Maranathan Academyis located in Birmingham, Alabama. It's main purpose is to save and educate critically at-risk youth. These are youths, male and female that have been bullied, gang affiliated, abused, expelled from school and often get stuck in the cracks of society or end up imprisoned or dead. Through the efforts of Maranathan Academy with its staff and volunteers many youth are given the chance to turn their lives around toward a positive future.
Four time gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross ( middle in hot pink) was honored with a crystal glass trophy presented by Donna Dukes (left in red), Executive Director of Maranathan Academy.
Ms. Richards-Ross spoke briefly offering words of hope and inspiration. She emphasized that her gold medal(s) win did not come easily. Though she didn't win the gold the first or second times, she did not give up. Immense training and tireless effort was what finally allowed her to reach her goal.
Featured performer Alex Bugnon.
Opening performance
Jamming
Closing performance
All musicians were introduced by Alex Bugnon. The young man in front playing saxophone was over -the- top outstanding for someone so young. His father is the drummer.
This was a wholesome, enjoyable event for a very worthy cause.
Located on First Avenue in Bessemer, Alabama is The Back Porch restaurant.
My first time there this past Sunday gave me a nostalgic feeling of the 80's Sunday brunches once sponsored by Mom & Pop establishments. This one had home cooking, was clean, had congenial servers who greeted me with a smile when I placed my order at the steam table. Seeing customers waving and talking with friends added to the warmness . The dulcet singing voice of Jolanda Green ( see below) was icing on the cake.
I'm glad the Pandemic policy has been somewhat relaxed. There's no way you can remain six feet apart in this small establishment.
Some of the historic photos from when the Muscoda Mines operated.
Just next door to The Back Porch is the Lincoln Theatre. This was a theater for African Americans to attend during the segregation era.
Built in 1910, Sam Raine bought the building in 1942. In 1947 Raine had the building redesigned. In 1948 the theater opened to movie patrons.
" In 1950 the Lincoln was scheduled to screen the 1949 feature "Lost Boundaries", about the family of Dr Albert Johnson who passed for white while living in New England in the 1930s and 1940s. As in Atlanta, Memphis and Birmingham, Bessemer's censors banned the screening. The board's opinion, reported byBessemer Police chiefLacey Alexander, was that, "We didn't want it shown in Bessemer. We didn't like the looks of it. "(copied from Bham Wiki)
Raine put the theater up for sale in 1961 for $40,000. After going through a succession of owners the building was closed as a theater in 1981.
In 2017, actor, Andre Holland , who grew up in Bessemer purchased the theater with the support of his family as local managers. Naming it the Holland Project and given a grant of $21,000 by the Alabama State Council on the Arts they began restoration of the building to benefit the community.
Lincoln Theater in its early days. 1948 (copied from Bham Now
2018. Nate and Alice Hale move from busy New York City to a dilapidated 1940’s
fixer-upper complete with the former occupant’s belongings in the quiet suburb
of Greenville. Nate is ecstatic. Alice, not so much. Happy that Alice has
resigned her PR position Nate feels it’s the perfect time to start a family and
Alice can write the book she’s anticipated for so long.
Alice isn’t so sure she’s ready for a family. She’s at a loss without her
PR job. Whoever heard of being fired for one innocent mistake. Alice feels
alone and foreign in suburbia until she meets he older neighbor, Sally.
1955, Nellie Murdoch, has the perfect life. Husband, home, and a beautiful
garden she loves tending. The garden reminds Nellie of the fun times she and
her spent together when she was a child.
Her husband Richard is desperate for Nellie to become pregnant so that he
too can prove his masculinity becoming a father like his male counterparts.
Nellie has been pregnant before but miscarried the day Richard arrived home
from work finding Nellie working in the garden instead of preparing his after
work cocktail and placing dinner on the table. A furious Richard chastened her
too roughly. Nellie finds a friend in Miriam her older neighbor who sees and
hears the abuse. Richard doesn’t allow
his abusive nature to be seen by anyone. That would make things imperfect.
Nellie entrusts Miriam to hold on to letters she writes to her mother but
never mails. In 2018, Miriam’s daughter, Sally gives the letters to Alice. Upon
reading their contents, Alice is privy to Nellie’s life as a “perfect” wife. It also opens her mind to what she wants in life.
As
the author relates the stories of both women, the reader can see how both want
to be seen, heard and recognized as a person. Examine the similarities and difference in the lives of two separate women living 63 years apart. Throughout the book. Alice's chapters begin with an admonition on the duties of a perfect wife.
Nellie's chapters begin with a rolling pin icon and recipe that the author has collected from vintage cookbooks or one of her own.
My experience making Herbed Cheese Popovers. From the 5 Roses Cook Book (1913)
Additional recipes and credits
The covers of this books speak volumes. On the hard cover the title obliterates the woman's face indicating her lack of worth. The paperback copy shows the imperfections of the woman displaying her as jagged. Yet in another sense it could symbolize the many facets of this person. Her face is also covered.
!!!!SPOILER ALERT !!!: I subscribe to Cityline on Facebook. Two of the personalities were discussing the book with its author. If you want to know what was discussed click the Cityline link above. The video is about 18 minutes long.
NOTE: I did notice that the title on the books they have don't cover the woman.
This was a fantastic read. It had surprises that I didn't even know were coming. But I guess that's what a surprise is.😃 If there's a sequel, I'll be in line for it.
There were no judges but everyone was a winner. That had been predetermined at an earlier time. The event was held this past Wednesday, August 29th at the Trussville Civic Center. Four groups from different senior centers were there to show off their line dancing skills.
Among them were the Fairfield Swinging Seniors. They took the stage clad in red long sleeved tee shirts, white slacks, white shoes and white gloves. They danced to Michael Jackson's Don't Stop Till You Get Enough. Not sure if they planned it that way but August 29th is the birth date of The King of Pop.
Representing Fairfield ,Alabama
Shepherd's Center East, Movers and Shakers
Dressed in sleeveless sequined shells and draped with $ earrings and $ medallions the Movers and the Shakers didn't disappoint dancing to Johnny Kemp's, Friday Night, Just Got Paid. Wearing jackets, positioned with their backs to the audience, two of the dancers threw off their jackets when the music began turned and threw money out into the audience. They were quite a hit with the audience as they performed their synchronization to the beat of the song.
Trussville's Best
Trussville's Best was right at home at their own civic center, Their performance was precise as they danced to an upbeat arrangement of The Tennessee Waltz by Ireen Sheer. To this same music they were performing the Tennessee Waltz line dance. You can see an example of it by clicking the link above. After reviewing the dance I see now why one of the ladies was counting to herself the entire time. It wasn't out loud but I could see her mouth moving. As most of these groups go there are usually very few men . This group had only one. He held his own and was a credit to the men.
Time Travelers
Men In Black was what came to mind when Time Travelers took to the stage. Outfitted in black slacks, vests,white shirts, ties and sunglasses their dance routine was elaborate and well timed. Dancing to Pit Bull's rap of , Back In Time the dancer's kept their grave expressions in keeping with the Men In Black III theme. Pit Bull mentions in his rap the very outfits the dancers are wearing. Like most rappers his beats are samples from other artists. I recognized the background music immediately as Peaches and Herb singing Love Is Strange done to a disco beat. The song has been done by other artists but the one done by Peaches and Herb's is most memorable to me.
After all of the presentations the audience was to vote on who they thought was best. As mentioned before the MC stated that all groups would be part of the Master's Games that will take place in October . As the votes were tallied dancers and audience were invited to line dance to a variety of music.
Here's my first attempt at uploading a video. It's 59 seconds long.
Unable to have the banner I'd designed in Publisher, printed at an office supply store, I resorted to making this one around 11:00 pm, the night before my display.
I'VE BEEN FREQUENTING THE East Lake Farmer's Market (ELFM) at East Lake United Methodist Church. . From a previous post you will know that I subscribed to picking up a half basket of fresh fruits and veggies as well as homemade goodies every other week. This week was different in that I got to display my own craft items. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time but couldn't get up the nerve. I enjoy being in the company of others who craft. I found it at ELFM. I was not so much interested in making money as I was getting up the gumption to actually get out there and experience the craft vending world.
Most books I borrow from the public library but I was so impressed with, The Handmade Market Place by Kari Chapin that I bought it. It is chock full of worthy information and tips. It seems that every question I had was answered somewhere in her book.
ON WITH THE SHOW
A table showing my wares.
yellow tie dyed tee shirt scarf with matching yellow beads.
Here is one of my 4 cardboard models. As stated I "reuse and redesign with discards." I found these photos in a 2nd hand shop. They'd been taken from discarded photo albums. I was looking for vintage photos and found what I wanted. I took the head shots to Staples and had them enlarged. I then asked and was given cardboard boxes from a car parts warehouse (They have the best boxes, Sturdy and clean) and cut out the shapes. The initial inspiration for the models came from Bea Graansma and Carolina Gonzalez .
All neckwear comes as a duo. A tee shirt scarf with an accompanying vintage necklace or a tee shirt necklace.
The lighted compacts in the forefront have vintage photos also.
**BTW All of the photos I used are from a secondhand store. I don't know any of these people.
Neckwear doubled
White tee shirt scarf worn with a decorative pin.
The neckwear can be worn together or separately. Most lengths are in the 30+" range. It can be worn long or short by doubling the necklace and scarf around the neck. Wearing it with a brooch or pin would be nice also.
I only decorated 4 compacts. To see a close up of the others click the photo of the table above. I sold three of them. Below is a closeup of the first one to sell.
This is the backside of one of the lighted mirror compacts
This is the front side of the compact. I used lace, photo and cut outs from thrift outlets. I call this one "Saturday on the Town."
I didn't have a picture of the pink one showing the lighted mirror when slid open so
this is "On the Beach". Slide open to use the mirror. Slide the cover farther down to use the mirror lighted.
This is Lois whom I met weeks earlier. She gave me the info on who to call to get the "hook up" to be a vendor. We shared a booth this past Saturday. I was facing north and she was facing south. Look over her shoulder and you'll see my table behind her.
I am proud of myself for finally getting out there and trying it out. I'll be there again next week.
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**BTW All of the photos I used are from a secondhand store. I don't know any of these people. 
