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PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

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Birmingham Times
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Jess Hilarious (Provided)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

 TODAY, JANUARY 22…

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

**THE FAREWELL SYMPHONY with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and CONDUCTOR CARLOS IZXARAT at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

**R&B TRIVIA NIGHT, 7 – 9:15 p.m. at Alibi Bar and Tapas, 5514 First Avenue North, Birmingham.

**CLUB SILENCIO: MUSIC FROM THE WORK OF DAVID LYNCH at Saturn.

**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 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 at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.

**HAYDEN HUNTER & THE YEARLY TRIALS + ZOEY PETE FORD + ALABAMA HEATHENS at The Nick.

**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!

**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, JANUARY 23…

IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…

**COMEDIENNE SPECIAL EVENT: JESS HILARIOUS at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**MARA NAGRA, BO LEE, THE ABUSEMENTS AND BLEACH GARDEN at The Nick.

**FREE – WILL STEWART, SLACK TIMES, LENA BATRTELS, and LAMPLIGHT at Saturn.

**THE FLOOZIES + TOO MANY ZOOZ: TOO MANY FLOOZ TOUR at Iron City.

**FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, 5 p.m. at Howard’s Unlimited Lounge & Cocktail Bar at 4010 Avenue I with food by 1918 Catering Food Truck. Happy Hour at 5, Call 205-213-9097 for more.

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24…

SATURDAY JAZZ GREATS SPRING OPEN HOUSE, 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

**XPOP CLUB NIGHT WITH DJ CHEN at Saturn.

**DRAG NIGHT at The Nick.

**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: JESS HILARIOUS at the StarDome Comedy Club.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25…

**JAZZ ON 4TH WITH JSU COMBO 1 – Join the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame at the Carver Theatre for the Sunday series, Jazz on 4th. Kicking off 2026 is the Jacksonville State University Combo 1 for a captivating live jazz performance.

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

**HOWARD’S UNLIMITED LOUNGE & COCKTAIL BAR, 4010 Avenue I, in Belview Heights opened recently by our own favorite son radio personality and D.J. CHRIS COLEMAN.  Check it out for Sunday Brunch with food by 1918 Catering, music and more!! For more, call 205-213-9097. 1918 Catering is the best food for lunch, dinner or your special event. (Take my word.)

**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.

**HAPPY HOUR FREE with LUKE WOOD at The Nick.

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

**MOTION SUNDAYS at Platinum, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. with DJ CUZZO X DJ A1 Controlling the Vibes. There will be Drink Specials.

**JON SPENCER with CASH LANGDON at Saturn.

**FOOL HOUSE – THE MILLENNIUM TOUR at Iron City.

MONDAY, JANUARY 26…

**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.

**DEADLINE EDUCATION AND YOUTH FUND GRANT OPPORTUNITY presented by Mayor James D, STEWART, Jr. Apply at www.tinyurl.com/IrondaleEdu26.

**THE MOTH OPEN MIC STORYSLAM: NEW LEAF (First-Timer’ Night) at Saturn.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27…

**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 CHE ARTHUR at Saturn.

 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28…

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

**FREE BOARDINGHOUSE at Saturn.

**KEITH DANIEL – PSYCHO SWAMP STOMP at The Nick.

**NEKO CASE – NEON GREY MIDNIGHT GREEN TOUR at Iron City.

**FENG E – The Upstairs at Avondale

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 …

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

**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR with JOSE CARR AND HIS BAND, 5 p.m . at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

**JASON POWELL is Special Guest Speaker for the Annual John A. Floyd, Jr., Lecture, with the 5:30 p.m. reception and presentation from 6-7 p.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

**(FREE) CRANKED to 11: A SPINAL TAP EVENT at Saturn.

**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 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 at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.

**Q DOT, JAXXXON AND FRIENDS at The Nick.

 FRIDAY, JANUARY 30….

**GUTHRIE ECHOES with PORTICO at The Nick Early Show.

**BITTER ROUTE at The Nick.

**HOT IN HERRE” 2000s DANCE PARTY at Saturn.

**BINGO LOCO at Iron City.

**BEDHEAD, BEARFACE & I DECLARE! At the Upstairs at Avondale

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

AT THE VULCAN PARK AND MUSEUM…

**2026 EXHIBITION: REVOLUTIONARY ROOTS – Celebrating Alabama’s Unique History and Natural Beauty, in honor of the United States 250th Anniversary, a part of America250 opens its 2026 exhibition – Revolutionary Roots: Celebrating Alabama’s unique History and Natural Beauty at the Vulcan Park and Museum on January 30. While Alabama was not yet a state at the nation’s founding, the exhibit honors individuals from across Alabama whose courage, resilience and leadership have helped shape the state and the country, many of whom have been historically overlooked or unsung. The exhibit will feature Calvin McGhee, who helped establish the Poarch Creek Indians, educator Carrie Tuggle, voting rights activist Virginia Durr, NASA scientist Clyde Foster and contemporary leaders including Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley M. Jones and JICA! CEO Dr. Carlos E. Aleman, CEO of The Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (HICA). The exhibition will be on view at Vulcan Park and Museum form January 30 2-26 through January 10, 2027.  For more, go to visitvulcan.com.

FOR BOOK LOVERS…

**BOOK – AFRICAN TIME (Universe to 1896) by Authors TDKA KILIMANJARO, PH.D and IFE KILIMANJARO, PH.D. of the University of Kmt. The authors share that the book was written to establish a general foundational chronology of African history from the earliest organizing of the universe that we live in to 1896 A.D.  The vast range of time documented, as history required that they plan, prepare and perfect multidisciplinary research procedure for over a decade. In the process of framing the world’s history and the history of Africans in the world, the authors focused on: Africa’s foundational civilizations (ancient African Kmt), the destruction of African civilization via the Holocaust of African Enslavement and on African diaspora struggles in what became the United States. AFRICAN TIME says that all civilizations have a life cycle that includes a period of gestation, rise and expansion, a period of maturity and stability, and a final period of decline, dissolution and disintegration. It further says that if the society dies a natural death, it is reborn from within the culture; if it is invaded and destroyed, it is then dismantled and carted away to other lands. African civilizations were invaded, destroyed and carted away by non-Africans. (The University of Kmt is an independent Pan-African educational cooperative that advances scholarship in natural sciences, social sciences, engineering/technology, humanities and the arts for those folk needing lucid and accurate answers to the fundamental questions of life and living. (For more: universityofkmt33@gmail.com)

FOR BUSINESS LOVERS…

**BLACK CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION ALABAMA CHAPTER (BCAAC) Membership Meeting is Monday, 6:30 p.m. in Downtown Entrepreneurial Center on 401 19th Street North, Bessemer (across from the Bessemer Public Library). Join BCAAC as they kick off the 2026 year with a purpose of setting priorities and organizing for the work ahead. The meeting is open to current and new members who are ready to build, lead and move with purpose.

IN THE CITY OF IRONDALE …

**JANUARY 31 – DEADLINE FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION FEE EXEMPTION OPPORTUNITY based on your income and other ways to qualify. Application at www.tinyurl.com/IrondaleGarbageExempt. Submit at Irondale City Hall.

AT BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS…in January …

**JANUARY 31 – COMMUNITY SEED SWAP, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on National Seed Swap Day.

AT THE GBHS…

**JANUARY 31 – JAZZ CAT BALL 2026 – The Greater Birmingham Human Society  (GBHS) Auxiliary is hosting the Ball of the Year, again. From show-stopping auction items, to unforgettable moments, to the dance floor, the countdown to the Jazz Cat Ball returns 5:30 p.m. for the Silent Auction at the Finley Center, Stadium Trace Parkway in Hoover. The theme is LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and Live Auction at 7:30 p.m. Entertainment and Bons Temps Casino at 9 p.m. AND, the evening concludes at 12 a.m. This is a black tie event.

FOR COMMUNITY LOVERS AND FOR HELP…

**BE KIND BIRMINGHAM LIBRARY POP-UP SCHEDULE… January, March, May July, September, November: 1st Wednesday – 3 p.m. at Woodlawn Library, 2nd Wednesday – 10 a.m. at Wet End Library, 3rd Wednesday, 10 a.m. at Smithfield Library, and 4th Wednesday, 10 a.m. at 5 Points West Library. February, April, June, August, October, December: 1st Wednesday, 10 a.m. at Titusville Library, 2nd Wednesday, 3 p.m. at North Birmingham Library, 3rd Wednesday, 11 a.m. at East Ensley Library and 4th Wednesday, 3 p.m. at Southside Library.

**ASBURY UMC FOOD PANTRY, 6690 Cahaba Valley Road, Wednesdays 2-4 p.m. and Every 1st Sunday at 12:30 – 2 p.m. For more info, 205-995-1700, info@asburybham.org and www.asburybham.org/food.

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

LOOKING AHEAD…

FOR THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY BLACK HISTORY MONTH…MUSIC, SPORTS, VALENTINE’S DAY AND MORE…

FOR SUPERBOWL LOVERS, FUTURE EVENTS, SPORTS, FOOTBALL …

**FEBRUARY 8 – Watch the Superbowl Game at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham.

**FEBRUARY 14 – KISSING YOU VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL, 6 p.m. featuring ABRAHAM THE VOICE at Jazzi’s on 3rd.

**FEBRUARY 14 – VALENTINE’S DAY WITH DARLENE LOVE, 7:30 p.m. at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center.

**FEBRUARY 15 – RAILROAD EARTH at Iron City.

**FEBRUARY 21 – 3rd ANNUAL MAGIC CITY DESSERT COMPETITION, 7-10 p.m. at The City Club Birmingham benefits the Cahaba Valley Health Care.

**FEBRUARY 27 – THE RUNAROUNDS at Iron City.

AT UAB ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER…

FOR BLUES LOVERS…

**FEBRUARY 6 – THE GRATEFUL DEAD’S “BLUES FOR ALLAH” performed by DON WAS AND THE PAN-ENSEMBLE, 7:30 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center at UAB’s Center for the Arts. Curated and led by six-time Grammy Award-winning Musician, producer and composer DON WAS, this tribute brings together world-class musicians from across Detroit’s music scene to celebrate the album’s 50th Anniversary. The Pan-Ensemble include DAVE MCMURRAY on saxophone, keyboardist LUIS RESTO, trombonist VINCENT CHANDLER, trumpeter JOHN DOUGLAS, drummer JEFF CANADAY, percussionist MAHINDI MASAI, guitarist WAYNE GERARD and vocalist STEFFANIE CHRISTI’AN.

AT THE CARVER THEATRE…

FOR JAZZ LOVERS…

**FEBRUARY 11 – JAZZ & PILATES WITH KENYELE – Join the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame at the historic Carver Theatre, 6 – 7 p.m. for Jazz and Pilates with instructor Kenyele Harrison. Get strength, stretch and center your body as you move through Pilates exercises set to smooth, soulful sounds of jazz. It is the perfect blend of wellness and rhythm.

**FEBRUARY 13 – JAZZ IN A GLASS – LOVE NOTES EDITION of A Valentine’s Day Treat, 7-9 p.m. at the AJHOF. This partnership with Pour Crazy invites you to an cocktail-making experience where mixology meets the magic of jazz.

**FEBRUARY 22 – JAZZ NIGHT WITH BIRMINGHAM YOUTH JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALUMNI CONCERT, 5 – 6 p.m. p.m. at the Carver Theatre with the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble.  This will be a captivating live jazz performance with New York-based trombonist and educator Calvin Sexton for an Alumni Concert like no other.

**FEBRUARY 28 – MAUSIKI SCALES & COMMON GROUNG COLLECTIVE – MESSAGE IN THE MUSIC, 7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre.  This concert will be a powerful fusion of Afrobeats, Jazz, Funk and Soul. Music.

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 used to be a bad kid, I always got in trouble, and one of my teachers told me that’s not going to get you nowhere, and I’m here now.”

By
Birmingham Times
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0

STUDENT ALEXIS RIVAS AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON K-8 SCHOOL AT GOV. KAY IVEY’S FINAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, WHERE THE SCHOOL WAS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENTS; WVTM-TV, JAN. 16.

Winter Storm Could Bring Widespread Power Outages Across Alabama this Weekend

By
Birmingham Times
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0
If winter storms cause dangerous road conditions and power outages, residents should have what they need to last until Monday without having to leave the house. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama Power said it is prepared for the possibility of widespread power outages during the anticipated weekend winter storm.

As of Tuesday morning, Alabama Power expects customers in the northern part of the state to be most impacted.

“We’ll continue to monitor the weather forecast, and when we officially determine where we will be hit the hardest, that’s where we’ll deploy crews,” said Danielle Spike, an Alabama Power spokesperson.

All crews are on call. Crews will be set up and ready in areas expected to feel the effects of this winter storm, with a majority of resources going toward higher risk communities, which has yet to be determined.

Alabama Power has outside contractors from across the country who are called in when the effects of weather will cause significant damage. Contract crews have not been called but will be if needed, Spikes said.

If widespread power outages occur, repair times could be delayed because of road and weather conditions.

“We ask customers to be patient with us, but understand we are doing our best to get power restored to them as quickly as possible, and we want to do it in a safe manner,” Spikes said.

The Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency encourages residents to create a weather safety kit which includes, but not limited to, some of the following:

  • Heater
  • Generator
  • Extra blankets
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Water
  • Non-perishable foods
  • Portable chargers
  • Needed medication

“First of all, do not panic,” said Tuscaloosa County EMA Director Nick Lolley. “I see all of these social media posts of people putting stuff out wanting to cause panic. The meteorologist, the trusted ones we work with in the area, they do not want you to panic.”

While there’s no need to frantically run around, it’s time to be prepared, Lolley said.

If winter storms cause dangerous road conditions and power outages, residents should have what they need to last until Monday without having to leave the house.

“Take care of yourself between now and Friday in any way you can,” Lolley said. “You’ve got plenty of time.”

Ahead of the weekend, Lolley advises residents to make sure their homes are winterized:

  • Make sure heat unit is working
  • Make sure all windows and entryways are properly sealed to keep the cold out and the heat in
  • Cover outside spickets with foam coverings
  • If you have exposed exterior pipes, cover those with poly foam

‘I Proposed … With My Eyes on the Road and Her Hand in Mine’

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

JOI & THALMUS MAHAND

Live: Titusville

Married: Oct. 1, 2004 

Met: Winter 2002, at Enterprise Rental Cars in Roebuck. Thalmus worked there as a leasing agent, and Joi had joined the staff as an intern through a program at her school, Berea College, in Berea, Kentucky. Both were in relationships at the time and were merely “cool coworkers.”

“His desk was right behind mine, and we used to joke and goof off,” Joi said. “And then he got mad when he [realized the task of dropping the daily deposit was given] to me because that was his goof off time to leave the branch.”

Thalmus remembered Joi being a cool girl, but shortly after they met, he quit Enterprise for another job. “… I knew she was a business major, so I gave her my card and told her if she needed anything [references, job referrals] in the future, reach out. And that was it, I never gave it another thought,” Thalmus said.

That was until summer 2003 when Joi and Thalmus reconnected at a social savings club party in Birmingham. “My mama was in a social savings club, and she told me to invite some people,” Joi laughed. “And I invited someone else who invited him.”

“Joi invited one of our ex-Enterprise coworkers. He hit me up and said, ‘let’s roll to this party that Joi invited us to’, and I was like, ‘cool, I ain’t got nothing else to do,’” Thalmus said. “When I saw her at the party, I thought she looked good, but I wasn’t thinking about trying to get at her. We all talked and had a few drinks, but the party was lame, and me and [co-worker] were getting ready to leave and she said, ‘can I get a ride? I’m ready to go home too’, and I was like ‘cool, let’s roll.’”

The trio left the party and drove Joi home to her parents’ home in Roebuck, and she invited the guys in to watch a movie. “We watched a [Tyler Perry] Madea play on bootleg,” Joi laughed, “and me and Thal were vibing and chilling, but [the co-worker] was over the night and ready to go. It was like he wasn’t even there because we were exclusively talking to one another and not including him in the conversation, I would’ve been ready to go too.”

The chemistry had been struck, and Thalmus asked Joi for her number so that they could pick it back up another night.

First date: A week later at Surin West on the Southside. Thalmus picked Joi up from her parents’ home in Roebuck because, “I was a broke college student, I didn’t have a car,” said Joi.

“The date was cool, we were having a good time, but what I do remember distinctly was that she wanted this $10 martini, and she took one sip of it and was like ‘I don’t like it’ and was done with it. And I was like, ‘you ain’t gonna drink that $10 drink’,” Thalmus said. “I was making decent money, but I wasn’t wasting a $10 drink.”

“It was strong and I didn’t really drink. I was just 21 and I was trying to be cosmopolitan and chic, but it was too strong for me,” Joi said. Thalmus finished the drink for her.

She continued, “I definitely thought he was cute. He has a bald head, and he has this cool, laid back demeanor about him, and he’s very hilarious,” Joi said. “And he was a little older than me, he was around 27 back then I used to think he was such an adult. I was like my dude got a real job, he got 401K,” she said.

“I thought she was really driven and had all these goals and knew where she wanted to go in life and I thought it was impressive that she had it all figured so young,” said Thalmus.”

The pair ended the night at a theater on Lakeshore, where they saw the Italian Job. “We discovered that we both loved action movies… it was the perfect ending to our first date,” said Joi. “I dropped her off and then we got back on the phone and talked some more,” Thalmus added.

The turn: The pair said they saw each other every day following their first date. “We never talked about making it official, it just happened,” said Thalmus. “Her mama was like, ‘are y’all dating now?’ And we said, ‘no, we’re just kicking it.’ And then she said, ‘well y’all are making it really hard for anyone else to date you’.”

They had met each other’s families over the summer and developed great rapport. “His dad started calling me his future daughter-in-law,” Joi remembered.

Their connection and love grew so strong over the summer that Thalmus proposed before Joi left to go back to school in Kentucky.

Joi and Thalmus Mahand met at 2002 at Enterprise Rental Cars in Roebuck. The couple married in 2004. (Provided Photos)

The proposal: Summer 2003, The couple were on a drive back to Birmingham from Atlanta and talked about the future.

“We were on the road, just vibing and listening to music and we started talking about our relationship, and the future came up,” Joi said.

“We were talking about relationships and marriage and what we wanted for ourselves, and I realized I was really in love with this girl, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her. She was getting ready to go back to school and I wasn’t ready for that because we had been together every day up to that point, and I asked her [indirectly] if she wanted to get married, and she said ‘yes, I would marry you’,” Thalmus said. “It was very organic … and I proposed right then and there with my eyes on the road and her hand in mine.”

The wedding: At Thalmus’s parent’s home in Titusville, officiated by his cousin, the Rev. Dwight Peterson, of Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church, in Birmingham. Joi wore a grey and silver cocktail dress, and Thalmus wore a grey suit. “I wanted to elope,” said Joi. “But there we were, on a Friday at 3 o’clock.”

Most memorable for the bride was, “after the wedding. It was just us and we were away from all the noise and chaos,” said Joi.

Most memorable for the groom was hearing the officiant, his own cousin, mispronounce his name during the vow exchange. “My cousin Dwight kept messing up my name, and during the vows when he said repeat after me he was calling me Thaddamus,” Thalmus laughed. “So, that night when it was over, I was messing with Joi, saying ‘you know we not really married right? You’re married to Thaddamus’.”

Words of wisdom: “Remember that love is not automatic,” said Thalmus, “you have to choose each other every single day, especially when times are hard. Communicate openly and honestly, even when the conversations are difficult or uncomfortable.”

“Be considerate of each other,” said Joi. “Do acts and activities the other person enjoys, not just things you enjoy. Love them in the way they need to be loved, and not just in the way that comes naturally to you.”

Happily ever after: The Mahands have two children, Katy, 20, and Matthew, 16.

Joi, 44, is an East Lake native, and Ramsay High School grad. She attended Berea College [Berea, Kentucky], where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management, and the University of Alabama, where she obtained a master’s degree in library and information studies. She works for the University of Alabama as the assistant director of The School of Library and Information Studies and is an adjunct professor for the Library Information program.

Thalmus, 49, is a Titusville native, and Homewood High School grad. He attended Alabama A&M University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, and a master’s degree in business administration [MBA]. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and works as an enterprise care center supervisor for State Farm Insurance.

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

Birmingham Personal Injury Attorney | Guster Law Firm, LLC

One Alabama Station Stuck with PBS While the Other Cut NPR. Supporters Voted with Their Wallets

By
Birmingham Times
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0
Morgan Andriulli, Lee Ann Bryant, Pam Caruso, Frances Huffman, Liz Laney and David Brown are all longtime WLRH listeners who say they support APT as long as they stick with PBS. (Alaina Bookman, AL.com)

By Alaina Bookman | abookman@al.com

Alabama Public Television leaders say donations have increased since choosing to stick with PBS, while WLRH, a radio station in Huntsville, saw a dramatic loss of financial support after dropping National Public Radio (NPR).

Supporters say the same could happen if APT drops PBS.

At an APT board meeting on Tuesday, supporters of Huntsville’s WLRH and APT, both governed by Alabama Educational Television Commissioners, filled the room, pleading with the commission to continue its relationship with PBS.
“These are people who got in their car, took a day, drove their butts down to Birmingham, sat in front of this committee and begged them not to kill the public broadcast project, that we ultimately pay for,” Morgan Andriulli, a longtime WLRH listener said.

“We feel that APT is not serving WLRH or the interest of the public that loves this station. We’re worried. This is an existential threat to the station.”

In October 2025, WLRH dropped its National Public Radio (NPR) programming due to federal funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which was the main funding source for local public radio and television stations across the nation.

The station has seen a sizable decrease in donations as a result, according to Wayne Reid, APT’s executive director.

On the other hand, since about the same time, APT has received a significant increase in donations — $422,350 from major donors, which is a 179% increase compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

That uptick coincides with the period when APT was wrestling with the possibility of disaffiliating from PBS. In November 2025, the broadcaster decided to stick with PBS – for now.

On the other hand, WLRH’s $28,155 in major donations is a 50% decrease compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Now, APT supporters say they worry dropping PBS – still a possibility – will have a similar impact.

Reid said these numbers could be a “defining factor” when deciding whether to remain in partnership with PBS.

With CPB’s recent decision to dissolve itself, supporters are asking what’s next.

The Arkansas Educational Television Commission voted to disaffiliate from PBS, making it the first state to do so.

The fate of APT remains unknown months after Alabama Educational Television Commissioners voted to tentatively stick with PBS until June 2026.

What happened at the meeting

The commission voted to appoint Dick Brewbaker, a former Republican state senator and longtime Montgomery car dealer, to the foundation.

The vote came as a surprise to Commissioner Pete Conroy, who said he hoped the commission would consider a different candidate or take more time to make the final decision.

Commissioner Ferris Stephens said Brewbaker can use his experience on the Senate floor to be an advocate for APT.

Following that vote, Conroy asked the board to allow for public comment at every meeting going forward, which has been a point of contention among the commissioners.

Stephens argued that the point of the commission is to make decisions on behalf of listeners and supporters. He voted not to hold public hearings.

“It’s not productive,” Stephens said. “The comments tend to be repetitive.”

Despite pushback from Stephens and Commissioner Les Barnett, the motion was approved.

“I think right now people should speak, and it’s great to see them there,” Commissioner William Green said. “After all, this is Alabama Public Television.”

So, in the packed meeting room, APT supporters and WLRH listeners pleaded with the commissioners to continue its relationship with PBS.

Lee Ann Bryant said she was “blindsided” after WLRH dropped NPR.

She said that while she appreciated the station’s local content, NPR was the reason she tuned in. Now she doesn’t listen to the radio station at all.

“It felt like we didn’t have any input,” Bryant said. “I just don’t listen to it anymore.”

Pam Caruso, a longtime WLRH listener who drove from Huntsville to speak at the meeting, said she wants the commission to be more transparent when making decisions.

“It was disturbing to hear them say that they didn’t want to hear from us,” Caruso said. “We are afraid that WLRH is going to fail… We feel like WLRH has never been important to them for them to help us find a solution for this problem.”

Liz Laney said she was willing to gather donations to keep NPR, but the decision had already been made without public input.

“Even though they blame finances, it’s clearly not exactly a financial decision, because they didn’t give us a chance to raise the money,” Laney said. “They could have at least offered us a chance.”

Reid said the former NPR slot may be filled with music and there is little chance of bringing the public radio giant back.

Reid added that he will soon begin forming the committee to address Gov. Kay Ivey’s suggestions to survey Alabamians and “prepare a thorough disaffiliation plan for public review,” a promise made during the vote to tentatively keep PBS.

“They have a job to do. [Ivey] gave them a task, and they have not done it. They haven’t even taken step one on that task,” Caruso said.

Birmingham Commemorates MLK Day with Reflection, Inspiration and Education 

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Birmingham Times
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Birmingham on Monday hosted the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast at New Rising Star Baptist Church. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Birmingham on Monday hosted the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast at New Rising Star Baptist Church, bringing together community members, educators, and students for a morning of reflection, dialogue, and inspiration.

This year’s theme, “Putting It Back Into Perspective: Leading Transformation Through Education” centered on the importance of investing in youth, emphasized education as a cornerstone of Dr. King’s legacy and underscored the need for young people to help address challenges to build stronger communities.

“I believe that we are honoring a man today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that so many people unfortunately would not have had the courage to participate in the movement had we been alive at that time,” said Dr. Thomas Beavers, senior pastor of The Star Church. “As injustices arise in our society and this world, I’m praying that people will have the courage to participate.”

Following breakfast, a panel discussion by organizers Community Affairs Committee (CAC) featured education leaders and students centered on the theme, “Putting It Back Into Perspective: Leading Transformation Through Education.”

At the center of the program was a panel discussion featuring education leaders from Birmingham; Jefferson County; Midfield and Miles College.

“Our children are the dream,” said Shun Williams, Ed.D., Midfield City Schools Superintendent. “Transformation happens every day when students walk into our classrooms, regardless of where they come from.”

Drawing from her personal story, Williams explained how relationships are central to leadership. “So many of the things our students deal with, I’ve lived through. That connection helps me serve them as a transformational leader.”

Jefferson County Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin, Ed.D., highlighted workforce readiness and the importance of belief and investment in students.

“We have students who can graduate immediately after completing these courses and walk straight into jobs with companies like Honda and Mercedes,” he said. “But what we have to do is make sure they have what they need when they leave us. That’s the key.”

He emphasized understanding students’ individual needs, adding, “We have to understand who we serve in order to serve them well.”

Mark Sullivan, Ed.D., Birmingham City Schools superintendent, reflected on the journey through the 2020 pandemic and its recovery.

“This isn’t about going to school just to go to school,” he said. “This is about meeting students where they are and providing the enrichment and interventions so every student can be successful.”

He also stressed equity and opportunity across the district. “It’s about changing lives. It’s about providing opportunities,” Sullivan said, pointing to programs such as early college pathways, career academies, and newcomer centers for immigrant students. “Every student—whether you come from Birmingham or Honduras—is going to be successful.”

Tonya Perry, Ed.d, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Miles College, emphasized the power of unity and innovation. “The power of community is what has always carried us through,” she said. “When we stay together and invest in our students, we create a better tomorrow.”

Student speaker Alethea Collins of Lawson State Community College delivered a heartfelt message about perseverance, balance, and community engagement. “Nothing happens overnight,” Collins said. “If it does, it’s usually not worth having.”

She encouraged students to seek support and build connections. “Everyone around you wants to see you be successful,” she said. “You just have to reach out.”

The breakfast concluded with a student-led Q&A session featuring Birmingham City Schools students, reinforcing the event’s focus on youth voice and leadership.

The program also paused to remember Aaron Carlton, CAC former Executive Director of the Community Affairs Committee, who passed away last year. Carlton was recognized for his years of dedicated service and leadership, which helped shape the Unity Breakfast into a cornerstone event focused on education, equity, and community engagement.

Birmingham City Schools Revive Debate Teams to Offer ‘Life Changing’ Skills

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Birmingham Times
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Middle and high school students from across the Birmingham district gathered at A.H. Parker for formal debate rounds, supported by educators, alumni, and community volunteers. (BCS)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

The Birmingham City Schools system is reviving a powerful tradition of student voice and critical thinking with the launch of the Birmingham Urban Debate League (BUDL), which held its first official tournament Thursday at A.H. Parker High School.

Because of the visibility and partnerships sparked by The Penny Games, every Birmingham high school that hosted a competition is now actively participating in the BUDL. Before the Games, Ramsay was the only school with a debate team. Now that list includes Wenonah, Parker, Jackson-Olin, Huffman, and Woodlawn.

The momentum has reached middle schools, too. New teams have launched at Phillips Academy, Ossie Ware, Hayes, Christian, and Putnam. That’s ten new debate programs across the city, all sparked by one weekend of activation. This spring, these students will compete in BUDL’s first full tournament season.

The event marks the return of organized debate programming in Birmingham schools after nearly a decade, following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. Christy Williams, 6–8 literacy and humanities coordinator for Birmingham City Schools.

The SpeakFirst program is one of three initiatives that Impact America operates.

“This is coming full circle for us,” said Williams. “We used to have SpeakFirst a long time ago, probably almost 10 years ago. When [Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan] came into this role post-pandemic, he talked about bringing it back.”

Williams said the district began exploring a revival of the program several years ago, but pandemic-related barriers delayed progress. Renewed partnerships and planning eventually led to the creation of BUDL, with Thursday’s tournament serving as the first of several scheduled events this school year.

“I’m especially excited on the middle school side,” Williams said. “It’s good to start in middle school and work our way up to high school.”

Middle and high school students from across the district gathered at Parker for formal debate rounds, supported by educators, alumni, and community volunteers.

Kylen Benson, left, and Jakeria Clapton, volunteer judges for Thursday’s Birmingham City Schools. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)

According to organizers, all district high schools signed up to participate, along with roughly half of the middle schools, with expectations that participation will grow in future tournaments scheduled for February, March, and April.

Last week, students competed in structured debate rounds using topic packets provided in advance through the SpeakFirst curriculum. The materials allowed students to focus on argumentation, evidence, and rebuttal skills without relying on outside sources.

“I think it’s so important to give our students a voice, an organized way to speak their opinions,” Williams said. “They learn what a true debate is and how to hear other sides of the story, but also be able to counter those sides. That’s a real-world skill.”

Supporting the tournament were former SpeakFirst participants who returned as judges and volunteers, including Kylen Benson, a 2022 graduate of Ramsay High School and current senior at Harvard University.

“SpeakFirst was life changing for me,” Benson told The Birmingham Times. “As a young, quiet middle schooler, public speaking was a crucial skill for me to build, and Speak First was the perfect platform to do that in a nurturing environment.”

Benson credited the program with helping him develop research and analytical skills he now uses while completing his senior thesis in history and government.

Middle and high school students from across the district gathered for formal debate rounds. (BCS)

Also volunteering was Jalkeria Clopton, a freshman at Lawson State Community College, who said debate helped her overcome a speech impediment and build confidence.

“Before I started doing speech and debate, I had a really bad stutter,” Clopton said. “After I joined debate, I started thinking more overall, making more friends, doing better in class, and raising my hand more.”

Both alums said returning to support the next generation of debaters was deeply meaningful.

“I took a seat in those chairs,” Clopton said. “Now I am that judge. I want to nurture these young voices and make sure they truly enjoy debate.”

Organizers say the long-term goal is for every Birmingham City middle and high school to field multiple debate teams, creating sustained opportunities for students to develop confidence, communication skills, and civic engagement.

“We expect it to be bigger and better every month,” Williams said. “Once students experience it live, the buzz will grow—and so will the league.”

Birmingham Board of Education District 3 representative Mary Boehm, who attended the tournament at Parker, said “It’s so incredible to have Speak First reignited. The amount of students who are turning out today is phenomenal, and the number of teams. The real heart of this is the teachers that have stepped up to train these kids.”

Visit Speakfirst and Impact America for more.

Why Bernice King Sees MLK Day as a ‘Saving Grace’ in Today’s Political Climate

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Birmingham Times
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Bernice King speaks during an interview, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart, AP)

By Kate Brumback | Associated Press

ATLANTA — Against a backdrop of political division and upheaval, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter said the holiday honoring her father’s legacy comes as “somewhat of a saving grace” this year.

“I say that because it inserts a sense of sanity and morality into our very troubling climate right now,” the Rev. Bernice King said in an interview with The Associated Press. “With everything going on, the one thing that I think Dr. King reminds people of is hope and the ability to challenge injustice and inhumanity.”

The holiday comes as President Donald Trump is about to mark the first anniversary of his second term in office on Tuesday. The “three evils” — poverty, racism and militarism — that the civil rights leader identified in a 1967 speech as threats to a democratic society “are very present and manifesting through a lot of what’s happening” under Trump’s leadership, Bernice King said.

King, CEO of the King Center in Atlanta, cited efforts to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; directives to scrub key parts of history from government websites and remove “improper ideology” from Smithsonian museums; and immigration enforcement operations in multiple cities that have turned violent and resulted in the separation of families.

“Everything President Trump does is in the best interest of the American people,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in an email. “That includes rolling back harmful DEI agendas, deporting dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities, or ensuring we are being honest about our country’s great history.”

Martin Luther King Jr. speaking to journalists outside the Dallas County courthouse in Selma, Alabama, during a Civil Rights demonstration on January 19, 1964. (Ed Jones, Birmingham News/Alabama Department of Archives & History)

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, one of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights coalitions, said King’s words “ring more true today.”

“We’re at a period in our history where we literally have a regime actively working to erase the Civil Rights movement,” she said. “This has been an administration dismantling intentionally and with ideological fervor every advancement we have made since the Civil War.”

Wiley also recalled that King warned that “the prospect of war abroad was undermining to the beloved community globally and it was taking away from the ability for us to take care of all our people.” Trump’s administration has engaged in military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats and captured Venezuela’s president in a surprise raid earlier this month.

Bernice King said she’s not sure what her father would make of the United States today, nearly six decades after his assassination.

“He’s not here. It’s a different world,” she said. “But what I can say is his teachings transcend time and he taught us, I think, the way to address injustice through his nonviolent philosophy and methodology.”

Nonviolence should be embraced not just by those who are protesting and fighting against what they believe are injustices, but should also be adopted by immigration agents and other law enforcement officers, she said. To that end, she added, the King Center previously developed a curriculum that it now plans to redevelop to help officers see that they can carry out their duties while also respecting people’s humanity.

Even amid the “troubling climate” in the country right now, Bernice King said there is no question that “we have made so much progress as a nation.” The civil rights movement that her parents helped lead brought more people into mainstream politics who have sensitivity and compassion, she said. Despite efforts to scrap DEI initiatives and the deportation of people from around the world, “the inevitability is we’re so far into our diversity you can’t put that back in a box,” she said.

To honor her father’s legacy this year, she urged people to look inward.

“I think we spend a lot of time looking at everybody else and what everybody else is not doing or doing, and we’re looking out the window at all the problems of the world and talking about how bad they are and we don’t spend a lot of time on ourselves personally,” she said.

King endorsed participation in service projects to observe the holiday because they foster connection, sensitize people to the struggles of others and help us to understand each other better. But she said people should also look at what they can do in the year to come to further her father’s teachings.

“I think we have the opportunity to use this as a measuring point from year to year in terms of what we’re doing to move our society in a more just, humane, equitable and peaceful way,” she said.

Associated Press writer Matt Brown in Washington contributed.

Mayor Woodfin Floats Idea of Fast Passenger Rail Between Birmingham and Atlanta

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Birmingham Times
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Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin thinking big, including the possibility of a fast passenger rail connection between Birmingham and Atlanta. (Adobe Stock)

By Emily Cundiff | WBMA

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin says the city’s future depends on rethinking how people move, and that means looking beyond traditional roads and parking lots.

As part of his broader vision for mobility, Woodfin has launched the GO BHM Transportation Plan, an initiative aimed at making Birmingham more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly by 2026. The plan focuses on improving how residents get around the city, whether they drive, walk, bike, or rely on public transportation.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin

But the mayor is also thinking bigger, including the possibility of a fast passenger rail connection between Birmingham and Atlanta.

In a recent blog post, Woodfin described the idea as ambitious but achievable.

“I also don’t think it’s crazy to dream about a frequent and fast passenger rail connection from Birmingham to Atlanta,” Woodfin wrote. “We can achieve these things.”

Woodfin said such a rail connection could be transformative.

“It would be a game changer,” Woodfin said. “It would be beneficial.”

Currently, the drive between Birmingham and Atlanta can take more than two hours, and significantly longer during heavy traffic. Supporters say a faster rail option could cut travel time and give residents an alternative to driving.

Rick Harnish, executive director of the High Speed Rail Alliance, said expanded rail service could change not only how people travel, but where they choose to live and work.

“It really gives you a flexibility that you don’t have otherwise — not just how you travel, but where you choose to live and locate your office,” Harnish said.

Advocates also point to improved access to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, which offers nonstop flights across the country and around the globe.

“It adds a huge and important new option for how to get around,” Harnish said. “A freedom of movement that you can’t get other ways.”

City leaders acknowledge that ideas like high-speed rail come with a high price tag. Woodfin says progress would require significant cooperation across multiple levels of government and the private sector.

“A lot of people — state, federal, public-private partnerships,” Woodfin said.

Officials say public input will be a key component of the GO BHM Transportation Plan as it moves forward, with opportunities for residents to weigh in on how Birmingham’s transportation future should take shape.

Viola Davis Teams Up with Best-Selling Author James Patterson for Debut Novel Set in Alabama

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Birmingham Times
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A new novel set to be released this spring from actress Viola Davis and best-selling author James Patterson will have Alabama at its center. (File)

A new novel set to be released this spring from actress Viola Davis and best-selling author James Patterson will have Alabama at its center.

Davis, an Academy Award-winning performer who has appeared in films like “Doubt” and “Fences,” collaborated with Patterson to write “Judge Stone,” a legal thriller set in the real town of Union Springs, Alabama.

“Judge Stone” follows Judge Mary Stone who draws “the most controversial case in the history of the South.”

“Criminally, it’s open-and-shut. “Ethically, there is no middle ground. Essentially, it’s a choice between life and death,” a summary of the book stated. “No judge can satisfy everyone. It would be dangerous to try. But Judge Stone is willing to fight to bring justice to the people and place she loves.”

While the book summary provided by the publisher does not explicitly name what the case is about, Emma Saunders of the BBC spelled it out better.

“It follows the case of a doctor who is arrested after carrying out an abortion on a 13-year-old girl in Alabama, a state where nearly all abortions are outlawed,” Saunders wrote in a piece listing some of the most anticipated books of 2026.

“Judge Stone” marks Davis’ first foray as a novelist. In 2022, she published her memoir, “Finding Me.”

The books, which will be published through Little, Brown and Company, will be released March 9.

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