🌱 BirthWell Partners Project + BPA Launches Plan To Improve Parking

Hello, everybody. It's Saturday in Birmingham and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around. High: 89 Low: 68.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. BirthWell Partners' community doula project offers a comprehensive five-day training program to empower individuals to serve underserved communities in Birmingham, where many women may lack health insurance or face financial constraints. The project received a generous $121,000 grant from the city, enabling the sponsorship of 32 work-study doula trainees and the provision of free services to 130 families. With a mission to support pregnant individuals with limited resources, BirthWell Partners has attended nearly 600 births across the state, primarily offering its services at reduced or no cost to families eligible for Medicaid. (WBHM)
2. In a bid to improve parking in downtown Birmingham, the Birmingham Parking Authority has unveiled a strategic plan aimed at enhancing the parking experience and meeting the demands of businesses and residents. To ensure a comprehensive approach, the BPA is collaborating with city officials, downtown businesses, and parking users through stakeholder meetings and surveys to gather valuable input. The plan focuses on supporting economic growth, establishing a unified parking experience, and harnessing technology for convenient and hassle-free parking solutions. (AL Reporter)
3. According to a study by Lawn Love, Birmingham has been identified as the most haunted major city in Alabama. The research ranked cities based on paranormal activity, with Birmingham and Mobile having high numbers of haunted hotels and cemeteries. However, Alabama overall offers fewer paranormal-themed events compared to other states, suggesting the potential to attract more tourists interested in supernatural experiences. (AL Public Radio)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Pepper Place Saturday Market At 2829 2nd Avenue South (7:00 AM)
• Mason Music Pop-Up At The Woodlawn Theater (10:00 AM)
• Magic City Wine Fest At Railroad Park (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Birmingham Zoo has welcomed two new residents, Bucee and Bandit, who are Dwarf Nigerian Goats. These adorable goats can be visited at the Children's Barn. (The Birmingham Zoo via Facebook)
• Good Dog Bar and Park is collaborating with the Greater Birmingham Humane Society to organize an adoption event today, May 13. Good Dog is a unique establishment that combines an off-leash park and daycare facility with a bar. Dogs can enjoy a fully covered turf play area equipped with tunnels for their amusement and exercise. (Events via Facebook)
• The Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex will host the Alabama Bridal and Wedding Expo next week, featuring a range of vendors from transportation and florists to jewelers. The event will begin at 1:00 p.m. and attendees will have the opportunity to win cash prizes and giveaways. (Bridal Shows Alabama)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.