What Do You Do When Your Significant Other Just Can't Get Enough Of The Game? Do You Pull The Plug?

The hit stage play, Twana Bond-Jones' Game Over, (www.gameoverstageplay.com) opens Sunday, April 22, 2012 at the historic Carver Theater, 1631 4^th Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35203.

 Nadine and Travis are a married couple who find themselves in a struggle against time and the lack of attention. She's a sassy, professional who wants it all and he is a blue collar, ruff neck, addicted to PS3. On their one, very rare, same day off, she is eager to spend time together, but she just can't seem to get him away from the game. She gets fed up, which ultimately leads to his awakening or their demise.

 Game Over is a Dramedy you don't want to miss! It will pull on your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone!

 Game Over is an exciting new family play written by Author, Playwright, Poet and Artist, Twana Bond-Jones. It focuses on the marital relationship, christian values and the need for communication. It is the story of a woman who has an emotionally distant spouse due to his growing addiction to video gaming. The play takes an in depth look as they attempt to tackle their challenges. Through a display of Christian values and principles, Game Over depicts the union of two individuals, each with a different set of expectations concerning marriage.

 “Creativity needs to be shared and that is why it was so important to me to write and bring such a unique and compelling story to the stage. Gaming addiction is a growing cause of divorce in this country and choosing to tackle this issue, in this manner, is my attempt at giving a voice to the many people who are going through it and who may feel alone”, said Twana Bond-Jones.

 For tickets and more information about Game Over, visit www.gameoverstageplay.com.

 Twana Bond-Jones, (November 14), born and raised in New York City, is a nationally acclaimed novelist, owner of the Poetic Art Press Publishing House and Founder of the Essence of Color Annual Art Show. Twana has had many achievements such as being featured in the 2011 Who's Who's in Black Alabama, a successful art exhibit entitled “Haiti Lives” at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and recipient of the 2011 Best in Minority Business Award. She created the Poetic Art Press: Annual Writer's Symposium as well as the Annual Alabama Book Fair.

 Press & Media Contact

Twana Bond-Jones

poeticartpress@yahoo.com

            205-936-9665      

The Bethesda Life Center & Media for Health

What: Drama to Live By: Brown Bag Lunch-drama groups

When: Friday, April 27^th at Noon

Where: 321 19^th Street Ensley, Al

Why: The one-hour drama group will feature the Camberwell radio drama and will be followed by a group discussion, which is facilitated by a guest speaker. The radio drama focuses on health issues including, physical fitness, obesity, heart-healthy cooking, the effects of second hand smoke, and walkable communities. Such dialogue is crucial in increasing awareness of behaviors that promote a healthier lifestyle.

Thank you for your continued support for the community outreach efforts at The Bethesda!

Arnisha F. Jordan

TBLC, Community Outreach Intern

onbiology@gmail.com

205.413.9094

The 14th Annual Sickle Cell Walk will be held on Saturday, May 5th, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. – 12 noon at historic Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham, AL. Join us for family fun, food, and entertainment while we raise funds for a worthy cause. Chief Ivor Brooks of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service is the Honorary Chairman.

Sickle Cell Walk registration is $25.00 for age 18 and older and $15.00 for age 17 and under. Registration fee includes an official Walk T-Shirt, free refreshments, and entertainment.

Contact the Central Alabama Sickle Cell Foundation, at 205-780-2355 or toll-free 1-800-735-0405

8:30-5:30, Monday – Friday
or via email at info@sicklecellbham.org

CENTRAL ALABAMA SICKLE CELL FOUNDATION
3813 AVENUE I
BIRMINGHAM, AL 35218

WWW.SICKLECELLBHAM.ORG

The Birmingham City Council presents the
"Annual Neighborhood - Small Business Economic Development Summit"

Sponsored by: City of Birmingham

Councilor Lashunda Scales, Event Chair

Event Info:

Monday, April 2, 2012 

Doors Open: 4PM

Summit Time: 6PM - 9:30PM

BJCC - North Exhibition Hall

FREE AND OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!

*NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED*

Event Theme: Business Success - Failure, Is Not An Option! 

Event Objective: 

• To stimulate local business growth through viable Economic Development partnership opportunities
• To provide business retention and expansion strategies
• To promote ‘inward’ investments
• To encourage NEW business enterprise
• To advance the local business investment climate

Summit Speakers include, but not limited to:

TOM TODT - SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - SBA 

ROBERT DICKERSON - BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS RESOURCE - BBRC

DR. TERESA OROK - ALABAMA A & M - CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

DAVID FLEMING - OPERATION NEW BIRMINGHAM 

BRANDON WILSON - WILBRON INSTITUTE - PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM

Playground Installation at Antioch Baptist Church in Pratt City:

The date for installation is on Thursday, May 3, and the company has asked for 200 volunteers. They are asking for everyone to be there around 7:00 am until 3:00 pm. A good number of men will be needed for Prep Days on Tuesday and Wednesday to help unload equipment.  The best way to register or for further information is to contact their church ministry assistant, Jacque Nash, at cjacque123@cs.com.

Are you ready to change your thinking and change your life? Then join Creflo Dollar for one of the 2012 Change Experiences in a city near you! These life-altering manifestations of God's Word are delivered with practical understanding that will leave you changed forever! Below, you will see links to register and read testimonies from those whose lives were impacted by what they received at previous sessions.

You will discover the keys to acquiring character, hope and answers necessary for growth and excellence. The purpose of these meetings is to equip you with the tools you need to transform your thinking, and produce real results in your life. Learn how to position yourself to receive every promise from God by simply making adjustments in your thought life. Come fellowship with other Believers in a faith-filled atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there.

As you may know, AARP is launching “You’ve Earned A Say”,  a national initiative to discuss how to protect today’s seniors and keep Medicare and Social Security strong for future generations. During the next several months, AARP will be listening to voters and talking to them about different proposals on the table. We want to make sure Alabamians are heard.

To do this, we need volunteers like you to lead small listening sessions in your area.

We are hosting a volunteer training session from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 13 in Montgomery.   If you or someone you know would like to volunteer to support the You’ve Earned A Say initiative, please email or contact me by Friday, March 9 to register for the training.  

Each volunteer  – or volunteer team (more fun with a friend or two) – will be responsible for reaching at least 20 people by leading two You’ve Earned A Say listening sessions.

Below are the schedule of listening sessions scheduled in March that will kickoff You’ve Earned a Say in Alabama. I hope you can attend one of them to give you an idea of what we want to do throughout the state, but on a much smaller scale. And please, pass the flyer along to your friends.

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You’ve earned a say in the future of Medicare and Social Security and we want to hear from you. AARP is taking the debate from behind closed doors in Washington so you can have a voice.

Please join us at one of these events near you and we will make sure your voice is heard.

Reservations strongly requested. Seating is limited. 

Call 1-877-926-8300 to register for one of these events or click on the event below to register online:

MONTGOMERY

March 19

11 a.m.

Complimentary Lunch

Crump Senior Center

1751 Congressman Dickinson Dr., Montgomery, AL       36109

BIRMINGHAM

March 21

11:30 a.m.

Complimentary Lunch

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223

BIRMINGHAM

March 22

5 – 7 p.m. (Must be 21+)

After Hours Mixer, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and 1 free drink

Wine Loft

2200 1^st Ave. N., Birmingham, AL  35203

MOBILE

March 26

11:00 a.m.

Complimentary lunch catered by Imperial Catering

Hillcrest Senior Center

3201 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Al 36695

HUNTSVILLE

March 28

11:30 a.m.

Complimentary Lunch catered by Reese Covington’s Rock House

Huntsville Botanical Gardens

4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805

Keep up with what AARP Alabama is doing. Visit our website, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Here is an opportunity to give towards ending child hunger, in partnership with ConAgra Foods: http://www.childhungerendshere.com

Join us at the "Drama to Live By" Brown Bag Lunches on Fridays at 12pm. The drama groups will feature the Camberwell radiodrama and will be followed by a group discussion facilitated by a guest speaker. Within the radio drama, health issues are interwoven in the story line, which will be further discussed by the facilitator. The health issues include, physical fitness, obesity, heart-healthy cook, the effects of 2nd hand smoke, and walkable communities.

Our next date will be this coming Friday, March 2nd at 12pm at The Bethesda Life Center. Dramas are held every other Friday, the remaining dates are as follows: March 16th, March 30th, April 13th, April 27th, May 11th, May 25th.

--

Shermetria Massingale

Program Coordinator

Media for Health

2917 Central Ave

Birmingham, Alabama 35209

(205) 870-9422

www.mediaforhealth.org

shermetria@mediaforhealth.org

Habitat will build a 4 bedroom home on Railroad Street in Phil Campbell.  Habitat's looking for volunteers through April 2012. Below is the tentative time line and Habitat is working on specific duties laid out by the week and not the day.  Keep in mind this schedule is somewhat flexible and allows for more to be accomplished in a shorter time frame – approximately 45 days.

March 12^th week **1^st week of General Volunteers** - Insulation, Siding, Sheetrock

March 19^th week – Finish Sheetrock, Painting

March 26^th week - **SPRING BREAK** week – Doors, Trim, Finish Elect. & Plumbing, Landscaping, Paint

April 2^nd week – Flooring, Shelving, punch list, etc.

If you would like to volunteer for the Phil Campbell Habitat build, please email the day(s) you are interested in volunteering, # of volunteers and contact information for individuals as well as groups to debryan4@gmail.com.  You can also contact David Cooper, Director, [Marion County] Habitat for Humanity at (205) 412-1626 to provide the above information or with questions.  Starting time may vary depending on the task for each day, this will be confirmed when we are made aware of the date(s) you are looking to volunteer.

Thank you for your support! 

Julie Schoening

State Emergency Mngt. Program Manager, Alabama

American Red Cross

South Area

(205) 907-9452 (c)

SchoeningJ@usa.redcross.org

President, Alabama VOAD