Druid City Living April 2019 by Druid City Media

April 2019 | Volume 7 | Issue 4

DRUIDCITYLIVING.COM

TUSCALOOSA’S PREMIER COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Preserving Tuscaloosa’s Civil Rights History

LOCAL TASK FORCE PLANS CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL

PAGE 12

INSIDE THIS ISSUE About Us...............2 City.......................3 Opinion................4 Business...............8

Community.......10 Schools...............19 Food...................22 Calendar.............23

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@DRUIDCITYLIVING

DCAF Celebrates 10 Years

Green Your Space at the Native Plant Sale

Simple Spring Decorating Ideas

Central High Builds on Success

DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

ABOUT US PHOTO OF THE MONTH CEO/PUBLISHER Josh Watkins

VICE PRESIDENT Hanson Watkins

EDITOR

Laurie Mundy Perrigin

(205) 246-2977 editor@druidcitymedia.com

ART DIRECTOR

Nathan Pearman

ACCOUNT MANAGER Caroline Ford

caroline@druidcitymedia.com

2019 INTERN Faith Henley

ADVERTISE WITH US

For advertising inquiries, please contact us at contact@druidcityliving.com or 256-346-5321. 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.

CORRECTIONS To report corrections and clarifications, email editor@druidcitymedia.com

The Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa honored Law Enforcement Officers of the Year at its Feb. 28 meeting at Indian Hills Country Club. The guest speaker for the ceremony was Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, and the Master of Ceremonies was Former Tuscaloosa Police Chief and Exchange Club member Ken Swindle. The Exchange Club has been annually recognizing outstanding law enforcement officers in the region since the 1960s. L to R: Master of Ceremonies Ken Swindle, Exchangite and former Tuscaloosa Police Department Chief; Officer Shane Galloway, Northport Police Department; Senior Trooper Harold Robinson, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency; Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall; Officer Rachel Grooms, University of Alabama Police Department; Deputy Sheriff Mark Weaver, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff ’s Office; and Darren Beams, Tuscaloosa Police Department. Photo: Brock Jones

FROM THE EDITOR Can you feel it? The days are longer and warmer. The pollen is swirling (thank you, allergy meds). We sprang forward. The urge to spring clean and spiﬀ up our houses is hitting full force. I always try to do at least one project around the house at this time of the year – and more often than not, I fall woefully short of my original goal. This year, I’m thinking smaller. No more Pinterest fails for me. I’ve got at least three new great ideas, thanks to Kathryn Wilkerson – she has some brilliant solutions for getting your home spring-ready this month in Woodbank Lane. I’m going to spend this weekend “shopping my home” and rearranging one room. After an entire winter deciding if items in my closets sparked joy (spoiler alert: they didn’t), I’m ready to dig into the actual décor of my home. Thank you, Kathryn. You’ve inspired me, and I suspect you’ll inspire others this month!

I hope all of you are enjoying the ﬁrst few weeks of spring as well. We’ve got a lot of great events to look forward to, including the 10th (!!!) Druid City Arts Festival. It’s one of my favorite events of the year, and it’s been such a pleasure to watch it grow. See you there! As always, a special thanks to all our readers. You give the best feedback, and we hear you. We’ll keep trying to bring you the stories you want to read. If you have any stories you’d like to share, email me: editor@druidcityliving.com. I’d love to hear from you. And don’t forget to visit druidcityliving.com for all the latest daily news and happenings. Best,

TUSCALOOSA’S PREMIER COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | DRUIDCITYLIVING.COM

CITY

“

Mayor’s Minute On March 5, the Council defeated the Elevate Tuscaloosa plan which would have eliminated the city’s share of grocery tax and addressed three looming challenges on the horizon. The decline of the retail economy, The University of Alabama reaching its peak in student enrollment, and the severe workforce shortages in Tuscaloosa are serious obstacles we will face in the coming years. I am disappointed, but hopefully this is a beginning, not an end. Now it is the Council’s turn to lead, and I look forward to working with them. We were asked recurrently why we proposed a sales tax increase rather than property tax. Alabama is a Dillon Rule state, which means we only have the authority that is specifically granted to us by the Alabama Legislature. As it relates to property taxes, they are governed by the state constitution and subsequent legal statutes. The Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, places a limit on the levy and collection of property taxes. Every property tax must be authorized specifically by the state constitution. In Tuscaloosa’s case, raising property taxes would require unanimous consent by the Tuscaloosa County Legislative Delegation, and then passage by legislature with a three-fifths vote. After that, it would be placed to the vote of the people of Alabama (the next opportunity would be November

2020). In my opinion, it would be easier to place a man on the moon. It is also important to note that the City is also prohibited by the state constitution from having an occupational tax or increasing fuel taxes. Sales taxes are regressive, which is why we are pursuing the elimination of the City’s share of grocery taxes. However, understanding our limited revenue options, the City is constrained in addressing the challenges on our horizon. Failure to act will stagnant the progress of the last 13 years, and put us considerably behind our competition in Huntsville, Chattanooga, Greenville, Knoxville, and Lexington. I look forward to seeing the Council’s plan. In the meantime, visit elevatetuscaloosa.com and review our plans and over 1,000 pages of supporting documents of why this must be our moment to elevate.

”

Druid City Music Festival 2019: Get Ready for a Battle of the Bands n a new twist to an old favorite, the Lance Hocutt Financial Group will partner their annual Family Fun event with Druid City Music Festival, and they will add a Battle of the Bands as a new wrinkle to celebrate their ninth year. The Lance Hocutt Financial Group Battle of the Bands is Aug. 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is a free event for the community to unwind and have a good time. “This community element only enhances our event by bringing together local artists in a competitive yet family-friendly environment,” said Don Staley, President and CEO of Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports. “We are indebted to Lance Hocutt for blending this event with the Druid City Music Festival.” The Battle of the Bands will feature six local bands competing for prize money at the Tuscaloosa River Market. Along with great music, this free event will provide many fun activities, such as bouncy houses, face painting, food trucks, and more. You can ﬁnd out more information about the Lance Hocutt Financial Group Battle of the Bands and Druid City Music Festival at www.DCMF2019.com.

Lance Hocutt looks over plans for the upcoming Battle of the Bands at the Druid City Music Festival planned for Aug. 26. Photo: Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports

DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

OPINION The Mommy Chronicles: Fostering a Healthy Imagination in Little Ones BY MARLENA RICE ight now, my son’s gums are so prevalent, I have the mind to call our family dentist to ensure nothing has gone wrong in the growing of his “big people” teeth. For the life of me, I cannot remember how long I was toothless as a child, but I know it wasn’t this long! After my Little’s most recent gem fell out while playing, he turned it over to me for safekeeping because his bed was not made up for pillow safety. A short while later, he decided to inspect it further, I’m sure for blood, because he is truly a boy’s boy. Can you guess what happened? Yep. Said “gem” was lost and has yet to be found. As I was thinking about what may happen if our family’s Great Dane found the tooth ﬁrst, the ﬁrst words out of my Little’s toothless mouth as he pouted were, “Now the tooth fairy can’t come and bring me toys!” Yes, he said toys. Quarters and dollar bills under pillows in my house went unappreciated, so yes, mama resorted to Hot Wheels and Matchbox racing cars a long time ago. Don’t judge. But I digress… As I halfheartedly searched for his tooth (because I really didn’t want to visit Target for race cars during a tornado watch), I found myself wondering… When is the right time to come clean about my Little’s imaginary gang of friends? And worst yet, what will he think once I tell him? I’ve always thought it important for children to have a creative outlet, whether it’s art, writing, acting, or anything else. But

as I searched the carpet in my bedroom for my Little’s tiny tooth, I wondered if our impending conversation about the Tooth Fairy would stifle his future creativity. I mean, I haven’t been five in a long time, but I’m pretty sure when I found out that Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy weren’t real, I was pretty bummed out. But, on the other hand, I do consider myself to be a creative and craftly individual. Is this because I had make-believe friends, and believed in these two childhood legends? Can the people I know who lack artistry and creativity of any kind blame it on encountering “spoilers” as children? These questions need Beaux William and Midnight, pretending to be a basketball player in Michael Jordan’s 1990s movie Space Jam, danger answers, folks! tape and all. Photo: Marlena Rice Despite the fact that both she and her sister graduated nurtured by several school teachers who fidence that you will know when the right with creative degrees, Tuscaloosa mom wanted to see my writing flourish,” she time comes to tell them the cold, hard truth. Amanda Bayhi-Clifton doesn’t think that says of her talent. And, of course, understand that when the believing in the usual gang of imaginary So, what’s a mom to do? imaginary gang of gift givers has suddenly friends as children is the reason they tend Relax. become a party of one, who happens to to be more creative as adults. Quit worrying about your child’s future be more accessible, you may have more While her sister seemed more naturally adult personality. requests to visit Target. inclined toward all things artistic while Keep your child in good company that Marlena Rice is a busy mom and writer growing up, Amanda found her creativity fosters an active, happy, and pure imaginawho lives in Tuscaloosa with her husband, being spurred by those around her. tion, and… Rod, and their son, Beaux William. Check “I can attest to my creativity being Since you know your child, have conout her blog at heartfullybuilt.com.

City of Tuscaloosa 2nd Annual

Stuffed Animal Sleepover This summer, children of all ages are invited to bring and leave their stuffed animals to spend the night at two of Tuscaloosa's most popular City facilities. Stuffed animal friends will have a night filled with fun, adventure - and maybe even a little mischief. To participate, all stuffed animals must be dropped off Thursday morning between 9:00 AM - Noon, and picked up Friday morning at 10:00 AM for a pickup party celebration. At the pickup party, guests will be given a VIP tour of the facility, a goodie bag, and a link to download pictures from the sleepover.

A family friendly and free event at two locatio locations! Tuscaloosa National Airport May 30 9:00 AM - Noon Drop Off May 31 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Pickup Party

Tuscaloosa Recycling Plant July 11 9:00 AM - Noon Drop Off July 12 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Pickup Party

For more information, call Tuscaloosa 311 (205-248-5311) or email events@tuscaloosa.com

TUSCALOOSA’S PREMIER COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | DRUIDCITYLIVING.COM

OPINION

Land of Oz: A Year in the Life – Educating About Drug Use is Necessary BY MEGAN PRINCEWILL i all, Derek here, your very favorite curmudgeonly columnist. At the moment, I’m slammed with work as PRIDE gets ready for Girl Talk 2 (Apr. 7! Tell your friends!) – so I’d like to introduce Megan Princewill, who was kind enough to step in for me this month. I’ll be back and bellyaching next month. When I was ﬁrst approached to write something about my ﬁrst year in prevention, I enthusiastically replied… “Sure!” However, as the day continued, I realized I had no idea how to describe the past year of my life. There are so many words I could use to express what this experience has been. From terrifying to exhilarating to hopeless to rewarding to enlightening… and everything in between. Yet the word that best sums up the happenings between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – is “necessary.” I was not ignorant to the world of addiction when I accepted a position at PRIDE of Tuscaloosa. Not only did I have years of experience working with teens as a youth

“THERE IS NO WAY I COULD FULLY EXPRESS HOW I FEEL ABOUT WHAT I DO, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS: EDUCATION IS KEY.“ pastor, I had also witnessed, ﬁrst-hand, the negative eﬀects of substance abuse in

the lives of family members and friends. I honestly did not anticipate learning from the job as much as I expected to use what I already knew. However, no matter what you “know,” there is always something you don’t – and boy have I learned. Whether you graduated from high school 50 years ago or last year, things have changed and are changing every day. In the past year, I have discovered the world social media drug dealing. I have gained insight into what really happens in the halls of our public schools. I have listened to popular songs that encourage the consumption of every substance imaginable – songs our kids sing word-for-word. I have attempted to warn teens as they explain how they “know good weed” and “won’t get got” by anyone lacing their “gas.” I have spent hours talking to teen boys in orange jumpsuits who truly believe the only way out is in – in the drug game, the violence game, the crime game. And I have held back tears as I realized our kids are being attacked on all sides by inﬂuences that create a virtual brick wall for prevention. I could write for hours (and talk for more) about what it’s like to work in the ﬁeld of prevention, but I’m closing in on my word limit here. There is no way I could fully express how I feel about what I do, but I can tell you this: Education is key. That brick wall we’re up against is most certainly daunting and, at times, it feels as though we are attempting to dismantle it with a toothpick, but we carry on. So, as I close, I ask you – will you pick

Caring. For Life. with the latest technology.

up a toothpick and join the cause? Educate yourself. Educate your kids. Educate your students. Educate your friends. Education is – absolutely, without a doubt – necessary.

Megan Princewill is a prevention specialist with PRIDE of Tuscaloosa. She can be reached at Megan.princewill@gmail.com. Photo: Megan Princewill

ROBOTIC SURGERY

with a human touch.

DCH Regional Medical Center has the latest in surgical robotic technology with the da Vinci Xi. This amazing device is now available for general surgery, including hernia repair, colon resection and bariatric surgery. This new surgical robot gives our surgeons more precision, range of motion, control and dexterity than ever before. Surgery using robotic technology offers our patients: •

SHORTER HOSPITALIZATION

•

FASTER RECOVERY TIME

• • • • •

REDUCED PAIN & DISCOMFORT SMALLER INCISIONS

REDUCED RISK OF INFECTION REDUCED BLOOD LOSS MINIMAL SCARRING

Our surgeons have experience using the latest technology in robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery for a variety of surgeries.

If you need surgery, find out if the da Vinci Xi is right for you: RoboticSurgeryatDCH.com OUR ROBOTIC GENERAL SURGEONS: (L to R) Dr. Charles Gross, Dr. Grayson Menard, Dr. Tyler Eads, Dr. Brad Bilton and Dr. Andrew Harrell

DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

OPINION Give Life to Your Story: To Post or Not to Post – Are You Asking That Question? BY ABBY LEE ’ll be honest: I am someone who rarely doesn’t have my phone within arm’s reach. It’s my alarm clock, my morning radio, and it even plays white noise while I’m falling asleep. I literally use it day and night. I check emails for work, text friends and co-workers, and call my husband to discuss what’s for dinner. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to using it way too often to check Facebook and Instagram. I am of the original social media age. I opened my Facebook account when you had to have a college email address to register. I remember being a freshman at Alabama and using Facebook to look up people who sat near me in class. I actually “met” my college roommates on Facebook before meeting them in person. We were the ﬁrst freshman class (at least at Alabama) to go into freshman year using social media in that way. Back then, there were no such things as iPhone, so you were limited to your laptop to waste time on Facebook or MySpace.

“IF THERE IS DRAMA AT SCHOOL, IT DOESN’T STAY THERE. IT ENDS UP ON THEIR PHONES. “ Fast forward to 2018, and things have changed drastically. As I work with students around our community, I see students who don’t know how to do life without social media. They are checking it at

school, after school, and at all hours of the night. If there is drama at school, it doesn’t stay there. It ends up on their phones, and as such, it goes home with them to worry about and deal with 24 hours a day. An embarrassing fall or a break-up text from a boyfriend doesn’t just happen for a moment – it’s captured, shared, and lives on (over and over) until the next embarrassing moment takes place. It’s easy to forget that while cell phones and constant technology access can be a great tool, many students feel the eﬀects of it as a weapon. They are hurt by it on a daily basis. Between cell phone cameras, screenshots, and recording devices, it seems every moment is eternal. The most embarrassing moments are no longer forgotten by next week, they’re recorded, replayed, and even turned into memes to live on forever. While many parents realize the importance of setting limits on screen time, many forget to have conversations about the consequences of social media and how much hurt it can cause. We must talk to our kids about kindness and how it relates to those tiny computers they constantly carry around in their pocket. Remind them what it feels like to have embarrassing moments captured and recorded. Explain to them the consequences of posting pictures, because they are never truly deleted if they’ve been posted – even for a few seconds. Help them understand that social media postings and pictures can have real life consequences when applying to colleges and jobs.

Abby Lee is the middle school ministry director for Tuscaloosa Youth for Christ. She can be reached at abby@tuscaloosayfc.com. Photo: Abby Lee

TUSCALOOSA’S PREMIER COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | DRUIDCITYLIVING.COM

OPINION Lake Living: Get Artsy in April, and Fuel Your Creativity BY ALLISON ADAMS pring brings creativity to life, in the ground, on the trees, and with flowers bursting forth to get us out of our winter rut. In Northport and Tuscaloosa, the first weekend of April brings artists out to share their creativity. Galleries pull out all the stops with catering, bands, and cultural stimulation. Art Night in Northport is held on the first Thursday of each month. Events center around the Kentuck Gallery and several venues in the area where artists collaborate and share their work. First Friday in Tuscaloosa has expanded, making it a great reason to get downtown and try a new restaurant while dropping into numerous galleries that take part. The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center on Greensboro Ave. is a great starting point. The Druid City Arts Festival (Apr. 5-6 at Government Plaza downtown) is the perfect opportunity to get out and immerse yourself in art, and to meet artists from across the region. Need more inspiration? Check out the Lorrie Lane Gallery (910 31st Ave.) in Tuscaloosa. Lorrie is an incredibly gifted artist and she’s taught me so much about oil painting! Also, the Tuscaloosa Painters Alliance meets regularly to discuss capturing the personality of the city on canvas and paper. I highly recommend groups like this. When I lived in Birmingham, each Wednesday for more than six years, a group of us would meet to share creative ideas and nurture

each other. We all need community, to live among the creative, and to learn from each other about our differences and our common threads that make us a part of this southern tapestry. Want more? Shelton State Community College has the wonderful Bean-Brown Theatre Gallery, and the University of Alabama has a great new art wing. Also, there’s the Olli Learning Program, where just last semester I dove into watercolor, a poured paint project, and an intro to oil painting. With each passing year, I find myself incorporating creativity in everything I do from setting Top: Group painting at the Lorrie Lane Gallery makes creativity the table to finding different fun. Right: Local artist Lorrie Lane shares tips on oil painting at ways to weave the arts into my her studio in Tuscaloosa. Photos: Allison Adams world. It is never too late to nurture the creativity that we all have in us. Dig deep and think back to your early childhood. What did you love to do? Embrace your inner artist and find that passion once again. What are you waiting for? Spring is blooming – and so should you. Blessings, Allison I’m the “artsy Realtor” with Lake Homes Realty, and I’d love to see what you create. Tag me in your Instagram post @ allisonpadams.

— SMALL CHANGE —

BIG

DIFFERENCE Follow these tips to lower your power bill.

Use cold water to wash clothes

Vacuum refrigerator condenser coils to improve efficiency.

Fix or replace faulty electrical cords and plugs.

For more ways to save by making your home more energy efficient, visit AlabamaPower.com/tips.

DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

BUSINESS 4

5 3

7 6

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TUSCALOOSA’S PREMIER COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | DRUIDCITYLIVING.COM

NOW OPEN & OPENING SOON 1

Upscale bowling alley Bowlero will celebrate its grand opening on Apr. 27. Located in the former Bruno’s Supermarket site (2001 McFarland Blvd E). Bowlero oﬀers a high-tech bowling experience, featuring blacklight bowling lanes, food and drinks, and a state-of-the-art arcade. bowlero.com

Bradley’s Market is now open in Tuscaloosa (700 Towncenter Blvd. Suite 2). The gift shop and boutique sells custom gift baskets, home décor, gourmet food and wine, and more. (205) 764-1939.

BUSINESS

Planet Fitness has opened a second location in Tuscaloosa (635 Skyland Blvd.). The 24-hour gym is located in the old K-Mart. Planet Fitness has more than 1,600 locations in the U.S. and worldwide. (205) 506-2717; Planetﬁtness.com

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS 1

Barkley Garrett is the new Vice President for Economic Development at The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, ﬁlling the role previously held by Al Spencer, who retired earlier this year. The Alabama native will lead all economic development activities of the Chamber.

Kimberly McMurray, Principal of Behavioral Health Facility Consulting of Tuscaloosa, was named chair of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s Board of Directors in February. McMurray has been active in the Chamber for many years and received the Charles H. Land Member of the Year award – the Chamber’s highest honor for an individual member – in 2016.

Carvana, an online-only used car dealer, is now serving the Tuscaloosa area. The company oﬀers next-day vehicle delivery to customers, who can shop online for vehicles, obtain ﬁnancing, and trade-in. Carvana.com

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Checkers Drive-In restaurant has opened in Northport (5620 McFarland Blvd.). The fast food eatery serves burgers, fries, hot dogs, milkshakes, and more. (205) 654-5050; checkers.com

Mark’s Mart is now open in Northport (2300 5th St.) soon. Mark’s Mart is a specialty grocery store featuring cut-to-order meats, and more. Chickenswirl.com

Kimberly McMurray Photo: Kimberly McMurray

Barkley Garrett Photo: Chamber Tuscaloosa

Leadership Tuscaloosa is collecting gently used business professional clothing for men and women through Apr. Massage Envy is coming to Tuscaloosa, with plans to locate in Midtown Village (1800 McFarland Blvd. E, Suite 12 for the Stillman College Interview Closet. Donation bins are located at First Federal Bank on McFarland Blvd., Hamner Real 106) this spring. Massage Envy oﬀers various massage therapy Estate on University Blvd., Stillman College, and Shelton State. sessions, as well as skin care treatments. Massageenvy.com

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Business you want to see here? Email us at: editor@druidcitymedia.com

Women’s apparel retailer Charlotte Russe is closing all its Mellow Mushroom was expected to open its doors again stores, including its Tuscaloosa store, located in University in Tuscaloosa (557 20th Ave. – in the former Post Office Pies location) on Apr. 1. The restaurant serves fresh, stone-baked Mall. The retailer received the final shipments ofc new spring pizzas to order in an eclectic, art-filled environment. (205) 710- merchandise in March. Liquidation sales were expected to continue into April. 2187; Mellowmushroom.com

PARAkids Camp Countdown

PARAkids Day Camp Spring Break Summer Break March 11-15 May 28-August 6 Fun for kids in grades K-8 7:30a - 5:45p* *Ask about early bird drop-off and sibling discount

Spring - Belk and Phelps Summer - Belk, Phelps, Faucett and Miller

Outdoor Adventure Camp Powell Pavilion

online registration

tcpara.org

DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

COMMUNITY A Decade of DCAF: Druid City Arts Festival Celebrates Milestone, Expands to Two Days BY FAITH HENLEY uscaloosa’s rich culture of art and music is well-represented through the Druid City Arts Festival. The annual spring event has become so popular, organizers opted to expand it to two days, for an even greater cultural experience. “This is the tenth year of the festival – what we call a Decade of DCAF,” said Barrett Elder, Marketing and Communications Manager for Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports. “Adding a day allows us to have more bands, so we have more good music for folks to enjoy. Expanding the festival also drew some artists that we would not have gotten otherwise.” Elder added that nearly half of the 87 artists participating in this year’s festival are from out of town, and there are 25 new artists. Artisans travel from across the state and country to share their unique talents with the Tuscaloosa community. From shopping to soap making, the variety of arts at DCAF will keep attendees busy for hours. With locally-sourced food, one-of-a-kind art pieces, hands-on crafts and ready-for-adoption furry friends, organizers say every member of the family will ﬁnd something to love. “Each year, we have tried to add new and diﬀerent entertaining elements to DCAF to make it fun for our patrons,”

“MY FAVORITE PART OF THE EVENT IS MEETING WITH OTHER ARTISTS AND BEING INSPIRED BY THEIR CREATIVITY.” -JOE GOODSON, DCAF ARTIST Elder said. “The fact that it remains a free event is a factor as well. People can bring their families to the festival, look at great art, let the kids do fun stuﬀ in the Kids’ Zone, and listen to good music

without having to spend a fortune.” For artists participating in DCAF, there’s lots to love. “I love that we are supported by our community. We buy fruit from our local farmers, we produce our product locally, and local businesses sell and cook with our products,” said Laura S. Clark, owner of SweetHomeChicago, who is participating for the fourth year. “Then we get to participate in DCAF, a local event. We love promoting Tuscaloosa.” “My favorite part of the event is meeting with other artists and being inspired by their creativity,” said Alabama-based artisan Joe Goodson, who specializes in wood work and glass work. “The music is awesome as well.” This year’s musical acts include

the Matt Jones Band, Graystone, UA Acabellas, the 4G Band, members of the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre, Drum-

“WE WILL HAVE MORE ART, MORE MUSIC, MORE FOOD, AND MORE FUN THINGS TO DO THAN EVER.” - BARRETT ELDER, TUSCALOOSA TOURISM AND SPORTS

night and Saturday. The Druid City Arts Festival will be held at Government Plaza April 5-6. On Friday, the festival runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The festival kicks oﬀ again at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and it wraps up at 5 p.m. The event is free, so attendees can come and go as they please, or take breaks to enjoy the other things to do downtown. “We will have more art, more music, more food, and more fun things to do than ever,” Elder said. “We are very excited.”

Nation, Blue Cats, and Rabbit Branch. Live acts will take the stage both Friday

Tuscaloosa’s Druid City Arts Festival Returns to Government Plaza Apr. 5-6. Area residents who appreciate great art and music can enjoy two days’ worth for free at the 10th Annual DCAF. Photos: Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports

TUSCALOOSA’S PREMIER COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | DRUIDCITYLIVING.COM

COMMUNITY Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre Brings “Shrek The Musical Jr.” to the Stage for Spring Show BY DCL STAFF hen it comes to beloved children’s characters, Shrek is often near the top of the list. Now, this beloved ogre is set to come to life on stage locally, thanks to the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre. TCT will present the beloved musical Shrek The Musical Jr. Apr. 12-14 at the Bama Theatre in downtown Tuscaloosa. Shrek Jr., which is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and Broadway musical, will close out the group’s 2018-2019 “Season to Believe,” which also included performances of Mary Poppins Jr. and Babes in Toyland. In Shrek The Musical Jr., Shrek leads a cast of fairytale misfits on a grand adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, director Brent Jones says Shrek Jr. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family. “Shrek is a tale that reminds us to treat others as we want to be treated, despite our differences,” Jones said. “It’s fun, often silly, and I am thrilled to be working with such a talented cast, crew and artistic staff!” Each year, the TCT performs full-scale musicals with a cast of local children. It’s the goal of the non-profit organization: To educate and expose children of Tuscaloosa County to all aspects of stage performing and production, from acting

Princess Fiona (Hallie Grace Hamner) rehearses with the cast of Shrek the Musical Jr. The show features a big cast of all the most popular and beloved Shrek characters. Shrek the Musical Jr. will run Apr. 12-14 at the Bama Theatre. Photo: Betsy Morrison

to costumes to set design. And with Shrek Jr., TCT is trying something diﬀerent. The Saturday, Apr. 13 matinee will be a “sensory sensitive” show – part of a partnership with Arts ‘n Autism. “It is so wonderful when others make an eﬀort to include our children with autism and provide support that make it an

enjoyable experience,” said Arts ‘n Autism Co-Founder and Executive Director Jan Sikes. “This act of kindness allows families living with autism to enjoy more things together in the community.” Shrek The Musical Jr. will be performed on Friday, Apr. 12 at 7 p.m., on Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets

are $20 for premium seats, $15 for adults and $10 for students. They can be purchased online at tuscaloosachildrenstheatre.net or at the box oﬃce one hour prior to show time. For more information, call the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre at (205) 310-8010.

DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

COMMUNITY TELLING THE IMPORTANT

STORIES:

Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force Plans Civil Rights Trail BY BRANDIE BOWDEN

Top: Tuscaloosa Civil Right History Task Force members divided into small groups to brainstorm ideas for raising awareness and interest in Tuscaloosa’s unique civil rights history. This is one of the groups that met at Moundville Jan. 25-27. Right: Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force members Rebecca Minder and Mary Brooks were on hand for a “soft launch” of the Civil Rights Trail during the February 2019 Tuscaloosa Heritage Festival. Bottom: Dr. Scott Bridges, retired UA professor and president of the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force (TCRHT), holds up a copy of the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Trail booklet, presented Feb. 23 at the “Honoring Our Trailblazers” event, part of the annual Tuscaloosa Heritage Festival. Photos: Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force and Luna Yang

Everyone’s familiar with the saying, “Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.” Dr. Scott Bridges of Tuscaloosa is not going to let that happen. When Dr. Bridges moved to Tuscaloosa in July 1979, the ﬁrst thing he learned about this area is how hot it can be. It was 100 degrees or hotter that day – and for the next 17 days. The next major thing he learned came on day 17, when he opened the newspaper to see a headline announcing the KKK march occurring downtown. “When I told folks I was moving to Alabama, they said ‘Oh you’re going to the Deep South,’” Bridges said. “I said ‘I’m from North Carolina. That’s the South.’ When I saw that headline, I realized what people were talking about. What was shocking to me was that that part of American life

was still going on.” Since then, Dr. Bridges has had a passion for propelling Tuscaloosa forward in a direction that completely leaves that part of Alabama’s history in the past as a benchmark for demonstrating how far we have come. In early summer of this year, part of Bridges’ dream will come to fruition when Tuscaloosa unveils a trail downtown marking landmarks from the Civil Rights era with information on the signiﬁcance of each location. In 2016, Bridges put together the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force (TCRHT). The group’s mission is “to bring about positive change and reconciliation through collecting, preserving, and telling the stories of the important struggle for civil rights in Tuscaloosa.”

The Task Force questioned whether Tuscaloosa’s civil rights history has received the recognition it deserves. Members constructed a survey to determine how many people recognized key locations from local history. From the results, most people only recognized one location: Foster Auditorium on the University of Alabama campus, where Governor George Wallace stood in the door refusing to allow Vivian Malone and James Hood to enter. Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Trail This information sparked an education initiative that has developed into the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Trail. The part of the trail being unveiled this summer focuses on areas downtown. When the project reaches completion, it will also include Stillman

College and The University of Alabama. “We couldn’t tell the story of Civil Rights without telling the history of it,” said Bridges, president of the Task Force. “We tried to let history speak for itself.” The Task Force has put together an informational pamphlet which includes a map of the 18 current markers and their locations. The pamphlet provides information on each of the sites, including photos of the locations as they looked at that time, and it features images of key players in local Civil Rights events. “It took two years to publish the Civil Rights Trail, and the biggest challenge was getting documentation,” said Dr. Mary Jolley, a member of the Task Force. “At one point, I said ‘reconciliation’ and that got repeated. A man in New Orleans saw it and

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COMMUNITY contacted us oﬀering images that he had from his father who was a photographer in the area during that time. Someone from the library found footage from England, TV footage, a minute’s worth, that they were able to provide. So, things like that just happened, and really it’s amazing that we were able to do it in two years given all of that.” Stops on the trail include the Druid Theatre on the 2400 block of University Blvd., where movie actor Jack Palance attended a movie with his family only to be attacked by a white mob who heard rumors that he was in town supporting integration; the Alston Building (2400 6th Street), which housed the oﬃce of Robert Shelton,

“WE ALL THE TIME HEAR PEOPLE SAY, ‘WE’VE COME A LONG WAY, BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.’ BUT NO ONE EVER DESCRIBES WHAT THAT ‘LONG WAY’ IS. IN MY HEART, THAT IS RECONCILIATION.” -DR. MARY JOLLEY Imperial Wizard of the United Klans of America; the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center (620 Greensboro Ave.) named for the legendary jazz and blues singer who was born in Tuscaloosa; and the Bluefront District (811 23rd Ave.), which housed an African-American commercial district outside of the local black neighborhoods where blacks could socialize and have a dignified consumer experience. These are just a few of the 18 markers which will go up downtown between 15th Street and University Blvd. going East to 22nd Ave. and West to 28th Ave. Bridges says formally recognizing the events in our city’s past will help in the healing process for the community, but it’s just the first step toward a greater goal: reconciliation. “We need recognition in order to achieve reconciliation,” Bridges said, adding that Dr. Jolley brought about the idea of reconciliation to help the community move forward in a positive direction. “I often hear ‘I didn’t do it; I didn’t have anything to do with it,” said Bridges. But he has calculated rough estimates of how many thousands of descendants there are from slaves and slave owners alike, and he acknowledges that everyone is still deeply affected by the way of life of their ancestors just a few generations ago. Reconciliation A four-phase reconciliation initiative began last year. The first three phases occurred from July 2018 to February of this year, making way for the fourth phase: Project Development and Execution. This phase involves community projects, allowing others in the community to participate in the reconciliation process and help pass it on. The group will unveil and launch the projects during a community-wide function around the time of the unveiling of the trail this summer. Dr. Jolley, who celebrated her 90th birthday in 2018, pulled the idea of reconciliation from years of her professional experience as an advocate for minorities and those in poverty, focusing largely on education and job creation, among many other things, during her influential career. “We all the time hear people say, ‘We’ve come a long way, but we have a long way to

go,’” said Jolley, “but no one ever describes what that ‘long way’ is. In my heart, that is reconciliation.” For Jolley, the Task Force, and many in our community, the June 4, 1964 event now referred to as “Bloody Tuesday” carries with it one of the greatest injustices in need of reconciliation. Like “Bloody Sunday,” which occurred one year later in Selma, a group of citizens gathered to walk in protest of the Jim Crow laws. Their walk was interrupted by police with tear gas. Many protesters were beaten. Over 30 men, women, and children were sent to the hospital, and nearly 100 people were arrested. Unlike the Selma march, Bloody Tuesday did not receive much media attention at all and went virtually unacknowledged for decades. The Civil Rights History Trail will commemorate Bloody Tuesday. One goal of the reconciliation project is to establish trail guides, who can lead people through the stops, oﬀering additional information about each of the landmarks. The hope is that the Trail and reconciliation projects will work together to facilitate healing. “Reconciliation comes from recognition on the part of both black and white people, and acknowledging the facts, the truth,” Jolley said. “Nelson Mandela, who is most famous for ‘truth and reconciliation,’ acknowledged that. We must be willing to change our outlook and take another look. When we can tell a story and tell the truth, just basing it on fact, that has amazing power to change your outlook. And when we do that, we ﬁnd out that most human beings have the same hopes and dreams, and that has a way of bringing people together. That’s what I hope for.” To get involved with the Task Force, or to get more information visit their website, civilrightstuscaloosa.org, or the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail Facebook page.

DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

COMMUNITY Alabama Wildflower Society Set to Hold 40th Annual Native Plant Sale BY NANCY CAMPBELL ust in time for spring planting, the George Wood Chapter of the Alabama Wildflower Society (AWS) is holding its 40th annual plant sale on Saturday, Apr. 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kentuck Center courtyard in downtown Northport. The sale, which is rain or shine, features primarily native plants indigenous to the southeastern U.S., but it also includes some non-invasive “passalong” plants that are well-adapted to our area. Items for sale are obtained from an out-of-state nursery specializing in native plants and from members of the Alabama Wildflower Society – who contribute plants from their own gardens and property. AWS is a non-profit organization dedicated to education about and preservation of Alabama’s native plant life. Sale prices are very competitive, relative to the commercial market. The earlier customers arrive, the better the selection of plants available. Members enjoy the best selection, and can purchase plants on Friday, April 5. Membership information and applications will be available on site, and new members are welcome to join on Friday or Saturday. “There are always some surprises among the plants we offer. Members will be delivering items from their gardens on Friday and right up to opening time on Saturday,” said Rosemary Blethen, co-coordinator of the sale along with her husband Al Blethen. Native plants offered will include many shrubs and trees, such as dogwoods, redbuds, pawpaw, butterfly bushes, hydrangeas, sweet shrub, and several varieties of native azaleas. Ferns, ground covers, and flowering vines and plants will also be offered. Wildflowers for sale typically include columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, spiderwort, trillium, bloodroot, various asters and mints, a variety of sunflowers, and native irises and violets. Passalongs contributed by members typically include shrubs, such as flowering quince, spirea, and kerria, as well as daylilies and other plants from bulbs. Some houseplants are also usually available. Signs will help customers identify bright-blooming plants, which are excellent nectar sources for butterflies and other pollinators from spring through fall. Handouts with suggestions of which plants to grow to support pollinators will also be available. Customers are encouraged to learn more about all their native plant selections by consulting Alabama’s Plant

Atlas online at ﬂoraofalabama.org. Proceeds from the sale will help further education about and preservation of Alabama’s native plant life. Every year, the George Wood Chapter contributes to college scholarships to botany majors in Alabama colleges and universities. The Chapter also supports the Cahaba Lily Society and its annual Cahaba Lily Festival as well as local projects, including the Wildﬂower Garden and the rhododendron collection of the University of Alabama Arboretum.

Top: AWS George Wood Chapter members (L to R) Patricia McDonald, Kay Hutchins, and Alice Taylor setting up plants for the 2018 Native Plant Sale. This year’s sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 6. Left: AWS George Wood Chapter members Tony Bordeaux (left) and Charles Day, assisted by Day’s grandson, Jack Day, unloading native plants ahead of the 2018 Native Plant Sale. The 2019 sale will be held in the Kentuck Center courtyard in downtown Northport. Right: Al Blethen, event co-coordinator, helps a customer with selections during the 2018 Native Plant Sale. This year’s 40th annual sale will feature native and “passalong” plants. Photos: Nancy Campbell

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DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

COMMUNITY

Tales of Tuscaloosa Itinerant Politicians By Jim Ezell

Left: The Marmaduke Williams House on 17th Ave. in Tuscaloosa is early Federal Style and was erected in about 1835. Public domain image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Right: Alabama Attorney General Lincoln Clark was a Massachusetts native who later became an Iowa Congressman. Public domain image courtesy of the Iowa State Historical Society.

or much of Tuscaloosa’s early history and indeed the United States, itinerancy was common. There were clock peddlers, opticians, music teachers, dance instructors, and others whose residence in any particular town, city, or state was short-lived. Some, such as plantation owners, farmers, miners, merchants, and craftsmen, perhaps stayed longer, but they still were subject to wanderlust. One special group was the politicians. As people moved west, those with political ambitions often looked for newer, more fertile ground and, in some cases, a fresh start. Two of Alabama’s earliest “immigrant” politicians were William W. Bibb, a former Congressman and U. S. Senator from Georgia and former North Carolina Congressman Marmaduke Williams. Bibb was appointed Governor of the new Alabama Territory in 1817 by President James Monroe. Williams came to Alabama in 1810 – when it was part of the Mississippi Territory. Both participated in the 1819 Alabama Constitutional Convention and opposed each other in the ﬁrst gubernatorial election. Bibb was elected the ﬁrst governor of the new State of Alabama and served until 1820, when he was fatally injured falling from a horse. Williams moved to Tuscaloosa in 1819 and later served as a state representative and county court

judge. He was also a member of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. Williams died in October 1850 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Like Bibb and Williams, William S. Taylor came to Alabama in the early 19th century. He served several terms in the Alabama Legislature from 1833 until 1841 as a representative of nearby Fayette County. He led a company of volunteers in the Seminole Wars and later attained the rank of General in the state militia, a title he used thereafter. Subsequently, he relocated to Tippah County, Mississippi, and served in that state’s legislature. Finally, in 1847, he settled in Texas and represented Cherokee and Anderson Counties. In 1857, he was elected Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Taylor and his wife Elizabeth had 15 children. In Fifty-Five Years in West Alabama, E. A. Powell stated that Taylor was a remarkable man of limited education who nevertheless distinguished himself in any of his endeavors and was never defeated in numerous political contests. William H. Jack was a University of Georgia graduate who came to Tuscaloosa to practice law. In 1827, he was elected to the Alabama House. In 1830, he and his brother Patrick, an attorney from Jeﬀerson County, emigrated to the Mexican State of Coahuila y Tejas. They became involved in the Texas Revolu-

tion, and William later served as a Congressman and Senator in the Republic of Texas. Both brothers died in 1844 in a yellow fever epidemic. Jack County and its seat, Jackville, are named in their honor. These men held successive citizenships in three countries during their relatively short lives. Lincoln Clark had perhaps the most circuitous career of any Alabama politician. He was born in Conway, Massachusetts. As a young lawyer, he moved to Pickens County and served three terms in the Alabama Legislature. In 1836, he relocated to Tuscaloosa and was appointed Alabama Attorney General in 1839. In his memoirs, E. A. Powell stated that Clark was a defense attorney in the ﬁrst trial he ever witnessed and that Clark “was considered THE great lawyer of the Bar.” In 1848, Clark relocated to Dubuque, Iowa, and subsequently served one term as a U. S. Congressman. Later, he was elected to the Iowa General Assembly. After the Civil War, Clark practiced law in Chicago, Illinois, and late in life returned to his hometown in Massachusetts. It is now very uncommon for an American to be elected to public oﬃce in a succession of states. As a whole, 21st century society is highly mobile, however, in at least one aspect, modern politicians are less “traveled” than those of more than a century ago.

About the Author Jim Ezell is a retired engineer, historian, and author. His newest novel, The Cistern, was published in Dec. 2017. The Cistern is an adventure/crime novel set in Tuscaloosa and ﬁctional Tombigbee County in the Alabama Black Belt. The Cistern is available on Amazon. com.

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COMMUNITY Family Counseling Service: Building Relationships Through Daily Affirmations BY LARRY DEAVERS ou can never take for granted the status of your relationship with another person. Without continual maintenance and acknowledgement, relationships become weaker over time. The relationships that are most valuable to us require frequent, perhaps even daily, confirmation that they are important. Even though we may not be consciously aware of it, each time we encounter another person, in the first second of the encounter, we perform a quick evaluation of their mood, their expressions, their body language, and their response to us. The closer the relationship, the more we are affected by the way we perceive the other person’s mood. When we see that the other person is welcoming and inviting towards us, we tend to relax and soften our approach in response. When we sense tension or withdrawal, our response is more guarded. Due to distraction, exhaustion, or discomfort, we can sometimes come across to others as irritable or angry, even when we think we are being pleasant. If we think we are being inviting, but the other person senses agitation, their guarded response leads to us becoming more guarded in return. This cycle often escalates into tension and defensiveness, especially when the relationship is close, and these encounters occur on a regular basis. Just think about how many arguments have begun with the words, “What’s wrong?” The way to overcome this and build positive relationships is to make a point of affirming the value of those around you on a consistent basis. Daily encouraging comments, smiles, welcoming expressions, and touches (when appropriate) are times to check-in with the

other person to say, “We’re still good.” we place on them. This is true whether it It removes doubt about where you stand is a family member, a co-worker, a client, with each other and, often non-verbally, or a friend. If you routinely encounter releases tension and sets the tone for how people who seem tense, angry and negayou relate to one another. tive, you might look to see if they are acWith family members, when you first tually responding to something that you, see each other in the morning, or when yourself, are conveying unintentionally. you come home from work, there’s that You will be amazed at how all your little question hanging in the air: “What relationships will improve as you begin kind of mood is he in?” “Is she mad at to recognize and take advantage of all me about anything?” The seemingly inthe ways you can positively affirm those significant affirmations of physical touch, around you. It may be difficult to overfacial expression, tone of voice, etc. come how you have been perceived by measure and confirm to one another that others in the past, but over time, you will all is good, or it is not. When we fail to notice a positive change in your relationconvey that all is good, that uncertainty ships through daily positive affirmations. generates tension that creates an environment where other misunderstandings and disagreements can fester. Each time we interact with another person, we are afLarry Deavers is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Executive Director of Family Counseling Service of West Alabama. firming the value

DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

COMMUNITY

WOODBANK LANE

Easy, Inexpensive Ways to Get Your Home Spring-Ready BY KATHRYN WILKERSON I don’t know about you guys, but I’m thrilled to be swapping out Old Man Winter for the sweetness of spring. I think we’ve all had enough rainy, cloudy days to last us a while. The slightly warmer feel of the longer days reminds me that summer is right around the corner. Have you started sprucing up and doing spring cleaning? If not, you’re in luck! Hi there! I’m Kathryn from the blog Woodbank Lane. This month, I’m sharing some simple ideas to help get your home ready to say hello to spring. These ideas are easy and inexpensive, and they will help your house feel updated and spring-ready!

Put wintery-colored candles away until next year. In their place, use white or oﬀ-white candles. White and oﬀwhite easily mix with any home décor.

Shop your house and pull together similar colored items to create a spring vignette. The items don’t have to be matchy-matchy, just all the in the same color family. Then, head out to your yard and cut some fresh greenery. The bigger the better!

Small house plants are a great way to make your home feel fresh. Add them to bed side tables, dressers, or end tables. Better yet, buy two, pot them in matching containers, and position them on each end of your mantel. Mixing them in with your bookshelf décor is a great idea, too. Not all indoor plants need bright light; some will grow in any room of your home with just a small amount of light.

Display colorful fruit in pretty bowls or on trays. Who knows… perhaps your kids will see the fruit on the counter, kitchen island, or on the dining room table and actually eat a piece!

Flowers! Pick some up at the grocery store or a local florist and display them in your favorite jars or vases. This will instantly add color and a bit of happy to any room. Or use faux flowers. I’m not offended at all by fake – if they look good.

And my ﬁnal thought for freshening up your home for spring: add an unexpected pop of color with new throw pillows, or add new pillow covers to existing ones. Think bright. Mix and match patterns. Go bold! Ikat fabrics and geometric prints add character and fun focal points, and they are on pages and pages of home decorating magazines these days. Do you shop on Etsy? It’s a great source for inexpensive pillow covers.

Tuscaloosa native Kathryn Wilkerson is a wife, a mom of three, a teacher, and the author of Woodbank Lane – a blog that oﬀers up a variety of diﬀerent decorating ideas and projects, recipes, and inspiration for living. Follow Kathryn at woodbanklane.com and on Instagram @woodbanklane.

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SCHOOLS Druid City Living Teacher of the Month: Kim Davis, Tuscaloosa County High School BY FAITH HENLEY ccording to Kim Davis, learning a new language not only opens doors to new opportunities, it makes life more fun. By teaching French to the students at Tuscaloosa County High School for eight years, she’s seen a lot of both, and she’s discovered the key to engaging learners – reading. “I would advise parents to read to your kids when they are young and develop a culture of reading in your home,” said. “It doesn’t really matter what they read, as long as they are reading.”

“I BELIEVE THAT GIVING STUDENTS INPUT AND CHOICE IN THE CLASSROOM INCREASES THEIR ENGAGEMENT AND RIGOR, BECAUSE STUDENTS BECOME STAKEHOLDERS IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN THEIR OWN LEARNING.” Davis came from an extensive family of educators – but following in her family’s footsteps was not always the goal. In hopes of one day working in the United Nations, Davis moved to Tuscaloosa to attend the University of Alabama.

She earned three degrees: a bachelor’s degree in French and religious studies, a master’s degree in applied linguistics of French, and an alternative master’s certiﬁcation in second language acquisition of French. Along the way, Davis realized her true passion for teaching and working with teenagers through a fellowship with the Blount Undergraduate Initiative and her experience teaching at the Alabama Academy of Irish Dance. After graduation, Davis decided to stay in Tuscaloosa and invest in the students at TCHS. “My biggest lesson as a teacher has been learning that students need to take ownership of what happens in the classroom,” Davis said. “Putting their ideas, needs, wants, and hopes front and center not only helps them learn French, but it also gives them agency over their education.” Davis attributes her unique teaching style to two diﬀerent strategies – using the language comprehensively and learning through independent reading. She regularly engages her French students in class discussions of current events or by creating stories in the new language. Additionally, class time is dedicated for each student to read a book of their choice that interests them (in French, of course). “I believe that giving students input and choice in the classroom increases their engagement and rigor, because students become stakeholders in the classroom and in their own learning,” Davis said. “Now, my students are interacting with French both inside and outside the

Photo: Kim Davis

classroom in their daily lives.” A life-long learner, Davis says she is currently learning Spanish, Turkish, and Mandarin using the same methods her students use in class. She often discusses her progress, both successes and failures, with her classes. “We inﬂuence our students by being a real person,” Davis said. “I am never afraid to admit and apologize when I

have made a mistake or when my plans aren’t going well. I admit when I am tired or grumpy. I think being honest and vulnerable in that way shows that teachers are humans too, but we ﬁnd ways to persevere. I think modeling that perseverance is really important for young people, because it’s a hard lesson to learn.”

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DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

SCHOOLS PreK Pals Ponderings: How Do You Know When It’s Spring? Meet the PreK Pals! These kids are fantastic, and they’re the stars of this column. Alicia Jenne’, a veteran teacher of little people, is the PreK Pals Lead Teacher for PreK#1 at Rock Quarry Elementary School and our inquisitive “reporter” – asking the hard-hitting questions everyone wants answers to. This month, the spotlight is squarely on PreK students Rhodes and Audrey. This month, we all want to know…How do you know when it’s spring? (Photos: Alicia Jenne’)

Rhodes (5)

ecause the sun comes out, and when I go walking, I see my rose bush with flowers on it and that’s how I know it is spring.

Audrey (“almost 5”)

know it is spring because the plants are growing and because the sun is out, and it is getting warm!

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO! Registration for the 13th Annual Mayor’s Cup is now open.

APRIL 27, GOVERNMENT PLAZA Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox began the Mayor’s Cup in 2007. Since that inaugural race, the race has raised more than $272,000 for the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative, which aims to expand education and health services for academically at-risk children and their families.

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February 1 - March 31

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SCHOOLS

Building on Success: Central High School Comes Off the “Failing Schools” List BY SARAH CASSIBRY n 2007, Central High School had a graduation rate of 47 percent. In the years following, the school steadily resided on the list of failing schools in Alabama. A mark of failure followed Central High, its faculty, and its students. That all changed last year, when more than 85 percent of the seniors in the Class of 2018 graduated. The graduation rate has nearly doubled in the last decade. For the first time since the Alabama Accountability Act was established in 2013, and the state began releasing its list of failing schools, Central High is no longer on that list. Lesley Bruinton, spokesperson for the Tuscaloosa City Schools, said that the stigma created by the school’s failing scores “stung” for many of the students. “The students didn’t like being defined by a label,” said Bruinton. “Being on the list [of failing schools] was a demoralizing experience for teachers and students.” James Pope, deputy superintendent for the Tuscaloosa City Schools, said that despite the views that others had on the school, the students never viewed themselves as failing. “There is not failure in that building,” said Pope. “The school coming off that list just proves that to the surrounding community.” Clarence Sutton Jr., the principle of Central High, began his job in 2010 and has seen the school through many of its troubles. He said a lot of the school’s issues were solved by a group effort from the teachers to become more invested in each child individually and a determination to be better from the students. However, Sutton said that there is still much to do. “We have not arrived,” said Sutton. “We’re

better, but we have not arrived. We won round five, but round six is coming. We’ve got to be ready for what is coming next.” One problem that Central High is currently facing is its college and career readiness score. According to the Education Report Card released by the Alabama Department of Education, only 45 percent of graduates leave Central High School prepared for college or a career. However, nearly 54 percent of Central’s students are economically disadvantaged. Sutton said that this hinders the students’ abilities to be successful after they graduate. “The barrier is always finances,” said Sutton. In response to the issue, they started a business in their parking lot. Every game day during The University of Central High School Principal Clarence Sutton Jr. says the hard work of faculty and students helped get the school off Alabama’s list of “failing schools.” Photo: Sarah Cassibry Alabama’s football season, students and teachers work for students to participate in activities like art Despite claims like this, Sutton maintained together to park cars at the and debate. that the students and the faculty at the school school to raise money to fund their education. Dan Meissner, former chairman of the have made the real difference. He said that According to Sutton, fundraisers like this Tuscaloosa City Schools, said that Sutton has because of them, Central High School will provide a means for educating the students been an important part of the success story at keep improving. on what their future can look like, but the Central High School. “I feel like we’ll never be back on that list teachers also do so much more. They take “His energy and dedication have inspired again.” field trips to various jobs and colleges, meet the teachers and the students to reach for even with students one-on-one to discuss possible higher goals,” said Meissner. plans for their future, and give opportunities

DRUID CITY LIVING | APRIL 2019

FOOD Druid City Living Recipes: April

BY AMY POORE

appy spring! I hope everyone had at least a little bit of a spring “break” this past month. If you just went to the beach, you know – it’s almost time for swimsuit season. That likely means you’re buckling down on your diet. Well, I’m here to help!

This month, we’ve got two excellent healthy options that will leave you satisﬁed and happy – without packing on the pounds. These no bagel bites are a snap to make, and they’ll help satisfy your cravings for those (arguably delicious) bagels. Try them as an appetizer or a snack.

Need a side dish that is full on ﬂavor but not full on calories? Roasted Brussels sprouts are the perfect answer. Serve these and watch your kids gobble them up – then decide whether to tell them yep, they’re Brussels sprouts! Bon Appetit.

No Bagel Bites • Cucumbers, sliced • Whipped Chive and Onion cream cheese • Everything but the Bagel seasoning blend

Spread cream cheese on sleeved cucumbers and sprinkle with Everything but the Bagel seasoning. Serve immediately.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts •Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered •Olive oil spray •Your favorite seasoning blend (I use Zoe’s)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place Brussels sports on foil in one layer.

Spray evenly with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with seasoning. Roast for 10-13 minutes, or until they reach your desired brownness.

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Amy Poore is a Tuscaloosa mom, wife, and foodie. To see more of Amy’s delicious recipes, visit her blog, Poore Amy, at pooreamy.com. Photos by Amy Poore.

TUSCALOOSA’S PREMIER COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER | DRUIDCITYLIVING.COM

CALENDAR 15th Annual Serving with a Smile Celebrity Waiter Dinner: Apr. 18, 7 p.m. Tuscaloosa River Market. This annual event beneﬁts Temporary Emergency Services of Tuscaloosa County. For more information, call (205) 7585535 or visit temporaryemergencyservices.org.

Kentuck Art Night: Apr. 4, 5-8 p.m. Main Avenue, Northport. This event is free to the public. For more information, visit kentuck.org/art-nights. 10th Annual Druid City Arts Festival: Apr. 5 (5-10 p.m.) and Apr. 6 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Government Plaza, downtown Tuscaloosa. Celebrate a Decade of DCAF over two days, with more artists and entertainment. For more information, visit druidcityartsfestival.com. First Friday in Downtown Tuscaloosa: Apr. 5, 5-8 p.m. This event is free to the public. Local galleries, businesses and restaurants are open as a way for the community to see what downtown Tuscaloosa oﬀers. For more information, including a map of all participants, visit ﬁrstfridaytuscaloosa.com.

DCL Saves the Date: American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Tuscaloosa County Residents of Tuscaloosa County are preparing to walk to fight back against cancer. The American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life Tuscaloosa is planned for Friday, Apr. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Government Plaza in downtown Tuscaloosa. The event gives everyone in the community a chance to celebrate those who have battled cancer, to remember friends and loved ones lost, and to help raise awareness and much-needed funds to fight cures. This year, the ACS is combining the Tuscaloosa County and University of Alabama Relays into one big event, to unite the community in the battle against cancer. To form a team or register as a survivor, visit relayforlife.org/tuscaloosaal. For more information, visit Tuscaloosa Relay for Life on Facebook. Photo: American Cancer Society South Region

Arts ‘n Autism 15th Birthday Celebration: Apr. 5, 7-11 p.m. Bryant Conference Center, University of Alabama campus. Celebrate the 15th birthday of Arts ‘n Autism with delicious food, music by Ula: A Tribute to Jimmy Buﬀet, and dancing. For more information, call (205) 247-4990. Northport Bicentennial Celebration: Apr. 6, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Historic Downtown Northport. This all-day, family friendly event celebrates Alabama’s 200th birthday. Enjoy great food, entertainment, competitions, and activities, as well as a parade down Main Street at 4 p.m. For more information, visit northport200.org.

16th Annual Doctor’s Day 10K & Fun Run: Apr. 6, 8 a.m. (10K) and 9:30 a.m. (Fun Run). The Buddy Powell Pavilion, Tuscaloosa. Proceeds benefit The Good Samaritan Clinic, Alberta Elementary Adopt-A-School Program, and A Woman’s Place via the Tuscaloosa County Medical Alliance. Register on Active.com or on site. Step into the Rainforest at CHOM: Apr. 6, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa, downtown Tuscaloosa. Pick and animal from one of the rainforest layers to take home, make it rain and create your very own rain stick, and enjoy CHOM’s very own rainforest sensory bin. For more information, visit chomonline.org. 9th Annual Crimson Couch to 5k/10k: Apr. 6, 9 a.m. University of Alabama Recreation Outdoor Pool Complex. Join the UA Office of Health Promotion & Wellness (and Big Al!) in spreading the message that health and wellness is fun. Choose your race distance as the course takes you through the UA campus. Enjoy a live DJ, prizes, and a free selfie photo booth. Registration: $20. Email wellness@ua.edu, visit wellness.ua.edu/cc25k, or call (205) 348-0077 for more information. Autism Society of Alabama’s Funky Fun Run: Apr. 6, 9:30 a.m. (check in 8:30 a.m.), Sokol Park, Tuscaloosa. Gather supporters, friends, family, co-workers, and classmates to celebrate the unique abilities individuals with autism bring to this community. Anyone can enjoy this Funky Fun Run – it’s untimed, and there’s no competition. For more information and to register, visit funkyfunrun. com. Calico Street Troupe Performance: Apr. 6 and 20. 10:30 a.m.Noon, Northport Civic Center. Bring the whole family to this free, interactive, professional stage play for kids and their families, which features costumed actors, dancers, special lighting, and music – all on a 36-foot stage. Performances teach right choices and good character. For more information, visit calicostreet.com. Girl Talk 2: Overcoming Obstacles to Empower Women: Apr. 7, 2-4:30 p.m. Bryant Conference Center, University of Alabama campus. Girl Talk, hosted by PRIDE of Tuscaloosa, is a dining experience created to provide education on protective and risk factors of substance abuse. For more information, call (205) 765-0351 or email NKHUGHES81@yahoo.com. Tuscaloosa County March for Babies: Apr. 7, 2 p.m. The Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum. Participants in this event, sponsored by the March of Dimes Alabama chapter, will stroll down the Riverwalk for a 2.2-mile walk. For more information, visit marchforbabies.org. Chamber Business After Hours: Apr. 9, 5-7 p.m. La Quinta Inn & Suites, Tuscaloosa. Spend time networking and enjoy food and fun with fellow members. For more information, visit tuscaloosachamber.com. Shelton State Community College Theatre Department Presents “Almost, Maine”: Apr. 11-14. Alabama Power Recital Hall, Shelton State Community College Main Campus. Featuring nine vignettes about couples in the imaginary town of Almost, Maine, this show examines the joy and pain of falling into and out of

love. For more information, including show times and tickets, visit theatretusc.com. 7th Annual West Alabama Food & Wine Festival 2019: Apr. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuscaloosa River Market. Proceeds from this annual event benefit the West Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross. Local chefs and restauranteurs will present a variety of dishes with Southern flavors. Enjoy sampling great wine and craft beer, too. For more information, visit westalabamafoodandwine. org. Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre presents “Shrek, The Musical Jr.”: Apr. 12-14, Bama Theatre, downtown Tuscaloosa. The Apr. 13 matinee will be a sensory sensitive show. For more information, including tickets, visit tuscaloosachildrenstheatre.net or call (205) 310-8010. Read and Romp Tuscaloosa 2019: Apr. 13, 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. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle at CHOM: Apr. 13, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa, downtown Tuscaloosa. Create recycled art, play the “Three R’s Game,” learn where to recycle in Tuscaloosa, and enjoy kitchen chemistry with UA chemical engineers (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). For more information, visit chomonline.org. Bark in the Park 2019: Apr. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sokol Park, Tuscaloosa. This free event, which helps raise funds for the Will May Dog Park, features live music, food vendors, animal rescues with animals available for adoption, a pet parade, pet contests, a children’s area, and more. Dogs and their humans are welcome! For more information, visit @TuscaloosaBarkinthePark on Facebook. 2019 A-Day Spring Football Game: Apr. 13, 1 p.m. Bryant-Denny Stadium, UA campus, Tuscaloosa. For more information on A-Day, including special activities, traffic, and parking, visit rolltide.com. Tuscaloosa Belles Easter Egg Hunt: Apr. 14, 2-4 p.m. The Battle-Friedman House and Gardens, downtown Tuscaloosa. Enjoy a petting zoo, games, prizes, a raffle and silent auction, and refreshments – along with a great Easter egg hunt. Bring your own basket. $5 for adults; $1 per child. For more information, call (205) 345-7710 or (205) 758-2238. Turning Point 2nd Annual Sexual Assault Awareness Walk: Apr. 14, 4 p.m. Snow Hinton Park Cherry Shelter, Tuscaloosa. Join turning point for this free community awareness event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Be sure to wear teal. For more information, visit turningpointservices.org. West Alabama Leadership Prayer Breakfast: Apr. 16, 7 a.m. Bryant Conference Center, University of Alabama campus. A full breakfast buffet will be available for all guests. This year’s keynote speaker is former South Carolina Governor and U.N. World Food Programme Executive Director David M. Beasley. For more information, visit westalabamaprayerbreakfast.org. Eagles’ Wings Annual Golf Tournament: Apr. 18, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Indian Hills Country Club, Tuscaloosa. All proceeds benefit Eagles’ Wings day habilitation program and to help realize the dream of a nurturing and caring community for individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit eagleswingsoftuscaloosa. org or call (205) 333-7690.

Eagles’ Wings Annual Dinner & Auction: Apr. 19, 5-11 p.m. Bryant Conference Center, University of Alabama campus. Enjoy an evening of great food and auctions of great items – all to beneﬁt Eagles’ Wings. For more information, visit eagleswingsoftuscaloosa.org or call (205) 333-7690.

Hoppy Easter at CHOM: Apr. 20, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa, downtown Tuscaloosa. Craft and Easter Bunny friend, roll an Easter egg, play the Easter Bunny Hop, and build an Easter egg tower. For more information, visit chomonline.org. Wind Down with Rotary: Apr. 25, 6-8 p.m. Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, downtown Tuscaloosa. This annual fundraiser helps support local charities, as well as the Tuscaloosa Morning Rotary Club’s international service projects. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, fine wines, local brewed beer, and a silent auction. For more information, visit tuscaloosamorningrotary.org. Zac Brown Band Down the Rabbit Hole Tour: Apr. 25, 7 p.m. Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Tickets available via Ticketmaster. com. For more information, call the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Box Office at (205) 248-5280. 2019 Tuscaloosa Mayor’s Cup for Pre-K: Apr. 27, 8 a.m. Government Plaza, downtown Tuscaloosa. Proceeds from this event benefit Tuscaloosa’s Pre-K Initiative. Runners and walkers are welcome. For more information and to register, visit tuscaloosamayorscup.com. CHOM’s Day of Play: Apr. 27, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa, downtown Tuscaloosa. Build with LEGOS and DUPLOS, play Wii games, and race toy cars. For more information, visit chomonline.org. Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society Presents “Tuscaloosa Through the Years”: Apr. 27-28. Tour several historic area homes and landmarks, including the UA President’s Mansion (1841), Hunter’s Chapel AME Zion Church (1881), and the Turner-Kushner Home (1897). The cost is $20 per person for admission to all locations. For more information, visit historictuscaloosa.org. Alabama Roots Fest 2019: Apr. 27, 4-10 p.m. Government Plaza, downtown Tuscaloosa. This free event, presented by Local Roots, is open to all ages. Enjoy music from Drew Holcombe and the Neighbors, American Aquarium, Adam Hood, Courtney Patton, Jason Eady, and Joshua Ray Walker. 12th Annual Duck Derby by CHOM: Apr. 28, 1-4 p.m., 1901 Jack Warner Pkwy. (across from the Tuscaloosa River Market). Enjoy family fun for all ages, including outdoor games, inflatables, “Duck Pick” money events, and prizes. Duck Derby Tickets: $10. Proceeds support programs for children at the Children’s HandsOn Museum. For more information, visit chomonline.org. Age Wise Resource and Education Expo: Apr. 30, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bryant Conference Center, University of Alabama campus. Crimson Village Senior Living and OLLI at The University of Alabama are putting on a free half-day event specifically tailored around Services for Aging Adults. Enjoy educational speakers, resource vendors, and more. For more information, visit crimsonvillage. com. 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.

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Week of the Young Child April 8–12, 2019

April 8–12, 2019 is the Week of the Young Child, but we celebrate all month long. The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child is a time to plan how we—as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation—will better meet the needs of all young children and their families. Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc. does this everyday through a couple of their programs, Head Start/Early Head Start Program and Early Intervention. Head Start/ Early Head Start Program is a high quality early learning program that prepares America’s most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and in life beyond school. To achieve this, Head Start/Early Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. While Head Start/Early Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children birth to five and provide support and services to help the whole family thrive, Early Intervention is available to provide services and support to babies and young children (birth to three) with developmental delays and disabilities. These services may include speech therapy, physical therapy, and other types of services based on the needs of the child and family. This can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills and overcome challenges and can increase success in school and life. These programs work together with the families to ensure a foundation that will meet the needs of the child and family and prepare them for later success in school and life. Years of research have shown the importance of the early years in shaping how children grow, learn and form relationships. As a community, let us work together to ensure our future is stable by investing in our young children. Children learn so much as they enjoy music, explore food and cooking, build together, create art, and celebrate their families! Get inspired by the themes below and start planning how you will celebrate!

Music Monday

Music Monday is more than singing and dancing, it’s a way to encourage children to be active while developing their early literacy skills and having fun with friends and family! Just like all types of development, musical development varies from child to child, and it is tied to the amount of musical exposure a child has already had. Children’s development is constantly changing! One day a child stares at me silently, and the next day she babbles right along with the group! Keep singing, dancing, and making music with your little one every day!

Tasty Tuesday

Tasty Tuesday isn’t just about eating your favorite snacks together. It’s also about cooking together and connecting math with literacy skills and science while introducing ways to incorporate healthy habits into children’s lifestyles.

Work Together Wednesday

When children build together they experience teamwork and develop their social and early literacy skills. Grab some materials and create!

Family Friday

Parents and families are children’s first teachers. Family Friday focuses on engaging families to support our youngest learners. You might be thinking, “I’m a parent, not a teacher.” The great news is, whether you’ve had training or not, you are your child’s first teacher. Below are three quick, yet impactful suggestions for quality literacy experiences. These ideas will help you promote literacy in a way that makes sense for you and your family. Tell stories Language develops long before a child speaks actual words. Telling stories is an important step to becoming a reader. You can develop your child’s oral language through storytelling. Use your imagination, and adjust your stories to fit your family’s traditions and culture. Look around Use every day routines and surroundings to promote a print rich environment, which is an environment that allows children to see print and words in authentic ways. For example, the kitchen is full of literacy learning opportunities: label your appliances, refrigerator drawers, and items in the pantry; follow a recipe with your child; and identify key words on food labels. This will help your children to learn letters, words, and the purpose and meaning of printed language. Make books available In addition to reading, allow your child to physically explore books by making them easily accessible. Encourage your child to turn pages and pretend to read. Imitating the behavior of reading will allow your child to explore and begin to grasp the overall concept of reading. You can build on this pre- reading skill as your child will soon begin to develop an awareness for words, pictures, and the purpose for reading.

Artsy Thursday

Children develop creativity, social skills, and fine muscles with open-ended art projects that let them make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. Allow children to use their hands to create their project. Art projects also offer many ways for children to build their small muscles and improve their fine motor development. When children use scissors, squeeze a glue bottle or mold clay they strengthen the muscles needed to master using a pencil at school later on.