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New A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Clubhouse Nears Completion

BIRMINGHAM TIMES — For more than 50 years, the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club has been serving youths from Bessemer and Birmingham’s west side. But now may be the most exciting time in the club’s history. Two years ago, the club launched its “Building Their Future” capital campaign to develop a new facility, adjacent to the Birmingham CrossPlex. In just a few months, club leaders will open the doors at the new Walter Howlett Jr. Clubhouse.

Published

7 years ago

August 21, 2019

Oakland Post

The new A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club clubhouse will have nearly twice the capacity as the Kirkwood R. Balton Clubhouse it is replacing. (contributed)

By Michael Sznajderman

For more than 50 years, the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club has been serving youths from Bessemer and Birmingham’s west side. But now may be the most exciting time in the club’s history.

Two years ago, the club launched its “Building Their Future” capital campaign to develop a new facility, adjacent to the Birmingham CrossPlex. In just a few months, club leaders will open the doors at the new Walter Howlett Jr. Clubhouse.

The new, bigger facility, which is nearing completion, will replace the club’s aging and overcrowded Kirkwood R. Balton Clubhouse, with enough space to accommodate up to 450 children and youths – nearly twice the capacity of the old clubhouse. The A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club serves more than 1,000 children and teens annually at three clubhouses and provides after-school transportation from 19 schools in the Birmingham school system.

The new clubhouse is named after Howlett, the former president and CEO of A.G. Gaston Enterprises and the club’s longtime former board chairman. A well-known businessman and civic leader, Howlett died in 2017 at age 68.

“Walter Howlett Jr. was a visionary,” said Frank Adams, the club’s CEO. “He was a tireless advocate for our club’s mission, which included positively impacting young people who needed us most, regardless of their circumstances.

“Walter never forgot the power a child has to change our world, and this new clubhouse was built with his legacy of community service in mind,” Adams added.

The new, 25,000-square-foot clubhouse will offer several features not available at the old facility, including a dedicated teen center, a café with a connected teaching kitchen and a permanent performance space. A multi-sport gym, game room, music and theater room, art room and administrative offices also are included, as well as an outdoor pavilion, teaching garden and a multi-sport “Dream Court.”

Adams said the first floor of the new clubhouse will be dedicated to the developmental needs of youths ages 6-12, while the second floor will serve teens ages 13-18 – with multiple spaces for them “to learn, explore and build bright futures.”

The new club is also in a more accessible location, and directly across the street from a neighborhood branch of the Birmingham Public Library.

Club board member Jonathan Porter, a senior vice president at Alabama Power, grew up going to the club’s Bessemer location. “I witnessed firsthand what the organization does in the lives of young people,” he said.

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“One of their campaign slogans is, ‘Great Futures Start Here’ and I can attribute some of my success to things I learned at the club,” Porter said. “This new clubhouse will allow the organization to not only continue its mission but grow it.”

Alabama Power Vice President Terry Smiley serves on the club’s board and chairs its Advisory Council. He’s thrilled to see the progress and what it means for the children and teens who will soon occupy the new clubhouse.

“I am so excited about the impact the new facility will have on the youth in the Birmingham community,” Smiley said. “Every aspect of the club was planned with an emphasis on maximizing the experience for the youth being served. The new location provides greater visibility for the club and will hopefully attract more participants that will reap the benefits of its programs and offerings.”

Alabama Power and the Alabama Power Foundation have been longtime supporters of the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club, including the new clubhouse project. The Alabama Power Service Organization also has supported the club with volunteers.

“We have consistently supported this organization and its mission because we know the difference it makes in the community, which makes our state better,” Porter said.

Adams praised the company and its foundation for their commitment to the club.

“The dream of the Howlett Clubhouse is becoming reality that would not have occurred without partners like Alabama Power and the Alabama Power Foundation,” Adams said. “The support our club has received over the years enables us to peer into the future with great confidence and hope. Our team is excited about our continued shared vision for youth in our community.”

For more information about the Walter Howlett Jr. Clubhouse project, or to donate to the club’s Building Their Future campaign, visit www.aggbgc.org.

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
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Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
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“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
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AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

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Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

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The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Mazda CX-90 interior with heated seats offering premium comfort.

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