Agenda For The January 17 Meeting of the Five Points South Neighborhood Association
Birmingham News You Can Use - September 16, 2022
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”
— Colin Powell
HAPPY HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
* We want your stories! *
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the City of Birmingham Human Resources Department would like to share stories of Hispanic and Latinx families, culture, and traditions. If you have a story that you would like to share, please email the story (videos and photographs are welcomed and encouraged) to employeerelations@birminghamal.gov. Deadline is Friday, Sept. 30. Please call 205-581-3052 if you have questions or need additional information.
* Food Truck Friday is today *
The popular Food Truck Friday event will take place TODAY on Short 20th Street in front of City Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a live radio remote with Summit Media, who will host ticket giveaways for the Morehouse Tuskegee Classic game!
The following trucks will be here:
Coco Crabs
Aww Shucks
Treats So Sweet
Smoke on Wheels
Jolly Cakes
Lemonade Junkeez
Dirty Red
Cake’s Southern Fried Eats
Sugar and Ice Desserts
Not Ya Average Leaf
Nawlins Style Po Boys
Oh My Turkey Leg
* Singer Omarion to sign his new book *
The Birmingham Public Library is hosting Grammy-award nominated singer, songwriter, performer, actor, and author, Omarion on his Unbothered: The Power of Choosing Joy book tour. The event will be Friday, Sept. 16 at 4:30 p.m. at the Central Library. Tickets are $30 and includes a book. For more info, go here: https://bplolinenews.blogspot.com/2022/09/central-library-to-host-book-releaseq.html
* Bring Your Own Vibe *
Head to the City of Birmingham's Official YouTube channel and subscribe to be sure you don't miss the alert for the next Bring Your Own Vibe! This Friday, Sept. 16, Dave and the Party Rockers take the stage for some go-go-style tunes. Here’s a snippet: TEASER - Bring Your Own Vibe: Dave and the Party Rockers.
* Medical Minute with Dr. Kre of BWell*
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate health is important. Remember all men need to start having regular prostate checks at the age of 40 years for African Americans and 50 years for Caucasian Americans. Also, make sure to ask about your family history of all the men in your family.
Here are a few good prostate health tips:
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is often a risk factor for cancers.
Decrease red meat and increase your vegetables
Exercise more & quit smoking
To come get your blood work to check your PSA (prostate level) at NO COPAYMENT, enroll at cobclinic.com or give us a call at Brownstone BWell 205-202-5650.
* Family Movie Night in the park *
Birmingham Park and Rec is hosting Family Movie Night at different city parks through October 13. This special program, known as “Parks After Dark,” is for all ages and free to the public. The movies will start at sunset.
Dates and locations include:
Wiggins Park Rec Center – Sept. 22
North Bham Rec Center – Sept. 29
Fountain Heights Rec Center – Oct. 6
Memorial Park Rec Center – Oct. 13
* Helpful tips from Behavioral Health Systems *
Social media, texting and other forms of digital communication are now ingrained into children's habits at an early age. Unfortunately, bullying has also evolved with technology. The attached handout, Cyberbullying & Keeping Your Children Safe, offers tips to parents and guardians to help protect their children. As a reminder, BHS is continuing to offer telehealth services. Please do not hesitate to reach out to BHS to discuss your benefits and to find a counselor to meet your needs. Call BHS today at 800-245-1150.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, September 17
First-time home buyers seminar
Learn helpful information. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 2015 26th Ave. West. Lunch is provided. See attached for details.
Birmingham Museum of Art to host its Latin American Heritage Festival
Celebrate Latin culture at the Birmingham Museum of Art during their sixth annual Latin American Heritage Festival in collaboration with Fiesta Birmingham. Join BMA for a day of festivities, featuring Spanish-language gallery tours and delicious Latin cuisine. Enjoy family-friendly art activities, face painting, and much more! Sept. 17 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free.
Back in School Chess Tournament
The Arlington House and Gardens, along with ChessNation and Birmingham Public Libraries, will present a chess tournament. See details attached.
Thursday, September 22
Toastmasters International Open House
Learn how Toastmasters can help you improve your public speaking skills. Come to City Hall, Conference Room 215. 12-1 p.m.
If you can’t join in person, hop on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4162734596?pwd=RnBBUTExZlpGSkpTT3JIdGlBa2xqZz09
Meeting ID: 416 273 4596
Passcode: 2022
Saturday, September 24
CrossPlex Villa Block Party
Come enjoy a block party featuring the grand opening of Crab Barrack. City and County employees receive a 10 percent discount on CrossPlex village eateries (except for Starbucks). See attached.
Thursday, September 29
Birmingham Museum of Art’s Season Opening: ReFRAME Party
Join BMA at The ReFRAME, an immersive celebration with a fresh perspective, inspired by art and culture from around the world. September 29 from 5-9 p.m. Get more details here: https://www.artsbma.org/event/season-opening-the-fall-reframe-party/
Saturday, October 1
Employee Appreciation Day
Birmingham-Southern College will have a City of Birmingham Employee Appreciation Day during its 6 p.m. game on Saturday, Oct. 1 on its campus. What this means is that City of Birmingham employees who show their ID badge at any gate, will receive free entrance. All employees attending the game will also be entered in a drawing. **There is limited parking around the stadium, so fans will most likely need to park in the parking lot by the college's soccer fields and walk down the hill to the stadium.
Send your News You Can Use submissions to marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov
Code Enforcement Town Hall on September 15th!
Revised Agenda for Tonight's Five Points South Neighborhood Meeting
Staff Shortages Delay Trash and Brush Pickup in Birmingham
Mayor Randall Woodfin speaks to the City Council. (Source: Facebook livestream)
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin told the City Council on Tuesday that staffing shortages were the root cause of recent delays in bulk trash and brush pickups throughout the city.
Woodfin was responding to a question from District 3 Councilor Valerie Abbott, who said she’d received “tons of calls” from residents upset that their trash had not been picked up on schedule. “We actually have some citizens who wait until the night before, like the law says, to put all their (trash) out, and then nobody comes and picks it up,” she said.
Woodfin said that he had discussed the issue with public works employees, “and what they shared was that it’s not just an equipment problem … We’re short truck drivers.”
The city has worked to improve retention and recruitment in that department, Woodfin said, and has increased the pay rate for bulk trash truck drivers. Even so, the city has had to decrease its bulk trash pickup schedule from twice a month to every three weeks.
Now, Woodfin said, the city is focused on communication, with plans to use social media, the city’s website and 311 services “to communicate to the public and actually be vulnerable and honest enough to say, ‘We missed this date. We’ll make it up to you. We’ll be back.’”
“I expect that gap in hiring will close at some point,” he added. “I expect a lot of this to ease up.”
“We’re still in trouble, but thank you,” Abbott replied.
Five Points South Neighborhood Newsletter - June 2022
Five Points South Neighborhood Newsletter - February 2022
Create Birmingham 2022 Programs
Costarters
Since Create Birmingham launched CO.STARTERS in 2014, 280+ entrepreneurs have graduated from the program. Many have gone on to launch successful enterprises — from nonprofit ventures to brick-and-mortar shops and food tours.
You can join this network of creative professionals and take your dream job, community venture, side hustle, or creative concept to the next level with long-term support and experience from a team of experts!
Our Winter 2022 cohort begins February 7 and meets every Monday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 pm for 10 weeks. Our priority is removing barriers - and that includes financial hardships. So, costs are based on a sliding scale depending on your household income.
Our cohort is planning to meet in person, masks required, but we recognize there may need to be a change for the safety of our cohort.
ROADMAP GOAL-SETTING WORKSHOP
JANUARY 20 from 8:30 - 10:00 AM
Creative ventures and entrepreneurship aren’t for the faint of heart, but you CAN make a difference. And we can help! Register now for our free, virtual Roadmap Goal Setting Workshop on January 20 from 8:30 - 10:00 am.
Let us walk with you as you set goals for your project and map out how to accomplish what you’re dreaming of! Together, we create Birmingham.
The Embrace Mothers program is a pilot program created for the City of Birmingham to ensure a guaranteed income for single mothers. Approved by the City Council, 110 participants will receive $375 over a 12 month period.
The application process will take place between January and February 2022. Though an exact date has not been determined, the city encourages those interested in participating to continuously check the link below for more information.