Magic City Spotlight: Family fun center planned for West Birmingham in 2024

Mayor Woodfin announces a family fun center planned for West Birmingham in 2024

Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin has announced that the new, city-owned family fun center is planned for the CrossPlex property in West Birmingham. The facility will be home to a skating rink, jump park, e-sports center, bowling alley, food court, and more. The target open date is sometime in 2024.

“I am thrilled to honor our West Birmingham residents by bringing this into their community,” said Mayor Woodfin. “The concept of sports and entertainment options under one roof will be a game changer for our families, our children, and our visitors. I envision this being a major hub for family fun and plan to make sure it is a state-of-the-art facility because our community deserves it.” 

Learn more about the facility plans by clicking the button below.

Mayor Woodfin joins Jefferson County legislative delegation to announce “exhibition driving” bill

Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin joined members of the Jefferson County legislative delegation Tuesday morning to announce plans to file a bill in the upcoming legislative session to prohibit and impose penalties for certain forms of “exhibition driving,” which includes street and drag racing, burnouts, donuts, and similar activities defined within the bill.

The legislation would carry five to 90 days in jail and a fine ranging from $25 to $500 for a first conviction. A second conviction would increase jail time from 10 days to six months and/or a fine ranging from $50 to $500. Driving privileges may also be revoked for up to six months. 

“Exhibition driving is a problem that has spread through our community affecting our neighborhoods, our churches and our small businesses,” Rep. Hollis said. “I am committed to working with the city to strengthen the law to give Birmingham the tools to put a stop to this dangerous form of driving.”

Watch the press conference by clicking the image above or the button below.

Revitalization updates: Districts 6 and 7 street paving schedules released

The road to revitalization is being paved district by district!

The city is finalizing the 2023 Street Paving schedule. The city-wide resurfacing plan will be an estimated $12 million investment with as many as 246 road segments paved. That’s 43 miles. The current schedule and updates would include 27 road segments.

See the current list at www.birminghamal.gov/neighborhoods.

The Birmingham Zoo Presents Kenya Unmatched - A Tour Hosted by Chris Pfefferkorn, President and CEO

As an appreciated member of your Birmingham Zoo,
you are cordially invited to join
Chris Pfefferkorn, President and CEO,
on a classic safari to
Kenya Unmatched - October 16 - 27, 2023! 
 

REGISTER NOW
for a special information session to learn all about this experience of a lifetime!

WHEN:    November 11, 2022, 5:30 pm
WHERE:  Birmingham Zoo Learning Center

New You Can Use - Upcoming Events

Aids Alabama Newsletter and Upcoming Events

Save The Date

Please join us on Thursday, December 1st, from 4pm-6pm for our Holiday Open House!We will celebrate another year of serving our community and commemorate World AIDS Day, too! There will be tours of all four of our main offices with great food, drinks, and music, and long overdue camaraderie. We can't wait to see and celebrate with you!

Bedding Donations Needed

We are getting ready to open The Way Station and are asking for donations of Twin XL bed linens. A "bed-in-a-bag" would be awesome! Blankets and towels would be great, too. We are asking for only new items, please. Drop-offs can be brought to AIDS Alabama, 3529 7th Avenue So 35222. Thank you so much!

The Way Station
Donate today
Contact Caroline Bundy a caroline.bundy@aidsalabama.org

Help Make the Holidays Bright for Children In Our Housing Programs

Make a child’s holiday wish come true this year by donating to the 2022 Holiday Wish Program! AIDS Alabama’s Holiday Wish program provides gifts to the children in our housing programs – gifts they would not typically receive due to household income levels. Most children’s wish list total between $150-$200, and donations can be combined to purchase items from the child’s wish list. Spread the word to friends, family, coworkers, Sunday School classes, Church groups, or social groups! All donations are due by Thursday, December 1st.

2022 Holiday Wish Program
Donate today
Phone: 205-780-6058
Contact Heather Rauckman at heather.rauckman@aidsalabama.org
Donate online at https://www.aidsalabama.org/holidaywish

Daughters of Athena Scholarship Fundraiser

Daughters of Athena was created to present opportunities for women of trans experience! Whether it’s beginning and/or completing higher education or taking on the brave world of entrepreneurship, our aim is to offer a combination of: financial assistance, personal enrichment, professional development and networking opportunities which will change lives! In addition, it is always our focus to bring awareness to the harmfulness of hate, transphobia and stereotypes and to work tirelessly to destroy its damaging effects.

See All The Highlights Of Last Week's Magic City Classic!

Forest Park / South Avondale (November Newsletter)

Forest Park / South Avondale

Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 6:30 p.m.

AVONDALE LIBRARY

November agenda items include:

1. Monthly Report from the South Precinct.

2. Monthly Report from Friends of Avondale Park, (April Merritt).

3. Monthly Report from District 3 Board of Education Representative (Mary Boehm)

4. Monthly Report from District 5 Councilor, (Darrel O'Quinn)

5. Monthly Report from District 3 Councilor, (Valerie Abbott)

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Brush and Trash Pick Up dates.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18

https://www.birminghamal.gov/bulktrash

Missed Pick-up - Dial 311

Report Illegal Dumping - Dial 311

New Miss Fancy statue awaiting final permits for installation in Avondale Park

BYGABBY GERVAIS

After plenty of hard work bringing the bronze, 15-foot Miss Fancy to life, she’s almost ready for her official installation. We caught up with Nelson Grice, the artist behind the new Miss Fancy statue, to find out when we’ll get to see her in all her glory. Keep reading for sneak peek photos and details.
Making Miss Fancy
Bham Now has been keeping up with Miss Fancy’s progress every step of the way and we can’t wait to see the final results. When we last caught up with Nelson, he was in the midst of the final bronze pour for the long-anticipated statue. Since then, he’s been hard at work assembling Miss Fancy’s 146 individual pieces.
“Ted Metz and Hank Simpson were a huge help in assembling the big girl. We completed assembling the pieces at the end of July. Then I welded up all of the seams and by the end of this week, she will be completely finished.”
Nelson Grice, Artist
Based on the real-life Miss Fancy, a beloved elephant who roamed Avondale Park in the early 1900s, this 15-foot statue will be displayed front and center in Avondale Park.
How she came to be
The story of bringing a new Miss Fancy statue to Avondale Park traces back to one of the neighborhood’s most beloved civic leaders, Ron Council. When a smaller Miss Fancy statue in the park was damaged and later disappeared, Ron made it his mission to bring her back to her rightful place.
Tragically, he passed away before he could see Miss Fancy return. So, his wife Martha Council made it her mission to continue his legacy and raise money for a brand new Miss Fancy statue. Grice took on the project and has been bringing the beloved elephant to life ever since.
What are the next steps?
Wondering what exactly needs to happen before we can see Miss Fancy at the entrance of Avondale Park? Nelson filled us in on the next steps.
“Right now we are waiting on permits from the parts board in Birmingham. Once we get our permit, we will begin to excavate the land and pour the footer for the sculpture. Once we pour the footer, we will attach the plates and posts and weld her onto those plates. Then, we will build the pedestal box and pour the final layer of concrete. After that, we will place the stones around the pedestal to match the surrounding columns at the entrance of Avondale Park.”
Nelson Grice, Artist
Keep an eye out for the big reveal
The unveiling of Miss Fancy is scheduled for December 10 at 11:00 a.m

LINK TO BIRMINGHAM NOW STORY With more pics,
https://bhamnow.com/2022/10/24/now-the-news-50m-amphitheater-proposed-for-north-birmingham-avondale-parks-miss-fancy-statue-update-more/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=now-the-news-50m-amphitheater-proposed-for-north-birmingham-avondale-parks-miss-fancy-statue-update-more

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CHRISTMAS VILLAGE 2022
DEADLINE TO DONATE GIFTS: NOVEMBER 28

The Samaritan Place Market: A Christmas Village is a shopping experience for invited guests to shop for the children in their home. Avondale Samaritan Place will be transformed into a Christmas market where local community members will be hired to work the shop and new gifts will be available at greatly reduced prices.

Here’s how you can help: You can make a child’s Christmas possible through whichever of the following is most convenient for you:

• Shop at your favorite local toy store and purchase gifts from the suggested shopping list below. Bring your unwrapped gifts to Canterbury or Avondale United Methodist Church before November 28.
• Purchase gifts from our Amazon wish list. Go to https://a.co/e3PrzLx. You can even change the delivery address to CUMC Village, 350 Overbrook Road, Birmingham, AL 35213, and they will ship directly.
• Financial donations are always welcome. These will allow us to shop and fill in with gifts that are needed. Please mark your donations with “Christmas Village” in the memo line, and mail to: Avondale Samaritan Place, 3829 - 5th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222.

Second Annual BakesGiving:
ALL ARE WELCOME!

Thanksgiving will soon be here, and Avondale Samaritan Place would love to share the season with our neighbors! This FREE community event will feature delicious samplings of the very best sweets of the holidays – cakes, pies, cookies, and other tasty treats. Face painting, a cake walk, crafting tables, and more. Prepare for outstanding family fun!

Download a flyer here: https://bit.ly/3sGIGnq.

CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CODE ENFOCEMENT RESOURCE GUIDE

https://www.birminghamal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Code_Enforcement_Resource_Guide_Final.pdf ;

The City of Birmingham strives to maintain quality neighborhoods and a clean environment. In an effort to achieve this goal, we are committed to reducing blight by educating our residents, enforcing laws, targeting violators and encouraging ongoing compliance. In some instances, residents may not be aware of the various code and zoning violations that could be occurring on their property or properties around them; and may also need resources on how to address these violations.

The most common code violations include:

• High weeds, trash, junk and debris in yards
• Illegally parked vehicles in a front yard and inoperable vehicles
• Failure to maintain structures
• Businesses using residential property

Freshwater Land Trust Updates From The Last Month

Monday Night Brewing Giveback Night

Celebrate National Hiking Day and support Freshwater Land Trust by visiting Monday Night Brewing on Thursday, November 17, 2022, between 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for our last Giveback Night of the year! Mention Freshwater Land Trust when you order, and Monday Night Brewing will donate a portion of the proceeds to help us continue building trails throughout Jefferson County. We hope to see you there!

Join us for an early morning walk

Join the District 8 Walking Group!

We meet at 8:00 a.m. on Thursdays at the Crossplex Starbucks for a 1.5-mile loop, followed by coffee. All paces are welcome. No sign-up needed, just show up. See you there!

Join us for an evening run

Join our Freshwater Land Trust Running Group! We meet at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays at Cahaba Brewing Company for a four-mile run on the Hugh Kaul Trail. All paces are welcome. Afterwards, grab a beer with the group at Cahaba Brewing. No sign-up needed, just show up. See you there!

Cahaba River Fry-Down

On October 2nd, Freshwater Land Trust attended the Cahaba River Society's annual Fry-Down at Cahaba Brewing Co. The event was a great success, as Cahaba River Society's largest fundraising event of the year. FLT enjoyed the opportunity to speak with attendees and sample some amazingly tasty food.

Darter Dash

Birmingham Ultra Trail Society (BUTS) and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve (TCNP) hosted their annual Darter Dash 5k and 10k on October 8, 2022, with all proceeds going to TCNP's educational programs. Members of the Freshwater Land Trust staff enjoyed a brisk morning out on TCNP's beautiful trails. Keep up with other BUTS events here, and be sure to visit Turkey Creek to enjoy the fall weather on the trails!  

The Latest Magic City Spotlight

The City of Birmingham invests in early literacy initiatives in partnership with Birmingham Talks

The City of Birmingham has announced plans to invest $1M in early literacy initiatives executed by Birmingham Talks. This is the single largest municipally funded early childhood investment in the history of the City of Birmingham. Birmingham Talks improves kindergarten readiness by increasing interactive conversation between children and their caregivers through the use of a small digital device (a “word pedometer”) that counts the number of words children hear each day.

Funding from the City of Birmingham will help scale Birmingham Talks’ programs over the next three years and ensure that more families and childcare centers have access to award-winning curriculum, innovative technology, and personalized coaching. “Children in Birmingham deserve the very best from the very beginning,” said Ruth Ann Moss, Executive Director of Birmingham Talks. “We’re honored to work with the City to expand access to high-quality early learning services in all ninety-nine neighborhoods—and make Birmingham the best city in the country to raise a child under five.”

Learn ore by clicking the image above or buttons below.

99 Voices: Sam Wiggins, Sand Ridge Farms, Oxmoor

Sam Wiggins believes we have what we need to sustain our communities right in our own backyards.

Click the image above or the button below to hear how he and other experienced farmers are looking to empower their communities to take "living matter" into their own hands.

Revitalization update: How it started vs. how it's going

Crews have been hard at work ensuring the work gets done in our communities.

Take a look at some of the progress we've made on roadwork projects since September 1.

What's Playing at the Sidewalk Cinema This Weekend

BEST Halloween Story - Lily's Accessible Pumpkin Patch - Lakeshore Foundation

What:  The Rolling Pumpkin Patch 

Where:  2900 Tera Lane, Bessemer, 35203

When:  Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 10am-4pm

Info:  Lakeshore youth member Lily Dobson and her family have big plans for Halloween season. Ten year old Lilly, with the help of her parents, and staff from Lakeshore Foundation are creating an accessible pumpkin patch for a Halloween party. It’s called The Rolling Pumpkin Patch and Lily has invited more than 200 of her friends, especially her friends who use walkers or wheelchairs. There will be accessible pumpkin hunting, petting zoo, hayrides, face painting treats and fun picture opportunities.

Background Story on Lily:

If you are looking for Lakeshore youth member Lily Dobson, she might be swimming at the pool, her second favorite activity next to wheelchair basketball. Dobson plays basketball and is on the swim team at Lakeshore. Getting to this point has been a long journey for the whole family.

In 2012, two years after the earthquake in Haiti, Lily was born with arthrogryposis, a congenital condition affecting joint movement. Little did anyone know that wheels were already in motion to bring Lily to a new home in Birmingham, Alabama.  “We wanted to grow our family and we prayed about it,” said Jennifer Dobson, Lily’s mother. “It was a 7-year adoption process, we took 6 trips to Haiti and on our 7th, we brought Lily home when she was 3 ½. “

As Lily settled into her new home, she also visited Lakeshore Foundation. “Lily fell in love as soon as she walked in the door,” Jennifer said.  “Swimming and exercise classes were Lily’s first activities before being invited to play basketball. Her first year was a learning experience, but in season two she scored her first points and showed her competitiveness. While basketball is great, it’s also helped in other ways. One day she was struggling with schoolwork and her coach, Lauren Perry, had her do homework during practice. I will ever be thankful to coach Lauren for that,” Jennifer added.

Lily’s teammates and coaches have meant the world while playing her dream sport. Look for #10 at a gym near you. Lily will be wearing bright pink socks. “I like to stand out,” Lily says.

Interviews are available both before the event as setup work gets underway, and during the event.

For More Information, Contact:

Damian M. Veazey

Associate Director of Communications

Lakeshore Foundation

205-332-4438

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