SOCIAL

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PATRIOT PARK POOL IN WEST HOMEWOOD

The dog days of summer kicked off July 3, and as temperatures rose, community members flocked to local parks to enjoy the great outdoors and cool off at pools and splash pads.

Since 1985, July has been identified as National Parks and Recreation Month.

According to the National Recreation and Parks Association, the annual recognition cel

ebrates parks and recreation departments across the country for “providing essential services and making their communities better places to live, work and play.”

This year’s theme was “We Are Parks and Recreation,” It was intended to showcase the diversity of parks and recreation professionals and frontline staff who are working to coordinate park reopening and adjust for social distancing and sanitary measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.

OTMJ photographer Jordan Wald captured images of community members at play, beating the heat at the Explore Playground and Splash Pad at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex, the splash pad at Vestavia Hills’ Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex and the Patriot Park pool in West Homewood. ❖

WE ARE PARKS AND REC July Marks 35th Annual National Parks and Recreation Month

Keeping cool at the VESTAVIA HILLS’ SICARD HOLLOW ATHLETIC COMPLEX.

JOURNAL PHOTOS BY JORDAN WALD

From Funky to Funkiest Socially Distant Food Truck Festival Raises Funds for AIDS Alabama

AIDS Alabama hosted its Funkiest Funky Food Truck Festival to date on July 18, with organizers and guests donning masks while raising funds for the organization’s mission.

To maintain social distancing, food trucks were limited and arrived in two separate shifts throughout the afternoon at Cahaba Brewing Company.

Trucks in attendance included Hyderabad Dum Zone, Little London Kitchen, Urban Pops, Alloy Thai Restaurant and Nola Ice.

Funds raised support AIDS Alabama’s services, which offer statewide efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and help people with HIV/AIDS live healthy, independent lives. ❖

Aidian, Liam, Penelope, Ray and Roman Graves.

COME SEE US AT THE CRESTLINE VILLAGE TENT SALE August 8th!

40% OFF Under our tent!

Katie Rich-New, Jamie Parks and Shane Rich-New.

Jamie Whitehurst and Ruth Hughes. CRESTLINE VILLAGE | 871.2662

An emergency is still an emergency

Don’t delay the important care you need

Broken bones, signs of a heart attack or stroke, difficulty breathing or other life-threatening symptoms — don’t delay when you or a loved one needs emergency care. Ascension St. Vincent’s ER care teams are here with you, and we’re making sure our hospitals and sites of care are safe and ready for you when you need us. Ascension St. Vincent’s ERs are open 24/7, close to home, with access to the Ascension network for follow-up care. Find your nearest Ascension St. Vincent’s ER at GetSTVHSCare.com

St. Vincent’s Birmingham 810 St. Vincent’s Drive Birmingham, AL 35205

Enrolled students will have virtual access to their classes each week. The show continues to go on in the West Homewood community, with the West Homewood Farmer’s Market adapting to social distancing measures. The event, which is held each Tuesday evening near Patriot Park, features vendors selling produce, baked goods, arts and crafts and food trucks. At the July 14 market, live entertainment was provided by Free Wood Trio. ❖