By Gwen DeRu
HAVE A MERRY XMAS!!!! Good Times! Gift Giving and More!!
NOW…
Here are a few things to consider for the season and coming year. First, if you know anything about Martin Luther King then you know you should get your business ad in the Birmingham Times MLK Special Edition. This special tabloid is a KEEP SAKE for one full year. The Birmingham Times is working on the Martin Luther King and Black History Month Tabloid. Deadline is December 30, if you are interested in this Special Tabloid. Publication date is January 15th, 2015. It will be a coffee table piece kept there all year long. You want to be included. Call (205) 251-5158 for Gwen DeRu or email me at thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com.
TWELVE DAYS OF HOLIDAY MUSIC – There will be twelve days of holiday music at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport starting today, in the airport terminal. Patrons of the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport will be able to enjoy live holiday music by local professional and community groups during the lunch and evening periods each day through New Year’s Day. All performances will be in the public, pre-security areas of the terminal so that both passengers and greeters can enjoy. Scheduled entertainment includes the following performers plus many more: The Connection Trio, Harp Instrumentals by Marsha Gunter, Mark Custer, Rob and Brant, Hammered Dulcimer & Guitar, The Red Brick Collective of the Etowah Youth Orchestra, Standard Time Jazz Combo, Good Fellas Smooth Jazz, Maxx Groove Trio, Marian McKay and Her Mood Swings, Cleve Eaton & the Alabama All-Stars, Hewitt Trussville HS Chamber Choir, Ray Reach Music and others.
(Photo Credit: 32Advisors.com)
GLOBAL VISION WITH BARRY JOHNSON – The Ballard House will host a holiday fund-raiser “Gratitude, Prosperity & Dreams Realized: Begin It Now!” today, 6 – 8 p.m. at the Ballard House, 1420 Seventh Avenue North. Barry Johnson, a Birmingham native, businessman, social entrepreneur and economic diplomat will be guest speaker. Johnson heads BJ Affirms, co-founded Global Act, Inc. served as Senior Advisor with the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Obama Administration and serves on the Board of Directors of the Foreign Direct Investment Association and its World Forum on Foreign Investments. Johnson also worked in management with private sectors Disney, BET Networks, Microsoft Corporation to name a few. Johnson attended Altamont School, Yale University and Harvard Business School. Call (205) 731-2000 for more.
BJCC ARENA BECOMES LEGACY ARENA AT BJCC – In 2015, the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena will change its name to the Legacy Arena at BJCC as part of a deal made recently with a sponsorship agreement. The arena will be branded with a new logo and host a range of sports and entertainment events. The deal will run through 2019. Legacy is the fourth largest credit union in Birmingham and was opened for the community at the University at Alabama at Birmingham and presently serves the metro area. (Some taken from BBJ)
TRAMPLED BY TURTLES PERFORMS IN BIRMINGHAM – Trampled by Turtles will continue their U.S. tour with a stop at Iron City, this Friday. The band is currently touring the U.S. and Europe to celebrate their critically acclaimed new record Wild Animals. The band performed on “CBS This Morning: Saturday.” The band also performed, recently on “The Late Show With David Letterman.” They never set out to be a bluegrass band but Trampled by Turtles employs many of the same traditional techniques of the genre. Members of the band did their own time in punk and rock bands brandishing their electricity proudly before switching to acoustic instruments. Their differences in influences and attack make for their unique sound. Coming from Birmingham, England just one month ago, they will perform for Birmingham bringing their beautiful, heartfelt folk-pop songs to the Ham.
BIRMINGHAM CREATES THE FIRST NEW AMERICANS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ANACC) IN THE COUNTRY– Leaders representing the Asian, Caribbean, European, African and Latin American communities have come together to create the first New Americans Chamber of Commerce (ANACC) in America, right here in Birmingham. Sharing a vision, they created an organization focused primarily on working together to advance underserved businesses in the region. The mission of ANACC is to facilitate the development and success of new American businesses. To achieve this objective, the Chamber will be active in promoting business expansion and development through a number of strategic collaborations and partnerships, focused on three pillars of prosperity: Advocacy, business growth and economic development. Created to help Alabama New Americans business members to flourish, grow and succeed, ANACC will be leading the way towards long-term business prosperity.
IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT…
RED AND WHITE CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS PARTY – Join the Caribbean Community for music and food, Friday, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. at the Boss Ultra Lounge. Music will be provided by DJ CALLY BOO with Soca, Reggae, Dancehall and Merengue music and free food. Listen to the caribbeansearadio.com or Call (205) 704-5296 for more. Wear Red and white…. but come anyway. Boxx Ultra Lounge is located at 312 20th Street South.
CHRISTMAS AT RUCKER PLACE – Join the festive spirit with southern cuisine and hospitality at Rucker Place.
TSU SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH – The New Year is right around the corner and so is TSU Scholarship Brunch. Let’s bring the New Year in and help students that attend TSU by attending the TSU brunch. Tennessee State University National Alumni Association, Birmingham Chapter is hosting its Annual Scholarship Brunch January 3, 2015, 11 a.m., at the Harbert Center. Mr. Dwayne H. Tucker is a TSU graduate, the Tennessee State University Foundation Board Chairman, Lead Academy Board Chairman, Dallas County Community College District Foundation member, and Gleneagles County Club Board of Governors among many other affiliations. He is a True Tennessee State University graduate and dedicated alumnus. Join other TSU alumni on the first Saturday of the year and attend the scholarship brunch. Call Angela Day at (205) 601-0801 or email angelalbday@aol.com or Jacquelyn A. Fail (205) 566-3746 or email tsujf8@gmail.com.
FOR OUTDOORS LOVERS…
SUNDAY, 2 p.m. – Southeastern Outings Moderate Dayhike (along Buck Creek in Helena, AL.) Explore the wilder side of Helena. Hike on a lovely creekside trail in Helena in Shelby County. See some spring wildflowers on this trip. Total hiking distance is less than four miles. Hike rated moderately easy. Walk briefly off trail and walk up some hills when the trail routes away from the creek. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up welcome. Depart 2 p.m. from the parking lot for the Helena City Park on AL Highway 261 in Helena. Take I-65 to Exit #247, the Shelby County Route 17, Valleydale Road exit. Go to end of ramp and turn right regardless of whether you come from the south or the north. Take Co. 17, which changes from Co. Route 17 to AL 261, all the way into Helena. Cross one railroad and then drive over a bridge with a dam and waterfall on the left. Immediately past the bridge, turn sharply back to the right just before you cross a second railroad and then drive into the parking lot for a city park right on the shore of the creek. For more info: Teresa Smotherman, (205)337-5878.
HERE ARE A FEW MORE THINGS GOING ON…
THIS WEEKEND….
Friday…
**Sensual and Seductive Friday, 6 p.m. until at the LeVi’an Grill and Bar at Magnolia Avenue and 23rd Street South.
**Debbie Bond and Radiator Rick will perform at Druid City Brewing Company, Tuscaloosa’s first craft brewery, 7 – 9 p.m.
Saturday…
**Christmas is in the Air TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE, 8 p.m. on Graymont Avenue across the street from Legion Field. FREE.
THEN, AT THE STARDOME…
HENRY CHO at the StarDome Comedy Club…this weekend. Comedy Central Special “What’s That Clickin Noise” Making the most of who Henry is has not been a problem. “I’m an Asian with a southern accent,” remarks Cho. “To a lot of people, that right there is funny!” Cho’s many other comedy credits include NBC’s “Bob Hope’s Young Comedians Special,” MTV’s “1/2 Hour Comedy Hour” and VH-1’s “Stand-up Spotlight.”
DON’T MISS… Coming soon…, HEATH HYCHE – December 26-27, GARY OWEN – January 2-4, COWBOY BILL and MEDIUM CINDY KAZA – January 10, COREY HOLCOMB, January 17-19 and HENRY CHO, January 30-February 2. (Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you.) Enjoy some good laughter and fun times while you eat some great food with your friends. For more, call (205) 444-0008.
MORE LAUGHTER….COMEDY IN DA HOOD at the New Tide and Tiger on Graymont Avenue. Comedians are invited! Call (205) 503-3880 for more.
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU …ASHLEY ENGLISH AND TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!!
Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time.
(People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com.)
