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Council District three
Crestwood South, East Avondale, Five Points South, Forest Park/South Avondale, Glen Iris, Highland Park, Redmont Park
Valerie A. Abbott
Birmingham City Councilor Valerie A. Abbott is Chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee, and a member of the Budget and Finance and Community Development Committees.
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Biography
With the future of the City of Birmingham at the forefront, Councilor Abbott has been a champion of The Comprehensive Plan. The plan will set out a 20-year policy and strategic framework for the City of Birmingham.
Her seemingly endless schedule of neighborhood meetings and community events is her way of learning about the needs and concerns of citizens throughout Birmingham and ensures that she is knowledgeable when issues affecting various neighborhoods come before the City Council.
Councilor Abbott serves on the boards of the Birmingham Planning Commission, Birmingham Tree Commission, Birmingham Historical Society, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and has served as Chairman of the Board of the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham.
She has collaborated with her fellow councilors and city staff to revise ordinances regulating noise, smoking, and fences. An avid gardener and nature enthusiast, her pursuit of neighborhood health and revitalization has resulted in two community gardens, including a national award-winning project in East Avondale. She is a proponent of all things green, including Birmingham’s recycling program, which is experiencing a rebirth.
Her credentials include a Bachelor’s Degree from the School of Architecture and Fine Arts at Auburn University and a Masters Degree in Public and Private Management from Birmingham Southern College. As an employee of AT&T Services, Inc. for the past 44 years, Councilor Abbott has deep roots in the community’s business sector as well as within its neighborhoods. The recipient of numerous volunteer awards from groups ranging from the Civitan Club to the Birmingham Tree Commission, Councilor Abbott was named Birmingham’s “Unsung Hero” in 1993.
District Contact Info
For District Schools
MARY BOEHM, BOARD MEMBER, DISTRICT 3
SCHOOLS:
Avondale Elementary
Glen Iris Elementary
WebsiteCommittee Links
District Related NEWS
District Related Events
Birmingham 365 Events
Space One Eleven City Center Art After School Classes for 2nd-12th Graders
01-11-2025
05-12-2025
Presented by Space One Eleven at Space One Eleven, Birmingham
Tue, May 06 @ 12:00 am Wed, May 07 @ 12:00 am Sat, May 10 @ 12:00 am Mon, May 12 @ 12:00 am - less dates and times
City Center Art is Space One Eleven’s afterschool studio art program for students of all skill levels and is designed to build visual communication skills and foster creative thinking. Through individually conceived projects and...
[more+]City Center Art is Space One Eleven’s afterschool studio art program for students of all skill levels and is designed to build visual communication skills and foster creative thinking. Through individually conceived projects and collaborations, young artists learn the elements of art and principles of design, strengthen foundation skills, and further their understanding of art criticism, art theory, and art history.
Grades 2-3: Tuesday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Grades 4-5: Monday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Grades 6-8: Wednesday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Grades 9-12: Saturday, 10:00am - 1:00pm
[less-]Tags: Classes + Workshop, Design, Elementary, Family + Camps, For Teens, Great for Families, Pre-Teens, Visual Arts, Art + Stage
Birmingham Barons vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos
04-30-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by Birmingham Barons at Regions Field, BirminghamBirmingham Barons vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Birmingham Barons vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos
[less-]Tags: Sports + Rec
Intro to Ceramics: Throwing
04-09-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by MAKEbhm at MAKEbhm, BirminghamLearn the basics of creating ceramic pieces on the wheel from Bethany Bible. This four-week course will focus on throwing clay on the wheel, trimming your pieces, and glazing. This is a great option for those who have joined us in a previous...
[more+]Learn the basics of creating ceramic pieces on the wheel from Bethany Bible. This four-week course will focus on throwing clay on the wheel, trimming your pieces, and glazing. This is a great option for those who have joined us in a previous course & beginners. Kids 12 and up are welcome if signed up with an adult. The studio will have everything you need for class.
[less-]Tags: Crafts + Makers, Classes + Workshop
Wednesday Group Keyboard Class (K-2nd) w/ Ahmun Miles
02-19-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by UAB Art's ArtPlay at ArtPlay House: Community Art Education, BirminghamJoin our fun and engaging small group keyboard class designed for elementary students! With only 4 students per class, each child receives personalized attention from our experienced instructor. Students will learn the layout of the keyboard,...
[more+]Join our fun and engaging small group keyboard class designed for elementary students! With only 4 students per class, each child receives personalized attention from our experienced instructor. Students will learn the layout of the keyboard, basic music theory, and how to play simple songs. They will also be introduced to reading sheet music and developing proper techniques all while participating in interactive activities and performance opportunities. This class is perfect for young beginners eager to explore the world of music in a friendly and supportive setting. Artist Bio: Ahmun Miles, a classically trained pianist from Birmingham/Bessemer, Alabama, brings over 18 years of musical expertise to her students as the owner and head instructor of Piamistry. An accomplished musician, Miles is a member of the Birmingham Music Teachers Association and the National Federated Music Club, earning superior and excellent ratings in music theory and performance. With a background in Music Theory and Performance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she has been recognized as a Steinway and Sons Educational Partner and was named Samford University Lecturer of the Year in 2023.
[less-]Tags: Family + Camps, Elementary
Group Keyboard Class (6th-12th) w/ Ahmun Miles
02-19-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by UAB Art's ArtPlay at ArtPlay House: Community Art Education, BirminghamJoin our dynamic small group keyboard class designed for middle and high school students! With only 4 students per class, each participant receives personalized instruction from our experienced teacher. Students will delve into advanced music...
[more+]Join our dynamic small group keyboard class designed for middle and high school students! With only 4 students per class, each participant receives personalized instruction from our experienced teacher. Students will delve into advanced music theory, complex rhythms, and scales, while also learning to play more challenging pieces. They will also enhance their sight-reading skills, develop sophisticated techniques, and explore improvisation and composition. Interactive activities and performance opportunities will keep students engaged and motivated. This class is ideal for young musicians looking to deepen their keyboard skills in a supportive and stimulating environment.
[less-]Tags: Pre-Teens, Family + Camps
ZUMBA
04-09-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by Railroad Park at Railroad Park, BirminghamZumba is a Latin inspired dance fitness class that blends basic dance moves with aerobic steps. Zumba is fun, energizing, and easy to follow.
Zumba is a Latin inspired dance fitness class that blends basic dance moves with aerobic steps. Zumba is fun, energizing, and easy to follow.
[less-]Tags: Outdoor Recreation, Health + Wellness
Intro to Ceramics: Throwing
04-09-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by MAKEbhm at MAKEbhm, BirminghamLearn the basics of creating ceramic pieces on the wheel from Bethany Bible. This four-week course will focus on throwing clay on the wheel, trimming your pieces, and glazing. This is a great option for those who have joined us in a previous...
[more+]Learn the basics of creating ceramic pieces on the wheel from Bethany Bible. This four-week course will focus on throwing clay on the wheel, trimming your pieces, and glazing. This is a great option for those who have joined us in a previous course & beginners. Kids 12 and up are welcome if signed up with an adult. The studio will have everything you need for class.
[less-]Tags: Crafts + Makers, Classes + Workshop
April Book + Film Club: Alabama Artist Bill Traylor
04-30-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by Sidewalk Film Festival + Center at Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, BirminghamSidewalk’s Book + Film Club unites movie and book lovers for a monthly film screening and discussion about famous films and the people who make them. At the end of the month, we host a screening of a film related to the book and host a...
[more+]Sidewalk’s Book + Film Club unites movie and book lovers for a monthly film screening and discussion about famous films and the people who make them. At the end of the month, we host a screening of a film related to the book and host a round-table discussion. Each session is $35 and the includes book, film screening, and discussion. Buy 3 or more months at once with the book included and get 10% off your registration by using code ‘3ormore' at checkout! Already have the book? Select the $15 option for access to the film screening and post film discussion.
Registration Deadline to have books mailed: Friday, April 4th. Books will be mailed within 72 hours of this date.
Registration Deadline to have books picked up: Monday, April 21st. Books can be picked up from our Box Office during our regular operating hours Thursday & Friday from 2pm til Close and on Saturday & Sunday from 10:30am until close. You will receive an email when your book is ready to be picked up.
Book: Bill Traylor by Valérie Rousseau, Debra Purden
Born into slavery around 1853-4 on a cotton plantation in Benton, Alabama, Traylor has become one of the most important self-taught artists of the twentieth century, and certainly one of the most celebrated African-American artists. The story of Bill Traylor’s life and work is a remarkable one and is a story that deserves attention both nationally and internationally. This publication, generously illustrated with full-page high-quality reproductions, provides a close examination of Traylor’s recurrent themes, composition schemes, favored iconography, and contextual information related to the artist’s biography, creative process and tools, visual environment, and artistic mindset.
Film: Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts (2019) dir Jeffery Wolf
An inventive feature documentary capturing the vivid life of Bill Traylor, who in his late 80s, living homeless on the street in the thriving segregated black neighborhood of Montgomery, produced a body of extraordinary art. Born into slavery in 1853 on a cotton plantation in rural Alabama, Traylor witnessed profound social and political change during his life spanning slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow segregation, and the Great Migration. In his later years, Traylor poured out those memories from within, drawing and painting over 1,000 pieces of art from 1939-42. Using historic and cultural context, the film is designed to bring the spirit and mystery of Traylor’s incomparable art to life. Tap dance, evocative period and original music, and dramatic readings are used in surprising ways in the film, balanced with insightful perspectives from Traylor family members and expert interviews. Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts explores the life of a unique American artist, a man with a remarkable and unlikely biography. The film is a compelling human narrative that gives voice to a man who endures a long life of extreme hardships during an era of legalized racial indignities, to become one of America’s most prominent artists, exhibited in museums and collections worldwide.
Private screening and discussion will take place at Sidewalk Cinema April 30th at 7:00pm.
[less-]Tags: Film, Literature, Books + Film
Space One Eleven City Center Art After School Classes for 2nd-12th Graders
01-11-2025
05-12-2025
Presented by Space One Eleven at Space One Eleven, Birmingham
Tue, May 06 @ 12:00 am Wed, May 07 @ 12:00 am Sat, May 10 @ 12:00 am Mon, May 12 @ 12:00 am - less dates and times
City Center Art is Space One Eleven’s afterschool studio art program for students of all skill levels and is designed to build visual communication skills and foster creative thinking. Through individually conceived projects and...
[more+]City Center Art is Space One Eleven’s afterschool studio art program for students of all skill levels and is designed to build visual communication skills and foster creative thinking. Through individually conceived projects and collaborations, young artists learn the elements of art and principles of design, strengthen foundation skills, and further their understanding of art criticism, art theory, and art history.
Grades 2-3: Tuesday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Grades 4-5: Monday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Grades 6-8: Wednesday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Grades 9-12: Saturday, 10:00am - 1:00pm
[less-]Tags: Classes + Workshop, Design, Elementary, Family + Camps, For Teens, Great for Families, Pre-Teens, Visual Arts, Art + Stage
Birmingham Barons vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos
04-30-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by Birmingham Barons at Regions Field, BirminghamBirmingham Barons vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Birmingham Barons vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos
[less-]Tags: Sports + Rec
Intro to Ceramics: Throwing
04-09-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by MAKEbhm at MAKEbhm, BirminghamLearn the basics of creating ceramic pieces on the wheel from Bethany Bible. This four-week course will focus on throwing clay on the wheel, trimming your pieces, and glazing. This is a great option for those who have joined us in a previous...
[more+]Learn the basics of creating ceramic pieces on the wheel from Bethany Bible. This four-week course will focus on throwing clay on the wheel, trimming your pieces, and glazing. This is a great option for those who have joined us in a previous course & beginners. Kids 12 and up are welcome if signed up with an adult. The studio will have everything you need for class.
[less-]Tags: Crafts + Makers, Classes + Workshop
Wednesday Group Keyboard Class (K-2nd) w/ Ahmun Miles
02-19-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by UAB Art's ArtPlay at ArtPlay House: Community Art Education, BirminghamJoin our fun and engaging small group keyboard class designed for elementary students! With only 4 students per class, each child receives personalized attention from our experienced instructor. Students will learn the layout of the keyboard,...
[more+]Join our fun and engaging small group keyboard class designed for elementary students! With only 4 students per class, each child receives personalized attention from our experienced instructor. Students will learn the layout of the keyboard, basic music theory, and how to play simple songs. They will also be introduced to reading sheet music and developing proper techniques all while participating in interactive activities and performance opportunities. This class is perfect for young beginners eager to explore the world of music in a friendly and supportive setting. Artist Bio: Ahmun Miles, a classically trained pianist from Birmingham/Bessemer, Alabama, brings over 18 years of musical expertise to her students as the owner and head instructor of Piamistry. An accomplished musician, Miles is a member of the Birmingham Music Teachers Association and the National Federated Music Club, earning superior and excellent ratings in music theory and performance. With a background in Music Theory and Performance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she has been recognized as a Steinway and Sons Educational Partner and was named Samford University Lecturer of the Year in 2023.
[less-]Tags: Family + Camps, Elementary
Group Keyboard Class (6th-12th) w/ Ahmun Miles
02-19-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by UAB Art's ArtPlay at ArtPlay House: Community Art Education, BirminghamJoin our dynamic small group keyboard class designed for middle and high school students! With only 4 students per class, each participant receives personalized instruction from our experienced teacher. Students will delve into advanced music...
[more+]Join our dynamic small group keyboard class designed for middle and high school students! With only 4 students per class, each participant receives personalized instruction from our experienced teacher. Students will delve into advanced music theory, complex rhythms, and scales, while also learning to play more challenging pieces. They will also enhance their sight-reading skills, develop sophisticated techniques, and explore improvisation and composition. Interactive activities and performance opportunities will keep students engaged and motivated. This class is ideal for young musicians looking to deepen their keyboard skills in a supportive and stimulating environment.
[less-]Tags: Pre-Teens, Family + Camps
ZUMBA
04-09-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by Railroad Park at Railroad Park, BirminghamZumba is a Latin inspired dance fitness class that blends basic dance moves with aerobic steps. Zumba is fun, energizing, and easy to follow.
Zumba is a Latin inspired dance fitness class that blends basic dance moves with aerobic steps. Zumba is fun, energizing, and easy to follow.
[less-]Tags: Outdoor Recreation, Health + Wellness
Intro to Ceramics: Throwing
04-09-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by MAKEbhm at MAKEbhm, BirminghamLearn the basics of creating ceramic pieces on the wheel from Bethany Bible. This four-week course will focus on throwing clay on the wheel, trimming your pieces, and glazing. This is a great option for those who have joined us in a previous...
[more+]Learn the basics of creating ceramic pieces on the wheel from Bethany Bible. This four-week course will focus on throwing clay on the wheel, trimming your pieces, and glazing. This is a great option for those who have joined us in a previous course & beginners. Kids 12 and up are welcome if signed up with an adult. The studio will have everything you need for class.
[less-]Tags: Crafts + Makers, Classes + Workshop
April Book + Film Club: Alabama Artist Bill Traylor
04-30-2025
04-30-2025
Presented by Sidewalk Film Festival + Center at Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, BirminghamSidewalk’s Book + Film Club unites movie and book lovers for a monthly film screening and discussion about famous films and the people who make them. At the end of the month, we host a screening of a film related to the book and host a...
[more+]Sidewalk’s Book + Film Club unites movie and book lovers for a monthly film screening and discussion about famous films and the people who make them. At the end of the month, we host a screening of a film related to the book and host a round-table discussion. Each session is $35 and the includes book, film screening, and discussion. Buy 3 or more months at once with the book included and get 10% off your registration by using code ‘3ormore' at checkout! Already have the book? Select the $15 option for access to the film screening and post film discussion.
Registration Deadline to have books mailed: Friday, April 4th. Books will be mailed within 72 hours of this date.
Registration Deadline to have books picked up: Monday, April 21st. Books can be picked up from our Box Office during our regular operating hours Thursday & Friday from 2pm til Close and on Saturday & Sunday from 10:30am until close. You will receive an email when your book is ready to be picked up.
Book: Bill Traylor by Valérie Rousseau, Debra Purden
Born into slavery around 1853-4 on a cotton plantation in Benton, Alabama, Traylor has become one of the most important self-taught artists of the twentieth century, and certainly one of the most celebrated African-American artists. The story of Bill Traylor’s life and work is a remarkable one and is a story that deserves attention both nationally and internationally. This publication, generously illustrated with full-page high-quality reproductions, provides a close examination of Traylor’s recurrent themes, composition schemes, favored iconography, and contextual information related to the artist’s biography, creative process and tools, visual environment, and artistic mindset.
Film: Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts (2019) dir Jeffery Wolf
An inventive feature documentary capturing the vivid life of Bill Traylor, who in his late 80s, living homeless on the street in the thriving segregated black neighborhood of Montgomery, produced a body of extraordinary art. Born into slavery in 1853 on a cotton plantation in rural Alabama, Traylor witnessed profound social and political change during his life spanning slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow segregation, and the Great Migration. In his later years, Traylor poured out those memories from within, drawing and painting over 1,000 pieces of art from 1939-42. Using historic and cultural context, the film is designed to bring the spirit and mystery of Traylor’s incomparable art to life. Tap dance, evocative period and original music, and dramatic readings are used in surprising ways in the film, balanced with insightful perspectives from Traylor family members and expert interviews. Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts explores the life of a unique American artist, a man with a remarkable and unlikely biography. The film is a compelling human narrative that gives voice to a man who endures a long life of extreme hardships during an era of legalized racial indignities, to become one of America’s most prominent artists, exhibited in museums and collections worldwide.
Private screening and discussion will take place at Sidewalk Cinema April 30th at 7:00pm.
[less-]