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November 20, 2025

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By multiple measures, the Birmingham area has seen dramatic declines in unemployment since the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

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EMPLOYMENT

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Senior Public Safety Manager

BJCC, is recruiting for a 1) 1. Senior Public Safety Manager for information & to apply visit https://www.bjcc.org/jobs/ or send resume to careers@bjcc.org /fax resume 205-458-8530.

BT11/20/2025

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University of Montevallo

 

Assistant Director, TRIO SSS EMPOWER
Learning Facilitator
Police Officer
Student Accounts Analyst
Visit https://jobs.montevallo.edu

 

UM is an EO Institution

BT11/20/2025

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LEGAL

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CASE NO. CV-2025-904304

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: MAYBELLINE C. BATTLE; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOYCE A. STABILE a/k/a JOYCE P. STABILE; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on October 7, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

Property Address: 408 15th Street Southwest, Birmingham, Alabama 35211

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-29-00-04-3-022-026.000

Legal Description: Part of Lots 1 and 2 in Block 46, according to the map of the property of the West End & Improvement Company, as recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate for said County in Map Book 1, Pages 38 and 39; particularly described as beginning in the Western line of Almond Street at a point 100 feet southward of the intersection of said line with Southern line of 3rd Avenue, thence Westward parallel with said Avenue 100 feet, thence Southward parallel with said Street 45 feet, thence Eastward parallel with said Avenue 100 feet to said Western line of Almond Street, thence Northward along the West line of Almond Street 45 feet to the point of beginning. Also, the NE 10 feet of Lot 3 in Block 46, according to the map of the property of the West End & Improvement Company, as recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate for said County in Map Book 1, Pages 38 and 39, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2017109446 as follows: NE 10 FT OF LOT 3 AND N 45 FT OF S 90 FT LOTS 1 AND 2 BLK 46 WEST END LAND & IMP CO.)

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for January 9, 2026, in Room 340, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

BT11/20/2025

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CASE NO. CV-2025-904023.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: WILLIAM JEFFERSON WYNN, III, and NANCY GAY COTTON, as heirs of CARLTON TERRELL WYNN; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on September 22, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 2313 26th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35234

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-22-00-23-1-010-002.000

 

 

 

Legal Description:Lots 11 through 13, Block 25, according to the map of North Birmingham as recorded in Map Book 3 Page 50 in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama, Less and except that portion conveyed to the State of Alabama by deed recorded in Real Volume 3288 Page 196 in the Probate Office, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2020086471 as follows: LOTS 11 THRU 13 BLK 25 NORTH BHAM LESS & EXCEPT RD R/W)

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for January 9, 2026, in Room 340, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-904306.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: MYERS-WILLIAMS, LLC; BELINDA COSTON HYCHE, KATHY DAO, CAROL MCDONALD, and LISA P. COSTON, as heirs of KENNETH C. COSTON, SR.; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF KENNETH C. COSTON, SR. a/k/a KENNETH C. COSTON a/k/a KENNETH CHARLES COSTON; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on October 7, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 517 Alabama Avenue Southwest, Birmingham, Alabama 35211

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-29-00-03-2-010-002.000

 

 

 

Legal Description: Lots 19, 20, 21, and 22, in Block 11, in the Survey of Kenilworth as recorded in Map Book 5, Page 93, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2025054036 as follows: LOTS 19 THRU 22 BLK 11 OF KENILWORTH LESS PT TO VALLEY CREEK CANAL)

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for January 9, 2026, in Room 340, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-904303.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: RODERICK ARRINGTON; STATE OF ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on October 7, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 1637 19th Street Southwest, Birmingham, Alabama 35211

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-29-00-17-4-003-006.000

 

 

 

Legal Description: Lot 19, Block 8, according to the Survey of West End Hills, a map of which is recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama, in Map Book 27, Page 99, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2021001862 as follows: LOT 19 BLK 8 WEST END HILLS)

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for January 20, 2026, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-904305.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: QUEST IRA, INC. FBO MARC COHEN IRA #30041-31; THE EVANS GROUP LLC, SERIES 32; WORTHINGTON FEDERAL BANK; THE PARKER COMPANY, L.L.C.; OTTO FAMILY TRUST; ARGENT MORTGAGE COMPANY, L.L.C.; EARL MOORE; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on October 7, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 4735 Terrace S, Birmingham, Alabama 35208

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-29-00-08-2-012-009.000

 

 

 

Legal Description: Lot 9, in Block 7, according to Central Park Land Co’s First Survey, as recorded in Map Book 6, Page 42, in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2020086364 as follows: LOT 9 BLK 7 CENTRAL PARK LAND COMPANYS FIRST SURVEY

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for January 20, 2026, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-904307.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: HAROLD J. PURIFOY, JR. and TWANA PURIFOY ANDERSON, as heirs of HAROLD PURIFOY AND CATHERINE PURIFOY; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF HAROLD PURIFOY; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF CATHERINE PURIFOY; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF RANDALL B. JEFFCOAT; JESUS IS LORD ENTERPRISES, INC. f/k/a JIL ENTERPRISES, INC.; REGIONS BANK, as successor by merger to UNION PLANTERS BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on October 7, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 4228 Greenwood Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35217

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-23-00-07-4-012-021.000

 

 

 

Legal Description: Lot 8, Block 3, Boyles Park Subdivision as recorded in Map Book 8, Page 64, in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2020086355 as follows: LOT 8 BLK 3 BOYLES PARK)

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for January 20, 2026, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-904566.00

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: ANNA STEELE PROPERTIES, LLC; MARY CATHERINE MONTELEONE, ANTHONY ROCCO MONTELEONE, and DOMINICK GERARD MONTELEONE, as heirs of KATHRYN R. ALFANO; MARIE JACKSON and LEONARD FELIX BEASLEY, as heirs of SARA RACO JACKSON; NELLIE ALFANO RACO AND UNKNOWN HEIRS OF NELLIE ALFANO RACO; MICHAEL J. ALFANO and PATRICIA ALFANO SHAW, as heirs of LILLIAN M. ALFANO; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF SARAH ALFANO SCOTCH; REPUBLIC FINANCE, LLC; LVNV FUNDING LLC; MIDLAND FUNDING LLC; AUTO-OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE OF ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

TAKE NOTICE that on October 22, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Property Address: 2629 23rd Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35234

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 01-22-00-24-2-008-001.000

 

 

 

Legal Description: A part of the Northeast ¼ of Block 20, according to the survey of Haskell and Muller, as the same is recorded in the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama in Map Book 1, Page 357, being bounded by Twenty-Second (22nd) and Twenty-Third (23rd) Avenue North and Twenty-Sixth (26th) and Twenty-Seventh (27th) Streets, being in Haskell & Muller’s Survey; said Northeastern quarter of said block forming a rectangle fronting Two Hundred (200) feet, more or less, on the Southern Side of 23rd Avenue North, and extending back Southward of that uniform width along the Westerly line of 27th Street, One Hundred and Forty (140) feet to an alley. Less and except any part of the above described property conveyed to 22nd Avenue Baptist Church by deed recorded in Instrument Number 9405 / 5830, described as follows: Part of the NE ¼ of Block 20, according to the survey of Haskell & Muller, as the same is recorded in the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama in Map Book 1, Page 357, more particularly described as follows: Said Lot beginning at a point 60 feet West of said 27th Street: thence running Westerly along Southside 23rd Avenue 140 feet; thence Southerly 140 feet to an alley; thence Easterly along said alley 70 feet; thence Northerly 80 feet; thence Easterly 70 feet; thence Northerly 60 feet to the point of beginning, situated in Jefferson County, Alabama (It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument No. 2016132695 as follows: P O B W INTER 23RD AVE N & 27 TH ST N TH SE 140 FT ALG 27TH ST N TO ALLEY TH SW 130 FT TH NW 80 FT TH NE 70 FT TH NW 60 FT TO 23RD AVE N TH NE 60 FT ALG 23RD AVE N TO P O B BEING PART BLK 20 HASKELL & MULLERS PROP S OF VILLAGE CREEK)

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for January 9, 2026, in Room 340, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 A.M. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St., Birmingham, AL 35203. The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Cherokee W. Wooley, Law Offices of Thomas J. Skinner, IV, LLC, at (205) 802-2545.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this cause before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-902182

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: ESTATE OF LOUIS VELLA; CHRISTINA V. KEMP, EXECUTOR OF ESTATE OF LOUIS VELLA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; AND JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA, and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

 

 

TAKE NOTICE that on June 2, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Lots 1, 2 and 3, Block 3, according to the map or plat of E. A Westbrook Survey as recorded in Deed Book 74, Page 356 in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama.

 

 

 

It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in 2019111757 as follows: All of BLK 6 E A Westbrook

 

 

 

and assigned Parcel ID No. 22-00-23-4-005-044.000

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for January 20, 2026, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 a.m. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St, Birmingham, AL 35203.The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Jake A. Kiser at (205) 918-5037.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this case before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CASE NO. CV-2025-902179

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: ALICE M. WASHINGTON; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; AND JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA, and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

 

 

TAKE NOTICE that on June 2, 2025, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority filed the above-styled Complaint, and the Land Bank asserts that it has recorded notice of a pending quiet title and foreclosure action in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama concerning the rights and/or interests in the following real property:

 

 

 

Lot 4, in Block 3, according to Walnut Hill Land Company’s Re-subdivision of Block 698 of Elyton Land Company’s Survey of Birmingham, as recorded in Map Book 10, Page 47, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama.

 

 

 

It appears said legal is the same as that certain legal described in Instrument Number 2019111484 as follows: LOT 4 BLK 3 WALNUT HILL

 

 

 

and assigned Parcel ID No. 22-00-25-2-026-003.000

 

 

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The final hearing on this quiet title and foreclosure action is hereby set for January 20, 2026, in Room 360, Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00 a.m. The judgment of the Court may result in title to the property vesting in the Birmingham Land Bank Authority. Any person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama Code §§ 40-10-73 (1975) et seq. or Alabama Code §§ 40-10-83 (1975) et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE 5-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

 

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 North 20th St, Birmingham, AL 35203.The Birmingham Land Bank Authority may be contacted care of Jake A. Kiser at (205) 918-5037.

 

 

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED by the undersigned Clerk of Court that publication of this notice be made once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Birmingham Times, a newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Alabama, and that all persons to whom this notice is addressed and any and all persons claiming any title to, interest in, or lien or encumbrance on the above-described land or any part thereof are hereby directed to plead, answer or otherwise respond to the Complaint in this case before the hearing date or a judgment by default may be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASE NO. CV-2025-902813

 

 

 

NOTICE OF FINAL HEARING BY PUBLICATION

 

TO: JACQUELINE A. SIZEMORE AND HER HEIRS AND DEVISEES, IF DECEASED, JACK NUGENT AUSTIN, JR. AND HIS HEIRS AND DEVISEES, IF DECEASED, STEWART CARLTON AUSTIN AND HIS HEIRS AND DEVISEES, IF DECEASED, ALBERTENE NUGENT (DECEASED) AND HER HEIRS AND DEVISEES; J.T. SMALLWOOD, JEFFERSON COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR; JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA; CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA; and any and all other unknown heirs, claimants or interested parties claiming any right, title, estate, lien, or interest in the real estate described herein,

 

The Birmingham Land Bank Authority (the “Land Bank”), a public corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alabama, filed a Petition to Quiet Title and Foreclosure (the “Petition”) on the property described herein on July 14, 2025, in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County and recorded a Notice of Pending Quiet Title and Foreclosure Action on November 12, 2025 (the “Lis Pendens”) in the Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that a final hearing was set to be heard on October 14, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. which hearing was continued and reset to be heard on December 8, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at the Jefferson County Courthouse, Courtroom 340, 716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard, North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. The property that is the subject of this hearing is described as follows:

 

Property Address: 3615 26th Street N, Birmingham, Alabama 35207

 

 

 

Tax Parcel ID No.: 22-00-14-1-017-003.000 a/k/a 0122001410170030000000

 

 

 

Legal Description: That part of Block 63, according to the map of Park Place, Property of the North Birmingham Land Company Addition Number Two, as recorded in Map Book 6, Page 81, more particularly described as follows: Commence at the intersection of the South line of 37th Avenue with the East boundary line of 4th or 26th Street; thence Southwardly along the East boundary line of 4th or 26th Street for 150 feet for the point of

 

beginning; thence Eastwardly parallel with south boundary line of 3]1h Avenue 190 feet; thence Northwardly and parallel with East boundary line of 4th or 26th Street 50 feet; thence Westwardly and parallel with South boundary line of 37th A venue 190 feet to East boundary line of 4th or 26th Street; thence Southwardly along East boundary line of 4th or

 

26th Street for 50 feet to point of beginning; less and except that part of subject property conveyed to the State of Alabama, more particularly described as follows:

 

Commencing at a point that is 45 feet Northeasterly of and at right angles to the centerline of Project No. F-317(4) at P.C. Station 114+13.72; thence Northwesterly along a curve to the right, 45 feet from and parallel to said centerline a distance of 112 feet, more or less, to a point on the Southeast line of Lot No. G, Block 63, of Park Place Survey, and the point of beginning to describe the property herein conveyed; thence continue Northwesterly along said curve a distance of 53 feet, more or less, to a point on the Northwest line of said Lot that is 45 feet Northeasterly of and at right angles to the centerline of said project at approximate Station 115+89; thence Southwesterly along the Northwest line of said Lot a distance of 32 feet, more or less, to the Southwest line of said lot; thence Southeasterly along the Southwest line of said Lot a distance of 50 feet to the Southeast line of said Lot; thence Northeasterly along the Southern line of said Lot a distance of 17 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning a/k/a POB 100 FT SE OF SW INTER 37TH AVE N & ALLEY TH SE 50 FT TH SW 160S FT TO 26TH ST N TH NW 50 FT ALG 26TH ST N TH NE 150S FT TO POB BEING PART BLK 63 PARK PL

 

ANY PERSON WITH A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE ABOVE PROPERTY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY LOSE SUCH INTEREST, IF ANY, AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE-REFERENCEDQUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. The judgment of the

 

Court may result intitle to the property vesting in the BirminghamLand Bank Authority. Any

 

person who proves to the Court’s satisfaction a right to redeem the property pursuant to Alabama

 

 

 

Code 1975 §§ 40-10- 3, et seq. may redeem the property pursuant to those statutes within five (5) days after the appropriate Order on Final Hearing is issued. FAILURE TO REDEEM THE PROPERTY AND PRESENT PROOF OF REDEMPTION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THE FIVE-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.

 

The address of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority is City Hall, 710 20th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203 and may be contacted care of the City of Birmingham Law Department at 205-254-2117.

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPLETION

 

 

 

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given

 

that Williford Orman Construction LLC , Contractor, has completed the Contract for (Construction) of Alabaster Champion Career Academy Phase 2 AG Shop Renovations at Alabaster, AL for the State of Alabama and the (County) of Shelby, Owner(s), and have made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify McKee & Associates, Inc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Williford Orman Construction LLC

 

(Contractor)

 

 

 

 

 

______PO Box 1985, Pelham, AL 35124

 

(Business Address)

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPLETION

 

LEGAL NOTICE

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT John Plott Company, Inc.

 

 

 

CONTRACTOR(S) HAVE COMPLETED THE CONTRACT FOR (CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION, EQUIPMENT, OR IMPROVEMENT) OF:

 

 

 

Pinewood, Woods Trace & Oak Grove Pump Station Improvements

 

 

 

Contract No. 2020 AMP – PS01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for Jefferson County Environmental Services Department

 

OWNER(S). THIS NOTICE WILL BE PUBLISHED FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR (4) SUCCESSIVE WEEKS

 

BEGINNING: October 25, 2025 A FINAL SETTLEMENT WILL NOT BE MADE UPON

 

THE CONTRACT UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER COMPLETION OF NOTICE. ANY PERSON OR FIRM HAVING CLAIMS ON SAID PROJECT FOR MATERIALS OR

 

LABOR SHOULD CONTACT John Plott Company, Inc. PO Box 20183, Tuscaloosa, AL 35402

 

IN THE TIME AND MANNER AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

 

 

 

October 23, 2025 JOHN PLOTT COMPANY, INC.

 

DATE FIRM

 

 

 

 

 

BY:

 

Andrew Harshman

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Taylor Electric Inc. has completed the LAKESHORE DRIVE EXTENSION, BESSEMER ELECTRIC, located in Jefferson County Alabama. Taylor Electric has made request for final settlement of said contract and all people who have any claim for labor, material or otherwise in connection with the project should immediately notify the Sylacauga Utilities Board.

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

 

 

 

Sealed Bid Proposals will be received by the Environmental Services Department, Jefferson County, Alabama, online at QuestCDN (eBidDoc #9926730), until 2:00 P.M. local time on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, and then publicly opened and read via virtual video conference using Microsoft Teams for the SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM – ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM – CONTRACT NO. 2026 AMP14 – CENTER STREET COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION. Microsoft Teams can be accessed using a direct invitation link sent via email (request this link from Tad Powell, Hazen and Sawyer, at email tpowell@hazenandsawyer.com).

 

 

 

The scope of work includes the rehabilitation of approximately 854 sanitary sewer service laterals with cured-in-place liner, replacement of 172 laterals with excavation, 13,042 linear feet of 8-inch and 12-inch mainline cured-in-place liner, 740 vertical feet of manhole rehabilitation, 27 internal sectional liners, 748 linear feet of 8-inch sanitary sewer replacement, asphalt paving and restoration work.

 

 

 

Bidding Documents are on file for inspection, by appointment only, at the following location:

 

 

 

Jefferson County Environmental Services Department

 

716 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Suite A-300

 

Birmingham, Alabama 35203

 

Contact for Appointment: Ron Thomas (205) 215-1661

 

 

 

Complete sets of electronic Bidding Documents (Specifications and Drawings) are available at https://www.jeffcoes.org (navigate to “BIDS/CONTRACTS” to “NOTICE TO BIDDERS” to “Asset Management Program – Project Bid Information” for a listing of projects. Prior to downloading the Bidding Documents, Bidders will be required to set up a QuestCDN.com account and pay a $64.00 fee ($22.00 fee for download only). Hard copies of the Bidding Documents are the responsibility of the Bidders. Contact QuestCDN at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance with navigating the website and digital project information.

 

 

 

Bids will only be accepted from pre-qualified contractors who are listed on the Plan Holders List, signifying that they have purchased a set of documents from the Engineer, and who attend the MANDATORY Pre-Bid Conference.

 

 

 

NO BID PROPOSAL SHALL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE TIME STATED FOR RECEIVING BID PROPOSALS IN THIS NOTICE. A FORM CONTAINING THE CONTRACTOR’S NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE FIRM AND THE CONTRACTOR’S ALABAMA LICENSE NUMBER WITH THE DATE OF EXPIRATION IS REQUIRED WITH THE SUBMISSION OF THE BID. THESE REQUIREMENTS SHALL NOT BE WAIVED.

 

 

 

The Contractor is hereby advised that TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE on this project. The Contract Time for this project is four hundred fifty (450) consecutive calendar days from the effective date of the written Notice to Proceed to achieve Final Acceptance. Liquidated damages will be assessed if this time limit is exceeded. The Contractor may apply for an extension of time in accordance with the provisions of the Contract; however, such an extension must be approved prior to the Contract Completion Date to avoid the imposition of liquidated damages.

 

 

 

The Contractor is hereby advised that a Pre-Bid Conference will be held via a virtual video conference on Wednesday, December 03, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. This Pre-Bid Conference is MANDATORY for all contractors planning to submit a Bid Proposal on this project. The conference call will be held using Microsoft Teams and can be accessed using a direct invitation link sent via email (request this link from Tad Powell, Hazen and Sawyer, at email tpowell@hazenandsawyer.com). If you are unable to join the call due to technical difficulties, call Tad Powell (Hazen and Sawyer) at (205) 957-4151 or Ron Thomas(Jefferson County) at (205) 215-1661 for assistance.

 

 

 

Questions concerning meaning or intent of Bidding Documents shall be submitted to Tad Powell, PE, Senior Associate, Hazen and Sawyer, at email tpowell@hazenandsawyer.com no later than 5:00 p.m. local time on December 05, 2025. All questions must be in writing on Bidder’s company’s letterhead or email.

 

 

 

THE ATTENTION OF ALL BIDDERS IS CALLED TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATE LAW GOVERNING GENERAL CONTRACTORS, AS SET FORTH IN ALABAMA CODE SECTIONS 34-8-1 THROUGH SECTION 34-8-28 (1975), AS AMENDED, CHAPTER 4, SECTION 65 TO 82 (INCLUSIVE) OF TITLE 46 OF THE CODE OF ALABAMA OF 1940, AS AMENDED; AND BIDDERS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY SAID LAW INSOFAR AS IT IS APPLICABLE. THE ABOVE-MENTIONED PROVISIONS OF THE CODE MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR THE OWNER TO CONSIDER A BID PROPOSAL FROM ANYONE WHO IS NOT PROPERLY LICENSED UNDER SUCH CODE PROVISIONS.

 

 

 

THE ATTENTION OF BIDDERS IS CALLED TO THE PROVISIONS OF ALABAMA CODE SECTION 39-2-14 (1975) AS AMENDED, REQUIRING A NONRESIDENT CONTRACTOR TO REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE PRIOR TO ENGAGING IN THE PERFORMANCE OF A CONTRACT IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

 

THE ATTENTION OF BIDDERS IS CALLED TO THE PROVISIONS OF ALABAMA CODE SECTION 39-3-5 (1975) AS AMENDED, REGARDING PREFERENCE TO RESIDENT CONTRACTORS.

 

THE ATTENTION OF BIDDERS IS CALLED TO THE PROVISIONS OF ALABAMA ACT 2016-312 AS AMENDED, REGARDING NOT ENGAGING IN THE BOYCOTT OF A PERSON OR ENTITY BASED IN OR DOING BUSINESS WITH A JURISDICTION WITH WHICH THIS STATE ENJOYS OPEN TRADE.

 

 

 

THE EXCAVATION PORTION OF THIS PROJECT IS CLASSIFIED AS A CLASS “A” SEWER LINE PROJECT. ALL PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS MUST BE PRE-QUALIFIED WITH THE JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO EITHER BID CLASS “A” SEWER LINE PROJECTS OR CURED-IN-PLACE PROJECTS IN ORDER TO BID ON THIS PROJECT. To pre-qualify with the department and to construct class “A” SEWER LINE PROJECTS OR CURED-IN-PLACE PROJECTS, each prospective bidder must furnish written evidence of competency and evidence of financial responsibility to the county.

 

 

 

ACCORDINGLY, THE COUNTY WILL NOT ACCEPT PRE-QUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS AFTER November 21, 2025. BID PROPOSAL FORMS WILL NOT BE ISSUED TO PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS WHO DO NOT PRE-QUALIFY.

 

 

 

CONTRACTORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 716 RICHARD ARRINGTON JR. BOULEVARD NORTH, SUITE A300, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, (205)325-5496 IN ADVANCE OF THE DEADLINE TO DETERMINE IF THE CONTRACTOR IS PRE-QUALIFIED TO CONSTRUCT CLASS “A” SEWER LINE PROJECTS OR CURED-IN-PLACE PROJECTS, OR FOR OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION.

 

 

 

 

 

BY:

 

David Denard

 

Director of Environmental Services

 

Jefferson County, Alabama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEGAL NOTICE – FINAL SETTLEMENT REQUEST

 

 

 

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Global Construction & Engineering, Inc. has completed the Contract for Middle Street Water Line Upgrade #FS010448-01 for the MONTEVALLO WATER WORKS AND SEWER BOARD and has made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons with any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify, in writing, to Global Construction & Engineering, Inc., 5511 Bankhead Highway, Birmingham, AL 35210 or the Owner, MONTEVALLO WATER WORKS AND SEWER BOARD, 613 Valley St, Montevallo, AL 35115, USA.

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

INVITATION TO BID

 

ITB# 13-26“Frozen & Slush (Fountain) Beverages etc.”

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL

 

 

 

Bids will be received by the Jefferson County Commission Purchasing Agent, Michael D. Matthews, Ph.D., C.P.M., until 4:00 (CST) p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, for “Frozen & Slush (Fountain) Beverages”.

 

All solicitation information, including forms and specifications, is available for download free at https://jeffcobids.jccal.org/Search.aspx .Interested parties must meet bidder requirements and qualifications as specified in the bid documents on or before the date that the bids are due.

 

All questions must be submitted in writing to procurementservices@jccal.org, attention Valerie Henderson.

 

A pre-bid conference will be held Monday, December 1, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. (CST) in Purchasing Suite 830of the Jefferson County Main Courthouse, 716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Project-Based Section 8: Southtown Senior Waitlist

 

 

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

 

The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) will be accepting applications for the project-based waiting list, Southtown Senior, for two bedrooms only. Southtown Senior is located at 920 24th Street S, Birmingham, AL 35205. This building is for seniors age 62 or older. At least one household member must be 62 or older. All household members have to be adults. No minors can reside at this site.

 

 

 

DATE & TIME OPENS: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

 

DATE & TIME CLOSES: Friday, November 21, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

 

 

 

All interested applicants should visit www.habdportals.org during the time period above to apply online.

 

 

 

HABD will provide a paper application to seniors who need them. Paper applications can only be obtained in person for the individual who will apply for housing, and a government photo ID will be required in order to receive the paper application. Paper applications will only be available during business hours within the timeframe the waitlist is open. Paper applications should be obtained at the below address and once the application is completed it should be

 

returned to the same address via U.S. postal mail only. Applications have to be post marked by 11/21/2025 in order to be added to the waitlist. No paper applications can be hand delivered or dropped off.

 

 

 

McCoy Building 1301 25th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35204

 

Attention: Section 8 PBV: Southtown Senior

 

 

 

 

 

How does the Project-Based Section 8 Voucher Program work?

 

 

 

Under the Project-Based Section 8 Voucher Program, the rental assistance is tied to the unit and is not transferable to another unit. Since the assistance is tied to the unit, a family who moves from the project-based unit may not have any right to continued housing assistance. The HABD will refer families from the project-based waiting list to the Southtown Senior “owner” to fill their vacancies.

 

Application Process to Be Placed on The Project-Based Waiting List:

 

 

 

Applications are available electronically online at www.habdportals.org/. All applications received between Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and Friday, November 21, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. will be accepted onto the waiting list based on the date and the time of the application. Additional eligibility requirements will have to be met once your name reaches the top of the waiting list. Mailed paper applications will be entered into the electronic system.

 

 

 

 

 

How can I check my status on the waiting list?

 

 

 

Everyone that applies for the waiting list will be required to register for the applicant portal. Through the applicant portal, you will be able to update your contact information (including address and phone number), view what income is being used, and what household members you added to your application. You will also be able to view where your place is on the waiting list.

 

 

 

Special preference points will be given to applicants who fall under the below listed criteria:

 

 

 

Southtown Senior will have the following preferences:

 

 

 

– Returning Southtown Resident 10 points

 

– Public Housing Resident 10 points

 

 

 

Public housing residents in good standing who reside at developments targeted for redevelopment, demolition, or other repositioning activity which may require displacement and/or relocation are eligible for this preference. Verification of claimed preference will be required when your name reaches the top of the waiting list.

 

 

 

Income Limits

 

 

 

Applicants must be within the applicable income limits based on family size (see chart below).

 

 

 

1 Person

 

2 Person

 

3 Person

 

4 Person

 

5 Person

 

6 Person

 

7 Person

 

8 Person

 

$39,660

 

$45,360

 

$51,000

 

$56,640

 

$61,200

 

$65,760

 

$70,760

 

$74,820

 

Subsidy Standards

 

 

 

Depending on the family composition (number, age, and gender of persons in the household), applicants will qualify for a specific bedroom size, also known as the subsidy standard. The following chart lists the subsidy standards for Southtown Senior.

 

 

 

Number of Bedrooms

 

Number of Persons

 

Minimum Maximum

 

 

 

 

 

1 BR

 

1

 

2

 

2 BR

 

2

 

4

 

 

 

When will I be contacted from the waiting list?

 

 

 

HABD will contact applicants that made the waiting list based on preference points and date/time of receipt of application when there is unit availability based on your household composition.

 

Project-based waiting list applicants will be notified through email (if applied electronically) and

 

U.S. Postal Service (if paper application) once they are placed on the waiting list.

 

 

 

IMPORTANT:

 

If you have an address change throughout the application process, it is your responsibility to change your address in the Housing Choice Voucher applicant portal at www.habdportals.org/. We always recommend updating your address with the Post Office, but you must also update your address with our office, as forwarding mail has an expiration date and may prohibit you from receiving important information and/or an appointment regarding housing.

 

 

 

HABD does not discriminate based on sex, race, color, religion, natural origin, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, age, or marital status.

 

 

 

 

 

Duplicate applications will not be accepted! Hand delivered applications to any HABD location will not be accepted!

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

LEGAL NOTICE

 

 

 

In the Estate of Jack Whatley case # 25BHM001714, Administrator Easter Whatley-Rookard has filed a petition for probate of the estate of Jack Whatley in the Jefferson County Probate Court. All creditors must submit claims against the estate by Dec 15th, 2025.

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE

 

SPRING GARDENS 1

 

APARTMENT

 

APPLICATIONS

 

SUSPENDED

 

201 Spring Gardens Road

 

Birmingham, AL 35217

 

205-841-5032

 

 

 

Effective 3:00 pm

 

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

 

JCHA Housing & Development Corp

 

(JCHA)

 

Spring Gardens Office will no

 

longer accept applications

 

for Spring Gardens 1 until further

 

notice.

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

Notice of Application to Establish a Branch of a National Bank

Notice is given that Fifth Third Bank, National Association, a federally chartered depository institution with its main office located at 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, has filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on or about November 20, 2025, as specified in 12 CFR Part 5, for permission to establish a staffed branch located at 6602 Tattersall Lane, Birmingham, Alabama 35242 (“Tattersall BC”). Any person wishing to comment on this application may file comments in writing with the Director for Large Bank Licensing, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, 7 Times Square, 10th Floor Mailroom, New York, New York 10036 or by email to licensingpubliccomments@occ.treas.gov, within 30 days of the date of this publication. Written requests for a copy of the public portion of the application should be sent to the Director for Large Bank Licensing at licensingpubliccomments@occ.treas.gov. The public may find additional information regarding this application in the OCC’s Weekly Bulletin at www.occ.gov.

 

 

 

Dated: November 20, 2025 Fifth Third Bank, National Association

 

Cincinnati, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

 

 

INVITATION TO BID

 

The City of Birmingham will accept sealed bids for Pratt Alley & Subdivision Improvements Project # ENG 2025-008. Bids will be received by the City Engineer in Suite 220 of City Hall, Birmingham, Alabama until Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by 2:00 p.m. Sealed bids will be time-stamped at the time of arrival. Bids will then be publicly opened and read in Suite 220 Conference Room beginning at 2:00 pm. It is the bidder’s responsibility to make sure that the bid is in the possession of the City Engineer on or before time set for opening. Bids received after this time will not be considered. Bids can be dropped into the bid box located in Room 220 City Hall, hand-delivered to the City Engineer in Room 220 of City Hall or brought to the bid opening.

 

 

 

This is a streetscape project in the Pratt Neighborhood. The construction consists of roadway, alley, and subdivision improvements, and includes sidewalks, curbs and gutters, ADA ramps, striping, as well as new water service, new sanitary sewer service, new underground electric service, and storm water infrastructure. The primary items of work are approximately: Asphalt Binder (630 Ton), Asphalt Seal (320 Ton), Prime Coat (1900 Gal), Heavy Duty Concrete Paving (2500 CY), 4” Concrete Sidewalks (1200 SY), 18” Concrete Curb and Gutter (2750 LF), 4” Ductile Iron Pipe (750 LF), and 8” Ductile Iron Pipe (1365 LF).

 

 

 

A MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 2:00 pm (CST) in Conference Room 220 City Hall.

 

 

 

Bid documents are open to public inspection at the Office of the City Engineer in the Department of Capital Projects — Suite 220 of City Hall, 710 20th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203.Bid documents may be viewed and purchased through the City of Birmingham online plan room site at https://www.birminghamplanroom.com/ under the above project name. Any cost for reproduction shall be the responsibility of bidders. Prospective bidders are advised to check their source of bid documents frequently for any addenda to the bid documents. It is the bidder’s responsibility to bid on the correct set of bid documents.

 

 

 

Bids shall be accompanied by a cashier’s check drawn on an Alabama bank, or a bid bond executed by a surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in the State of Alabama, in an amount equal to 5% of the bid (subject to maximum of $10,000) and payable to the City of Birmingham. Bid bonds of the three (3) lowest bidders will be held for a period of ninety (90) days unless bidders agree, in writing, to a longer period of time. No bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for the receipt of the bids for a period of ninety (90) days.

 

 

 

A performance bond equal to 100% of the contract amount and a payment bond equal to 100% of the contract amount will be required of the successful bidder during the award process. Said bonds shall be executed by a surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in the State of Alabama.

 

 

 

Liability insurance certificates shall be required of the successful bidder during the award process, and such certificates shall list the City of Birmingham, its officials, agents, and employees as additional named insured.

 

 

 

Only bids submitted by General Contractors licensed in the State of Alabama in accordance with Alabama Code Chapter 8, Title 34 (inclusive) will be considered.

 

 

 

Bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Pratt Alley & Subdivision Improvements” on the outside of each envelope. Contractors shall also write on the outside of the sealed bid envelope his or her State of Alabama general contractor’s license number as well as the name of the company submitting the bid.

 

 

 

The sealed bid envelope shall contain the following documents: (1) the Form of Proposal, (2) Sales Tax Attachment, (3) the Authorization to Execute the Form of Proposal, (4) fully executed bid bond or certified check, (5) MBE/DBE Forms A, C, and D, (6) a copy of the contractor’s State of Alabama General Contractor’s License, (7) a current City of Birmingham Business License, (8) E-verify documentation, (9) list of subcontractors, and (10) Transparency in City Government form.

 

 

 

This project is subject to the requirements of the Birmingham Plan-Construction Industry Program, which is designed to encourage the utilization of Minority Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“MBE/DBE”) in City of Birmingham construction projects. The program is administered by the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority (BCIA) which establishes a system of floating MBE/DBE goals which may differ from year to year and project to project. Overall, these goals shall not be less than the historical participation of MBE/DBE’s in construction projects of the City and its agencies.

 

 

 

Special attention is called to the requirement of all bidders to identify trades and activities for which it will solicit and accept bids from potential MBE/DBE subcontractors. Potential bidders are encouraged to contact the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority (BCIA) to request a list of potential subcontractors and submit the required MBE/DBE forms by contacting the Executive Director, Birmingham Construction Industry Authority at 601 37th Street South, Birmingham, AL, 35222; telephone (205) 324-6202 or info@bcia1.org.

 

 

 

As a matter of public policy, the City of Birmingham agrees to make opportunities available to the maximum extent possible, to actively include Historically Underutilized Business Enterprises (HUBE’s) such as architectural firms, engineering firms, investment banking firms, other professional consultant services providers, and construction contractors as part of business, economic and community revitalization programs.

 

 

 

The City of Birmingham reserves the right to reject and or all bids and to waive any informality in any bid.

 

 

 

Jesse Miller, PE

 

City Engineer

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Advertisement for Bid

 

 

 

AGCO Finance LLC will offer the following repossessed equipment for sale to the highest bidder for Certified Funds; plus, applicable sales tax. Equipment: MF-MFGC17236EB TRACTOR/LOADER/BACKHOE S/N: AG3MGC230NKR15017. Date of sale: 12/2/2025. Time of Sale: 11:00 A.M. Place of sale: ORBIS JCB MACHINERY 8920 WEAVER AVE NE. LEEDS, AL 35094. Equipment can be inspected at place of sale. The equipment will be sold AS IS, without warranty. Final sale of equipment will be contingent upon winning bidder meeting all applicable federal and state regulatory requirements. We reserve the right to bid. For further information please contact GENO TOLVER (334) 314-9985, Reference Number: 2939219.

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Abandoned Vehicle

 

2007 Chrysler 300 Touring VIN# 2C3KA53G27H742809
Location: 1460 Minor Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35224

 

Vehicle will be sold at public auction for cash to the highest bidder at 6:00 AM on 12/20/25 The seller reserves the right to reject any bid and the right to bid.

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PUBLIC NOTICE

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2024 (OCT. 1, 2024 – SEPT. 30, 2025) 15-DAY COMMENT PERIOD NOTICE

 

Jefferson County, Alabama, acting as lead agency for the Jefferson County HUD Consortium located within the County (excluding Birmingham, Bessemer, Helena, Hoover, and Sumiton), is seeking public comment on the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Program Year 2024 (PY24).

 

Jefferson County received Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Emergency Shelter/Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG) funding for the period of October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025 to address the needs and concerns of Consortium citizens.

 

HUD requires grantees submit a CAPER within 90 days of the end of the Program Year outlining activities undertaken. The County plans to submit the PY24 CAPER to HUD by December 29, 2025.

 

To comply with federal regulations, the County will offer a 15-day public comment period from December 4 to December 19, 2025, for citizens to provide either written or verbal comments on the report. A public hearing on the CAPER is scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the Pre-Commission Conference Room at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, Alabama.

 

Accommodations for those with disabilities or limited English proficiency are available upon request and within reason by contacting the Department of Community Services at 205-325-5761 by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

 

The report will be available online at communityservices.jccal.org and for inspection at the Department of Community Services between the hours of 9:00am to 4:00 p.m. starting on December 4. Copies will also be provided to the 33 participating consortium cities.

 

Written comments may be submitted to the following:

 

Jefferson County Department of Community Services

 

Attn: CAPER Comments

 

716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Ste. A-430

 

Birmingham, AL 35203

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CIVIL ACTION NO. 01-CV-2025-901408.00

 

 

 

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA,

 

 

 

The estate of Donald Croom Beatty, Jr, deceased, by and through its Personal Representative Robert J. Hayes Petitioner, v. In Rem: Lot 196 and the Easterly 75 feet of Lot 195, as Described the Map and survey of the New County Club Sector of Mountain Brook Estates, as recorded in Map Book 17, Page 49, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama, and as more particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto, and Gene Nelson, Rick Nelson, Pam Nelson Stephens, David Nelson, Stanley Gonyea, Kathy Gonyea Ely, Jennifer Pratt Oliver, and Julie Pratt Oliver, individuals, The Respondents.

 

NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION TO: Gene Nelson, and any and all unknown parties who may claim an interest in the above-described property, located in Jefferson County, Alabama described to wit as:

 

Parcel I:

 

Lot 196 according to the map of Mountain Brook Estates, New country Club Sector as recorded in the Probate Office of Jefferson County, Alabama in Map Book 17, Page 49.

 

 

 

Parcel II:

 

The easterly seventy-five feet of Estate One Hundred Ninety-Five (195), according to the map and survey of New County Club Sector of Mountain Brook Estates made by Mountain Brook Estates, Inc. and recorded in Map Book 17, Page 49, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Jefferson County, Alabama; said property fronting seventy-five (75) feet on the southerly side of Montevallo Road and extending back of that uniform width along the easterly line of said estate to the rear line thereof, together with all improvements thereon.

 

 

 

Parcel III:

 

Commence at the SE corner of Lot 195, and go in a southerly direction approximately 1.2 feet to a power pole thence follow a fence SW to a point 9 feet south of the SW corner of the fence on the western line of the east side division of Lot 195 thence turn 90° to the right and go in a NE direction 77.64 feet to the point of beginning.

 

AND ALSO

 

Commence at the NW corner of the east 75’ of Lot 195 and go to the SW along said property line 215 feet to the SW corner, then turn right 90° and go 2.64 feet to the west side of the fence post, then turn right and go in a NW direction along the fence for 146.8 feet to the intersection of the old fence and the new fence corner for the western division side of Lot 195, which intersection is 1.05 feet west of the west line of the east 75 feet of Lot 195, and from the intersection of the old fence and the new fence which are perpendicular to each other, continue in a northerly direction along a straight line to the point of beginning; said parcel of land contains the old driveway and fence belonging to the eastern 75 feet of Lot 195.

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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RFP 25-12-01

 

 

 

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

 

Central Alabama Water will be accepting sealed Request for Proposals for Armed Security Guard Service, RFP 25-12-01.

 

The specifications may be examined and obtained in the Purchasing Department’s office at3600 First Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35222, or by emailing derleda.abrom@bwwb.org, or our website at www.bwwb.org.

 

Sealed proposals for Armed Security Guard Service, RFP 25-12-01will be received in the Purchasing Department not later than Friday, December 12, 2025, at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read.

 

  • Mandatory In-person Site Visit: Monday, November 24, 2025, 11:00 a.m. will be held at the Customer Service Building in the Security Department (please RSVP by Thursday, November 20, 2025, 4:30 p.m. If your organization is unable to attend, your proposal will be deemed unresponsive and will not be accepted.

 

 

 

Prospective proposers should deliver or mail their RFP to 3600 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35222, directed to the attention of LyTonja Levert, Purchasing Manager, and marked in the lower left-hand corner of the envelope as follows: “RFP 25-12-01 – Armed Security Guard Service, Friday, December 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Advertisement for

 

Vendor / Contractor Pre-Qualification
Birmingham City Schools

 

New Central Office – Low Voltage Cabling and Termination Project

 

Pre-qualification submittals will be received by Birmingham City Schools (BCS) Purchasing Director, Ed McMullen, and Tim Lewis, BCS IT Project Manager, until 2:00pm Central time on December 2, 2025 for the Birmingham City Schools New Central Office – Low Voltage Cabling and Termination project located at 2101 6th Ave North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203

 

Pre-Qualification Requirements Information Package may be obtained from the Birmingham City Schools website: https://www.bhamcityschools.org/Page/332 and ALGX Digital Plan Room (www.alagraphics.com).

 

 

 

Receipt of Pre-Qualification Information Package

 

Prospective Prime Contractors / Vendors Pre-qualification Packages must be received at Birmingham City Schools Purchasing Department, Room 202, 2015 Park Place North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, no later than 2:00 p.m. Central Time on December 2, 2025, by Ed McMullen, BCS Purchasing, purchasing@bhm.k12.al.us, after which no further requests will be considered. Three (3) paper copies, one (1) pdf, and two(2) flash drives with documents loaded are required for pre-qualification approval.

 

 

 

Prospective Prime Contractor / Vendor Notification

 

The pre-qualification procedure is intended to identify responsible and competent Low Voltage Telecommunications Cabling prime contractor / vendor relative to the requirements of the Low Voltage Cabling and Termination Project. Prospective prime contractors / vendors will be notified of the results of the pre-qualification.

 

 

 

PRIME CONTRACTOR/ VENDOR PREQUALIFICATIONS

 

Prime Contractor/ Vendors interested in submitting a proposal must apply for pre-qualification and must be licensed under the Provision of Title 34, Chapter 8, and Code of Alabama, 1975. A copy of the vendor’s current Alabama contractor’s license is to be included in the pre-qualification submittal. Only Prime Contractors / Vendors that have completed the pre-qualification process and that have been approved will be eligible to submit a proposal / bid for the Project.

 

 

 

GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK

 

Installation of a complete Structured Cabling System(SCS) in a newly renovated building. The interior renovations to a 166,000 square feet 12-story office building located in Birmingham, Alabama. The building includes office space on levels 1-2 and 7-12, with existing integrated parking on levels 3-6. The low voltage cabling portion of the renovation project include installation of fiber risers; horizontal fiber; over 1900 Cat. 6A cables; and installation of telecommunications equipment cabinets and ladder tray in the MDF and 14 IDFs. The scope of work also includes termination, testing, and documentation of the SCS. The work will be performed under a single Prime Low Voltage Cabling Contractor who will coordinate the work of this project .The timeline will require a single contractor / vendor with multiple crews working at the same time to meet the completion schedule. The project documents and drawings will be released after the pre-qualification process is complete.

 

The owner reserves the right to waive technical errors in the applications, extend or abandon the pre-qualification process, should the interests of the owner appear to be promoted thereby.

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PUBLIC NOTICE

 

 

 

Crown Castle is proposing to deploy telecommunications antennas/equipment atop an existing 43.6-foot pole located at 2400 Avenue G, Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL 35218 (33° 30′ 27.96″ North, 86° 53′ 53.64″ West). The project also includes associated fiber and electric conduits located within the associated utility right-of-way. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to Terracon, 2105 Newpoint Place, Suite 600, Lawrenceville, GA 30043; 770-623-0755; PublicNoticeAtlanta@terracon.com. Reference Terracon Project No. 49257003.

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

 

 

 

Track resurfacing for Central High School Track

 

For Tuscaloosa City Schools

 

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

 

 

 

OWNER PROJECT #: 2025-6

 

Sealed proposals will be received by Mr. Edward Smith, Executive Director of Facilities, Tuscaloosa City Schools, Central Office, 1210 Almon Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, until 2:00 PM CT on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

 

Contractors must visit the site prior to bidding. Project location: Central High School, 905 15th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

 

Bidders must carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Bids shall exclude taxes and be submitted on forms provided by the Owner’s Representative. No bid may be withdrawn for 90 days. The Owner reserves the right to reject any proposal or waive technical errors.

 

A certified check or Bid Bond payable to Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education for 5% of the bid amount (max $10,000) must accompany each bid. Performance and payment bonds are required at contract signing.

 

Bidders exceeding State Licensing Board limits must be licensed under Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama (1975) and must list their license number on the outside of the sealed envelope.

 

Bid documents may be obtained by emailing jana@gamedayassociates.com. Only documents issued through this process are endorsed by the Owner/Engineer. Addenda will be issued only to confirmed bidders. The Owner/Engineer retains all document copyrights.

 

All RFIs regarding the bid documents shall be sent to Jana Cox at: jana@gamedayassociates.com.

 

 

 

Completion Time: See Scope of Work in Project Documents.

 

 

 

Supervision: Contractor to ensure proper supervision of all work.

 

 

 

Owner: Tuscaloosa City Schools, Dr. Mike Daria, Superintendent, 1210 Almon Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

 

 

 

Owner’s Representative: Gameday Associates, LLC, Jana Cox, jana@gamedayassociates.com

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION

 

JEFFERSON COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER & CORONER’S OFFICE

 

BUILDING PACKAGE

 

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

 

 

 

FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR COMPLETION – LEGAL NOTICE

 

 

 

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that

 

 

 

_Doster Construction Company, Inc.

 

(Contractor)

 

 

 

has completed the Contract for the JEFFERSON COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER & CORONER’S OFFICE BUILDING PACKAGE for the Owner, Jefferson County Commission, and has made request for final settlement of said Contract. All persons having any claim for labor, materials, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Poole & Company Architects, PC, 2 North Twentieth Street, Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Doster Construction Company, Inc. 2100 International Park Drive

 

Birmingham, AL 35243, 202-443-3800

 

(Contractor, Business Address & Business Phone Number)

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PREQUALIFICATION PROPOSALS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sealed proposals shall be received by White-Spunner Construction on behalf of the Retirement Services of Alabama, until 4:00 pm local time on December 17th, 2025 and then publicly open for review for qualifications to furnishings all labor, materials, and insurance to perform all work required and described as follows:

 

 

 

Project No.

 

 

 

Battle House Parking Deck Repairs

 

 

 

Project Narrative:

 

 

 

The parking deck is an existing precast concrete structure constructed in the early 2000s. The structural system consists of precast double tees, shear walls, single trusses, and concrete members containing pre-stressed cables. The parking deck is six stories in height and includes approximately 223,632 square feet, with the top level containing a pool, spa, gym, and tennis court. Over the years, chlorine leakage from the pool and pool equipment room has caused significant infiltration and deterioration of surrounding concrete elements. The scope of the work shall include but not be limited to removal of infiltrated concrete from walls and topping slabs, treatment of exposed rebar, epoxy injection of cracked trusses, repair of damaged trusses and double tees, shoring of structural members during repairs, installation of a new concrete column, installation of carbon plate reinforcement at affected structural areas, installation of a silane sealer on the entire parking garage, installation of a traffic coating system in specified areas, repair of steel stairs, sealing of stairwell walls with elastomeric joint sealant, painting of stairwell walls, replacement of damaged fire sprinkler lines, demolition of existing CMU walls, reconstruction of topping slabs and removed concrete with repair mortar, insulation of CMU stairwells, perimeter sealing of the entire garage, electrical demolition, and plumbing demolition, floor drain replacement, application of migrating corrosion inhibitor, .

 

 

 

 

 

No pre-qualification packages will be issued to contractors later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time indicated above for receiving pre-qualification proposals.

 

 

 

All prospective bidders shall submit a written submittal using American Institute of Architects (AIA) Document A305, “Contractor’s Qualification Statement,” latest edition, which may be purchased from an AIA documents vendor.

 

 

 

No Proposals will be considered unless the bidder, whether resident or non-resident of Alabama, is properly licensed and qualified to submit a proposal for this construction in accordance with all applicable laws of the State of Alabama. This shall include evidence of holding a current license Chapter 8 of Title 34, of the Code of Alabama, 1975. In addition, non-residents of the State, if a corporation or LLC, shall show evidence of having qualified with the Secretary of State to do business in the State of Alabama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREQUALIFICATION PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

 

 

 

PROJECT: Battle House Parking Deck Repairs

 

 

 

1.1 Written Submittal – To include at least each of the following items:

 

(Note that failure to provide all information requested, and failure to provide full disclosure may be deemed non-responsive by the Owner and as just cause for rejection of any prequalification submittal).

 

 

 

  1. Completed American Institute of Architects (AIA) Document A305, “Contractor’s Qualification Statement”, latest edition, which may be purchased from an A.I.A. documents vendor by the Contractor.

 

 

 

  1. List of projects under construction

 

  1. List of projects completed in the last 5 years

 

  1. Most recent audited financial statement

 

 

 

  1. Include a list of projects of similar types, size, scope, and complexity which have been completed by the company submitting this prequalification proposal. In addition, provide the original bid amount, number of change orders, and final contract amount. List any warranty claims by the owner and amount and frequency of site visits to correct construction related issues.

 

 

 

  1. Include name, address and telephone number of Owner, Architect, Construction Manager (if any), and the original and final Contract amounts.

 

 

 

  1. A minimum of three (3) such similar projects in size, scope, and complexity, within the last 7 years, will be required for pre-qualification.

 

 

 

  1. Confirmation that insurance and bonding requirements of the Retirement Systems of Alabama can and will be furnished, and a letter of confirmation from your company’s underwriter, broker, and/or agent indicating bonding limits, and that the required liability insurance with stated limits and other required provisions, is either in place or obtainable by the company submitting this prequalification proposal.

 

 

 

  1. Corporate/Company overview and philosophy/mission statement.

 

 

 

  1. Organizational chart of company structure.

 

 

 

  1. Resumes of key personnel anticipated to be involved in this project, including at least the following (*) required personnel:

 

 

 

  1. Principal*

 

  1. Project Manager*

 

  1. General Superintendent*

 

  1. Quality Control Manager

 

  1. Any other staff that may be involved

 

  1. Provide a brief description of your company’s safety program (including in part, your substance abuse program); quality control program; and “partnering” program, training, or experience.

 

 

 

  1. Provide description of how your company addresses warranty claims during the warranty period. Also provide a typical time frame of how quickly you will respond to such claims.

 

 

 

  1. Provide (and list, if applicable) your company’s OSHA accident frequency rates and Alabama

 

workers compensation modifier.

 

 

 

1.2 Refer to Advertisement for additional information and requirements regarding prequalification.

 

 

 

  1. Note that following this Prequalification process and legal advertisement for bids, a Pre-Bid Conference will be held, and attendance by Prequalified General Contractors will be strongly encouraged.

 

 

 

1.3 Submittal Deadline: 4:00 pm, December 17th, 2025

 

 

 

1.4 Number of Copies to be Submitted: One (1) Digital.

 

 

 

1.5 Submit one copy to:

 

 

 

White Spunner Construction 2010 W I-65 Service Rd S Mobile, Alabama 36693 Attn: Cole Hession

 

cole.hession@white-spunner.com

 

Phone: (251) 222-1166

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BT11/20/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How Birmingham Musicians Rescued a Grammy Award–Winning Bassist with Last-Minute Find

0
Endea Owens, fourth from left, on stage with her band, The Cookout, at the Alys Stephens Center. When Owens needed a bass at the last for the concert, Bernard McQueen, fifth from left, and an instructor at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame came to the rescue. (Shauna Stuart, For The Birmingham Times)

By Shauna Stuart | For The Birmingham Times

When Endea Owens’ tour with her band, The Cookout, took the stage at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB’s) Alys Stephens Center in early October, the band got some emergency help from local musicians.

Less than two hours before the concert, Owens — the Emmy and Grammy award-winning bandleader, composer, and bassist for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert — needed a different bass from the instrument UAB rented for the show.

The problem for Owens was that the action, or the distance between the strings and fingerboard, on the bass from UAB was set high. While classical music players typically prefer a high action to help project their sound, jazz musicians like Owens tend to prefer the action of the bass set low. The setup allows their fingers to move quickly over the strings to keep pace with the up-tempo rhythms of jazz.

Thanks to quick thinking from musicians headed to the concert that evening, Owens ended up playing the bass that belongs to Bernard McQueen, a member of the Daniel José Carr Quartet and an instructor at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

Last-Minute Phone Call

Here’s what happened: Alana Hall was driving to the concert in Birmingham when she got a voice note from Lee Pearson, drummer for The Cookout, asking if she knew anyone who could loan the band a bass for the evening. Hall and Pearson first met in 2022 at a jam session in Baltimore, Maryland, and kept in touch over the years. With the minutes counting down to the 8 p.m. show, Hall immediately started making phone calls.

The first person she called was her brother, Tyson Hall, a professional musician and the vice principal of Anniston High School, in Anniston, Alabama. When her brother couldn’t think of anyone, Hall, an alum of Alabama State University (ASU) and former trumpeter for the university’s Mighty Marching Hornets band, called Emery Kidd, a well-known bassist and her former recording technology professor at ASU, to ask if he could loan the band his bass for the night. Kidd wasn’t in Birmingham, though. He was more than 90 miles away in Montgomery, Alabama, getting set up to play his own gig — a private dinner for the presidents of two historic historically Black universities and colleges (HBCUs): Tuskegee University, located in Montgomery, and Morehouse College, located in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was part of a weekend lineup of events for a football game between the two schools.

So, Kidd reached out to one of his mentors: McQueen. McQueen and his wife, Thelma, had just left Longhorn Steakhouse in Gardendale, Alabama—where they had dinner to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary—and were driving down Interstate 65 when the call came in.

The McQueens were happy to assist. They turned around on the interstate and headed home to get the bass. After picking up the instrument, they drove to UAB, but they encountered a few obstacles. The university had the streets surrounding the Alys Stephens Center closed off for its annual block party. The McQueens were about a block away from the Alys Stephens Center when Bernard’s phone rang again — this time it was staff from UAB.

“They wanted to know where I was,” recalled McQueen, who decided to park as close to the Alys Stephens Center as he could.

Grammy-winner Endea Owens on stage at the Alys Stephens Center with bass she was able to borrow from Bernard McQueen, a member of the Daniel José Carr Quartet and an instructor at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. (Shauna Stuart, For The Birmingham Times)

When McQueen described his location, the university sprang into action. McQueen was able to drive a little closer to the venue before a man wearing a green polo shirt and a khaki baseball cap came to meet them — UAB had a staffer meet them halfway.

“He grabbed the bass!” said McQueen, laughing. “I mean, he put the thing over his head, and I’m talking about he was gone with it.”

Crisis Averted

The man walked fast with the McQueens in tow, but Bernard’s eyes never left his prized bass. “Oh, yeah, I was watching because [my bass] don’t go anywhere I don’t go. It’s not going anywhere without me. So, we were trying to keep up with him, but we kept him in sight,” said McQueen.

Carrying the bass, the UAB staffer rushed into the Jemison Concert Hall. When the McQueens arrived, they saw Owens come out on stage, warmly introduce herself, and try out the bass.

With the crisis averted, the McQueens settled comfortably into the front row of the theatre to enjoy the concert.

A standout moment for McQueen was the band’s performance of jazz standards, especially “Moanin’,” by jazz drummer and bandleader Art Blakey.

“Yeah, that right there got it for me,” said McQueen. “I had never heard a bass player play the melodic line [of the song] as far as the whole lead line. I mean, she was killin’ it.”

After the band took its final bow to a standing ovation and the audience cleared out of the concert hall, McQueen went to retrieve his bass. Minutes later, the musicians returned to the stage to enjoy cheerful conversation and take photos. Owens joyfully thanked McQueen again for loaning them the bass, and the duo had a nice chat about the show.

Naturally, McQueen observed Owens’ playing style, drawing comparisons to himself and his favorite fellow bassists.

“She plays aggressive. … I’m a laid-back type of player, I think. But I love her style. I mean, to me, she’s aggressive, like Cleve Eaton was. So, I like that,” said McQueen. “Jazz really is a conversation. First, you are having a conversation with your bandmates. And, most importantly, you are having a conversation with the audience. She had that.”

McQueen and Owens also had a nice chat about the show and some jazz greats. He told her about Cleve Eaton, the legendary Fairfield, Alabama-born musician best known for his tenure as the bassist for both Count Basie and the Ramsey Lewis Trio.

Eaton, who preferred his bass set up with a low action, often let McQueen try out his bass at jam sessions. So, when McQueen was ready to buy his own upright bass at Homewood Music, in Homewood, Alabama, he told shop owner Bob Tedrow to set his bass up just like Eaton’s.

That conversation flowed easily, said McQueen: “The energy I felt from her, she felt like a real down-to-earth person.”

Cahaba Medical Care Expands in West End to Serve 600 More Patients

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Dr. John B. Waits, CEO of Cahaba Medical Care, makes remarks after completion of West End Health Center expansion. (Provided)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Cahaba Medical Care has expanded its West End Health Center to increase capacity, reduce wait times, serve 600 more patients each month, and give families in the community faster access to comprehensive primary care.

A ribbon cutting was held at the center on Wednesday with members of the Cahaba medical team, neighborhood officers, city officials and residents.

“Our mission has always been to provide high-quality, compassionate healthcare to every family who walks through our doors,” said Dr. John B. Waits, CEO of Cahaba Medical Care. “This expansion is a testament to our commitment and to the community’s support. We are proud to offer even greater access and to help train the next generation of physicians who will continue this important work.”

Travestine J. Wright, secretary of the Arlington West End Neighborhood Association, makes remarks after completion of its West End Health Center expansion. (Provided)

The newly unveiled 800-square-foot addition includes four state-of-the-art exam rooms, increasing the center’s annual patient capacity by 26 percent and enables up to 30 additional patient visits per day.

For years, Cahaba Medical Care’s West End Health Center has operated at full capacity, reflecting a need for the additional exam rooms and increased capacity.

“This expansion allows us to continue that work of investing in the health and future of this community,” Waits said. “We’re growing so families can receive high quality, accessible, affordable and compassionate care they need close to home, from a team that knows them, listens to them and puts their well-being first.”

The expansion also broadens the Cahaba + UAB Family Medicine Residency Urban Program. Since its launch in 2018, the Cahaba + UAB residency program has provided care for 21 percent of Birmingham’s low-income population.

JPMorganChase: How to Help Protect Yourself from Scams this Holiday Season

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As you prepare for the holidays, it’s also critical to keep an eye out for online scams that aim to steal your money and your joy. (Provided)

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

There always seems to be a never-ending list of tasks during the holiday season, from booking flights to purchasing gifts for loved ones. As you prepare for the holidays, it’s also critical to keep an eye out for online scams that aim to steal your money and your joy.

“Scammers will go to great lengths to take advantage of generous holiday shoppers. People may notice unusual texts about missed packages or massive discounts on their favorite websites,” said Geno Gardner, Chase’s Birmingham Community Manager. “Chase is here to educate consumers on popular scam tactics so they can help protect their money year-round, not just during the holidays.”

Nationally, nearly 1 in 3 consumers reported falling victim to an online scam during the 2024 holiday season, and Alabama residents lost nearly $108 million to fraud and scams just last year. Scams are becoming increasingly more sophisticated, making them more convincing and harder to detect. more sophisticated, making them more convincing and harder to detect.

“The holidays are scammers’ busy season. From fake travel websites and false package delivery messages to phony charity donations, scammers take advantage of people’s spirit of generosity and bustling holiday schedule,” said Diedra Porché, National Head of Community and Business Development at JPMorganChase. “Your best defense to protect yourself and loved ones is to stay educated on common and emerging scam tactics.”

Don’t let the threat of scams dampen your celebrations. Consider the following tips to help you celebrate safely.

Beware of Unrealistic Deals 

When you have so many gifts to buy, you’ll want to look for bargains. However, make sure that the discounts you’re offered are legitimate. Scammers often lure buyers with massive discounts, especially on popular and sold-out items, often using fake websites or social media ads. If you think, “this deal is too good to be true,” listen to your gut. It’s likely a scam.

Shop with Trusted Retailers 

When shopping online or on social media, make sure to only buy from trusted websites and vendors. Review the website’s URL and ensure that it starts with “https://” (the ‘s’ stands for secure) as scammers can create fake websites to look like legitimate retailers. If you’re unfamiliar with a store, search for the name with terms like “scam,” “complaints,” or “reviews” to uncover any red flags.

Be especially cautious when making purchases from social media marketplaces. Always verify the product exists before purchasing and use payments with purchase protections, like a credit card, to pay.

Gift card scams typically begin with outreach from a scammer, often pretending to be someone else, who urgently pressures victims into buying specific gift cards and sharing the card numbers and PINs. Scammers use various stories, such as pretending to be government officials, tech support, friends or family in emergencies, prize promoters, utility companies, or online romantic interests. Remember: Legitimate organizations will never demand payment by gift card, and requests for gift card payments are a sign of a scam.

How You Pay Matters

Not all payment methods offer purchase protection. When buying gifts for the holiday season, consider using your debit and credit cards, as they may provide protections that allow you to dispute a charge if you don’t receive what you paid for or it’s not as you expected. If you purchase something using payment methods like Zelle®, wire transfers, gift cards, or cash, and it turns out to be a scam, it’s unlikely you’ll get your money back. Only use Zelle® to pay others you know and trust.

Seek Out Free Resources

Give yourself peace of mind while shopping by using digital tools to monitor your personal information. For example, Chase Credit Journey® offers free credit and identity monitoring. This includes alerts to let you know if your data is exposed in a data breach or on the dark web. You don’t have to be a Chase customer use it.

To learn more about how to help protect yourself from scams this holiday season, visit Chase.com/Security

Birmingham’s Jazz Renaissance Hits High Note with Hall of Fame Musicians

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Alabama Jazz Hall of Famer Bo Berry on the trumpet at True Story Brewing Company on Crestwood Blvd. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

By Shauna Stuart | For The Birmingham Times

Janice “Jan Ham” Hamilton has traveled the world to attend jazz festivals: “I just follow the music,” she said. When she’s not globe-trotting, Hamilton can be found at jazz events and venues in and around Birmingham — jam sessions at True Story Brewing, Jazz Happy Hour at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and shows at the Uptown Jazz Lounge among other venues.

“It’s soothing and calming and gives you a good feeling,” she said of jazz shows. “It just takes the edge off. I like seeing the younger people play. And the way [more seasoned musicians] embrace the younger people to bring them in, make them aware of jazz music, and keep jazz music alive is very refreshing.”

Long after Birmingham’s heyday of jazz clubs, which dates back to the early 20th century, the city is experiencing a jazz renaissance. In August 2024, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame museum reopened after seven years of renovations. A month later, the jazz hall resumed its free Saturday morning jazz lessons. This year, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame introduced a new slate of jazz concerts and programming at the Carver Theatre featuring both homegrown and touring musicians.

Musicians are playing in more jazz jam sessions around Birmingham, and more local bars and restaurants — including the ones Hamilton likes to visit —are hosting jazz bands for nightly entertainment. To name a few: Dobber’s in Five Points South has a jazz jam every Monday; True Story Brewing Company in the Crestwood community hosts a jazz jam on Tuesdays; the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame has Jazz Happy Hour on Thursdays; and the Uptown Jazz Lounge showcases mostly smooth jazz and blues throughout the week.

Jose Carr leading the Happy Hour at the Carver Theatre’s Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

“There’s An Energy Here”

In February 2025, the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, a nonprofit music education network, hosted its renowned Peer-to-Peer jazz program at five Alabama schools, including three in Birmingham, and a jazz jam session at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

In the spring of 2025, Create Birmingham, a local arts organization, partnered with the city to officially honor the late Birmingham native musician SunRa with a day in his name.

Over the past three years, independent filmmakers have also released films about the Daniel José Carr Quartet, Tuxedo Junction, SunRa, and the history of Birmingham’s jazz scene, including commentary from authors Carol P. Ealons and Burgin Mathews.

This year, Hoover High School’s First Edition Jazz Band was a finalist in the renowned Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, New York. The honor makes the ensemble, housed about 19 minutes away from Birmingham, one of the best high school bands in the world.

“There’s an energy here,” said Bernard McQueen, bassist for the Daniel José Carr Quartet and bass instructor at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. “We’ve got this rich jazz history in Birmingham, Alabama, so why can’t we keep it going? In order to do that, we have to be more aware, learn more about jazz, more about the people and the music itself. Let’s try to be true to it.”

Bernard McQueen on the bass at True Story Brewing Company on Crestwood Blvd. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

History of Jazz

It’s a history McQueen is proud to tell.

In October, when the Emmy and Grammy award-winning bassist Endea Owens and her band, The Cookout, played at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB’s) Alys Stephens Center, some quick thinking from local musicians led to Owens playing McQueen’s bass for the evening. After the show, McQueen told the band about Birmingham’s jazz traditions and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

Housed in Birmingham’s historic Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts, the museum and nonprofit music education program highlights photographs, exhibits, and artifacts dedicated to preserving Alabama’s role in the history of jazz, including a bass played by Cleve Eaton, who was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1979.

The Hall of Fame museum, which had been closed for renovations for about seven years, hosted its grand reopening in 2024 with the induction of bassist Ron Carter.

Alabama has birthed numerous jazz icons and pioneering jazz musicians, including Eaton, Sun Ra, Dinah Washington, and the Clarkes, the family of former Birmingham City Councilwoman Carol Clarke.

“Maker of Musicians”

From 1917 to the 1950s, John T. “Fess” Whatley led the music program at Birmingham’s Industrial High School (now Arthur Harold Parker High School). Through the decades, Whatley gained a reputation as a legendary “maker of musicians,” and alumni of his program went on to play in bands for jazz icons like Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday.

Both the historic Tuxedo Junction in Birmingham’s Ensley community and the historic Black Business District on Fourth Avenue located downtown were beacons for jazz legends. Musicians, including Ellington and Count Basie, performed at Magic City venues, including the Carver Theatre and the grand ballroom inside Birmingham’s historic Prince Hall Masonic Temple.

McQueen is one of a circle of musicians in Birmingham trying to preserve the city’s jazz history and culture. It’s a reverence and respect for the music he learned from the greats.

McQueen’s high school band director was Amos Gordon, a saxophonist and composer, former member of the Bama State Collegians, former director of the Birmingham Heritage Band, and one of the first inductees into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

Walking The Bass

McQueen’s first bass lessons were from Early Billups, a revered musician and educator who directed several Birmingham City Schools bands. Billups started McQueen on the electric bass. As McQueen progressed, he’d get more instruction from veteran musicians, including Jothan Callins and Jesse Taylor, both of whom are Alabama Jazz Hall of fame inductees — Callins in 1979 and Taylor in 1983.

It was Taylor, McQueen said, who taught him how to walk the bass. (A walking bass line is a smooth, steady sequence of bass notes that creates a flowing rhythm, often moving in quarter notes. It’s commonly used in jazz [and other music genres] …, providing the foundation that keeps the music moving forward — hence the name “walking” bass.)

In the 1970s, McQueen, trumpeter Daniel José Carr, and pianist Willie Jackson formed the band Pizazz, which initially played mostly R&B at venues around the city, including Carr’s family club, Studio 98.

McQueen says the group leaned into playing jazz in the early 1980s. Carr, who had recently graduated from Alabama State University (ASU), stopped by McQueen’s house to tell him he wanted to start a jazz jam session at Studio 98. The group would eventually start playing under different monikers for different genres—Pizazz for R&B and the Daniel José Carr Quartet for jazz.

“From Pizazz to now, you’re looking at 45 years,” said McQueen. “We’ve been playing for 45 years. You develop a kinship. We’ve always had that. We’re good. We’re like brothers.”

Alabama Jazz Hall of Famer Jose Carr on the trumpet at True Story Brewing Company on Crestwood Blvd. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

“A Serious Statement”

Carr was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 2015. The Daniel José Carr Quartet, which now includes drummer Timothy Huffman, is one of the most in-demand jazz groups in Birmingham. Their weekly jam session, now housed on Tuesday evenings at True Story Brewing in Crestwood, is one of the longest-running — and most famous — jazz jam sessions in the city. The three-hour show brings out fellow Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductees and jazz elder statesmen, including trumpeter Collins “Bo” Berry, director of the Birmingham Heritage Band. Musicians also come from around Alabama and across state lines to sit in.

In a 2023 interview with AL.com, Carr describes himself as a late bloomer on the jazz scene. He used the term to describe his career transition. The Ensley-born trumpeter attended Council Elementary School then later went to Jackson-Olin High School.

“I was listening to jazz back then, but my mind was not serious. I was playing R&B and all that stuff. But I always hung around cats that played the music,” he told AL.com. “At school, the older guys would come back and see the band director, and I would have a chance to meet them. They were real good players.”

Carr attended ASU in Montgomery, Alabama. In the 1930s and 1940s, the school was regarded for its esteemed jazz programs: The Bama State Collegians, The Revellers, and The Cavaliers. The programs were so popular, in fact, that when ASU suffered severe financial hardship in the 1930s, the three programs played at balls and parties to generate revenue to help keep the school open. But by the time Carr joined the freshman class, ASU was better known for its marching band.

“So, I started seeking jazz by myself in the city. I started playing by ear,” he recalled.

Carr has said his mission is to keep jazz alive in the city of Birmingham, from preserving the history to mentoring the jazz musicians who will inherit the city.

“Most guys had to play all kinds of music because of their financial situations,” he said. “I’m playing music for the cause. I’m trying to keep this alive. You say you play jazz. … That’s a serious statement.”

You can see Bernard McQueen and all of the musicians in the Daniel José Carr Quartet at their weekly jam session on Tuesdays, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., at True Story Brewing Company (5510 Crestwood Blvd., Birmingham AL 35212).

Inside Some of Birmingham-Area’s Most Acclaimed Jazz Venues 

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Housed inside of Birmingham’s historic Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is ushering in a new chapter. (File)

Compiled by Shauna Stuart | For The Birmingham Times

Emery Kidd is a Birmingham-area bassist, now in his 40’s, who once played the trumpet in the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble under the tutelage of Jothan Callins and where Daniel Jose Carr and Bernard McQueen also stopped by to give tutorials.

Kidd attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts and was one of the founding members of the student jazz ensemble at ASFA and today attends Daniel Jose Carr’s jam session at True Story Brewing Co. on Tuesdays and sometimes opts to sit in.

“I’m grateful for the jazz jams because there are spaces where it doesn’t matter your age if you want to get up and hone your skills,” he told The Birmingham Times. “This is school in real time.”

In addition to True Story here are some other spaces in the Birmingham metro area where jazz lovers can find school in session.

If you have a spot that should be added here please email bwright@birminghamtimes.com with “Jazz Venues” in the subject line.

The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

1701 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

https://jazzhall.com/

Housed inside of Birmingham’s historic Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is ushering in a new chapter.

The nonprofit music education program was established in 1978 to help preserve the history and contributions the state of Alabama made to the genre of jazz. In 1993, organizers moved the nonprofit’s headquarters into the historic Carver Theatre and established a museum filled with artifacts and photographs devoted to the state’s jazz history.

After being closed for seven years of renovations, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame museum officially reopened to the public in August 2024 with the induction of renowned bassist Ron Carter. A month later, the jazz hall resumed its free jazz lessons.

This year, the jazz hall staff introduced a new slate of programming to welcome jazz enthusiasts back into the beloved venue.

The Jazz on 4th concert series is bringing a lineup of artists into the Carver’s performance hall. This summer, the AJHOF introduced a new way to bring music to jazz enthusiasts with Jazz Happy Hour, a Thursday evening jazz pop-up concert from 5 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Carver Theatre, featuring the Daniel Jose Carr Quartet.

In May, the Sun Ra Arkestra took the stage in the performance hall as part of the Sun Ra Festival, a four-day celebration in honor of Sun Ra’s birthday.

Dave’s Pub 

1128 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205

facebook.com/davessouthside

Dave’s Pub in Five Points South is home to two jazz jam sessions. On Tuesday nights from 8 to 11 p.m., keyboardist and guitarist Arturo LaCruz leads his Sol Musica jam session. Founded by LaCruz, a native of Peru, Sol Musica blends world music with improvisation and percussion of Latin jazz. Headlined by LaCruz, Sol Musica’s revolving house band includes pianist and guitarist Dave Crenshaw, saxophonist Michael Saddekni, and flutist Geni Skendo. On Thursdays, Forged Fusion hosts the jazz session from 8 to 11 p.m. Formed in 2024, the band fuses jazz, rock, and funk.

DJD theatre

Alabama School of Fine Arts, 800 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

djdtheater.org

https://djdtheater.org/about/

Housed at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, the Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, or DJD, is named after ASFA Foundation Board member Dorothy “Dodie” Jemison Day. Award-winning jazz and classical flutist Kim Scott, a 1993 graduate of ASFA and the school’s director of student services, has played the DJD stage. The 450-foot theatre is also the home venue for the award-winning  ASFA jazz ensemble and hosts “Artworks,” a performance series featuring artists from Alabama and around the nation. One of this year’s “Artworks” performers is Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Eric Essix. For the series, Essix, a recipient of the South Arts Jazz Road Tours grant, will take the stage at the DJD with Dr. Melvin Butler on saxophone, Sean Michael Ray on bass, Kelvin Wooten on keyboards, and Lil’ John Roberts on drums for the 25th anniversary of his career-defining album, “Southbound.”

Dobber’s Five Points Pub

1206 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205

The nights of live music at Little Italy’s Pies and Pints in Five Points South–including the Monday night jazz jam session– were almost as famous as its pizza. But the music ended when the pizza joint shuttered in 2023. 

When the owners of Dobber’s wanted to revive the beloved jam session, they called Desmond Sykes, a saxophonist for bands including Conception and the Black Jacket Symphony. Sykes, who was one of the jam’s mainstay musicians, was immediately on board.

In September, he started hosting a new Monday night jam at the neighborhood watering hole. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. patrons can see revolving musicians in the jam’s house band, including Sykes, David Little on guitar, bass players Ryan Brown and Amber Frazier, and drummers Richard Freeman and Jordan Stone.

This is one of the city’s jazz jam sessions where the musicians sitting in skew a little younger — many nights, most of the musicians are under 35.

The revived jam is picking up steam as word gets out, and musicians attending the jam include alumni from area high schools as well as UAB and JSU.

Sykes says musicians also travel from other cities such as Nashville and Atlanta to sit in.

“All sorts of people come through,” says Sykes. “You never know who is going to pop in.”

East Village Arts

7611 1st Ave. North, Birmingham, AL

www.evabham.org

Located in East Lake, East Village Arts is a nod to New York’s East Village and its cultural movements that became a haven for artists. The non-profit arts collective is a membership-based co-operative of artists, musicians, and patrons, as well as a community and event space. Outfitted with a stage and church pews, the performance space hosts concerts, dance performances, and poetry featuring both local and traveling artists.

The nonprofit is also a haven for jazz culture. In addition to hosting jazz performances, part of the avant-garde space pays homage to Sun Ra and the Arkestra. EAV also houses the studio of Craig Legg, a painter and historian widely considered a librarian of Birmingham music. Legg’s designs “Trading Cards”– a series of 5×7 paintings on Masonite board — his visual ode to genres of Alabama’s music history, including a series on the History of Birmingham Jazz. His latest project— funded by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, is Birmingham’s Jazz Family Tree, a  9’x12′ collage of illustrations documenting the dozens of jazz musicians that came out of Birmingham in the 1990s.

East Village Arts was also a filming location for three documentaries about Birmingham jazz: “So You Say You Play Jazz: The Daniel Jose Carr Story,” “Tuxedo Junction, the Almost Lost Story,” and “Magic City: Birmingham According to Sun Ra.” 

In May, East Village Arts held the farewell party for Create Birmingham’s three-day festival honoring the Sun Ra Arkestra in Birmingham.

Farrelly’s Southern Bar and Kitchen

5532 Grove Blvd, Hoover, AL 35226

farrellyskitchen.com

Pianist Choko Aiken quickly made her mark as a mainstay in the Birmingham jazz scene since she moved to the city from Japan in 2013, headlining her own shows at venues around the city (including Perfect Note and Jazzi’s on 3rd) and sharing the stage with Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductees, including Bo Berry, Daniel Jose Carr, and the late Cleve Eaton.

In 2024, Farrelly’s Southern Bar and Kitchen approached Aiken about hosting a weekly jazz night. For nearly a year, the highly requested pianist has helmed the stage in the dining room of the popular dinner spot on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m.

With Aiken as the bandleader, diners can expect a different lineup of musicians every week. Sometimes Aiken plays solo. Other nights, she’ll request accompanying musicians. Owner George McCluney occasionally joins the show on drums and vocals, while bassist Brian Brown and saxophonist Gary Wheat take the stage regularly.

Jazzi’s on 3rd

1725 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

https://www.jazzison3rd.com/

Located in  Birmingham’s Theatre District, Jazzi’s on 3rd Music Gallery is a standing homage to the late Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, Henry “Hank”  Blankenship, whose accomplishments include a tenure with the Birmingham Heritage Band. While Jazzi’s now operates mostly as a venue for private events, the music gallery still hosts occasional public concerts. In 2023, Jazzi’s on 3rd hosted the ceremony for Henry Blankernship’s star on the Alabama Walk of Fame. Family, city officials, and staff from the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame unveiled the star–located in front of Jazzi’s– with speeches and a proclamation from the city, followed by performances by the Birmingham Heritage Band, conducted by Bo Berry, and the Daniel Jose Carr Quartet.

Jazz on 55th

7 55th Pl N, Birmingham, AL 35212

www.facebook.com/jazzon55th

In Woodlawn, a vibrant mural of three musicians on the trumpet, saxophone, and piano is a beacon for Jazz on 55th.The lounge, which opened last April, offers patrons a space to enjoy cigars, a full bar, and live music. Jazz on 55th’s premise isn’t straight-ahead jazz– the venue is geared more toward smooth jazz, R&B, and neo soul — but the lineup of performers features beloved local and award-winning artists, including blues and soul powerhouse Mz. Aretta, flutist Sherry Reeves, and saxophonist Michael Hamm.

Pogo Cocktail Bar 

2309 1st Ave N Suite 101, Birmingham, AL 35203

www.armour-house.com/pogo

Below Armour House brasserie and raw bar lies Pogo Cocktail Bar. Nestled behind a speakeasy-style entrance, the chic cocktail lounge boasts a menu of signature libations along with live jazz performances every Thursday, Friday, and (occasionally) Saturday. Pogo’s performance lineup features a mashup of local and some touring musicians, including Chad Fisher, Ronald Rodriguez, Amari Ansari, the Jacksonville State University Jazz Combo, and UAB alumni and faculty, including saxophonist Gary Wheat.

In September, Pogo was one of the host venues for Jason Mingledorf and his quartet during their tour of Alabama, supported by the South Arts Jazz Roads grant. 

True Story Brewing

5510 Crestwood Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35212

www.facebook.com/truestorybrewing

Tucked into the Crestwood Shopping Center, True Story Brewing is a neighborhood watering hole known for its cold craft beer, growing selection of spirits and calendar of live music.  For the past four years, the brewpub has housed trumpeter Daniel “Jose” Carr’s jazz jam session on Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Carr’s session, now the longest-running jazz jam session in Birmingham, has had several homes over the past three decades. (Before True Story, the session was at B.O.S.S. Ultra Lounge on 20th Street South). The house band– Carr, bassist Bernard McQueen, drummer Timothy Huffman, and pianist Willie Jackson Jr.– start off the evening before opening up the session for other musicians to sit in. While the Tuesday jam is the mainstay jazz session, True Story also hosts rotating jazz shows featuring more local musicians, including the UAB Jazz Ensemble and Conception Jazz Fusion.

Uptown Jazz Lounge 

2250-B 9th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

https://www.uptownjazzbham.com/

Rod Conwell, Patrick Chatman, Patrick Chatman II and Larry Forest opened Uptown Jazz Lounge in Birmingham’s Uptown Entertainment District in 2022. Their goal, says Conwell, was to help fill a need for midsize music lounges in Birmingham’s downtown area.

“I grew up in that environment and there were several venues in the downtown area for adults and or ‘grown folks’ as we like to say. Spots where you could go listen to local and regional musicians, have a nice drink in a safe environment, and then go home. And that suddenly went away. It was here for years and then went away,” said Conwell.

Conwell is a lover of all types of music, but in his college days, he started leaning into straight-ahead and smooth jazz.

“It just stuck with me. And the older I got, the affinity I had for that type of music grew on me,” said Conwell. “And I started to travel to various states for that type of music.”

So when the team started developing the plans for Uptown Jazz, they knew they wanted to create a welcoming space for both jazz purists and fans of smooth jazz, as well as a venue where artists steeped in both could display their craft.

Now in its third year, a slate of heavy-hitting Alabama-grown artists have graced the Uptown Jazz stage, including Sherry Reeves, the Daniel Jose Carr Quartet, PJ Spraggins, Byron Thomas, and Deidre Gaddis.

In January, Uptown Jazz was the venue for a music showcase in conjunction with the All-State Jazz Band Festival and the Alabama Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. In attendance was Wycliffe Gordon, the award-winning trombonist and educator, whose accomplishments include a long-time tenure with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Conwell says the team at Uptown want Gordon to return for a performance. Other artists on their wish list: trumpeter Willie Bradley, Trombone Shorty, and Kim and Kayla Waters.

The team at Uptown Jazz also have one more ultimate goal: a Friday and Saturday jazz series showcase featuring three or four national artists.

Vecchia Pizzeria and Mercato 

610 Preserve Pkwy Suite 100, Hoover, AL 35226

vecchiabirmingham.com

Vecchia is well-known for its Neapolitan-style brick oven pizza and Italian market with a selection of cheeses, cured meats, desserts, and bottles of wine. But the popular Hoover neighborhood eatery boasts a Friday-night lineup of live jazz on Friday nights, either on the patio or in the dining room. Some of the featured musicians include pianist Choko Aiken, bassist Aaron Goldberg, drummer Alan Shaw, the UAB Jazz Combo, and the Daniel Jose Carr Quartet.

William’s Chapel CME Church

545 64th St S. Birmingham, AL 35212

Located in Oak Ridge Park, Williams’ Chapel CME is home to the Bo Berry & Friends jam session. Trumpeter Collins “Bo” Berry, a 1985 Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductee and director of the Birmingham Heritage Band, leads the Sunday afternoon session from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ronald Goodwin, a tenor saxophone player and member of the Birmingham Heritage Band, developed the jam session with Berry to bring a free jazz performance to the community and reach an audience that doesn’t normally frequent nightclubs. Another mission — connect with youth musicians who don’t have the chance to go out and see jazz shows.

The audience for the Sunday afternoon sessions is small but engaged. Viewers tend to arrive about an hour into the performance and settle comfortably into the pews, some dressed in their Sunday best.  Longtime jazz enthusiasts who go to shows around the city will see familiar faces. Berry and Goodwin are the mainstay musicians in the session, with Cheryl Simonetti on piano, Bernard McQueen on bass, and John Nuckols on drums. Members of the Daniel Jose Carr quartet tend to drop in, as well as musicians who regularly sit at Carr’s Tuesday jam session. Nadine Smith, a longtime vocalist for the Birmingham Heritage Band  (and a proud  Birmingham civil rights foot soldier), occasionally comes to watch the session and sing.  

AUBURN AL

Piccolo 241 Jazz & Cocktails

The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center, 241 S College St, Auburn, AL 36830

aricciacucina.com/piccolo-241-jazz-and-cocktails

Located about two and a half hours outside of Birmingham, Piccolo 241 is the jazz and cocktail lounge adjacent to the restaurant Arricia Cuina Italiana. On its website, Piccolo 241 bills itself as Auburn and Opelika’s “only true jazz lounge.”

Tucked away from the dining room, the cozy parlour, adorned with a fireplace and plush furniture, heralds itself as a beacon for jazz, a nod to the New York City jazz clubs graced by luminaries such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Dizzy Gillespie. Naturally, the venue is a stomping ground for the state’s best-known jazz artists. Saxophonist La’Roy Bodiford, who frequents Daniel Jose Carr’s jazz jam in Birmingham, hosts his own jazz session at Piccolo on Thursday nights.

Piccolo 241 hosts full shows and jam sessions with the mission to embody the listening rooms of larger cities with a more storied jazz history– on Friday and Saturday nights, the lounge is reserved for patrons 21 and up from 7:00 PM until close.

TUSCALOOSA AL

The Sanctuary on 25th

1710 25th Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

www.thesanctuaryon25th.com

Located in Tuscaloosa, the birthplace of renowned jazz singer and “Queen of the Blues” Dinah Washington, The Sanctuary on 25th is a restaurant and music club housed inside the former Conquerors’ Light Faith Center.

The name of the space pays homage to the previous venue– a former church. But music is also the “sanctuary” of owners Matt and Nikki Ray, according to their interview in the Tuscaloosa News.

The Rays designed the interior of Sanctuary to reflect the character of a house of worship. Massive wooden doors etched with crosses lead into the dining area, and some of the booths resemble church pews. Live music usually starts on Fridays with a lineup of both local and touring acts. Earlier this year, a crew of all-star clinicians and students from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz graced the Sanctuary stage as part of their February peer to peer tour in Alabama.

National Magazine Names Jeffco Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin one of 2025’s Best Leaders

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Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. has been selected by U.S. News & World Report as one of its 2025 Best Leaders in public service, business, healthcare and education. (File)

By Ashley Merryman | USN&WR

When Walter Gonsoulin became superintendent of public schools in Jefferson County, Alabama, in 2019, the district was known for its struggling schools. According to the Alabama Department of Education, only 66% of Jefferson County Schools high school seniors in the school year preceding his tenure graduated with the skills to succeed in college or a job. To compound the issues, Gonsoulin – the first Black permanent superintendent in the district’s 200-year history – was limited in what he could do, as the Birmingham-area district had been under federal supervision ever since a 1965 desegregation lawsuit.

In just five years, Gonsoulin, now 56, has already made so much progress that this year, AASA, the School Superintendents Association, named him the National Superintendent of the Year.

Under Gonsoulin’s leadership, the percentage of those leaving high school with necessary skills has climbed to 82%. The class of 2024 graduated with more than $108 million in scholarships. For those who want to go directly into the workforce, Gonsoulin works with local businesses to get them jobs as soon as they graduate. And earlier this year, the district finally settled the 60-year-old desegregation lawsuit.

While Gonsoulin tracks everything, from curricula to construction, to ensure that the district of 57 schools serving 36,000 students is always improving, Gonsoulin said in an interview with U.S. News & World Report the key to his leadership is that “it’s all personal to me.”

Gonsoulin says that begins with respecting and valuing everyone from cafeteria staff to district leadership. He spends time with parents, staff, students, civic leaders, focus groups and others. Then he tries to put the insights he gains into practice with compassion and empathy, he says.

That “makes leadership easy,” he says. “Even if you’re tired, disappointed or frustrated, you dust it off. Giving up is never an option because someone is counting on you.”

As the first in his immediate family to graduate from high school, he sees himself in the families he serves.

The oldest of six, he grew up with limited means in the small town of Jeanerette, Louisiana. Although his family didn’t have much schooling, they taught him that education was important. But getting an education meant leaving home, and it would be a lonely journey. He couldn’t call home for support – they didn’t have a phone – and they wouldn’t understand what he was doing anyway.

At 16, Gonsoulin enlisted in the National Guard. After he finished high school, Gonsoulin served in the military for six years, including a year in Iraq during the Gulf War. He earned two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s and a doctorate. He worked his way up the ranks as a teacher and school administrator in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

He says he understands the challenges his students face and that his district leadership is “constantly challenging ourselves to innovate, to think beyond where we are.” His team isn’t just trying to think outside the box. “We think there is no box.”

For example, rather than competing against other schools for hiring teachers, Gonsoulin has offered to pay college tuition for paraprofessional aides working in his schools if they will teach in the district after they graduate.

To increase students’ career readiness, in 2022, Gonsoulin established 20 “Signature Academies” within the high schools. In these programs, students receive training in practical skills, such as agricultural science, automotive technology, biomedical science, culinary arts, cybersecurity and more. Some students earn industry certifications, while others finish high school with associate degrees.

Gonsoulin’s leadership approach – taking care of the personal – began during the first month of his teaching career in 1991. Teaching back in his hometown, he’d been assigned a class of struggling sixth graders. Gonsoulin’s great-grandmother had told him that, if he truly wanted the children to succeed, he should visit every student’s family within the first 30 days of the school year.

Night was falling as he arrived at one girl’s home and sat with her mother in the living room, discussing her smart but underperforming daughter. Even as it got dark, no one turned on a lamp. Finally a child brought a candle to light the room, and Gonsoulin realized the family had no electricity. The girl wasn’t completing her homework because she couldn’t finish it in the dark.

For the rest of the year, Gonsoulin remained in his classroom every evening so the girl could study with the lights on.

The girl thrived, and she graduated six years later.

Now, nearly 35 years later, Gonsoulin still shines a light on his students – learning what they need and then doing whatever he can to help them succeed.

Brandy and Monica Bring R&B Royalty to Birmingham’s Sold-Out Legacy Arena

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The iconic duo delivered nostalgic, yet modern and refreshed performances filled with powerhouse vocals. (Photos by @tonybeephoto and @shaunandru)

By Marika N. Johnson | For The Birmingham Times

R&B Royalty Brandy and Monica turned the BJCC’s Legacy Arena into a wall-to-wall celebration Saturday night as fans packed the venue to full capacity for the sold-out stop on their highly anticipated The Boy is Mine Tour.

Opener Jamal Roberts, a Meridian Mississippi native and winner of the 23rd season of American Idol warmed up the crowd. Singer and songwriter, Muni Long, performed hits “Hrs & Hrs” and “Made For Me” while Grammy award winner Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny’s Child, set the tone with heaters such as “Soldier” and “Dilemma.”

The iconic duo, whose 1998 duet became one of the most defining songs in modern R&B, delivered nostalgic yet modern and refreshed performances filled with powerhouse vocals, an athletically built all male dance crew and the kind of chemistry fans have waited decades to witness onstage.

Brandy glided through classics like “Full Moon” and “I Wanna Be Down” while Monica had the arena vibing to favorites including “So Gone” and “Like This and Like That”. They moved through multiple sets each taking the stage as the other one exited, keeping the energy seamless and dynamic.

The night’s final act began with the “Angel” set. Dressed in all white, Brandy sang “Angel in Disguise” followed by Monica’s rendition of “Angel of Mine”. Together, they delivered a beautiful Whitney Houston tribute, sharing how she influenced their lives. The grand finale, “The Boy Is Mine” sent the crowd into a full eruption, with fans belting every lyric back to them.

The tour, brought by Black Promoters Collective, proved not only the lasting impact of their music but also the strength of their individual artistry. For Birmingham fans, it was a night of pure R&B excellence and a rare chance to witness two cultural powerhouses share one stage.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

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Saxophonist Dee Lucas at the Carver Theatre, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. (Photo Credit: bandsintown.com)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

TODAY, NOVEMBER 20…

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

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

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

**SANDERS BOHLKE with CRESTWOOD DRIVES and MONROE at Saturn.

**HASH CABBAGE with KYLE KIMBRELL at The Nick.

**LATE NIGHT at the Nick with ALABAMA SO & SO MACHINE,

**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.

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

**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.

**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 21…

IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…

**THE WILLIAMSON BROTHERS, HAM BAGBY AND NIGHT MUSIC at The Nick.

**LATE NIGHT with DAZR at The Nick

**OSAMASON – PSYKOTIC TOUR at Iron City.

**MONTAGUE with KRISTIN LEIGH at The Upstairs at Avondale Brewing Co.

**BEYONCE VS BEYONCE DANCE PARTY at Saturn.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22…

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4 at the Zoo.

**SICARD HOLLOW with OMCAT at Saturn.

**DRAG NIGHT at The Nick.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23…

**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.

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

**AN EVENING with KYLE KIMBRELL at The Nick.

**FREE – V. ELAM, DOMESTICATRIX, TIFFANY TEARS and NO CULTURE at Saturn.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24…

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

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

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

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

**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at The Nick.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25…

**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.

**FREE – SUBSTRATE BINGO with JACKIE LO at Saturn.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26…

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

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

**WINSTON RAMBLE at Saturn.

**ALABAMA ALL-STAR COMEDY SHOW at the StarDome Club featuring COMEDIAN HENRY WELCH, NATASHA “BIG LOVE” GOVER, DAVID LYNAM, TREY MACK, TWINADIME, CARLA YOUNGBLOOD and CAM 2STUPID hosted by CHARLES WINSTON.

NEXT THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27…

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

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

**THANKSGIVING NIGHT with RICKY TATE & WILD MAN at The Nick.

 NEXT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28….

**ALABAMA ALL-STAR COMEDY SHOW BATTLE OF THE SEXES EDITION at the StarDome Comedy Club featuring COMEDIAN DENO POSEY, SCOTT LAMAR, WOOD DELANIE, MARY, CECE PICKETT and DARNELLO hosted by Charles and ANDREA  Winston.

**COMEDIAN FUNNYMAINE LIVE TAPING at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**BUGWHORE at The Nick.

**PROJECT PAT at Iron City.

**GIMME GIMME DISCO: JERSEY SHORE EDITION at Saturn.

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

 **BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART STORE SUNDAY – MUSEUM STORE SUNDAY is November 30, 12 – 5 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art where you can meet local artists and makers, as well as enjoy art activities, light bites, giveaways and discounts on the merchandise.  This is the biggest shopping event of the year where you can explore a curated selection of one-of-a-kind pieces from Birmingham artists, makers and vendors from around the country.  There will be discounts on purchases for visitors (10 percent) and members (20 percent). In-person savings run from Friday, November 28- Museum Store Sunday.  In addition, there will be online discounts available from Wednesday, November 26 – Monday, December 1.  Some artists and vendors include YOGI DADA, VERO VANDLAERE, BEAUNCA WADE, EMMA ROSE CANDLES, CHERITH FLUKER, JESSICA LEITCH, ELIZABETH LIMBAUGH and MAKA MAKA with unique gifts that you can’t find anywhere else.  Enjoy free coffee and hot chocolate bar, as well as specialty drinks at the cash bar and family -friendly activities like a festive scavenger hunt and coloring station.

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

 THINGS TO HELP…and Do.

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

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

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

(Photo: Saxophonist Dee Lucas at the Carver Theatre) (Photo Credit: )

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

**FILL THE BOX CHALLENGE – FOOD DRIVE THROUGH NOVEMBER 28, at Family court 1st and 2nd Floors of Family Court Birmingham and at Bessemer Courthouse.  Bring: peanut butter, pasta, rice quinoa, breakfast cereals, oatmeal, grits, fruit juice, shelf-stable milk, canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruit, boxed meals, mac & cheese, Potato Flakes, canned/dried beans, peas and lentils. NO GLASS CONTAINERS, PLEASE.

**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 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.

HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN…

**SOUTH ARTS ARTIST CREATIVE PRACTICE GRANTS is offering $3000 to help Southern artists access professional development and career-milestone opportunities NOW through June 30, 2026. Recipients can still apply to other South Arts programs including Southern Prize & State Fellowships, Jazz Road for unrelated projects. Contact jcrawford@southarts.org or estevenson@southarts.org.

**SPACE ONE ELEVEN IS HIRING creative leaders and teaching artists to help shape meaningful arts experiences for youth and the community.

**BOOK RELEASE – A HISTORY OF BIRMINGHAM ROCK & ROLL is released and there is a book signing on Saturday, 2-5 p.m. at WorkPlay.  Author CRAIG LEGG has published a fabulous book containing more than 350 original paintings illustrating over seven decades of rock music, people, places and events in the Magic City.  There will be live music performed by several of the artists featured in the book, t-shirts, select prints and other swag for sale. Get your copy of the book, if you love rock and roll.

**COMING SOON: COCKTAILS WITH CREATIVES.  Look for more. This will be a spin-off of Coffee with Creatives, but with a night-time vibe.

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 

“I think anytime things become beautiful people start to feel a little joyous and maybe that will help a little bit. We need to feel a little more joy right now.”

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COLLEGE HILLS RESIDENT RATASHIA BOYKIN ON THE NEED FOR UPDATES FROM THE CITY ON PROGRESS OF THE $50M COMMUNITY CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE TO REVITALIZE HER COMMUNITY; WVTM, NOV. 15.