🌱 Black History Month Events In Birmingham + Bayview Lake Body IDed

Hello all! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Birmingham Patch newsletter, full of all the community information you need to know right now.

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But first, today's weather:

Clouds and sun. High: 67 Low: 54.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. The Birmingham Public Library is celebrating Black History Month with more than 70 events at its branch locations. Now through the end of the month, the library will be hosting programs, exhibits, and displays, including DNA Testing for African Ethnicities on Feb. 15 at the Central Library and a Black Love Matters Quilting event featuring LeVerne Holbdy Little on Feb. 22. Click the link to view a schedule of all the upcoming events. (AL.com)
2. A body was found on Sunday afternoon in Bayview Lake; the victim has since been identified. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office confirmed that the body belonged to the missing kayaker Richard Fields, who was reported missing on Jan. 30. The cause of death is under investigation. (WVTM13 Birmingham)
3. A local Birmingham bar has apologized after it displayed a movie that depicted a KKK lynching. Tin Roof, located in Birmingham’s Lakeview area, is facing backlash after a social media post went viral showing racist images playing on a television inside the bar allegedly on Saturday night. According to a statement from the bar, an employee changed the television after the basketball games ended and was unaware of the programming that followed. (WIAT - CBS42.com)

Today in Birmingham:

• Basketball Open Play, At Levite Jewish Community Center (6:00 AM)
• Black History Storywalk, At Springville Road Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Beethoven’s Third Symphony: Eroica, At Jemison Concert Hall (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you on the hunt for a new job? There are plenty of local employers in the Birmingham area who are hiring. Check out all the available job listings at the link! (Birmingham Patch)
• The US National Weather Service of Birmingham, Alabama shared tips on creating an emergency kit! Gather items listed on the graphic (available at the link), place them in your bag, and leave the bag in a safe place or somewhere easily accessible — that's it! (US National Weather Service Birmingham Alabama via Facebook)
• Looking for a unique piece to add to your art collection? Look no further than this one-of-a-kind creation by local artist Henley Doss! Bid here and support the mission of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Click here to bid; bidding ends on Feb. 8 at 8:00 p.m. (Greater Birmingham Humane Society via Facebook)
• According to a new Bumper.com study, Alabama ranked No. 13 in the nation for driver fatality rates at 23.10 percent. Could our automated red light and speed cameras be playing a role? See how our state stacks up against the rest of the country in the report. (Bumper.com)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.