By Gwen DeRu
TODAY…
**HOW TO EFFECTIVELY CONNECT ACROSS CULTURES, with Tayo Rockson as speaker at Network After Work.
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Get all the latest news!
**COMEDIAN ARNEZ J at the StarDome Comedy Club.
FRIDAY…
**COMEDIAN ARNEZ J at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**MOVIE NIGHT: Check out some old, but good flicks/movies and show on a sheet in the backyard for the young and young at heart. Fun in the outdoors…any day!
SATURDAY…
**COMEDIAN ARNEZ J at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**FUN, GAMES, YARD AND HOUSE WORK including Uno, Monopoly, Solitaire. Weeding the pretty flowers in the beds, cutting the grass, cleaning the grill or just sitting outside if the weather permits. Things are changing soon.
SUNDAY…
**FAMILY TIME AND GOOD FOOD. Grilling in the backyard, movies in the backyard, parties in the backyard.
**COMEDIAN ARNEZ J at the StarDome Comedy Club.
MONDAY…
**PLANNING AND MORE CATCH UP. Pull out that long to-do list and see what can be done during the week or weekend ahead. Making plans for the future and getting back to normal as best as you can.
TUESDAY…
**READ A GOOD BOOK… I MADE IT THROUGH BY BUKKY AGBOOLA is a good one. There are a few on the bookshelves, just lying around …or you can get an e-book.
WEDNESDAY…
**WEATHER WATCHING FOR THE WEEK AND WEEKEND. Looking for the weekend and thinking of what to do that depends on good weather outdoors. Getting out of the house even if going nowhere…. Take a walk if the weather is good.
NEXT THURSDAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!
**SIR WALT at the StarDome Comedy Club.
NEXT FRIDAY…
**MOVIE NIGHT: Rent and Watch movies at Sidewalkfest.com.
**COMEDIAN BENJI BROWN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
FOR YOUTH AND SCIENCE LOVERS…
**McWANE SCIENCE CENTER CELEBRATES 22ND BIRTHDAY …SAVE THE DATE – ITTY BITTY MAGIC CITY REOPENS AUGUST 5. Preschoolers are welcome. Bring Masks to explore the McWane Center. For more, mcwane.org/welcomeback.
FOR LOVERS OF ART AND MORE …
AT THE PAUL R. JONES MUSEUM…
**WHEN THEY SEE US, WHAT DO THEY SEE?: PERSPECTIVES ON BLACK ART, August 7 – September 24, at The Paul R. Jones Museum, 2308 Sixth Street, in Tuscaloosa. This exhibition is born out of cognition research that, in part, examines white people’s perceptions and responses to Black art. Curated by BARBARA-SHAE JACKSON, Doctoral Student in Cognitive Psychology. (205) 345-3038 for more.
AT ALYS STEPHENS CENTER…
**BIRMINGHAM ARTS DRIVE-IN – Opera Birmingham, UAB Alys Stephens, Alabama Ballet, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Red Mountain Theatre Company and WBHM are hosting AN EVENING OF THE ARTS, two nights of the arts, TODAY and Friday in the parking lot of 16th Street and University Boulevard on UAB’s campus for the first BIRMINGHAM ARTS DRIVE-IN. FREE. You must register at: www.my.alysstephens.org/single/eventdetail, to attend one of the two nights – One reservation per vehicle. Ticket holders should arrive between 7 and 7:45 p.m. All remaining spaces will be released to a waiting list, first-come first-served. Vehicles will not be admitted after 8:15 p.m. The event will end by 9:45 p.m.
FOR BUSINESS LOVERS…
**NETWORK AFTER WORK – There are a few complimentary online events that you might be interested… TODAY – HOW TO EFFECTIVELY CONNECT ACROSS CULTURES, AUGUST 5th – New Media Marketing Trends 2020, AUGUST 6th – Powerful Speaking Made Simple: Go Beyond Fear, Show Up Powerfully and Command the Room and AUGUST 11-13th – Digital Marketing Summit: Linkedin. TODAY, at 2 p.m. get advice from TAYO ROCKSON and learn to become more self-aware of your own communication style, communicate clearly and act appropriately with people that come from different environments that you do. Register for today’s event at: https://networkafterwork.com/event-detail/How_To_Effectively_Connect_Across_Cultures-2020-07-30?1325.
FOR PRAYER SERVICES…
**INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICES – Join Greater Birmingham Ministries (GBM) every Wednesday at Noon for Interfaith Prayer Service. People of faith and goodwill are invited to join GBM and the Alabama Episcopal Church for Noonday Prayer at Linn Park in Downtown Birmingham. Clergy are invited to wear clericals. Masks and social distancing will be observed. For more go to, www.gbm.org.
FOR THE COMMUNITY…
**2020 ELECTRONICS FREE DROP-OFF DAY AND PAPER SHREDDING, AUGUST 8, 9 -11:30 a.m. at Birmingham City Hall/Linn Henley Park, 710 20th Street North, 35203. Put your items in your trunk, remain in your vehicle and wear your mask. BRING: cable boxes, modems, routers, cell phones and tablets, computers and laptops, cords, cables, wire, chargers, printers, scanners, fax machines, ink and toners cartridges, rechargeable batteries, security equipment, small appliances, televisions and monitors, regular paper and folders. NO cardboard, binders, binder clips, bulldog clips or wet paper.
**COVID-19 TESTING SITES…Here is an update on the testing sites in Birmingham…
*AUGUST 5 – MACEDONIA 17th STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, 1405 13th Avenue North, 9 a.m. – 12 noon – The testing is for those with or without symptoms. Call 205-407-9696 to schedule appointment.
…ONGOING – *LEGION FIELD: MONDAY – FRIDAY 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL 205-92-COVID (205-922-6843) …*UAB Downtown Testing Site: TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL (205) 975-1881 (2117 University Blvd South, Birmingham, AL 35205) …*Cahaba Medical Care, West End Clinic: TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL (205) 679-6325 or visit cahabamedicalcare.com (1308 Tuscaloosa Avenue, Birmingham).
**BIRMINGHAM INITIATIVES – Here are a couple of initiatives that are taking place supporting the Birmingham community. Visit the links and learn how you can contribute, support or volunteer in the efforts. *To support Black and locally owned businesses in Birmingham, visit www.wokevote.us/restore. *Join the community in supporting Mayor Randall Woodfin and the City of Birmingham to re-envision a new monument in Linn Park – one that represents a vision for an inclusive future. Donate today to be a part of something monumental. www.gofundme.com/f/monumentalbhm.”
**JOB SEEKERS – Looking for a job…*GOOD JOB is a site for job seekers looking for employment match up. *YWCA is a site for job seekers looking for employment. * SERVISFIRST BANK is a site. *ALABAMA SAWYER is a site. *HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE is a site. *HINKLE METALS AND SUPPLY is a site. *EBSCO is a site.
FOR MOTORSPORTS LOVERS…
**MUNFORD, AL NATIVE BRETT HOLMES CAPTURES FIRST CAREER ARCA WIN– CONGRATULATIONS BRETT HOLMES!!! Holmes, a Building Science Major at Auburn University, sits Second in Title Standings. The 23-year old was taking part in his 69th career race when he recorded his first victory in the ARCA Menards Series taking the checkered flag in the Dawn 150 at Kansas Speedway. Holmes’ win came on the heels of five straight top-10 finishes, including four in the top-four and a previous career-best second-place showing recently at Kentucky. It’s been a long time coming for Holmes, who began his ARCA career in 2016 at just 19 years of age after having tons of success across the southeast in lower racing divisions.
THINGS TO DO…
…VACATIONS WITH BOOKS AND VIRTUAL TRIPS…. When you need to get away from ‘whatever’, the best way is with a good book. Well, maybe the next thing to being there in person. Many families are eager to get out of the house and hit the road for a summer trip. Make your summer travel plans safe and successful.
FOR BOOK LOVERS…
Here are a couple of books to read anytime, after washing your hands, before the news reports, during your down time or just to keep boredom away (with so much going on).
**BOOK: KISS & TELL – The book ‘Kiss & Tell’ is written by SHANA BURTON a two-time Georgia Author of the Year nominee. The book is about closed doors that don’t always keep secrets. Alexis Woodford fled Charlotte, N.C., stripping herself of mistakes and regrets holding her captive from the drama-free life she longed for. With her secrets tucked discreetly in the confines of her new home on Bald Head Island, Alexis forges on, guilt free…and smitten with her neighbor actor Roan Carter. Addicted to the benefits of bachelor life on Bald Head’s beachfront community, Roan Carter finds himself falling for feisty Alexis and caught between his whirlwind romance with her and living a lie. When his long-buried skeletons start tumbling out of the closet, will Roan lose the love of his life forever – or will it be Alexis’ own indiscretions that pull them apart?
**BOOK: I MADE IT THROUGH – The book ‘I Made It Through” written by BUKKY AGBOOLA is her memoir – a personal, captivating story of sacrifice, strength and love. What if you had to flee your county – the only home that you have ever known – leaving your parents behind and taking your young siblings you were charged to protect? Agboola would have to gather the courage to support herself and her siblings in a new country as she left home for new opportunities in London after military forces overthrew the Nigerian government, took power and shook the nation. She knew she had to protect her siblings and to do so, she would have to leave Nigeria. Agboola was faced with this terrifying obstacle as a young woman, fresh from college graduation. Overcoming adversity and barriers to a life of stability, Agboola shares how God saw her through the darkness into the light at the end. They struggled to survive. The book touches on what it means to truly have faith in God’s master plan.
FOR TRAVELERS OF ALL KIND…
**VIRTUAL TRIPS – Travel online – A virtual trip can be a great way to explore destinations you might consider for a future vacation, or it may be a chance to see remarkable sights around the world that you wouldn’t get to experience otherwise.
**BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDEN VIRTUAL TOUR – Explore the Japanese Gardes at nwww.youtube.com/watch?v=VRC3m1AsMig&feature=youtu.be. For more, go to www.bbgardens.org.
FOR LOVERS OF FOOD…
**FOOD AND FARM FORUM -The 2020 Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN) Forum is scheduled for December 10-12 at Camp Beckwith in Fairhope, Alabama. There is a Youth Food and Farm Forum, as well. Sessions are 50 minutes or two hours in length, and can be anything from a panel discussion to hands-on demo, roundtable discussion to a traditional presentation. Categories for topics include: Farming (Beginning and Advanced levels), Farm Business / Marketing, Community Food Systems / Food Movement, and “Green Living”. Submit your proposal at :
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2rfoAVJCN2dLUQA6HNzBYulqMCo9xCPPp6WqQC-l-7xP-YQ/viewform. ASAN is a grassroots network of producers and supporters of locally, ecologically, and ethically raised food from throughout Alabama.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS…
FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY…
**COMEDIAN ARNEZ J…at the StarDome Comedy Club. ARNEZ J – Rapidly becoming one of the most talked about comedians, Arnez J’s charisma and physical agility are unforgettable. With the physicality of Jim Carrey, his brand of comedy has dubbed him “the Black Jerry Lewis”. Arnez was recruited by The Harlem Globetrotters after their scouts saw his very physical comedy routine and his local celebrity basketball games. An Atlanta native, Arnez began working the comedy circuit in Georgia and quickly became one of “Hotlanta”s” funniest newcomers. A finalist in the 1992 Bay Area Black Comedy Competition, Arnez was immediately noticed by the entertainment industry and was asked to make his first television appearance on Showtime”s “Comedy Club Network”. Numerous television appearances soon followed including The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, Comedy Central, NBC’s “Friday Night Videos”, Russell Simmon’s “Def Comedy Jam”, and his own BET’s “ComicView Grandstand” 1/2 hour comedy special..
NEXT THURSDAY…
**COMEDIAN SIR WALT… at the StarDome Comedy Club. Birmingham’s Funniest Comedian is coming to his hometown stage. You’ve seen Sir Walt tear up the stage on BET’s Comic View, Starz’s First Amendment and P Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy as well as clubs and colleges all over the Southeast. His high energy style and dynamic stage presence keeps audience cheering night after night. He is one of the StarDome’s Favorites so make your plans today.
NEXT FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY…
**COMEDIAN BENJI BROWN… at the StarDome Comedy Club.
FOR ART LOVERS AND YOUTH…
**OUR TOWN – The National Endowment for the Arts – Our Town – The NEA’s annual creative placemaking grants program supports projects that integrate arts, culture, and design with the goal of strengthening communities and effect social change. By partnering with local government and cultural nonprofit organizations, grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 are available. Our Town projects endeavor to bring attention to and elevate community issues, voices, history, and cultural infrastructure and are committed to artist support, diversity, equity, inclusion, and supporting respect for diverse beliefs and values. Our Town FY2021 invites creative placemaking projects and innovative partnerships that respond to evolving and emerging local community needs. These may include efforts to support artists and cultural organizations in addressing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, artist unemployment, racial inequity, and other needs that may not be clear at this specific time. The deadline for application is August 6, 2020. Learn more at www.arts.gov/grants-organizations/our-town/grant-program-description.
**SOUTH ARTS EMERGING LEADERS OF COLOR PROGRAM – With the goal of fostering representative leadership, diversity, and equity in the arts, South Arts’ new Emerging Leaders of Color Development Professional Development Program has created a professional development opportunity for arts and culture professionals to establish networks that support their careers. Focused on the southeastern United States, this program aims to engage diverse emerging leaders and build a cohort of cultural torchbearers who are committed to the advancement of arts. Selected individuals will participate in a 3-day, 2-night executive-level professional development and team-building workshop at no cost to themselves. The deadline for application is September 15, 2020. Learn more at www.southarts.org/programs-conferences/emerging-leaders-color.
FOR MOVIE LOVERS…
**22ND ANNUAL SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL – Birmingham’s annual film festival historically held in the downtown Theatre District will transition to the outdoor location of The Grand River Drive-In at The Backyard in Leeds due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 event transition will provide this year’s attendees with a safe option to view the more than 150 features and short films set to screen during the Aug. 24-30 festival. The festival will screen films each evening on all four screens with some nights offering second films on each screen. Gates will tentatively open each day at 6:30 p.m. with the start of the first films of the night scheduled for 8 p.m. daily.
AT THE SIDEWALK FILM CENTER + CINEMA…
** SIDEWALK EDU – INTRO TO ADOBE PREMIERE with DIONNA MCMILLIAN, TODAY, 8-9:30 p.m. Learn to edit over Zoom. For more, kiwi@sidewalkfes.com.
COMING SOON…
**AUGUST 8 – WOODLAWN STREET MARKET
**AUGUST 24-30 – 22ND ANNUAL SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL
**AUGUST 29 – FAIRY TALE BALL with Childcare Resources.
**SEPTEMBER 6 – IPUSH FOODIE & MUSIC FEST at Ensley.
**OCTOBER 9-11 – BARBER VINTAGE FESTIVAL at Barber Motorsports Park.
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 and gwenderu@yahoo.com.
