May 2015 - Volume 2, Issue 5
Is the Crimson Tide ready for the 2015 season?
Tuscaloosa’s Feel-Good News
‘All About the Kids’
Turn to Page 22 to read the
full analysis and predictions about next season.
Nick’s Kids Foundation dedicates new playground at Alberta School of Performing Arts Full Story on Page 21
UA Athletics
Taste of Tuscaloosa: Side By Side review
Photo: Sheena Gregg
Full Story on Page 13
Inside This Issue About Us City News Opinion Community Schools Sports Outdoor Marketplace Calendar Food Home & Garden
2 4 6 9 DruidCityLiving 17 22 24 27 @DruidCityLiving 27 28 30
Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Tuscaloosa, AL Permit No. 116
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Kentuck Art Center starts $1.1 million renovation campaign By Laurie Mundy Perrigin Renovations are already underway at the Kentuck Museum Building in historic downtown Northport, but more financial help is needed to ensure that the two-story, nearly 100-year-old structure is restored to glory. On Friday, April 10, the Kentuck Board of Directors announced it is embarking on a $1.1 million capital campaign to raise funds for the project. Kentuck Steering Committee Chair David Pass said to date, they’ve raised just over $700,000, thanks in part to the City of Northport’s $300,000 contribution in December, and additional help from Alabama Power Foundation, which donated $50,000. “We still have a long way to go, and we need help,” Pass said. “It’s going to take everybody who loves Kentuck’s support to hit the goal that we have. But it will be well worthwhile once we do.” In March of 2013, a bat infestation and subsequent cleanup forced Kentuck officials to move out of the building. Structural damage was later found, sending repair
Continued on Page 12
Steering Committee Chair David Pass announces the capital campaign at a press conference hosted by Chuck’s Fish. Photo: Christopher Edmunds
2 ABOUT CEO Josh Watkins
Josh@druidcitymedia.com
May 2015
Photo of the Month To get your photo printed in Druid City Living, tag @druidcityliving on Instagram or tag us on Facebook with your best picture showing what it means to live in Tuscaloosa.
Publisher Heath Hendrix
Heath@druidcitymedia.com
Executive Editor Laurie Mundy Perrigin Laurie@druidcitymedia.com Visuals Editor Christopher Edmunds
Christopher@druidcitymedia.com
Staff Writer Tori Linville Director of Sales Tom Sommerville
Tom@druidcitymedia.com
Correction
In the April edition of Druid City Living, a B-26 airplane was mislabeled as a B-17. We regret the error and are happy to correct our mistake.
Contact Us 256-346-5321 Druid City Living 1902 Hackberry Lane Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Volunteers came in droves from as far away as Michigan to help Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa build the 100th house since the local chapter was founded in 1987. The house, located at 25 Juanita Drive, was constructed in less than 100 hours. An official dedication was held on April 27, commemorating the fourth anniversary of the tornado that devastated Tuscaloosa. Photo: Christopher Edmunds @ccedmunds
4 CITY NEWS
May 2015
Mayor’s Minute – May 2015 Dear friends and neighbors, The month of May will make history for the City of Tuscaloosa. For the first time since 1964, the Alabama League of Municipalities will have its annual convention here in Tuscaloosa. Our City will be added to the Alabama League of Municipalities’ annual meeting rotation. This annual conference normally takes place in Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile; however, this year, Tuscaloosa will have the honor of hosting more than 1,000 visitors May 16-19, renewing a tradition. The convention is less than a month away as of this writing, and we expect to have a record number of people attend, including elected officials and leaders from all over the state of Alabama. As City staff started to plan this convention over a year ago, we realized how important it is to have a space that can accommodate a convention of this size, not only for the League, but also for other businesses and industries that want to hold their conventions here but haven’t been able to because of inadequate meeting space size. With that being said, the City and the University of Alabama are working to expand the Bryant Conference Center. The City of Tuscaloosa has initiated a funding agreement with UA and will be investing $2 million for the 24,000 square feet expansion. The project is currently in the design process, and construction is scheduled to start the summer of 2017. This expansion is a great opportunity. Hosting the Alabama League of Municipalities conference will be a major success for our hospitality industry and will show visitors all of what Tuscaloosa has to offer. We’re excited to showcase Tuscaloosa to our great state and know that all visitors will be impressed. Sincerely, Walter Maddox
The city of Tuscaloosa has gone GREEN with the Think Before You Toss! Start Recycling in Tuscaloosa! Call 311 (205-248-5311) to Request a FREE Recycling Bin! ACCEPTED Cardboard (corrugated, cereal boxes, etc...)
Please break down
Newspapers & Magazines (any type) Office Paper (junk mail, any color, etc…)
Bag for collection, staples, & plastic windows are ok
Aluminum & Steel Cans Plastics #1 (including bottles & trays) Plastic #2 Bottles Bottle tops & labels are OK Plastic Film (grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, etc...)
Please bundle for collection
NOT ACCEPTED Glass (not accepted until Summer 2015) Metallic bags (i.e. inside cracker boxes) Wax-lined containers Diapers Aluminum foil or plates Plastics not listed on the accepted list
Place curbside recycling bin at the curb by 7:00 AM (6:00 AM during summer months) on your pick-up day to ensure collection. Recycling is picked up the same day as your garbage and trash. To request a new or additional recycling bin, call Tuscaloosa 311
Tuscaloosa Environmental Services Department 3440 Kauloosa Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 248-4900 www.tuscaloosa.com/recycle
6 OPINION
May 2015
The Mommy Chronicles: Tuning in to Life by Marlena Rice My nearly two-year-old son, Beaux William, tends to wake up with demands on Saturday and Sunday mornings. His first words to me will either be “juice” or “milk,” or, if I awake to a pair of his tennis shoes on my face, I know that immediately after milk, juice and breakfast, there will be a walk, a wagon ride, or a trip to the playground in our near, early-morning future. One morning, I noticed something just a little bit different. After our typical exchange of baby demands (and Mommy accepting and meeting said demands), my little man handed me my glasses – and my cell phone. As I thanked him, I immediately began the internal parenting skills debate all mothers have: Have I done something wrong? Have I ignored him too many times in lieu of a cell phone conversation? No. But it’s easy to question these things. Our little people are impressionable and, as their first teachers, we teach them some of their most important lessons. Since that moment, I’ve made more of an effort to make sure that my social media posts, text messages and calls are kept to a minimum during family time. And I’ve also taken note of what other parents are doing, sometimes with great dismay. One recent morning, I watched as a father took his child out of the backseat of his car – a normal thing to see. What was unnerving, was that the father was talking not to his child, but into an ear device that seemed to be attached to an even larger device protruding from his pants pocket. Today’s new generation of parents are extreme multitaskers who thrive in a fast-paced, online-centered and social media-driven world that our parents didn’t have. Our time is limited, and in an attempt to live “full” and do all of the things we aspire to do, we do it all at once. We go to work and work,
talk with old friends on Facebook messenger on our smartphones all while watching, responding and fielding texts from our children’s teachers as they notify us about school things. And let me tell you, it is exhausting. Cleary, this is a problem. What’s the solution? Here are some tips on how to multitask and stream your two lives together – and I’ll keep it brief, since we’re all busy enough! Start rebuilding “old-fashioned” relationships The next time you think about beginning a stream of social media conversations with your friends, ask them to meet you for lunch. It will save you some email time, and you can have an interaction with another human being that isn’t family or work-related. Limit your time on social media If you’re addicted to reading Facebook posts about what your friends are going through in their daily lives (minute by minute), let it be something you only do during your alone time: on your lunch break or right before bed. Incorporate your kids in your online expeditions If you like to shop online, let your children shop with you for some of their items and you will kill two birds with one stone; spending time with your babies while getting your shopping fix! Also, if you like to listen to music, juice up your iPod or cell phone and play it for everyone. Move furniture around if you have to, but DANCE! Little ones love this because not only does it shake away any and all structure for a few minutes but its good exercise, and it’s fun. Maximize your car rides When you have little people, driving them around is a great way to make them listen to you. The next time you’re headed to the grocery store, or school and work, sing together, ask questions and just talk
without worrying about making that telephone call or checking that email. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn, and how many laughs can come of it. Turn it off This is hard for some of us because our work is not the typical 8-5 but is more like the typical 24/7. But, if you have the opportunity to turn off your device without worry that you’ll miss something more important than the people you love, turn it off, enjoy the internet silence and make noise with the people in your life instead.
Beaux William multitasks during playtime. Photo: Marlena Rice
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OPINION 7
May 2015
The Land of Oz: Hangout Festival and Old People
by Derek Osborn
A monthly editorial piece of masterful opinionated writing (insert joke here) regarding life and times in the big town of Tuscaloosa coupled with the musings of a guy nicknamed “Oz.” Middle-aged or older and don’t think you belong at Alabama’s biggest music festival? Let me tell you a story. The first year the better half and I attended, we essentially went for one act. We went to see Dave Matthews with our feet in the sand. I had seen the band before, but she had not. And what better way to see one of your favorites for the first time than on the beach where you grew up? So I took her. After all, a ticket to one concert can be over $100. Why not spend double that and get to see 30 bands, even if you’ve never heard of them? So we did. The first night, some Edward Scissorhands look-alike was playing on the main stage. The missus wasn’t interested, so yours truly ventured down to the main stage to see this guitar guru named Jack White. I happened to sit down by a couple in their early 70s who had just taken in a Jack White show at Red Rocks and decided to fly down to Gulf Shores and see him again. And then I realized, of all the things that mattered at this festival, age was not one of them. That said, allow me to give rationale as to why this IS the festival to attend, especially if you are not a twenty-something. Condos: Not inspired by the notion of sleeping in a tent? Me either. And at Hangout, you don’t have to. My neck undeniably appreciates it. Mud deficiency: Not in the mood to be covered in sludge that seeps into your re-1 Bradford Lipstick Half Pg Ad_Layout 1 tighty-whities 12/4/14 2:43 PMand Page sides within for days? Understandable. White sand doesn’t make mud, and if you get some in your bikini
bottoms, there is water everywhere. Air conditioning: Through the years, I’ve grown rather fond of it. Yes, it can get hot and stinky in front of a stage with thousands of people, but there is AC somewhere in the vicinity (not to mention the ocean or a pool). Relieving stations (also known as restrooms): This is potentially the most important amenity anywhere. The only thing that goes to the bathroom more than my wife is a puppy that drinks water all day and suffers from an overactive bladder. The facilities are plentiful at Hangout. Some are even air-conditioned.
Most importantly, diversity in music: It doesn’t matter what kind of music you like, Hangout has a sampling of just about everything. Surprisingly, the most convivial experiences we’ve had at the festival have been with groups that we’ve never heard of. And discovering new things is what keeps us young, no matter how old we are. Follow me on Twitter @ozborn34. Derek Osborn is the Executive Director of PRIDE of Tuscaloosa by trade and writer by hobby. He lives in Tuscaloosa with his wife, Lynn, and daughters Savannah and Anica.
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8 OPINION Lake Living: Jumping the Moon by Allison Adams
Allison Adams
May 2015 Written in Memory of Alex Sokol, founder of www.alabamaforever.org I snapped this photo just as the Blue Angels were finishing up their show recently in Tuscaloosa. Many had left. In fact, we were on our way down the road to beat the traffic when I heard them fly over again. I dropped my chair and bag to catch them zooming “under” the moon. To my surprise, I got this: One Angel, almost jumping the moon. In life we are in such a hurry to get to the next place that we often miss the treasures right where we are. As the Blue Angels fly over, even when they are zipping our new Bama Gymnastics coach around at a G or two, the dots on the ground are just that. From a plane window we can each have that perspective, hundreds of lined houses represented by squares and rectangles. Within each of those squares or rectangles, perhaps, is a family dynamic: a husband coming home from work, a teenager practicing to win a tournament, and a mom who just wants to make it another day. And yes, in some other houses, there is perhaps a happier scenario. But from above, do our mini-dramas really matter? Those Blue Angels are able to zip from one side of the country to the other sometimes in the same amount of time it takes us to throw our latest useless hissy fit. There is a birth every eight seconds
and a death every 12 seconds. Each of our life events is just a blip on a globe that continues to spin without our permission. And we certainly have no idea just how long we have. Today, as I look out over the water on the lake, I wonder, what are we really here for? This past month we celebrated Easter, a time when many of us are reminded that there is more to life than this existence. We are one in 7,235,277,626 at the time of this writing. Each of us was created for some special purpose, and for more than what goes on in the small circle of dirt that we each inhabit. I hope that as the summer nears you will make goals to stretch your boundaries, reach out to others and find what it is you were created for. Use your mess if you believe that is your message. Embrace who you are and why you were born. And remember: Whether you believe in God or not, you cannot deny that the little print on the tip of your finger wasn’t put there by accident. Your fingerprint is entirely unique to you. Find a place to leave it, and here’s hoping you shoot for the moon! Blessings from Lake Tuscaloosa, Allison Adams www.allisonpadams.com
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BUSINESS 9
May 2015
West Alabama Chamber of Commerce Happenings
Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame Nominations Now Being Accepted
The Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame monument stands in Government Plaza. Photo: The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
May After Hours Event at NorthRiver Yacht Club Join The Chamber for great networking, food and drinks at NorthRiver Yacht Club on Tuesday, May 12 from 5-7 p.m. This is an informal and unique opportunity to showcase your business to potential customers. Bring business cards and a friend. Prospective members are always welcome.
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The Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame is currently accepting nominations for the 2015 class of honorees. Coordinated and sponsored by The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the deadline for nominations is June 1. The Civic Hall of Fame is designed to honor exceptional citizens who have made significant, long-term contributions to the overall development of Tuscaloosa County. The Chamber seeks to honor these “civic giants” for making an impact on the quality, livability and economic progress of our community. Any organization, business, or individual citizen is encouraged to submit a nomination. Nominations must be submitted on the official form available at The Chamber office, located at 2201 Jack Warner Parkway in Tuscaloosa, or by visiting www.tuscaloosachamber.com. If an individual has been nominated in the past, a new and complete nomination form is required. The Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame was born during The Chamber’s 100th anniversary year in 2000, and, since its inception, 93 citizens have been honored as members of the Hall of Fame. The Civic Hall of Fame monument in downtown Tuscaloosa’s Government Plaza was unveiled and dedicated in October of 2011. The 2015 Civic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held October 15 at 3 p.m. in Government Plaza in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information, call Carolyn Tubbs at (205) 391-0556.
10 COMMUNITY
May 2015
Tales of
Druid City Living is proud to present to you a new series: Tales of Tuscaloosa. Local author and historian Jim Ezell is busily writing a collection of historical stories about the Druid City and surrounding areas, in hopes of publishing a book ahead of Tuscaloosa’s bicentennial celebration in 2019. What began as genealogy search in 1992 quickly turned into a much larger project. As Ezell searched through over a century of newspapers at the University of Alabama’s Hoole Special Collections Library, he became fascinated by other articles from the Druid City. DCL’s Tales of Tuscaloosa will highlight one of Ezell’s articles each month. We hope you all enjoy these stories from Tuscaloosa’s rich history.
Tuscaloosa
By Jim Ezell
A Tale of Two Ships: May 5, 1942
It had been a long voyage from Calcutta crossing the Indian and Pacific Oceans, through the Panama Canal and into the Caribbean Sea. The SS Tuscaloosa City, a merchant steamer, was bound for New Orleans and heavily laden with nearly 8000 tons of ore, jute, rubber, and shellac. She was making 12 knots (about 14 mph) southeast of Grand Cayman Island and about 200 miles west of Jamaica when suddenly a cylindrical object lunged from the water, submerged again, and seconds later struck the starboard (right) side with a thunderous explosion. It was the afternoon of May 5, 1942, only six months after Pearl Harbor and American entry into World War II. The Tuscaloosa City had been torpedoed by the U-125 (Unterseeboot 125), a German submarine. Kapitänleutnant Ulrich Folkers’ second torpedo struck 20 seconds later. Harold Hendrickson, Master of the Tuscaloosa City, ordered his 34 officers and crewmen to abandon ship. One lifeboat swamped throwing five men into
the water—fortunately none were killed or seriously injured in the attack or drowned in the sea. The Tuscaloosa City remained afloat but a third torpedo finally sank her. Folkers pointed out the men in the water to those in the remaining lifeboat and questioned the crewmen. He then indicated the way to land before leaving. A few hours later all were picked up by the SS Falcon and landed at Cartagena, Columbia. The SS Tuscaloosa City was one of a number of cargo vessels constructed by the Chickasaw Shipbuilding and Car Company of Chickasaw, Alabama, in the years 1920 and 1921 for a US Steel subsidiary. Some were named for cities in Alabama such as Birmingham, Ensley, and Selma. All averaged about 7000 tons and were of a robust design for handling odd shaped steel products, liquids, and general cargo. The Tuscaloosa City was fitted with unusually heavy 30-ton cranes. In 1930 she was transferred to the Isthmian Lines and home
ported at New York. Under terms of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, American commercial vessels and crewmen became part of the Navy during war. The Tuscaloosa City was one of 75 vessels lost in May 1942 during the height of the “Battle of the Atlantic” when allied shipping was constantly attacked to prevent supplies from reaching the United States, Canada, Britain, and Russia. Most German submarines did not survive the Battle of the Atlantic. In 1943 the U-125 was stalking a convoy east of Newfoundland when it was rammed by HMS Oribi. The sub was scuttled and the crew took to the water but the British were not authorized to rescue enemy survivors. Folkers and his 54 man crew perished in the cold water. The wreck of the Tuscaloosa City was never salvaged or visited by divers. She lies beneath the Caribbean Sea in the Cayman Trough—a deep ocean trench three to five miles deep.
The SS Tuscaloosa City sank on May 5, 1942. Photo Courtesy of Jim Ezell.
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12 COMMUNITY
May 2015
KENTUCK continued from page 1 costs soaring. Now, plans are moving forward to restore the Museum. Pass said this is a “long-overdue aesthetic renovation,” one which allows for multi-use areas for classes and community events. “Our goal is to create a bright, modern, visually compelling space where the West Alabama community can come together to make art and celebrate art.”
Pass said this is a
“Long-overdue aesthethic renovation...”
The construction project involves a complete renovation of the Museum, making both floors useable by artists, staff and community members. The first floor will include exhibition space for artists and an improved floor plan for the Kentuck Gallery Shop, as well as a kitchen and ADA accessible restrooms. The second floor, which was previously used for storage, will house staff offices and a large conference room.
Harrison Construction received the renovation contract for the building; Ellis Architects designed the new layout. The two local companies previously teamed up in an effort to renovate the Allen and Jemison Building at Seventh Street and Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa into the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. Kentuck Executive Director Amy Echols said she is excited about the partnership with the two companies. “Their quality workmanship, support of cultural community assets, and attention to historical details make them a perfect fit.”
How to Help If you’d like to contribute to the renovation effort, visit www.kentuck.org/restore Make checks out to Kentuck and mail them to: Kentuck Art Center 503 Main Avenue Northport, AL 35476 Anyone wishing to donate can also call the Art Center at (205) 758-1257.
COMMUNITY 13
May 2015
City of Tuscaloosa to honor veterans on Memorial Day with free, hour-long service A Memorial Day service to honor military veterans is planned for Monday, May 25, at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park. The hour-long program, which begins at 9 a.m., is free and open to the public. The guest speaker at the Tuscaloosa Memorial Day service is nationally recognized author, consultant and trainer John O’Malley, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1965.
O’Malley has published a dozen books, including “Men of Men: Stories of Courage,” about Medal of Honor recipients with ties to Alabama. Major Jeff Brown, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Park Association, says O’Malley is a Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Hoover Chamber of Commerce Freedom Award. “We’re thrilled to have Mr. O’Malley as our
During the 2014 Memorial Day program, Governor Robert Bentley and volunteer Leroy McAbee unveiled a memorial to a WWII Medal of Honor recipient. Photo: Veterans Memorial Park Association
Memorial Day speaker. John will present a professional, inspirational message that will pay tribute to our brave veterans.” The service will also include the unveiling of a monument to Sgt. Ross Franklin Gray, a World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from Bibb County who distinguished himself by showing extraordinary heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima. As a platoon sergeant, Gray launched a one-man attack, under heavy small arms fire and a grenade barrage, until he had destroyed six enemy positions. By doing so, he disarmed an entire mine field before returning to his platoon. Although he remained unscratched through 12 trips back and forth to destroy the mines behind enemy lines, Sgt. Gray was killed six days later, on February 27, 1945, by an enemy shell that inflicted fatal wounds in his legs. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman. The program will also feature the Presentation of Colors by the Paul W. Bryant High School USMC JROTC Color Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem and Armed Forces Medley and Gun Volley salute, and “Taps” by the Tuscaloosa County American Legion Honor Guard. After the ceremony, guests are encouraged to tour the Park’s military exhibits and visit the Honor Roll of Veterans monument. The Memorial Day Ceremony is sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Park Association and the Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA). For details, visit tuscaloosaveteranspark.org.
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14 COMMUNITY
May 2015
18th Annual BBQ & Blues set for May 16 By Tori Linville
From barbeque to entertainment to a silent auction to jewelry, The DCH Foundation will host its 18th annual BBQ and Blues on Saturday, May 16 at 6 p.m. at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport Terminal. Casey Johnson, director of development for The DCH Foundation, said the event will help patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. “When a person is diagnosed with cancer, many times their world stops…as does their income,” Johnson said. “This fund was started to help patients in need of financial assistance so they can focus on getting better and ease the stresses heaped on them financially during treatment.” This year’s BBQ and Blues will include a “Pan Am” theme inspired from the 1950s. Guests will be able to enjoy a handful of entertainment for only $40. Tickets are on sale two for $70 as well, benefitting The DCH Foundation’s Help and Hope Patient Assistance Fund for cancer patients in need of financial assistance. BBQ and Blues will serve food from McAbee Pigfitters BBQ and Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ. The event will also have a silent auction will have a wide selection to bid on, from trips to outdoor and sporting events to electronics. BBQ and Blues will feature music by SuperFUNk Fantasy. “Seamlessly moving from hit song to hit song, genre to genre, the SuperFUNk Fantasy zany show never stops, keeping every body on the dance floor all night long,” a press release from The DCH Foundation said. Attendees have the chance to win jewelry from Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers during the event, and tables are selling fast. To reserve a table, call The DCH Foundation at (205) 759-7349.
The theme will be led by Gene Poole, Lee Henderson, Wilson Moore and others. Dr. David Hinton will be honored at BBQ and Blues for his 25 years of service as a medical doctor. David Reynolds, a local banker in Tuscaloosa, was selected as the BBQ and Blues chairman. Reynolds was diagnosed with brain cancer, but remains positive about his diagnosis. “DCH is such a big part of our community. It drives our economy, employees our citizens, and takes care of those of us who need help,” Reynolds told The DCH Foundation. “We have a blessing right here in Tuscaloosa with the Manderson Cancer Center. And I am privileged to be able to help those with financial difficulties that I see every single time I walk into the Cancer Center for my own treatments.” The presenting sponsor, Oncology Associates of West Alabama, is in good company with event sponsors Harrison Construction, Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers, McAbee Construction, and more. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at 950 Dr. Edward Hillard Drive. Sponsorship information can be found at thedchfoundation.org.
DCH
This year’s BBQ & Blues event will have a Pan Am 1950s theme. Photo: The DCH Foundation
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16 COMMUNITY
Sprucing Up F
By Cokie Thompson
rom geology to drafting to nursing, Elizabeth Cobb has had her hand in a little bit of everything. After spending the latter part of her career as a hospice nurse, she decided it was time to return to her creative roots. Now, she works as a redecorator, helping Tuscaloosa area residents learn to use what they have in ways they don’t expect to freshen up their spaces. Cobb started her business, Redecorating Chez Vous, last summer after working with a friend of hers to spruce some things up. “I went over to her house just to do something minor, like a planter,” Cobb said. “We started moving furniture, and you couldn’t believe the transformation.” Cobb focuses on taking pieces her clients already have and finding the best uses for them. She said things like changing out pillows or moving a table in a guest bedroom to the living room can make a big difference in the feel of a space. After changing up the space, the client realized Cobb’s talent. “She said, ‘Elizabeth, you could make a living from this,’” Cobb said. “And some other friends had said the same thing, so I said ‘You know what, I’m gonna give it a shot and just do my best, so here I am.” Cobb had practice staging her previous homes for sale, so she marketed herself to real estate companies as a stager and got some experience. Many of her jobs came through word of mouth, spreading from friend to friend across town. Cobb said her value comes from her fresh ideas that can save a client money in ways they might not have thought of before. “I can look at something and understand the usefulness and dimensions of it, and then I can think of where that needs to go to suit the client best,” Cobb said. She focuses on what fits the client’s needs for the space, whether they have an important event coming up or if they just want to bring new life into the home they’ve owned for years. She will give clients suggestions of things to keep or get rid of, but it’s ultimately up to them. “It’s really important to me that my clients are happy and don’t feel like I came in there and gave them something that they can’t live with,” Cobb said.
May 2015
Local redecorator Elizabeth Cobb uses items already owned by clients
“I don’t want to do anything that they’re not happy with because it’s their home not mine.” Louise Gambrell, a teacher and friend of Cobb’s, ran into her out shopping one day, and the two women began talking about the business. Gambrell said they were really more of acquaintances, but the conversation felt like more than that. “She’s the kind of person you feel like you’ve known for a long time,” Gambrell said. After seeing before and after pictures on Cobb’s Facebook page, Gambrell realized Cobb’s help was exactly what she needed. She’d been living in her current home for about a year, and hadn’t been ready to let go of any pieces before. Now that she was ready, she wanted a second set of eyes to help her organize the space. One of the changes Cobb suggested was moving a wine rack from the kitchen over to some shelves. Gambrell said that was a change that would never have occurred to her, and it made a difference in the room. “I’ve had several friend walk in and ask, ‘Is that a new piece of furniture?’” Gambrell said. “It wasn’t. She just made it stand out.” Another thing Gambrell noted about the process was the way Cobb went about helping her choose the new pieces. Cobb sent Gambrell photos of the kinds of things that would work, and Gambrell found similar items in her price range. Gambrell and Cobb already have plans to work on another room in the house. Gambrell said she’s looking forward to working with Cobb again. “She loves her work, and that got me excited.”
“When I work with shelves or built-ins, I always remove everything first, and then group similar objects. When I place items on the shelves again, they must earn their keep – meaning only the real quality pieces make it back.”
Photos: Elizabeth Cobb
“When you have beautiful old copper pieces, they always look better in a grouping. I used the book to elevate the right piece and chose a book of the same color, so it reads like one solid object. Using objects like copper and old ceramic jugs are works of art, I love the patina, and the handmade qualities. I chose the weather vane because it had height and is interesting.”
SCHOOLS 17
May 2015
What did you Learn in Kindergarten? By Alicia Jenne’
“All I really needed to know about how to live and what to do and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School.” — Robert Fulghum All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten Robert Fulghum was right, you know. All across the nation, little children come to kindergarten in August, eager and excited to learn. Their eyes are big and bright, taking it all in. Their smiling, babyish grins with little white teeth are still intact – the snaggletooth grins won’t happen until later in the spring. And in those classrooms, there are the kindergarten teachers, waiting with open arms and crisp new plan books filled with lessons and stories and crafts and songs, just waiting to share them with their newest, littlest learners. If you ask those kindergarten teachers, in all of those classrooms, and if they truly love what they are blessed to do every day, I’m pretty sure that, like me, they will tell you that they have the best job ever! Because kindergarten is where Big School starts. Kindergarten is where the learning begins. It is the grade that starts all others. Kindergarten is the magical place that sets the tone for the love of learning that will last a lifetime! As we near the end of the school year, I asked a few “almost first graders” to tell me what they learned in kindergarten. Their answers confirm what Mr. Fulghum first published all those years ago: “No matter how old you are – when you go out into the world, it’s best to hold hands and stick together.” Alicia Berry Jenne’ is a Nationally Board Certified Kindergarten teacher at Rock Quarry Elementary School and a regular Druid City Living contributor. She is the 2013 Elementary Teacher of the Year for Tuscaloosa City Schools and the 2013 Jacksonville State Teacher of the Year.
“I learned about animals and plants. We have to do less playing than in preschool and we do more work. You kinda have to be nice to make new friends.”
Mills
Josie
“I learned to make friends by being nice to them. You just say, ‘Do you want to play with me?’ and you be nice and that’s how it works.”
“Playing nice is a good way to make friends.”
Cooper
Austin
“There’s gonna be big people in 1st grade and it’s gonna take a lotta days to go to high school.” “I learned that we eat lunch in the lunchroom and not in our class.”
Tatelyn
May 2015
SCHOOLS 19
Verner 5th graders have Colonial Day Fifth graders at Verner Elementary learned about life in early America during a recent “Colonial Day.” Students rolled hoops, wrote with quill and ink, made a wooden Jacob’s ladder toy, participated in a mock trial, sewed, and danced to eighteenth century music. Students from Northridge High School helped during this celebration of history by playing a colonial ballad and showing the younger students how to play string instruments. This is the second year Verner students have had hands-on learning through “Colonial Day,” thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of West Alabama.
Photo: Kathy Perkins
Tuscaloosa Academy students present important figures from American history Third graders at Tuscaloosa Academy recently presented “A Walk to the Wall of Fame.” Each student chose a famous person who impacted America in a large way to study. The students then dressed up and presented monologues to parents, teachers and friends. Some examples of historic figures that students chose included Ben Franklin, Bill Gates, and Albert Einstein. Front row (L to R): Emma Kronauer, Jonathan Gebrehiwet, Paul Schaefer, Harley McNeal, Tyler McNeal and Boots Plott; Middle row (L to R): Silas Stohler, Sol DeBoise, Spence Burchfield, Jonathan Koontz, Aiden Kelley and Edgar Huffaker; Back row (L to R): Geoffrey Love, Preston Lancaster, Jalyn Copeland, Lilli Eckert, Ashley Humann, Collin Holt and Noah Doenges Photo: Chelsea McKenna
20 SCHOOLS
May 2015
Local student represents The Capitol School at annual Leadership Academy The 2015 Leadership Academy was sponsored by the Office of the President, the Honors College and the Capstone Council at The University of Alabama. The University received hundreds of nominees of high school students before selecting 124 teens for its annual Leadership Academy in April. The Capitol School was proud to nominate Melanie Mew as the school’s representative for 2015. She is the daughter of Dr. Wendell and Mrs. Norma Mew of Northport.  
Photo: Laurie Mitchell
Holy Spirit student projects place at Alabama Science and Engineering Fair Earlier this month, several Holy Spirit students received honors at the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair, held at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Students Lilly Laubenthal, Mason Gibbs, Isabella Sullivan, Marty Maggi, and Conner Schoolmann received honorable mention in the Alabama Science & Engineering Fair. Sophie Petrovic, received fourth place, Brooke Bassett, 3rd place, and Wilhelmina Durham was awarded 1st place as well as receiving a first place award from the Boeing Co. and a nomination of the Broadcom Masters Competition.
Photo: Barbara Rountree
SCHOOLS 21
May 2015
Nick’s Kids Foundation dedicates new playground for ASPA By Stan J. Griffin
The Nick’s Kids Foundation partnered with the City of Tuscaloosa to build a state-of-the-art playground at The Alberta School of Performing Arts. Photo Courtesy of UA Athletics
University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban has much to be proud of in terms of his coaching record, and the success of his teams on the field during his illustrious career. His overall coaching record, as well as his collection of championship rings, are an obvious testament to that fact. But there is little doubt he is equally proud, if not more so, of the good work done by the Nick’s Kids Foundation. Established in large part due to the legacy of Saban’s father in regards to often helping others, this foundation benefits the needs of non-profit organizations and area kids, teachers and students. The simple but profound mission statement of the foundation is “To work together in the spirit of faith and giving in our community. To promote and support children, family, teacher and student causes. It’s all about the kids!” The Nick’s Kids Foundation, along with the City of Tuscaloosa, recently partnered together to mark another special project which will benefit children well into the future. The two entities dedicated the newly-constructed Nick’s Kids Playground at the new Alberta School of Performing Arts. Nick’s Kids joined forces to build a state-of-the-art playground with Alabama Forever, Hammill Recreation, the Junior League of Tuscaloosa and UA Greekfest. The dedication kicked off with Nick and Terry Saban, along with Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and Alberta School of Performing Arts Principal Brenda Parker, cutting the ribbon and officially christening the new playground. “This playground is an important piece of the new school being built for these children who had everything taken from them in a matter of seconds. It provides a place to create new memories that will last a lifetime,” Terry said. Nick Saban echoed his wife’s sentiments, adding, “This playground is more than a structure, it is an environment that adds ongoing, positive self-gratification for these children.” The Alberta School of Performing Arts re-opened in January of this year. The school was destroyed by a tornado that ravaged the Tuscaloosa area on April 27, 2011. The playground project, valued at over $80,000, will provide children with a high quality, durable playground safe for kids of all ages. The playground dedication is just another example of how the Nick’s Kids Foundation, certainly a labor of love for the first family of Alabama football, is continuing to positively impact the community. That impact is also seen in other events relative to the foundation, including an Annual Fall Giveaway Luncheon, where the Sabans distribute funds to several worthy and significant organizations. In fact, Nick’s Kids Foundation, to date, has distributed over $6 million to hundreds of non-profit charities. Additionally, Nick and Terry Saban have personally pledged $1 million to the First Generation Scholarship at the University of Alabama.
“This playground is more than a structure, it is an environment that adds ongoing, positive self-gratification for these children.” —Nick Saban—
The foundation was initially established in 1998, when Saban was still in East Lansing, Michigan, serving as head football coach of the Michigan State Spartans. Saban has often noted how important his father, Nick Saban, Sr., was to him and also to other children that he aided along the way. This was the impetus for Saban to create a foundation that he hoped would benefit the community in a similar fashion, and it has carried on even during his time as coach at LSU, in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and currently, as he continues to coach at the Capstone. No one who lives in Tuscaloosa will soon forget the toll that the April 27, 2011 tornado took on the city, in terms of property damage and emotional wounds, but Nick’s Kids also played an integral role in helping the Druid City recover from that devastating day as well. In the aftermath of that storm, the Sabans took time to personally visit shelters, where they paid for and served meals to those in need. Through Nick’s Kids, the couple joined with Project Team Up and Habitat for Humanity in helping to rebuild 15 homes lost in the historic storm. In receiving the 2008 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, the Crimson Tide coach was awarded a $50,000 gift at the A-Day Game, which he, of course, designated as a gift for Nick’s Kids, as well as an additional $20,000 gift for the University of Alabama scholarship fund. “Nick’s Kids is really all about my dad Nick, not me Nick,” Saban has said often when discussing the foundation that is obviously very close to his heart. “It was because of all the things that he did to try to create a situation where these kids had an opportunity to play, which they never would have had.” Special thanks: Katie Mellown, University of Alabama Athletics
22 SPORTS
May 2015
Grading the
Tide
By Christopher Chase Edmunds
Now that the dust from Alabama’s A-Day game has settled, it’s time to evaluate the Crimson Tide. Coach Nick Saban referred to the spring scrimmage as a “midterm” for the team, a way for the coaching staff to see what needs improvement before Fall 2015 rolls around. In the spirit of midterms and evaluations, let’s grade the 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide position by position and see where the team is either sharp and ready, or a little rough around the edges. Pencils ready…Begin.
Running Backs
B-
Alabama fans are accustomed to having a stable of Heisman-quality running backs, but in 2015, that won’t be the case. The Crimson Tide is thin at the running back position to say the least, with only two names coming to mind. Derrick Henry is the man for this year. The 6-foot3-inch, 242-pound bruiser will get plenty of carries as the workhorse, as long as he stays healthy. Kenyan Drake is the wildcard of the offense. He played in a black, non-contact jersey because he’s still recovering from a broken leg that ended last season early for Drake. He has good hands and blistering speed, so he can break big plays as a running back or as a receiver when he’s 100 percent again. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin should have a field day with Drake in his high-powered offense.
Running back Derrick Henry will be the go-to ball carrier for Alabama in 2015. Photo Courtesy of UA Athletics
Receivers
A+
Alabama’s receiving corps had the best showing at A-Day. Even though the Tide lost Amari Cooper, Christion Jones and DeAndrew White, the team is in good hands. ArDarius Stewart and Robert Foster combined for 243 yards and two touchdowns at A-Day, even when quarterbacks were constantly being rotated. Both receivers showed they could make big catches down the field, which bodes well for whichever quarterback settles in to the starting role. Not to mention Calvin Ridley, the No. 1 receiver prospect in the country, will enter the mix this fall. As long as the starting QB can sling the ball, Alabama will have plenty of highlights from the receivers this year.
SPORTS 23
May 2015 The members of the first-team Offensive offensive line are pretty much settled at Line this point, and overall the unit did well, but the group is a long way from the dominating presence of Barrett Jones and company. In the A-Day game, the first and second offensive lines gave up a total of eight sacks, and the running backs struggled to find clear holes to break big plays. The good news is that Ryan Kelly has proven himself as a leader in the trenches, and Cam Robinson is still a force to be reckoned with. The line should improve when four-star recruits Brandon Kennedy and Lester Cotton arrive on campus for fall practice and start competing for starting spots. Even if they don’t contribute immediately, the depth will help in the case of another national championship run.
B-
Quarterbacks
C+
Jake Coker looks like the guy, but none of the quarterbacks looked great at A-Day. The five quarterbacks threw five interceptions, and seemed to all be on different pages with the receivers. This is the position everyone is talking about because Jake Coker might have finally stepped up and shown he can be the starter. Before you assume anything, however, remember that Blake Sims did not look like a starter last year at A-Day, and he ended up leading the team to an SEC Championship and the College Football Playoffs.
For more Alabama football analysis, visit crimsonmag.com
All around, Alabama’s defense looks solid. Anchoring the defense is a defensive line that should be able to pressure opposing quarterbacks well this year. At A-Day, both defensive lines combined for eight sacks, and pressured the quarterbacks regularly. The line will feature a mix of experienced playmakers like A’Shawn Robinson and young talent like Da’Ron Payne. Hopefully the veterans will be able to set an example for the new recruits and make opponents think twice about running up the middle.
Alabama’s linebackers are straight-up nasty this year. Fans should look forward to a season full of Reuben Foster’s trademark bone-crunching tackles and Reggie Ragland’s explosive playmaking abilities. This is one position where the Crimson Tide has plenty of depth and competition for starting spots. This group is Alabama’s best chance at re-establishing itself as a team that opponents hate to play against.
Big pass plays have been the Achilles’ Heel for Alabama in recent years, but this year’s group is laying the foundation to change that. At A-Day several long completions were given up, but defenders were never too far behind. For the first time in two seasons, the Tide has a new assistant coach — Mel Tucker from the Chicago Bears — to focus just on the defensive backs, which should help bring the group up to snuff. Last year, Bama’s high-powered offense made up for mistakes in the secondary, but with the quarterback situation in question, it’s up to the defensive backs to step up and keep the game in front of them.
A A+ Defensive Line
Linebackers
B+
Defensive Backs
24 OUTDOOR
May 2015
Outdoor Fun: Tuscaloosa Amphitheater’s 2015 season underway
By Tori Linville
The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater’s 2015 lineup features legends and newcomers as the summer season moves into the south. Minutes away from The Black Warrior River and The University of Alabama, the amphitheater is the largest outdoor theater in West Alabama, according to the venue’s website. And this year, the amphitheater will be the temporary home for the likes of Kansas, The Dave Matthews Band, and Phish - all before August 4. Headliners announced so far this season include Boston and Kansas, John Fogerty, The Dave Matthews Band, the Steve Miller Band, Rod Stewart, and Phish. Christy Bobo, manager for the city of Tuscaloosa’s arts and entertainment department, said she spends her day organizing events for the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater and the Tuscaloosa River Market. In partnership with Red Mountain Entertainment, Tuscaloosa plans in advance and negotiates each show with careful consideration, Bobo said.
“Our mayor, Walt Maddox, works closely with Red Mountain Entertainment,” she said. “Thank your local city council member for their hard work as well. The fruits of our successful lineup are planned well in advance, and so many different factors affect these negotiations.” The amphitheater will host two summer music festivals in the upcoming months. The Old School Summer Fest will feature popular bands like Blackstreet, SWV, Tony Toni Tone, Biz Markie and more on June 5. The Heritage Music Festival on June 20 will include Con Funk Shun, Willie Clayton, and more. Local and regional performers will be highlighted at a gospel tent area, Bobo said. Those planning to attend should arrive at 2 p.m. for the gate opening, with the show to start at 3 p.m. Normally known for garnering popular country music acts, such as Jake Owen and Miranda Lambert, the
amphitheater has stepped up its variety for the summer. The 7,470seat outdoor entertainment facility will appeal to all types of individuals through the upcoming season. “We know that there are many places that a patron could choose to spend their extra money for family entertainment. We strive to provide a beautiful facility as well as top customer service experiences from the time that you enter the front gates until a patron goes home,” Bobo said. “We hope to continue to improve customer relations through implementation of new technology as well as audio visual messaging throughout shows to inform guests of options available to them.” One aspect Bobo said she is most excited about is a new communications
system that was recently implemented. New screens, audio visual updates, and a mobile app have been incorporated into the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater experience. “Thanks to help from Facilities Director Clif Penick and with the input of many others, we have hit the ground running with new screens and audio visual updates that will keep patrons informed in the case of inclement weather or emergency situations,” she said. “Red Mountain Entertainment has also been involved with this effort – you will find a new app when you arrive for shows in the near future that will be instrumental in pushing notifications to your smart phones or devices.”
Photo: Tuscaloosaamphitheater.com
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OUTDOOR 25
May 2015
Upcoming Shows at the Amphitheater May 10: John Fogerty June 3: Dave Matthews Band June 5: Old School Summer Fest with Blackstreet, SWV, Tony Toni Tone, Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane June 7: The Steve Miller Band with .38 Special June 20: Tuscaloosa Heritage Music Festival with Con Funk Shun, Willie Clayton and more July 16: Rod Stewart Aug. 4: Phish For information on ticket pricing and show times, visit tuscaloosaamphitheater.com.
Tuscaloosa Tennis Center: Growing the Game in the Community It took years of planning, but now that the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center is open, there is an even greater excitement in the air. On this day the facility, which features both indoor and outdoor courts, is filled with young people learning. Some are already seasoned tennis players; others have never held a racquet. But they all have one thing in common: a burning desire to learn. They also love to have fun, and, ultimately, that’s what the game of tennis is all about. Everyone is smiling, laughing and learning. Tuscaloosa Tennis Center Managing Partner-CEO Tommy English says the mission is to grow the game of tennis in the community. “We have a state of the art facility to share with all the residents of Tuscaloosa. We offer memberships and pay-to-play opportunities. Our top-notch tennis professionals offer lessons and clinics seven days a week, and we have developed a strong junior program so that we can reach tennis players of all ages.” Instructors work patiently with even the youngest of budding tennis enthusiasts. The Center’s “Tiny Tots” program offers classes to children as young as four years old. Workshops are also occasionally offered for parents who want to help their children (10 and under) learn the game of tennis. The Tuscaloosa Tennis Center is located in Alberta, inside Jaycee Park. It is both public and private, offering classes to members and non-members. English says it promises to be a busy summer for the Center. “There are so many opportunities to get involved with leagues, mixers, summer junior programs and tournaments. We are looking forward to all of the possibilities.” Sponsored Content
May Calendar of Events Tuscaloosa Farmer’s Market: Tuesdays and 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 www.tuscaloosarivermarket.com or call (205) 248-5295. 3rd Annual West Alabama Food and Wine Festival: May 7, 5:30-8 p.m. Hotel Capstone Ballroom, University of Alabama campus. This event features exquisite cuisine and spirits for a great cause. Proceeds benefit the American Red Cross West Alabama Chapter. Tickets: $55 (individual) and $100 (couple). For more information, visit www.westalabamafoodandwine.com or call (205) 799-0649. Mal Moore Memorial Golf Tournament: May 7-8, NorthRiver Golf Club, Tuscaloosa. This tournament benefits The Boys and Girls Clubs of West Alabama. The Randall Reilly Charity Auction is set for May 7 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Yacht Club. Registration for the golf tournament begins at 7:30 a.m. on May 8. For more information, call (205) 553-3879 or email MaryBGCWA@aol.com. Leadercast 2015: May 8, 8 a.m. First Wesleyan Church, Tuscaloosa. Speakers include Rudy Giuliani, Peyton Manning, and Malala Yousafzai. Live simulcast of an event held in Atlanta. Tickets: $55. To purchase, visit leadercast.com/location/1294 or contact Scott Moore at (205) 752-4251 or scott. moore@firstwesleyan.com. American Cancer Society Relay for Life: Friday, May 8, 6 p.m. Government Plaza, Tuscaloosa. To register, or for more information, contact Anna Lisa Weigel at (205) 242-9715, email annalisa.weigel@ cancer.org or visit RelayForLife.org/Tuscaloosaal.
11th Annual Serving with a Smile Celebrity Waiter Dinner Fundraiser Event: May 8, 7 p.m., Tuscaloosa River Market. This event benefits Temporary Emergency Services of Tuscaloosa County. Cost: $50 per person. For more information, call (205) 758-5535. North River Yacht Club 2015 Pro Am Tennis Tournament: May 9, North River Yacht Club Tennis Pavilion. Eight tennis professionals and 24 amateur players will participate in this year’s tournament, including NYRC Director of Tennis Gary Henderson. Four new Hydro clay courts will open at 6 p.m. on May 12. For more information, call (205) 343-4558. TSO Russian Spectacular: May 11, 7 p.m. Moody Hall, University of Alabama School of Music. Witness the first ever performance of the TSO Festival Choir, as they join together for Russian favorites by the likes of Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev and more. Tickets: $20/$30/$40. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www. tsoonline.org. Sundown Lecture Series: May 14, 5:15-6:30 p.m. Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion, downtown Tuscaloosa. The Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society presents “35 Years of Quilting,” with speaker Hallie O’Kelley. This event is free to TCPS members; $5 for non-members. For more information, visit www. HistoricTuscaloosa.org or call (205) 758-2238. Sunset Supper on the River: May 14 5:30-8:30 p.m. This event is a fundraiser for West Alabama AIDS Outreach, featuring four panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, silent auction items, and seafood. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.waao. info or by contacting a WAAO board member. For questions, call (205) 759-8470.
Heritage Celebration 2015 Block Party: May 16, 4-8 p.m. As part of the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society 2015 Heritage Celebration the historic College Park neighborhood in downtown Tuscaloosa will host a Block Party featuring live music, refreshments, and home and garden tours. Golf carts will be available from the Downtown Plaza. For more information, visit www.historictuscaloosa.org or call (205) 758-2238. 18th Annual BBQ & Blues: May 16, 6-10 p.m. Tuscaloosa Regional Airport Terminal. Proceeds from this event benefit the DCH Help & Hope Patient Assistance Fund. Guests will enjoy McAbee Pigfitters BBQ (with sides from Jim ‘n Nick’s BBQ), a silent auction, a Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers giveaway event and music by SuperFunk Fantasy. Tickets and corporate sponsorships are available. For more information, call (205) 759-7349 or visit www.thedchfoundation.org. 5th Annual Humane Society of West Alabama “Hush Puppy” Silent Auction: May 30, 5-8 p.m. Wilhagan’s/Green Bar, downtown Tuscaloosa. This exciting event, which benefits the Humane Society of West Alabama, will feature a “Yappy Hour” cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment (including a guest appearance by Dr. Tim Hammond), and a silent auction. For more information, call (205) 554-0011 or visit www.humanesocietyofWA.org. 5th Street Vintage Market: June 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 4150 5th Street, Northport. The 5th Street Vintage Market is a great place to find unusual and unique treasures, from vintage books, clothes, and jewelry to handmade items, vinyl records, and much, much more. For more information, go online to www.5thstreetvintagemarket.com.
Marketplace
28 FOOD
May 2015
MAY RECIPES Fast, Easy, Delicious Recipes: Family Favorites by Amy Poore
Is it just me, or does it seem like so many of us are rushing around this time of year, keeping up with the kids and all of their activities, busily spring cleaning or (hopefully) planning our summer vacations? If you find yourself short on time, these recipes are sure to satisfy everyone in the family. The ingredients in the Korean Beef Bowl and the Cherry Dump Cake are simple enough, the preparation is a snap, and I’m betting you’ll have a dinner table full of happy faces. — Bon appétit!
Cherry Dump Cake • 2 (20 oz.) cans of cherry pie filling • 1 box of yellow cake mix • 1 stick of butter, cut into thin slices Photo: Amy Poore
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. “Dump” pie filling into 9x13 baking dish. Evenly sprinkle cake mix over filling and cover with the slices of butter. Cook for 45-60 minutes (different ovens vary) until, browned and bubbly. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Korean Beef Bowls • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced • Salt and pepper • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken or beef broth • 1 tablespoon sesame oil • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes plus more to taste • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger • 4 green onions, chopped, divided • Hot, cooked rice
First, start your rice so that it will be ready about the time you finish up with the beef. In a large skillet, brown the hamburger meat with 2 of the green onions and garlic. When cooked through, drain the excess grease. In a separate bowl, mix together soy sauce, broth, brown sugar, one green onion, sesame oil, ginger and red pepper flakes. Stir sauce into beef mixture, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve over warm rice; Garnish with the remaining green onion. Photo: Amy Poore
Amy Poore is a new mom, a wife and a foodie. To see more of Amy’s delicious recipes, visit her blog, Poore Amy, at www.pooreamy.com
May 2015
TASTE OF TUSCALOOSA
FOOD 29
The Side By Side lives up to this foodie’s high standards by Sheena Gregg The news that James Beard Award winner and Iron Chef competitor Chris Hastings has a restaurant in Tuscaloosa is a dream come true for this enthusiastic foodie. Located in the new Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa, The Side by Side Restaurant achieves its primary goal of bringing out the gourmand in every visitor, enticing customers to not only enjoy eating, but to savor the entire food and restaurant experience. Chef de Cuisine Patrick Brawley believes that patrons can expect a dedication to using local ingredients that inspire the seasonal menu. “We want diners to know that we use local, fresh ingredients. We have exciting partnerships coming along, including the potential of working with the Druid City Garden Project.” Experiences working alongside Chef Hastings at Hot and Hot Fish Club and also independently in the Cayman Islands have gifted Chef Brawley with a magnitude of flavor talents that make The Side by Side unique. To top off the gastronomic talents of Tuscaloosa’s newest eatery, The Side by Side also features Chef Edward Gee, former Senior Pastry Sous Chef for the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, Florida. I decided to treat myself to a perfect afternoon of enjoying all that The Side by Side has to offer. Arriving for an early afternoon lunch, I was eager to try multiple things on the menu. My server, Misty, was a delight, providing details on specials and sharing the day’s Seasonal Vegetable Plate selections. I opted for the vegetable plate while also hungrily deciding to try the famous Dad’s Grilled Chicken with Panzanella. Waiting on my food, I was overtaken by the variety of ambiance that was naturally part of The Side by
Side environment. A rotunda with gorgeous natural light provided a casual elegance, while other areas of the restaurant portrayed a more upscale atmosphere, including the private dining area to accommodate intimate parties. Soon, my table began to fill with my selections. The balance of flavors and the acidity of the vegetable plate were quickly obvious as I took my first bite of a roasted, stuffed bell pepper. The juiciness of the grilled chicken perfectly complemented the anticipated textures of the panzanella. Thinking I could no longer continue eating, I joyfully found room for Chef Gee’s special Strawberry Short Cake creation, featuring a honey butter biscuit and refreshing strawberry ice cream.
Knowing the quality of dishes I had at lunch make me even more eager to enjoy a Side by Side dinner experience. I found the flavors to be exceptional. The pricing was extremely competitive with other lunches in Tuscaloosa. Though I almost felt like the food was too beautiful to eat at times, my taste buds are thankful that I was able to enjoy such a delicious dining experience. For more information on The Side by Side Restaurant, please visit www.thesidebysiderestaurant.com. Sheena Gregg is a registered dietitian and local “Filipino Foodie.” Follow her adventures at www.afilipinofoodie.com.
The Dad’s Grilled Chicken with Panzanella was a highlight of the meal. Photo: Sheena Gregg
30 HOME & GARDEN
May 2015
The Druid City in Spring: A Stunning Sight Spring is in full swing in Tuscaloosa. Flowers and trees are blooming, filling the air with sweet scent. Winter coats are being traded in for shorts and sandals. Spring sports, such as baseball and softball and soccer, are well underway, and Saturdays are spent at the ball field. There’s a lot to love about this time of year in the Druid City. What do you love about spring in Tuscaloosa? Not long ago, Druid City Living asked Facebook community members to weigh in on what their favorite parts of spring in Tuscaloosa are. Responses were varied, but everyone seemed excited to enjoy the great outdoors, even if it’s just going outside to stretch your legs a little.
Photo: Laurie Perrigin
Kristi D. and Vicki J. commented on Facebook that enjoying walks and time with family down by the Riverwalk is what they love best about spring in Tuscaloosa. This trail along the river offers a peaceful place to get out and enjoy nature while getting a little exercise in. There are also great spots along the trail where you can find hidden benches and picnic tables, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the beautiful springtime weather. Many other Tuscaloosa residents were quick to point out their favorite things about this time of year in T-Town as well. Sheena Gregg of Tuscaloosa notes that she enjoys going to restaurants and being able to sit outside in the warmer weather. Many restaurants around town boast outside seating and springtime is a great time to take advantage of these outside spaces.
by Candice Morris
If you’re looking for a restaurant downtown, Five Restaurant’s outdoor seating provides a wonderful atmosphere, located next to the sidewalk but away from the busy University Blvd traffic, great for saying hello as people pass by. Cypress Inn offers a beautiful view of the Black Warrior River with its outdoor seating area, perfect for a relaxing experience at one of Tuscaloosa’s favorite restaurants. And Taco Mac downtown is expanding its outside deck, so more customers can take in the fresh air as they enjoy their tacos and margaritas. If you’re like Jessie Jones of Tuscaloosa, spring is a great time to get outside and garden. Tuscaloosa boasts several great local nurseries, such as Tree House Farm & Nursery (http://thfarm.com/) and Barton’s Nursery & Gifts, where you can pick up a variety of plants and flowers to make your home’s garden the envy of the neighborhood. Don’t enjoy digging in the dirt? A trip to the University of Alabama’s Arboretum is just the place to enjoy beautiful gardening without getting dirty. You can also head to the University of Alabama campus, which is in full bloom. Stunning, colorful tulips can be found all over campus, and especially around the President’s Mansion.
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