Blue Ribbon Schools + Rental Assistance Funds

Get on up, Birmingham! It's Thursday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on around town today. I saw on the Twitters yesterday that a bunch of you were affected by or at least noticed the road block on Montclair Road yesterday. Well, that was the result of two guys who were shooting at each other in an apartment complex behind the Sonic. Luckily, no one was hurt. Also in the news, a couple of Birmingham metro elementary schools were named Blue Ribbon Schools, which is pretty awesome. There's more to tell, but I'll let you read below.

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First, today's weather:

Clear throughout the day. High: 73 Low: 49.

Here are the top stories today in Birmingham:

1. Free COVID-19 testing is now offered at the Brother Bryan Mission homeless shelter in Birmingham. Officials say COVID-19 cases are rising among Birmingham's homeless population. (WVTM13)
2. This is a great story — former Birmingham Promise student Jarvis Prewitt learns from and bonds with his mentor during his Alabama Power internship. (Alabama NewsCenter)
3. Five Alabama schools were honored as Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday, two of which are elementary schools in the Birmingham metro area. (Alabama Patch)
4. Montclair Road in the Eastwood area was blocked off for more than two hours and businesses were on lockdown while a shootout occurred at an apartment complex nearby. Two people have been arrested in the incident. (Birmingham Patch)
5. The Birmingham Urban League still has money available for rental and utility assistance in Jefferson County. The organization's goal is to give out at least 65 percent of $9 million in rental assistance by the end of September. (Alabama's News Leader)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Unity of Birmingham in the Highland Park neighborhood has brought back their weekly community event, Unity Market, with produce, arts and crafts and more. (4 p.m.)
• Paul Thorn is playing live at the Lyric Theatre, with some COVID-19 precautions in place before entering the building. (7 p.m.)
• Comedian Ricky Smiley is performing at the Stardome Comedy Club in Hoover tonight. (7 p.m.)
• Opening night for ACTA's presentation of "Little Shop of Horrors" begins in Trussville. You don't want to miss out on this amazing musical. (7 p.m.)
• Scantron 5000 is "bar trivia from the future" with real-life prizes hosted by the one and only David Smith. Come to Saturn and test your knowledge! (8 p.m.)

Birmingham Patch Notebook

• Check this out: Mayor Randall Woodfin spoke to the University of Alabama football team this week! (Twitter)
• Chez Fonfon toasts the first day of autumn with a little Chardonnay and these escargots with shallot & garlic butter. #Escargots #LaPetiteCuisine #BhamEats #FonfonBham" (Instagram)
• Thanks to the swift response of officers from the Birmingham PD South Precinct, two suspects were arrested after crashing a vehicle into Zydeco located at 2001 15th Street South. Officers apprehended the suspects prior to them fleeing the scene on foot. (Facebook)
• Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department would like to thank Fire Station 21 and the Public Education staff for making this young man's 3 year old birthday dream come true. #ExcellenceThroughService #BFRS #thefutureisbright" (Facebook)
• The Birmingham Zoo celebrated WORLD RHINO DAY! Today the world celebrated five species of rhinos – white and black rhinos in Africa, and the greater one-horned, Javan and Sumatran rhino species in Asia. (Facebook)

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That's it for today. I'll see you soon! If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Michael Seale

About me: I am a lifelong Alabama resident with more than two decades of media under my belt. I have worked for a daily newspaper, a weekly newspaper, a monthly magazine, a television station and a couple of radio stations. I also tried my hand at marketing for a little while. But I love writing news. This opportunity to bring Patch to Birmingham is a chance for my hometown to benefit from a new - and better - way to read and receive news.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Birmingham Daily? I'm all ears. You can reach me at michael.seale@patch.com.