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The Birmingham Times at 10: Looking Back on a Decade of Community Journalism

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Birmingham Times
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A decade ago, The Birmingham Times rebranded into a new-look BT and each week we look forward to sharing stories about your community. (Kathryn Sesser-Dorné Illustration)

Compiled By Barnett Wright and Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

The past decade of news coverage since the 2016 rebranding of the Birmingham Times saw several firsts in a range of fields from elections to the arts.

Voters elected the first African American Jefferson County sheriff and district attorney (both in 2018) as well as a record number Back female judges (2016).

In 2022, one of those female judges, Elisabeth French became the first woman selected to serve as Presiding Judge in Jefferson County’s 200-year history. She oversees the 10th Judicial Circuit, the largest in Alabama’s Judicial System.

That same year the U.S. Senate confirmed President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson that paved the way for Jackson to become the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in the nation.

In 2024, Democrats Yashiba “Red” Blanchard and Jameria Moore became the first Black female judges elected to Probate Court in Jefferson County, Alabama.

History was also made in 2022 when Ashley M. Jones began serving as the youngest and first African American poet laureate in the state of Alabama.

The decade also saw the passing in 2018 of the first African American woman to serve as judge on the Jefferson County (Alabama) Circuit Court and in 2019 the passing of the first Black to serve as president of the Jefferson County Commission who later became Birmingham mayor.

All those stories were covered by the Times. Here are some other notables over the past decade.

2016

Jan.: Foundation for Progress in Journalism purchases The Birmingham Times from Times founder Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr. FPJ was founded in 2013 to promote journalism among minority and economically disadvantaged students interested in journalism.

April: Prince, born Prince Rogers Nelson, dies at age 57 in his Paisley Park home in Chanhassen, Minn. Throughout the visionary musician’s decades-long career, he released hits like “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” “Controversy,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” and “I Would Die 4 U.” He also starred and performed in “Purple Rain,” a rock musical drama that won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score in 1984.

May: The inaugural issue of the reformatted, rebranded Birmingham Times hits the streets with Birmingham Mayor William Bell on the cover. Times Publisher Samuel P. Martin writes: “Make no mistake, this new format is just one piece of that promise, but it is an important piece because it provides us with a way to reach new readers and it invites many of our old readers back to rediscover The Birmingham Times.”

June: Famed boxer Muhammad Ali dies at age 74 of complications from Parkinson’s disease. Born Cassius Clay, Ali earned a gold medal during the 1960 Summer Olympics, was the only three-time heavyweight champion, and was named Sports Illustrated’s greatest athlete of the 20th century. Ali used his notoriety to speak out for Civil Rights and humanitarian causes.

Nov.: A record nine Black female judges are elected in Jefferson County. Javan Patton, Debra Bennett Winston, Shera Craig Grant, Nakita “Niki” Perryman Blocton, Brendette Brown Green, Tamara Harris Johnson, Elisabeth French, Agnes Chappell, and Annetta Verin are among 15 people of color who win throughout Jefferson County, including Lynneice Olive-Washington, who made history as the first African American and first woman to hold the position of Bessemer Cutoff district attorney.

2017

Jan.: President Barack Obama signs an executive order establishing the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument which includes the A.G. Gaston Motel, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park, the Fourth Avenue Historic District, and the downtown Masonic Temple building.

June: First phase of CrossPlex Village begins construction with $27 million. The city of Birmingham provides $6 million in infrastructure improvements, paving the way for the $21 million first phase of development for the commercial shopping center surrounding the CrossPlex sports venue.

Aug.: The A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club, founded by legendary Birmingham businessman Arthur George “A.G.” Gaston in 1967, celebrates 50 years.

Oct.: Randall Woodfin, who grew up in Birmingham, defeats incumbent William Bell for mayor. Woodfin, 36, and Bell, 68, finished first and second, respectively, in the August 22 municipal elections—which drew 12 hopeful candidates—to make the October runoff.

Nov.: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute turns 25. During the annual Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Awards Dinner the Institute honors former Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington Jr., the city’s first African American mayor who said the BCRI was a priority when he was first elected to office in 1979.

2018

Jan.: Wenonah High School Girls Basketball Coach, Emanuel Bell wins his 500th varsity high school coaching victory all the while battling Stage 4 lung cancer. Bell has been the coach of the Lady Dragons since 1996.

July: Helen Shores Lee, the first African American woman to serve as judge on the Jefferson County (Alabama) Circuit Court and daughter of prominent Civil Rights Attorney, Arthur Shores, dies. She was 77.

  • City Councilors Lashunda Scales, in District 1 and Sheila Tyson, in District 2 unseat George Bowman and Sandra Little Brown, respectively in primary elections. Neither Scales nor Tyson will face Republican opposition in November and each will take their seats following the general election.

Nov. Danny Carr, chief deputy Jefferson County District Attorney, who had served as DA on an interim basis, defeats Republican Mike Anderton to become the county’s first Black elected DA.

  • Mark Pettway, the Democrat challenger, stuns incumbent Republican Mike Hale to become the first Black sheriff in Jefferson County.

2019

Jan.: Larry Paul Langford, former Birmingham and Fairfield mayor and Jefferson County Commissioner dies. He was 72. As mayor of Fairfield, he established Visionland Amusement Park, now Alabama Splash Adventure. While serving on the Jefferson County Commission from 2002 to 2007, he was elected the first African American president and helped pass the penny tax, which has helped pay for more than 10 new schools. In 2009, Langford was convicted of 60 counts of bribery, money laundering and other charges. He was handed a 15-year term in a federal prison.

Feb.: Emanuel Bell, 64, the legendary Wenonah High School girls’ basketball coach, dies. He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in August 2016 and battled valiantly just like the teams he led to four straight 5A state titles.

July: The Board of Trustees of Miles College announces that retired Alabama Power Executive Bobbie Knight will serve as the college’s Interim President, the first female to hold the position.

Aug.: Students who have attended Birmingham City Schools are eligible for a free in-state tuition program through the Birmingham Promise Program, Mayor Randall Woodfin announces. “Starting in 2020, any Birmingham City School student that walks across the graduation stage will have the opportunity to attend any in-state two- or four-year school tuition free.

Oct.: Henry “Gip” Gipson, the musician and owner of a popular juke joint in Bessemer, Alabama, passes away at the age of 99. Gip’s Place, his legendary juke joint, stands a monument to Southern blues.

2020

Jan.: Felicia Rucker-Sumerlin becomes the first female Deputy Chief in the 200-year history of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Rucker-Sumerlin, who joined the Office in 1990, had been a captain since 2016.

Feb.: Elisabeth French becomes the first woman selected to serve as Presiding Judge in Jefferson County’s 200-year history. She will oversee the 10th Judicial Circuit, the largest in Alabama’s Judicial System.

March: COVID pandemic sweeps Birmingham. The Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) recommends that any event with 500 people or more be canceled. More than a dozen Birmingham-area events are canceled or delayed.

  • BCS announces that it will close for students and employees effective immediately.
  • The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute closes to the public.  All 19 Birmingham Public Library (BPL) locations close until further notice. UAB implements a limited business model to encourage social distancing and discourage the spread of COVID-19 while maintaining critical functions.
  • Jefferson County, Alabama’s most populous county, and Birmingham, the state’s largest city place its respective government and city under declarations of emergency due to coronavirus. Jefferson County commissioners also announce the closure of the downtown Birmingham and Bessemer courthouses.
  • Cooper Green Mercy, currently managed by Jefferson County and medical providers for indigent patients, initiates precautionary measures.
  • G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club closes all clubhouse locations.
  • The Birmingham Water Works Board closes the lobby of its payment center and main administrative building, with normal hours resuming April 6.
  • Jefferson County Health Officer Mark Wilson, MD, announces that nursing homes in the county will no longer allow most visitors and senior centers will not be allowed to have gatherings. He also says restaurants, bars, and breweries will no longer be allowed to offer on-premises consumption of food or beverages.

June: Angela Davis, humanitarian, global Civil Rights activist and Birmingham native receives the Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Aug.: Pleasant Grove voters elect three Black city councilors after having never elected a person of color before to city government in the city’s 83-year history.

Nov.: Democrat Joe Biden defeats President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States. California Sen. Kamala Harris becomes Vice President, shattering another racial and gender barrier in American politics.

2021

Aug.: Randall Woodfin, elected four years ago as Birmingham’s youngest mayor in more than a century, cruises to a second term with 64.33 percent of the vote.

  • Ashley M. Jones, founder of the Magic City Poetry Festival, is named Poet Laureate for Alabama, making her the first Black Poet Laureate for the state and the youngest person to hold the position.
  • The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority’s Board of Directors names Charlotte Shaw as the agency’s next chief executive officer.
Protective Stadium, which will serve as host to The World Games 2022 opening and closing ceremonies, in addition to drone racing, holds its official lighting ceremony. (File)

Oct.: Protective Stadium a $200 million, 45,000-seat outdoor stadium opens in downtown Birmingham as UAB falls 36-12 to Liberty.

  • A pair of political newcomers unseated incumbents in Birmingham runoff elections. In District 4, J.T. Moore ousted incumbent Council president William Parker. In District 9, LaTonya Tate bested incumbent John Hilliard.

2022

Jan.: Selwyn Vickers, M.D., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, assumes the role of CEO of both the UAB Health System and the UAB/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance, while continuing as dean.

  • Birmingham CEO Mike Kemp is announced as the chairman of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), making him the first Black person to chair the group.

March: Autherine Lucy Foster, the first Black student to enroll at the University of Alabama, dies. She was 92. Foster in 1956 briefly attended classes at the then all-white university. She was expelled three days later after her presence brought protests and threats against her life. Foster, a graduate student studying education, had faced hostile crowds hurling racially charged threats and debris.

  • Birmingham honors the Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth, the city’s most prominent Civil Rights leader as Mayor Randall Woodfin, surrounded by city school students, local clergy and residents, issues a proclamation declaring March 18 Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth Day, the 100th anniversary of the leader’s birth.

April: The U.S. Senate confirms President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson in a historic vote that paves the way for Jackson to become the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in the nation. The chamber immediately erupts into cheers

May: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Board of Directors announces that DeJuana Thompson will serve as president and CEO of Birmingham Civil Rights Institute without the “interim” designation.

June: Dr. Adolphus Jackson of Birmingham is elected President of the Alabama Dental Association, the first African American to serve as president of the state Association.

  • S. The Supreme Court strips away women’s constitutional protections for abortion, a fundamental and deeply personal change for Americans’ lives after nearly a half-century under Roe v. Wade.
  • Mayor Woodfin, city leaders and other dignitaries, including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, cut the ribbon at the historic A.G. Gaston Motel on 5th Avenue North where substantial completion of a three-year restoration has been completed.

July: The Birmingham Stallions defeat the Philadelphia Stars 33-30 in Canton, Ohio to capture 2022 USFL Championship in the League’s inaugural year.

  • The World Games 2022 (TWG 2022) kicks off in Birmingham’s Protective Stadium, featuring more than 3,600 athletes who will participate in dozens of events including sumo wrestling, gymnastics, martial arts and tug of war.
  • Slutty Vegan, the popular plant-based Atlanta eatery known for some unforgettable names holds its grand opening in Woodlawn.
  • The Alabama Aerospace & Aviation High School’s, the first school of its kind in Alabama, (AAHS) inaugural year begins at its temporary location in Bessemer.

Nov.: Mark Pettway, who made history as the first Black sheriff elected in Jefferson County (AL) four years ago, is re-elected to another full four-year term.

  • Jesse J. Lewis Sr., Birmingham Times founder and visionary entrepreneur, is awarded 2022 Lifetime Achievement from the Vulcan Park Foundation.

2023 

March: Alabama State Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of obstruction of justice and one count of obstruction of justice by bribery, court records show.

July: Firefighter Jordan Melton, 29, gunned down while on duty in July at Fire Station #9. Melton and fellow firefighter Jamal Jones were shot in what police say was a targeted attack. Melton died five days later.

  • Nursing student, Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russel allegedly disappeared for 49 hours from her home in Hoover, Alabama, falsely reporting to police afterwards that she had been abducted. It was all a hoax and Russell was later found guilty of two misdemeanor charges related to the case.

Sept.: The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex board approves an operating agreement with Live Nation, a national entertainment partner, to put a 9,000-seat, $50 million amphitheater downtown.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, and wife, Kendra Woodfin. (Screengrab)

Oct.: Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin marries the former Kendra Morris in a private ceremony on an outdoor terrace at a house with a view of Vulcan and overlooking the city with close family in attendance.

Dec.: Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announces that writer and educator Salaam Green will become the city’s first poet laureate.

2024

May: Myrna Carter Jackson, a Birmingham civic leader and Foot Soldier who participated in marches, sit-ins, demonstrations and other Civil Rights activities, dies. She was 82.

  • Birmingham-Southern College closes after a nearly 170-year history as one of the city’s most respected institutions. There are approximately 700 students enrolled at BSC, a private liberal arts school in the Bush Hills community on the west side of Birmingham.

June: Major League Baseball legend and San Francisco Giants great Willie Mays dies just two days before he was set to be honored during the MLB at Rickwood game between his San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals in a game honoring Mays and the Negro Leagues. Mays, who began his career in Alabama with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues and played for the Giants from 1951-72, is widely considered baseball’s greatest living player.

  • A Tribute to the Negro Leagues a regular season game takes place at Historic Rickwood Field between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis. The game is scheduled around Juneteenth and is the first ever regular season MLB game in its 124-year history.

Aug.: Hezekiah Jackson IV, who served as president of the Metro Birmingham NAACP, Birmingham Citizens Advisory Board, and the Inglenook Neighborhood Association, dies. He was 65.

  • City Councilor Valerie Abbott, who has represented Birmingham’s District 3 since 2001, said she plans to step down after her current term ends in 2025. She has served six terms, with each term lasting four years, and worked with six mayors beginning with Bernard Kincaid in 2001 through Randall Woodfin, the current mayor.

Sept.: For the first time in nearly 50 years, Birmingham’s downtown Boutwell Auditorium will host a basketball game. The University of Alabama men’s basketball team tipped off against Wake Forest in the inaugural “Bama in Boutwell” charity exhibition.

  • Nearly 30 years after the Cahaba River Society (CRS) and private citizens sued Jefferson County for permit violations, including unpermitted discharge of wastewater containing raw sewage into rivers and streams, the sides reached an agreement to end a federal consent decree requiring rehabilitation of the county’s sewer system.

Oct.: An exhibit “Joe Minter Is Here,” which featured pieces such as The Peacemaker (1993) made of scrap metal and lawnmower blades and The Many Uses Of Chain (1995) made of scrap metal, plow blade and more than a dozen others opens in Birmingham’s Titusville community marking Minter’s first solo show in his hometown.

  • Melanie R. Bridgeforth, steps down as President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Alabama in 2025. Named chief executive in 2018, Bridgeforth grew the organization from the former Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham to a philanthropic powerhouse and statewide influencer advancing women’s economic power.
  • Jesse J. Lewis Sr., founder and publisher emeritus of the Birmingham Times, inducted into the University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences Hall of Fame.
  • After being in business for more than three decades, Etheridge Senior Car Wash at 1600 3rd Ave N, a staple of the historic downtown Fourth Avenue business closes. the car wash first opened in 1993 by their grandfather Willie T. Etheridge, the patriarch of several family-owned businesses.
  • Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin announces an advisory commission made up of business, community and criminal justice leaders including former Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper to identify ways to reduce homicides in the city.

Nov.: Democrats Yashiba “Red” Blanchard and Jameria Moore on Tuesday become the first Black female judges elected to Probate Court in Jefferson County, Alabama.

Dec: For the first time in the storied 125-year history of Arthur Harold Parker High School, the Thundering Herd football program is now known by a new title – state champions. Forty-four years after losing by two points in a championship at Legion Field, Parker downs perennial power Saraland to capture the Class 6A championship game at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium.

  • Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni Jr., renowned American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator dies. She was 81.

2025 

Jan.: Judge Carole Smitherman retires after 50 years of law and politics in Birmingham that included being the first Black woman hired as a deputy district attorney in Jefferson County and becoming the city’s first Black woman municipal and circuit court judge.

Aug.: Randall Woodfin routs eight challengers with a landslide victory for a third consecutive term as Birmingham mayor.

Oct.: Following runoff elections, three seated on the Birmingham City Council. In district 4, Brian Gunn, a political newcomer ousts incumbent J.T. Moore; in district 8, Sonja Smith tops April Myers Williams and in district 9 seat incumbent LaTonya Tate defeats former Councilmember John Hilliard in a rematch from 2021.

June:  Coca-Cola Amphitheater’s grand opening included homage to the city’s Northside community, which is comprised of several neighborhoods, including Norwood, Druid Hills, Evergreen, Fountain Heights, and Central City.

Aug.: Bishop Calvin Woods Sr., distinguished Birmingham Civil Rights leader and longtime pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Norwood, dies. He was 91.

Oct.: Cassandra Griffen, an activist and renowned documentary photographer whose many notable images included the Civil Rights Movement as well as Sun Ra Arkestra, dies. Mrs. Griffen was 75.

Nov.: Randall Lee Woodfin takes the oath for the third time as Birmingham mayor and the first time as a husband and father which heavily influences his inaugural address inside the historic downtown Boutwell Auditorium.

Dec.: Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. accepts the prestigious 202d L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award at the downtown Sheraton.

2026

Jan.: Claudette Colvin, who refused to move bus seats at start of the Civil Rights Movement, dies at 86. Homegoing celebration was held at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in SW Birmimgham.

Dr. Mark Sullivan, Birmingham City Schools Chief, Named Alabama’s Superintendent of the Year

By
Birmingham Times
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Under Dr. Mark Sullivan’s leadership, Birmingham City Schools has made a dent in chronic absenteeism. (File)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

Mark Sullivan, Ed.D, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, has been selected as the 2025–26 Alabama Education Association Outstanding Superintendent of the Year.

Sullivan, who has served as superintendent since 2020, received the award following a vote of his peers. The honor recognizes superintendents for professional achievement, innovation that supports schools, efforts to promote public education, and leadership that enhances the image of educators.

“I’m honored to be recognized by my peers and the Alabama Education Association,” Sullivan said. “But no single individual can take credit for the growing success of Birmingham City Schools. What’s happening here is the result of a school board that continues to set the right tone, a faculty and staff laser-focused on getting results, students and families doing their part, and a city and community that have invested in our schools like never before.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, long an advocate of city schools and Sullivan, said he “couldn’t be more proud.”

“[Dr. Sullivan’s] vision and passion for our students have had a transformative effect across Birmingham City Schools,” said the mayor. “His hard work, paired with commitment from teachers, parents, staff, school board, has elevated our approach to education. The City of Birmingham is honored to partner with Superintendent Sullivan, and we continue to cheer him on, just as he cheers on our students.”

Under Sullivan’s leadership, Birmingham City Schools has made several notable accomplishments, including:

  • Executing a comprehensive academic improvement plan focused on early literacy, instructional support, and data-driven decision-making to increase student achievement across Birmingham City Schools. This included working with community and professional partners to identify needs, and it has produced results, including Birmingham City Schools’ highest grade ever on the Alabama State Department of Education Report Card.
  • Restructuring the organization and developing a long-term strategic plan to strengthen the school system and improve academic outcomes.
  • Expanding college and career pathways, partnerships and postsecondary opportunities to better prepare students for success after high school. This included expanding Early College opportunities for all high school students and working strategically with area public colleges to increase access to professional credentials, job preparation and undergraduate degrees.
  • Advancing equity-centered policies and resource allocation to ensure all students have access to high-quality instruction, support services, and safe learning environments. This included a holistic approach addressing not only student academic needs, but also social and emotional support with the availability of additional counselors.

Sullivan has worked in Birmingham City Schools for 30 years, including four years as a teacher and 26 years in administrative roles at both the school and district levels. He has received numerous honors, including the Birmingham Metro NAACP Trailblazer Award and the Birmingham Educator of the Year Award in 2023.

“This is such a well-deserved honor for Dr. Sullivan,” said Sherman Collins, president of the Birmingham Board of Education. “His outstanding leadership has helped Birmingham City Schools make historic progress, and his work has made a tremendous difference in the lives of our students. I’m thrilled to congratulate Dr. Sullivan on behalf of the entire board.”

The honor for Sullivan comes less than a year after Jefferson County schools chief Walter Gonsoulin, Ed.D was named by the AASA, the School Superintendents Association as National Superintendent of the Year and U.S. News & World Report named Gonsoulin to its list of 2025 Best Leaders.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

By
Birmingham Times
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Rock and Rock Hall of Famer and LEGEND DARLENE LOVE performs at the UAB Alys Stephens Center, Valentine’s Day Night, 7:30 p.m. (Photo Credit: Mike Ruiz)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY!!!

TODAY, FEB. 5…

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

**JAZZ IN THE MAGIC CITY HAPPY HOUR featuring Alabama’s own Jose Carr and his band, 4:30-7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre. FREE. EVERY THURSDAY!

**GIMME HENDRIX at Saturn.

**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd, with Happy Hour 5-6 p.m. FREE. There is a weekly Cash Prize hosted by Loretta Hill.

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE & MINGLE at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.

**HAM BAGDY AND JACOB KYNARD at The Nick.

**GEOFF TATE’S OPERATION: MINDCRIME – THE FINAL CHAPTER at Iron City.

**RnB POETICALLY LIT, 5-7 p.m. at Lit on 8th, 518 Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. with HUNCHO ZAVY, KD MCQWEEN, CAROL HOOD, DKMODE, BRIANNE SHARDAW and hosted by HEMP THE ARTIST. Every Thursday.

**3rd THURSDAY at the Nick with RAMBLIN’ RICKY TATE at The Nick.

**FILMMAKER NETWORKING NIGHTS, 5 p.m. at 1821 2nd Avenue North

**EVERY THURSDAY- THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS, 7 p.m. at Platinum of Birmingham with DJ Slugga.

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

**FILM at Sidewalk Film.

**KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

FRIDAY, FEB. 6…

IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…

**BASICS OF BACKYARD COMPOSTING at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 11 a.m. – Noon with BRONSON LUBRESKY.

**THE YOUNG MAN at The Nick.

**ANIME RAVE at Saturn.

**FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, 5 p.m. at Howard’s Unlimited Lounge & Cocktail Bar at 4010 Avenue I with food by 1918 Catering Food Truck. Happy Hour at 5, Call 205-213-9097 for more.

**GOOD PEOPLE & GOOD MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE BREWING at Dave’s, 6 p.m. at Dave’s Pub.

 SATURDAY, FEB. 7…

**THE DONN OF TIKI followed by Q&A with Director MAX WELL at Saturn.

**FREE – POP PLANET: GRANDPRIX with DJ UPDOG at Saturn.

**OR ELSE, HEXXUS, JNO ASYLUM, HIRAETH, THE GODDAMN RIGHTS AND MERC at The Nick.

SUNDAY, FEB. 8…

**HOWARD’S UNLIMITED LOUNGE & COCKTAIL BAR, 4010 Avenue I, in Belview Heights opened recently by D.J. CHRIS COLEMAN.  Check it out for Sunday Brunch with food by 1918 Catering, music and more!! For more, call 205-213-9097. 1918 Catering is the best food for lunch, dinner or your special event. (Take my word.)

**JOSE CARR performing at JAZZ IN THE GARDEN SUNDAYS, Every 1st and 3rd Sunday, 5-8 p.m. at Denim on 7th, 2808 7th Avenue Suite105.

**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**2ND SUNDAY FREE SHOW with ZACH AUSTIN at The Nick.

**MOJOHAND, FIRECAMINO AND HAYSOP at The Nick.

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

**MOTION SUNDAYS at Platinum, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. with DJ CUZZO X DJ A1 Controlling the Vibes. There will be Drink Specials.

**MR. HO’S ORCHESTROTICA at Saturn.

MONDAY, FEB. 9…

**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.

**MONDAYS – THURSDAYS – CFJS CARES RESPITE PROGRAM, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call 205-278-7113 for more info.

**MONDAYS – GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, 10-11:30 a.m. at CJFS Conference Room. Open to survivors who have experienced loss within the past 2 years. Call 205-278-7101 to sign up.

**MONDAYS – DEMENTIA CAREGIVER VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP, 3 p.m. and/or Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Call 205-278-7113 for more info.

**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at The Nick.

TUESDAY, FEB. 10…

**PLANTING FOR OUR FUTURE: A Homeowner’s Guide to Ecological Gardening with Sarah Wolak at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 11 a.m. – Noon..

**TACO TUESDAY R & B NIGHT, EVERY THURSDAY at Hemings on 2ND Avenue.

**PODCASTING 101 at CREED63, EVERY TUESDAY at 5:45 p.m. Learn how to launch and create your own podcast at 1601 5th Avenue North, Birmingham 35203.

**JOSE CARR EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at True Story Brewing.

**SING & STRIP EVERY 2ND TUESDAY at The Nick.

**COSMIC CARE-AOKE NIGHT benefitting ACIJ at Saturn.

 WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11…

**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.

**DUMB SHARK TANK at Saturn.

**GHOSTWRITER at the Nick.

THURSDAY, FEB. 12 …

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

**CITY OF IRONDALE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS “IMPACT 2026” by MAYOR JAMES D. STEWART, 11:30 a.m. at Pine Tree Country Club.

**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR with JOSE CARR AND HIS BAND, 5 p.m . at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

**CLAY STREET UNIT at Saturn.

**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd, with Happy Hour 5-6 p.m. FREE. There is a weekly Cash Prize hosted by Loretta Hill.

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE & MINGLE at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.

**DALLAS MOORE with JARRETT FORRESTER at The Nick.

**GALENTINES – CANDLE MAKING at Avondale Brewing Co. in the Sour Room.

 FRIDAY, FEB. 13….

**PURPIE, YEAR OF OCTOBER & MINDSHAFT at The Nick.

**BAYKER BLANKENSHIP at Saturn.

**ALL THEM WITCHES – HOUSE OF MIRRORS TOUR at Iron City.

Show of the Month:

Terry McMillan Presents: Forever and Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted by Love

Streaming on Netflix:

To mark Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, The Birmingham Times recommends two Black romantic comedies that celebrate love, culture, and connection. Netflix’s newest romance features, Terry McMillan Presents: Forever and Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted by Love, are this month’s picks, offering love stories rooted in emotional honesty and good old “grown-folk reality”.

Forever centers on the unexpected beauty of second chances, as two people navigate past heartbreak and the risk of loving again. Tempted by Love leans into passion and choice, exploring what happens when desire challenges commitment and personal values. Both films reflect Terry McMillan’s signature storytelling—romantic, layered, and unapologetically real.

For viewers looking for romance with depth and cultural resonance, these films are solid reminders that love stories don’t have an expiration date.

Book of the Month: All About Love by bell hooks

For February, The Birmingham Times selects All About Love by bell hooks as its Book of the Month, a timely and thoughtful exploration of love as a transformative force. Blending cultural criticism, personal reflection, and social insight, hooks challenges readers to rethink love beyond romance—framing it as an action rooted in care, commitment, and community.

Especially fitting for Black History Month and the season of love, All About Love invites readers to examine how love shows up in families, friendships, and self-work, offering wisdom that feels both intimate and revolutionary. It’s a powerful reminder that love, when practiced intentionally, has the power to heal and reshape our lives.

NEWS TO KNOW AND USE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO WATCH…

LOOKING AHEAD…

AT THE CITY OF IRONDALE….

**FEB. 12 – CITY OF IRONDALE STATE OF THE CITY “IMPACT 2026” LUNCHEON, 11:30 a.m. at the Pine Tree Country Club presented by Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. on Education, Economic Development and Eco-tourism.

**FEB. 18 – THE MAYOR’S DESK PODCAST with EMMA TOLBERT of Irondale Public Relations, 12:30 p.m. Live on Facebook and YouTube at City of Irondale.

 FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT THE IRONDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY-

**FEB. 12 – STUDENT ART & ESSAY CHALLENGE submissions due. Winners announced on February 17 at the City Council Meeting.

**FEB. 21 – SHARED LIGHT AN INTERFAITH GATHERING, 10:30 a.m. at the Irondale Public Library.

**FEB. 24 – THE ALABAMA SOLUTION, 6 p.m. at the Irondale Public Library.

LOOKING AHEAD…FOR THINGS TO DO NOW IN FEBRUARY plus…MUSIC, VALENTINE’S AND MORE…

**FEB. 11 – JAZZ & PILATES WITH KENYELE – Join the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame at the historic Carver Theatre, 6 – 7 p.m. for Jazz and Pilates with instructor Kenyele Harrison. Get strength, stretch and center your body as you move through Pilates exercises set to smooth, soulful sounds of jazz. It is the perfect blend of wellness and rhythm.

**FEB. 13 – JAZZ IN A GLASS – LOVE NOTES EDITION of A Valentine’s Day Treat, 7-9 p.m. at the AJHOF. This partnership with Pour Crazy invites you to an cocktail-making experience where mixology meets the magic of jazz at the Carver Theatre.

**FEB. 13-15 – LOVE THY NEIGHBOR WEEKEND – Rev. Dr. Kurt and First Lady Ruby Clark are hosting their FIRST ANNUAL THREE-DAY “LOVE THY NEIGHBOR Event, FRIDAY – Love thy Neighbor Soiree at the Avondale West at 7 p.m., SATURDAY – Love Thy Neighbor 5K at Railroad Park at 7 a.m. and SUNDAY – Love Thy Neighbor Worship Service at Sardis Church at 10 a.m. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF – Matthew 22:39 – Register at eventbrite.

**FEB. 14 – KISSING YOU – VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL, 7 p.m. featuring ABRAHAM THE VOICE at Jazzi’s on 3rd Music Gallery with an unforgettable experience filled with love and music. CHEF KRISTOPHER HICKS of Infinit Eats will  have exquisite cuisine.

**FEB. 14 – VALENTINE’S DAY WITH LEGEND DARLENE LOVE, 7:30 p.m. at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. Grammy Award Winner DARLENE LOVE was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 by Bette Midler.  She was proclaimed by Rolling Stone as “one of the greatest singers of all time.” She captivates audiences worldwide with her warm, gracious stage presence and superb performances with soul and so much more.

**FEB. 14 – VALENTINE WITH VULCAN, 6-8 p.m. in the Electra Room at Vulcan Park and Museum. Treat your sweetheart to a romantic indoor celebration featuring dinner, drinks, dancing and live music.

**FEB. 15 – RAILROAD EARTH at Iron City.

**FEB. 15 – MAESTRO LOVES HOLLYWOOD, 2:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre.  Join MAESTRO RON BOURDAGES for LOVE AT THE LYRIC with a thrilling celebration of music from movies and TV, past and present.  For more, call 205-253-1313.

**FEB. 20 – 68th ANNUAL BIRMINGHAM AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS, is Friday, 5:45-10 p.m. at The Club in Homewood. Cocktail Hour is 6-7 p.m. Awards Show is 7-10 p.m. AAF Birmingham is hosting its annual evening honoring the creativity, strategy and bold ideas that shape Birmingham’s marketing, advertising and communications community. This is THE night to connect, celebrate and be inspired as it brings together agency leaders, in-house marketers, designers, strategists, students and rising professionals for a night that celebrates excellence and community. So, whether you submitted a work for judging or love the craft, this is the night to connect. For more: addys@aafbirmingham.com. Get your Early Bird tickets now at www.aafbham.org.

**FEB. 21 – 3rd ANNUAL MAGIC CITY DESSERT COMPETITION, 7-10 p.m. at The City Club Birmingham benefits the Cahaba Valley Health Care.

**FEB. 22 – JAZZ NIGHT WITH BIRMINGHAM YOUTH JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALUMNI CONCERT, 5 – 6 p.m. p.m. at the Carver Theatre with the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble.  This will be a captivating live jazz performance with New York-based trombonist and educator Calvin Sexton for an Alumni Concert like no other.

**FEB. 27 – THE RUNAROUNDS at Iron City.

**FEB. 28 – MAUSIKI SCALES & COMMON GROUND COLLECTIVE – MESSAGE IN THE MUSIC, 7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre.  This concert will be a powerful fusion of Afrobeats, Jazz, Funk and Soul. Music.

**MARCH 11 – REVOLUTIONARY ALABAMIANS: PEOPLE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE Panel Discussion, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Electra Room at Vulcan Park and Museum. Check out this engaging and inspiring panel and discussion celebrating Alabamians who have shaped their communities through courage, creativity and conviction. Explore how meaningful change happens – not only through protest or politics, but also through art, education public service and community leadership.

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

 

“We’re still learning political effectiveness, political organization and the need to maintain it.”

By
Birmingham Times
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RICHARD ARRINGTON JR., BIRMINGHAM’S FIRST BLACK MAYOR, WVTM 13, FEB. 2.

Homicides in Birmingham Down 75% This Year; Crime Drops in all Categories, Says Police Chief

By
Birmingham Times
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Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett: "We’re moving the right direction ... " (File)

By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al.com

Homicides in Birmingham are down 75 percent so far this year, and the police department’s chief said he hopes to move through the rest of the year with continued success.

As of midday Tuesday, detectives had investigated three homicides since Jan. 1, compared to 12 for the same time period in 2025.

Arrests have been made in all three slayings, for a 100 percent clearance rate.

Additionally, robberies are down 26.7 percent, aggravated assaults are down 30.1 percent, and total violent crime is down 31.8 percent.

All property crimes, he said, are down 14.5 percent, including a 39.9 percent drop in auto thefts and a 27.9 percent decrease in burglaries.

“Now we’re not saying we’ve won the game, we’re not spiking the ball,” Chief Michael Pickett said at a news conference. “But…we’re moving the right direction, and we want to continue to move in the right direction.”

Pickett one year ago rolled out an eight-point crime reduction strategy, which included emphasizing the department Special Enforcement Teams and focusing on arrest violent criminals.

“I do sincerely believe the eight-point crime reduction strategy has really shown some results,” Pickett said.

For the first time in a decade, Birmingham ended 2025 with less than 100 homicides.

There were 88 homicides in 2025, down from 152 in 2024 when the city’s homicide tally broke a record set in 1933.

The police department also boasted an 87.3 clearance rate on homicides last year.

“To those who are in the space of wanting to commit murder or wanting to commit murder and flee to Birmingham, you may want to reevaluate that because based on our numbers, this is not a good location for you to commit a murder or for you to flee to after you commit a murder,” Pickett said.

“We will continue to work relentlessly to make sure that the most egregious crimes – robberies, murders, rapes – are addressed as swiftly as possible in the city,” he said.

Pickett outlined initiatives the department plans to launch in 2026 including the formation of a Theft Suppression Unit, made up of a sergeant and eight officers, to focus on reducing theft-related crimes and the development of ordinance enhancements to strengthen safety and accountability requirements for Birmingham nightclubs.

The chief said they are also working on an ordinance that would require convenience stores to have working surveillance cameras that would be connected to the police department’s Real Time Crime Centers.

Those stores might even have a special blue light indicating to customers that they are linked to the RTCC.

Pickett said moving forward police will deploy drones that autonomously take flight and put eyes on a crime scene as officers are responding so they can better respond to calls.

And, he said, some officers will have drones in their vehicles. “That’s a huge tool,” he said.

The chief said they are also working on improved response times, increased business compliance enforcement, enhanced mental health response and expanded community outreach.

“We want citizens,” he said, “to feel safe walking down the street or sitting on the porch.”

Neighbors Lead the Way in Birmingham’s Updated Traffic Calming Application Process

By
Birmingham Times
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Through April, neighborhoods may request safety measures such as speed cushions, signage, and other traffic safety treatments to help reduce speeding. (Adobe Stock)

birminghamal.gov

The City of Birmingham has updated its traffic calming application process, making it more collaborative, and residents are invited to take the lead. Through April 30, neighborhood associations can apply for roadway improvements for the first half of 2026— with a process designed to center neighborhood voices and shared responsibility.

Through this program, neighborhoods may request safety measures such as speed cushions, signage, and other traffic safety treatments to help reduce speeding, discourage cut-through traffic, and make residential streets safer for everyone—drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and families.

Two projects per neighborhood will be submitted through the Neighborhood Association to the Department of Transportation during the first application window and reviewed for installation during the first half of the year if criteria are met. The project will be jointly funded by the neighborhood association and the city. The goal is to make this a true partnership built on local input and data-driven decision-making.

Here is how it works:

STEP ONE: Residents are encouraged to bring traffic safety concerns to their neighborhood association meetings, share ideas, gather feedback, and vote on proposed traffic calming projects with their neighborhood leadership.

STEP TWO: Neighborhood associations submit applications on behalf of their community during the application window.

All applications submitted between February 1 and April 30 will be reviewed together using a data-driven evaluation process that considers:

  • Traffic speeds and volumes
  • Crash and safety history
  • Roadway conditions
  • Emergency vehicle access

Submitting an application does not guarantee installation. Projects advance based on eligibility, feasibility, available funding, and overall program priorities.

The City of Birmingham’s Traffic Calming Program is designed to support safer, more livable neighborhoods, protect emergency access, and ensure the equitable distribution of resources across all communities.

Learn more and apply, at: www.birminghamal.gov/trafficcalming

SIAC fines Morehouse after Tuskegee Coach Handcuffed After Basketball Game

By
Birmingham Times
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Tuskegee University head men’s basketball coach Benjy Taylor was led out of Morehouse College’s gymnasium in handcuffs after the conclusion of a conference game on Saturday. (HBCU GsameDay)

By Tolly Carr | HBCU GameDay

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has issued an official statement following a highly publicized incident involving Tuskegee University head men’s basketball coach Benjy Taylor, who was led out of Morehouse College’s gymnasium in handcuffs after the conclusion of a conference game on Saturday.

The incident, which drew widespread attention across the HBCU sports landscape, prompted concerns over game security, crowd control, and postgame procedures. Taylor has since retained civil rights attorneys, and video of the incident circulated widely on social media. HBCU Gameday previously reported on the situation as details emerged in the immediate aftermath of the game.

After conducting a review that included video footage, written reports, and on-site observations, the SIAC has concluded its investigation and announced disciplinary action against the host institution.

Below is the full statement released by the SIAC office.

SIAC Statement

Following a comprehensive review of all available video, reports, and on-site observations, SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman, Ed.D., has concluded his investigation into the unfortunate incident that involved Tuskegee University head men’s basketball coach Benjy Taylor and a member of the Morehouse College security staff at the conclusion of the men’s basketball game this past Saturday.

In accordance with SIAC Policy 1.9 (Security), the conference determined that Morehouse College did not satisfy the required security standards for a host institution, specifically as it relates to crowd control and ensuring the safe entry and exit of visiting teams and game participants.

As a result, the SIAC has imposed a fine on Morehouse College of an undisclosed amount and will require corrective measures to ensure full compliance with conference security policies moving forward.

“The SIAC holds its member institutions to the highest standards of sportsmanship, professionalism, and institutional accountability,” said Holloman. “Our historic institutions are expected to provide competitive environments that prioritize the safety, dignity, and mutual respect of student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans. The conference remains committed to upholding these expectations and to ensuring that all SIAC contests are conducted in a manner consistent with our shared values.”

‘She was Sitting on the End of the Bed Looking at the Ring, I said, ‘Will You Marry Me?’

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

ARVETRICE ‘VET’ WADE-JONES & LUCIUS JONES SR.

Live: Pleasant Grove

Married: April 14, 2019

Met: Summer 2004, at the City of Birmingham’s Public Works division, where they both worked in the Environmental Code Enforcement department as clerks. Vet had already been there when Lucius came on as a temp before becoming a permanent employee. They worked together for more than 10 years before they began dating, as both were married to other people.

“Whenever she had car trouble at work, she would call me and say hey, ‘where are you at? I need a jump’, Lucius laughed.

By 2018, Lucius had been working in the zoning department while Vet was still in environmental code enforcement. At this point, both were divorced when they remembered a conversation that sparked their potential romance.

“We were on the phone from our separate departments just talking and she asked me what I was looking for in a woman, and I told her I wanted a God-fearing woman that would want to spend time with me and around me… and I turned around and asked her the same question and her [response] was about the same as mine,” Lucius said. “Our previous marriages kinda helped decide what we didn’t want, and what we did want.”

“I was shocked [on that call] because I wasn’t expecting the conversation to go there. I used to tease him when we worked together in the same department because he always used to pick with me, and I would tell him you’re like the brother I wish I never had,” Vet laughed. “We were close from working together so I knew him pretty well, but I thought I gotta make sure his goals and what he wants matches up with what I want, and it did.”

First date: August 2018, they went to lunch at El Capidor, a Mexican restaurant in Crestwood.

“The first thing she said was ‘you know I’m allergic to fish, right?’, and I said ‘you know I know you’re allergic to seafood!’,” Lucius laughed. “I had to make sure he wasn’t trying to kill me off,” Vet joked.

Lucius said he wasn’t nervous about the date at all. “I was comfortable with her, and I just looked at it as it like it was something different and new. It was the start of a new relationship, and we were just trying to break the ice,” he said.

“I actually had a good time. I enjoyed the food and conversation and discovered a few things that I didn’t know about him because all I knew was the ‘work’ him. But [their established friendship] made it a little easier getting to know him on a personal level,” Vet said.

The turn: September 2018. “I referee little league football, and she had an incident where her car got hit while she was at her son’s football game, and I was in the middle of refereeing a game myself so I couldn’t leave to help her… and the damage was so bad that she couldn’t drive it home and she was concerned about how she would get to work and get the kids to their morning drop off spots, and I offered to get up early and take her to drop her kids off and get her to work,” Lucius said. “And I did that until her insurance got her in a rental, and that was when we realized we were in a relationship and were being there for each other and adding to each other.”

Vet said, “And in November 2018, I had a surgery and it went the opposite way of what we expected and I was in the ICU, and he and my mom were taking turns helping with the kids and being at the hospital, and one day I woke up and realized I was really looking a mess in that hospital bed and I told my mama, he really does love me. I’m sitting up here looking a mess and he ain’t left me,” she laughed.

Arvetrice Wade-Jones & Lucius Jones Sr. met in the summer of 2004 at Birmingham’s Public Works. The couple began dating in 2018, and married in 2019. (Provided Photos)

The proposal: December 2018, at Vet’s home in Pleasant Grove. “I brought the ring with me to Vet’s house and while she wasn’t looking, I put the ring in the drawer where she keeps [miscellaneous things]. Then I started acting like I was trying to fix something in her bathroom and told her to go get me a tool from that drawer, and I had the ring sitting on top where she couldn’t miss it. I expected her to find it and come right back to me, but she didn’t,” Lucius laughed. “So, I’m just standing there waiting, and now I’m wondering what’s going on, did she find it or did she run? So I peeped around to where she was, and she was just sitting on the end of her bed looking at the ring, and I said, ‘Hey… will you marry me’, and she said ‘yes’.”

“I was in shock and trying to figure out how he pulled this one over on me,” Vet laughed. “I wasn’t expecting it at that time, so I didn’t have many words, but I did want to know was he for real or was he playing, but the look on his face said he was serious, so I said ‘yes’.”

The wedding: At 23rd Street Baptist Church, in Ensley, officiated by its pastor, Reverend James Dunn. Their colors were gold and champagne.

Most memorable for the bride was, “Us singing to each other because we did something different. Both of us sing and nobody was expecting us to sing at the wedding and we surprised everyone. It was actually fun working with Lucius to [prepare for the duet] because he was being silly at rehearsals. We sang ‘Forever Is A Long Time’, by Jason Nelson.”

Most memorable for the groom was also their duet, but he shared another fond moment. “We had a limit on how many people were supposed to be at the wedding. It was on a Sunday after church at four o’clock in the evening, and it was initially supposed to be in the pastor’s office, but over 200 people showed up,” Lucius recalled. “And I told her those were all her friends, and she told me they were all my friends” he laughed. “It wasn’t supposed to be anything big, but I guess a lot of people love us.”

As for the honeymoon: “We did a little something here at home, we just spent the week together being newlyweds” Lucius said. “And a few years later we went on a trip to the Dominican Republic.”

Words of wisdom: “Always put God first, and do your best not to argue with each other,” Vet said. “I tell people all the time, we just look at each other and walk away and give each other time to cool down… Those cool down periods work because eventually we start back talking. That may be mainly in part to me and personality because I’m going to aggravate him until he starts laughing and talking again. And always try to think of something positive about the person to keep the spark going.”

“I’ve learned that arguing doesn’t do anything but stress you so I’m not big on arguing; you should try to find common ground,” Lucius said. “And I’m never going to go to sleep mad because I feel like you never know what can happen… But my number one thing is to keep God in the marriage because I know with Him, we can get through anything. And take trips and go on dates without the kids. Getting to spend time together without the kids is important.”

Happily ever after: The Jones attend New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Bessemer, where Lucius serves as a minister and Vet in the choir. They are a blended family, with four children: Reinard Jr., 18, Lanitra, 16, and born of their union Lucius Jr., 3, and the late Aria, who passed away at 4 and a half months, due to medical complications.

Vet, 45, is an Ensley native, a Jackson Olin High School grad, and attended Alabama State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She is a member of the national band sorority, Tau Beta Sigma, and is a licensed cosmetologist with a salon called Mosaic Hair Gallery in Five Points West in Birmingham.

Lucius, 58, is an East Lake native, a Banks High School grad [south East Lake area, and now closed]. He attended Virginia College where he earned an associate’s degree in network engineering and works as a condemnation inspector for the City of Birmingham. Lucius has also been an Alabama high school football official for over 28 years.

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

Birmingham Personal Injury Attorney | Guster Law Firm, LLC

Serving Picky Eaters: Tips, Tricks and Common Mistakes

By
Birmingham Times
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A registered dietitian provides advice for helping children who may be choosy about what they eat enjoy mealtime without pressure or frustration. (Andrea Mabry, UAB News)

By Katie Steele | UAB News

Feeding picky eaters is a common challenge for parents. One University of Alabama at Birmingham expert is sharing her top tips to help caregivers succeed at mealtime.

“If your child is a picky eater, it does not mean you are doing something wrong,” said Kaitlyn Waugaman, registered dietitian and program director of UAB Department of Medicine. “This is a normal state of childhood development. Fortunately, there are many steps parents can take to help motivate their picky eaters to eat a balanced diet.”

Tips

Caregivers should avoid feeling discouraged by how children react to food because, in most cases, it is a natural response.

“Many kids naturally dislike bitter tastes, strong smells or certain textures,” Waugaman said. “This sensitivity is a protective biological trait, not a reflection of your caregiving.”

For motivating picky eaters, Waugaman offers these strategies:

  • Eat meals with children and model healthy eating
  • Set consistent times for meals and snacks
  • Involve the child in meal planning and prep
  • Respect their aversions
  • Encourage body awareness and recognizing feeling full
  • Enjoy eating food, and let them see it

When eating meals with children, parents should demonstrate eating a variety of foods to motivate the behavior.

“Disliking a food is perfectly normal in children,” Waugaman said. “Most kids need 10 to 20 exposures before accepting something new.”

Offering children a balanced meal matters, even if the child refuses the meal. Setting a schedule for meals creates a rhythm that can help the picky eater feel secure. Practicing these strategies and displaying that the food is enjoyable helps the child connect positive attitudes with the food.

Common mistakes

Waugaman says there is a list of behaviors parents should look out for:

  • Do not use food as a reward or punishment
  • Do not allow distractions or screens during meals
  • Do not label foods as “good” or “bad”

Waugaman recommends against offering a reward or compromise, such as dessert, to convince the child to eat.

“This turns eating into a transaction and shifts from hunger, satiety and enjoyment to external approval,” Waugaman said. “Instead, caregivers should actively involve children in meals. Some examples include asking them to pick the recipe, involving them in ingredient shopping and having them wash vegetables.”

Consistency

Children’s behavior toward food can vary based on age. From ages 2 to 4, children typically refuse new foods. They tend to begin questioning ingredients, or negotiate, from ages 5 to 8. From ages 9 to 16, children will start to be influenced by peers.

Waugaman recommends caregivers practice consistency and offer a calm presence, no matter the age of the child.

“Every time you offer a balanced plate without pressure and every time you stay calm instead of bargaining, you are laying the groundwork for a healthier relationship with food,” Waugaman said.

Parents who take these steps and approach mealtime with compassion are modeling healthy habits and consistency, which has a lasting positive impact on their child.

Birmingham Schools Host “Donuts with Dad” to Inspire Male Involvement and Mentoring

By
Birmingham Times
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Birmingham City Schools brought families together this week with its annual "Donuts with Dad" event. (Birmingham City Schools)

By Lynne Keenum | WTVA

Birmingham City Schools brought families together this week with its annual “Donuts with Dad” event to encourage fathers to become more involved in their children’s education.

More than 150 fathers, stepfathers, brothers, grandparents, and other father figures showed up to share in the events, according to the school system.

More than 80 men visited with their students at Hayes K-8 School on Thursday.

West End Academy hosted a large number of participants supporting their kids on Friday.

Christopher White, West End Academy’s band director, highlighted the importance of mentors and having a male presence in schools.

“We don’t have a lot of men here, but I try to be the best man. The men that we have here have a great impact,” White said. “We teach them how to tie our ties. Male mentoring is different things that we try in class every day. We have sports at the school to teach discipline and to teach focus, and to keep them going and keep them off the streets as well.”

The school thanked the Birmingham Education Foundation for sponsoring the event.

For those interested in volunteering their time with the school system, the district can be contacted for more information.

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