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City-Partnered Warming Station Will Open Sunday Through Monday Nights

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Birmingham Times
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The City of Birmingham and Jimmie Hale Mission will open its nightly warming station. (Adobe Stock)

birminghamal.gov

As temperatures are expected to fall below freezing, the City of Birmingham and Jimmie Hale Mission, will open its nightly warming station Sunday night, Nov. 9, and Monday night, Nov. 10, from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Men, women, and children needing warm shelter can come to the Mission, located at 3420 2nd Ave North. Food will be provided. Shelter for women and children only will be provided at Pathways, located at 409 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd.

Free shuttle service to Jimmie Hale will be available from 6-7 p.m. to assist the mobility-challenged and those without transportation. Pickup will take place at the main entrance of Linn Park at the intersection of Park Place and 20th Street North. Return transportation will be provided each morning. The Mission is also accessible by taking the Metro orange line bus to the Sloss Furnace stop.

The City of Birmingham supports the warming station at the Jimmie Hale Mission with $75,000 and in-kind donations of cots and a police officer presence. The City also supports the Pathways warming station with funding from a $20,000 Emergency Solutions Grant.

For City of Birmingham updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and NextDoor. Text BHAMREADY to 38276 for important city updates.

Despite an Unexpected Setback, Birmingham Teen Determined to Serve the Homeless

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Birmingham Times
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Ethan Hill, and Mr. Marcus, the "inspiration" for Ethan's Heart. (Provided)

By Brittany Decker | WVTM 

He’s no stranger to giving.

At just 6 years old, Birmingham’s Ethan Hill found his calling — helping people living on the streets. Now 15, the young man whose compassion inspired a city is asking for help to keep his mission alive.

Back in 2019, Ethan’s story first caught attention when he began collecting sleeping bags for those without a place to stay. “I need to help — it’s my responsibility to help others,” a young Ethan said then.

Ethan Hill is the founder of Ethan’s Heart.

Year after year, he’s kept that promise. His nonprofit, Ethan’s Heart, has provided thousands of care kits filled with food, flashlights, hygiene items, and hope to people experiencing homelessness across Birmingham.

“What started as helping one man under a local freeway,” Ethan said. “Turned into a mission to help anyone in need.”

As Ethan’s grown, so has his understanding of what it takes to make a difference.

“The more I go out, the more I see,” he said. “When I was six, I saw one problem I wanted to fix. Now, I see so many — and I just want to keep my mission moving forward.”

So far, Ethan and his team have handed out more than 12,000 care kits. He even launched a mobile store and education trailer, stocked with essentials so people in need can choose what helps them most — restoring a sense of dignity and independence.

But this year, Ethan’s mission hit an unexpected setback.

A large tree fell on his trailer, crushing the roof and damaging the structure beyond use. Not long after, the truck used to haul it broke down, its engine beyond repair.

“This trailer right here,” Ethan said. “It’s my prized possession. If we can get it back going — keep it moving — we can touch so many more people.”

Now, the young man who has spent nearly a decade helping others is turning to the community for help.

To help support his efforts, visit ethansheartbham.org.

Ethan is also inviting the community to join his seventh Annual Bags4Blessings Winter Homeless Survival Supply Packing Party. The event will be held Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at Don Hawkins Recreation Center, 8920 Roebuck Blvd., Birmingham, 35206. Volunteers of all ages can register for free.

From Prison to Ph.D. to Tenured Professor at Howard University

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Birmingham Times
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Dr. Stanley Andrisse helps trains the next generation of scientists at Howard University. (Provided)

By Sholnn Z. Freeman
howard.edu

Howard University College of Medicine professor Stanley Andrisse, Ph.D., has achieved what was once unimaginable, rising from a maximum-security prison to tenured faculty at the nation’s only R1-designated HBCU. His journey stands as a powerful testament to hope, second chances, and the transformative impact of higher education.

Q: You’ve gone from a maximum-security prison to becoming a tenured professor at Howard University. What does that milestone represent to you personally?

A: My story represents both possibility and responsibility, and it’s the culmination of years of faith, mentorship, and resilience. But it’s bigger than me. It’s proof that redemption is real — that someone who was once written off as a “career criminal” can stand in front of classrooms, lead research, and shape the next generation of scientists. To my knowledge, I’m the first formerly incarcerated Black man in U.S. history to earn tenure at a medical school.

Q: You’ve spoken about growing up in Ferguson, Missouri, and being labeled a “career criminal” before age 21. How do you think those early experiences shaped the kind of educator and mentor you became?

A: Those early experiences gave me a deep sense of empathy and urgency. I know what it feels like to be dismissed, underestimated, and denied opportunity. As a mentor, I try to be the voice I needed back then. I try to be someone who believes in potential, not perfection. Many of my students are first-generation or underrepresented in science. I say to them: your background isn’t a barrier; it’s your foundation.

Q: What was the moment — or series of moments — that shifted your mindset while you were incarcerated?

A: The biggest turning point was losing my father to his battle with Type 2 diabetes. He slipped into a diabetic coma while I was incarcerated, and I never truly got to say goodbye. That loss broke me open. His battles with diabetes motivated me to read my first scientific article about diabetes. Something clicked. Even though I was physically caged, my mind was free, roaming inside the human cell, trying to understand disease. That spark became my purpose. I decided to live differently and honor my father’s life by pursuing science.

Q: How did pursuing a Ph.D. become part of your pathway out of the criminal justice system?

A: Education gave me access — access to rebuild, to contribute, and to redefine myself. Near the end of my sentence, I applied to six graduate schools. Five rejected me outright. The one that accepted me, Saint Louis University, did so because a mentor vouched for me. That one “yes” changed everything. I earned my Ph.D. in physiology and an MBA in finance, finishing in four years at the top of my class. Education didn’t just change my circumstances; it transformed my sense of self-worth.

Q: You often emphasize that “people are more than their worst mistake.” How did education help you live out that philosophy?

A: Education humanized me again. It helped me see myself not as a number or a case file, but as a thinker, a scientist, and a contributor. It’s what I now try to pass on through my teaching and through From Prison Cells to Ph.D. (P2P), a nonprofit that I co-founded — showing others that redemption is not abstract. It’s something you can live, build, and share.

Q: You founded From Prison Cells to Ph.D. What gap did you see that made you start this organization?

A: When I was released, there was no clear roadmap for someone with my background to enter higher education. Every door came with a lock and a label. I founded P2P to make sure others don’t have to navigate those barriers alone. Since then, we’ve supported more than a thousand justice-impacted scholars nationwide. The goal is simply to move people from conviction to contribution.

Q: You’ve argued that higher education should rethink how it evaluates applicants with criminal records. What do most universities get wrong about “second chances”?

A: Most institutions treat a criminal record as a permanent reflection of character rather than a snapshot of circumstance. They focus on who a person was, not who they’ve become. But overcoming incarceration requires resilience, grit, and focus — the very traits we claim to value in academia. Second chances aren’t charity. They’re smart investments in human potential.

Q: How do you respond to people who still view incarceration as a permanent marker of character rather than circumstance?

A: I tell them that accountability matters, but so does access. You can’t rebuild what you’re never allowed to touch. I don’t excuse my past. I own it. But redemption isn’t about erasing mistakes; it’s about learning from them and using that experience to make a difference. The question shouldn’t be “What did you do?” but “What are you doing now?”

Q: How do your two worlds — scientific research and criminal justice reform — intersect in your work today?

A: They intersect at the point of healing. My lab studies the molecular mechanisms of disease, especially diabetes, while my advocacy work tackles the social mechanisms of inequality. Both are about restoration — of the body and of opportunity. My lived experience makes me a more compassionate scientist, a more grounded educator, and a more relentless advocate. I’m living proof that science and justice can inform one another, that data and dignity can coexist.

Jefferson County’s First Black Sheriff’s Deputy, who ‘Faced Hardships but Never Wavered’, Has Died

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Birmingham Times
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The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 6, 2025, announced the death of retired Sgt. Louie Smoke, the department's first Black deputy.(Jefferson County Sheriff's Office)

By Carol Robinson | crobinson@al.com

The first Black Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy has died.

Officials on Thursday announced the death of Sgt. Louie E. Smoke.

“Hired back in 1968, Sgt. Smoke was more than just a badge; he was a trailblazer who broke barriers and opened doors for many who followed in his footsteps,” the sheriff’s office said in a Thursday Facebook post.
“His dedication and commitment to serving the community set a standard for all of us.”
Smoke, of Pinson, spent 30 years in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam veteran.

Hired by Sheriff Mel Bailey, Smoke served under three sheriffs before retiring as a sergeant in 2002.

He spent 34 years with the sheriff’s office and built a reputation for doing his job with dignity and professionalism.

The sheriff’s office honored him earlier this year during Black History Month, and Smoke said then it was the first he had been recognized.

“Sgt. Smoke faced challenges and hardships, but he never wavered in his mission to serve and protect,” the JCSO post read.

“We are grateful to have had the opportunity to honor him during his lifetime, recognizing his monumental contributions to our community and the department.”

Birmingham City Council Announces New Chair of Budget and Finance Committee, Other Assignments

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Birmingham Times
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The Birmingham City Council approved new committee assignments, which will be for a term of two years. (Provided)

citycouncil@birminghamal.gov

The 2025-2029 Birmingham City Council has released committee assignments, which will be for a term of two years. Most notably, the number of committees has been consolidated, and two committees will have co-chairs.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Clinton P. Woods, Chair

Wardine T. Alexander

Crystal N. Smitherman

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/ARTS AND CULTURE

Sonja Smith & Brian Gunn, Co-Chairs

Crystal N. Smitherman

Wardine T. Alexander

ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM

Hunter Williams, Chair

Brian Gunn

Sonja Smith

PLANNING & ZONING

Darrell O’Quinn & Josh Vasa, Co-Chairs

LaTonya A. Tate

Clinton P. Woods

PUBLIC SAFETY

LaTonya A. Tate, Chair

Josh Vasa

Hunter Williams

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

Darrell O’Quinn, Chair

Sonja Smith

LaTonya A. Tate

Birmingham Business Leaders Join Donation Efforts for SNAP Recipients

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Birmingham Times
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All week, the city has partnered with Christian Service Mission and others to collect canned and boxed food items to help those in need. (Adobe Stock)

By Chanda Temple | City of Birmingham

David Dyer was so moved by Mayor Randall L. Woodfin’s press conference, asking local business leaders to help Birmingham SNAP recipients, that he donated $12,500 to the cause this week.

David Dyer

“That’s what we want to do. We want to give back and support the local community,” said Dyer, who is the founder and CEO of Harvest, a Birmingham medical waste management company. “I was just happy we were in a position to help out. It was a no brainer.”

Dyer has not been the only Birmingham small business owner to donate funds to help Birmingham residents who’ve temporarily lost SNAP benefits, due to the government shutdown. Those benefits stopped on Nov. 1.

Rashada LeRoy grew up watching her single mother work multiple jobs but still needing food stamps to feed the family, which consisted of Rashada and her older brother. Like Dyer, she wanted to help Birmingham residents. So, when she saw Birmingham business owners Keith Graham and Caitlyn Graham donate $5,000 to the cause on Monday, Nov. 3, she found her answer. On Wednesday, Nov. 5, her LRY company donated $4,000.

Rashada LeRoy

“I don’t know how long my mom received that assistance, but I know that it was vital for us to get that assistance when we were growing up,” said LeRoy, founder and CEO of LRY. “There are hardworking, Birmingham residents who need these benefits to survive, just like we did.”

The City of Birmingham has partnered with United Way of Central Alabama, Inc. to provide funding to supplement SNAP benefits for Birmingham residents. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Birmingham City Council voted to approve $1 million go toward the effort.

Said Mayor Woodfin: “Birmingham’s heartbeat is its people. And this week, you can hear it loud and clear.”

“I thank the businesses and people who’ve stepped into the gap for families needing them. That’s what makes this city so special,” Mayor Woodfin said. “We take care of each other.”

The city and United Way are currently working on a plan to make funding available to as many SNAP recipients as possible. A date has not been released yet on when city SNAP cards will be available, as certain steps are still being taken to finalize the distribution. When the date is confirmed, information will be shared with the public and on birminghamal.gov/bhamready.

All week, the city has partnered with Christian Service Mission and others to collect canned and boxed food items to help those in need. Today is the last day for food donations, which may be dropped off at Christian Service Mission, 3600 Third Ave. South, until 4 p.m. today. No food boxes are being given away this week at Christian Service Mission. However, people may visit birminghamal.gov/fooddrive for a list of locations giving away food.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, the city’s Park and Recreation department will partner with Miles College to collect canned and boxed goods at Legion Field during the Miles vs. Tuskegee University football game. Collections will be taken from 12 to 2 p.m. in front of the stadium in the area under the lion statues.

Game day gates will open at 12 p.m., and the game will start at 2 p.m.

 

HBCU Football Roundup: Miles College Looks to Finish Season on a Winning Note

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Birmingham Times
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Linebacker Robert Williams has put together a great season for the Miles Golden Bears with 83 total and 51 solo tackles along with three sacks. He’s one of the top defensive players in the SIAC conference. (Jasmine Moore, Miles College)

By Donald Hunt | For The Birmingham Times

Miles College will look to finish the season on a high note when the Golden Bears (3-7, 3-4) face Tuskegee University (3-6, 2-5) on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Legion Field. The kickoff for this Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) matchup is 2 p.m.

The city’s Park and Recreation department will partner with Miles to collect canned and boxed goods at Legion Field during the game. Collections will be taken from 12 to 2 p.m. in front of the stadium in the area under the lion statues. Game day gates will open at 12 p.m., and the game will start at 2 p.m.

Miles College is coming off a 24-14 loss to Fort Valley State last week. Despite the loss, the Golden Bears have won three out their last four games. Linebacker Robert Williams has put together a great season with 83 total and 51 solo tackles along with three sacks. He’s one of the top defensive players in the conference. Miles College could use a strong performance from him in this contest.

In the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Alabama State (6-2, 4-1) will entertain Texas Southern (4-4, 3-2) on Saturday, Nov. 8. The kickoff will be at 2 p.m. The Hornets have been playing some terrific football. Alabama State defeated Prairie View A&M, 31-28, in a huge conference game last week. ASU will lean on running back Jahbari Kuykendall to maintain a solid ground attack. Kuykendall has 59 carries for 568 yards and two touchdowns this season.

In other action in the SWAC, Alabama A&M (4-5, 1-4) will host Prairie View A&M (6-3, 4-1) on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs’ player to watch is running back Maurice Edwards who has scored 7 TDs while gaining 361 yards on 98 carries this season.

‘A Prayer for Zoey’: Jackie and Lamont Pickens and the Love of a Caregiving Family

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Birmingham Times
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The Pickens family from left, Jackie, Zoey, Miles and Lamont in Zoey's happy place. The closed in patio has a plethora of plants, hardwood floors, spacious windows and a tv. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Don Rhodes II | The Birmingham Times

Every morning for Lamont and Jackie Pickens begins with prayer. Lamont finds a quiet place in their Pinson home, his secret place early in the morning, “before anyone wakes up, and I pray over Zoey,” he said.

“I ask God’s Holy Spirit to send its spirit of comfort to her,” Lamont added, speaking about their 4-year-old daughter, Zoey, who was diagnosed at 6 months old with CDKL5, a rare neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by early onset epilepsy (seizures) and developmental challenges.

For the Pickens family, faith and love have become their guiding light.

“I pray that God gives my wife and me supernatural wisdom and strength to be able to take good care of Zoey, so she’s healthy and happy,” Lamont said. “I also pray that God gives wisdom and understanding to all the individuals in direct care of Zoey — her teachers, her therapists, her social workers — and that they’re truly called to care for her.”

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and honor those who support loved ones with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or other needs.

A report released in July 2025 by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving shows that nearly one in four adults — 63 million Americans — provided care for an adult or child with a complex medical condition or disability in the past year. That is an increase of 20 million over the last 10 years, and this number is expected to continue to increase as the population ages.

African American families have the highest prevalence of caregiving in the U.S. and are often in high-intensity roles that require regular interaction with health care providers. They also tend to be younger caregivers and more often have children at home while caregiving.

As mom Jackie Pickens looks on, Miles, 6, plays with his sister Zoey, 4, who was diagnosed at 6 months old with a rare neurodevelopmental condition. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

A Day in the Life of Zoey

After prayer, the day turns into a routine that is full of precision and caution. Jackie, who is a licensed social worker, gets Zoey ready for school.

“Zoey is full care,” Lamont explained. “She is on a feeding tube, [which is] a miracle of modern medicine, a miracle that God has permitted humans to possess. She’s not able to take food by mouth like the rest of us, so she gets all her nutrition through her [gastronomy tube (G-tube)].”

Once she’s dressed and ready, Lamont, Zoey, and her older brother, Miles, head out the door around 6 a.m. Lamont does the morning drop-offs. The first stop is Hand in Hand Early Development Center in Birmingham, where Zoey attends pre-K.

“Hand in Hand is wonderful,” Lamont said of the program, which is run by United Ability. This “state-of-the art early learning program for children and families … is a place where children of all abilities learn, play, and grow together to develop understanding, acceptance, and caring for one another.”

He added, “You can feel that everyone [at the center], from the custodians on up to the administrators, is doing God’s work. They’ve been truly called to minister to these special needs children.”

At Hand in Hand, Zoey receives physical, occupational, and speech therapy. On Wednesdays, Jackie takes her to additional speech therapy in Homewood, Alabama.

“On weekends, Zoey goes wherever her family goes and loves being part of everything,” Jackie said.

While every day begins with faith, every day also brings new challenges. Recently, Zoey started eating a ketogenic diet, consisting of low-carbohydrate and high-fat foods, to help with her seizures and alertness in general.

Lamont prepares to give daughter Zoey her liquid medication through a G-tube, or gastronomy tube. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

“Since she started the keto diet, all her meds had to be reformulated from liquid to pill form,” Lamont said. “We have to crush them, mix them with water, and administer them through her G-tube. Something that would take five minutes previously now takes between 15 and 20 minutes, three times daily.”

Those minutes matter, especially for a family that is constantly balancing doctor appointments, therapy sessions, and after-school activities, including football and piano for 6-year-old Miles.

“Zoey has more doctor appointments than most adults,” Lamont said. “Neurology, [gastrointestinal (GI)], physical therapy, speech, nutritionists —there’s a lot to keep up with. But we do it because she deserves the best care possible.”

“She is getting sturdier, but that makes it tougher,” he added. “Changing her diaper or bathing her takes both of us now. A lot of places don’t even have changing tables big enough for her, so sometimes we’ve had to get creative, like changing her in the back of the SUV.”

Lamont and Jackie often also have sleepless nights.

“We sleep with our door open and one ear open,” Lamont said. “If she seizures or kicks her blankets off, we have to get up and turn her. That’s why we’re praying for funding to be able to pay for an overnight sitter, just to be able to keep her safe while she sleeps.”

Jackie Pickens looks on as husband Lamont prepares medication daughter Zoey must take each evening. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Love, Faith, and Community Support

The couple says love and faith are what sustain them.

“The most difficult thing was accepting Zoey’s condition and understanding that there was nothing we could have done to prevent it,” Jackie said. “She can’t do anything on her own, so it takes more time and energy. But the rewards have been how strong we are as a family. All the small victories give us hope.”

Jackie Pickens, holds 4-year-old daughter Zoey. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Lamont agreed, saying that their belief in God has been their rock. “It is only through Jesus that we can have a healthy marriage and family,” he said. “We depend a lot on prayer and on the Holy Spirit to make us strong.”

Even Miles has been affected by Zoey’s experience. “It has softened his heart,” Lamont said. “He feels so much empathy for people now. He understands what it is to care.”

Jackie acknowledges they would not be where they are today without community support.

“The most helpful support other than family is from Hand in Hand, Children’s Rehabilitation Services, [a program of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services], and Zoey being on Alabama Medicaid,” she said. “Our church, Church of the Highlands, has also been a blessing. They’ve surrounded us with love and prayer.”

Lamont added, “We want other special needs families to know about the resources available to them. People have shared information with us that’s been life-changing, and we want to pay that forward.”

For families just beginning their journey with a child with a rare condition, Lamont has heartfelt advice. “First, stop and breathe,” he said. “Cry if you have to, but just for a little bit. Speak over yourself that you got this, that you are strong enough. Take your child’s hand and walk with them through the frightening times. God’s got you, and He’ll give you the strength to be the miracle your child needs.”

Jackie shared a similar message of love and resilience. “Take it one day at a time,” she said. “Use the love you have for your child as your strength. Zoey didn’t ask to be here, to be like this. It’s our job to ensure that she has a good life no matter what.”

For information about education and services or relief for family caregivers, such as food, transportation, and much more, visit https://www.findhelp.org, which includes a search engine of services by ZIP code and in various languages.

Caring for a parent, spouse, or other loved one can be a 24/7 job that is emotionally, physically, and financially difficult — that’s why AARP works tirelessly to support family caregivers, striving to make your big responsibilities a little bit easier. Visit https://states.aarp.org/alabama/supporting-family-caregivers-in-alabama for information and resources.

Jackie Pickens, holding 4-year-old daughter Zoey, who was diagnosed at 6 months old with CDKL5, a rare neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by early onset epilepsy (seizures) and developmental
challenges. Zoey’s brother, Miles, is in the background. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Clifford Ellis Never Expected to be a Caregiver. Then a Friend Called Following a Leg Amputation

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Birmingham Times
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After Michael Alford, left, had his leg amputated in February 2025, Clifford Ellis, didn't think twice about becoming a caregiver to help a close friend. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

By Jordyn Davis | For The Birmingham Times

Clifford Ellis never expected his life to take the path of caregiving, but that changed when close friend Michael Alford called. Alford had his leg amputated in February 2025, following complications with diabetes, and the two live in a house in Birmingham’s West End Community. Ellis is there to wake Alford, distribute his medicine, help him dress, prepare meals, and clean the house.

“Taking care of others is how I am able to take care of myself,” Ellis said. “I continue to try to show my love for [Alford] by taking care of him like I would my own brother. When he eats, I eat. I stay here with him all the time, and I’m always on the clock.”

Alford remembers meeting Ellis through his sister at a party he had last December. Instinctively, he knew Ellis would be someone he could count on — so Alford called.

Ellis remembered, “When I met [Alford] the first time. it was like our spirits connected. … Something made me gravitate toward him. He was so happy, full of life, and energetic. … He was the life of the party. I was like, ‘Who is this?’ It was just up from there. You would think we were friends for life. … It hasn’t been a year.”

When Alford requested help, Ellis answered.

“I’m trying to show my love [to Alford] and be there for him,” Ellis said. “When you see a person down, you should always come to their aid, whatever the circumstance may be. … You never know what God has in store for you when you help someone else. If I ever found myself in need, I would want someone to do the same thing for me.”

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and honor those who support loved ones with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or other needs.

Clifford Ellis didn’t think twice about becoming a caregiver after friend Michael Alford had his leg amputated in February 2025. (Marika N. Johnson Photos, For The Birmingham Times)

A report released in July 2025 by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving shows that nearly one in four adults — 63 million Americans — provided care for an adult or child with a complex medical condition or disability in the past year. That is an increase of 20 million over the last 10 years, and this number is expected to continue to increase as the population ages.

African American families have the highest prevalence of caregiving in the U.S. and are often in high-intensity roles that require regular interaction with health care providers. They also tend to be younger caregivers and more often have children at home while caregiving.

Both Ellis and Alford, who is also a veteran, believe they wouldn’t be able to continue carrying out their day-to-day schedules without the grace and help of God.

“As much as I commend [Ellis], the number one person that gets all the recognition is God,” said Alford. “It’s amazing how my life has changed within the course of a year. There have been times when I’ve not been in a good place mentally, and I’ve lashed out and said some harsh things. God has been there consistently through it all, and I have to realize this was all a lesson and a test of my faith.”

In addition to having his leg amputated, Alford is on dialysis, a process through which extra fluid and waste are removed from the body when the kidneys are not functioning, and he must visit the VA hospital three times a week for treatments.

“Not only am I dealing with the loss of a limb, but I’m sitting in a chair three times a week to have my blood drained and cleaned. It’s rough, but I’m making it. … It’s not for the weak,” said Alford, adding that he thanks God for “an inner peace of mind and the ability to stay rooted and focused because it’s not easy at all.”

After Michael Alford, left, had his leg amputated in February 2025, Clifford Ellis, became his caregiver. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

It’s not easy being a caregiver, either, but the emphasis on caring, Ellis said.

“You’re caring for this person. You’re giving this person hope. Keep in mind, we all may come to a time when we need somebody. Being there to help somebody is a good feeling. … By helping them, you motivate them.”

Ellis added, “To be a caregiver, you have to have love. With that love, it will motivate you to help a person, [to help] strengthen that person. … So, when you take it upon yourself to care for somebody, you’re doing it out of love.”

Are you a full-time, unpaid, family caregiver for a loved one of any age with a chronic illness or disability who requires around-the-clock care? If so, you are invited to apply for the Alabama Respite Reimbursement Program: https://alabamarespite.org/apply-for-respite/.

Alabama Cares, a program of the United Way Area Agency on Aging, is here to help caregivers with the issues that may arise from their unique responsibilities, demands, and stress of caregiving. Visit https://uwaaa.org/services/alabamacares/ for more information.

Caregiver support for U.S. military veterans who are enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration System is available at https://www.caregiver.va.gov/.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

By
Birmingham Times
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Girls Inc. of Central Alabama. (Provided)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

 TODAY, NOVEMBER 6…

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

**ARTIST TIN TIN X is performing LIVE at the ALL VYBES ATL 2 U TOUR BIRMINGHAM, 7:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. at Majestic Lounge. This Birmingham native’s music reflects sound, emotion and color to explore the balance between light shadow, healing and expression.  Check him out for some positive energy presented by Spring Urban Fest.

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

**CHAPARELLE with RAMSEY THORNTON at Saturn.

**REVIS with TENNESSEE VETS EMERGE & ETCHSTONE at The Nick.

**OPEN AUDITIONS – An Open Mic Competition at the StarDome Comedy Club

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

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

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

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

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

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

**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE MINGLE, each week with Karaoke at 8 p.m., Spin to Win ‘til 9 p.m. and Happy Hour ‘til 9 p.m. with Sounds by DJ SLUGGA and hosted by JIRUS HORTON at Tee’s on 2nd.  FREE, Entry all night.

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

**JOSE CARR EVERY THURSDAY, 5-7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, at 1631 4th Avenue North.

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

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

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

**FILM at Sidewalk Film.

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7…

IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…

**COMEDIAN T.I. at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**THE STEPPERS at The Nick.

**JOSH MELOY at Iron City.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8…

**CAMERON WHITCOMB at Saturn.

**COMEDIAN T.I. at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**KG & THE DRIVE WITH BROTHA JOSH & KAREBEAR at The Nick. FREE.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9…

**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.

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

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

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

**RICKY CHILTON with ZACH AUSTIN at The Nick.

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

**SUNDAY FUNNIES WITH BENNIE MAC with DREKA RAY, BIG HOU, BELLY BUTTON and DREW 2 FUNNY at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**MARC REBILLET – PLACES I’VE NEVER PLAYED & WILL NEVER PLAY AGAIN TOUR with CAPYAC at Iron City.

**FREE – HAYSOP ALBUM RELEASE SHOW with JANET SIMPSON TAYLOR and HOLLINGSWORTH at Saturn.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10…

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

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

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

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

**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at The Nick.

**WILLIE WATSON with GABRIELLE HOPE at Saturn.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11…

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

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

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

**SONGWRITER’S NIGHT EVERY TUESDAY at The Nick.

**SUPERSTAR KARAOKE LATE NIGHT TUESDAYS at The Nick.

**EGGY at Saturn.

**YUNG GRAVY: VOLUPTUOUS VOYAGE TOUR at Iron City.

**ALL TIME LOW – EVERYONES TALKING WORLD TOUR w/MAYDAY PARADE, FOUR-YEAR STRONG & THE PARADOX at Avondale Brewing Co.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12…

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

**OPEN DECK with SUNDROP EVERY WEDNESDAY at The Nick.

**POUYA – ONLY A FEW LEFT at Saturn.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13…

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

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

**TROLL 2 + THE HEM w/ star GEORGE HARDY in attendance at Saturn.

**LONESOME JOY with CHARLIE ARGO at The Nick.

**ATREYU – THE CURSE TOUR at Iron City.

 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14….

**QDOT & JAXXXON + FRIENDS at The Nick.

**CADDLE at Iron City.

**JERRY JOSEPH & THE JACK MORMONS at Avondale Brewing Co.

**SOS: THE RECESSION POP PARTY at Saturn.

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

**MAGIC CITY TOY DRIVE is NOW until December 5 accepting new and unopened toys for boys and girls form ages birth – 10 years old, new bicycles and coats and jackets.  Donation sites are at the East, West, north and South Police Precincts, Police Ad Building, All Birmingham Fire and Rescue stations, All AmFirst Credit Unions in Birmingham, Department of Youth Services and City Hall. For more info., www.birminghamal.gov’DYS/ToyDrive. OR call 205-320-0879.

**FOR EMERGENCY RESOURCES, Call 205-942-8911 or go to www.feedingal.org/findfood for more.  OR call 211 for assistance.

 THINGS TO HELP IN NOVEMBER…and Do.

**FOR BE KIND BIRMINGHAM LIBRARY POP-UP in November:

2nd Wednesday – West End Library at 10 a.m., 3rd Wednesday – Smithfield Library at 10 a.m. and 4th Wednesday – 5 Pts. West Library at 10 a.m. Always check Be Kind on Facebook for updates and changes to schedules.

**NOVEMBER 15 – FOOD DISTRIBUTION at St. John’s Baptist Church in Edgewater, 7313 Arabia Avenue, Birmingham 35224 from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Pick up FREE canned goods and pantry items for you and your family.

**NOVEMBER 15 – FOOD AND CLOLTHING GIVEAWAY, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Zion Temple, 1433 Tomahawk Road, 35214.

**NOVEMBER 15 – ANNUAL THANKSGIVING TURKEY GIVEAWAY by R.A.C.E. Foundation and Omega Psi Phi, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Ensley Park and Recreation Center, 2800 Avenue K, 35219.

**NOVEMBER 22 – THANKSGIVING FOOD BOX AND DIAPER GIVEAWAY, 10 a.m. – Noon, at Rebirth Christian Fellowship, 700 23rd Avenue NW, 35215.

**NOVEMBER 22 – GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo November 22- January 4 at the Zoo.

**THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY, 8 – 9 a.m. at Irondale City Hall, 101 20th Street South – One turkey per household while supplies last.

**NOVEMBER 23 – JAZZ ON 4th with SAXOPHONIST DEE LUCAS, a national recording artist, 5- 6 p.m. at Carver Theatre Sunday Series.

FOR GIRLS…

**GIRLS MENTORING on 2nd Saturdays NOW through May 2026. This is a partnership effort by YWCA Family Resource Center and Girls, Inc. of Central Alabama.

**RAISING ROYALTY BHM GIRLS MENTORING PROGRAM, every 3rd Saturday of the month, 3-5 p.m. for girls ages 8-19 to empower, enlighten and encourage them from childhood to womanhood.  Contact Regina at 205-396-7010 at 1320 19th Street South, 35205

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

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