Fwd: News You Can Use: 8-18-23

Tenants’ rights educational seminar this Saturday 

• Learn your rights. Saturday, Aug. 19. 9 a.m.-12 noon. Five Points West Library. Free. There is no need to register. For more information, call 205-324-0111.  

Come out to the KIDS Kasino  

• As the YWCA celebrates its 120th year of serving the Greater Birmingham community, we invite you to go “all in” for KIDS Kasino on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 6-10 p.m. at the YWCA Central Alabama for an evening of casino-style gaming, food, and fun! We hope you will bring your whole family for a night out with childcare available for the evening on site. See attached for details. 

Learn about Municipal Court and get credit for doing so 

• Make plans to attend the 2023 Municipal Court Summit to complete your continuing education requirements! The Summit has been approved for:  

• 12 hours of continuing education by the Alabama Judicial College 

• 12 hours of continuing legal education by the Alabama State Bar 

• 6 hours of continuing education by the Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts 

• 9.5 hours of continuing education for Social Workers 

• With sessions engaging sessions on Procedural Justice, Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice Responses, Understanding Human Trafficking, and Workplace Mental Health, coupled with Criminal Justice Ethics, Legislative Updates, and an exciting panel discussion on Exploring the Duties of a Court Clerk, we are confident you will walk away with effective tips, tools, and strategies to get Back to the Basics! The summit is August 24-25 at the Boutwell Auditorium. Click here to check out the agenda and reserve your spot today! 

Titusville Library presents several events: 

• Arts at Crafts: Cotton Swab Flower Painting, Aug. 29 at 3:30 p.m.; Silly Putty, Aug. 22 at 3:30 p.m.   

• Book Signing: The Titusville Library will host author Sonya “Sam” Mitchell for a book signing of her table book “Picture the Picture.” Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. See attached for details.  

• Celebrating T Shirt Day. Titusville Library. Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. Adult book club with make their own shirts. See attached for details.  

It’s time for the 25th Sidewalk Film Festival 2023 

• The 25th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival will take place August 21-27 in Downtown Birmingham's Historic Theatre District. For details, go to https://sidewalkfest.com/how-to-fest/  

Support the COB Back 2 School Supply Drive 

• Let’s support our Birmingham City Schools students with needed school supplies. Donations accepted include pens, pencils, paper, markers, crayons, notebooks, glue, erasers, calculators, hand sanitizer, tissue, etc. Donation boxes are located on the first floor of city hall. Drop off now through Aug. 25. For more information, contact Employee Engagement via email at cobengagement@birminghamal.gov. Or call 205-254-2084.    

Support the District 7 Community Clean Up 

• Help clean up our community. Saturday, Aug. 26. Wenonah High School, 2800 Wilson Road SW. Volunteer registration and supply pick-up at 8:30 a.m. Starts at 8:45 a.m. See attached for details.  

Join the reading rally and help our scholars 

• Let’s rally to support Birmingham’s young scholars. Monday, Aug. 28 at Bill Harris Arena. Featuring door prizes, free books for families and opportunities to volunteer. Warm up with dancing at 5 p.m. The rally begins at 6 p.m. See attached for details.   

Wind Down Wednesday to celebrate women 

• Honoring the women in the upcoming StrongHER Book. Wednesday, Aug. 30. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cash bar, vendors and food trucks and live DJ. Boutwell Auditorium. See attached for details.      

COMING UP next month 

Enjoy movies in the park 

• Memorial Park, 524 6th Ave. South. Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. See attached for details.  

Make plans to come out the Summer Music Vibes event 

• Sunday, Sept. 3. 4 p.m. Free. Music, food trucks, voter registration. 633 Cotton Ave. SW. See attached for details.  

Join the Birmingham CERT Team 

• Learn first aid, lite search and rescue, disaster recovery, CPR, and more. Every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 5-Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs classroom of Fire Station No. 2, located at 600 11th St. South. Get details attached. For questions, email pubed@birminghamal.gov or call 205-254-6560. See attached. 

Sign up to be a part of ACE 

• The Academy of Civic Engagement (ACE) is a City of Birmingham initiative, with the central goal of getting residents directly involved and engaged with their local municipal government. ACE focuses on bringing everyday citizens together for a deeper understanding of how the city works for them and how they can plug into a variety of opportunities. ACE wants to prepare residents to go into their communities to act, serve, and lead. You must be a resident of the City of Birmingham to participate. Click here to apply now! Orientation is on Thursday, Sept. 7!  

Upcoming PEP workshops planned 

• The Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits (PEP) will be hosting three workshops in the month of September that will cover several topics related to permitting and inspections within the City of Birmingham. These three workshops will help better inform the public of the requirements for pulling a permit within Birmingham and the inspection processes related to each permit. These informational workshops will be beneficial to both citizens and developers.  Each event is designed to be 2 hours. All the events are free and open to the public. 

• Session A: The first session, which will take place at the CrossPlex on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., will cover topics such as zoning requirements, pre-permitting meetings, and a new online permit guide for the city.  

• Session B: The second session, which will take place at the CrossPlex on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., will cover the permitting process from A to Z as well as a discussion around contractor education and ensuring citizens have the correct information when selecting a contractor.

• Session C: The final session, which will take place at the CrossPlex on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., will cover the inspections and enforcement aspects related to permitted and unpermitted work within the city. 

The Get Down at Avondale Park  

• Presented by Seasick Records and Yellowhammer Print Shop. Featuring arts, music, records, and vintage. With William Tyler & The Impossible Truth, Will Stewart, and Jahnah Camille. Sunday, Sept. 17. See attached for details.  
   

FORGING JUSTICE  

The city's 60th commemoration poster series continues 

• August is the month we reflect upon the writers, poets, journalists, photographers, and creatives who help tell the story of justice. August's poster is themed “Raise Your Voice" and features a collage of past and present storytellers across our city. Free copies of this month’s poster are available in city hall. You can also check out the calendar of events for the 60th commemoration events happening all year at birminghamal.gov/forgingjustice.      

Submit your news to marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov. 

Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.15.23

Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.15.23

ITEM 17
 
Today the Birmingham City Council voted to approve a resolution of intent to provide funding to Birmingham-Southern College as the institution works its way back from a period of financial uncertainty.
 
The resolution of intent does not transfer any funds or establish a dollar amount for the one-time funding agreement. However, based on conversations that took place from the dais and during previous Education Committee Meetings, the leadership at BSC is seeking a commitment of up to $5 million.

The resolution passed 6-1 with the dissenting vote coming from Council President Wardine Alexander, who expressed her support of the institution, but said she would like to see similar investments made into neighborhoods across the city. 
 
The next steps will be for the Mayor and his administrative team to draft a funding agreement, which will include the funding source, the amount of funds to be provided, as well as conditions that must be met by BSC. That will then come before the Council for final approval.
 
Councilor J.T. Moore, chair of the Council’s Education Committee, said he would like to see more opportunities for service-based learning taking place in schools across the City. “We would love to see Birmingham-Southern become a part of the Birmingham Promise network of schools,” Councilor Moore said. “We want to increase the access that our students have to this institution, and create a more robust partnership with BSC, especially as we look to improve our reading levels in city schools. Their service-based learning model has been a great resource, and we’d like to build on that moving forward.”
 
Last week, BSC President Daniel Coleman met with the Education Committee and laid out several steps the school has taken to ensure future financial stability. In order to prevent future overspending of their endowment, the college has set up a separate board of trustees to oversee the endowment.
 
This consists of seven trustees – four appointed by the college, three that are independent. It will take a unanimous vote to spend over 5% of the endowment annually, according to Coleman.
 
“We’ve been very encouraged by the work that has been done by leadership at BSC as they work their way back to financial stability,” Councilor Moore said. “Our priority is not having a situation where there is an abandoned college campus in the middle of Birmingham. Look at Carraway Hospital to see what that would be like, but on a larger scale. In my opinion, this is a potential investment into the continued success and vibrancy of the surrounding area.”
 
In June, Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill ( SB278) that created a state loan program for higher education institutions that will extend $30 million in loans to BSC to aid in the financial recovery.
 
BSC leadership will also be seeking financial commitments from Jefferson County as they look to reach their $200 million fundraising goal over the next several years, a sum largely consisting of private donations.

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ITEM 13
 
Major League Baseball will be coming to Birmingham next year, and Rickwood Field will be receiving a series of upgrade in anticipation of this monumental event.
 
Last week, the branding and logo were unveiled for the “2024 MLB at Rickwood Field, A Tribute to the Negro Leagues.” The game between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals will be played at America’s oldest surviving ballpark on June 20th, 2024.
 
On Tuesday, the Council approved an agreement to provide the Friends of Rickwood Field, the nonprofit that oversees maintenance and operation of the facility, with $150,000 in annual funding for the next three years.
 
Councilor Carol Clarke, who represents the district, said she is excited for what the future holds for this piece of history. “We owe a great deal of credit and gratitude to this group who have acted as stewards for this incredible, historic facility,” Councilor Clarke said. “These improvements will help with the continued success and vibrancy of this ballpark, especially as we look to market ourselves for future sporting events that could be held there.”
 
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
 
ITEM 13. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute to execute on behalf of the City of Birmingham an agreement with the Friends of Rickwood Field, (Rickwood), an Alabama nonprofit corporation, under which Rickwood shall manage and operate the Birmingham Rickwood Field including providing research, education, and conservation programs for the benefit of the citizens of Birmingham, for a term of three (3) years ending June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 each year subject to an annual appropriation by the City Council in each City’s corresponding fiscal year’s budget. [G/L Account: 001_400_96500_96518.550-009] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Budget and Finance Committee)

District 3 Street Resurfacing List

The Latest From the White House Office of Political Affairs

President Biden Approves Hawaii Disaster Declaration

On Thursday, August 10th, President Biden declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaii and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires beginning on August 8, 2023, and continuing.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Maui County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. 

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. 

Read More on the President's Disaster Declaration Here

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President Biden Releases Statement on July Consumer Price Inflation Report

On Thursday, August 10th, President Biden released a statement regarding the encouraging economic result reflected in July's Consumer Price Inflation Report. The report shows further evidence that Bidenomics is working. Annual inflation has fallen by around two thirds since last summer, and inflation outside of food and energy has fallen to its lowest level in any three-month period since September 2021.President Biden ran for office to grow the economy from the middle out and bottom up, not the top down, and that's exactly what he's doing.

Read the Presidents Statement Here: Statement from President Joe Biden on July Consumer Price Inflation Report

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President Biden Delivers Remarks on One Year Anniversary of the PACT Act

On Thursday, August 10th, President Biden delivered remarks on the one year anniversary of the PACT Act. One year ago, President Biden signed the landmark bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act into law, enacting the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than 30 years.

President Biden has made clear that supporting our veterans is a commitment that unites all Americans – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents — and it’s why he made supporting our veterans a core element of his Unity Agenda. The President joined veterans and their families at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, to discuss how this historic, bipartisan legislation has delivered lifesaving health care and benefits to more than 340,000 veterans and survivors.

The Biden-Harris administration also released new national and state-by-state data on PACT Act claims, which have been processed at record rates by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In the past year, the Administration has helped veterans across the country receive the services and care they deserve by:

• Screening veterans for toxic exposures;

• Delivering benefits to veterans and their survivors;

• Prioritizing veterans with cancer;

• Spreading the word to veterans and their survivors;

• Increasing VA's capacity to serve veterans; and

• Eliminating benefit delays for veterans.

FACT SHEET: In First Year, President Biden's Bipartisan PACT Act Delivers Care for Veterans in all 50 States and U.S. Territories and Advances Unity Agenda

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President Biden Announces Grand Canyon National Monument 

On Tuesday, August 8th, President Biden announced the designation of the Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument -- Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kuknevi -- in conjunction with an announcement of a $44 million investment to strengthen climate resilience across America's National Parks system.

The marking of this National Monument will conserve nearly 1 million acres of greater Grand Canyon landscape sacred to Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples. This designation exemplifies the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to protect America's natural wonders for future generations, honor culturally significant areas, and tell a more complete story of our nation.

In addition to the designation of the National Monument, and ahead of the 1-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden-Harris Administration announced $44 million to strengthen climate resilience across America's National Parks system, including 43 projects across 39 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through his Investing in America agenda, President Biden has delivered record funding for conservation, climate action, and environmental justice.

FACT SHEET: President Biden Designates Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni -- Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: President Biden Designates Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument

Magic City Spotlight: Birmingham schools resume with support from city, community

Birmingham schools begin their academic year with lots of love from city staff

Birmingham City Schools are officially filled with scholars, teachers and staff buzzing with excitement and expectation for the 2023/2024 academic year.

We were proud to greet everyone on day one and are committed to supporting you throughout the school year.

Click the buttons below to see more pictures on the official City of Birmingham and Mayor Woodfin's Facebook channels.

"MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues" is headed to the Magic City

City and MLB officials came together at historic Rickwood last week to unveil the official name of the June 2024 event that will pit the St. Louis Cardinals against the San Francisco Giants.

Get ready, Birmingham! MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues is headed our way!

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visits Birmingham, meets with HBCU leaders

Last week, Mayor Randall Woodfin welcomed U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to Birmingham to explore the city's rich history and meet with HBCU leaders.

With the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute as the backdrop, Secretary Cardona took questions during a press conference addressing educational challenges and solutions.

Click the image above or the button below to watch the press conference. Click the button below to see more pictures from the visit on Mayor Woodfin's official Facebook page.

The City of Birmingham releases trailer for documentary "The South Got Something to Say"

Introducing The South Got Something to Say, a documentary film by the City of Birmingham and Southern Futures Project that will explore Birmingham's modern movement for progress.

This documentary explores the authentic and sometimes complicated relationships between residents and emerging leaders as they navigate a Southern city propelling forward at the speed of light.

Learn more about the film and how to support it at SouthGotSomething.com.

Tenants' Rights Educational Seminar to be held August 19

The Community Arts Grant Program will once again support four community arts collaborations that benefit the City of Birmingham with grants of $10,000 each. Eligibility checks must be submitted by Aug. 18. 

Activities must be broadly accessible to City of Birmingham residents, regardless of the age group being served by the project. Projects may be first-time collaborations or continuations of existing work.

For more, visit createbirmingham.org/community-arts/arts-grant-program.

Birmingham City Council: Week in Review, July 31st - August 6th

The Birmingham City Council Helps Families, Students Get Ready for Back to School

Councilor President Wardine Alexander participated in multiple Back to School events in District 7 over the course of the week.  She is one of many Councilors who have been involved in various school-related events towards the end of summer.

Over the weekend,  the District 9 office joined forces with Be Kind Birmingham at their pop-up free store at the Ensley Recreation Center.  President Alexander, meanwhile, hosted a Book Bag Giveaway on Saturday at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.

The District 7 Office also participated in Oxmoor Valley Elementary's Back to School Party earlier in the week.

Students were able to grab a bite to eat, meet their teachers, learn about OVE's new community of Houses, and enjoy live music from a DJ.

See more Back-to-School coverage here...

First Year Teachers Receive Funds for School Supplies

Councilor Clinton Woods was on the program for a big announcement this week at Bill Harris Arena.  Friday marked the unveiling of the Teacher's Fund -- a first year program intended to help first-year teachers with the purchase of school supplies and other key essentials.  

A check for $20,000 was presented, which will impact an estimated 150 first-year teachers in the Birmingham City School System.  Organizers hope that the stipend will boost morale, increase teacher retention, and support the success of thousands of students.

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National Association of Black Journalists Takes Over the Magic City

The Birmingham City Council was thrilled to welcome the NABJ 2023 Convention and Career Fair to the Magic City for the first time, August 2nd-6th.  The purpose of the conference is to provide journalism education, career development, networking and innovation.  This is 3rd largest meeting, ever, with over 3,500 participants registered.

Council President Alexander Meets with U.S. Secretary of Education during NABJ Festivities

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made his way to Birmingham to participate in a roundtable discussion with HBCU Presidents, as well as speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists.  He also met with Council President Wardine Alexander (D7) during an event at the BCRI on Thursday.

Magic City Spotlight: Birmingham receives $50 million grant for Smithfield revitalization

HUD awards Birmingham $50 million grant to uplift Smithfield community

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced Wednesday the awarding of Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grants totaling $370 million to eight communities throughout the country. These awards support communities that have undergone a comprehensive local planning process and are ready to implement their “Transformation Plan” to redevelop the neighborhood.

Secretary Fudge made the announcement in Birmingham, Alabama, where she presented a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grant of $50 million to the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District and the City of Birmingham.  For decades, Birmingham’s Smithfield area was a thriving African American community, replete with creative character. But several factors led to the community’s decline, beginning with mortgage redlining and racial zoning in the 1930s; the construction of Interstates 65 and 20 in the 1950s, which cut off the area from Birmingham’s Central Business District; and a lack of investment in schools and infrastructure.

The Choice Neighborhood plan for neighborhood investment reflects the City of Birmingham and Housing Authority of the Birmingham District’s philosophy of ‘Putting People First’ with input from residents and community stakeholders.

“This investment represents HUD’s commitment to creating new housing for Birmingham residents and communities across the country,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “When we envision the future of public housing investment, we think of programs like Choice Neighborhoods. These awards promote the innovative collaboration needed to tackle the affordable housing crisis. A community-driven, whole-of-government approach to neighborhood revitalization is what leads to impactful changes in the neighborhoods that need it the most.”

The Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants will help revitalize and transform the distressed public and/or assisted housing and neighborhoods across the country, while also providing residents with services focused on income, health, and education.

Click the button below to watch the press conference with Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, Mayor Randall Woodfin, and other leaders, officials, and members of the Smithfield community.

The Smithfield community is about to embark on a journey that will transform lives.

For some, that journey can be hard to imagine. So, allow us to introduce you to Ava.

Ava and her family are along for the ride. Click the button below to watch Ava's story and see the vision of where the impact of this investment and the support of her community will take her.

Want to know more about plans for Smithfield?

Click the buttons below to visit smithfieldchoice.org to learn more.

Birmingham City Council Highlights 7.18.23

Birmingham City Council Highlights 7.18.23

ITEM 13

On Tuesday, the Council approved and agreement to host the 2024 Transplant Games of America, which will be held July 5-10 at various venues around the city.

These games have been held every two years since their inception in 1990 and are aimed at uplifting and highlighting athletes who have survived transplant procedures.

These games bring together survivors, their families and medical professionals for a five-day event with over 20 sports. Last year, the United States saw roughly 40,000 organ transplants, which was a record number. However, there are still 100,000 people who are waiting for transplants. These games help raise awareness to this issue and will bring roughly 10,000 people to the city of Birmingham.

Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:

A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver an Agreement between the City of Birmingham and Transplant Life Foundation, under which Transplant Life Foundation will assist the City by providing organization, promotion, management, hosting, planning, record keeping and facilitation services related to the 2024 Transplant Games of America, which are to be held in Birmingham between July 5, 2024 and July 10, 2024, and the City will provide funding to Transplant Life Foundation in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00, in support of the event. [G/L Account: ARPA FIN039RM 99999A_005_006 -$335,000.00 and CDA DCP156CP - $65,000.00] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Chief Community Planner)**

Statement from the City Council on the passing of Firefighter Jordan Melton:

"We are heartbroken to hear the news that we have lost one of our local heroes, firefighter Jordan Melton. We stand behind all the dedicated servants of the Birmingham Fire Department during this extremely challenging time. This exemplifies, even more, the dangers that they face every single day serving the citizens of Birmingham.

This is a time when we need for our community to rally around the men and women who continue put their lives on the line to keep us safe.

Jordan Melton’s family, friends and colleagues at Birmingham Fire and Rescue deserve answers and justice. Our City is hurting tonight -- and we are sending them our love, support, and deepest condolences."

News You Can Use: June 29, 2023

THURSDAY, JUNE 29 

The Gaston Motel opens today! 

• The historic A.G. Gaston Motel opens to the public today for free visits for a limited time beginning Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go here. All group and commercially operated tours must be pre-arranged to accommodate for the motel’s capacity. Schedule those at gastontours@birminghamal.gov. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 30 

Several of our city’s senior leaders have a message to COB men about “checking in”  

• Watch the video here.   

• Details: The City of Birmingham is hosting a Men’s Health Fair on Friday, June 30 at Linn Park. The event is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Come get tips on physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial health. See attached for details.  

SATURDAY, JULY 1 

Birmingham Stallions headed to the finals   

• Congratulations to the Birmingham Stallions. They will return to Canton, Ohio this week to compete for its second straight USFL Championship. You can watch the Stallions take on the Pittsburg Maulers on Saturday, July 1 on NBC at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time.  For details, go to theusfl.com. 

UAB DAY 

• July 1 is UAB Day in the city of Birmingham. It kicks off their official membership in the prestigious American Athletic Conference (AAC). Get more details here. 

MONDAY, JULY 3 

Movies in the Park 

• Enjoy a family evening under the stars at Memorial Park, located 524 6th Ave. South. The free event is at 7 p.m. Presented by District 6. See attached for details.  

Get fit with a free weekly bootcamp   

• Every Monday, Birmingham Park and Recreation hosts a free bootcamp at Boutwell from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. powered by IAM BHAM. See flyer for details.   

TUESDAY, JULY 4 

Titusville Community Day 

• Enjoy the Fourth of July with this event featuring music, BBQ and more at Memorial Park. 3-9 p.m. See attached for details. 

WEDNESDAY,  

Support area restaurants and bars with Magic City Sips   

• Magic City Sips is a summer-long, city-wide happy hour event series taking place every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., during the months of June, July, and August. Participating bars and restaurants will host their own happy hours, highlighting Sips-specific drink and food specials. See attached flyer with a QR Code to scan for additional information. Follow them on Instagram @ieobirmingham.    

Get some financial tips and lunch on Wednesdays  

• Enjoy the financial workshops follow hosted by Birmingham City Credit Union, located at 2725 35th Ave. North. These events are on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided. Free to BCCU members. $10 for non-members.    

• How to Navigate Estate Planning – Wednesday, July 12  

• How to Navigate Life Development – Wednesday, July 19  

• How to Navigate Obtaining Healthy Food – Wednesday, July 26  

• See attached for details.    

SATURDAY, JULY 8 

Check out the District 6 Summer Farmers Market 

• Enjoy fresh fruit, vegetables, breads and honey jams at Memorial Park from 1:30-3:30 p.m. See attached for details. 

ONGOING 

Enjoy Treasure Island in the Park! 

• Birmingham Park and Recreation has partnered with Birmingham Childrens Theatre for performances of “Treasure Island” in parks across the city. See the attached for details! 

COMING UP 

Make plans to attend Wind Down Wednesday   

• The next Wind Down Wednesday after work inspire and empower series will take place at the Boutwell Auditorium on Wednesday, July 19. It’s free and all (21 and up) are welcome. 

Enjoy a photographic tribute to Historic Sloss Furnaces Opening Reception 

• Since the mid-1970s, Ken Boyd has been photographing Sloss Furnaces and has compiled his best works into this photographic exhibition at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Come out on Thursday, July 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to the Sloss Visitor Center to see the exhibit and meet the artist. Ken Boyd has published several photography-based books on various topics and has taught at both Samford University and UAB. This is a free event and light refreshments will be provided. See attached for details. 

Jr. Archaeology Day is coming soon 

• Come out to the Sloss Furnaces Company Quarters Commissary (across the street from Sloss Furnaces and next to Back Forty) on Friday, July 21 from 1-5 p.m. for a free archaeological event! There will be K-12 activities and all ages are welcome to come out and observe. This is a great opportunity for anyone who may be interested in learning more about archaeology and how to pursue it as a career. Presented by The Alabama Archaeology Society. See attached for details. 

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Stay updated regarding the Forging Justice 60th Commemoration   

• All year long, the City of Birmingham is commemorating the heroic acts of our citizens during the 1963 civil and human rights campaign. June is themed “Break Every Chain.” There are free June posters on the first floor of City Hall. Check out this calendar for details regarding upcoming events: birminghamal.gov/forging justice. 
     

Submit your news to marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov.

Magic City Spotlight

Ted's Restaurant, a Birmingham institution, celebrates 50 years

Ted’s Restaurant, one of Birmingham’s landmark eateries, is celebrating 50 years of business.

It’s not unusual to see a line of patrons ready to get their fill of homestyle Southern cooking seasoned with old-style Greek hospitality at Ted’s. People say they come for the food and stay for the tradition at this eatery, which has seen dedicated owners work to make the restaurant what it is today.

So what exactly is the secret behind 50 years of success for Ted’s, which offers breakfast, brunch and lunch?

“It’s our dedication to our customers and the Birmingham community. They are like family to us, and we are constantly looking for ways to better serve them, whether it’s cooking up someone’s Saturday morning regular or supporting local charities,” said Beba Touloupis, who runs the business with her husband, Tasos.

Click the button below to read more about the Touloupis family and how they are keeping a Birmingham staple alive motivated by the legacy of Ted's and the community it serves.

Freedom Fest returns to the Civil Rights District

Birmingham Freedom Fest presented by City of Birmingham returns this summer on July 29 in the Birmingham Civil Rights District. Join us for a day filled with music and empowerment as we celebrate the triumphs of Birmingham’s civil rights history and its commitment to forging a united future. Tickets are on sale now at www.freedomfestbhm.com.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department welcomed new recruits and celebrated rising stars in today's graduation and promotion ceremony at Boutwell Auditorium. Congrats, and thank you so much for being our protectors.

While we celebrate their accomplishment, now is a great time to shout out our heroes!

Take a look at how Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department kept you safe in the month of May.

We thank them for their incredible work and appreciate those who have joined them in this important work.