Birmingham Resident Lottery Launches for Tickets for MLB at Rickwood Field

April 21, 2024

BhamNeighborhood — Major League Baseball and the City of Birmingham will be making more than 26% of the approximate 8,100 seated tickets at Rickwood Field available to community- or youth-based organizations in Birmingham at no cost. (File)

City of Birmingham

Major League Baseball today announced the launch of the ticketing process for the two primary MLB and MiLB games scheduled for Rickwood Field in Birmingham, in June.

Tickets for MLB at Rickwood Field, A Tribute to the Negro Leagues, which will feature the first-ever official MLB game at the historic ballpark between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, June 20th, will be exclusive to residents within the state of Alabama. Alabama residents, which will be determined by local zip codes, can now begin registering for the chance to purchase tickets at https://www.mlb.com/events/rickwood/tickets. The registration process for this special ticket lottery closes on Tuesday, April 30th.

Major League Baseball and the City of Birmingham will be making more than 26% of the approximate 8,100 seated tickets at Rickwood Field available to community- or youth-based organizations in Birmingham at no cost.

The special Minor League Baseball contest, the first such event at Rickwood Field since the last “Rickwood Classic” in 2019, will feature the Montgomery Biscuits and the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday, June 18th. The teams will honor the legacy of the Negro Leagues by playing as the Montgomery Grey Sox and Birmingham Black Barons, respectively. Pre-sale tickets for season ticket holders of both the Barons and Biscuits began Wednesday, April 17th while general public tickets will be available for purchase on Tuesday, April 23rd. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.milb.com/events/rickwood/tickets. The match-up holds historic significance as semi-professional teams from Birmingham and Montgomery were the first to play at Rickwood Field when it opened in 1910.

Tickets for MLB at Rickwood Field, A Tribute to the Negro Leagues, will be exclusive to residents within the state of Alabama. (Wikipedia)

Additional ballpark and community engagement event details surrounding these games and Juneteenth will be announced at a later date. The entirety of the events will be centered around celebrating the legacy of Negro Leagues players, including its greatest living player – Hall of Famer Willie Mays – as well as the larger Birmingham community.

Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the United States and former home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, hosted some of baseball’s greatest players on its hallowed grounds. These players included Mays, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Cool Papa Bell, Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Oscar Charleston, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Larry Doby, Rube Foster, Lou Gehrig, Josh Gibson, Monte Irvin, Reggie Jackson, Buck Leonard, Biz Mackey, Mickey Mantle, Connie Morgan, Stan Musial, Satchel Paige, Frank Robinson, Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Duke Snider, Toni Stone, Cristobal Torriente, Honus Wagner, Willie Wells, and so much more. Rickwood Field is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues called Rickwood Field home from 1924 through 1960. As a teenager, Mays began his professional career with the Black Barons in 1948. He played with them before beginning his legendary MLB career as a member of the New York Giants in 1951. Rickwood Field was the site of the final Negro League World Series game in October 1948, which saw Mays’ Black Barons falling to the Homestead Grays in five games.

MLB is collaborating with the Friends of Rickwood and City of Birmingham to renovate Rickwood Field for 2024, transforming the National Historic Site in order to host a Major League game. Existing and future information on these events can be found at MLB.com/rickwood.

Reginald D. Smith Joins The Birmingham Business Resource Center and Foundation Capital

Birmingham Times

April 20, 2024

RS. — Reginald D. Smith has joined the Birmingham Business Resource Center and Foundation Capital as a senior executive. (Danny Austin Photo)

Special to The Times

The Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC) and its affiliate, Birmingham City Wide (BCW) dba Foundation Capital, announce the appointment of Reginald D. Smith as a senior executive. Smith has more than twelve years of experience in the banking and finance sector.

Smith’s career includes senior leadership roles at Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), retail bank management, and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending.

Bob Dickerson, Executive Director of The Birmingham Business Resource Center and CEO of Foundation Capital, stated, “We are excited to have Reginald as a member of our Executive Team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to us and will contribute to the growth of the organizations.”

About the Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC): The Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering comprehensive support and resources to small businesses in Jefferson County, Alabama. For over 25 years, the BBRC has served as a hub for small business finance, providing guidance, training, and access to capital to empower entrepreneurs in launching and expanding successful ventures.

About Birmingham City Wide dba Foundation Capital: As a Certified Development Company (CDC) headquartered in Alabama, Birmingham City Wide dba Foundation Capital partners with financial institutions to originate loans for small businesses and foster economic growth.

Miranda Holloway-Baggett Could be Alabama’s First Black Woman U.S. Marshal

Birmingham Times

April 19, 2024

GLZU4UEbcAAO9-p — Miranda Hollway-Baggett has been nominated to become the next U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Alabama.(Courtesy of Rep. Terri A. Sewell)

By Warren Kulo | wkulo@al.com

President Joe Biden has nominated Miranda Holloway-Baggett to become the next U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Alabama, according to a release from the White House.

Holloway-Baggett, a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service, is the current Chief Inspector/Discipline Deciding Official for the service, working out of the Southern District’s Mobile office.

If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Holloway-Baggett will become the first Black woman to be appointed as a U.S. Marshal in Alabama.

Katherine Battle, who was white, was the nation’s first-ever female U.S. Marshal when she served in a temporary capacity in the Southern District of Alabama for four months in 1949, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Tyree Richburg in 1978 became the first Alabama Black man to serve as U.S. Marshal in Alabama’s Southern District. William H. Edwards III in 1994 became the first Black U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Alabama

“I am thrilled that President Biden has selected Miranda Holloway-Baggett to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Alabama!” said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) in a social media post. “Her 23 years of experience, exemplary professionalism and dedication to the rule of law make her an ideal candidate for this role.”

Sewell recommended Holloway-Baggett for the position.

“I am honored for the confidence Congresswoman Sewell has shown in me by recommending me to become the next U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Alabama,” Holloway-Baggett said in a statement. “I am humbled to be considered for such a prestigious position and excited as I continue to move forward in the nomination process.”

The Southern District covers the 13 southernmost counties in Alabama and is headquartered in Mobile.

During her career, Holloway-Baggett has also been a Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal and Assistant Chief Deputy Marshal, among several leadership posts she’s held since beginning her career in 2002.

Holloway-Baggett earned a degree in Criminal Justice and Corrective Services from Jackson State University and a Masters in Human Resources Management and Services from the University of Phoenix.

According to the White House, Holloway-Baggett was chosen for “her devotion to enforcing the law, her professionalism, her experience and credentials, and her dedication to pursuing equal justice for all.”

The post is currently held be U.S. Marshall Mark F. Sloke who was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2018.

Page Sisters Create Wellness Company in Birmingham to Address Public Health Issues

Birmingham Times

April 19, 2024

PageSisters 1 — Hadiyah Page, left, is Public Health Media Coordinator for Fresh Page LLC and Jamilah Page is founder and CEO. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Jamilah Page learned early on her love for helping others through her dad. “I wanted to be a psychologist … I remember one day my dad let me act like a therapist. It was a very pivotal moment for me. It definitely inspired us, especially me, to be in this work.”

Page, now a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) with a Ph.D. in nutrition (emphasis in community nutrition and public health) and her sister Hadiyah Page, Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in maternal and child health and a medical doctoral candidate, have joined to create A Fresh Page (AFP), LLC which addresses health disparities, food insecurity, nutrition, and other public health concerns in low-income populations.

“We work with farmers and community foundations. We have worked with local churches to be able to help them have nutrition and health education. We want to fill the gap as much as possible, whether that’s through education, or it’s through resources,” said Jamilah, 29, founder and CEO. Hadiyah, 26, is the year-old company’s Public Health Media Coordinator.

After receiving her bachelor’s in science from Tuskegee University, Jamilah Page went on to pursue her Ph.D. in nutrition from Auburn University. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Over the past year, the sisters have hosted virtual workshops and cook-a-longs through their company which can be booked for workshops by churches, businesses, and other groups looking to expand their culinary skills and find healthier solutions.

The sisters are graduates of Birmingham’s Ramsay High School. Jamilah graduated in 2012 and Hadiyah in 2015 as a member of the inaugural International Baccalaureate Class.

After receiving her bachelor’s in science with a concertation in food and nutrition science/dietetics from Tuskegee University, Jamilah went on to pursue her Ph.D. in nutrition from Auburn University.

“I wanted to be a dietitian before I went to high school. I finished my Ph.D. at Auburn, and I finished a graduate certificate and program evaluation, so I kind of specialized in being a dietitian who looks at policy and programming,” she said. “I develop curricula. I do things all the way from a community garden to health care and care coordination and I absolutely love that. My Ph.D. has an emphasis in community nutrition and public health. So that’s also kind of where Hadiyah and I intersect with our disciplines.”

Hadiyah Page is now in a medical doctorate (M.D.) program at Ross University located on the Caribbean Island of Barbados. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

After receiving her bachelor’s in Pre Health-Concentration from Tuskegee University and master’s in public health from the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB), Hadiyah is now in her medical doctorate (M.D.) program at Ross University located on the Caribbean Island of Barbados.

“I’ve completed my first two years. I’m in the process of transitioning to my third year, which is very exciting. My goal is to take everything that we’ve learned so far and put it into bite size chunks to be able to feed it to people who we care about the most. One of the reasons why we do what we do is because we want to make sure that we can spread health care to those that don’t necessarily have it close by them.

“I really got passionate about serving my local Birmingham community because it was just a lot that I learned about the things that particularly Black women that we’re up against, not just in Birmingham but also in Alabama,” she added.

Hadiyah recalled growing up and working with their church (Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ in Bessemer) in its food bank. “Our grandmother had us in there working. I think that fostered my passion for service,” she said.

Jamilah said she wanted to be a psychologist and then she learned that dietetics was basically the psychology of food. “So eventually they merged,” she said.

The fact that their father, William Page, was a cardiomyopathy patient who underwent a heart transplant, is also another motivating factor in their passion for health and nutrition. Mr. Page passed away on Feb. 21, 2005, as a result of contracting an infection after a heart transplant.

The Page sisters are both graduates of Birmingham’s Ramsay High School. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

“It definitely inspired us, especially me, to be in this work,” said Jamilah. “…we just want people to know we are willing to get involved in our community. We are excited to be able to be a part of different projects and if anyone has a specific topic challenge us to think about that topic and really address it with our communities.”

She added, “I want people to know that we are here and to look for us. We do in person as well as virtual … we just want people to know we are willing to get involved in our community. We are excited to be able to be a part of different projects and if anyone has a specific topic challenge for us to think about … we can really address it with our communities.”

A Fresh Page, LLC can be contact via the company site (afreshpage.net), email (booking@afreshpage.net) and social media platforms Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Alignable.

Distinguished Tenor Roderick George, Alabama Native, Featured in Opera’s ‘Greatest Hits’

Birmingham Times

April 18, 2024

OPERA1 — Roderick George, a highly regarded voice teacher with more than two decades of collegiate instructional experience, is a full-time professor and head of the voice program at the University of Montevallo. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

For distinguished tenor Roderick George, Ph.D., who has traveled the world, there’s no place like home.

George has performed a wide-ranging concert and operatic repertoire throughout the United States and abroad, and now he will be featured in “Opera Unveiled: A Concert of Greatest Hits.”

The show, which will include the Opera Birmingham Chorus, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and several other artists, will be held at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater at the Alabama School of Fine Arts on Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, at 2:30 p.m.

“It’s nice to sing at home,” said George. “I don’t get to sing at home a lot. Much of the singing I do is in other places.”

Speaking of home, that’s where George got his musical start—unsurprisingly, in the Black church.

As a member of Mount Calvary Primitive Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, George grew up in church, singing in the choir and playing piano.

“I had a church job throughout high school, as well. My parents were heavily involved in the church. I was raised in church. We were always at church. My dad was a deacon, and he was also superintendent of the Sunday school. We would be there before anybody else would be,” said George, the second to youngest of five siblings.

“My mother sings well. She still sings well,” he said.

Asked what she thinks of her “world-famous” son, George said, “My mom would never think of me as being ‘world famous.’ However, she is always quite amused whenever she reads my performance bios and realizes how much stuff I’ve done and how busy I am at times. My mom is always just so encouraging, even when she might not fully understand what I’m doing, and she’ll always say, ‘I’ll be praying that you get there and back safely.’”

George attended Mobile’s John Shaw High School, where he was a member of the choir and took piano lessons. George had an interest in playing the piano since he was a young boy.

“It was always something that was part of our lives,” he said. “Most of my siblings sing, and my older sister took piano lessons. Then I started tinkering around on the piano because it was there. Initially, I started playing by ear, but eventually I was convinced to take piano lessons. I didn’t take any voice lessons until college.”

Roderick George, a highly regarded voice teacher with more than two decades of collegiate instructional experience, is a full-time professor and head of the voice program at the University of Montevallo. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

“Mastery of Technique”

George attended Stillman College, a historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he graduated with two degrees: one in English and the other in music.

“Like most HBCUs, Stillman College has a long tradition of touring concert choirs,” he said. “When I was a senior in high school, I auditioned for the director of the choir at that time, James Arthur Williams, and he offered me a full scholarship to sing in the choir and to be a student accompanist, [someone who provides musical accompaniment to another musician or to a singer]. Years later, as I was finishing my doctorate at Florida State University, I was invited to interview for the voice professor faculty position.”

“I could always sing, but I hadn’t explored classical or operatic singing until college. I was fascinated by operatic singing and the mastery of technique that it requires to do it really well. Plus, I love a challenge.”

Originally, George had planned to major in elementary education at Stillman.

“That lasted for maybe a week,” he said. ”Music was really the thing. … I hadn’t quite convinced myself that it would be a career, but I eventually switched over to music and double majored in music and English.”

George recalled wanting to be a choir director because “I sort of thought that was what a person in music did,” he said. “That’s the only thing I’d seen. Seeing my high school director, I said, ‘OK, I’ll be a choir director.’”

Today, George is a full-time professor and head of the voice program at the University of Montevallo, in Montevallo, Alabama. He is a highly regarded voice teacher with more than two decades of collegiate instructional experience. Some of his proudest moments come from his students.

“When they come back and talk about the experiences they’ve had or [when] they come back and say something that I don’t remember saying, those are the kind of things that are most meaningful,” he said.

As an international performing artist, Roderick George has traveled throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, South America, Canada, and Russia and appeared on stages in the Birmingham metro area. (Opera Birmingham)

Recognizable Tunes

As an international performing artist, George has traveled throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, South America, Canada, and Russia. Locally, he’s been heard at the Red Mountain Theatre’s Human Rights New Works Festival in the role of Peter Fagan in a workshop reading of Carla Lucero’s “Touch,” an opera based on the life of Helen Keller and commissioned by Opera Birmingham.

Next week’s “Opera Unveiled” performance will likely contain some recognizable tunes, said the tenor.

“One of the arias I’m performing, ‘La Donna è Mobile,’ has been used in television commercials for Doritos [tortilla chips] and Axe body spray, although the actual Italian words have nothing to do with those products,” he said. “The audience will also get a chance to hear operatic voices projecting over a full orchestra.”

George prepares for performances based on “the type of musical work I’m doing, whether it’s something I’ve performed in the past or the level of difficulty,” he said.

“Preparing a full operatic role typically requires work with a vocal coach and can take several months,” he added. “Some other things I usually prepare with no assistance, just a lot of personal practice.”

Still, it all takes a lot of discipline, said George: “I usually try to have a relaxed nothing-out-of-the-ordinary day on the day of a performance. I might start with some light cardio in the gym. … Then, during the day, I’ll have a good meal or two and warm up or check in with my voice periodically to make sure the high notes are working. Otherwise, I don’t have any actual weird rituals.”

Open Minds

Roderick George, attended Stillman College, a Historically Black College and University in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he graduated with two degrees: one in English and the other in music. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

George’s role as an African American in opera is not uncommon.

“The key word is exposure,” he said. “There are many opportunities in the area to hear classical operatic singing. For example, Opera Birmingham has many pop-ups or outreach performances each season, some free, and most of the universities in the area have performances that are open to the public. It just requires some open-mindedness and not being afraid to do something that seems different.”

Speaking of different, when it comes to music, George enjoys listening “to a lot of different stuff like the jazz singer Samara Joy.”

His favorite singer right now is R&B and jazz artist Ledisi, and he’s very much into “Cowboy Carter,” the eighth studio album by megastar Beyoncé.

“Beyoncé is so creative,” he said. “What she has done with this project is really inspiring. What other artist is causing this much conversation? I think art should cause conversation, whether you agree or disagree with it, like it or dislike it.”

When he is not teaching and singing, George enjoys baking and traveling.

“I mostly bake layer cakes or some occasional smaller treats like my version of the Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies,” he said. “I would have to say that my red velvet cake or lemon blueberry cake are my specialties since I get requests to bake those most often. There are many others that I make under the name ‘The Tenor Bakes.’

“Baking is my primary hobby at this point or just watching Academy Award–type films. I’m also a bit of a foodie and love trying new locally owned restaurants. I’m not much of sports fan, but I do enjoy watching tennis.”

When it comes to travel, George said, “I love to travel and feel like a tourist, especially when I’m not traveling for work. Paris, [France], and Vienna, [Austria], are two places I’ve really enjoyed. There’s just so much to see.

“Russia would have to be among the most fascinating places that my career has taken me. Seeing Red Square and the Kremlin in person and singing at the U.S. embassy in Moscow, or even just the unique beauty of St. Petersburg are things I will never forget.”

Asked his age, George responded, “Funny that you ask that. Let’s just say I’ve been doing this for quite a while.”

“Opera Unveiled: A Concert of Greatest Hits” will take place at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater at the Alabama School of Fine Arts on Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, at 2:30 p.m. To find out more or buy tickets, visit https://www.operabirmingham.org/opera-unveiled

Birmingham’s Elias Hendricks III to Perform Selections in “Opera Unveiled”

Birmingham Times

April 18, 2024

-Elias1a — Elias Hendricks III says Birmingham is one of his favorites places to perform because of family and friends. (PROVIDED)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

Birmingham’s Elias Hendricks III will be one of the featured tenors during next week’s Opera Unveiled: A Concert of Greatest Hits, which will include the Opera Birmingham Chorus, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and several other artists.

The show will be held at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater at the Alabama School of Fine Arts on Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, at 2:30 p.m.

“It’s been almost 10 years since I’ve been able to come back and sing solo,” Hendricks told the Birmingham Times in a recent interview. “[Birmingham] is really one of my favorites places to perform because I get to perform in front of my family and friends that have known me since I was a child. I’ve spent over a decade traveling around different countries … performing music for everyone else so these performances [next week] are very special to me.”

Hendricks’s talents have taken him across the globe where he’s performed in the title role of Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King,” toured Europe with his one-man soul show “Aint Too Proud to Beg,” and, as the lead singer of The Temptations in “Motown: the Musical” on London’s West End.

Hendricks, 37, said he brings a range of influences to his performances.

“I’ve sung every style that you can imagine. Simba in the Lion King, Broadway and musical theatre … I’ve been the lead singer of a touring soul show in Europe for two and a half years, I have as vast knowledge of Motown and soul roots and I went to New Pilgrim Baptist Church in Birmingham, so I know a little something about gospel too.”

And let’s not forget the classical.

During “Opera Unveiled” Hendricks will perform two selections: an Act 3 duet from La Boheme with baritone Daniel Seigel. “I’m going to do my own classical soul fusion version of that,” he said. The second selection is “O Sole Mio” a well-known Neapolitan song made famous by Luciano Pavarotti.

Coming home feels like the culmination of “all of my studies and my travels, all the music and the experiences that I had,” Hendricks said, “ … like I’m sharing my life and my experiences with my closest friend and family.”

Master Class

It was at the age of 15 in a master class at the Carver Theatre in Birmingham that Hendricks first felt his inspiration.

He remembers seeing a group of three Black tenors perform at the Alabama Theater in downtown Birmingham and wanting to be like that group – Three Mo’ Tenors just as he was beginning his own career as a budding singer in styles as varied as that group’s, which encompassed everything from soul and blues to opera.

“It was not only just the representation of them being Black men performing opera and also infusing it with our cultural, musical elements of gospel, blues and soul … it was just the ease in the way that they were able to do all of those things at once,” Hendricks said.

The next day, he was among a number of local students who were invited to participate in a master class with the group, where the singers further encouraged the teen.

“I remember when [the group] told me, ‘Hey, you can have a career at this. You sound great. I love your tone. You seem to have such command of this music,’ and I was like, ‘What? me, for real?’ That was a huge endorsement … as far as a confidence booster,” Hendricks recalled.

That inspiration would eventually lead Hendricks to form Vox Fortura, the only Black male classical crossover quartet in the world. Hendricks said the group, which he put together in 2016 to compete on “Britain’s Got Talent,” performs a style he calls “classical soul.”

Vox is the Latin word for voice, and “Fortura” is a combination of “fortis,” the Latin word for strong, as well as the words fortune and future. “Strong voices of the future is kind of what we call it,” he said.

“We’re taking music that is unique to Black people and stylings that are unique to the African American historical musical experience, and we combine those elements into classical music,” he explained.

Joining The School Choir

Hendricks is a graduate of the Altamont School, where he said he first became aware of his vocal talent. A soccer athlete at the school, he initially joined the school’s choir in seventh grade for fun.

“I decided I want to join the choir because the cute girls were in there, and…a third of our upper school was in choir, so it was a really, really popular thing to do,” Hendricks said.

After graduating from Altamont, Hendricks participated in a summer program at the Tanglewood Music Center at Boston University, before going to Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, TX, where he studied opera.

When he finished SMU in 2009, he went on to the Juilliard School in New York City, where he put together his concept of combining music from the African American tradition with the older European music he had come to love, he said.

After finishing up Juilliard in 2012, Hendricks left for the Disneyland in Hong Kong, China, where he played Simba in the musical version of “The Lion King” until 2014.

Following a six-month stint where Hendricks performed his own show on a world cruise, Hendricks decided to move to London, United Kingdom in 2015, where he auditioned for “Motown: The Musical.” Hendricks secured his spot to play Dennis Edwards, a Birmingham native in the show in 2016.

To this day, Hendricks remembers the confidence he found as a teenager and now he wants to inspire others as well.

“If you had told me at 15, ‘hey Elias you’re going to be Simba in the Lion King in Hong Kong and then you’re going to go to London and you’re going to be in the opening cast of brand-new musical and you’re going to play a man (Dennis Edwards) from Birmingham, Alabama in London’ I would have laughed at you. Life has a way of opening up opportunities for you. I’m happy to have had those experiences and bring it back to my hometown.”

Behind Tiera Kennedy’s ‘Dream Collaboration’ with Beyoncé, Dolly Parton

Birmingham Times

April 18, 2024

Tiera Kennedy’s voice can be heard on megastar Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, “Cowboy Carter,” which was released in March. (Provided)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

When asked about her dream music collaboration, rising singer-songwriter Tiera Kennedy would always respond, “Beyonce and Dolly Parton.” That dream has become a reality.

“Technically, I have collaborated with both now,” Kennedy told The Birmingham Times during a recent interview. “[Beyoncé gave] an up-and-coming artist like me such a massive opportunity, and I still cannot believe it has happened.”

Kennedy’s voice can be heard on megastar Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, “Cowboy Carter,” which was released in March. The Gardendale, Alabama, native is on two tracks: she is featured on “Blackbiird” and sings harmony on “Tyrant,” which features country-music icon Parton.

“Blackbiird” is a cover of The Beatles song “Blackbird,” featured on the legendary band’s “The Beatles,” also known as “The White Album”, which was recorded in 1968. Former Beatle Paul McCartney said in an Instagram post that he was, “happy” with the cover because “it reinforces the Civil Rights message” that inspired him to write the song. The famed singer, songwriter, and musician was motivated to write the song after witnessing the moment the Little Rock, Arkansas, schools decided to desegregate, as well as the experience of Black women of the Civil Rights Movement.

“I am honored to be part of it,” Kennedy said of her performance on Beyoncé’s rendition of “Blackbiird. “It is beautiful that she chose to do this cover on this album. When we recorded the song, I did not know the history behind it. To learn it later just made it so much more special. … I think the message I get behind this album is for us to just be more inclusive of all sounds, all music, and all backgrounds. Genre doesn’t really matter. Everyone’s welcome.”

Kennedy, 26, is not an overnight country music success. She wrote on Facebook, “I’ve been in Nashville for almost 8 years chasing this country music dream. There have been a lot of highs and lows along the way and this – being on Beyonce’s album takes the cake. I grew up listening to her music, practicing her runs over and over.”

She continued, “I couldn’t be more thankful. Thank you Beyoncé for shining your light. This album is so important. It will not only change the future of country music but music as a whole and I cannot wait to watch it unfold.”

Songwriting and Storytelling

Kennedy grew up in Gardendale, just a 15-minute drive north of Birmingham. At 13, she taught herself to play the guitar. She credits her singing voice to God, while crediting her country music “songwriting prowess to what organically flows from her pen.”

Kennedy has been singing since she was in elementary school, when she auditioned for the part of Ariel in a school production of “The Little Mermaid.” After graduating from Gardendale High School in 2016, Kennedy spent a year at the University of North Alabama, in Florence, Alabama, which is near Muscle Shoals, Alabama—home of the legendary FAME (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) Studios, where renowned artists like Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and others recorded hits. After her freshman year, Kennedy made the move to Nashville, Tennessee.

“The entire time I was in Birmingham, I was trying to get to Nashville, but I am so thankful for my squad in Birmingham,” she told The Times. “I started writing around the time I was in high school. … Songwriting influenced me to start country music. I always say country music found me. I did not find country music. Country music is all about storytelling, and that is what I was doing through my music. That is how I got into the genre.”

Kennedy’s participation in local talent shows and music festivals fostered her confidence in her songwriting. She recalled one particular show when she sang an original song for the first time.

“That motivated me to keep writing more music,” she said. “It was cool because up until that point, I’d only had the opinion of my parents, and you know they are going to say everything is good. … It was cool getting to perform that in front of my friends and get a positive response. It was more motivation for me to continue to write music.”

The time Kennedy spent between Alabama and Tennessee influenced her music and was the inspiration for her 2022 single, “Alabama Nights.”

“Nashville is vastly different, but I feel like I’ve been able to merge Nashville and my sound from home,” she said. “That’s kind of what you hear through my music.”

R&B Country

When she entered the country music scene at 16, Kennedy recalled feeling, “out of place in the pop and R&B genre.” She describes her sound as “R&B country.”

Growing up, she listened to mostly R&B music. “Sometimes my parents would play it a lot around the house. They would play [music from R&B artists like] Ashanti and Boyz II Men. It’s funny, growing up you never [think] the music your parents listen to is cool. I was very much that way, but they were on to something. It has influenced me in creating my own music.”

Her parents, Howell and Natasha Leftwich, really embraced her career, and that convinced them to move to Nashville with her, Kennedy said. On an episode of the podcast, “Get Real with Caroline Hobby,” she said, “[My parents] are very involved in my music career, and now they just get to enjoy the music. …They have been so supportive of my career from the very beginning. Their philosophy was like, ‘We’re going to let you try what you want to try.’ I fell on singing, and they full on supported me. … My parents packed up and moved to Nashville for me. A lot of parents wouldn’t do that.”

In 2018, Kennedy competed on USA Network’s TV show, “Real Country.” The music showcase features up-and-coming country talent who compete for a $100,000 prize, as well as to earn a spot to perform at the Stagecoach Music Festival, a country-music event held annually in Indio, California, and hone their performing, acting, and musicianship skills. Kennedy made it to the final rounds of “Real Country” and performed at Stagecoach in 2019.

While on “Real Country,” Kennedy was mentored by Shania Twain, known as the “Queen of Country Pop,” and had the opportunity to honor the Canadian-born singer-songwriter at the Academy of Country Music Honors in 2022. Kennedy also was featured in Country Music Television’s (CMT’s) Next Women of Country (NWOC) Class of 2020.

Her self-titled EP, “Tiera,” released in 2021, features a demo, “Found It in You,” a love song inspired by her relationship with her husband and creative director Kamren Kennedy. The couple got married in October 2021.

“We met in Birmingham, but he went to school in Nashville. We did long distance for a little bit, but we have always worked together. He is insanely talented in his own right, and its fun getting to collaborate. He has such a vision for everything that he does and for my music. There is nobody else in the world that I’d rather create with,” she told The Times.

“Found It in You,” was released again as Kennedy’s debut single in 2022, when she signed with Big Machine Label Group, a Nashville-based recording label that is home to several major country and pop artists. That same year, Kennedy made her first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, which is considered to be the most famous stage in country music and has launched the careers of many of the genre’s biggest stars.

“[The Grand Ole Opry] is such a special stage in country music, and there is so much history on that stage,” Kennedy said. “So many artists I have looked up to have performed there, like [Parton], who performed on the Opry stage at 13. … I have performed a couple of times since then, and that is always a special place for me. I always say it is like the Disneyland of country music.”

Kennedy also hosts a daily country music radio show exclusively on Apple Music Country called during which she discusses the country music industry and interviews other country artists. The show can be heard Monday through Friday at 9 a.m.

Young, Black, and Country

As a young new Black artist in a predominantly white space, Kennedy has faced challenges.

“It is difficult for new artists in general,” she said. “I have been blessed to have some amazing champions in Nashville that have guided me along the way and given me opportunities. It is tough. I have had doors closed in my face, but I have also had people that have taken a chance on me.

“That is how I’ve gotten through: … by leaning on those champions and leaning on other [up-and-coming] artists that are going through the same thing. Sometimes it looks like we are on top of the world on social media, but at the end of the day we have our own struggles, and it’s helpful to talk to each other,” she said.

Kennedy’s new single, “I Ain’t a Cowgirl,” available on April 26, is a song she wrote as a motivator for herself. “I was going through a hard time when I wrote that song, and it got me through a lot. It still does to this day. I’m not a cowgirl, but I’m going to be one day, and I hope that it just motivates other people to know that you can get through whatever you are going through. If one person says no, that’s alright because there might be a yes around the corner. Believe in yourself and stick up for yourself. I hope that people get that message through this.”

Toward the end of this year, Kennedy plans to release her debut album. “I’ve been waiting a long time to do that, and I’m excited for people to hear this music and the story behind it,” she said.

Tiera Kennedy’s “I Ain’t a Cowgirl” will be available April 26 on all streaming platforms. “The Tiera Show” is available on Apple Music Country, Monday through Friday at 9 a.m.

“If hopelessness had a basement, I would be living in it due to my given circumstances; but God, being rich in mercy, had a different plan for me.”

Birmingham Times

April 18, 2024

MATTHEW NORRIS, A SENIOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR AT UAB, WHO GRADUATES THIS MONTH, ON FINDING ACCESS TO EDUCATION SCARCE WHILE HE WAS GROWING UP IN UGANDA; UAB.EDU, APRIL 15.

Thunderstorms Can Catch You Off Guard, Be Prepared

Birmingham Times

April 18, 2024

Thunderstorms are another type of natural disaster that is unfortunately normal for our region of the country this time of year. This is why it is important you don’t let this severe weather pattern catch you off guard. It is essential you understand the severity of these types of weather systems.

Being prepared is crucial, especially if you live in a spring thunderstorm prone area. Therefore, know your area’s risk for thunderstorms. In most places they can occur year-round and at any hour. You may want to sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

It is always prudent to act now, not later. This begins with strengthening your home. Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home. Birmingham is known as The Tree City so there are many hardwood trees throughout our city and surrounding municipalities. Consider buying surge protectors, lightning rods or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances and electronic devices.

Create an emergency plan so that you and your family know what to do, where to go and what you will need to protect yourselves from the effects of a thunderstorm. You should identify a sturdy building close to where you live, work, study and play. You should review your emergency plan with the entire family. Also, you should include any household pets in your emergency plan.

Preparation for a thunderstorm can save lives and prevent further damage. (Adobe Stock)

Know the difference between a National Weather Service (NWS) severe thunderstorm watch and a severe thunderstorm warning. A severe thunderstorm watch means be prepared. Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm watch is upgraded to a warning. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.

A severe thunderstorm warning means to act! The upgrade to warning indicates that severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter in a substantial building. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.

Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by large hail or damaging wind identified by an NWS forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.

Preparation for a thunderstorm can save lives and prevent further damage. It is vital that you stay vigilant and Keep an Eye on Safety during a watch and/or warning.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

Birmingham Times

April 18, 2024

BY GWEN DERU | THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES

ENJOY NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!!

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

**THE JOE LOCKETT SHOW Live Podcast with NEPHEW CLIFF and MS. DENISE, Monday-Friday at 4 p.m.

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

**FILM – 7 p.m. at the Sidewalk Film.

**THURSDAY NIGHT WITH JOE BRANTLEY at the Nick.

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

**LIVE BAND KARAOKE hosted by ELLE JAI at Perfect Note.

**KIKSTART at WaterMark 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…
**EVERY FRIDAY DURING LUNCH – FRIDAY COUPON CHEAT DAY with HOT 107 at 1918 Catering. (Use the coupon ANY DAY.)

**THE JOE LOCKETT SHOW Live Podcast with NEPHEW CLIFF and MS. DENISE, Monday-Friday at 4 p.m.

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

**STEPHEN WILSON, JR. with LEIGH NASH & MATT SLOCUM OF SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER at The Nick.

**LATE NIGHT SHOW IN THE PINES & RESULTS OF ADULTS at The Nick

**FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE WITH R&B DIVA DEIRDRE GADDIS at Perfect Note.

**EVERY FRIDAY – R&B FRIDAY, 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.

**FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY at City Hall, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the short 20th Street North.

**QUE’S BAR & GRILL GROOVIN’ on 19th Street in Ensley.

**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, W.

SATURDAY…
**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

**WALKER HAYES at Talladega Superspeedway’s Saturday Night Concert.

**BOB SYKES BBQ & BLUES FESTIVAL in DeBardeleben Park, Bessemer.

**ALABAMA BIRD SEARCH – YOUTH CHALLENGE, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Zoo.

**TEDDY AT NIGHT, MOONY & GOLDEN BLUE at The Nick.

**R&B SINGER KIM CRUSE at Perfect Note.

**RUN IT BACK SATURDAYS at Platinum of Birmingham.

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.

**SUNDAY EVENING WITH KYLE KIMBRELL at The Nick.

**SOULFUL SUNDAY SAXOPHONIST VES MARABLE at the Perfect Note.

MONDAY…
**ENVISION RADIO – THE ENTREPRENEUR’S EDGE hosted by Jerry Mitchell. For more, jamblack06@gmail.com. www.envision-radio.com.

**THE JOE LOCKETT SHOW LIVE Podcast with NEPHEW CLIFF and MS. DENISE, Monday-Friday, at 4 p.m.

**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at the Nick.

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

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

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

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

**THE JOE LOCKETT SHOW Live Podcast with NEPHEW CLIFF and MS. DENISE, Monday-Friday at 4 p.m.

**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 Company 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.

**RILEY DOWNING WITH THE STEPDADS at the Nick.

**SOUTHALL at Iron City.

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.

**THE JOE LOCKETT SHOW Live Podcast with NEPHEW CLIFF and MS. DENISE, Monday-Friday at 4 p.m.

**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.

**ALABAMA SO & SO MACHINE! at The Nick.

**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.

**WEDNESDAYS WEEKLY JAZZ JAM, 7- 10 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.

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

**THE JOE LOCKETT SHOW Live Podcast with NEPHEW CLIFF and MS. DENISE, Monday-Friday at 4 p.m.

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

**FILM – 7 p.m. at the Sidewalk Film.

**LEGENDS NIGHT WITH HEATH GREEN, SUE WESTCOTT & ADAM GUTHRIE! at the Nick.

**BURLESQUE NIGHT at The Nick.

**DRAKE WHITE – THE BRIDGE TOUR at Iron City.

NEXT FRIDAY…
**EVERY FRIDAY DURING LUNCH – FRIDAY COUPON CHEAT DAY with HOT 107 at 1918 Catering. (Use the coupon ANY DAY.)

**THE JOE LOCKETT SHOW Live Podcast with NEPHEW CLIFF and MS. DENISE, Monday-Friday at 4 p.m.

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

**AL1CE, BLOOD MOON RIOT and OCTOBER NOIR at The Nick.

**TRIBUTE TO SOUTHERN SOUL featuring RYAN KEYZ at Perfect Note.

**MONEY MAN- PURPLE HEART TOUR at Iron City.

NEWS TO USE…
**BLACK WARRIOR RIVERKEEPER BENEFIT WITH EARTHBOUND’S EARTHFEST – Earthbound Earthfest is the rock band’s annual outdoor concert on SATURDAY, 2- 8 p.m. at Avondale Brewery. This event benefits BLACK WARRIOR RIVERKEEPER, a nonprofit clean water advocacy organization protecting Alabama’s Black Warrior River watershed. It is a family-friendly outdoor event and open to pets and people of all ages. (This event is dedicated to Sam Ray, Earthbound’s manager who founded Earthbound’s Earthfest.)

FOR MOTORSPORTS LOVERS…
AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY…
**THIS WEEKEND – What you have been waiting for is this weekend. The Spring Race Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway kicks off SATURDAY with a doubleheader featuring the ARCA Menards Series GENERAL TIRE 200 at 12:30 p.m. and the NASCAR Xfinity Series AG-PRO 300 at 4 p.m. SUNDAY’S NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 is at 3 p.m. This is more than a race! This is Talladega!

AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS…
**NEXT WEEKEND – The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix will be packed the Friday, Saturday and Sunday featuring the NTT INDYCAR Series. The same drivers that compete in the INDY 500 will be racing in Birmingham at Barber Motorsports Park. This is the 14th year of the event and the 21st Anniversary of Barber Motorsports Park opening. It is home of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum with the largest motorcycle collection in the world. The event will be broadcast on NBC to more than 100 countries and territories. The Fan Zone is free for all. There are autograph sessions, vintage cars on display, a Kids Zone, and so much more. Additional events include wine tastings, an art festival, Indy 5K, and more.

FOR BUSINESS LOVERS…
** ENTREPRENEURS & INNOVATORS CONFERENCE is June 20 and 21st at the Tuxedo Ballroom in the Ensley Entertainment District. Registration is $159 before April 19 and $170 afterward until June 18th. The Alabama State Black Chamber of Commerce is the host. To register, and for more, go to www.AlBlackCC.org, OR info@ALBlackCC.org.

AT TEMPLE EMANUEL-EL…

**TUESDAY- 2ND NIGHT SEDER, 6 p.m. at Abroms Hall. Register at ourtemple.org/Passover.
**NEXT SATURDAY – MATZAH & CHILL, 5:30 p.m. for 9th-12th Graders. Make Matzah Pizza, Togger, play board games and schmooze with friends. For more: nfty.org.

FOR THE YOUTH …
**ART COMPETITION FOR ALABAMA’s 7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT – Congresswoman Terri Sewell is accepting submissions for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. This year’s theme is: ALABAMA STORY MAKERS: THE HISTORIC PEOPLE AND PLACES OF THE COTTON STATE.” Deadline is April 26. For more information, contact Rep. Sewell’s Montgomery Office at (334) 262-1919 or visit her official website at sewell.house.gov/art-competition. The competition is open to high school students from both public and private schools throughout Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, as well as home-schooled high school students. The winner will receive free round-trip airfare for two to Washington D.C. to attend an official reception honoring the winners from congressional districts across the nation. The winner’s artwork will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS…

**THURSDAY WEEKDAY WALK with Southeastern Outings Leisurely Weekday Wildflower Walk in a Forest Preserve in Homewood, 9:30 a.m. DETAILS: The City of Homewood owns two forest preserves on Shades Mountain adjacent to the Homewood High School. Spend a relaxing two hours walking and admiring spring wildflowers in the lower preserve. The walking pace for this hike will be moderately easy. Stop often to catch our breath and note views, trees, birdsongs and the trail and woods. Meet 9:30 a.m .in the church parking lot on South Lakeshore Drive in Homewood. Plan to depart at 9:45 a.m. Information and trip leader: Christine Heckemeyer, 205-979-5730.

**SATURDAY DAYHIKE with Southeastern Outings Picnic Lunch and Moderate Dayhike, 9:45 a.m. at Paul Grist State Park near Selma, Alabama – DETAIL: Paul Grist State Park is one of the state’s most uncrowded, yet scenic state parks containing hills, forests, fields and a large, beautiful, tree-lined lake. Prior to the day hike, get together at the smaller pavilion right near the park office to eat our picnic lunches. Bring your picnic lunch and also $3 per person ($2 for children age 2-6 and seniors age 62 and older) park admission and a beverage for yourself. Dayhike Details: Hike rated moderate. There are only a few ups and downs. Total hiking distance is approximately 5.5 miles. Plan to walk all the way around the lake and then also walk on some additional trails in the park to make the drive time down and back worthwhile. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 9 and over able to walk six miles without complaining are welcome. Bring your picnic lunch and drink and wear sturdy footwear. Optional group restaurant dinner after the hike. Reservations not required for this outing. Meet 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria. Plan to depart at 10 a.m. Info. and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick email southeasternoutings@gmail.comor telephone 205-631-4680.

AROUND THE SOUTHEAST…
IN CLEARWATER, FLORIDA…
**APRIL 25 – JAZZ IN PARADISE SUNSET DINNER CRUISE – A Sunset Dinner Cruise at Clearwater Beach Marina, 6 p.m. Boarding time and 6:30 p.m. Departure time. The JAZZ AND SUNSET Dinner Cruise is celebrating Clearwater Jazz Holiday (CJH) Young Lions Jazz students and alumni. It will include an Afterglow party Dockside. The dinner includes: Hors D’ouevres, Complimentary Premium Bar, Three Course Gourmet Dinner, Live Entertainment with a Spectacular Sunset. For more, www.clearwaterjazz.com OR, call 727-461-5200.

IN ORANGE BEACH, FLORIDA…
**APRIL 27 – BILLY CURRINGTON & KIP MOORE at the Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach.

IN TUSCALOOSA…
**MAY 17 – BILLY CURRINGTON & KIP MOORE at the Mercedes- Benz Amphitheater in Tuscaloosa.

FOR GARDEN LOVERS…

AT BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS…

**TODAY… HOUSE PLANTS 101 WITH HOUSE PLANT COLLECTIVE where you can learn tips and tricks for growing houseplants with Jessica Watts.

**TUESDAY…A PAINTING IN A POT: SPRING CONTAINER GARDENING with demonstrations by Gloria Clemmenson with a creative approach to container gardening using color, design and Alabama native plants.

**NEXT TUESDAY…DESIGNING A POTAGER GARDEN with Tracy Britnell sharing history, elements and practical techniques for creating a kitchen garden.

**NEXT SATURDAY…EARTH DAY AT THE GARDENS, Noon – 2 p.m. with family yoga and more on the Formal Lawn.

**MAY 7 – ROSE’ IN THE ROSES, 5:30 – p.m. in the Dunn Formal Rose Gardens.

HAPPENINGS AT SIXTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
…SEE YOU AT THE SIXTH…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. A one-hour service with children’s service and complimentary coffee and tea. For more: info@thegiftpad.org.

AT TEMPLE EMANUEL-EL…
**SUNDAY – MITZVAH DAY, 9:30 a.m. at Temple Emanu-El.

** SUNDAY – JEWISH FOOD AND CULTURE FEST, 11 a.m.. – 3 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El. For more, ourtemple.org/tikkun-olam.

**MONDAY SAFETY TRAINING OPPORTUNITY, 6-7 p.m. at Temple Beth El. Must register.

COMING SOON…

**OCTOBER 3rd- “AN EVENING OF ICONS with THE COMMODORES, THE POINTER SISTERS & THE SPINNERS” at Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater

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 my emails: gwenderu@yahoo.com and thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com.

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