The Valley Weekly

08/30/2024

08/27/2024

Drake State Launches Pilot Skills for Success – Flooring Installation Technician Course
August, 27, 2024

Huntsville, Ala. – Drake State Community and Technical College is launching a pilot Skills for Success – Flooring Installation Technician course. This program, the first of its kind in the region, is offered at no cost to participants. The curriculum is designed to prepare course graduates for successful careers in flooring installation.
The course is divided into two parts: an online component and hands-on labs at Drake State, taught by experienced flooring professionals. Participants will earn a recognized credential and gain connections with local and regional employers to meet the rising demand for skilled flooring technicians.
"We are thrilled to offer this program as part of our commitment to workforce development," said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State. "This initiative not only equips participants with the technical skills they need for a successful career but also connects them directly with employers who are eager to hire skilled technicians."
Applications are open and will close on Sept. 5. Participants will be selected on Sept. 6, with the online coursework beginning shortly after. The hands-on portion starts on Sept. 19, and the program concludes on Oct. 11, equipping graduates with the tools necessary to start working in the industry immediately.
"This initiative is a significant step toward bringing awareness to the vast opportunities within the flooring industry," said Floor Covering Education Foundation Director of Operations Kaye Whitener. "By recruiting new talent and aiding in the funding of students' education, we are investing in their futures and the future of our industry. This program will facilitate job placement opportunities for these individuals, ensuring they have the skills and connections necessary to embark on successful careers in flooring installation."
Once the pilot Flooring Installation Technician course is complete, it will be available statewide through any of the 24 colleges in the Alabama Community College System.
The funding provided by the Alabama State Legislature enables the ACCS Innovation Center to offer scholarships and equip Alabamians with the skills needed for success. "The flooring installation course exemplifies how we bridge the skills gap by uniting community colleges, businesses, and partners," said ACCS Innovation Center Executive Director Julie Frizzell. "Skills for Success courses like this, built by Alabamians for Alabamians, prepare our workforce for in-demand careers and secure a brighter future for our state."
Drake State is partnering with the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Innovation Center, the Floor Covering Education Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration to offer this program.
For more information or to apply, visit TrainForAlabama.com For questions, contact Drake State Director of Workforce Development, Ira Jones, at [email protected] or (256) 551-5227.

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About Drake State Community & Technical College
Established in 1961, Drake State Community and Technical College is a historically black community college in Huntsville, Alabama, home to the fast-growing, highly technical aerospace and defense industry, including the NASA Marshall Flight Center, US Army Redstone Arsenal, and Cummings Research Parks. Drake State offers flexible, affordable university-transfer 2-year and technical degrees, certificates, adult and continuing education, and customized technical skills training for Huntsville/Madison County employers. Visit www.drakestate.edu for more information.

08/27/2024

The Valley Weekly is online today @ http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly08302024V10N52.pdf.

08/20/2024

A 1974 Flashback — and Now, to the Future!
The Valley Weekly
August 20, 2024

As I reignite my editorial musings for The Valley Weekly, I find myself straddling two profound milestones. Soon, I’ll travel to California to meet my newest grandbaby, Jonathon Storm Atunbi Huston. He is the cherished child of my African American son and his South Asian (Vietnamese) wife. Simultaneously, I’m witnessing the remarkable rise of Kamala Harris—my Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror—as the first person of African American and South Asian heritage to be nominated for the U.S. presidency.

Together with my son Josiah Thunder, we eagerly anticipate a future where we can guide our two grandsons with the rallying cry, “Here comes Thunder-Storm!” The name Atunbi, a Yoruba term meaning “to be reborn,” carries a beauty and symbolism that resonates deeply. When paired with “Storm,” it signifies the promise of new beginnings following life’s trials. I am profoundly grateful for these new beginnings.

Reflecting on 1974, I recall the dramatic shifts that year. Vietnamese families, including my daughter-in-law’s, were arriving in America, seeking freedom and opportunity. At the same time, Richard Nixon was resigning from the presidency in disgrace, his attempts to undermine democratic values exposed by the Watergate scandal. As I prepared to graduate from Monroeville County High School and head to Alabama A&M University, we southern Alabamians celebrated Hank Aaron’s historic 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s long-standing record.

Hank Aaron’s achievement was met with hostility and threats, just as Kamala Harris’s historic candidacy faces its own challenges. Her ascent is not only a triumph over ageism, racism, and sexism but also an echo of the battles against those who seek to erode our democratic principles.

In 1974, my family gathered around our small black-and-white TV, celebrating Hank Aaron’s home run with joy and pride. Four months later, on August 8th, we watched in disbelief as Nixon resigned, and the question of our nation’s future loomed large.

On Thursday, August 22nd, as my son Willian and his wife, Tu Vy, sit with my two precious grandbabies in front of their widescreen monitor to witness Kamala Harris accept the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, they will be holding close the answer to that question: “What is our future as a nation?”

08/20/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available online @ http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly08232024V10N51.pdf.

08/13/2024

08/13/2024

The Class of 2028 is here... For the second year in a row, we’re excited to welcome the largest class in Alabama A&M University’s history.

08/13/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available on line@

http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly08162024V10N50.pdf

08/10/2024

What’s your favorite Jason Isbell song? There are only 20 days remaining until our in-depth conversation with Jason Isbell and Brittany Howard, moderated by NPR music critic Ann Powers! Get ready for an evening of in-depth, powerful storytelling through the lens of Grammy-winning Alabama artists. Drive-By Truckers co-founder Patterson Hood will present Isbell and Howard with their Alabama Humanities Fellow award. Isbell and Howard will close the event with a song performance as a special treat.

Alabama Humanities Alliance wants you to join the Huntsville colloquium, held on August 26, 2024, at 6:30 PM at Von Braun Center’s Mark C. Smith Concert Hall. Hurry and purchase your ticket now.
https://www.vonbrauncenter.com/event/brittany-howard-%26-jason-isbell%3a-in-conversation/7258/

Photo Credit: Josh Weichman

08/06/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available online @ http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly08092024V10N49.pdf.

07/31/2024

🚨THE NEW DATE IS SET🚨

We hope to see you TUESDAY, AUGUST 6th at 6pm to support our D1 Councilman Devyn Keith at the District 1 City Council Debate. If you can’t make it don’t worry, we will be live on our page!

Help us spread the word!

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Thank you to Delta Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for hosting this event! Huntsville Alphas

07/30/2024

Congratulations NCAT!

In a final major milestone achieved under the leadership of retiring Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr., the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University endowment has surpassed $200 million, a near tenfold increase since Martin took the reins of N.C. A&T in 2009.

07/30/2024

The August 2nd edition of The Valley Weekly is available online at http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly08022024V10N48.pdf.

07/24/2024

July 23, 2024

Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels
Endorses Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States

Like many Americans, I understand the major choice we’re facing in the upcoming November presidential election.The stakes could not be higher for our country or our state. It’s a stark decision between a scary Project 2025 to take our country backward, or moving forward –together – toward progress and prosperity.

As President Biden has made the courageous choice to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders, I am profoundly grateful for his legacy of lifelong public service.The pro-growth policies of the Biden-Harris Administration, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, have been a tremendous economic win for the people of Alabama. Unemployment is low, our roads are being fixed, college debt is being forgiven for many, and prescription drug costs are finally being capped. The Biden-Harris team has accomplished so much that positively impacts the lives of every Alabamian.
This historic legacy of success would not have been possible without Vice President Harris’ tie-breaking votes in the Senate and her tireless advocacy for hard working, middle-class Americans. I applaud her strong advocacy for expanding reproductive healthcare. She also has a proven track record of protecting and standing up for those who for so long have been underrepresented and underserved in our communities.

With the greatest enthusiasm, I proudly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Office of the President of the United States. She has earned my vote and my support because I know she will fight for your freedom and your future.
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Anthony Daniels for Alabama | PO Box 6220 | Montgomery, AL 36106

07/24/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly @ http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly07262024V10N47.pdf.

07/16/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available on line@ http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly07192024V10N46.pdf.

07/09/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available on line @http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly07122024V10N45.pdf

07/06/2024

💼 WE ARE HIRING! 💼

Applications are being accepted for:
Fleet Service Technician
Fleet Specialist
Journey Lineworker
Senior Engineer: Distributed Energy Resource (DER) & Service Installations
Senior Engineer: Natural Gas
Tree Trimmer
Welder
Water Plant Operator II

For more information or to apply: www.hsvutil.org/careers

07/03/2024

See you soon, Huntsville!

Haven’t gotten your tickets yet for our August 26 Alabama Colloquium honoring Brittany Howard and Jason Isbell? And including very special guests, Patterson Hood and Ann Powers? Don’t miss out! This is going to be a special evening of conversation, celebration, and song.

Reserve your seats now:
https://www.vonbrauncenter.com/event/brittany-howard-%26-jason-isbell%3a-in-conversation/7258/

Thank you to our presenting sponsors: Regions Bank, Huntsville Utilities, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

Huntsville Music Office Huntsville Music Scene Arts Huntsville Alabama State Council on the Arts Alabama Arts Alliance

07/02/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available online @http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly07052024V10N44.pdf

06/27/2024

Did you say…. A DEBATE??👀

THIS SATURDAY, at 11am-1230pm, we hope to see you at the North Huntsville Library to support our D1 Councilman, Devyn Keith. You will also have the opportunity to meet other D1 candidates! If you can’t make it don’t worry, there will be a livestream! Just click this link below to watch it online:

LIVESTREAM:
https://us02web.zoom.us/i/3641366360
pwd=VGdpTHFLV3dZT2N×NIZ5emdGVnpoZz09&omn=83154803320

06/25/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available on line @ http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/Valley.

06/22/2024

Board of Trustees Votes to Extend Alabama A&M University President’s Contract to 2030

In a unanimous vote of trustees present at the June 14 board meeting, the Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Board of Trustees voted to extend the contract of President Daniel K. Wims to December 31, 2030. Two trustees were not present at the time of voting. The action was taken affirming AAMUs continued stability and growth as the largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Alabama.

06/18/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available online at http://.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly06212024V10N42.pdf.@

06/13/2024

Happy Father’s Day!

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available online @ http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly06142024V10N41.pdf.@

06/06/2024

Two-time AAMU alumna Shundreka R. Givan has been named the Kentucky Division Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Currently serving as the Acting Deputy Division Administrator in the California Division, Givan provides leadership and direction to the division office in the administration and delivery of the annual $5 billion Federal-aid Highway Program in collaboration with federal, state, and local officials.

This and more at www.aamu.edu/news

06/06/2024

05/29/2024

This week’s edition of The Valley Weekly is available online @ http://www.valleyweeklyllc.com/ValleyWeekly05312024V10N39.pdf.