🌱 Filmmaking Opportunities For Students + Excessive Heat Warnings

Hey, friends. I'm here with your Thursday edition of the Birmingham Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and hot. High: 94 Low: 74.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. The Birmingham City Schools is providing students with a summer intersession course that focuses on gaining real opportunities in film and learning from industry professionals. The program is powered by Dundrill Heights Motion Pictures and will include around 200 students at four separate campuses learning various different aspects of filmmaking, including writing, directing and acting. According to one of the filmmakers running the camp, even though students already have an understanding of media, their classes will help them look at the industry with a more critical eye. (ABC News)
2. On Tuesday, Jun. 27, a Birmingham man was arrested for a fatal shooting that happened last week. According to police records 20-year-old, Courtney Darnell Dennis was charged with the murder of 24-year-old, Jarvis Conley Jr. and is currently booked into Jefferson County Jail without bond. In addition, he's also been charged with attempted murder after wounding a woman nearby and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. (AL.com)
3. Central Alabama has been experiencing near record-high temperatures in the triple digits all week long with a heat index close to 110 degrees. According to meteorologists, Birmingham's high on Tuesday was 93 degrees, exceeding the normal temperature compared to last June by at least five to ten degrees. As the week continues, an excessive heat warning remains in place through Thursday and Friday. (WVTM)

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Today in Birmingham:

Thursday, June 29

• Magic City Summer Fest At George W Carver High School (4:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Father's Day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we have to stop celebrating rad dads, past and present. Patch partnered with T-Mobile to shine a light on exceptional fathers in communities like Birmingham. Click here to meet 13 awesome dads and learn more about the legacies they're leaving behind.

From my notebook:

• The Birmingham Public Library will be showcasing the work of a talented local artist through the end of July. Leon Miller Jr. is a self-taught painter who has created more than 400 paintings in two years that are currently available for purchase while visiting the exhibit. (CBS42.com)
• Looking for a place to catch the fireworks next week in honor of Independence Day? Birmingham has a variety of shows and events happening throughout the city where residents will be able to view stunning displays taking over the Alabama skies. (Bham Now)
• With temperatures continuing to rise, it's important to understand the signs of heat-related illnesses and how to take preventative measures. Local pediatrician, Dr. Amy McCollum, a pediatrician with Children's of Alabama, says that kids may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, so recognizing certain signs could be a life-saving tactic. (WBRC)

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

— 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.