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PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS

By
Birmingham Times
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Ceramicist Larry Allen (Amarr Croskey Photo)

BY GWEN DERU

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

TODAY…

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

**TINY MAKERS SERIES 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

**’DA 5 BLOODS’ is showing, 2 and 8 p.m. at the BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**’42’ is showing. 5:15 p.m. at the BLACK LENS WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**’BODY AND SOUL’ with Live Score by DJ RAHDU and Panel Discussion, 7 p.m. at BLACK LENS WEEK.

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

**FILM – 7 p.m. at the Sidewalk Film.

**DIET RIOT & EMMA GOLDMAN SACHS at the Nick.

**MARC BROUSSARD-CARENCRO 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR at Iron City.

**BIRMINGHAM SQUADRON vs MAINE CELTICS, 7 p.m. at the BJCC.

**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 HOT107 at 1918 Catering. (Use the coupon ANY DAY.)

**’HOOP DREAMS’ is showing, 8:20 p.m. at the BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**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.

**TRISTAN TRITT AND AMERICA PART TWO with MILLENNIAL JONES and LATE NIGHT ROCK SHOW with RASPBERRY PIE & BLOOD MOON RIOT at The Nick.

**TRIBUTE TO JOE featuring DONALD SHIPMAN at Perfect Note.

**FLATLAND CAVALRY-WANDERING STAR TOUR at Iron City.

**’BONES’ is showing, 8:20 p.m. at the BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**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.

**ALABAMA BALLET presents GISELLE with ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, 7:30 p.m. at the BJCC.

**THE CHARLIE SOUL BAND LIVE, 8 p.m. at True Story Brewing, 5510 Crestwood Blvd.

**THE MAVERICKS, 8 p.m. at the Lyric Fine Arts Theatre.

**DAVIS LITTLE TRIO with DAVIS LITTLE & HALEIGH BLACK, 8 p.m. at the Woodlawn Theatre.

**NERVES BADDINGTON – THE UPSTAIRS, 8 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Company.

SATURDAY…
**3rd ANNUAL ‘TOUR DE CIVIL RIGHTS’, 8:30 a.m. at 320 16th Street North

**KATT WILLIAMS, 8 p.m. at The BJCC.

**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.

**ASFA Theatre presents THE SHORT ATTENTION SPAN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, 5 p.m. at the DJD Theater at ASFA.

**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.

**’BONES’ is showing, 6:15 p.m. at the BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**ROUGH LOVERS, JACK THE ELBOW, LARGE BRUSH COLLECTION & ORANGE MUDD at The Nick.

**TRIBUTE TO JOE featuring DONALD SHIPMAN at Perfect Note.

**BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**ALABAMA BALLET presents GISELLE with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, 2:30 p.m. at the BJCC.

**TROMBONIST HANK BILAL at Perfect Note.

**ROUGH LOVERS, JACK THE ELBOW, LARGE BRUSH COLLECTION & ORANGE MUDD at The Nick.

**SAMMY RAE & THE FRIENDS at Iron City.

**90’S PARTY with JENNI’s MISTAPE, 9 p.m. at Van’s Bar in Moody.

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.

**VEGAN DINNER FOR GABE’s 40th Birthday at Saigon Noodle House.

**EVERY 4th SUNDAY – TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at the Nick.

**SUNDAY NIGHT w/ DEVIL’s ROULETTE (KYLE SAWHILL, REBECCA EGELAND, RYAN BROWN & PAIGE MARMOLEJO) & KYLE KIMBRELL at The Nick.

**SOULFUL SUNDAY with DEDEE FRAZIER at Perfect Note.

**42 is showing 2 p.m. at BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**ORIGIN is showing 3 and 7 p.m. at the BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**’FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS WATCH PARTY’, 4 p.m. at BLACK LENS FILM WEEK.

**’DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST’ is showing 4:50 p.m. at the BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**’BOOMERANG’ is showing , 7:30 p.m. at the BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

**BONES is showing, 8:20 p.m. at the BLACK LENS FILM WEEK at Sidewalk Film.

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.

**COREY TAYLOR at Iron City.

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 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.

**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.

**FEBRUARY BOOK + FILM CLUB, 6 p.m. at Sidewalk Film.

**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.

**BOBCAT & RAMBLIN’ RICKY TATE at the Nick.

NEXT THURSDAY…

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

**TINY MAKERS SERIES 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

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

**PARTY WITH THE CANDIDATES, 5-8 p.m. at The Dannon Project, hosted by Jeh Jeh Pruitt. Vendors and food trucks wanted. For registration, call 205-873-4572. Tell them Gwen sent you.

**BIRMINGHAM BLACK ECONOMIC ALLIANCE – Bi-Monthly Business Mixer, 6-8 p.m. at Sienna, 1025 20th Street South. Guest Speakers are EVAN JEFFERSON, Virtual Dispensary Owner and NIECKO GLOVER, Community Organizer/Advocate.

**FILM – 7 p.m. at the Sidewalk Film.

**LOCKJAW: THE RELENTLESS TOUR with HILL ST.  at the Nick.

**LARRY FLEET, 8 p.m. at Iron City.

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

**KEVIN JAMES, 7:30 p.m. at the Alabama Theatre.

**MENUS PLAISIRS – LES TROISGROS, 4:45 p.m. at 1821 2nd Avenue North.

**SAM JOLT BAND presents REMEMBERING MIKEY AND TODD, 8 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Company.

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

NEXT FRIDAY…

**EVERY FRIDAY DURING LUNCH – FRIDAY COUPON CHEAT DAY WITH HOT107 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.

**LADIES SOIRAVE at The Nick.

**GUITARIST ADAM HAWLEY and SAXOPHONIST DALEN MINNIFIELD at Perfect Note.

**R&B ONLY LIVE at Iron City.

**KEVIN JAMES: OWLS DON’T WALK, 7:30 p.m. at the Alabama Theatre.

NEWS TO USE…

**WOMEN IN FILM WEEK is March 5 – 10 at Sidewalk Film, 1821 2nd Avenue North. This event celebrates the women’s voices in film.

GWEN’S SPOTLIGHT…

**ARTIST LARRY ALLEN is at the BLUFF PARK ART ASSOCIATION as special guest speaker on February 29, 7 p.m. Allen is an accomplished ceramics artist whose works are sought after by collectors  in the southeast and throughout the country.  It appears in the collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art. The Celebration 2024 gallery is located in Bluff Park Village shopping centre, across from Piggly Wiggly, 2142 Tyler Road, Suite 206, Hoover.

FOR ART LOVERS…

**NOW THROUGH MAY 10 – ROOTS & RENAISSANCE, an African American Journey Through Art, at C.A. Kirkendoll Learning Resource Center, 5500 Myron Massey Blvd., Fairfield, Miles College. The Roots And Renaissance Art Exhibition at Miles College LRC is open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. www.fairfieldblackartcollective.com.

AROUND TOWN…

**FEBRUARY – YOGA IS FOR EVERYBODY, Every 1st and 3rd THURSDAYS at Crescent Culture Community Center, 1121 Tuscaloosa Avenue, S.W. with OPTION 1 – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Flexible) and OPTION 2 – 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. (Work Tension Relief and Relaxation). These self care yoga classes are with YAMALA MA’ATMAN Trauma Informed Yoga for all ages and genders.  Suggested Donation is $5. Light snacks available.

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 BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS…

**CHILDREN’S SUMMER CAMP is May 28-July 26 for ages 4-12. There will be fun themes including Nature’s Kitchen, Art in the Gardens, Water Wonders and more. The half-day camps are designed to promote creativity and the joy of discovery through fun learning experiences. Each camp includes daily explorations of the Gardens, STEM and literacy activities and learning in the garden lab.

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.

 

A Tearful Mayor Woodfin Speaks in Public for First Time Since His Cousin, 5 Others Killed in Birmingham

By
Birmingham Times
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0
During his report to the Birmingham City Council on Tuesday, Mayor Randall Woodfin paused several times and fought back tears as he read the names of those killed this weekend including his own cousin. (Screengrab, Birmingham City Council Livestream)

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson | The Birmingham Times

An emotional Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Tuesday recounted shootings of the past week that left six people dead, including one of his own cousins, and separately a city employee.

Speaking during his report at the weekly City Council meeting, the mayor said it was “the first time” he’d cried regarding his family’s loss because he’d been “focused on other families” who were grieving.

“For four days I haven’t shed a tear,” said Woodfin. “I’ve been worried about everybody else. For four days I haven’t had the best sleep, and when I have, I’ve had a few nightmares, because I don’t think women and unborn children should be killed. I don’t think people who just get off work and just want to hang with their family should be killed, that people who want to go get their car washed should be killed. I know you don’t believe that either.”

The mayor paused and fought back tears as he read the names of those killed.

Among the slain were Terrell Edwards, a city employee in Parks and Recreation, and his relative, Kevin McGhee, who picked up Edwards from work.

Both Edwards, 38, and McGhee, 38, along with Cortez Ray, 32, and Talton “TJ” Tait, 36, were gunned down outside a home about 2:45 p.m. in the 900 block of Center Street North, according to AL.com.

Woodfin also spoke about the killing of his own cousin, Angeliyah ne-vaeh Jolie Webster, who was pregnant, and Christan Tyre Norris, both 20, whose bodies were found about 4 p.m. Friday inside Norris’ vehicle in the 1500 block of 20th Place in Ensley.

The mayor described the challenges faced by city officials and law enforcement.  “The council, mayor’s office, BPD (Birmingham Police Department) … we charge uphill every single day where a culture supports no snitching,” he said. “There are too many people comfortable protecting shooters – housing them, giving them safe harbor, laying up with them … it’s the silence of others that know they’re doing it that’s way worse, five of them were sons, they’re also fathers and nephews and they have families.”

He also made a direct plea to those who have information. “There are too many people comfortable protecting shooters, housing them, giving them safe harbor, laying up with them, baby mamas, girlfriends, wives, whatever. Parents and siblings and friends who know what they’re doing, know they pull triggers, know they’re shooters, and give them safe haven.”

The mayor offered his support to the families of all the victims and pledged justice for those who lost loved ones.

“To all our colleagues who knew these families, the mayor’s office is with you, we’re praying with you and for you,” Woodfin said. “We will continue to do everything to bring the swiftest justice, and some form of relief for these families, by catching the perpetrators who did this. We need the community’s help.”

Police ask anyone with information to call the BPD Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or CrimeStoppers at 205-254-7777.

‘[He] Has Made My Every Dream Come True and I’m Forever Thankful For Him’

By
Birmingham Times
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0

LARRY & KIM GLOVER JR.

BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY| The Birmingham Times

Live: McCalla

Married: April 13, 2019

Met: In April 2015, online at blackpeoplemeet.com. Kim said she had spent time on the platform and had met some who didn’t have any substance. On the day her subscription was ending, she came across Larry’s profile and decided to shoot him a message before logging off.

“I said, ‘Hey Larry, it’s Kim. I don’t have any pictures on here [Black People Meet] because a lot of my son’s and daughter’s friends are on here, but here’s a picture of me and my phone number. If you’re interested, please send me a text or give me a call’, and he called me the same day,” Kim said.

Larry remembers things a little differently. “I do remember her messaging me and she didn’t have a picture, and normally I wouldn’t respond to anybody that doesn’t have a picture … but something made me reach out, and she said she would a picture if I was interested, and I was,” Larry said.

Larry got the photo. “We talked for a long time that night and we [conversed] for about a week before we went on a date,” Larry recalled.

First date: April 2015, at Chuy’s at the Summit. “We met at Chuy’s because I had to work that night so it was kind of a short date. We had a good dinner, we talked, and we hit it off,” Larry said.

“The date wasn’t what I expected because I didn’t expect to gel with him, and I had my guard up…” Kim said. “But it seemed like I had a magnetic attraction to Larry because on my way home I was like ‘I think I really like ol’ Larry’,” she laughed. “I couldn’t wait to talk to him, and I could talk to him for hours. Even today when I have to talk to people for a long time on the phone, I get nauseous, but I could talk to him without feeling that way.”

The next date was a week later at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen on U.S. 280. The plan was to go to dinner and depending on how the night went take off on an adventure.

“Larry asked me if I had my clothes packed because we were going on a road trip,” Kim said. “We both brought an overnight bag to the date.”

Over dinner, they’d planned to head to Atlanta to go see a Floyd Mayweather fight. “Everything was going good. Kim’s the type of person that’s very witty and hilarious and that was different from what I was used to and I was hooked so I was ready to hit the road and see where it took us,” Larry recalled.

“…we couldn’t get [into the fight] so we just hung out around the bar at the hotel …,” Kim said.

The turn: For Kim, it was following their weekend trip to Atlanta. “When I had that dinner date with Larry, I knew he was someone I’d want my kids to meet… and at Pappadeaux’s I let my guard down, and this was all within a week,” said Kim, “I liked him and I knew that he was different. I don’t remember us talking about being exclusive, I just think it was implied. [After three months] I remember doing things that made me think he was my man,” she laughed. “He was staying in Helena, and I was living in Center Point, and I was packing a bag every night to go to work from his house. I had met his kids, and he had met mine [who were older teens and young adults at the time] and I told them he was my man, so we were in a relationship to me.”

For Larry, it was in July of 2015. “I actually do remember talking about being exclusive. We agreed to delete our online dating profiles and give us a try,” Larry said.
By 2017 the could began discussing marriage and decided to build a house and live together for a year before jumping the broom. “We built a house in McCalla, it was ready in February 2018, and he proposed three months later,” Kim said.

The proposal: May 2018, at their home in McCalla. It was a typical weekend evening when Larry decided to pop the question. “Nobody else was here, it was just us and we were getting ready to go out to one of her friend’s parties, and before we left, I got on one knee and proposed to her and asked her to marry me,” Larry said.

“It was expected, we had talked about it. The proposal wasn’t romantic, but building this house was,” Kim laughed.

The wedding: At the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kim wore a long cream-colored dress, and Larry wore a navy suit. “I’m not a flashy girl, I always told Larry that I didn’t want a wedding so we went to Vegas. It was just the two of us,” Kim said.

Most memorable for the bride were a lot of firsts, she said, “the flight, going to Vegas, and becoming a wife were all firsts for me,” she said.

Kim also recalls making an emotional connection to the song when walking down the aisle. “The song we chose was ‘Because You Loved Me’, by Celine Dione, and there’s a line in the song that says, ‘for every dream you made come true and all the love I found in you, I will be forever thankful’ and that song sticks with me because Larry has made my every dream come true and I’m forever thankful for him,” Kim said.

Most memorable for the groom was sitting through a timeshare presentation after saying ‘I do’. “I told Kim, from the time we got in Vegas that I didn’t want to do a timeshare tour. I’d done one before and I said I’d never do another one again, and Kim signed us up for one anyway, and we had to do it right after the wedding,” Larry recalled.

After arriving for the pitch which is designed to sell a vacation ownership, there was a long delay before a salesman came to lead their tour, and once he did the first question was, “What are you guys doing in Vegas?’ And we told him, ‘we were here to get married.’ And he said, ‘when did you get married,’ and we told him ‘an hour ago.’ And then he said, ‘do you all really want to do this tour?’ Because you should be out celebrating. And we said ‘No’, and he said, ‘good, here are your complimentary gifts [free dinners, free cash vouchers, and tickets to a show],’ and ‘he said congratulations, go have fun.’ After that, we were able to really enjoy our time there and relax,” Larry said.

Honeymoon: A few extra days in Las Vegas. “We just enjoyed the Vegas life, going down to the casino, walking the strip, and seeing things I saw on TV as a kid, it was memorable,” Kim said.

“We did a little gambling and we were able to eat for 24 hours off of one cash voucher from the timeshare tour; I’m talking breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks all day… we just really enjoyed our time together,” Larry said.

Words of wisdom: “Allow each other to be their authentic selves. Instead of trying to compare ourselves to anyone else, I strongly believe a marriage can only survive if both are being their authentic selves. We don’t believe in ‘faking it til you make it’, we don’t try to be anyone else, we don’t compare our marriage, and we believe we have the perfect marriage for us. And I think that is because we allow each other to be who we are,” Kim said.

“Communication is important because when you get into a marriage things can seem to get a little somber at times, so you always have to communicate and make time for each other. A big part of [overcoming that], is letting your partner know how you feel, and if you don’t, it’ll boil over and turn things bad,” Larry said.
Happily ever after: The Glovers attend Church of The Highlands, in McCalla and are a blended family with 7 children: Carlandria, 32, Derrick, 31, Jasmine, 30, and Dawanna, 28, from Kim’s previous relationship, and Allison, 25, Alyssa, 20, and Andrew, 16 from Larry’s previous marriage.

Kim, 52, is a Gate City native, a Woodlawn High School grad, and owns a cleaning service called Organically Kleen, based in Birmingham.

Larry, 51, is a Riley/Wenonah native, and Wenonah High School grad. He attended Lawson State Community College [Birmingham campus], where he earned an associate degree in business accounting, and has worked for UPS as a feeder driver for the past 31 years.

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

https://www.gusterlawfirm.com/

 

UAB’s Jalen Kirkman Wins National ‘Finding the Voices of Tomorrow’ Competition

By
Birmingham Times
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0
University of Alabama at Birmingham junior Jalen Kirkman has been named the top vocalist from across the country in a national competition for young voices singing classic music. (UAB Photo)

By Shannon Thomason | UAB News

University of Alabama at Birmingham junior Jalen Kirkman has been named the top vocalist from across the country in a national competition for young voices singing classic music.

Kirkman, 20, won the “NextGen National: Finding the Voices of Tomorrow” contest presented by the American Pops Orchestra on Sunday, Feb. 11, at Lincoln Center. Kirkman was the first-place male winner and was awarded the Chip Hand Prize for Vocal Excellence, which carries a $10,000 award and performance opportunities with the American Pops Orchestra.

Kirkman, from Florence, Alabama, is pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater from the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Theatre.

The competition’s final 10 vocalists were chosen from 240 student submissions in 112 colleges. The 10 finalists received an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City and attended master classes and events and worked with professional artists, then performed at Lincoln Center for the final competition. Kirkman performed “Night Song” from “Golden Boy,” a Sammy Davis Jr. musical, and “Fascinating Rhythm” by Ella Fitzgerald. Four judges, along with the audience, voted for the winners.

“We got to do a master class with Broadway legend Baayork Lee who was in the original cast of ‘A Chorus Line,’” Kirkman said. “We also got to meet Broadway legend Kelli O’ Hara after seeing her in the new Broadway show ‘Days of Wine and Roses.’”

Jalen Stream
Jalen Kirkman did not make the Top 30 last year, and entered the contest this year on a whim. (UAB Photo)

Kirkman’s parents, Tera and Eric Kirkman, and his brother, Justin Kirkman, went with him to New York, along with current UAB students Kiersten David and Mac Baxter and Bri Hernandez, a 2022 UAB Musical Theatre BFA graduate.

He auditioned for NextGen last year and was not selected for the Top 30. After seeing a message in his junk mail, he decided “on a whim” to audition this year and is “forever grateful” he took that chance and auditioned again, he wrote in a social media post.

Competitors participate in NextGen free of charge but are required to use older music from before the 1970s. That perfectly suits Kirkman’s tastes and his repertoire, and he applied to the competition with “Guess Who I Saw Today,” a jazz classic sung first by Nancy Wilson and recently by Samara Joy. Kirkman was inspired by Joy’s arrangement of the timeless tune.

“One of the big things I set for myself and would love to do in this competition is singing jazz throughout because it is something that I have always loved to do,” Kirkman said after being selected as a semifinalist. “I don’t really get to sing jazz often just being in musical theater. If I can get as far as I can doing that, it would be awesome.”

Kirkman is in the UAB Honors College on a Personalized Path. He studies with Head of Musical Theatre Valerie Accetta, faculty in the college’s Department of Music, and Department of Theatre professors Dennis McLernon and Jack Cannon, as well as Roy Lightner, who is artistic director at Red Mountain Theatre and with whom Kirkman also trained in dance. Kirkman performs professionally with Red Mountain Theatre, most recently in “The Color Purple,” though other actors stepped in when he was called to compete. He also performs in the Department of Theatre’s student tour group, a company of students who annually travel to schools and community venues to present shows.

“NextGen National: Finding the Voices of Tomorrow” is a vocal competition created by the American Pops Orchestra to give collegiate vocalists the opportunity to learn from industry professionals while competing for a chance to win scholarship money and paid performance opportunities with APO. This year marks its seventh year, and with more auditions this year than ever before, according to APO.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Terri Sewell Warn Against ‘Voter Apathy’ During Miles College Visit

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Birmingham Times
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From left: Miles College President Bobbie Knight; House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and U.S. Rep Terri Sewell during a Black History Month Fireside Chat at Miles College. (Barnett Wright, The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) spoke before a packed auditorium at Miles College on Monday as part of a Black History Month fireside chat with U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) and moderator Bobbie Knight, Miles College President.

In a wide-ranging discussion before students and a press conference afterwards Sewell and Jeffries, who became the first African American to lead a party in Congress after he was unanimously elected the House Democratic Leader by his colleagues in November 2022, spoke about the importance of voting.

“At the foundation of our representative democracy, is the notion that we are striving for a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” said Jeffries, who is serving in his sixth term representing the 8th Congressional District of New York which encompasses large parts of Brooklyn. “The only way to achieve that, is to make sure that the people are showing up and participating and exercising their right to vote.”

There is still a long way to go to achieve the society “we would like to achieve but … the only way that will happen is if people of goodwill show up, exercise that right to vote that people fought and died for here in Alabama, and allow us to make the progress we need to make here in the United States,” he said.

Sewell said she and Jeffries spoke to the students about “voter apathy, the fear that people won’t go to the polls, that they will stay at home, that they don’t feel like their vote matters or counts,” she said. “We set the record straight, I thought, by looking at the evidence. The evidence is that when we show up to vote, we do make a difference. Look at Atlanta, would you have ever thought that Atlanta would have two senators, one Jewish, and one Black … the vote matters.”

Sewell, who is running for reelection in the 7th Congressional District against one Democratic candidate and two Republican candidates, said students don’t have to be elected to make a difference.

“We know that change rarely occurs in Congress, it bubbles up from grass roots activism, and so today during Black History Month, we talked about not just being history makers, but understanding everyone’s place in American History. Black history is indeed American history, and we all have a role to play,” she said.

Jeffries also commended the students who showed up on a holiday (President’s Day) “in the middle of the afternoon,” he said.

“Nothing speaks louder than someone’s presence …  I was so impressed by the fact that this auditorium was filled with students from this campus and neighboring universities … when I know these students have a lot of other things that they could be doing.

“They are interested, not only in their future but the future of this great state and this great country. They care about the issues of criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, voting, and making sure that the future here in this community can be brighter than the past.”

He added, “We spoke briefly about imagination. The most important word, in my view, in the American lexicon is ‘imagination.’ The ability to imagine that the future can be better. That is at the heart of the American Dream [and] it was clear to me that these are students who have captured the power of it.”

UAB Center Helps Quality of Life for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

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Birmingham Times
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The new University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities integrates clinical service, training and research to support individuals and families impacted by developmental disabilities in Alabama and beyond. (Adobe Stock)

By Brianna Hoge | UAB News

The new University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities integrates clinical service, training and research to support individuals and families impacted by developmental disabilities in Alabama and beyond.

The CEDD strives to increase knowledge regarding developmental disabilities and to translate that knowledge into exemplary programs providing service and education. The programs within the CEDD are sources of information, support, training, technical assistance, research and advocacy related to developmental disabilities. Priorities and goals are set in collaboration with self-advocate, family and community partners.

“Our mission can be accomplished only through active partnerships with other key stakeholders throughout the state of Alabama,” said Sarah O’Kelley, Ph.D., director of the CEDD and associate professor in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences‘ Department of Psychology. “We hope that, through the programs and activities at the CEDD, we can help individuals and families not only locally, but also in our state and region.”

The CEDD houses and supports more than 30 clinics, special projects, and training and research programs already established at UAB. Faculty, staff and trainees represent 12 different clinical and non-clinical disciplines and are jointly supported by the UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics.

Stream Okelley
Sarah O’Kelley, Ph.D. (Steve Wood photo)

“One of our overall goals of the center is increasing the availability of trained professionals and self-advocates throughout our state while also increasing awareness and understanding of developmental disabilities in our community and state systems,” O’Kelley said. “This will increase access to resources for families and individuals, with the ultimate goal of improving the well-being and quality of life across the lifespan.”

The CEDD is a federally designated University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, representing the entire state of Alabama in the national network of UCEDDs. It is also the site of Alabama’s federally funded Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program. The center also houses one of the state’s five Regional Autism Network programs and coordinates the Partners in Policymaking® Alabama program, along with other developmental disability partners in Alabama.

“These programs are already recognized across the state for the expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration they bring to care and research for individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Justin Schwartz, M.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Pediatrics and associate director of the CEDD.

UAB campus and community members seeking information can learn more about the CEDD here.

The Equal Justice Initiative Unveils New Rosa Parks Sculpture in Legacy Plaza

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Birmingham Times
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The Equal Justice Initiative Director Bryan Stevenson unveiled a new statue last week honoring Civil Rights legend Rosa Parks at Legacy Plaza, across from the Legacy Museum in downtown Montgomery, Alabama. (EJI.ORG)

eji.org

The Equal Justice Initiative unveiled a new statue last week honoring Civil Rights legend Rosa Parks at Legacy Plaza, across from the Legacy Museum in downtown Montgomery, Alabama.

The sculpture of Mrs. Parks is the first of three statues that will be erected in Legacy Plaza in the coming months. EJI plans to create a major statue honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and will honor the extraordinary John Lewis with a sculpture.

A gathering place for visitors to the Legacy Museum, Legacy Plaza is home to a brick sculpture honoring Civil Rights demonstrators and a mural created by local artist Kevin King.

The new Rosa Parks statue unveiled on February 14 was created by the acclaimed Atlanta-based sculptor, Basil Watson, who recently created a statue of Dr. King for the City of Atlanta, located near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“This Black History month, on Valentine’s Day, there are many of us who want to express our love, appreciation, and gratitude to Mrs. Rosa Parks, whose extraordinary leadership inspired the whole world,” said EJI Director Bryan Stevenson. “As someone who had the privilege of spending time with Mrs. Parks, I can affirm that she had the kind of power and conviction that could absolutely change the world. We are thrilled to honor her at Legacy Plaza.”

The unveiling was attended by Mrs. Parks’s colleague and fellow Civil Rights advocate, Doris Crenshaw, who founded the Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute in Montgomery; Georgette Norman, former director of the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery; and Dr. Tommie Tonea Stewart, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Alabama State University.

UAB to Host the Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Step Show on Feb. 24

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Birmingham Times
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The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s 31st annual Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Step Show will be held February 24. (UAB Photo)

By Shannon Thomason | UAB News

Feel the rhythm of percussive dance Saturday, Feb. 24, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s 31st annual Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Step Show.

National Pan-Hellenic Council step teams from across the Southeast will compete for scholarship prizes. The fraternity and sorority teams judged the best will each win $1,000.

In stepping or step-dancing, performers use their bodies as instruments. Teams of dancers create complex rhythms and sounds through syncopated footsteps, spoken word, hand claps and more, often with elaborate costumes and music.

The show will start at 7 p.m. in UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20; $15 for UAB students and employees. For tickets call 205-975-2787 or visit AlysStephens.org.

Proceeds will fund the Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship as well as the Step Show for the upcoming year. It is presented by the Black Student Awareness Committee, part of UAB Student Affairs’ Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs.

The Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Step Show was established to honor the dreams and aspirations of the late Camille Yvette Armstrong. Armstrong was a UAB student, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a UAB ambassador majoring in political science with plans to graduate in 1986. Months before receiving her degree, she died in a motor vehicle accident. To preserve the memory of her service and love for UAB, a scholarship was established in her honor. Since 1992, this competition is presented each year in her name to deserving African American undergraduate students with career aspirations in law.

Mayor Woodfin’s Cousin Among 7 Killed in 24 Hours of Gun Violence in Birmingham

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Birmingham Times
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Seven people have been killed in a deadly 24-hour string of gun violence in Birmingham. (FILE)

By Krystal Nurse | USA TODAY

Seven people have been killed in a deadly 24-hour string of gun violence in Birmingham.

Police announced the string of homicides that happened on Thursday and Friday that claimed the lives of seven people; one woman and six men. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin posted on Facebook Friday his family is one of seven mourning a loved one killed by gun violence. The mayor says his cousin was one of the victims.

“My family is no stranger to the devastating consequences of violence,” Woodfin wrote. “The pain never gets easier. This level of loss is distressing, unacceptable and cannot – must not – be tolerated.”

Police said in statements posted on their website no one has been arrested in any of the homicides. According to a Saturday release, police said Birmingham has had 14 murder investigations in 2024.

“But right now I’m not thinking about myself,” Woodfin wrote.” I’m thinking about that employee’s family who now has an empty chair at the dinner table. I’m thinking about my cousin’s mother. I’m thinking about the other four families who are facing the unimaginable right now.”

Police Chief Scott Thurmond said in a Saturday statement that all victims lost their lives to gun violence and one was a city employee who ended his shift.

“Our city has been rocked to its core by today’s events,” he wrote. “Our city and communities are hurting beyond belief.”

Police responded to a call for a decomposed body around 10:17 a.m. Thursday in the northeastern part of the city. First responders declared the man dead at the scene after finding him facedown in rubbish.

“The preliminary investigation suggests a citizen who collects items observed the victim unresponsive on the ground at an illegal dumping site and asked a resident to call 911,” police wrote in the release.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said at the scene the man died of a gunshot wound.

Police didn’t identify the man as they work to notify his next of kin.

A ShotSpotter alert around 2:45 p.m. Friday in the northern section of the city prompted police to respond to a car wash lot. ShotSpotter is a controversial gunshot detection system that notifies police when its acoustic sensors and machine algorithms detect gunfire. It has been criticized as ineffective and racially biased.

They identified the men as Cortez Ray, 32; Talton Tate, 36; Terrell Edwards, 38; and Kevin McGhee, 38. All men are Black and from Birmingham. Police located the men unresponsive on the ground with gunshot wounds. McGhee died at UAB Hospital.

“The preliminary investigation suggests the victims were at a neighborhood car wash when an unknown suspect(s) opened fire on them,” police said. “We believe one or more of the victims were targeted.”

A couple last seen leaving a residence on Valentine’s Day for a movie date were found dead Friday of gunshot wounds in the western part of the city.

Police identified the couple as Angeliyah Webster, a 20-year-old woman, and Christan Norris, a 20-year-old man, both of Birmingham. They were reported missing on Thursday.

The couple was found inside their white Ford Taurus with fatal gunshot wounds.

Police are offering a $5,000 cash reward for tips regarding the Friday homicides, separately.

Woodfin pleaded for people who have information to urgently call Birmingham’s CrimeStoppers at 205-254-7777.

“Justice cannot be achieved in the dark,” Woodfin wrote. “The families of these victims deserve answers and the cowards who have such a reckless disregard for life must pay for their actions.”

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@USATODAY.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @KrystalRNurse.

Inside the Newly Opened Jamaican Restaurant Near Birmingham’s City Hall

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Birmingham Times
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Leroy Russell, owner of Spice of Life Jamaica. (Pat Byington Photos, bhamnow.com)

BY PAT BYINGTON | bhamnow.com

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