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PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS

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Birmingham Times
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Daniel Jose Carr (Provided)

BY GWEN DERU | The Birmingham Times

CELEBRATING WOMEN HISTORY AND BLACK HISTORY…every day!

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.

**PRAYER GATHERING FOR THE RELEASE OF CAPTIVES, 5:30 – 6 p.m. at the Temple Emanu-El.

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

**OPERA SHOTS, 6:30 p.m. at Back Forty Beer Co. FREE! Enjoy the Alabama Symphony, led by CARLOS IZCARAY and the amazing voice of Opera Birmingham Soprano KATHLEEN FARRAH BUCCLEUGH

**FILM – 7 p.m. at the Sidewalk Film.

**SKYWAY 61 & THE HEAVY STRIDES 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.

**MOVIES EVERY THURSDAY at Sidewalk Fest.

**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.

**SAVANNAH DEXTER & BRABO GATOR at Iron City for all ages.

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

**RAMBLE TRIO NIGHT 1 featuring RUDE & TRUE at The Nick.

**TROMBONIST CORD BRADLEY at Perfect Note.

**ALEXA FONTAINE at The Margaret Bar. Alexa Fontaine singer, songwriter, is from Birmingham Alabama. She started writing songs when she was just 13 years old. She focused more on vocal melodies than guitar. The best way to describe her genre is indie/alt or indie/folk. She has a single out “Bittersweet” on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, and new music dropping soon.

**DRAG NIGHT at The Nick.

**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.

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

**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.

**SATURDAY TORAH STUDY, 10 a.m.  Study with Rabbi Wright and Cantor Wittner at Temple Emanuel-El.

**JAPANESE GARDEN TOUR, 9- 10 a.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

**KAUL WILDFLOWER GARDEN TOUR, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. There are member-exclusive morning and afternoon tours on Saturday.

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

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

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

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

**RAMBLE TRIO NIGHT 2 featuring DAVIS & HALEIGH at The Nick.

**TRIBUTE TO TINA TURNER featuring ELLE JAI at Perfect Note.

**RUN IT BACK SATURDAYS at Platinum of Birmingham.

**TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Margaret Bar. Taylor Hollingsworth is a gifted fingerpicking songwriter hailing from Birmingham, Alabama. With his unique blend of folk and rock, he has carved out a distinct musical niche that he affectionately calls “folk n’ roll” or electric folk.

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.

**TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick.

**PALM SUNDAY-JOURNEY TO THE CROSS featuring HARRELL WILLIAMS & FRIENDS at Perfect Note.

MONDAY…
**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.

**ARI SHAFFIR – WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY TOUR at the StarDome Comedy Club.

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.

**TITO’S TUESDAY at Dirty Ash’s 8 p.m. with DAVID TALLEY IV.

**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.

**EVERY TUESDAY – TRUE STORY BREWING JAZZ SESSIONS, 7- 10 p.m., 5510 Crestwood Blvd.

**TASTY TUESDAYS at Platinum of Birmingham with DJ MAVERICK, DJ CUZZO and DJ JUICE with drink specials and free dinner buffet. 30+ Before 9 p.m. and 21+ after 9 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAY…
**INTERFAITH NOONDAY PRAYER SERVICES every Wednesday, Noon, 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.

**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.

**ALEX WILKERSON AND THEM at the Nick.

**KURT VILE & THE VIOLATORS at Iron City.

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.

**THURSDAY NIGHT WITH JOE BRANTLEY at the Nick.

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.

**GOOD LORD! THAD SAAJID & THE COMPANY, LOCAL BRAND at The Nick.

**R&B GREATS featuring SINGER ASHFORD SANDERS at Perfect Note.

CELEBRATING WOMEN…

GWEN’S SPOTLIGHT –

**MS. DENISE OF THE JOE LOCKETT SHOW – The Joe Lockett Show airs every week, Monday through Friday Live Podcast, at 4 p.m. Ms. Denise is the beautiful and sexy female with good advice, tips and laughs. LADIES …and men …LISTEN UP!! Let Joe Lockett and Nephew Cliff hear you. Enjoy!!!

IN MARCH…

FOR WOMEN…

**WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING (WAM) CLASSES at Lawson State Bessemer Campus is a six-month program where women can learn how to calibrate and troubleshoot with equipment in a manufacturing environment. Childcare is available. Upon completion, students will receive a pre-apprenticeship certification and ready to move toward an apprenticeship with area companies. The program is FREE. Contact Lawson College or YWCA. For more visit https://form.jotform.com/232966393178066.

 AT THE CRESCENT CULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTER…

**LET THE WOMB TALK Yoni Yoga Circle, 4-5:15 p.m. with Instructor MAATI SANOVIA MUHAMMAD. For more, cresentculturalcenter@gmail.com.

AT THE CARVER THEATRE – JAZZ HALL OF FAME…

**WOMEN IN JAZZ are celebrated by the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame during Women’s History Month. There are iconic vocalists like BILLIE HOLIDAY and SARAH VAUGHAN to pioneering instrumentalists such as MARY LOU WILLIAMS and ALICE COLTRANE, a few women that have played an integral role in shaping the landscape of jazz music. Celebrate pioneers that shattered boundaries to contemporary artists who continue to innovate to women who have played an integral role in shaping the genre. Their talent, creativity and resilience have left an indelible mark on the world of music.

**MARCH 28 – THE KICKBACK COMEDY SHOW, 7-9 p.m. with headliner DONNELL RAWLINGS, FUNNY MAINE, MEL MITCHELL, RADIO BIG MACK for the HBCU SPRINGCOMING at the Carver Theatre.

**VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES for those that are interested. If you are ready to dive into the world of jazz and make a difference, check out the website and complete the form. Jazzhall.com.

**Look for the NEW JAZZ HALL RADIO STUDIOS. More soon!

AT THE BRCI…
**TODAY – MOMS OF THE MOVEMENT: WOMEN OF DYNAMITE HILL, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the BCRI Community Meeting Room. BARRY MCNEALY will lead a panel of sons and daughters of the Women of Dynamite Hill including JEFF DREW, THEODORA SHORES, JUDGE HOUSTON BROWN, plaintiff from Mary Means vs. Birmingham. Register.

**NEXT THURSDAY, March 28 – THE WOMEN GATHER, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the BCRI COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM & VANN GALLERY. Register.

WHAT ELSE… IN MARCH…

AT THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS…

**CELEBRATE FRIENDSHIP during the month of March with special perks for new, renewing and current members, including $10 off any new or gift membership with coupon code MM24.

**March 28 – PLANTING POLLINATORS AND KEEPING BEES, 11 a.m. – noon in the Adventure Classroom with OLIVIA FULLER.

**March 30 – SAKURA CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. FREE.

**INTERNSHIP OPENINGS – Learn more at the bbgardens.org.

**DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE – Learn more at the bbgardens.org.

FOR THE YOUTH …

**SATURDAY – PEPPERMINT PATTY DAYCARE EASTER EGG HUNT, 12 NOON – 2 p.m. at Sandusky Community Center, 1251 Pratt Hwy.

**SUNDAY – EASTER EGG HUNT, 1-4 p.m. at Railroad Park with music, food trucks, face painting and more. Bring your own basket and lawn chair. Get your photo taken with the Easter Bunny.

**ART COMPETITION FOR ALABAMA’s 7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT – Congresswoman Terri Sewell is once again 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.” THE 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.

**MARCH 25-29 – ART PLAY SPRING BREAK CAMP, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for ages 7 – 12 years of age at 1006 19th Street South.

**MARCH 30 – MARCH MADNESS – ROAD TO HOME OWNERSHIP – YOU NEED TO KNOW, 1:30 – 3 p.m. at 2401 CrossPlex Blvd. (5 Points West Starbucks)

**MARCH 30 – 3rd ANNUAL SAVOIR FAIRE ADULT SNEAKER BALL SOIREE at Region Field.

PLUS…

**LIFEGUARDS NEEDED- Birmingham Parks and Recreation Youth will accept applications through May 10. REQUIREMENTS: Certification is preferred. Non-certified will be trained. Must be 16 years of age on or before May 10th. Interested? Call 205-254-2189 or 205-254-2391.

**MEN’S DREAM CONFERENCE, May 25, 2-4 p.m. at 525 Bradley Road in Gardendale, Alabama, 35071 with DAVID CRAIG, JUSTIN EVANS and ALEX JONES hosted by JAJUAN WIGGINS and AHMAD COLLINS. Call 205 515-0441 for more or email: jajuan_Wiggins@ymail.com.

**GIRLS MENTORING is in person sessions for 8-12th grade young ladies for positive development. This is a YWCA Family Resource Center and Girls, Inc. partnership. Sessions are 2nd Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. It ends in April. Registration is required.

**THE MAN PROJECT is an all male mentoring program with a mission to empower, encourage and enlighten young males. It will teach them how to have productive lives, develop coping skills and take responsibility for the choices they make. The program wants to challenge them to be positive decision makers and shape them into successful young men. Register at: tmanproject.org.

MENTORS NEEDED…

**REACH & RISE THERAPEUTIC MENTORING PROGRAM – BECOME A MENTOR to 6-17 year olds by volunteering for 12 months. REQUIREMENTS: Be at least 21 years of age, complete 6 weeks of training, pass fingerprint and security screening, have a clean driving record, and commit 1-3 hours per week with a paired youth for 12 months. Apply at The Y-for youth development for healthy living and for social responsibility.

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).

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.

“I want to be able to show my community that they have Black people out here in these spaces that were never designed for us.”

By
Birmingham Times
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0

ADEZZA DUBOSE, A LICENSED COUNSELOR IN BIRMINGHAM; THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES, MARCH 21.

Birmingham Seeks $2 Million to Replace and Repair ‘Aging’ Police Vehicles

By
Birmingham Times
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0
The Summer 2025 Strategic Plan includes a curfew for those 16 or younger, in the City of Birmingham. (File)

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson | For The Birmingham Times

With the Birmingham Police Department vehicles, on average, over the standard mileage of 120,000 and many in need of replacement, the city is seeking $2 million from the Department of Justice for the acquisition of 25 new patrol vehicles for BPD, according to city officials.

The City Council identified the “aging fleet” as one of its priorities during a trip to the National League of Cities Conference last week in Washington D.C. saying a number of the vehicles are “in need of replacement and repairs to aid with call times and day-to-day operations.”

“When we have these vehicles running three shifts a day, depending on how the shifts are working, all day, basically they rack up miles very quickly,” said City Councilor Hunter Williams on Tuesday. “We are trying to make moves where we can have the number of vehicles where some cars can sit out a shift. At the end of the day cars are not made to run 24/7 … an engine is not made to do that.

In 2023, the Birmingham Police Department responded to 442,396 calls, “putting a substantial strain” on the current vehicle fleet, according to the council.

An additional 25 vehicles might not sound like a lot but an extra $2 million can go a long way, Williams said. “…  the last thing we need to have is a police department that doesn’t have a vehicle that responds to a call … The call volume is very high for BPD … however, it’s less the call volume, it’s more of that the police vehicles are used 24 hours a 7 days a week and they don’t get a rest until they are taken in for service.”

Calls made to Mayor Woodfin’s office and BPD for comment were unsuccessful.

Woodfin Details Where Money is Spent During Birmingham’s 2024 Budget Town Hall

By
Birmingham Times
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0
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, with members of the City Council in the front row, speaks during the 2024 Budget Town Hall in the downtown Boutwell Auditorium. (Birmingham City Council, Facebook Page)

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson | For The Birmingham Times

Hundreds packed the second floor of the Boutwell Auditorium on Monday to hear Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin discuss the city’s budgeting process during a 2024 Budget Town Hall which lasted about two hours.

For the first hour, the mayor gave a detailed look at budget allocations — specifically what departments are funded and how that money breaks down and answered questions for the final hour.

The currently has a $554 million fiscal 2023-2024 budget which went into effect July 1, 2023.

Woodfin said blight removal and street paving are areas where he gets the most questions from residents.

“In six years, we spent about $60 million in street paving,” said Woodfin. “That’s probably the highest thing spent (in operating expenses) because it’s the number one consistent request over and over, every single year.”

The city’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 and in the current fiscal 2024 more than $437 in business taxes are expected, compared to the second highest revenue source, which is property taxes, which total nearly $36 million, he said.

“The city of Birmingham, as it relates to our ability to collect taxes in return for new city services for you and your neighbors, is heavily dependent on small businesses,” he told the audience.

The city’s number one expense is personnel, which makes up 76 percent of the budget with the remaining 24 percent going toward operating expenses, he said.

Woodfin has made no secret that he’s passionate about the city’s youth programs.

Per the data he shared during the Town Hall, Birmingham Promise (a program connecting students with workforce experience and post-secondary educational opportunities) gets $2 million; conflict resolution/violence intervention, $1 million (Common Ground program); and mental health and Safe Haven programs get $500,000 each.

He also pointed to $1 million for financial literacy programs. “You may say why? … The answer is very simple,” said Woodfin. “In a considerable amount of your neighborhoods, you have predatory check cashing places. It is my desire to put them out of business because they prey on poor people in our city. Maybe the long-term play is to make the necessary investments in the next generation … they’re more likely to walk past one of those places,” he said.

Residents were mostly pleased by the presentation. Gerald Gilmore came with a wide-ranging view of the city. He grew up in Titusville, lives in South Roebuck community; graduated from Ramsay High School and Miles College (with a major in Business Administration) and retired from AT&T.

Gilmore said he found the budget town hall meeting “very informative” and came “to see how the city operates and where the money is going.”

High on Gilmore’s radar are crime and education, and said he would like to more money contributed toward these efforts along with more “neighborhood and community involvement.”

Thomasine Jackson serves as the East Thomas Neighborhood President, the same community that she said she was born and raised. “As a neighborhood president, I need to know what’s going on with the budget and what’s going to happen,” she said.

Jackson said it was “a fair meeting” and added she wanted to know more about budgeting for her neighborhood.

Citing a number of questions related to Birmingham’s specific neighborhoods, in the interest of time, Woodfin and his staff assured community leaders that, rather than lengthen the town hall, someone from the mayor’s staff would contact them regarding specific questions.

As residents left the Boutwell Auditorium they were given a Budget Handbook that came in English and Spanish.

Updated at 9:14 a.m. on 3/20/2024 to include amount of 2023-24 fiscal budget.

‘He Was in Front of Our Fireplace on One Knee and Said, ‘I Love You’

By
Birmingham Times
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0

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

WHITNEY AND MICHAEL NALLS

Live: Fairfield

Married: Aug. 19, 2019

Met: Feb. 10, 2016, at the 3000 Bar on the Southside. Whitney was out for a drink with some friends when she noticed Micheal and his friend occupying her favorite spot at the bar. Michael said he was trying to light his cigar when Whitney approached.

“I used to sit there all the time with my line sisters so I was a little agitated and I can be a little rude,” she laughed. “I was just trying to get to the bar to get a drink and [I saw he was having trouble with the cigar] and I said, ‘You don’t even know what you’re doing, you haven’t even cut the cigar. Can I order a drink while you figure that out?’ Michael thought I was trying to flirt but I wasn’t,” Whitney said.

“…that made me laugh and I asked her name, and we went into a conversation. She says she wasn’t trying to flirt but she gave me her number,” Michael recalled.

A few days later, Michael called Whitney to wish her a happy Valentine’s Day and asked her to dinner that weekend.

First date: Feb. 17, 2016, at Applebee’s in Fultondale. Whitney recalled Michael sitting too close for her comfort.

“I thought he was weird because he sat next to me and not across from me at the restaurant, and I remember I did not like his jacket,” she laughed. “He had on an army green jacket, and I was like ‘why does he have that on?’ But it was a nice little dinner,” said Whitney.

“I’m gonna have to bring that jacket back out,” Michael laughed. “But we just talked and got to know each other better, it was a cool first date.”

Whitney and Michael Nalls met in 2016 at a bar on the Southside. They married in 2019. (PROVIDED PHOTOS)

The turn: April 2016, during a weekend rendezvous in Atlanta. Whitney does not recall a discussion declaring their exclusivity but said the direction they were headed was evident.

“That was our first time going out of town together and I feel like we became exclusive then… that’s when we stopped acknowledging other people [because] people would call our phones and we wouldn’t answer,” Whitney said.

Michael said he could tell Whitney had become more attached to him that weekend, but that a conversation about their status as a couple followed.

“A couple of weeks later she asked me what are we doing? and it was a weird conversation for me, but I was like I guess we were together,” said Michael.

The proposal: Labor Day weekend 2018. The couple had purchased their first house together and planned what Whitney thought was their housewarming party. That wasn’t part of Micheal’s plans.

“I had the ring, I had her dad’s permission, all her [friends and family] knew that I was going to propose to her except for her mom because I knew she would tell her,” Michael laughed. “And her friends started [pushing her to go upstairs] to fix her hair, and when she came back down the stairs, we went into blessing the house and I went into the proposal from there. I got down on my knee and said, “Whitney will you marry me?’”

Whitney said she was confused. She was still trying to set up and decorate the house for the party when her friends made her stop to get her makeup done and change her clothes.

“I was comfortable in my Nike shorts; I didn’t understand why I needed to get my makeup done for a Luau [themed] housewarming party. They forced me to put the dress on that I had bought for the party, and they rushed me down telling me I was about to miss the blessing and I thought the party hadn’t even started yet and when I got downstairs I was confused because so many people [had arrived].

“It was a packed house, and I was looking around at all my [AKA] line sisters being there, family and friends driving in from other cities, and I was confused until it clicked.  Michael was in front of our fireplace on one knee and said, ‘I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, will you marry me?’ and I was so busy looking around I forgot to respond and said, ‘what you gonna say?’,” Whitney laughed. “Then I said ‘yes’, and after the proposal [the housewarming] literally turned into a house party.”

The wedding: The couple took their vows at the downtown Birmingham Courthouse and went to Urban Cookhouse for lunch afterwards and on Nov. 2, 2019, they held a ceremony at the Marriott Hotel on 280. It was officiated by Reverend I. S. Patterson, of First Baptist Adamsville, and their colors were champagne, navy, and blush. Most memorable for the bride was having her ailing grandmother in attendance.

“She had been diagnosed with dementia and had started living in a nursing home and we went through a lot to get her to the wedding. She had to have an attendant from the nursing home with her the whole time, and I was just glad that she was able to witness it,” Whitney said.

Most memorable for the groom was watching his bride walk down the aisle.

“Being up there in front of everybody and watching her walk down to me brought a couple of tears to my eyes,” Michael said. The newlyweds honeymooned in Cancun, Mexico.

Words of wisdom: “One day at a time,” Whitney said, “and don’t go to bed angry. And always remember that your spouse is your person. Even on the bad days, he’s still my person.

“I pray a lot and ask the Lord for strength. It’s patience and prayer. If you can get on one accord everything can work out much smoother,” Michael said.

Happily ever after: The Nalls are a blended family and attend First Baptist Adamsville. They have one son, Champ, 2, from their union, and daughters Mariah, 12, and Maleyah, 11.

Whitney, 33, is an Adamsville native, and Minor High School grad. She attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham [UAB], where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and works as a disability examiner for the Social Security Administration.

Michael, 36, is a Midfield native and Midfield High School grad. He attended Alabama State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Michael works as a federal corrections officer for the Department of Justice.

“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

Birmingham City Councilors Take Priorities to National League of Cities Conference

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Birmingham Times
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Councilors Crystal Smitherman, left, and LaTonya Tate were reappointed to prominent committee positions with the National League of Cities. (Provided)

birminghamcitycouncil.org

Birmingham City Councilors were among more than 3,000 elected officials from all over the United States last week to converge on Washington D.C. for the National League of Cities Conference.

The officials took the time to share ideas, learn best practices, and have extended meetings with their congressional delegations to help shape policy and priorities for their cities, towns and villages.

Birmingham City Council President Darrell O’Quinn said one of the priorities for the city was the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act which “has the potential to protect and benefit every single American living near a rail line by increasing regulations and appropriating federal funds to install more safety features in places like Birmingham.”

“I feel as though collectively we were able to make a lot of progress on this issue, especially considering the overwhelming support this bill has from local elected officials from all over the country,” he added.

Council Pro Tem Wardine Alexander has spearheaded efforts to increase workforce development opportunities for residents in District 7 and did so again at the conference.

She was awarded the E Pluribus Unum (UNUM) Fellowship Grant to help create a workforce development pipeline between Lawson State Community College and Buffalo Rock that will provide specialized training to fill jobs in the area. She has also focused on working with state legislators to pass key utilities legislation, including 5G infrastructure expansion.

“It is an honor to be able to represent Birmingham through an organization like the National League of Cities,” Alexander said. “My colleagues and I have been able to network with elected officials from all over the country and we’ve planned to implement some of the strategies we’ve discussed … I’ll be working with legislators on ways to improve workforce development opportunities, holistic strategies to address issues surrounding homelessness and increasing broadband access for students across the country.”

From left: Birmingham Councilors Crystal Smitherman; Hunter Williams; President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander and President Darrell O’Quinn during National League of Cities Conference in Washington D.C. (Provided)

O’Quinn, Alexander and Councilors Crystal Smitherman and LaTonya Tate were all been reappointed to prominent committee positions with the NLC.

O’Quinn was re-elected to serve on the NLC’s Board of Directors, Alexander was re-elected as the NLC’s Regional Director for the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and Smitherman is continuing in her role on the Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Committee with NLC and Tate was appointed to the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee.

Tate, who chairs the Council’s Public Safety Committee, was elected to a one-year term, and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities on public safety.

“It is an honor to be able to represent Birmingham through an organization like the National League of Cities,” Tate said. “I’ll be working with legislators from across the country on ways to improve public safety and develop holistic strategies to address issues surrounding crime and violence intervention, especially among our young people.”

Here is a brief synopsis of a few key issues that were discussed with congressional leadership that could benefit Birmingham residents:

Airfield Safety and Expansion and BHM

The current runway and taxing position at Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport does not meet FAA safety standards, which limits the number of aircraft that can be accommodated at one time. Taxiway improvements would not only make the airport safer, but it would also significantly increase the economic opportunities for more cargo traffic.

The current cost of the project is $100 million but could be completed in phases. The request is for $20 million with the FAA Airport Improvement Program to help with the planning, design and construction of a portion of the airport’s primary runway.

Birmingham Police Department Vehicle Upgrades

As it stands, the Birmingham Police Departments Vehicles are, on average, over the standard mileage of 120,000. The aging fleet is in need of replacement and repairs to aid with call times and day-to-day operations. In 2023, the Birmingham Police Department responded to 442,396 calls, putting a substantial strain on the current vehicle fleet.

The request is for $2 million from the Department of Justice for the acquisition of 25 new patrol vehicles for BPD.

Birmingport Redevelopment

Located on 614 acres along the Black Warrior River, Birmingport is capable of handling intermodal cargo due to the fact it also has access to a rail line. However, there is not currently a controlled storage facility on the property, which severely limits the operational capacity of the port – it only operates at 5 percent of its overall capacity.

According to an analysis conducted by Auburn University, every dollar invested into the port would generate up to four dollars for the region. The request from the U.S. Department of Transportation would be for $12 million in Port Infrastructure Improvement Grants to assist with warehouse construction, rail spur extensions and push boat acquisitions.

EJI to Open 17-Acre Freedom Monument Sculpture Park on March 27 in Montgomery

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Birmingham Times
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"Black Renaissance" by Rayvenn D'Clark, bronze, 2023 in Equal Justice Initiative's Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery. Alabama. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

eji.org

Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) has announced that the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park will open on March 27. The 17-acre site combines historical artifacts, contemporary art, original research, and first-person narratives to provide an authentic and historically significant space that explores the institution of slavery, the lives of enslaved people, and the legacy of slavery in this country.

The enslavement of 10 million Black people has shaped the legal, cultural, social, and economic character of the United States in profound ways but the history of enslavement and the lives of enslaved people have often been ignored.

The Sculpture Park seeks to address this lack of education and also seeks to honor the millions of people who endured the brutality of slavery and created a more hopeful future for this country. The Freedom Monument Sculpture Park joins EJI’s award-winning Legacy Sites — the expanded Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

“I believe this will become a special place for millions of people who want to reckon with the history of slavery and honor the lives of people who endured tremendous hardship but still found ways to love in the midst of sorrow,” said Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the EJI. “Many of us are the heirs to that extraordinary perseverance and hope. There is a lot to learn at this site and we want everyone to experience it.”

The Freedom Monument Sculpture Park presents many historically significant objects, structures, and totems. 170-year-old dwellings from cotton plantations, restraints, and historical objects that represent the violence of slavery, and replicas of critical structures like rail cars and holding pens enable a more detailed understanding of the experience of enslaved people. Bricks made by enslaved people 175 years ago can be seen and touched. The site also presents powerful stories of survival, perseverance, hope, and resistance to the dehumanization that slavery created.

From a short history about Indigenous Peoples to an examination of Africa before and after the arrival of Europeans, the Sculpture Park contextualizes the history of slavery so that a more nuanced and informed understanding of this institution and its legacy is possible.

Also explored are the transatlantic trade of African people and the domestic trade of enslaved people in the United States; the laws of slavery in America; the labor of enslaved people; and escape, rebellion, and resistance to slavery. Love, death, family, and faith among enslaved people are acknowledged at different sections of the Park.

The National Monument to Freedom, standing 43 feet tall and 155 feet long, marks the culmination of the journey through the Sculpture Park. Using research from the 1870 Census, which was the first time formerly enslaved Black people were able to formally record a surname, the Monument individually lists over 122,000 surnames that nearly five million Black people adopted at the time and that tens of millions of people now carry across generations.

A sculpture named “We Am Very Cold” by Kwame Akoto-Bamfo. bronze, 2023 in Equal Justice Initiative’s Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

At EJI’s Visitors Center, guests are able to learn more about the counties and states associated with the names of formerly enslaved people, and visitors can use the kiosks to advance genealogical research or trace family histories.

The art collection at the Sculpture Park is one of the most significant narrative collections in the world, a curated effort featuring newly commissioned works by artists including Charles Gaines, Alison Saar, and Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, alongside major sculptures from Simone Leigh, Wangechi Mutu, Rose B. Simpson, Theaster Gates, Kehinde Wiley, and Hank Willis Thomas.

The art works in tandem with historical artifacts to dramatize the brutality of slavery while simultaneously illuminating the strength, dignity, and power of enslaved people and their descendants.

Freedom Monument Sculpture Park is located on the banks of the Alabama River, bordered by rail lines built by enslaved people. The River was also home to Indigenous Peoples who occupied these lands for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, a history which is acknowledged at the Sculpture Park.

The Alabama River flows through the Black Belt of Alabama and was a center of commerce throughout much of the 19th century. Large plantations were built along the river’s banks where goods and produce could be easily shipped to distant locations. Forming just north of Montgomery, the river flows 318 miles through counties which held some of the largest populations of enslaved people in the country. By the 1850s, rail became the most common mode of moving and selling enslaved people, and hundreds of enslaved Black people arrived in Montgomery each day. By 1860, nearly 400,000 Black people were enslaved on or near the Alabama River.

The Alabama River also has an enduring legacy with regard to Civil Rights and flows under the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, which was the site of the most significant efforts for voting rights for African Americans.

Through its significant location, artwork, and historical research and context, the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park presents a significant space for visitors to deepen their understanding of the institution of slavery and its legacy, while honoring the lives of the people who were enslaved.

Legacy Sites Website: legacysites.eji.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thelegacysites
Instagram: instagram.com/legacysites
Twitter: twitter.com/legacysites

About Equal Justice Initiative

The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. Founded in 1989 by Bryan Stevenson, a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer and best-selling author of Just Mercy, EJI is a private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with communities that have been marginalized by poverty and discouraged by unequal treatment, and we are committed to changing the narrative about race in America.

School Attendance Incentives for Birmingham Students Showing Signs of Success

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Birmingham Times
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Larry Williams, Chief of Housing Operations and Programs at HABD, after announcing February's winners of Every Day Counts on Friday. (Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson, For The Birmingham Times)

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson | For The Birmingham Times

Birmingham’s Every Day Counts program, an effort to combat truancy, is gaining momentum.

The initiative incentivizes Housing Authority of Birmingham District (HABD) parents to get their children to school each day with the possibility of winning cash rewards (to be used for rent or utilities).

The program is a partnered effort between the City of Birmingham, Birmingham City Schools and HABD.

On Friday, HABD held its first official drawing for families who will receive a financial reward toward their housing or a utility expense as a result of children having perfect attendance for the month of February.

Larry Williams, Chief of Housing Operations and Programs at (HABD) announced the latest winners of the program.

Two months ago, only two public housing households qualified for the drawing, but in February, 135 students qualified.

“Holistically, you have to look at the family and if you provide the support to the (entire) family, you get more success in outcomes,” said Williams.

While the monetary incentive and family programs are tools, the ultimate goal is for the child to succeed, he added.

“I think the most important thing is to make sure that kids are being educated. We all know that if they are not in school, they are not being educated,” said Williams. “So, this is about really pushing them and getting them excited about learning, and so we want to make sure that we do that throughout all of our communities.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, who strongly advocated for the program, said, “the attendance incentive program is working … shot out to our Housing Authority, school system, and all our partners for supporting the initiative. Thank you parents.”

Williams also shared another Every Day Counts update: 65 youth residents receiving homework assistance and 42 adult residents participating in literacy programming during the month of February.

He said the effort could not happen without the support of their sponsors.

“From the initial kickoff, we had a number of people from that event reach out to us and provide donations and even (pledge to) provide continuous support going forward,” said Williams.

Each month, he added, they seek additional sponsors for the program.

Williams credited the increase in households to having better, more open access to data. All three partners have worked together to get the word out “through flyers and social media, but we also had the school district reach out to us immediately to get all the information to put into the students’ bookbags to go home to parents and things like that,” he said.

The HABD official also confirmed that the program could be in place again next year “because I think the way we were looking at it is, an entire school year will give us the opportunity to really determine if we’re having a huge success and what the impact of it is,” he said.

And Williams added that it’d be an honor if the Birmingham program is copied. “Anytime you do something, and other people look at it as a success and duplicate it on their own, I think that’s a compliment to the success and everybody coming together to work on behalf of the parents and students,” he said.

UAB Expert Shares 5 Steps for a Cleaner, Safer Water Bottle

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Birmingham Times
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A UAB assistant professor explains neuroplasticity and offers tips to help maintain newly set goals and habits in the new year. (Adobe Stock Photo)

Name-brand water bottles have become the newest trend, but what happens when they are not properly cleaned? One UAB expert explains how bottles are a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.Reusable water bottles have taken the social media world by storm, and while trends rise and fall, one thing remains — water bottles create an ideal breeding ground for mold growth.

When a bottle is not dried properly, moisture can accumulate, and even small amounts of residual moisture can make drinkware more susceptible to mold.

“Mold spores, which are ubiquitous in the environment, can settle on damp surfaces and begin to grow,” said Benjamin Turner, instructor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Biology. “Additionally, if the water inside the bottle is not replaced regularly, organic matter from saliva or other contaminants can provide nutrients for mold to thrive.”

Turner says reusable water bottles can be a convenient and environmentally friendly option, but that regular cleanings are imperative to prevent mold growth.

What Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in tiny, thread-like structures called hyphae. It comes in many colors, like green, black or white, and often looks fuzzy or slimy. Mold likes to grow in damp and warm places, and it spreads by releasing tiny spores into the air.

“These spores can land on surfaces and start new mold colonies,” Turner said. “Sometimes mold can be helpful, like in making cheese or medicine; but other times it can be harmful, causing allergies or damaging buildings and food.”

How Do You Properly Sanitize a Cup?

Water cups should be cleaned regularly, ideally daily, to prevent mold growth. If the same cup is not used every day, Turner says, clean it every few days to prevent any mold or bacteria buildup. He recommends the following ways to properly clean water bottles:

  • Use hot water and dish soap to thoroughly clean the water cups.
  • Scrub all surfaces, including the interior, exterior and any crevices where mold or bacteria could hide.
  • Rinse cup thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue.
  • Sanitize bottle with a bleach solution or a commercial sanitizer specifically designed for food contact surfaces to kill any remaining bacteria or mold spores.
  • Allow the cup to air dry completely before next use.

Large WBGraphic by: Jody Potter, UAB

Pay extra attention to the sealing parts on a cup as it is easy for moisture to accumulate in these areas. Turner recommends disassembling the parts and cleaning them thoroughly to ensure all traces of moisture and debris are removed.

“It is important to clean any rubber sealing parts, straws or lids that may have crevices where moisture can accumulate — these areas can be hot spots for mold growth if not properly cleaned and dried,” Turner said. “Inspect them regularly for any signs of mold or mildew growth, and immediately clean and sanitize the cups again if found.”

Is It Harmful To Ingest Mold?

While not all molds are harmful, ingesting mold is generally not recommended, especially in large quantities. Turner says the primary concern with mold exposure typically comes from inhalation or skin contact rather than ingestion.

“When mold spores are inhaled or come into contact with the skin, they can cause a range of health issues, particularly for individuals with allergies, asthma or weakened immune systems,” Turner said. “It’s important to note that the severity of the health effects can vary widely depending on individual susceptibility, the type and concentration of mold present, and the duration of exposure.”

Common symptoms of mold exposure include respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing or throat irritation, as well as nasal congestion, skin irritation and, in severe cases, mold-induced infections.

To reduce the risk of mold exposure, Turner recommends looking for reusable, dishwasher-safe water bottles made of materials like stainless steel or BPA-free plastics when purchasing drinkware.

Black Veterans with PTSD Have a Higher Risk of Rehospitalization After a Stroke

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Birmingham Times
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For Black veterans, the impact of PTSD can be even greater and more difficult to get help for due to cultural stigma, and more. (Adobe Stock)

Results showed that African American veterans with PTSD had a higher risk of rehospitalization than those without PTSD. However, white veterans with PTSD did not have a significantly higher risk of rehospitalization post-stroke. People with post-traumatic stress disorder have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, veterans are more likely to develop PTSD than civilians, with 23 percent of veterans who receive VA care being diagnosed at some point in their lives.

Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Birmingham Veterans Administration conducted a study evaluating the effect of PTSD on post-stroke outcomes and rehospitalizations. Results showed that African American veterans previously diagnosed with PTSD were significantly more likely to be rehospitalized than those without PTSD. The results were published today in Stroke, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

“If PTSD affected post-stroke outcomes, we expected it would be for veterans across the board,” said Chen Lin, M.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Neurology, neurologist at the Birmingham Veterans Administration and senior author of the study. “Instead, we found that the African American veteran population with PTSD had a significantly higher risk than white veterans with PTSD.”

Using the VA database, Lin and the study team analyzed 93,651 African American and white veterans who had a previous stroke. Besides PTSD, Type 2 diabetes or illicit drug use were associated with a higher risk of rehospitalization in the African American population. However, heart failure or high cholesterol was associated with a higher rehospitalization risk in white veterans.

“The only factors that increased the risk of rehospitalization in both white and African American veterans post-stroke were high blood pressure, prior heart attack and the narrowing of arteries outside of the heart,” Lin said.

Lin hopes the results will improve post-discharge stroke outcomes, as well as help mitigate risk factors.

“Post-discharge care can be challenging, whether it is making it to follow-up appointments or living with disabilities that limit one’s abilities, like walking or driving,” Lin said. “Identifying risk factors, and who has the highest risk, can help physicians provide more targeted care and hopefully prevent rehospitalizations.”

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