Good Day Alabama for January 24, 2013

Here is what you saw on Good Day Alabama for January 24, 2013:

JEH JEH LIVE - Jeh Jeh joined us live from the 21st Annual American Gospel Quartet Convention which runs through Saturday at the More Than Conquerors Faith Church (1327 Dennison Ave. SW Birmingham, Al 35211). For more information, visit http://agqconvention.ning.com/.

SCHOOL FORUM - Transforming local education systems and preparing Birmingham area students for college and careers will headline a course of action that will be compiled by the local education and business communities on January 24 and January 25 at a free forum open to the public.  The Birmingham Business Alliance is hosting with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for a Competitive Workforce and the National Chamber Foundation to present "Breaking the Monopoly of Mediocrity," a cross-country tour focused on education reform in local communities.  Promoting education reform that brings about innovative programs and policies for all Birmingham area school districts is consistent with education and workforce development elements of Blueprint Birmingham, the region's strategic growth plan.  The cross-country tour will kick off at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, January 24, at the McWane Science Center in downtown Birmingham with a reception and screening of "Won't Back Down," a film that chronicles two mothers' fight to make a difference in the education of their children. At 8 a.m., Friday, January 25, also at the McWane Science Center, the BBA and U.S. Chamber will bring together representatives from the education and business communities for a half-day interactive forum. Register for this free event today at the BBA's website. The Birmingham Business Alliance is a dynamic advocate, unifying voice and constant catalyst for economic development and business prosperity for the Birmingham region. For more information about the BBA visit its website at

www.birminghambusinessalliance.com.

CAT SHOW - The 40th Annual CFA All-breed and Household Pet Cat Show sponsored by the Birmingham Feline Fanciers is this weekend at the Zamora Temple (3521 Ratliff Road, Irondale, AL 35210). The show is Saturday from 10am - 5 pm and Sunday 9am - 4pm. Admission is $8.00 Adults, $5.00 Seniors (60 and over), Children (under 10) $4.00 (Proceeds benefit feline charities!!!). The Annual Birmingham Feline Fanciers Cat Show has traditionally been the best Cat Fancier's Association presentation in the Southeast. A variety of cat breeds will be represented from around the country. ENTER YOUR PET CAT or KITTEN!! Your precious pet could be the winner of the "Best of the Best" of the Household Pet Cat. Entry Deadline is January 23th, 2013. Entry fees: 1st $30, 2nd $27, 3rd (or more) $25. For more information you may visit www.birminghamfelinefanciers.com.

TO SELL IS HUMAN - While it's not a secret that millions of Americans (1 in 9 of us, in fact!) work in traditional sales, the startling news is that in today's world, so do the other 8!  Whether we're entrepreneurs persuading funders, employees pitching colleagues, or parents and teachers cajoling kids, we spend our days trying to move others.  Like it or not, we're all in sales.  But there's good news - contrary to popular belief, the best salespeople are made, not born.  Daniel Pink shares insights into how we can best make our ideas heard (and get what we want!) in his new book - "To Sell Is Human." He explains why extroverts actually don't make the best salespeople...and who does, how technology and resources have shifted the balance in sales from "caveat emptor" (buyer beware) to "caveat venditor" (seller beware), what the cartoon character "Bob the Builder" can teach us about successful pitching, the new versions of the old-school "elevator pitch" (from the Twitter Pitch to the Pixar Pitch) that are changing the way deals are closed, the importance of strategic mimicry…that is, "Monkey See, Monkey Do!", and the new ABC's of Sales (hint: it's no longer "Always be Closing!"). Pink offers new takeaways that will work in any situation, and demonstrates how the concepts of "making it personal" and "making it purposeful" are essential to successful selling.  Showing us not only how to be, but also what to do, Pink provides us with the tools we need to put these new ideas into action.

DR. ASA'S GOOD DAY CHALLENGE - Known as America's Health and Lifestyle Coach®, Asa Andrew, MD is a national best-selling author, radio and TV host, and founder of Diagnosis HOPE, a non-profit dedicated to health education and supporting the uninsured. He has dedicated his life to helping others thrive in their health. He joined us this morning to kick off the Good Day Challenge. This is a 30 day plan we're doing together to kick-start a healthier lifestyle in our lives! Dr. Asa's 6 Healthy Habits for 2013
     1.Eat 3 Small Meals Per Day using 1 of each Category
     2.Walk 15-20 minutes per day, 5-6 days per week
     3.Drink ½ Bodyweight in Ounces of Purified Water Daily
     4.Sleep 7-8 hours, in bed by 11 pm
     5.Supplement with Multi-Vitamin Fish Oil
     6.Get a blood test for Vitamin D from your doctor
Over the next few weeks he will guide us through which foods to add to our diets and which ones to cut out. We'll have it all posted on our website and ready for you to use to change your lifestyle.

PET OF THE WEEK - Greg Winters from the Shelby County Humane Society introduced us to a pet that needs a new home. Her name is Brileigh. For adoptions, call (205) 669-3916 extension 22 or visit shelbyhumane.org.

MIKE BOLTON - "The Ultimate Guide to Alabama Fishing," a new book by longtime Birmingham News outdoor writer Mike Bolton, will make its Birmingham debut this weekend at the Birmingham Boat Show. The 320-page book features more than 100 maps showing the locations of thousands of pieces of underwater structure on every major lake in Alabama including the Tennessee River lakes of Wheeler, Wilson, Pickwick and Guntersville. The book written by Bolton was compiled with the help of more than 70 weekend tournament anglers as well pro anglers from all across Alabama. The book gives great detail as to how top anglers fish defined sections of individual lakes season by season. Each lake chapter includes maps showing underwater structure including roadbeds, brush piles, rock piles, creek channels and many other forms of structure. The book is a result of Bolton, who spent almost 30 years as outdoors editor of the Birmingham News, fishing all across Alabama over those years. The book includes lakes on the Alabama River, the Black Warrior River, the Chattahoochee River, the Coosa River, the Tallapoosa River, the Tennessee River, the Tombigbee River and the Warrior River. The book also includes sections and maps for the Mobile Delta as well as a saltwater section including maps for the Mobile Delta, Perdido Bay and the Alabama Gulf Coast. The 320-page book sells for $24.95 and can be found at major bookstores as well as major sporting goods stores. It is also available on Amazon.com. Bolton will be at the Birmingham Boat Show autographing copies of the book.

Tomorrow on Good Day Alabama, how much do you love Alabama's beaches? You can help Gulf Shores win a contest and even more recognition! Find out how! Jeh Jeh takes us live to the circus to check out all the fun and find out how you can get your tickets! Birmingham's Bargain Mom joins us with some great deals for the whole family! Have a great cornbread recipe? Find out how you can enter it into a contest! Comedian Marc Ryan joins us in the studio with a few laughs! Mickey meets new friends at the Birmingham Zoo! And we have the latest entertainment and business headlines for you! Join us for all of this that and much more tomorrow on Good Day Alabama!