Friends of Shades Creek - Program Dates for your Calendar

Here some important Friends of Shades Creek Dates for your calendars:

NEXT THURSDAY, April 11 at 7:00 - April Educational Presentation: -  Speaker: Will McCollum, University of Chicago. Will conducts historical and archaeological research in Birmingham, where he examines late nineteenth-century mining camps and company towns that formed the basis for the growth and development of the industrial capital of the New South at the turn of the twentieth century. He has been working and researching the Smythe Mining Camp at Red Mountain Park among other sites. Zoom link will be shared next week.

Hazardous Waste Collection: Saturday April 13, 8:00-11:30 -  in Irondale, Bessemer, Gardendale.

May Educational Presentation: Thursday, May 9, at 7:00 - Sarah Stokes, attorney at SELC. In February, SELC and Cahaba River Society were successful in protecting Water Board lands around Birmingham's drinking water supply. Sarah will be telling us more about this important achievement that is protecting our drinking water in Birmingham.

June 7, at 6:00 p.m. - Party on the Porch at Alabama Outdoors, benefitting Friends of Shades Creek. Hope you will come out and enjoy music and entertainment.

June 8, meet at 8:00 a.m. - Friends of Shades Creek Guided Cahaba Lily Trip with Cahaba River Society. Reservations required! 

-Donation for members: $20*
-Donation for non-members: $40 (includes membership)*
-Children under 12: No charge, but everyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Send your request to mkblackwood3@gmail.com* Donation required at time of reservation.

June and July: 8 Fridays - Have you wanted to teach kids at camp something you really enjoy and want to pass on? FOSC programs at Camp Fletcher for kids 6 to 13. See attached schedule of dates. Theme of the week is included, but programs do not need to follow themes. Possible ideas: Art projects, music with kids, demonstrations, present a topic or subject to kids. (email mkblackwood3@gmail.com)

RECAP: Friends of Shades Creek -  Projects and Presentations

-Alabama River Alliance - Water Rally (Four FOSC members attended)

-James Lowery presented program about "Constructed Wetlands" at Water Rally

-Henry Hughes received "River Hero of the Year Award for 2023"

-FOSC worked with Samford University on "Samford Gives Back Day:"
     Removed invasive plants along Shades Creek with Paul Freeman
     Trail building at Homewood Forest Preserve with Dr. Jim Brown
     Rebuilding bridge at Homewood Forest Preserve with Ken Blackwood 
     (2nd bridge workday is Saturday, April 6)

-FOSC had a Creek Cleanup starting at western end of Greenway extension Trail 
  19 participants  

-Crestwood Blvd with Marybeth Nicodimus, 10 participants

-Cleanup in Bessemer/McCalla, Janice Barksdale, approx. 25-30 participants (end of Feb)

-Salamander Talk 1st graders at Montessori school in Homewood (end of Feb.)

Our total Volunteers was 72, Total hours worked was 163.5 for a total dollar value to our group of: $5,199.30 (This is just an estimate and does not include time at meetings)

Michelle -mkblackwood3@gmail.com

The Building Block - April 2024

The Building Block Spring Newsletter

 

April 2024

Now Enrolling!

BuildUP is now enrolling rising 9th and 10th grade students! Click link below to attend an Open House or to apply!

At BuildUP, students will acquire a career-focused education as well as skills in a high demand professional field.

They will also have the opportunity to gain 200 hours of job experience through internships, earn industry-recognized professional certifications, college credits through dual enrollment and receive high-wage job offers by graduation. Graduates can eventually become homeowners and begin accumulating wealth (via equity) and passive income.

Upcoming Dates in April

• Every Tuesday & Thursday in April: Open House

• 4/6: Gate City Festival 12pm - 3pm

• 4/6: Community Service: Newman Center 12pm -3pm

• 4/18: City as a Classroom with BCRI

• 4/23: Student Success Lunch & Learn + Declaration Day

• 4/29: UAB Green Initiative Excursion

Don't miss out on Play Like a Girl

Girls Inc. of Central Alabama's Committee of 25 is hosting

the 3rd Annual Play Like a Girl Adult Field Day competition

on Saturday, May 4, 2024

Team registration will be closing soon, but there is still time to join in on the fun! Be sure to get your team of 5 registered here between now and Friday, April 12th. This competition isn’t just for the gals; co-ed teams are welcome. We've got classic events like tug of war and relay races - plus ways to exercise your brain! Each team will compete for the Ruler of the Field title, Team Spirit award, and Fundraising Champion with prizes including tickets to area attractions, gift cards to local restaurants, passes to local fitness studios, and more!!!

Even if you don't want to join in on the competition on the field, we invite you to join us at our Crestwood Center from 10 AM - 2 PM to watch the games unfold. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy the day - there will be local food trucks (Chubbfathers, Gus's Hot Dogs, and more), free samples from Cahaba Brewing, a Kids' Zone, and music from DJ Smooth Productions! 

Don't miss out on Play Like a Girl!  All proceeds will support Girls Inc.’s mission to inspire all girls to be STRONG, SMART, & BOLD. 

Programs and Volunteer Opportunities at Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain, and Turkey Creek

March 2024 Program Offerings and Volunteer Opportunities 

Embrace spring with an exciting array of programs and volunteer opportunities at Ruffner Mountain, Turkey Creek, and Red Mountain! Discover the enchanting world of Tinkergarten, outdoor play tailor-made for little adventurers aged 1-5. Feel the exhilaration of Tuesday Night Trails, a weekly trail running experience. Bring your family together for Birding 101, where you'll learn beginner bird identification and participate in the bird youth challenge in collaboration with the BHM Zoo. And if you're eager to contribute, join our Volunteer Workdays—open to adults—as we gear up for our upcoming Native Plant Sale!

Your input matters! Whether you have a program idea or a specific volunteer request, we want to hear from you. Take a moment to complete our program survey or volunteer request form—your ideas could shape the future of our programming.

Gumbo Gala 2024 Volunteers Needed

Gumbo Gala is one month away! 

Want to be a volunteer? Sign-up with the link below 

Volunteer Sign-Up Form

We are so excited to be back this year and to bring the community a wonderful event that will continue to provide for our residents throughout the year.

Can't volunteer? We hope you can buy a ticket and stop by to taste some amazing gumbo! 

Purchase Gumbo Gala Tickets

Can't join us in person? Donate below and be sure to put Gumbo Gala in the comment section. 

Donate Here

Please reach out to me at aburgess@episcopalplace.org or (256) 499-2610 if you have any questions. 

The Power of Summer Scholarships for ASFA Students

Discover the Power of Transformation: Support Summer Scholarships for ASFA Students!

At the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA), we believe in nurturing the talents and dreams of our students. This summer, you can play a crucial role in transforming their lives by supporting scholarships for transformative summer programs.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Last summer Favor Buchi, a passionate ASFA Theatre student, was eager to participate in a professional production and gained valuable experience in the rigorous, real-world environment of the Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute in South Carolina.

"The opportunity to perform professionally as Miss Adelaide in SSTI’s production of Guys and Dolls allowed me to bring such a beautiful character to life through a black lens. This has made my dream of rewriting the “stereotypical” script in the musical theatre industry even closer. As I hold Broadway World’s South Carolina Award for Best Performer in a Musical, for this role, I am so blessed and thankful for the opportunity ASFA gave me to tell this story!"  - Favor Buchi, ASFA Theatre

Max Hudson, a gifted visual arts student, was excited to explore and enhance his artistic skills through a summer intensive. Stating, "the opportunity to explore animation and illustration enriched my arts education and inspired new possibilities for my artwork."

Your donation will help students like Favor and Max to access life-changing opportunities that will deepen their knowledge, broaden their horizons, and fuel their creativity. Whether it's providing financial aid for intensive summer programs or helping with other essential needs, your generosity can make a significant impact.

Join us in shaping the future of the arts by supporting transformative summer scholarships for ASFA students. Your donation can help unlock their potential and empower them to achieve their dreams. Together, we can create a brighter, more inspired world.

Please consider giving to support the success of ASFA students:

Central Alabama Pride 2024

June 1st - June 9th

Central Alabama Pride is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated dates for PRIDE 2024! We're set to kick off the celebrations on June 1st, with our vibrant Parade lighting up the streets on June 8th, followed by the joyous and inclusive Pride Fest on June 9th. This year, we're aiming to make PRIDE 2024 bigger, bolder, and brighter than ever before, but we can't do it without your help. By sponsoring PRIDE, you're not just supporting an event; you're championing equality, diversity, and the continued fight for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Your involvement means more than just financial support; it's a statement of solidarity and a commitment to fostering an environment of acceptance and love. Join us in making PRIDE 2024 an unforgettable celebration of love, diversity, and unity.

Vendor Applications: https://www.centralalabamapride.org/become-a-vendor

Parade Applications: https://www.centralalabamapride.org/parade

Sponsorship information: https://www.centralalabamapride.org/sponsors

Pride Guide Information: https://www.centralalabamapride.org/pride-guide

The Great Birmingham Bake Off 2024

3rd Annual GBBO

April 6, 2024

Once again it is time for the GREAT BIRMINGHAM BAKE-OFF!

Thanks to everyone who has helped make this a successful event in the past. We are looking forward to seeing you again this year! The GBBO will be held on April 6th from 2-4pm at Cahaba Brewing. We are going to have even more tables this year, so be sure to sign up on the website and get baking!

Click here to go to the website and start baking

Call for Teaching Artists - Space One Eleven Arts Center

Call for Teaching Artists - Summer Art Camps 2024

Space One Eleven is offering paid teaching positions to artists with previous teaching experience.

Summer Art Camps at Space One Eleven serve rising 2nd through 12th grade students.

Click here for more information and to apply.

For any additional questions please email christinalilly@spaceoneeleven.org

Birmingham Chinese New Year Gala on February 17th