask—and I’ve got it, I’ll give it. Loving each other is what kind of keeps us from butting heads.”

Gamble added that a valuable piece of their friendship is that there are no egos, and they mesh as friends: “We’re brothers, and we know how to separate the business from the brotherhood. We’re not getting in our feelings about anything. … We don’t really have fallouts. It’s a brotherhood, no egos, and we’ve been going for 10 years plus.”

Because each team member is a co-founder, the responsibilities of taking care of the brand are shared.

“I know a lot of people say, ‘Don’t start a business with your friends,’ but we haven’t experienced [problems with working together] at all. It’s actually been the total opposite, Blanks said. “I wouldn’t want to do this with anybody but these guys.”

Making Mama Proud

The brotherhood held Blanks, Gamble, and Sears together not only within their Broken Dreams clothing business but also during their hardest times. The co-founders all share the trauma of losing their mothers. Sears’ mom passed in 2005, Gamble’s mother passed in 2011, and Blanks lost his mother in 2019—and they’ve all been there to lift one another up.

“I had to depend on my brothers to help me through that, as well as help me with the brand,” Blanks said. “These guys definitely inspire me, and for sure my mom does. [I’m] just trying to keep going and make her proud.”

In addition to being inspired by one another, they also all share the sentiment that their mothers are a substantial driving force when it comes to the brand. Although there isn’t one special collection dedicated to their mothers—yet—the team believes in some way each collection is dedicated to their mothers.

“Ever since [my mother’s death], it’s just kind of been like, ‘I gotta make it happen, gotta get to it, you know, don’t fall off because she wouldn’t want you to,’” Gamble said.

“Falling off” and quitting are not options for this group. It’s actually what they want to be a piece of their legacy. “Never quitting regardless of the circumstances is part of life, to be honest,” said Sears. “Everybody is going to have circumstances that will either inspire them to go further or inspire them to quit. … [I want to] keep going and do it with love.”

The Broken Dreams team is eying the future on a grand scale.

Gamble wants the clothing line to be a Birmingham staple, like the statue of Vulcan at the Vulcan Park and Museum or the Birmingham Museum of Art: “[We want] to be one of the biggest fashion brands, or just brands period, because we plan to expand outside of fashion, … [to] have different layers,” he said.

Blanks added, “We don’t have small goals when it comes to the brand. We want to be the biggest brand possible. We’re trying to be worldwide. … It’s not easy to get people to buy your product at all, but it’s definitely not easy, honestly, to get Birmingham to stand behind you. … Being able to accomplish that was a big milestone for us.”

To learn more about the Broken Dreams clothing line, visit https://shopbrokendreams.com; you can also follow the brand on Instagram (@brokendreamsclothing), Twitter (@BrkDreamsClothg), and TikTok (@brokendreamsclothing).

 

Meet the Co-Founders of Birmingham’s Broken Dreams Clothing Brand

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Birmingham Times
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Broken Dreams clothing brand co-founders, from left: Carlton “Tae” Gamble; Anthony “TK” Sears and Jonathan “JB” Blanks photographed In downtown Birmingham. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)

By Ameera Steward | For The Birmingham Times

Many Birmingham residents wear the brand, many Birmingham residents know the brand, however, not many know the faces behind the brand.

Broken Dreams is a southern streetwear brand founded on dedication, loyalty and the ambition to never stop working towards your dreams. It’s the team’s goal to provide quality pieces at an affordable price between $12 to $185. Their mission is to breathe hope for the future and express their creativity through premium products that are continuously evolving. Jonathan Blanks, 32, Carlton Gamble, 32, and Anthony Sears, 33, said they strive to set the tone for their culture to show people that they can turn their dreams into reality.

“A lot of people don’t even know whose brand it is, more people know now, but it was at one point we would be out just kicking it and people would be right next to us talking about the brand and not knowing who the owners are,” said Gamble. “So, I always thought that was kind of cool to play the [background]. And…It also would be good to kind of get out there more and just open up, show our personality.”

Blanks, Gamble, and Sears have known one another since middle school. Sears and Blanks both attended Minor High School, Gamble attended Parker High School. After reconnecting in college at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), they decided to launch their brand Broken Dreams in 2014.

They each bring their ideas to the table which helps bring diversity to the brand’s image because “we all have unique styles, but kind of the same…so we might start with something as small as a jacket and then we might just add on from there,” Gamble said.

“We might have a certain silhouette that we like, but then we might eventually just put our own touch on it…but it’s a group effort for sure,” he concluded.

Here’s a closer look at cofounders:

When it comes to fashion Jonathan “JB” Blanks said it was always a “thing” for him. (Ameera Steward Photos, For The Birmingham Times)

Jonathan Blanks

Blanks, also known as JB, is from the West Side of Birmingham and attended Minor High School. He graduated in 2009 and made his way to Jacksonville State University to study Business Management.

In 2010 he transferred to UAB and graduated in 2014 with his bachelor’s degree in business management.

When it comes to fashion Blanks said it was always a “thing” for him as well as his co-founders. However, fashion and creating a brand was never a dream for him. But after reconnecting with Gamble and Sears, the idea was undeniable.

And he’s happy they decided to go into business together because there isn’t anyone else, he would rather walk this journey with, Blanks said.

In addition to running the brand, Blanks also works as a business analyst for a company he doesn’t wish to disclose. He said he’s able to juggle both responsibilities because in addition to being a part of a helpful team, he works from home which provides him space and time to handle Broken Dreams responsibilities throughout the day.

They talk almost every day, so it’s a collaborative effort on all aspects. Once they come up with a concept or idea for a collection, Gamble is usually the team member that designs the mockup and they all review it for any changes or next steps. After the guys discuss fabrics, cuts, color ways, samples, marketing ideas, and more to complete the final product.

When it comes to the brand Blanks just wants to be remembered as the co-founder of the biggest brand out of Birmingham and one of the biggest brands in the world. Personally, he wants to be remembered as a great father to his two children, 3-year-old twins, a boy and a girl.

He added that he wants to be remembered as someone who “took care of his business, handled all of his responsibilities, and left a legacy…for my kids.”

Where does he see Broken Dreams in five years? “I see the brand being one of the biggest in the world,” Blanks said. “I don’t put a limit on our potential. I believe we will continue to grow and be mentioned with the biggest brands in the world.”

What sets the brand apart? Being authentic said Blanks.

“The fashion world is very trendy but I feel that we do a good job sticking to our vision and not just dropping what may be trending at the moment,” Blanks explained.

Carlton Gamble said he has “always had an it factor, his own sense of style that made him stand out. (Ameera Steward Photos, For The Birmingham Times)

Carlton Gamble

Gamble, also known as Tae, is from West End and attended Parker High School where he graduated in 2009.

He then attended Lawson State Community College for two years before transferring to UAB where he received his bachelor’s degree in management information systems in 2014.

Like Blanks, Gamble works as a business analyst in addition to working with the brand. He too works from home which makes it easier to take care of Broken Dreams responsibilities.

“If I had to go into the office, if any of us had to go into the office, it’d be tough for all of us,” Gamble said. “Working from home is the key for sure.”

Additionally, like Blanks, his love for fashion and style has always been there. Gamble said he has “always had an ‘it’ factor, his own sense of style that made him stand out.

Although he has a love for fashion, his favorite part of doing his work with Broken Dreams is the fact that he and his teammates respect each other’s opinions.

“Sometimes we agree to disagree,” he added. “It might be a collection where two of us are rocking with it, [and] one of us is kind of [on the opposite side] but we’ll all come together…and it always works out.”

In regard to how he is remembered, he wants people to view him as an authentic and genuine person. Someone who is “about business, but at the same time, a cool guy…just fun to be around and just a good person to do business with.”

Where does he see Broken Dreams in five years? Gamble believes the brand will reach new heights. “I can see us in some of the biggest fashion shows and blogs,” he said. “I also think the brand will have expanded into other entities such as real estate, lounges, sneakers, jewelry and possibly a store front, just to name a few. We want to be a household name not only in Birmingham, but worldwide.”

What sets the brand apart? “We’re not a super trendy brand, and we believe in putting energy into products and styles that we would wear,” he said. “We’re not here for fast fashion or just a quick dollar. Outside of the clothing aspect, we’re genuine people and always try to give good energy to those around us.”

Anthony “TK” Sears says his love for fashion and sense of style stems from his father. (Ameera Steward Photos, For The Birmingham Times)

Anthony Sears

Sears, also known as TK, is from the Westside of Birmingham and attended Minor High School where he met Blanks. He graduated in 2009.

He attended Bevill State Community College where he graduated with his associate’s degree in psychology in 2011. He then transferred to UAB where he received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2015.

Sears works in Anti Money Laundering (AML) Sanctions, which allows him to work from home like his team members.

Unlike the others, his love for fashion and sense of style stems from who his father (Anthony Sears) was and is.

“He’s super flashy – rings, silk shirts, music he put me onto,” said Sears. His dad introduced him to cultural aspects that affect his style today. As he grew older he just wanted to “look cool” by having the latest shoes and trends causing him to go through “a lot of different styles.”

His favorite part of being a part of the team is the brotherhood and the fact that they would give their last to him, just as he would give his last. And that is what Sears wants to be remembered for.

“I want to be known as a person that was willing to give whenever he has and to be supportive in whatever people do,” he said. “I like to support people in whatever they’re doing…and if I can help in any kind of way, let me know.”

And getting that same support from the Birmingham community shows Sears that Broken Dreams is enough to do whatever they put their minds to.

Overall, the Broken Dreams team said they just want to set the tone for the culture, and who people that they can turn their dreams into a reality.

Where does he see Broken Dreams in 5 years? I predict that the brand will be bigger,” said Sears. “There is a lot of upside for expansion — new products, new business ventures, more innovative ideas. “

What sets the brand apart? They stay authentic with their vision and they’re not falling into trends and fashion. “And [we] try to provide the very best quality,” Sears said.

To learn more about the Broken Dreams clothing line, visit https://shopbrokendreams.com; you can also follow the brand on Instagram (@brokendreamsclothing), Twitter (@BrkDreamsClothg), and TikTok (@brokendreamsclothing).

Updated at 6:45 a.m. on 7/26/2024 to make edits 

 

Area Nonprofit Works to Protect Birmingham Children from Violence

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Birmingham Times
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Eric Jones, co-founder and executive director of Kings Kids Outreach, started the nonprofit with just one child. (Eric Jones, Provided)

By Alaina Bookman | abookman@al.com

This is another installment in Birmingham Times/AL.com/CBS42 joint series “Beyond the Violence: what can be done to address Birmingham’s rising homicide rate.” Sign up for the newsletter here.

Kings Kids Outreach, a nonprofit created to help Jefferson County and Birmingham youth, started with just two people.

In 2012, Eric Jones, who often volunteered with youth throughout the city, got a call from a Bush Hills Academy counselor saying a student needed help.

Jones had lunch with the student and talked about school, family and goals. With just a weekly chat, Jones said the student made strides academically and personally.

Eric and Terria Jones then created Kings Kids Outreach to provide area youth with mentorship, tutoring, school supplies, counseling and summer programs. The nonprofit helps improve academic outcomes, reduce absenteeism and protect children from violence. The Joneses say change can come from something as simple as offering a child a listening ear and a space to be themselves.

“A lot of kids feel like they are not being heard. If we sit back and listen to what a child is saying, they will tell you what’s going on with them…Sometimes kids just need a voice and someone to talk to,” Jones said.

Advocates say simply giving children an outlet can help to decrease violence among youth.

These services are more important than ever to protect youth from the growing violence throughout the city.

Birmingham homicides have increased compared to this time last year. The youngest was 13-year-old Aston Starkey, who died of malnutrition and neglect.

The other six children, Markell Sanders, 15; Jonathan O’Dell Thomas Jr., 18; Jaylin Lee Jenkins, 16; Jaquavius James Weston, 18; Cornelia Rose Lathan, 15; and Prentice Lovell Little, 15, were killed by guns.

Earlier this month, a 5-year-old child was killed in a triple homicide.

“We take these kids and we watch over them, let them know they are special, they have an outlet. Kids feel like they’re not heard. And so when you can give them as much individualized attention as possible from people who really care, it is so important,” Terria Jones said.

What is Kings Kids Outreach

Kings Kids Outreach provides more than 2,000 children with services and resources they need to not only to thrive in school but also to grow into happy and healthy adults.

“My wife and I just wanted to bring resources to the kids and their families,” Jones said.

The nonprofit’s service area includes Midfield Elementary, Erwin Middle School, Fultondale High School, Rutledge Middle School and the Cooper Green Housing Community.

Jones said students’ math and reading proficiency is improving and absenteeism is decreasing.

From the 2021-22 to 2022-23 academic year, chronic absenteeism decreased from 26.2% to 12.7% among participating students, according to Jones. At one point in the school year, the city estimated that 25% of students were chronically absent.

“The reason why you have so many kids that might be getting in trouble or not showing up to class is because they’re not motivated to want to do better because they’ve never been exposed to anything else besides what their neighborhood has to offer. We expose kids to different opportunities that they otherwise might not get a chance to get exposed to,” Jones said.

Throughout the year, the Joneses host events for the students, such as the Kicks, Bow Ties and Pearls event, where students participate in a conference to learn about career options from industry professionals.

The Joneses invite business owners, college recruiters and trade specialists to talk to the students about the importance of setting goals. They also take the students on college tours.

For the parents, the Joneses invite therapists to talk about the signs of depression, anxiety and low self esteem among children.

“We do personal development classes where we talk about character, self awareness, self pride, personal development…We come in and we just give the kids another perspective on life,” Jones said.

The Joneses said that to reach more students, they will need more volunteers that are willing to work with children during the school day.

Terria Jones leads a summer program at Midfield Elementary School and Rutledge Middle School.

The students hug and high five Jones as they bounce into the room. They find their seats and listen attentively as Jones leads a lesson on the importance of rest and self care.

Jones takes the time to listen to every child every time they have something to say.

“What we have realized is that a lot of our kids bring a lot of home life with them to school and it affects them tremendously. A lot of them are not absent because they want to be. A lot of the time it is out of their control. Our job is to create an atmosphere while they’re here that promotes ways they can change what is in their control,” Terria Jones said.

The students end every session with a pledge. They stand tall, and shout as loud as they can: I can be great. I will be great. I must be great. I am great.

“One of the principals from Erwin would tell us that when we do our sessions with them, he can hear them talk in the hallway, talking about their goals, what they want to do when they grow up…we add value to their lives,” Jones said.

“They are coming to school more, they are learning more, their grades are definitely going up, their attitudes are better. Teachers expect more from them.”

Alaina Bookman’s role at AL.com and the Beyond the Violence collaborative is supported by Report for America and individual contributions. Support her work today.

Delicia Mason is the Epitome of Passion as a Lifelong Nurse at Children’s of Alabama

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Birmingham Times
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While attending Auburn University in Montgomery (AUM), Delicia Mason did her clinicals at Children’s of Alabama and knew that the facility was the only place she wanted to work. (File)

By Nicole S. Daniel | The Birmingham Times

(This profile appeared originally in the Nov. 2, 2022 edition of the Birmingham Times and has been updated)

While attending Auburn University in Montgomery (AUM), Delicia Mason did her clinicals at Children’s of Alabama and knew that the facility was the only place she wanted to work.

“I didn’t want to be at any hospital other than Children’s. That’s just where my passion is—with pediatrics,” she said.

Not only did she get a chance to work at the hospital but is now vice president of nursing operations at Children’s of Alabama.

As VP of nursing operations, Mason is responsible for the oversight of daily inpatient nursing operations inclusive of critical care, acute care, emergency, and dialysis departments.

She previously served as Chief Nursing Officer.

Being CNO “pulled in all responsibility for nurses at Children’s of Alabama,” she said. “We’re rebuilding our employee pool, our nursing pool, and even outside of nursing as an organization. … [We’re] in this period of intentional focus on staff, not just with self-care for our leaders but what do we do as an organization to really support them.”

Her career at Children’s for the past 26 years was the perfect fit because of her work in pediatrics and caring for children.

“It’s just different. It’s fun. It’s the innocence of what [children] bring every day, how they can reenergize you, how they can build you up even when they may not be feeling the best. That is very unique to pediatrics. … [Children’s] is always centered on kids, and it’s just a fun place to work.”

It’s not uncommon to see superheroes walking down the hallway, Mason said, and they sometimes are a source of strength for the kids.

“There are occasions when we have superhero characters dressed and available in areas to visit with patients and their families. … Those are the things we miss over time as we grow into adults. … You lose that kind of innocence and that general sense of what it feels like to be a child.”

Focus

Mason was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, alongside one older sibling and two younger siblings. She attended George Washington Carver High School, where she was part of the marching band.

“I played the clarinet,” said Mason, adding that she chose the instrument because “the keys fascinated me and seemed challenging to maneuver. I thought it would be fun to give it a try. In addition, one of my aunts played the clarinet, and I would sit and listen to her rehearse when spending time at my grandparents’ house during the summer months.”

After graduating from high school in 1991, Mason attended Alabama Agriculture and Mechanical University (AAMU) in Huntsville, Alabama, for one year.

“I had a lot of fun during my freshman year at [AAMU]. My parents thought I was having a little too much fun,” she said.

While at AAMU, Mason played in the clarinet section for the Marching Maroon and White Band. She acknowledges that her focus was not where it needed to be, so she returned home and transferred to AUM, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She practiced at Montgomery Regional Hospital (now LewisGale Hospital Montgomery) and Baptist Medical Center South before moving to Birmingham.

Asked what inspired her to become a nurse, Mason replied, “My dad, [Jessie Posey], because my original plan included becoming a pediatrician. After my first year at [AAMU], he really talked about nursing and said he thought it would be great for me, so I gave it a shot.

When it comes to her career path, Mason credits her dad, who retired from Alagasco (now Spire), “who was there to support me throughout the time,” she said.

“He reinforced the importance of hard work and the importance of being an independent adult. [My siblings and I] would consistently hear this message growing up,” Mason added. “He helped me believe I could achieve anything and that anything is possible. His support is never-ending. And although there were times I thought he was a little tough on us, I appreciate every life lesson he took the time to share with my siblings and me.”

Move to The Magic City

Mason moved to Birmingham in 1998 when her husband’s job relocated. “I stayed [in Montgomery for most] of my life until I moved and [joined] Children’s of Alabama. … During that time, [COA] had a hiring freeze, so it took me about three months to get an interview for a job,” she said, adding that she started at Children’s in 1998, when she accepted a job in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), where she worked for about 16 years.

“I started out as a bedside nurse, moved into subbing in and handling some charge nurse responsibilities, and then transitioned into being a nursing unit educator responsible for onboarding new nurses and overseeing the orientation period to ensure quality learning about the PICU.”

Mason held that position for several years before earning a master’s degree in Nursing Health Systems Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2014.

“Then I moved on to focus more on nursing quality work, [looking] at how we can provide optimal patient outcomes,” she said. “[I did that] for about a year, then I decided to take the leap into administration”

Mason took a nursing division director position, which involved being accountable for all of the inpatient acute-care floors and acute-care units, as well as the emergency department and dialysis facility. In June 2021, she was promoted to the role of vice president of nursing operations, which incorporated all of the inpatient areas; all of the hospital’s division directors report to her.

Stepping Up

Asked what prompted her decision to transition into administration after working with children for so long, Mason said, “It wasn’t really until I completed my master’s studies, which really made me start thinking seriously about administration. It just opened my world.”

“[The UAB Master’s in Nursing Health Systems Administration] program really enlightened me to the different side of nursing in reference to the decision making, the strategy piece of it, and how to transfer that over to complement and help build and support frontline teams.”

After completing that program, Mason was able to accomplish her goals with the help of mentors. “I think it’s very important to have a mentor, especially when you’re heading into uncharted territories you are not familiar with.”

Mason is married to Robert, and they have seven children: Terrence; LaDarius; Marquise; Jackie; Sydney; Kelia; and Paris.

Nursing shortages have always been a concern in the medical community, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. That has not gotten in the way of care at Children’s, though, Mason said.

“We experienced consistent state of shortages for nurses even before [the pandemic], but COVID-19 magnified the need for nurses, and [Children’s of Alabama] has not been exempt from that. We are in a transforming era of nursing. Mindfulness of the profession is changing, but the passion for why we do what we do as nurses has not deviated. We have professionals who work tirelessly to serve the needs of our patients.”

The 50-30-20 Rule Can Help You on Your Journey to Financial Success

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Birmingham Times
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Having a plan for your money is crucial to building a solid financial foundation. If you’re just getting started on your financial journey, the 50-30-20 rule can help you spend and save your money wisely. (Adobe Stock)

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Having a plan for your money is important for your financial future. The 50-30-20 rule can help you manage your money wisely. This rule suggests dividing your income into three categories: needs, wants, and savings. Fifty percent should go towards needs like food and housing, thirty percent towards wants like entertainment and dining out, and twenty percent towards savings for the future. It’s okay to adjust these percentages based on your lifestyle and goals. If you find yourself spending too much in one category, try to cut back in another. Following this rule can help you make smart financial decisions and work towards your long-term goals.

Having a plan for your money is crucial to building a solid financial foundation. If you’re just getting started on your financial journey, the 50-30-20 rule can help you spend and save your money wisely.

By distributing your dollars into three main categories or buckets: needs, wants and savings, the idea is to limit fixed expenses (or needs) to 50% of your after-tax income and discretionary expenses (or wants) to 30%, leaving 20% for savings.

The 50-30-20 rule isn’t a requirement but can be a great starting point for helping you manage your finances, plan your spending, and progress toward your financial goals.

50: What are your needs?

In this bucket, half of your funds go toward paying expenses you can’t avoid. We all need food, housing and healthcare, and other needs could include transportation, clothing and utilities. Regular debt payments, like monthly credit card minimums and loan payments, would also be considered a need because you have a deadline to pay them each month.

What makes something a “need” versus a “want” depends on your lifestyle. Transportation is typically considered a need, but the type of transportation you select might vary depending on where you live. Having a vehicle may be a legitimate need to get to work and earn money to pay bills, but consider whether you need a luxury car, or if something less expensive would work.

We also need food and clothing, but funds spent on these two categories can flow into the “wants” bucket depending on your choices, such as dining out versus cooking at home or wearing designer gear versus department store basics.

30: What do you want? 

Everyone should be able to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, and maybe a few extravagant ones as well. Put aside 30% of your funds for these “wants,” which can include entertainment, cable/streaming services, dining out, fitness memberships, travel, hobbies, personal care beyond the basics and a cell phone beyond the basic plan.

Overspending can be common in this category since it’s fun to spend money on things we enjoy. Take time to prioritize your most important wants and desires and cut back if your spending goes over 30%.

20: Save for the future 

This category is all about what you want to do with the money in the future. Do you want to travel the world? Retire early? Help your children pay for college? Once your essential needs and more immediate wants are handled, you can put the rest of your funds — 20% — toward achieving your long-term goals.

If you want to pay off debt more quickly, beyond making your ongoing required payments, you can use money from this bucket to help speed up your plan as well.

Refilling your buckets

Once you’ve given this rule a try for a few months, you might notice your spending and savings habits fall well outside of the 50-30-20 guideline. That’s when it’s time to make some tradeoffs.

Be honest about whether the items you’re putting in the needs category are vital to your life or if you could classify some or all those expenses as a want. It’s OK to spend more on housing if having a more expensive place is important to you; it just means you spend less on a car to balance things out.

If your wants are way beyond 30%, consider scaling back and contributing more to saving for long-term goals. In the same vein, if you don’t have 20% leftover after spending on needs and wants, consider making some adjustments in your other buckets so you have enough for savings.

Tying it all together

The 50-30-20 rule can help you allocate your money to needs, wants and savings and offer insights into where you may need to cut back. Use it to help you on your journey to financial success.

For more saving tips, visit chase.com/personal/financial-goals.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.

“The work is critical now more than ever to revisit our history and to draw from both the strength and the strategies as we fight for [the future].”

By
Birmingham Times
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DEJUANA THOMPSON ON STEPPING DOWN FROM BCRI TO FOCUS ON VOTING RIGHTS; BIRMINGHAMTIMES.COM, JULY 19.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

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Birmingham Times
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Birmingham Botanical Gardens (File)

BY GWEN DERU | The Birmingham Times

TODAY…

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

**ALABAMA BLAZIN BINGO, 6 p.m. at Overtime Grill and Bar.

**FILM – 7 p.m. at the Sidewalk Film.

**3RD THURSDAY BLUES JAM, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**GLADYS IMPROV at Saturn.

**TRASHY ANNIE at The Nick.

**OPEN MIC THURSDAY with EUNICE ELLIOTT at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**REAL FUNNY BHM COMEDY OPEN MIC, 7:30 p.m. at True Story Brewing Company.

**THIRST TRAP THURSDAY, 5 p.m. at 2400 7th Avenue South.

**KIKSTART at Water Mark in Bessemer with Free Food Boxes, 9 a.m.

**COMPUTER CLASSES AT THE FIVE POINTS WEST LIBRARY every Tuesday and Thursday.

**EACH AND EVERY THURSDAY HAPPY HOUR, 5-8 p.m. at D’ZIRE with SPECIALS.

**THIRSTY THURSDAYS at D’ZIRE Bar and Lounge.

**KARAOKE, 5-9 p.m. at Courtyard Alabaster Bar and Grill.

**THIRD THURSDAY BLUES JAM, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**TASTEMAKER THURSDAY – Every Thursday at Blaze Ultra Lounge, 228 Roebuck Plaza Drive, 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. with DJ Ace Twon (95.7 JAMZ) in the mix hosted by Audio Life and GMC Promo.

**THIRSTY THURSDAY at Hookah 114 17th Street No.

**TEQUILA THURSDAY at the Vibe Bar & Lounge.

**THROW BACK THURSDAY at Tha Vibe Bar & Lounge, 3801 Richard Arrington, Jr., Blvd.

**FILMMAKER HAPPY HOUR- Every 3rd Thursday, at Sidewalk Film Fest. Meet with other filmmakers and discuss your newest projects.

**EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT KARAOKE, 6:30 at Ruth’s Place hosted by LADY WOO and with DJ SHAY.

FRIDAY…

**HYDRATE THE CITY with Birmingham Water Works, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at
Rickwood Caverns State Park. Learn how to infuse your own water and enjoy fresh fruit-infused water.

**EVERY FRIDAY – STORYTIME AT THE GARDENS, Every Friday, 10 – 11 a.m. FREE at BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS.

**FRIDAY NIGHT WRITES, 8 – 11 p.m. at 7611 1st Avenue North.

**JACK THE ELBOW, THE HIGH FIDELICS, MORBID ORCHID and TIME BEING at The Nick.

**EVAN HONER – NOWHERE FAST TOUR with LEON MAJCEN at Saturn.

**EVERY FRIDAY – STORYTIME AT THE GARDENS, Every Friday, 10 – 11 a.m. FREE at BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS.

**FRIDAY NIGHT WRITES, 8 – 11 p.m. at 7611 1st Avenue North.

**DRAG NIGHT at The Nick.

**EVAN HONER – NOWHERE FAST TOUR at Saturn.

**EVERY FRIDAY – STORYTIME AT THE GARDENS, Every Friday, 10 – 11 a.m. FREE at BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS.

**FRIDAY NIGHT WRITES, 8 – 11 p.m. at 7611 1st Avenue North.

**EVERY FRIDAY, R&B at The Chandelier, 212 Cahaba Valley Road in Pelham with DJ MANISH mixing live. FREE Entry.

**EACH AND EVERY FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR, 5-8 p.m. at D’ZIRE with SPECIALS.

**LIT FRIDAYS WITH RIPCORD, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. at 4501 Gary Avenue in Fairfield.

**AFRO CARIBBEAN NIGHTS (Every Friday Night) at Ash’s on 2nd, 7 p.m. until with Reggae, Afro Beats, Dancehall and Top 40 Hits.

**FIREBALL FRIDAY at Tha Vibe Bar & Lounge.

**FRIDAY NIGHT RAP, Every 1st and 3rd Friday at Crescent Cultural Center, 1121 Tuscaloosa Avenue, SW.

SATURDAY…

**BESSEMER FARMERS MARKET, 9 a.m., at 100 14th Street Highway 150.

**EVERY SATURDAY at BIRDSONG FARMERS MARKET, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 2824 5th Avenue South, at Automatic Seafood.

**WINE DOWN HAPPY HOUR, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Saferoom Lounge Bar.

**EACH AND EVERY SATURDAY HAPPY HOUR, 5-8 p.m. at D’ZIRE with SPECIALS.

**EVERY SATURDAY SOLD OUT – THE SATURDAYS JUMP OFF, 10 p.m. at Onyx of Bham, 615 8th Avenue West.

**THE MAXINES, WITCHSTATIC and ORDINARY JOYS at The Nick.

**RUN IT BACK SATURDAYS at Platinum of Birmingham.

**HOT IN HERE: 2000s DANCE PARTY at Saturn.

SUNDAY…   

**WORSHIP AT THE SIXTH, 9:30 a.m. at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church.

**EVERY SUNDAY – SOUL FOOD SUNDAYS, 1-5 p.m. (Every Sunday) at 1918 Catering, 197 Vulcan Road.

**SUNDAY FUN DAY at DZIRE BAR AND LOUNGE, 4120 3rd Avenue South. Call 205-266-2594 for more.

**SUNDAY FUNDAY for the grown Folks Kickback at Tha Vibe Bar & Lounge.

**EVERY 3rd SUNDAY JAZZ JAM SESSION, 4-8 p.m. at the Ferus on 41st.

**CITY WIDE PRAYER MEETING, Every 4th Sunday, 4 p.m. for one hour at Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College. The Lord’s Supper will be served and hosted by the Knights of Pythias & Court of Calanthe.

**EVERY 4th SUNDAY FREE SHOW with TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick.

**IMMORTAL SYNN & SHADOWS OF THE WIND at The Nick.

MONDAY…

**BIRMINGHAM BAND STAND at The Nick.

**RNB MONDAYS, 10 p.m. at Onyx of Bham, 615 Eighth Avenue West.

**THE MOTH BIRMINGHAM STORY SLAM: TEMPTATION,7:30 p.m. at Saturn.

TUESDAY…

**KIKSTART at Water Mark in Bessemer, 9 a.m. with Free Food Boxes…until gone.

**COMPUTER CLASSES AT THE FIVE POINTS WEST LIBRARY every Tuesday and
Thursday.

**DIAPER GIVEAWAY every Tuesday, 10 a.m. at the Titusville Library.

**EVERY TUESDAY SPECIAL TUESDAYS with Food, Drinks Specials at 1918 Catering, 197 Vulcan Road.

**EVERY TUESDAY – TUESDAY NIGHT TRAILS 5:45 p.m. at Red Mountain Park.

**EVERY TUESDAY is SOUL CAFÉ Happy Hour introducing the Soul Café Happy Hour, 5:30-9:30 p.m. with Soul Goodies, Soul Spirits and Soul Music including $5 Titos and Redmont, at The Vault.

**JOSE CARR’S JAZZ JAM, 7:30 p.m. at True Story Brewing Co. 5510 Crestwood Blvd.

**CARIBBEAN NIGHTS with Reggae, Caribbean and Island Vibes, 9 p.m. – until… with DJ Serious Mixing and hosted by KJ and MANNY at The Vault, downtown.

**TASTY TUESDAYS at Platinum of Birmingham.

**BIRMINGHAM SONGWRITER’S ROUND with Host SUSANNAH SEALES at the Nick.

**FRANKENHOOKER, 7:30 p.m. at Saturn.

WEDNESDAY…

**INTERFAITH NOONDAY PRAYER SERVICES, every Wednesday, at Linn Park, in Downtown Birmingham.

**WORKOUT WEDNESDAY at Five Points West Library at 10:30 a.m. for chair yoga and other chair exercises.

**WEDNESDAY NIGHT POOL TOURNAMENT AND KARAOKE NIGHT, 5 p.m. at
Carter’s Hookah Lounge and Grill, hosted by Jo Sweetz with the Pool Tournament, at 7 p.m. and Karaoke at 8 p.m.

**EVERY WEDNESDAY, YOU, ME & RNB, 6 p.m. at 2206 Bar & Lounge, 2206 31st Street, with DJ You, Me & Playlist.

**D’ZIRE WEDNESDAYS, EACH AND EVERY WEDNESDAY with Free Mimosas, 8- 10 p.m. with DJ GORGEOUS in the Mix at 4120 Third Avenue South.

**REAL FUNNY BHM COMEDY OPEN MIC, 7:30 p.m. at True Story Brewing Company, 5510 Crestwood Blvd. Food until 9 p.m., Music until 10 p.m. and Drink until 11 p.m.

**EVERY 4th WEDNESDAY at FACE’S LOUNGE KARAOKE hosted by ARETTA, 6:30 p.m. at 7070 Aaron Aronov Dr. in Fairfield.

**GOOD LOOKS with HAYSOP at Saturn.

**SAM MORROW at The Nick.

NEXT THURSDAY…

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

**ALABAMA BLAZIN BINGO, 6 p.m. at Overtime Grill and Bar.

**FILM – 7 p.m. at the Sidewalk Film.

**3RD THURSDAY BLUES JAM, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**SACRAMENTUM with VIMUR and ECTOVOID at Saturn.

**BREED at The Nick.

NEXT FRIDAY…

**EVERY FRIDAY – STORYTIME AT THE GARDENS, Every Friday, 10 – 11 a.m. FREE at BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS.

**FRIDAY NIGHT WRITES, 8 – 11 p.m. at 7611 1st Avenue North.

**WILD NOTHING with PEEL DREAM MAGAZINE at Saturn.

NEWS TO USE…

**MAGIC CITY CLASSIC IS IN THE AIR! Interested in being in the MAGIC CITY CLASSIC PARADE? REGISTER BY: SEPTEMBER 1st to secure Early Bird Pricing.

AT SIDEWALK FILM FEST…

**FILM -MAXXXINE – TODAY, starring Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki and Moses Sumney.

**FILM -LONGLEGS, TODAY through SUNDAY, starring Maika Monroe, Nicholas Cage and Blair Underwood.

**FILM – LA CHIMERA, starring Josh O’Connor, Carol Duarte and Alba Rohrwacher.

**FILM – PURPLE RAIN (40th ANNIVERSARY), FRIDAY through SUNDAY, starring Prince, Apollonia Kotero and Morris Day.

**SUMMER SCRAMBLE KICKOFF, FRIDAY, 7 p.m.

**PURPLE BALL (FREE), SATURDAY, 6:30 p.m.

**26TH ANNUAL SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL, OPENING NIGHT FILM is ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’, August 23, 7 p.m. at the Alabama Theatre. CLOSING NIGHT FILM is ‘Missing From Fire Trail Road’, August 25, 6 p.m. at the Alabama Theatre.

AT THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS…

**TODAY – WHAT ABOUT NATIVE BEES? With DANA HAZEN. Learn about the vital role that bees play.

**AUGUST 1 – SUMMER LAWN CARE & TURF ALTERNATIVES with JACOB TURNER. Learn how to care for your lawn and explore turf alternatives.

**AUGUST 6 – BENEFICIAL INSECTS VS GARDEN PESTS with BETHANY O’REAR. Learn effective pest managements’ strategies.

**SEPTEMBER 6-7 – FALL PLANT SALE with hundreds of plants.

AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART…

**NEXT FRIDAY – ART ON THE ROCKS RETURNS with Art, music and good food, 7-11 p.m. The Birmingham Museum of Art is celebrating the return of Art on the Rocks with an evening of performances with headliner RIC WILSON, a Chicago based artist of hip-hop, funk and soul music. There will be DJs artist demos, pop-up performances, specialty cocktails and so much more. RIC WILSON will bring his party-ready hip-hop with an intelligent twist. His funk/disco-infused take on rap stimulates the mind and body with robust percussion, vocal arrangements and instrumentation.

AROUND TOWN…
**TASTY TUESDAYS – ALUMNI S2N JULY LINEUP at Platinum of Birmingham on
TODAY – Jess Lanier and TUESDAY – McAdory.

HAPPENINGS AT SIXTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH…
**WORSHIP SERVICE every Sunday.
**EVERY MONDAY MORNING MEDITATION WITH PASTOR CANTELOW, 7:15 a.m. Contact the church at (205) 321-1136 or (205) 321-1137.
**CHILDREN’S CHURCH & COLLISION CHURCH, each First Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for K-5th (Children’s Church), 6-12th (Collision).

AT GIFTED CITY CHURCH… EVERY SUNDAY!
**GIFTED CITY CHURCH, Sunday Worship is 10 a.m. at 228 Second Avenue North in the Downtown, City Center. Join the one-hour service with children’s service and complimentary coffee and tea. For more: info@thegiftpad.org.

AT ALYS STEPHENS CENTER… THIS FALL SEASON…

**SEPTEMBER 21 – CAT POWER SINGS DYLAN

**OCTOBER 6 – DRU HILL

**OCTOBER 17 – SAMARA JOY

**OCTOBER 20 – ENCATO

COMING SOON…

**SEPTEMBER 13 – ZOO GALA SAFARI SOIREE – A black-tie event that is a Safari Soiree for an unforgettable evening filled with elegance, entertainment, exceptional cuisine and majestic animals. SAVE THE DATE!

**SEPTEMBER 28 – MAXWELL: THE SERENADE TOUR at the Legacy Arena.

**OCTOBER 5 – THE REUNION TOUR 2024 with KIRK FRANKLIN, YOLANDA ADAMS, FRED HAMMOND, MARVIN SAPP & THE CLARK SISTERS with special guest KIERRA SHEARD-KELLY at the Legacy Arena.

**OCTOBER 13 – 85 SOUTH: BIG BUSINESS COMEDY TOUR at the Legacy Arena.

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

 

Getting the Correct Type of Pool Cover Can Help Save Lives

By
Birmingham Times
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0

As we continue our series on water safety in pools and/or lakes, we want to address water level protection in pools this week. This topic is worthy of our attention as were the others. So, let’s dive right in.

Pool and spa safety covers are always a good choice, but it is recommended you choose ones that meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International voluntary standard FI 346-91. This is a standard for pool safety covers which was developed to reduce the risk of drowning of children under five years of age. It is also important that covers are used and maintained properly, such as promptly removing any rainwater that has collected and not allowing children to play on it regardless of the weight allowance.

Power-operated pool covers are the most convenient. They allow for one-handed operation as frequently as needed – daily or seasonal use. Also, depending on our location and lifestyle, semi-automatic and manual covers can work very well.

Pool and spa safety covers are always a good choice, but it is recommended you choose ones that meet the American Society for Testing and Materials International voluntary standard FI 346-91. (Adobe Stock)

The lightweight manual or semi-automatic covers are designed for daily use but remember they must be replaced after the swimming session and require diligent commitment by the pool owners.

Pool safety nets are another option. “Net” type pool covers work well for long-term cover, still allowing the pool to be serviced without complete removal of the net. Nets are easiest to remove and replace when more than one adult can help. These must also be replaced after every swimming session and require diligent commitment from the pool owners.

As a pool owner, one needs to consider winter safety covers. They are designed purely for the off-season. These covers are made of mesh or vinyl and require tools and some adult strength for installation. It’s important to choose a customized cover that fits the contours of your pool. Remember to check routinely for wear and tear. Also keep in mind that vinyl covers require constant pumping to prevent the pooling of rain or snow melting on top of the cover.

Lastly, another option is solar pool covers. It is essential, as a pool owner, you be aware that while solar or floating pool covers are good for retaining heat and minimizing evaporation, they are not safety devices. In fact, they are a serious entrapment hazard! If solar covers are used, they should be removed completely before swimming or using the spa.

As a pool owner it is essential that you Keep an Eye on Safety regarding all aspects of your pool. Remember, one can never be too safe.

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