Community

COMMUNITY Industry Leaders Launch “Keep West Alabama Working” Campaign Promoting COVID-19 Safety

BY DCL STAFF

West Alabamians who are fortunate to have their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic also want to keep working. How they can do so safely and help support their various employers and businesses is behind a new grassroots initiative called “KeepWestAlabama Working.”The idea is simple, according to Kelsey Rush with Bryant Bank.“We’re encouraging all workers to practice COVID-19 safety beyond their workplace, so that ourbusinesses can stay open,” Rush said.West Alabama industry leaders, in partnership with The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama,are behind the campaign. As part of this campaign, the leaders are working to encourage West Alabama residents to wear face masks in public, to practice social distancing, and to wash hands not only at work, but athome and when in the community to prevent thespread of COVID

“As business leaders in our community, we must strive to make West Alabama a place for economic prosperity for all,” said Jim Page, President and CEO of the Chamber. “ We must work together to protect community health, to support our economic base, and to keep our local businesses open and employees working. This is a great reminder to our community that COVID safety goes beyond the workplace.”PhilTucker,PlantManagerofBFGoodrich Tuscaloosa Manufacturing,agrees. “The simple act of wearing a mask can save lves, Tucker said. “By following protocols issued by public health experts, we can help prevent the further spread of COVID and ensure the safe, responsible continuation of our operations and that of other employers in our community, from industry to small businesses.” Scientific evidence suggests that if everyone in the West Alabama community wears masks, practices social distancing, and washes their hands regularly, they’ ll be less likely to contract COVID-19 and then bring it to their workplaces. The campaign compliments Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s latest order asking Alabamians to wear face coverings to help protect public health.The Keep West Alabama Working campaign compliments Governor Kay Ivey’s July 29 state order asking Alabamians to wear a mask to protect public health. Ivey’s order is in effect throughAug. 31, but it could be extended.

Top Left: A masked Mercedes-Benz employee works on a vehicle at the MBUSI plant in Vance. Bottom Right: Jim Page and Phil Tucker appear in a public service announcement to take protective measures at and away from work, by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and washing their hands. It’s the cornerstone of the Keep West Alabama Working campaign. Photos: Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama

COMMUNITY

For One Tuscaloosa Family, Volunteering has Become a Family Affair

BY NANCY RANDALL AND WENDI PARMINTER

The year with the asterisk beside it–that’s how 2020 will go down in the history books, some have said, due to the impact of COVID-19. But add another asterisk for the pandemic’s positive side. One example is the Simon family. For almost a year, Rebecca Simon has been a DCH Health System volunteer, learning about DCH and health care operations. Simon is a student in the Manderson Graduate School of Business at The University of Alabama. Rebecca is a triplet and one of five children. Anna, one of her younger sisters, came home from college in March and had much time to fill. Rebecca, who volunteered at DCH all summer,shared her hospital adventure stories with Anna.Anna soon became a virtual volunteer and made crafts to support DCH employees and patients.

She has made fidget blankets for patients with dementia and woodburned coasters. Her handcrafted, inspirational bookmarks–600 in total–will go to employees and Manderson Cancer Center patients.Everyone at DCH appreciates these young women’s efforts during these challenging times,including Director of Volunteer Services Wendi Parminter.

“WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THESE SISTERS AND ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE CONTINUING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE,”

Parminter added that there are several potential opportunities for people to volunteer.

“We make the fidget blankets for our stroke and Alzheimer’s patients. We also have a quilting program for our area veterans,” Parminter said.

“WE’RE ALSO OPEN TO ANY IDEAS. WE HAVEVOLUNTEERS WORKING VIRTUALLY AND OTHERS IN-PERSON, SO WHATEVER ANYONE CAN DO.”

If you’d like to find out how you can help, contact Wendi Parminter at DCH at (205) 759-7141 or by emailing wendi.parminter@dchsystem.com

The Simon siblings are (front row, L to R) Rebecca and Katie Simon and (back row, L to R) Luke,Anna, and Jacob Simon. Photo: DCH Health Systems

10 COMMUNITY

CSP Spotlight: How to Help When Children Worry

BY KESHA GRICE

We can’t promise children that the people they love won’t become sick, or that things will get easier by a certain date. But we can provide as much a sense of safety as possible. Besides practicing breathing deep, here are some ways you might help ease children’s worries. As much as possible, keep children away from news of COVID-19.

When children are feeling worried, you can sit with them and encourage them to “draw it out.” Help children name their feeling (worried, anxious, afraid, sad, concerned, frustrated, and so on). Then ask, “What color is your feeling? What shape?” Help them label their picture with words or sentences. This works with any feeling (of course, there can be more than one feeling in a picture). You can model the strategy by drawing your own feelings, too.

ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO ASK QUESTIONS.

Answer them simply but honestly, giving them just the information they are asking for. Often, knowing the facts (even if they are worrisome) is better than not knowing. Make one time of day (such as mealtime), or one area of the home (such as children’s bedrooms) a “no virus talk” zone. In that zone, you might talk about things you want to do again once things change, favorite places you’ve been together, your favorite moment of the day so far, and something you’re looking forward to tomorrow.

Explain that while we can’t control what’s happening in the world, we can control a lot of what happens in our home. Just by staying home, keeping safe distances, handwashing, and coughing and sneezing into our elbows, children help keep the whole family and many others safe.

YOU SHOULD ALSO WATCH CHILDREN FOR SIGNS OF STRESS.

In preschool, these may include fear of being alone, bad dreams, “accidents” or constipation, bed-wetting, changes in appetite, or an increase in temper tantrums, whining, or clinginess. Additionally, your extra hugs and reassurance, along with doing calming, comforting things at bedtime, can go a long way.

If a parent is an essential worker, children may naturally worry more. You can remind them: Their parent has been well trained to do their job and knows how to keep Photo: Community Service Programs of West Alabama safe.

Just as their parent has a job, everyone else in the family has their own important job too. The family is a team. (Children can gain a sense of responsibility by helping with chores and keeping themselves healthy, so that the essential worker can better concentrate on doing their job safely).

YOU CAN ALL BE PROUD OF THE PARENT WHO IS OUT THERE WORKING AND HELPING.

Pride can create a sense of meaning and purpose for the whole family.

Your family is not alone. Neighbors, friends, and other family members want to help your family, and you’ll let them. Years from now, your children will remember the times you were positive, patient, and calm. Even through this challenge, you can build a foundation of strength and resilience that can last a lifetime.

Community Service Programs of West Alabama (CSP), Inc.’s Head Start/Early Head Start, Child Care Partnership, and Early Intervention programs engage families and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Safe and healthy children are ready to learn and explore their world.

11 COMMUNITY

Things to Do When the Walls Are Closing In On You

BY HANSON WATKINS

Many of us been at home 90% of the time since March. With children or working. On endless Zoom calls. Some of us have gone back to work in tense circumstances.

Relaxation is not just for fun. It is vital and important for good health. Sunshine makes Vitamin D. Vitamin D is helpful in regulating all sorts of happy processes in our bodies. My children are sick of hearing this as I implore them to leave their computers.

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE FUN FOR A GOOD TIME.

We need this now, more than ever. As the walls close in on us....

So try something you haven’t done before. Maybe you have thought about it, but never had the gumption. Or do something you loved as a kid...with your kids.

Here are some outdoor suggestions that don’t take long, are free or inexpensive and are FUN.

Climb that giant tower thing at Snow Hinton Park.

You have driven by a eleventy million times. Yes, I know you are “too old” or “out of shape” or like me, “chicken”. Full confession, my teens took me there and I made it about two feet up before I bailed out. My heart rate went way up, so I counted it as exercise. It’s free, too. My favorite price.

Go paddle boarding at Lake Nichol.

Meet some friends there. It’s $15 an hour if you take four people. Take a picnic. Wear a mask if you get anywhere near each other. Full disclosure – I paddle board sitting down most of the time. Being fancy and standing up is not required for a good time. Call or text 205-394-4921 to arrange things with Tuscaloosa Paddleboard.

Take a golf or tennis lesson

There are two things that almost every expert agrees are healthy and safe.

There are great public facilities here with lots of teachers. PARA has private lessons from as little as $23.

It is never too late to learn something new.

True confession – I was in a tennis club. I started in the lowest level. I stayed there – waving as I watched my friends move up to the next level. Doesn’t matter. Still had fun. I also “play” golf. My family created a special scoring designation for me. WB. For “whole bunch”. We would lose count of my strokes because I hit that ball a whole bunch. I have a great time. I get more exercise than everyone else because I am swinging way more often Top Left Photo: City of Tuscaloosa Bottom Right Photo: Tuscaloosa Paddleboat

12 COMMUNITY

Tales of Tuscaloosa WATERY CHIMES (SEPT. 9, 1874)

By Jim Ezell

For countless generations, Tuscaloosans from the earliest Native-Americans to later settlers shared something. A writer in the September 9, 1874, issue of The Tuscaloosa Times described it as a “ceaseless monotone, not unlike the moan of pines shaken by the winds” and as “watery chimes” that could be heard for several miles.

This sound emanated from a rock ledge perhaps 15 ft. high and over 400 ft. long that extended unbroken across the Black Warrior River. Water cascaded over it at an average rate of about 58,000 gallons per second—a volume so great that in one day it could cover a football field to a depth of nearly three miles. To some it was known as the Warrior Falls. To others, it was University Falls.

This waterfall was the upstream barrier in a series of rapids that extended two miles from near the present day M&O Railroad and Hugh Thomas Bridges in downtown Tuscaloosa to Manderson Landing (the site of old Lock No. 12) near the University of Alabama. Certain stretches of these rapids had names such as Hendrix’ Reef and Peg Leg Shoals.

Warrior Falls was created by river water flowing from the Appalachian Plateau and dropping abruptly in elevation as it flowed into the Coastal Plain. In the Tuscaloosa area, the Appalachian Plateau is represented by the Pottsville, a geological formation consisting of relatively flat layers of sandstone, shale, and coal. Since sandstone is the most erosion-resistant component of this formation, ledges or crests developed as water eroded the softer rock beneath. Eventually, the undercut crest would collapse and leave remnants in the streambed that shaped and guided the water, thus creating a series of shoals and rapids. Over thousands of years this process was repeated, and Warrior Falls receded upstream until its late 19th century position was reached.

The Pottsville Formation extends along the slopes of the Appalachian Mountains across several states. Thus, a number of well-known waterfalls developed on other major streams. Some of these include Little River Canyon Falls near Fort Payne, Cumberland Falls in Kentucky, Muddy Creek Falls in Maryland, Douglas Falls in West Virginia, and Ohiopyle Falls in Pennsylvania.

OVER A CENTURY AGO, THE “WATERY CHIMES” THAT COULD BE HEARD IN ALL PARTS OF THE CITY CEASED TO PLAY.

In the 1890s, construction of Lock Nos. 10, 11 and 12 flooded Warrior Falls. Tuscaloosa was no longer the head of navigation on the Black Warrior River. Riverboats could now bring cargoes such as coal, timber and steel from upstream mines, forests, and factories.

Taking on life

13 COMMUNITY

The economies of areas such as Birmingham, Jefferson, and Walker Counties, as well as Tuscaloosa, were boosted. In less than 20 years Tuscaloosa’s population doubled.

In the 20th century, Lock Nos. 10, 11 and 12 were replaced by Oliver Lock and Dam, making the river even deeper. The rock ledge that created the crest of Warrior Falls still exists, but it is about 30 feet underwater. The soft sound enjoyed for many centuries is now mute.

At Children’s of Alabama, we are (still) serving children safely AND providing world-class treatment to young cancer patients like Madison.

Good news! Our program is ranked one of the top pediatric cancer programs in the nation.

Warrior Falls likely resembled Little River Canyon Falls near Fort Payne. Although not as high, Warrior Falls was over twice as wide with a much greater flow. Photo: The National Park Service

Ninety percent of Alabama’s children with cancer receive their treatment at our center. Learn how you can help at:

Jim Ezell is a retired engineer, historian, and author. His novel, Debris Cloud, is an adventure/crime novel set in Tuscaloosa. It is available on Amazon.

COMMUNITY Tuscaloosa Public Library Introduces New eCard for Online Resources

BY DCL STAFF

Parents, teachers, and area college students who want to access the Tuscaloosa Public Library’s online resources can now apply for a TPL eCard. Photo: Tuscaloosa Public Library In the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and with so many choosing virtual learning from home, the Tuscaloosa Public Library is debuting a new tool it hopes will enrich its patrons experience. Designed with parents, teachers, and college students in mind, the Tuscaloosa Public Library eCard allows both on-campus and remote-learning students and staff to apply online for access to all TPL’s online resources. TPL’s eCard will be available to everyone 16 and older with a government-issued photo ID who may not have a traditional library card. “We look forward to sharing our online resources with the Tuscaloosa community,” said Vince Bellofatto, TPL’s director of communications and public relations. Bellofatto said some of TPL’s most popular resources include online tutorials and training with Lynda.com, access to digital eBooks and audio books in the OverDrive/Libby app, language training with Rocket Languages, and video streaming with Kanopy. Children’s learning materials on Tumble Books and TrueFlix are also available. Those interested in obtaining a Tuscaloosa Public Library eCard can find out more at Tuscaloosa-library.org/get-a-tpl-ecard. Residents who already have a TPL full-access card can already use all the online services available.

OPINION

The Mommy Chronicles: Just Be Patient (and Remember to Mute Yourselves)

BY MARLENA RICE

“I NEED A STRESS BALL.”

As I sat with my Little on his first official day of remote learning (second grade already), it took all I had to hide my smile behind my coffee cup at his request. Now, I like coffee cups that have bible verses. And wow did I need the patience of Jesus that day as I transformed from recruiting manager to elementary school teacher. Things began awkwardly. During one of our first classroom video chats, a dad forgot to mute himself. When I say we all heard his frustrations, I mean we felt them to our core. We all need stress balls as we try to navigate this new way of learning. If you’re a designated teacher-parent during this time, how are you keeping your cool in front of your kids (and all their friends on the zoom calls)? Here are a few tips that might help.

Be patient. Remember, your child would probably prefer being in a regular schooling environment just as much as you wish they could be. It’s not always fun to study and learn alongside us parents, either.

Be kind. It’s easy to lash out, but what may seem super annoying or stressful is usually us parents wanting order and consistency (a rarity in remote learning situations).

Be flexible. Loosen up and don’t allow this (hopefully) once in a lifetime pandemic to ruin the relationship and honorability between you and your children.

DEEP BREATHS, EVERYONE. HAVE A GOOD SCHOOL YEAR.

Beaux William hides in his toy chest during a break from a remote learning activity. Photo: Marlena Rice

PROVIDING SAFE CARE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO SLOW DOWN.

DCH hospital sites have resumed surgical procedures. Here’s how we are keeping you safe:

Visitors who enter DCH will be screened, including a temperature check. Masks are required by everyone entering our sites. Visitation is restricted. Patients who have or are suspected of having COVID-19 use a separate entrance. Patients who have or are suspected of having COVID-19 are cared for in isolation, away from other patients. Disinfection and extra cleaning are a top priority every day. We use some of the most advanced disinfectant equipment and supplies available.*

Your health is our priority. To schedule elective or outpatient procedures, contact your doctor today.

*Using ultraviolet light, Tru-D disinfectant robots help reduce the transmission of infectious diseases, including viruses.

OPINION

Family Counseling Service: Learn to Embrace Your Experiences

BY LARRY DEAVERS G

EVERYONE HAS A COLLECTION OF EXPERIENCES THAT MAKES THEIR LIFE UNIQUE.

They come in both the pleasant and the painful varieties, but they all play an essential role in making us who we are. It’s the most painful, difficult circumstances that arouse in us characteristics such as compassion, gentleness, kindness, and generosity. Our painful experiences have great influence over how we interact with others; we learn to trust or not trust, to tell the truth or to mislead, and to see life as full of promise or full of dread.

How we choose to integrate these experiences into our lives is the determining factor on how we allow them to shape us. Our initial reaction to many such experiences is to feel bitter, angry, or resentful that such things have happened to us. If we view these circumstances Larry Deavers is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Executive strictly through a lens of regret, they can follow us around like dark clouds – coloring our view of ourselves, our lives, and those around us. Director of Family Counseling Service of West Alabama.

WE CAN LEARN TO APPRECIATE LIFE’S MISFORTUNES

if we begin to see the way they’ve helped us develop positive, more mature traits in our dealings with others – and the way we see ourselves. How can you have compassion for others in their painful experiences if you haven’t had any of your own?

WE OWE A LOT TO OUR PAST IN HELPING TO SHAPE THE WAY WE SEE OURSELVES AND OTHERS. WHETHER THIS IS A PRODUCTIVE AFFECT OR A BURDEN IS A CHOICE THAT EACH OF US HAS TO MAKE.

OPINION The Land of Oz: I Really Don’t Know What to Write

If that headline doesn’t grab you, nothing will.

Look… everyone that writes eventually runs into the glorious wall of blank-mindedness known as “writer’s block.” That’s not what I have right now.

This September column has always been earmarked to cover one topic and one topic only: college football. Like many, it is by far my favorite sport to watch, analyze, discuss, and binge. It teeters on the edge of fanaticism.

The tricky part in penning an article 2-3 weeks before it goes to publish in the COVID-19 world is that everything will be different by the time you read this. As it sits, the SEC is still playing this fall. Others are not – which means, among other things, that there is doubt (and potential germs) in the air. And that’s never good.

The pandemic situation is fluid. You keep your fluid away from me, and I’ll keep my fluid away from you (also known as “wear a mask”). But it’s also fluid in that the information and the real dangers and the level of concern and the subsequent fallout change daily.

I’d love to write about this years’ Alabama’s defense, or LSU’s rebuild, or how bad Auburn is every year. But for now, I just hope they get to play safely. And until I know for sure, I don’t know what to write about.

Derek Osborn is a non-profit and addictions and prevention speaker and consultant. He lives in Tuscaloosa with his wife, Lynn, and their daughters, Savannah and Anica. Follow him on Twitter @ozborn34.

The Osborn Family Photo: Derek Osborn

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