Tuscaloosa’s Premier Community Newspaper
May 2016 - Volume 3, Issue 5
Nothin’ but a Good Time at ‘Stand Up and Rock for Autism’ By Laurie Mundy Perrigin
Running, Biking and Swimming for a Cause Full Story on PAGE 20
Audience members at this year’s “Stand Up for Autism” event on Tuesday, May 17 at the Bama Theatre will be able to rock with their favorite 1980s tunes and roll with laughter, thanks to a collaborative effort between The Actor’s Charitable Theatre (ACT) and Arts ‘n Autism that benefits both groups. Arts ‘n Autism, an after-school program and summer camp for children with autism spectrum disorder, has partnered with The ACT to bring a whole new exciting element to its annual fundraiser. Dubbed “Stand Up and Rock for Autism,” this event features Tuscaloosa Comedy Group members Shannon Cook, Brad Fisher, Max Karrh and
Continued on Page 11
Josh Towe (Stacee Jaxx) rehearses with the cast of The ACT’s “Rock of Ages.” Photo: Warner House
Bryant High Valedictorian Harvard-bound Local Restaurants Team Up for Charity Details and Deals on Page 13
Inside This Issue About Us City News Opinion Community Business Calendar Schools Sports Food
2 4 6 10 DruidCityLiving 14 17 19 20 @DruidCityLiving 21
Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Memphis, TN Permit No. 889
facebook.com/DruidCityLiving
By Shane Dorrill Six years ago, Danica Gutierrez could not speak English. “At first it was hard,” Gutierrez said. “It was a little stressful, because I didn’t know the language.” This month, she will graduate as the valedictorian at Paul W. Bryant High School with a 4.4 GPA, a score of 32 on the ACT and as the winner of a Gates Millennium Scholarship, which will pay for her to attend any college of her choice until she completes a doctoral degree. “I realized I could either go with the flow of what was expected of me as a non-English speaking immigrant, or I could strive to see how far I could go,” Gutierrez said. The possibilities for her seemed endless. She was accepted to eight colleges and universities, including Harvard, Cornell, Stanford and Emory. In addition to the Gates scholarship, she has been offered more than
$1.4 million in scholarships. Gutierrez announced her college decision at Paul W. Bryant’s annual Commitment Ceremony on April 26. She will attend Harvard University in the fall. Gutierrez contributes her academic success, in part, from her driven personality. “I guess it’s because I never gave up,” she said. “I wanted something different for myself. I just didn’t want to be one more statistic. Everyone has an expectation of you, and I didn’t want to fall under anyone’s expectations. I also did it because of my parents. They deserve better.” Pablo and Bertha Gutierrez, Danica’s parents, left their home on the west coast of Mexico in 2009 to move to the U.S. The family first settled in Washington state, but moved to Tuscaloosa eight months later.
Continued on Page 11
Photo: Shane Dorrill
2 ABOUT
May 2016
Photo of the Month
CEO/Publisher
Josh Watkins (205) 529-5723 Josh@druidcitymedia.com
Editor
Laurie Mundy Perrigin (205) 246-2977 Laurie@druidcitymedia.com
Art Director
Christopher Edmunds (205) 541-7092 Christopher@druidcitymedia.com
Staff Writers
Tori Linville Courtney Corbridge Stan J. Griffin
Marketing Consultants Tom Sommerville (205) 393-6396 Tom@druidcitymedia.com
Britney McComb (256) 476-6888 Britney@druidcitymedia.com Allison Adams (205) 914-2400 allisonpadams@gmail.com Amber Bara (440) 413-6774 amberbara@gmail.com Legal: Druid City Living (DCL) is published monthly. Reproduction or use of graphical content without prior permission is prohibited. DCL is designed to inform the readers regarding community news and events. Information is gathered from sources that are considered reliable, however the accuracy is not guaranteed. All articles, photos, etc. submitted become the property of DCL. We reserve the right to edit as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish any material. Any inaccuracies should be brought to the attention of the editor.
The Miracle League of Tuscaloosa held a special dedication ceremony at LeeAnna Grace Cunningham Field at Sokol Park North on Monday, April 18, thanking everyone involved in helping bring lights to the custom-designed, rubberized turf field, built to accommodate those with special needs. Contributors include Kirk Patterson of PATCO, StressCrete General Manager Chris Dawley, Tommy Brown and Mike Hannah of Northport Electrical Supply, Jay Strickland of PARA, Greg Long of Alabama Power, Tuscaloosa County Commission Chairman and County Probate Judge Hardy McCollum, and County Commissioners Reginald Murray, Stan Acker, Jerry Tingle and the late Bobby Miller. Photo: Joanna McKinley
DINE
PLAY
STAY
PLAY
PLAY
DINE
You can travel all over, and you won’t find Another town with our name or our frame of mind visittuscaloosa.com
Music plays under Southern Skies And all that you see is a feast for the eyes Tuscaloosa – The One and Only
4 CITY NEWS
May 2016
Mayor’s Minute – May 2016 Life is not fair. Life is too fragile. These two truths converged unmercifully at 5:13 p.m., on April 27, 2011, when a deadly EF-4 tornado with winds of 193 mph swept into the southwestern edge of this city, and took aim at the heart of Tuscaloosa. In a matter of six minutes, 12 percent of the City was destroyed. Tuscaloosa’s world changed forever, yet, out the darkness, a confident hope emerged. With hope as our compass, we cleared debris, provided for the needy, and mourned for those lost. Tuscaloosa demonstrated to the world that hope was not something dreamed about in far-away places or reserved only for fiction. Our hope was tangible and alive, connecting us in ways that only our maker could have imagined. With 53 fatalities, 1,200 injured and thousands of homes, businesses, schools and churches destroyed, our City met the destruction of Mother Nature with the best of humanity.
Five years later, our progress is amazing, especially when you consider the uncertain future we faced at that time. Beyond clearing 1.5 million cubic yards of debris, which is equal to the amount of filling up Bryant-Denny Stadium from the grass to the lights five times, we had to overcome challenges on multiple levels. Those challenges included, but not limited to the following: 1. 71 percent of the homes destroyed were rental with a median income of less than $25,000 annually. 2. One-third of the businesses destroyed were constructed before 1972, thus, they were nonconforming with zoning and building codes. 3. Tuscaloosa had $629 million in infrastructure needs in the 12.5 percent of the City destroyed. We met those challenges with the goal of coming back stronger, safer and smarter. Our first and most important decision was to engage our community, which led to the Tuscaloosa Forward Plan. This comprehensive, citizen-driven initiative combined
the best and most innovative ideas into the recovery zone. In the past few years, the Tuscaloosa Forward Plan has created vast improvements to the Rosedale, 15th Street and Alberta communities. The City has committed $130 million to the total recovery investment. $99 million will be invested in infrastructure, $10.2 million in housing and $14.4 million in economic development including $4.69 million in small business loans. As a result of the City’s commitment, we have played a leading or supporting role in projects like The Shoppes at Legacy Park, the City Walk, the Alberta Gateway Innovation and Discovery Center and Fire Station Four. For each person who lost so much on April 27, 2011, recovery is personal and hard to define. That being said, each of us at the City is committed to doing our part to rebuild our community in a way that honors all those who lost so much.
Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc. Serving children and families in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa Counties 601 Black Bears Way · Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 Are You Having Difficulty Making Your Mortgage Community Service Programs of West Alabama (CSP) Inc. is a HUD approved housing counseling agency that administers the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program (NFMC). Housing Counselors work with you and your mortgage servicer to determine your eligibility for all loss mitigation options. Housing Counselors are available to help: You make informed decision Bring your mortgage current Reduce your interest rate Ensure you receive an affordable mortgage payment Call us today to schedule your appointment (205)469-0388
Serving Children with Developmental Delays Early intervention is a coordinated, family-focused system of resource access, supports and services for eligible infants and toddlers, ages birth to 3 years who have developmental delays. Our network of parents, service coordinators, service providers, and others build upon the natural learning opportunities that occur within the daily routines of a child and his or her family. Services are guided by the priorities, needs, and dreams of each family and are provided within a flexible range of options to best fit the unique needs of each child and family. Qualifications for Early Intervention is solely based on a child’s developmental delay/diagnosis and is not based on a family's income. The focus of EI is to train, equip and support parents/caregivers in being the first and best teachers for their child. If you think your child is a little late learning to crawl or walk or talk, don't worry, but don't wait. Call us at (205) 752-0476 for more information.
Educational Services Provide Children Birth to Five with a Head Start Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from lowincome families Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5. In addition to education services, programs provide children and their families with health, nutrition, social, and other services. Head Start services are responsive to each child and family's ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage. Children are eligible for Head Start regardless of race, sex, creed or national origin as long as their family meets established criteria for enrollment which include: age, income, parent status, disability or other high risk factors. There is no cost to families whose children meet the eligibility guidelines for Head Start. To enroll your child in Head Start, call (205) 752-5429. For more information on these and other programs offered by Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc. call (205) 752-5429 or visit our website at www.cpswal.com. CSP provides resources and services, which resolve immediate needs and lead to long-term selfsufficiency in low income and vulnerable populations.
6 OPINION
May 2016
Give Life to Your Story: Growing Pains
Graduation season is right around the corner. Every high school senior I talk to knows exactly how many days, and sometimes even the hours, until they get to walk across the stage and receive their diploma. This is such an exciting moment in a person’s life. I have also learned that this is a moment of great anxiety for the parents of these excited graduates. When I graduated high school, I was invited to intern in Brazil with a mission team for three months. When I first told my parents about this opportunity, my mom was not thrilled about it. She did not want to send her 18-year-old daughter to a different continent for the last few months she had with her before she went off to college. However, my dad convinced her that going to Brazil for the summer was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
I was so excited about my plans that I didn’t consider the reason for my parents’ reservations. One week after walking across the stage and getting my diploma I headed to the airport to catch my plane to Brazil. Though my dad hid it better than my mom, I know leaving me at the airport that day was very difficult for him. I am so thankful that my parents had the faith and trust to allow me to do that internship in Brazil. I learned so many important lessons in those three months. I learned the value of people over things. I learned to celebrate people’s difference rather than ridicule them. I also learned to have a deeper appreciation for my parents and the way they blessed my life. Many kids need that little bit of distance from their parents as they enter adulthood in order to appreciate all that their parents have done for them. I know many teenagers struggle to be grateful toward their parents, and that trust can be difficult to hold on to. Many of the college volunteers who work with us talk about how much they miss home. Some of them were obedient as teenagers and some were rebellious, but I think they’d all agree that they’ve learned to appreciate home by being away. Even if they didn’t value it when they were younger. Sometimes distance really does make the heart grow fonder. I have had so many parents ask me to be in prayer for them as they prepare for the teenagers to graduate. I have also had several high school seniors tell me they can’t wait to go off and be on their own. I am not a parent, but even as a youth worker, it’s hard not to worry about my students as they begin a new phase in life.
by Trish Wilkerson
Some of our students have been a part of our program for eight years, and it’s our prayer that at least something we said to them sticks as they become adults. I know that must be the same prayer of many parents as they watch their children graduate high school. As you celebrate the accomplishments of your teenagers and watch as they grow into adults, remember that your trust and belief in them are among the most valuable things they can have as they enter the next phase of their lives. Trish Wilkerson serves on the staff of Tuscaloosa Youth For Christ. She is pictured with her husband, Andrew.
OPINION 7
May 2016
The Land of Oz: Graduation
by Derek Osborn
A monthly editorial piece of masterful opinionated writing (insert joke here) regarding life and times in the big town of Tuscaloosa coupled with the musings of a guy nicknamed “Oz.” No pressure. It’s only the rest of your life. basement is) to take a job outside of your intendIf you are an inhabitant of the planet Earth and ed interest. reside somewhere in the U.S (especially TusLuckily for myself, it only took about six caloosa), there is a good chance that you know months after I graduated college before I was someone who is graduating from an institution offered a job in my field of study. However, this of learning this month. Whether it’s college, high only occurred after I took a job that didn’t even school, tech school, or nursing school, truckloads require a college degree. of young, bright minds are about to burst into the But it is important to note that one of the variworkforce to prove their worth in the business ables that led to the offer of the job I wanted was community and attempt to make the world a bet- my performance at that job I obtained in the time ter place. frame following my graduation. I honestly had How many you ask? no interest in it. As it turns out, my prospective For the 2015-2016 school year, Colleges and employer was more attentive to my work ethic Universities in the U.S. will hand out an estimat- in the job that I didn’t want more than anything ed 1.8 million bachelor degrees, 800,000 masters else. And I left my supervisor with nothing but degrees, and 179,000 doctoral degrees. That’s a positive things to say when they called for a bunch. reference. The good news is that in the current long-term The point is that you or someone you know outlook, employers will be looking to fill more may very well end up in a temporary job leading jobs than there are workers. This usually equates up to a desired position. And it might not be fun. to higher earnings, depending on your chosen But if you go into it with a positive attitude and profession. a desire to achieve success regardless of your Here is the bad news: Most new graduates will surroundings, then success will most likely find likely have to go to work in a field not associated you. And understand that sometimes finding the with their educational background. This fact will job that you want is a journey within itself. most likely interest parents, who may or may not have picked up the tab on tuition, and who may I tweet insignificant things @ozborn34. or may not have a vacancy in their basement. Unless your degree involves a handful of professions where there are labor shortages, odds are Derek Osborn is the Executive Director of good Lipstick that you will be forced 1(depending how of Tuscaloosa by trade and writer by Bradford Half Pg Ad_Layout 12/4/14 2:43on PM Page PRIDE 1 much student loan money you’ve got concealed hobby. He lives in Tuscaloosa with his wife, under the mattress, or how nice your parent’s Lynn, and daughters Savannah and Anica.
BEAT A DDICTION, A N D GE T B AC K T O L I V I N G .
Bradford has been helping adults and adolescents overcome drug and alcohol addiction for more than 30
BRADFORD
years. Our highly personalized and innovative treatment programs are medically supervised and delivered by caring professionals whose focus is providing a sustainable path to a bright future and a fulfilling life. If you or someone you care about has a drinking or drug problem, contact us today for a free consultation.
health services
205-750-0227 l 1-800-333-1865 BradfordHealth.com
8 OPINION May 2016 The Mommy Chronicles: A Toddler Self-Help List for Moms “Help me to help you help me” by Marlena Rice
So, you have been ripping and running and are just tired and worn out. Why? Because you are a mom with children. And a husband. And possibly a dog. And goodness knows who or what else… This means that you likely end your evening picking up toys, grabbing stray pieces of clothing off of the floor and, more often than not, waking up and doing the same thing. As many of our babies may ask us, “But why?” Why? I am starting to wonder this myself. As you may be aware as parents, kids have a drive for independence, hence, their natural desire to totally ignore what we tell them to do. Every. Single. Day. There are ways to make our lives just a little bit easier, all while helping our little ones reach those tiny milestones of independence they crave so much. These 20 simple tasks can help you in your day-to-day routine, while offering teaching moments for your children at the same time. Have your little one (age 12 months to 3 years): 1. Put clothes in a laundry hamper after changing dirty items or when getting ready for bed. 2. Wash hands/face with a damp cloth and slowly progress to using a
step at the sink. 3. Practice self-feeding while progressing to taking dishes to the trash can and scraping the food off and placing on the counter. 4. Help put clothes in dresser drawers, and help pick clothes out to wear for school and everyday dress. (they will love having the choice!) 5. Put clothes on in the morning and take off in the evening (start out with socks and easy to pull down pants and skirts, and work up to shirts and button ups). 6. Practice putting on and taking off shoes without laces. 7. Explore a new bath routine (before or after you do the real deal). 7. Explore making his or her bed. 8. Have some water fun at the kitchen sink, learning how to rinse fruits and small dishes like cups. 9. Use a napkin during meal times. 10. Get a snack from the pantry alone, or from a special shelf in the refrigerator that has been baby-proofed. 11. Help in the kitchen while you cook (pouring from plastic containers or using large mixing spoons and plastic measuring equipment). 12. Wipe up his or her spills. 13. Practice brushing teeth (before or after you do the real cleaning).
Have the kids, ages 4 to 5 years: 14. Practice more extensively in the kitchen (putting together a basic sandwich, cutting fruit with soft knives) 15. Tie shoe laces. 16. Learn how to use a microwave while under your watchful eye. 17. Learn emergency numbers and how to dial from the home telephone or cell phone. 18. Shower and/or bathe independently. 19. Help place laundry in the washer and dryer (I bet the most fun
Photo: Marlena Rice
will be pouring the cleanser in!) 20. Learn and incorporate anything not on this list that may be of interest that will facilitate learning and growth – all while you gain more independence for yourself. Marlena Rice is a local mom and author. Her new book, “Pacifiers, Flatbeds and Barn Wood Thingamajigs, a ‘Come to Jesus Guide’ for the New, Southern Mom,” will be available on Amazon.com soon. Follow Marlena on Instagram at marlena_rice.
OPINION 9
May 2016
Lake Living: Where We Live by Allison Adams Every month, I curl up among my magazines. I peruse, rip, tear and scribble notes. This month’s Elle Décor had an editor’s note on “Where We Live.” He referred to a disconnect from our lives and our homes. When we meet or are posting online, most often it is from a restaurant, on vacation, at an event. We rarely share life in our homes, perhaps out of fear that someone will see we live real lives. As a Realtor, I am in homes across Tuscaloosa. When showing a home, I try to emphasize the structure of the home and not the content. But sometimes, it is difficult to ignore. As we know, our stuff is what makes the shell ours. Children’s rooms display their favorite moments bulletin boards with pinned tickets to games, a dead rose from a dance, a ribbon. Magazines encourage us to get rid of the clutter. But isn’t the clutter exactly what makes us…us? If we all have four blue jars on the kitchen counter, then why shouldn’t we just pay a standard price for a white and beige home? Would we even bother to collect artwork? Our mother’s miniature glass collection would be in a box somewhere, packed away. We may forget how that music box on the table once chimed as grandma rocked us. Why should we hide who we are or the things that bring us such happy memories? My friends know I love visual stimulation. Right now behind me is a mess of books on the shelf in the playroom. I haven’t touched them since my painting group got together in the fall, but I know they are there, and when I want to watercolor, the “How to Watercolor Like a Master Even if You Don’t Feel Like One” is right there to guide me. Monopoly game boxes and puzzles we use once or twice a year when all the kids are home hang sloppily on the shelf. I could put them away. When I see
them, I think of that one missing puzzle piece, and how much fun we had freaking out over it. It brings a smile to my face. I know people with their best stuff in closets, stored away, anticipating some moment that is going to make them worthy of using them. Today is the day. This is your moment. And this place you call home? It is yours. I recently had a client say, “It’s been off the market. I was told to depersonalize so buyers can envision themselves here.” “No,” I say. “This is your home. Tell me about it. Write a little note about what you loved about being here, your favorite space. What will you miss? What do you want them to be able to share with their family when they make this home their own?” If someone can’t see past the clutter, the stuff, the love of the home where you still live and function each day, then maybe this isn’t the house for them. I always say: A home will find its keeper. It will draw them in. It will fill a void. My job is to help match home with family. Every person is unique. Every home is unique. Wear your life like you do your clothes: Express what you love. Wear it on your walls!
After all, you are still living there. This doesn’t mean live in filth or chaos. Selective order is a good thing. Staging is great for an empty house. But as beautiful as Pinterest is, I like a little fluffy kitten fur and puppy drool to make me feel alive. Those stark, clean looking homes are for someone else. I love the smell of Pine Sol as much as anyone, but if all I am doing is making kids take off shoes and clean up rooms all day long, then I am missing my mark as a mom. Days with family fly by. Savor them and live the memories! Allison Adams is a Tuscaloosa Realtor with Lake Homes Realty, and she lives on Lake Tuscaloosa. You can reach her at aadams@lakehomes.com.
Photo: Allison Adams
10 COMMUNITY
May 2016
Tales of
Local author and historian Jim Ezell is busily writing a collection of historical stories about the Druid City and surrounding areas, in hopes of publishing a book ahead of Tuscaloosa’s bicentennial celebration in 2019. What began as genealogy search in 1992 quickly turned into a much larger project. As Ezell searched through over a century of newspapers at the University of Alabama’s Hoole Special Collections Library, he became fascinated by other articles from the Druid City.
Tuscaloosa
By Jim Ezell
“The Indian Fires are Going Out”: May 28, 1830
A man stood before the assembled legislators in the Alabama State Capitol at Tuscaloosa. His dark skin and clothing contrasted dramatically from that of his audience. His name, Yoholo Micco, translated as “Singer Chief.” It was 1836, and thousands of Native Americans had stopped in Tuscaloosa on their long journey west. One writer described him as “mild, his disposition sincere and generous.” Another noted that “his bravery was equaled only by his eloquence.” With these words, he addressed the Alabama Legislature:
I come here, brothers, to see the great house of Alabama and the men who make the laws and to say farewell in brotherly kindness before I go to the far west, where my people are now going. In time gone by I have thought that the white men wanted to bring burden and ache of heart upon my people in driving them from their homes and yoking them with laws they do not understand. But I have now become satisfied that they are not unfriendly toward us, but that they wish us well. In these lands of Alabama, which have belonged to my forefathers and where their bones lie buried, I see that the Indian fires are going out. Soon they will be cold. New fires are lighting in the west for us, they say, and we will go there. I do not believe our great Father means to harm his red children, but that he wishes us well. We leave behind our good will to the people of Alabama who build the great houses, and to the men who make the laws. This is all I have to say. Yoholo Micco was chief of the Eufaula Indians of east Alabama. They were members of the Muskogee Confederation, a group of tribes or “towns” with similar languages and traditions. They lived in parts of what are now Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Early settlers referred to them as “Creeks,” since they typically lived near streams. In general, the Muskogee Confederation consisted of Upper and Lower Towns. The Eufaulas, an Upper Town, inhabited lands near the Tallapoosa River about 35 miles northeast of Montgomery. In the Alabama Indian War of 1813-14, Yoholo Micco opposed the Red Sticks, a traditionalist Creek faction that violently resisted assimilation, loss of lands and encroachment by American settlers. Later, he worked to prevent further losses of territory, but to no avail. Within 15 years, the once vast Creek lands in Alabama were reduced to a sliver abutting the Georgia state line. The final blow fell on May 28, 1830. President Andrew Jackson signed the controversial Indian Removal Act, authorizing the eventual relocation of most of the Southeastern tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River that eventually became Oklahoma. Those driven from their Alabama lands included not only Yoholo Micco’s people but also the Choctaws, Cherokees and Chickasaws. The path taken by the Creeks through Tuscaloosa in 1836 was one of many routes that are now collectively known as “The Trail of Tears.” Yoholo Micco never reached the new Creek territory; he died along the way in Arkansas at about age 50.
Above: Yoholo Miccoknown as Chief Eufaula. Detail from an 1838 lithograph from the National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC. Below: Part of the Creek lands in East Alabama. The Town of Eufaula (Eufaulee) is highlighted by a white rectangle. After Indian removal these lands became a number of counties including Barbour, Elmore, Tallapoosa, Lee, Macon, Russell and others. Base map from Turner’s Universal Atlas, 1833. Photos Courtesy of Jim Ezell
COMMUNITY 11
May 2016
HARVARD
continued from page 1
“My parents decided to come here, just like many other families, to pursue a better life and more opportunities.” They enrolled Danica in the seventh grade at Eastwood Middle School. As an 11-year-old, she was the first member of the family who learned to speak any English. “It was kind of hard to make new friends, talk to my teachers and advance my education. I just decided to learn and keep moving forward,” she said. “It’s who I am. I’ve always been like that in school. I didn’t want to let the language barrier get the best of me.” Apparently, a drive to succeed runs in the family. Danica’s older sister, Magaly, was the 2014 valedictorian at Bryant High. She is currently a sophomore at Harvard. In addition to excelling in the classroom, Danica has also been honored for her community service. She received the Tuscaloosa Pacesetter Award, which is given to high school students for volunteerism, for her work with Habitat for Humanity. “We are so proud of everything that Danica has accomplished,” said Dr. Linda Harper, principal at Bryant High. “We know that she will represent our school well no matter where she decides to attend college.” Bryant’s Commitment Ceremony honors students in the senior class who have met the requirements to attend, and have been officially accepted to a college, the military, workforce or an internship after high school. This year, 100 percent of the students who will graduate from Bryant High have post-graduation commitments. “While Danica helped lead the way for the Class of 2016, we are very proud of all of them, and the hard work they have put into their years at Bryant,” Harper said. “I feel that the college and career focus of PWBHS is a high expectation placed on all of us students, but I think that expectation is a form of trust,” Gutierrez said. “The school trusts us to be able to meet the expectation of a successful future.”
ROCK
continued from page 1
John Poole – regulars at these events for years, who will once again bring on the laughs. Additionally, The ACT will be showcasing scenes from its upcoming musical “Rock of Ages,” to be performed at the Bama Theatre June 3-6. The show features songs from ‘80s glam metal bands and musicians like Journey, Styx, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison and more. “I dare anyone who grew up in the ‘80s not to want to sing along with the cast,” said Joey Lay, artistic director of The ACT. “Before the end of the show, I imagine the audience will be rocking out with us.” “Guests are in store for a great night,” Lay added. “Not only do they get to be entertained by four hilarious comics, but they also get to see a preview of an outrageously fun show. Set in L.A.’s infamous Sunset Strip in 1987, ‘Rock of Ages’ is the story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small-town girl, both in L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. It’s full of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos, and sporting even bigger hair!” The doors open at 6 p.m. with food and a cash bar, along with a silent auction and raffle, featuring prize packages that include items such as local dining gift certificates, ACT season tickets, jewelry, a night at the Hotel Capstone with breakfast, and a trip to the Perdido Beach Resort. The comedy and music show starts at 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit the missions of these two nonprofit organizations. Arts ‘n Autism provides after school care, summer camps and arts-based therapy for children, adolescents and young
adults in the West Alabama area. Director of Development Voni Wyatt says the program fills a need for families dealing with autism because so many of them cannot attend typical programs or activities. “Arts ‘n Autism’s after school program is filling a need for many of the working families in West Alabama that have children with autism. It gives their children a safe place to be until they get off work.” said Wyatt. “There is a fee for the program, but it is the program’s policy not to turn anyone away because they cannot pay. Fundraisers such as this one help us make sure that those who need to be in our program can participate, and we are grateful for The ACT’s support to make this year’s Stand Up event a huge success.” Participating in this event was a natural choice for The ACT, whose mission is to increase and maintain the educational quality of theatre within the community, while giving back to the community through contributions to charitable organizations with funds acquired from theatrical productions. “We are excited to partner with Arts ‘n Autism to help further their vital programs while having the opportunity to reach a wider audience of theatre-goers,” Lay said. “With this event, we hope to introduce supporters of both of our organizations to the important work we are each doing in the Tuscaloosa community.” Reserved-seating tickets to Stand Up and Rock for Autism are $20 (adults) and $10 (students), and are available online at TheACT. info or at the door the night of the show. For more information, visit the show’s Facebook page or call (205) 393-2800.
12 COMMUNITY
May 2016
Youth for Christ’s Legacy Golf Challenge: Playing the Game and Changing Lives By Stan J. Griffin
Youth for Christ’s Legacy Golf Challenge is set for May 19 at NorthRiver Yacht Club. Photo: Tuscaloosa Youth for Christ
Theatre Tuscaloosa Brings ‘Sharp-Tongued’ Comedy to Town By Laurie Mundy Perrigin Theatre Tuscaloosa will present Paul Rudnick’s comedy, Regrets Only, May 13-22 in the Bean-Brown Theatre on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. In a penthouse apartment in New York City, a powerhouse attorney, his socialite wife, and their closest friend, one of the world’s most staggeringly successful fashion designers, get together to put the concept of marriage on trial when the lawyer is asked to write a controversial Constitutional amendment. Meanwhile, the bridezilla daughter is struggling to pull off the wedding of the century when every flower shop, bakery, and beauty salon in the city mysteriously go on strike. The New York Sun called Regrets Only “a saucy, sharp-tongued comedy of uncivil disobedience.” Regrets Only is directed by Theatre Tuscaloosa’s Executive Producer, Tina F. Turley, who promises plenty of belly laughs with this play. “Comedian Grady Nut said, ‘laughter is the hand of God on the shoulder of a troubled world.’ Regrets Only takes on some serious societal issues
with clever comic banter and physical humor,” said Turley. “Comedy is hard. It is our job to make it look easy and fun. We have a talented, experienced cast that is up for that challenge.” The cast includes some familiar faces returning to the stage, including Carol DeVelice, Beth Feller, Ray Taylor, Lisa Waldrop, Kathy Wilson, and Gary Wise. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Fridays, and Saturday, May 14; and at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sundays, and Saturday, May 21. A pay-what-you-can dress rehearsal will be presented on Thursday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m.; a portion of proceeds will benefit the Charlie Dennis Memorial Scholarship Fund. Following the show on Saturday, May 14, and Friday, May 20, audience members are invited to stay for a brief talk-back with the cast and crew. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (60+) and members of the military, and $12 for students and children. Special rates are available in advance for groups of ten or more. For more information, visit theatretusc.com or call (205) 391-2277.
Since 1968, Tuscaloosa Youth for Christ/Campus Life has provided an outreach for youth to share the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, but in a fun environment where they are able to engage in a host of activities, including camps, lock-ins and field trips, while making a bunch of new friends in the process. The organization may also prove especially fruitful for those young people who may be experiencing adversity in their lives, and are looking for Christian guidance and teaching, but perhaps in an environment that is less intimidating than an actual church setting. The organization’s mission has no doubt reached thousands of young people across Tuscaloosa since its inception, and still around 2,000 youngsters participate annually in YFC. Now, the organization is gearing up for one of its biggest events of the year. On May 19, the Legacy Golf Challenge, benefiting Youth for Christ, will be held at NorthRiver Yacht Club.
The tournament is YFC’s largest fundraiser of the year, with all proceeds being utilized to provide Campus Life and Teen Moms outreaches to 11 high schools and middle schools in the Druid City. Teen Moms is one of the core ministries at Tuscaloosa YFC. In addition to providing support of spirituality in Christ, the organization serves to fulfill physical needs within the Teen Moms community. Event fee for the popular golf tournament is $300 per person or $1,200 for a foursome registration, and the tourney will use a best ball format. Those participating will have an opportunity to win unique and limited edition prizes, including sports art from noted individuals such as Rick Rush and Daniel Moore. Mike Green, who is the executive director of Tuscaloosa YFC/Campus Life, said he is expecting around 25 teams to participate in this year’s tournament. For more info about the tournament or to sign up, call (205) 752-3361.
A Gala Season Finale: Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra to Honor Works of William Shakespeare in Final Performance of the 2015-2016 Concert Season By Laurie Mundy Perrigin The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra will give its final concert performance of the 2015-2016 season at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 9 at the Moody Concert Hall. The final performance, “A Salute to the Bard: Celebrating Shakespeare,” commemorates the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare with a harmonious connection between words and music. It will feature a performance by actor and poet Frank Oden including his critically acclaimed beat poetry rendition of Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, as well as poetry set to Daniel Kellogg’s Pyramus and Thisbe. The Alabama Choir School and world-renowned soprano soloists Susan Williams and Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk will perform with the symphony in Mendelssohn’s Overture and Suite from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The TSO will also be joined once again by the talented singers of the Alabama Choir School for the
children’s chorus in the Mendelssohn piece. Prior to the performance, a special “Cheers n’ Chat” will be held in the Choral Opera Room, allowing attendees to hear a pre-concert introduction by TSO Music Director Adam Flatt at 6 p.m. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served; tickets are $10. This season has been one of the most successful yet for the TSO, with record attendance at all concerts, including sold-out shows in November and December, and a big crowd for the annual Family Discovery Concert in March. The TSO will also be featuring actors from The Actor’s Charitable Theatre, commemorating William Shakespeare and paying tribute to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as portrayed in The ACT’s production in March. Tickets for the concert are available at tsoonline.org or by phone at (205) 752-5515.
May 2016
Druid City Living is proud to be a sponsor of the inaugural Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week, an event to benefit the West Alabama Food Bank. This is a chance for everyone in our community to savor the delicious cuisines offered by some of our area’s best eating establishments, all while helping the WAFB. Over the past 21 years, the West Alabama Food Bank has distributed over 17 million pounds of food to households in need through a network of 93 agencies. The need continues to be great, and through events like Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week, the WAFB can continue to do its work throughout the nine-county area it serves. Special discounts will be available for diners at participating establishments, including those noted here. So be sure to visit these restaurants and enjoy a great meal during Restaurant Week, which begins on June 6 and ends on June 12. Hunger bites – but you can make a difference. If you’d like more information about Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week, including how to sign up to participate, you can call the West Alabama Food Bank at (205) 333-5353 or visit westalabamafoodbank.org.
COMMUNITY 13
$3 Off All Bowls and Sliders
$3 Off Bone-in Fried Chicken Plate $3 Off ¼ Flat-top Baked Chicken Plate
10% Off Terriyaki Dinner + Drink
Free Hummus Appetizer with Entree Purchase
14 BUSINESS
May 2016
Tuscaloosa
1
Business Happenings 6 7
3
2
5
4
If If you are a local Tuscaloosa business and want to share your news with the community, let us know.
Email: Editor@DruidCityLiving.com
BUSINESS 15
May 2016
Now Open Chick-fil-A has opened a new “to go” location at the Shops at Lake Tuscaloosa (1825 New Watermelon Road). The location is currently open for breakfast from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m., for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/ChickfilANRD
1
Gargus Chiropractic is now open at 6521 2 Highway 69 S. Suite N in Tuscaloosa. Gargus Chiropractic is dedicated to providing long-term health solutions through the latest and most effective adjustment techniques and rehabilitative therapies. They offer personalized treatment plans that utilize different techniques to stimulate your body’s natural healing process. (205) 345-5035; Garguschiropractic.com A ribbon cutting for Highway 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries was held on April 30 at the restaurant’s new location: 3615 McFarland Blvd. E, Suite 102. Highway 55 opened in March. (205) 632-3355; hwy55.com
3
The Partridge Berry opened in Tuscaloosa (9770 Hwy 69 South, Suite C in Englewood Village) in April, offering home décor, clothing, jewelry and accessories. (205) 349-2119; thepartridgeberry.com
4
Peach Outdoor held a grand opening celebration on April 22 at its new location in Tuscaloosa (6801 Hwy 82 E). The store, which sells outdoor power equipment, Mahindra tractors and implements, Cub Cadet equipment, and more, is
5
the second in Alabama (the first Peach Outdoor is located in Clanton). (205) 759-8838. Stems - Flowers By the Bunch is now open in Northport at 2210 9th Avenue, behind Northport DCH. Stems specializes in affordable flowers by the bunch, DIY floral designs and floral art. (205) 310-2126
6
The Yoga Center, Tuscaloosa’s oldest yoga
7 studio, has a new home. The Center, which
includes Lynda Kees’ massage therapy practice, is now located in Suite E-1 in the Riverside Office Center (535 Jack Warner Parkway East). Classes began in April. (205) 507-7001; yogatuscaloosa.com
News and Accomplishments Annette Cook, Associate Dean of Student Services at Shelton State Community College, has been elected to serve as Vice-President of the National Association for Developmental Education (NADE). Cook accepted her position in March at NADE’s 40th annual national conference and will service a two-year term. Judy Holland, Managing Director of High Socks for Hope, was named Tuscaloosa County Citizen of the Year during a luncheon held at Indian Hills Country Club on April 22. The award is presented annually by the Tuscaloosa Civitan Club.
Anthony’s Italian Kitchen was the winner of Townsquare Media’s annual “Munch Madness” poll for the best restaurant in Tuscaloosa and Northport. Voting began online on March 15; Anthony’s was announced as the winner on April 4. Rob Moore was recently hired as the Director of Advertising and Special Promotions for Spiller Furniture & Mattress. The Thomasville native and University of Alabama graduate previously spent 27 years as manager of Moody Radio South. Seth Panitch, professor of theatre, was chosen as the 2016 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner for The University of Alabama. Panitch also serves as director of MFA and Undergraduate Acting Programs at UA. The Tuscaloosa County Bar Association honored its Pillars of the Bar at a luncheon held at First United Methodist Church on April 29. The 2016 Pillars are: Dan Gibson, Tom Watson and Wilbor J. Hust, Jr. Pillars are bar members who have actively practiced law in Tuscaloosa County for over 40 years, and continue to do so. Ward Scott Architecture in Tuscaloosa has announced promotions for three leadership positions. Kimberly Newton McMurray, AIA, was named Principal, Robert Lanoux, AIA, was named Principal; and Jordan Morris, AIA, was promoted to Associate Principal.
Every day thousands of men and women come together to bring you the wonder that is electricity, affordably and reliably, and with a belief that, in the right hands, this energy can do a whole lot more than make the lights come on. It can make an entire state shine.
© 2016 Alabama Power Company
APSA-4313 P2 Alabama 9.75x8.indd 1
4/14/16 4:36 PM
May Calendar of Events Mal Moore Memorial Golf Tournament: May 5-6, NorthRiver Golf Club, Tuscaloosa. This tournament, hosted by Wimp Sanderson, benefits The Boys and Girls Clubs of West Alabama. The Randall-Reilly Charity Auction is set for May 5 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Yacht Club. Registration for the golf tournament begins at 7:30 a.m. on May 6. For more information, visit bgcwestal.org. The Avett Brothers with Brandi Carlile: May 5, 8 p.m. Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Ticket prices: $39.50, $44.50. Tickets available via Ticketmaster. com. For more information, call the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Box Office at (205) 248-5280. Celebrate Mom with Flowers: May 6. Northport Fire Rescue and the Tuscaloosa Flower Shoppe have teamed up to benefit the DCH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Special flower arrangements will be delivered on May 6 by off-duty firemen, with delivery fees, tips and other donations benefiting the NICU. To place an order, call (205) 758-3065 or visit tuscaloosaflowershoppe.com. 12th Annual Serving with a Smile Celebrity Waiter Fundraiser: May 6, 7 p.m., Tuscaloosa River Market. This event benefits Temporary Emergency Services of Tuscaloosa County. Cost: $50 per person. For more information, call (205) 758-5535. Alabama Choir School Spring Concerts: May 6-7, 7 p.m. Moody Concert Hall, University of Alabama campus. Almost 200 children in first through 12th grades comprise five separate choirs that will perform pieces. Tickets: $12 (available at the door). For more information, visit alachoirschool.com. “Calico Street” Troupe Performance: May 7 and 21, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Northport Civic Center. This exciting stage play for kids (ages 5 to 11) features great programs of unpredictable fun and learning with costumed actors and dancers, lights and music. Admission is free, and parent seating is available. Come early to register. For more information and additional show dates, visit calicostreet.com. Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra Presents “A Salute to the Bard, Celebrating Shakespeare”: May 9, 7 p.m. Moody Concert Hall, University of Alabama campus. This performance features pieces commemorating the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Tickets are available at tsoonline.org or by phone at (205) 752-5515. Sunset Supper on the River: May 12, 5:30-8:30 p.m. This event, a fundraiser for West Alabama AIDS Outreach, includes a silent auction, raffle, live music, drinks and a taco bar catered by Chuy’s. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.waao.info. For questions, call (205) 759-8470. American Cancer Society Relay for Life: May 13, 6 p.m. Government Plaza, downtown Tuscaloosa. To register, or for more information, contact Brittany
Ward at brittany.ward@cancer.org or visit RelayForLife.org/Tuscaloosaal. Theatre Tuscaloosa Presents “Regrets Only”: May 13-22, Bean-Brown Theatre, Shelton State Community College. Tickets: $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (60+) and members of the military, and $12 for students and children. For more information, including tickets and show times, call (205) 391-2277 or visit theatretusc.com. YMCA/Keller Williams Youth First 8K: May 14, 8 a.m., YMCA of Tuscaloosa County. This event includes an 8K, a 2-mile Run/Walk and a Fun Run. Race day registration begins at 6 a.m. The Run/Walk is at 9:30 a.m. and the Fun Run is at 10 a.m. Come out and enjoy the morning and run to help the YMCA! For more information, including registration, visit YMCA of Tuscaloosa County on Facebook. Druid City Iron Dog: May 14, 8 a.m.-Noon. Lake Lurleen State Park, Coker. Come out with your dog and compete in the fun together. Events include a two-mile dog walk, an agility course and a swim relay. Registration: $35; proceeds benefit the Humane Society of West Alabama and the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter. For more information and to register, visit druidcityirondog.com. Stand Up and Rock for Autism Comedy Show: May 17, 6-9 p.m. Bama Theatre, downtown Tuscaloosa. Arts ‘n Autism has partnered with The Actor’s Charitable Theatre (ACT) for this new fundraiser benefiting both groups. The evening features Tuscaloosa Comedy Group members bringing the laughs, and scenes from The ACT’s upcoming musical “Rock of Ages.” For tickets, visit theact.info or call (205) 393-2800. Youth for Christ Legacy Golf Challenge: May 19, NorthRiver Yacht Club. Deliver Christ-sharing ministry to thousands of teens by fielding a team or playing as an individual golfer. Registration is $1,200 a foursome or $300 a golfer. Contact the YFC offices at (205) 752-3361 to sign up. 21st Annual Heritage Luncheon in Northport: May 20, 11:30 a.m. Northport Civic Center. This luncheon is a major fundraiser for Friends of Historic Northport. It celebrates the history and the heritage of Northport. Guest speaker will be Jay Lamar, the Executive Director of the Alabama Bicentennial Commission. For more information, visit Friends of Historic Northport or Historic Northport Alabama on Facebook. SiriusXM Presents I Love the 90s (Vanilla Ice, Color Me Badd, Young MC, All-4-One, Coolio and Salt N Pepa): May 20, 7 p.m. Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Ticket prices: $100, $71, $51 and $15.90. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.com. For more information, call the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Box Office at (205) 248-5280.
4th Annual Tuscaloosa Kids Triathlon: May 21, 9 a.m. Lake Lurleen State Park. This beginner-friendly event is for children ages 5-16. Proceeds will benefit Secret Meals. Registration fee: $45. To register, visit secretmeals.org. Read and Romp Tuscaloosa: May 21, 9 a.m. noon, Government Plaza, downtown Tuscaloosa. Read and Romp is a free family literacy event for children ages 3-5 and their families. Learning-based activities will be themed around children’s books. For more information, visit the Read and Romp Facebook event page. 4th Annual Will May 5K and Trails for Tails 10K: May 21, 10 a.m. Munny Sokol Park, Tuscaloosa. This fun-filled day features a 5K road race and a 10K trail race. Proceeds will benefit the Will May Dog Park. For more information and to register, visit willmay5K.itsyourrace.com. 6th Annual Humane Society of West Alabama “Hush Puppy” Silent Auction: May 21, 5-8 p.m. Green Bar, downtown Tuscaloosa. This event, which benefits the Humane Society of West Alabama, features a “Yappy Hour” cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment (including a guest appearance by Dr. Tim Hammond), and a silent auction. For more information, call (205) 554-0011 or visit www.humanesocietyofWA.org. The Actor’s Charitable Theatre presents “Rock of Ages”: June 3-6, Bama Theatre, downtown Tuscaloosa. Tickets: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for students. For more information, including to purchase tickets and for show times, visit theact.info or call (205) 393-2800. 5th Street Vintage Market: June 5, 11 a.m.4 p.m., 4150 5th Street, Northport. The Vintage Market is a great place to find unusual and unique treasures, from vintage books, clothes, and jewelry to handmade items, vinyl records, and more. For more information, visit www.5thstreetvintagemarket.com. OLLI Partnership: Stillman College and The University of Alabama have partnered to bring the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) to more people than ever before. OLLI, which brings lifelong learning opportunities for older Alabamians, is now at the Stillman Campus. OLLI is open to all who enjoy learning, meeting new people and traveling. There is no age limit. For more information, olli. ua.edu or call 205-348-6482. Tuscaloosa Farmer’s Market: Saturdays, 7 a.m.noon. Tuscaloosa River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Blvd, Tuscaloosa. Shop for fresh produce, grass fed beef, baked goods, cheeses and more. Buy fresh, buy local. For more information, visit tuscaloosarivermarket.com or call (205) 248-5295.
Bradberry
Locally Owned and Operated where Quality work is guaranteed.
Service Company, Inc.
Heating
Cooling
Specialist
0% interest for 60 Months on new Carrier Systems
Schedule your free estimate today! 205-361-4420
BRING IN THIS AD FOR SPECIAL INTEREST RATE
MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:00am - 5:00pm
www.bradberryservicecompany.com | 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
18 COMMUNITY
May 2016
New Local Ministry Offers Hope and Purpose by Laurie Mundy Perrigin In January, six local Tuscaloosa women came together for a greater cause. These busy women from different walks of life share a common passion and mission—to inspire others to have and crave a more intimate relationship with God. Craving God Ministries is an answered prayer for each of its contributors, who wanted to be able to use their talents and testimonies to minister to women – to support them, and help them find more time to spend with God in their hectic, daily lives. Craving God Ministries founder Heather Shipley said it’s all about sharing stories and struggles with a purpose wrapped in the truth and hope of God’s word. “It’s a community and an outlet for women to seek and share, to find comfort in knowing they’re not alone, and to understand how everything relates to God’s promise for our lives.” When Shipley officially launched Craving God Ministries, she knew she couldn’t do it alone. She was quickly surrounded by several other local women joining her in the mission, sharing their hearts and hope via devotionals on the website. At present, Craving God’s contributors include Shipley, Sheena Gregg, Mandy Edwards, Kristen Love, Crystal Buck and Amanda Waller. Their professions are marketing director,
nutritionist, family and marriage counselor, attorney, business owner and non-profit director, respectively. Their experiences, both personally and professionally, allow them to relate to a broad audience, according to Shipley. “We share our revelations, triumphs, testimonies and struggles so that other women may see the hope we have in God’s truth and the victory we have through relationship with Jesus,” Shipley said. “Collectively, we’ve dealt with many of the issues women face.” Devotionals include discussions about marriage, infertility, divorce, adoption, body image, relationships, parenting, illness, and more. “Readers can expect the type of topics that women go through during various seasons of our lives,” Gregg said. There are no assigned topics, but each post comes from scripture. “Everything relates back to God’s truth in His word. We write about what’s relevant to us at the time and what the Holy Spirit reveals with us to share,” said Shipley. “As Christians, we want to minister to Christians and non-Christians alike, in hopes of spreading God’s word and giving encouragement to others. We want to help women strengthen their relationship with God,” Edwards said.
Photo: Alicia Lavender
As news of Craving God began to spread, speaking engagements at area churches followed—a mission that all of the women involved wholeheartedly support and hope to continue. Buck recently spoke at Winfield FUMC and Sulphur Springs Freewill Baptist. The response in both the Tuscaloosa and Northport communities is growing, according to Waller. “We hope to continue to reach women in all phases of life, and to help them feel refreshed – and have hope,” she said. All of Craving God’s contributors say that in order to achieve balance in life, establishing clear priorities is absolute. “I find that keeping God first is
key,” Buck said. “Everything else will fall into place.” Love agrees. “You must choose your priorities and what you value most and schedule that time first.” Craving God offers new devotionals each week. To sign up and have them delivered directly to your email inbox, visit CravingGod.com. Anyone who wishes to share their own personal story or submit a prayer request is encouraged to do so by emailing info@cravinggod.com. Craving God Ministries will soon be offering exclusive weekly postings for Druid City Living’s E-Newsletter readers, so be sure to check out DruidCityLiving.com and subscribe.
SCHOOLS 19
May 2016
DCL’s Teacher of the Month: Natalie Richardson, Huntington Place Elementary School By Tori Linville Natalie Richardson started teaching special education in 2006 and has taught at Huntington Place Elementary for six years. “I immediately fell in love with my students and finding ways to motivate them.” Richardson earned her Bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science from Freed-Hardeman University and received her Masters in collaborative special education from the University of West Alabama. She has taught the seventh, eighth and ninth grades as well. The Hamilton, Alabama, native has lived in Tuscaloosa for nine years. Richardson said her biggest achievement has been gaining the trust and adoration of her students. “My students teach and challenge me to develop,” she said. “When I see a child who truly needs help, I can’t resist providing for them.” There are a lot of teachers who care in Alabama and give themselves over for their students’ best interests. Asking for help can be the best strategy for a new teacher, Richardson said. “Your best resources are the your
“When I see a child who truly needs help, I can’t resist providing for them.” —Natalie Richardson— fellow faculty,” she said. “A common misconception is that you should know everything when you begin teaching. That is false. Collaboration and asking for advice makes you a better teacher.” Richardson enjoys outdoor time with family, whether it be baseball, riding golf carts or spending time at the lake. She loves to cook, travel, and is interested in creating art projects and decorating. “If I weren’t a teacher I would be an architect – I have always loved math and designing beautiful things,” she said. “Pencils and erasers are my favorite school supplies because it is okay to make a mistake, as long as you are willing to correct it by getting up and trying again.”
Photo Courtesy of Natalie Richardson
Call for a free, no-obligation appointment
205.764.0387
We’re by your side, providing the care that your parents need! Whether you are looking for someone to help an aging parent a few hours a week or need more comprehensive assistance, Home Instead can help. • • • •
ompanionship Care C Personal Care Meals & Nutrition Transportation
• House hold Duties • Respite Care • Hospice Care Support Services
HomeInstead.com/746 Each Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is independently owned and operated. © 2016 Home Instead, Inc.
20 SPORTS
May 2016
Tuscaloosa Kids Triathlon to Benefit Secret Meals By Laurie Mundy Perrigin
Children ages 5 to 16 are invited to take part in the Tuscaloosa Kids Triathlon. Photo: Michelle Smart
Lake Lurleen State Park will be packed with children on Saturday, May 21, for the fourth-annual Tuscaloosa Kids Triathlon – a chance for area youngsters to take part in a beginner-friendly athletic event for a great cause. The Tuscaloosa Kids Triathlon benefits Secret Meals, a local charity organization dedicated to providing food packs to elementary school children who have been identified as going hungry over the weekend by secretly slipping the bags into the kids’ backpacks on Fridays. Over 1100 children in the Tuscaloosa and Northport areas are receiving Secret Meals food packs. The Kids Triathlon, which begins at 9 a.m., includes swimming, biking and running, and it is open to children ages 5 to 16 years old, and event coordinator Michelle Smart says everyone of any ability is welcome. “We encourage kids with all athletic abilities to participate, and the distances that we use are very beginner friendly,” Smart said. “We typically have
around 100 participants and our primary focus of the event is to encourage young people in the Tuscaloosa area to pursue healthy, active lifestyles.” After the race, the celebration begins: Photos will be available with Big Al, and an obstacle course will be set up with the Bama Bounders, along with other family friendly activities. Sponsors include Alabama Credit Union, Spiller Furniture, Tutor Doctor, The Bower’s Agency, Rosen Harwood, Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports, Hannah Riddering of Keller
Williams, Nucor Steel, Bama Bounders, Mike Kilgo & Associates, Tuscaloosa Pediatric Dentistry, Chick-fil-A Midtown, Redman Roofing LLC, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Buffalo Rock. To register for the 2016 Tuscaloosa Kids Triathlon, visit secretmeals.org. The registration fee is $45. There is an Exclusive Discount for Druid City Living readers! Enter the code DRUIDCITYLIVING for $5 off registration.
Event Details Distances by Age Groups (based on age as of 12/31/2016)
5-7
Swim: 25 yds Bike: 1 mile
Run: .25 mile
8-10 Swim: 50 yds Bike: 2 miles Run: .50 mile 11-13 Swim: 100 yds Bike: 4 miles Run: .75 mile 14-16 Swim: 150 yds Bike: 6 miles Run: .75 mile
A vast majority of senior homeowners could benefit from a reverse mortgage...
Rick Sexton NMLS #1035750
(205) 649-1199
FOOD 21
May 2016
TASTE OF TUSCALOOSA Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week ... Because Hunger Bites Great food and philanthropy are some of the core values that make the city of Tuscaloosa what it is, and one of the biggest contributors to helping those in need in the area is the West Alabama Food Bank. Each week, the WAFB, through its main location in Tuscaloosa and through its partner agencies, impacts over 1000 people in the nine-county area it serves. According to West Alabama Food Bank Director, Jean Rykaczewski, WAFB has the highest hunger need among all the food banks across the
state. Rykaczewski says that Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week was born out of a desire to raise awareness about the Food Bank and its high demands. “We wanted to make others aware that eating isn’t something that should be taken for granted. Many in West Alabama are food insecure, meaning they can’t guarantee where their next meal is coming from.” During the week of Monday, June 6 through Sunday, June 12, Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week will spotlight the diverse and dynamic restaurants throughout the area during a traditionally slow time for the city once college students leave for the summer. It’s a chance to enjoy a Taste of Tuscaloosa and give back to those in need. It’s a win-win for everyone. Diners who venture to participating restaurants during Restaurant Week will benefit from special discounts, while knowing that their business benefits the West Alabama Food Bank in their mission to take a bite out of hunger. Restaurants such as Maki Fresh, Miss Dots, and Hokkaido are on board, while additional eateries continue to be added as June approaches. Businesses that take part in Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week can look
by Sheena Gregg
Jean Rykaczewski is the West Alabama Food Bank director. She says the need is great, particularly at this time of the year. Photo Courtesy of Jean Rykaczewski
forward to an increase in business and promotion through various traditional and social media platforms while contributing to the mission of the Food Bank. “I’m looking forward to supporting the restaurants that agree to partner with us this first year, and I’m hopeful that this is something that will grow each year and become a tradition
for the West Alabama Food Bank,” Rykaczewski said. For more information on Tuscaloosa Restaurant Week, including how to sign up to participate, call (205) 3335353, or visit westalabamafoodbank. org. Also, be sure to check out all the menus and information on page 13 in Druid City Living – a proud partner for this event.
22 FOOD
May 2016
Quick Casserole and Sweet Cake
MAY RECIPES Recipes and Photos by Amy Poore
Who doesn’t love a great casserole? And of course, everyone adores cake! This month, I thought I’d offer up two excellent recipes that are sure to please. The French onion casserole is a quick and delicious dinner alternative, and the cannoli cake is surprisingly easy to make. As always, bon appétit! Amy Poore is a mom, a wife and a foodie. To see more of Amy’s delicious recipes, visit her blog, www.pooreamy.com
French Onion Chicken Casserole • 2 cups Instant Rice (prepared) • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken • 8-ounce French Onion Dip (the brown kind, not the white kind) • 1 can cream of chicken soup • 1/2 chicken broth • 1 cup shredded cheese • 1/2-1 cup of French Fried Onions • Pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix rice, chicken, dip, soup, broth and cheese in a bowl. Spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with pepper and French onion. Bake for 20-25 or until golden brown and bubbly. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Cannoli Cake • 1 box white cake mix, plus ingredients needed to make (on box) • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened, condensed milk • 1 and 1/2 cup ricotta cheese • 1 and 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 cup powdered sugar, plus some for dusting • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Make cake according to directions on the box in a 9x13 pan. Once cooled, poke holes using the handle of a wooden spoon all over cake, 1 inch apart. Pour one can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over cake. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. In a bowl, mix ricotta, mascarpone and vanilla until smooth. Add in powdered sugar slowly and beat until completely combined. Remove cake from refrigerator, spread frosting on top. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips and dust with powdered sugar. (Do this last step right before serving) Keep covered and refrigerated until ready to serve.
Tuscaloosa Area Sales Professionals
Druid City Media has an immediate opening for a full time Tuscaloosa Advertising Sales Executive. The right candidate will be a highly organized, collaborative, and creative closer who thrives in a deadline driven sales environment. He or she will have a proven track record of outside sales and revenue growth. A demonstrated passion for advertising sales is a plus. The succesful candidate has a strong work history in outside sales and a strong network of client and agency contacts in the Tuscaloosa and Central Alabama markets.
MUST LOVE SALES! If you are a Tuscaloosa advertising sales professional who meets the above qualifications, email your credentials to contact@druidcitymedia.com
Visit us on Facebook at: facebook.com/druidcityliving
Proposed Rendering
Gated Lake Luxury
Lots Available