April 11, 2017 Kscope

UAB’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 57, ISSUE 12

New alliance ushers in revitalization

From the ice of the civic center

Five Points South, a former cultural hub, appoints organization to bring back the spark that once ruled downtown. Read more on Page 2.

UAB Hockey Club reflects on their first year following a 6-7 season and where they see the sport progressing at UAB. Read more on Page 6.

The

Kaleidoscope STATE

BENTLEY RESIGNS

PHOTO BY JULIE BENNETT/JBENNETT@AL.COM FOR AL.COM Gov. Robert Bentley leaves the Capitol Monday, April 10, in Montgomery.

Kay Ivey sworn in as 54th, second female governor of Alabama Wallace Golding Community Editor After seven years, the bells of justice are ringing loud and clear throughout Alabama.

Seven years shrouded in alleged nepotism and other not-socunning cover-ups will be how former governor Robert Bentley will be enshrined in the annals of history.

Bentley resigned April 10 fol- Rebekah Caldwell Mason. lowing a damning report Bentley was booked by the Alabama House into the Montgomery Judiciary Committee’s County Jail in the afterspecial counsel, Jack Sharnoon of April 10 after man, a Birmingham-based pleading guilty to one attorney, complete with count of failing to file a more than 300 of pages of major contribution report testimony, hours of audio and one count of knowIvey and hundreds of text mesingly converting camsages between Bentley and his paign contributions to personal former senior political advisor, use. As part of the deal, Bentley

BIRMINGHAM WATER WORKS BOARD

must reimburse campaign funds to the state of more than $8,000 within the next week and totaling $36,000 throughout the coming months. He will serve 12 months of unsupervised probation and can never run for public office again.

Following his plea, Bentley returned to the statehouse where

See ALABAMA, Page 9

PEPPER PLACE

Flushing out the truth Spicing up the Pension scandals, billing issues neighborhood challenge image of organization Wallace Golding Community Editor Since February, the Birmingham Water Works has taken center stage in the theatres of litigation and alleged corruption, complete with $4.3 million in pension funds lost in a Ponzi-like scheme and customers pointing to unethical billing practices.

In August 2014, the BWW’s investment managers agreed to invest an undisclosed amount of funds in an affiliate of the Wakpamni District of the Oglala Sioux Nation, whose members reside in one of the poorest regions of the country, the Pine Ridge Reserve of South Dakota, in the form of a limited recourse bond. A limited recourse means the creditor

has limited claims on the loan in the event of default. “[The bond] did not follow the Investment Policy Statement,” Mac Underwood, the BWW’s general manager, said. “This statement established guidelines for the investment of pension funds, one of which states all investments must be investment grade or higher.”

Underwood mentioned that the investment managers that made the decision to partake in this bond no longer work with the BWW. The BWW’s portion was only a small part of a larger scheme to defraud nearly $40 million of other agency’s pension plans through the bonds that have been labeled by the Securities and

Exchange Commission as a “sham.”

According to filings in a New York federal court, Jason Galanis, a Los Angeles-based venture capitalist, persuaded the Oglala Sioux to issue the bond in March 2014, only five months before the BWW’s investment.

Galanis then purchased Atlantic Asset Management, which then purchased Hughes Asset Management, which controlled nearly 30 percent of the BWW’s pension investments.

Galanis plead guilty to securities fraud in February and will spend 11 years in prison, but the sentencing was for a different scheme of a similar structure that lasted between 2009 and 2011.

Complaints have been filed, but no indictment has been made involving the defrauding of the BWW’s pension.

See BOARD, Page 4

Vendors return for community ‘grocery store’ Tamara Imam Branding and Outreach Manager

N

estled in the middle of a “food desert,” as downtown Birmingham is often called, sits a market teeming with fresh, locally grown produce brought from small farmers all across the state.

When Cathy Sloss Jones, the owner of Sloss Real Estate, founded The Market at Pepper Place in 2000 with other high-profile members of the community, she set her sights on saving the Alabama farmer.

But while the farmer has been the priority over the last 17 years, according to Hannah Beasley, assistant market manager, the goal of the market has also been helping bolster small businesses and being the community’s “weekly market grocery story.”

“While our focus is the farmers, we want people to have a well-rounded experience of Alabama companies and products,” Beasley said.

Pepper Place opened its annual outdoor market Saturday, April 8, and amongst some of the staple, yearly vendors, such as Piper and Leaf and Dak’s Spices, were many first-year vendors. Beasley said that aside from the opening of

See MARKET, Page 9

INSIDE CAMPUS

2

|

COMMUNITY

4

|

SPORTS

6

|

OPINION

8

Campus

Page 2 April 11, 2017

STUDENT EFFORTS

OPINION

Team Hope hunts for a cure Why USGA

does matter

Group’s walk to increase research on Huntington’s

Tamara Imam Branding and Outreach Manager

Kristina Balciunaite Assistant Branding and Outreach Manager Approximately 200,000 people are diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease in the United States yearly. Team Hope is a student-run organization at UAB that annually holds campaign walks to support the fight against the disease. The money that is gathered during the event is sent to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, who donates it to research, support for victim’s families and awareness.

This is the second year a UAB organization is participating in a campaign of this kind.

According to Jenna Smith, clinical coordinator for the Huntington’s Disease Clinic and research nurse coordinator for the Division of Movement Disorders at UAB, Huntington’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes psychiatric disturbances resulting in involuntary movements and impairment of cognition. It is fatal in most cases and is genetically passed, with a 50 percent likelihood that a parent with the disease will pass it on to their children.

The average age of the time the carrier of

F Photo courtesy of David Lee Attendees walk at Oak Mountain State Park Sunday to spread awareness of Huntington’s disease and raise money for Team Hope.

the disease is diagnosed is usually between late thirties to early forties and the average lifetime after diagnosis is 15 to 20 years.

Tyler Orem, senior in neuroscience, founded Team Hope at UAB last year together with three of his friends. Orem’s father was diagnosed with Huntington’s when he was a high school freshman and he died two years after. Orem had for a long time tried to find a way to raise awareness and money for the disease.

He was also a crosscountry runner in high school, so after hearing about the awareness walk for Huntington’s held in Tuscaloosa, he decided to organize a walk in Birmingham.

“Going there on Sunday and seeing the community supporting, in a collective effort, one goal was amazing,” said David Lee, senior in biomedical engineering and neuroscience and marketing coordinator for Team Hope. “Once

you get there, you see everybody who’s happy to be there, happy to see the support and the love was a really good experience.”

Around 150 participants attended this year’s walk, which took place Sunday, April 2, at Oak Mountain State Park. Last year, Team Hope collected $11,000 for HDSA, but according to Lee, their goal for this year is to collect $14,000 by the end of the year. As of Sunday’s walk, $10,000 have been collected and still counting.

“I would have never expected to get this much from a student run event,” Lee said. “It just started last year.”

UAB is currently participating in multiple observational trials and a lab is also devoted solely to Huntington’s disease research. Patients are offered genetic counseling and testing, social workers that help with complex issues that come along with the disease, as well as individually tailored treatment plans

that provide treatment of some of the symptoms.

“It’s a tough disease,” Smith said. “But, we remain hopeful as we can help currently and hope to eventually find a cure.”

According to Smith, research for the cure has progressed during the last few years.

“It’s the only neurological disease that is being caused by just one gene,” Orem said. “We’re very close to making a breakthrough. So I’m hoping that the money we raise will go toward that.”

In Birmingham, the Team Hope walk took place April 2.

“Despite how low the prevalence of [Huntington’s Disease] is, it’s still an important thing to address,” Lee said.

“I really want to see this grow each year.”

It is also still possible to donate on the website of Team Hope, which is hdsa. donordrive.com.

Kristina Balciunaite can be reached at asst.online@insideuab.com.

GRADUATION PLANS

After UAB: Entering the real world Sufia Alam Campus Reporter

for nine months in Sakhnin, Israel he should do after graduating. after graduation. Coleman will “I’m excited about seeing and be teaching at the local university experiencing another part of the With the year coming to an end, for students interested in studying world and being immersed in a graduating Blazers are solidifying education. different culture,” he said. “I have plans after college.

After graduation, Coleman always loved to travel, but this will plans on fulfilling one of his duties be something bigger than that. This ASEEL DIB as an intern of the mayor’s is the opportunity to engage with Aseel Dib, a neuroscience office by taking students from unique ideas and a way of thinking major, has decided to take the middle school, Phillips that I hope to learn from.” a gap year and serve the Academy, to Al Karak, Jordan Davis recalls his favorite memory nonprofit organization, and Rosh HaAyin, Israel for of his undergraduate years as making United4Humanity. Before three weeks. new friends on move-in day. applying to medical school, “We are the only city in the “I will miss being so close to Dib plans to aid refugees in south that has signed a sister everyone I know,” he said. “My time Dib obtaining basic health care city agreement with both an at UAB has really helped [me] find a services.

Arab country and Israel,” he said. “I group of people that I care about and “I’m really excited to continue think, it’ll be really cool for will miss when I am gone.” to go abroad and work with the our middle-school students RYLIE WALLACE refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. I to go and compare both Rylie Wallace has decided just returned from my first trip and cultures.” to pursue her passion for law I cannot even put into words the After returning, Coleman after completing her history incredible experience I had while will attend Dartmouth major this semester. Wallace delivering basic necessities of proper University to pursue a degree will be attending Vanderbilt health care and humanitarian aid to in the global studies program.

Wallace Law School at the start of the refugees.”

Coleman loved being fall semester.

Dib said her passion to serve a teacher’s assistant for She plans to explore multiple stems from her belief that every professor Shannon Blanton’s class possibilities in the field of law before individual has the responsibility to and used the opportunity to travel committing to one. help those less fortunate. to Cuba with that class over spring “I want to be an attorney, “I believe in global citizenship, break. probably in criminal law, and maybe meaning being a member of the “What I will miss most about a judge someday,” she said. “I haven’t world and not too constrained into being at UAB is definitely the decided for sure yet, though. I don’t your current environment,” she people,” he said. “The friendships even know where I want to live after said. “I truly believe my year going and mentors I made here made it law school. I’m hoping I’ll be able to between the U.S. and overseas will possible for me to have some of the figure it out in the next three make me more aware of what’s best experiences of my life years.” outside my current environment.” during undergrad.”

Wallace described her After serving United4Humanity, CALEB DAVIS favorite memories of the Mock Dib’s long-term goals include Caleb Davis decided Trial Team and attending UAB applying to UASOM and to graduate a semester men’s soccer games. expanding her work in early to volunteer his “I have so many memories nonprofit. service to the Peace from our competitions, and Davis CHARLES COLEMAN Corps. Davis graduated every person on the team has Charles Coleman, with a degree in information influenced me in some way,” she said. international studies major systems in December. Davis Coleman speaks on serving the Peace Sufia Alam can be reached and a winner of the Fulbright at sufia@uab.edu. scholarship, plans to teach English Corps as the best decision for what

or the last two years, I’ve had the pleasure of serving in the Undergraduate Student Government Association as a senator for the College of Arts and Sciences. And while UAB’s USGA isn’t run by an alleged sketchy underground society (looking at you, UA), it’s certainly been an interesting experience.

Our senate yields a lot more power than students may realize. If you went to the spring football game Saturday and saw the Blazers take Legion Field for the first time since Fall 2014, you can, in part, thank senate. Last year, we passed a resolution to increase student fees by $25 a semester to support the return of our shuttered football, bowling and rifle programs.

Totaling over $700,000, the money generated from that fee constituted the largest portion of the funds put toward supporting those programs.

While that vote garnered a lot of attention from the local media Imam and the student body at large, it was the exception, not the rule. To be frank, I’m willing to bet that a significant portion of students don’t know what senate does every week or that we even exist at all.

During my time in senate, we’ve written and passed resolutions to increase core curriculum course offerings, replace Styrofoam containers at Full Moon with biodegradable ones and support the ‘It’s On Us’ campaign against campus sexual assault. Personally, I’ve had the honor of writing two resolutions: one to place hammock poles on campus green spaces, which were just installed on the Rast Quad at the end of March, and one to urge the administration to provide feminine-hygiene products in campus bathrooms to relieve some of the financial strain many of our students face.

Students probably have no idea that we had anything to do with these things.

During one particularly testy senate meeting this year, we were debating for what felt like the millionth time the resolution to increase Full Moon menu prices by 10 cents to fund the biodegradable containers.

I told my fellow senators that if we did not quit tabling the vote, it would appear to the student body that senate sits on its collective hands rather than making decisions. One senator responded (I’m paraphrasing here), “I don’t know about any of you, but none of my friends care about what senate is doing every week.”

While I shouldn’t have been too surprised by the comment — it’s true, students don’t seem to care about what we do — it really resonated with me.

We don’t get paid for being in senate. We meet every single Tuesday, and sometimes our meetings run for hours. Hours that I could be in Sterne studying for an exam or hanging out with friends. I’ve missed many a Taco Tuesday at Fuego (rest in peace) for senate. Outside of those weekly meetings, I’ve attended meetings with our respective deans, tabled for USGA events, worked voter registration drives and sat on committees concerning campus safety, dining and our libraries. What was any of that worth if students didn’t know or care about us?

It was worth everything. Every hour, every meeting, every frustration.

No, senate isn’t tackling every issue and no, we’re, for the most part, not making sweeping changes on our campus. But after I graduate, in just under a month, if I can come back to the campus that’s been my home for the past four years and say that I was part of an organization that made incremental changes to even kind of improve the lives of students while they’re here, I’ll be pretty proud.

Tamara Imam can be reached online@insideuab.com.

April 11, 2017

The Kaleidoscope

Page 3 | Campus

STUDENT LIFE

Platonic love grows on the Green Friendship around is just around the corner at UAB Surahbi Rao Campus Editor

al hobby so it’s already kind of an icebreaker,” Nadeem said. “You ccording to Psydefinitely see a side of chCentral, some people that you don’t of the strongest see normally, especially adult relationships you since it gets competitive. will ever have, those A lot of character traits that shape some of your that are different in variprofessional personality ous settings come up.” and mindset, are made Nadeem believes that during these “golden” the friends he has made years. in college are the closest Junior biology major he will ever have.

Param Patel met his best “I’ve learned a lot friend at Camp Hall, a about people in general former freshman resiand I feel like being at dence hall.

UAB, I Patel was have a relaxing in diverse set room 1002 of friends the Friday and I’ve before learned a Thanksgivlot about ing break how when he people heard a lot are, and of noise in learned the hallway. better “I could social ethear him iquette in running general,” around Nadeem and hadn’t said. “I talked to feel like him before, I’m better but there he able to unwas when I derstand opened up people my door,” because of Patel said. the diversi“I couldn’t ty here.” see myself UAB’s being friends potenwith him, tial for but he came friendship in and he doesn’t —Hannah Britton was trying end within to go to Al’s. the 80 I decided I couldn’t be block- radius. the type of person to Ali Fry, a mathematlet him go alone, so we ics graduate currently hung out. It was one of in her first year of the most unexpected medical school at UAB, friendships. We ended found her set of friends up being roommates the through salsa dancing next year.” off campus.

On Sunday’s and “Dancing brings Wednesday’s, walk people together,” Fry across The Green to said. “You have that the West Campus field connection. You don’t and you’ll find students even need to know their competing in pick-up name, but once you games, where teams are dance you’re brought established after everytogether. Dancing is one that wants to play different. A lot of arrives. Many students people aren’t interested go to the UAB Camin it so you have people pus Recreation Center that you identify with and to the soccer fields that understand your to play without any passion. It’s kind of rare tournament, but with because it is a specific what neuroscience grad- thing that someone uate Nathan Larinde shares with you that is describes as “serious so unifying…To have competitive spirit.” people understand Psychology major where you are coming Afnan Nadeem has from, what you are also made many friends passionate about and through his love of support you. To have sports. them ask you how you “With soccer, there are doing and say ‘Oh! I are less people that play missed you at this thing,’ and it gets to be where it’s a good feeling.” you eventually build Fry also spoke on friendships because you the importance of the see them a lot, and then Honors College to her you see them on campus collegiate experience. and at Sterne and you After the recent revamp, already have that mutu- the Honors College has

A

“

We’ve been through a lot this year and that’s obviously brought us together, but we also have fun together, and I think both of those things impact our friendship.

“It’s mainly the people I sit next to in class on the first day because we just kind of don’t move seats after that, and that’s kind of how that works,” she said. “I choose a spot in the middle because I feel like the front is too much attention and I feel like the back is for slackers, so the people in the middle of the room shape the people that I meet.”

Regardless of the location, students described the diversity of UAB as a pivotal factor in their friendships on campus.

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR Siddhu Srikakolapu, sophomore in philosophy, and Shaun Kuo, sophomore in biology, sit together outside the Hill Student Center’s dining area. ABOVE: From left to right, Natalie Prior, freshman in health care management; Patrick Brock, undeclared freshman; and Emma Moccia, freshman in social work, walk past the mini park.

welcomed more students than ever before to graduate with an Honors degree.

“Sci-tech was such a community,” Fry said.

“It’s something that I can always fall back on and always talk to them.

Honestly, the people in Sci-tech were some of my closest people in life.”

Common leadership positions on campus provide an additional specific source of social networking.

Sophomore Hannah Britton brought a lot of friends with her to college from high school and through classes, but describes some of her closest ten friendships through the RA program at Blount Hall.

“We’ve been through a lot this year and that’s obviously brought us together, but we also have fun together and I think both of those things impact our friendship,” she said.

Britton described the seat choice in classes as an important factor in a few of the relationships that affect what she believes will become her professional-self.

From left to right, Cayla Hamilton, junior; Joanne Thomas, sophomore; Laura Leffel, freshman; and Anna Siddiw, sophomore, are all members of Student Involvement and Leadership at UAB.

Surabhi Rao can be reached community@insideuab.com and on Twitter @Cityrao17.

community

Page 4

April 11, 2017

FIVE POINTS SOUTH

PHOTO BY IAN KEEL / PHOTO EDITOR Five Points South, once the cultural hub of Birmingham’s Southside, sits quietly on a weekend afternoon.

Bringing life to a fading scene Alliance seeks to revitalize area, find new passion in community Anthony Roney Community Reporter The vibrant life of Five Points South may be muted, much like the small architectural details seen only when passing closely by the different restaurants and shops. A new alliance, however, aims to bring back the sparkle to the struggling cultural hub.

However, according to a certain Five Points business owner, it’s not at all what it seems.

“It’s just another try to get CAPs up here,” said the owner of the Five Points Paint and Hardware.

The owner of the Five Points Paint and Hardware, who requested not to be named, explained that the Five Points Alliance is just another setup for failure for

Board From Page 1

“We are evaluating our legal options at this time,” Underwood said.

Regardless of the chaos that will assuredly ensue and the fallout from it, Underwood reminded employees and representatives of the City that the BWW’s total investments are not in jeopardy.

“Recently, there has been news coverage that was misleading, because it seemed to indicate that retirees’ benefits would be compromised,” Underwood said. “This is not at all

the area by the non-profit group the City Action Partnership and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. He said that funneling more money into the area would just cause more corruption, inflated property taxes, and overall gentrification.

“This is exactly what HUD wants: raising property values, which dries out businesses like mine out, in order to gentrify the area out,” the owner said. “HUD knows all these moves on a chessboard. It’s not like a game of tic-tac-toe like I thought. It’s a game of chess, a very high-brow game of chess.”

The owner of the Five Points Paint and Hardware concluded that he plans to own and work in his shop

the case.”

All in all, the BWW’s pension fund contains over $127 million of investments, including the $4.3 million lost in Galanis’ scheme, according to press releases from the BWW. “The plan is adequately funded to pay retirement benefits,” Underwood said. “All BWW retirees’ benefits remain unchanged and all BWW retirees have and will continue to receive the same retirement benefit that they were approved to receive.”

Concurrently, the

for as long as he can.

On the other hand, some people from Birmingham view the Five Points Alliance as an asset to the community.

“A lot of people are moving down here, and that’s beneficial for Five Points,” said Jake Richey, a longtime Birmingham resident. “Sure, the homeless people are kind of sketchy, but I’ve been around here long enough to get used to it. Although, I really think the Alliance would be beneficial for the area.”

Richey mentioned that even though the Five Points Alliance isn’t well known, he thinks they will really will start to gain recognition and notoriety. He said that, as their project progresses, he believes that the initiative will continue to gain traction.

Bill Stoeffhaas, a member on the Board of Directors for the Five Points Alliance, also felt that the organization will

BWW’s board of directors has been accused of corrupting the water bills received by citizens.

Just last month, State Representative John Rogers (D-Birmingham) vowed to “do everything I can to destroy [the Board].”

This promise was made in response to an allegedly shady attempt to move meetings from a board room capable of seating 50 to a much smaller conference room that is only able to seat 12.

Carlos Chaverst Jr., an activist and member of the Outcast Vot-

be helpful to the people that put in time with it.

“The people that live and work here every day are the ones coming together to improve Five Points South,” Stoeffhaas said. “The people of Five Points South will make this a success.”

Stoeffhaas also mentioned that the Alliance wants to get input from all of the Five Points area before setting any timelines or goals. He said it will be easy to accomplish the small goals for now, but they want to hear what the community has to say before they set any dates for larger-scale goals in the future.

“Well, we hope that we’ll be able to capitalize on a lot of the energy all over Birmingham in all the different neighborhoods,” said Steve Alexander, chairman of the Board of Directors for the Five Points Alliance.

“There’s a lot of progress being made and we want

ers League, discussed what he said he sees as attempts to defraud ratepayers.

“They don’t want to be held responsible for their actions,” Chaverst said. “I believe they are the most corrupt entity in Birmingham.”

Aside from the boardroom debacle, the actions Chaverst referred to include a recent billing discrepancy affecting thousands of customers.

The Board enacted a new software program that estimates consumption for each customer as opposed to the typical meter read-

to make sure our neighborhood is a part of that.”

Alexander said that the organization felt like this was a good time to get organized and promote the Five Points South area. He wants the area to become a destination for citizens and tourists alike.

Many areas in the surrounding area have been on the rise in recent years. While Five Points was previously the primary place of leisure for citizens, now it is being spread out throughout the whole city and shared. This, in turn, has left Five Points with declining business.

Good or bad, the Five Points Alliance will be coming to lift the Five Points neighborhood very soon.

Only time will tell if they truly benefit or hinder the businessmen and businesswomen of Five Points.

ings earlier this year.

Chaverst shared the story of how this issue affected a 93-year-old woman who receives a fixed income.

“She normally pays $54 a month for water,” Chaverst said.

“When they changed the system, she got a bill for $600 and another for $1,400. There were no leaks found, and the BWW still insisted that she pay the bill.”

Councilor Marcus Lundy of District 9 said the billing situation is “very alarming.”

“It deserves the attention of everyone,

Anthony Roney can be reached at roney16@uab.edu.

and I pray we can find a quick solution to this dire situation,” he said.

Other councilors, including Lashunda Scales of District 1, who chairs the Council’s Governmental Affairs Committee, and Jay Roberson of District 7, who chairs the Council’s Utilities Committee, declined to comment on the situation. Rick Jackson, the BWW’s spokesperson, also declined to comment.

Wallace Golding can be reached at community@ insideuab.com or on Twitter @WGolding_4.

April 11, 2017

The Kaleidoscope

Page 5 | Community

ART CRAWL

Masterpieces bought and sold Monthly event finds new home, aspires for growth people are nice.”

Anthony Roney Morrison said that Community Reporter On the first Thursday of every month, something unique happens off 19th Street North. The Birmingham Art Crawl allows dozens of artists and performers to show off their skills and sell their products, attracting people from all across central Alabama.

“Yeah, I really love seeing all of the art and listening to the music over here,” said Abby McLain, a regular patron of the Art Crawl. “You get to meet a lot of really fun people and when I have money, I’m able to buy some cool things.”

McLain also said having the location at the Pizitz Food Hall instead of down the street was nice because she felt it attracted way more people with art, food and music all in the same place.

“I’m so happy that I can walk down here and just see the art and listen to the music,” said Shelby Morrison, another patron of the Art Crawl. “It’s so close to everything and my home. It’s great because all the art is interesting, and the

she has seen more artists participate in the Art Crawl recently and she hopes there will be even more in the future.

She also hopes that the music scene will ignite for the event.

“Maybe, they will bring in some more musicians,” said Morrison.

“I think that would make it even better than it is now.”

However, it isn’t just patrons that are pleased by the Art Crawl and its new location at Pizitz. The event’s vendors are also thrilled with the new location.

“Since we moved here, a lot of the people that live in the buildings around here are coming by and walking their dogs, just kind of hanging out and chatting,” said Roger Torbert, owner of Broken Pieces Art. “There is more of a community feel here than there was in the other location.”

Torbert also said that the best part about being in the Art Crawl was that you got to interact with all the artists and performers and meet many new

PHOTO BY EMILY COX-OLDHAM / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR A musician plays for the crowd gathered outside of the Pizitz Building while vendors sell their works on Thursday at Art Crawl.

people.

“I encourage everybody to come out and support local artists and everybody who’s here is local, so there’s not people who drive here from out of town,” Torbert said.

“So, when you shop at the Art Crawl, you’re really just support-

Humans of Birmingham

“

I have five college degrees. I work here because I love it so much... Tattoos can reveal an inner part of the soul or they can just be simple and make you happy at the time... Some of the most interesting tattoos I ever saw include Elmer Fudd holding a gun at someone’s butt-crack reading ‘come out of there you fuzzy little wabbit,’ and a little lawn mower right above the pubic area.

—Spike Grimm, Classic 13 Tattoo on 20th Street South

ing local artists.”

Torbert was indeed, correct saying that there was a high number of local artists in the Art Crawl. Strolling down the sidewalk, you can find many pieces of art that are derived from somehow from the City of Birmingham. These would include pieces involving

the city’s industrious history portraying areas such as the Vulcan Statue or Sloss Furnaces. However, Art Crawl also has many artists that flex the creativity of the artists of Birmingham as with Torbert who weaves pieces of magazines and books into art.

So, if you find

yourself in Downtown Birmingham on the first Thursday night of the month, it may be worth it to walk down to the Art Crawl and see the beautiful art, listen to the smooth music and meet the wonderful people.

Anthony Roney can be reached at roney16@uab.edu.

sports

Page 6 April 11, 2017

CLUB SPORTS

Skating through the inaugural season

“

UAB Hockey players reflect on year, where they see team going Jack Ryan Sports Editor

O

n the Pelham Civic Center ice rink, the UAB Hockey Club watched as the final seconds ticked off the clock of their inaugural season.

The Blazers fell short, but the members knew they started something bigger than themselves.

“We really appreciate the support,” said sophomore center Jakob Hornsby. “Without the fans, this would die off. When recruits come to the game, they are amazed by how crowded the stands are.

Even other teams were surprised by how many people showed up to the games. The Mayor of Pelham actually left a University of Alabama game to come watch ours because he thought ours was more interesting. We want UAB to eventually make us a Division-I hockey team. That is a long way down the road, but when it happens, we can look back and say we started that.”

The club went 6-7 in their first season. UAB defeated Louisiana State University twice, Mis-

sissippi State University three times and Middle Tennessee State University once. As the season progressed the team found more chemistry and lines that would fit them well.

“At the beginning, no one really knew each other at all,” said senior left wingman Adil Patel.

“The coach was just trying to put lines together to see who would spark the offense. Normally, I would not play on a top line. I happened to be put on it for some reason. We scored a ton of goals in that one game.

At practice, we would stick with these lines and would get comfortable playing with the same guys over and over again.”

UAB started to use various functions around campus as recruiting tools for the team. They even tried to talk to some high schools to see the level of interest students have.

“We have a huge class [of high schoolers] that are coming in,” Patel said. “They are really interested in coming here and playing for UAB. The older guys are starting to look for internships so they do

Y H! B ER T T IS 8 G E 1 R

M

AY

We really appreciate the support.

Without the fans, this would die off.

—Jakob Hornsby

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ADAM LEE/ADAM LEE PHOTOGRAPHY UAB Hockey players Justin Weber (front) and Ryan Kalson (back) skate past the Louisiana State University defense at the Pelham Civic Center the weekend of October 7, 2016.

not have much time.

If we can get some of these freshman coming in, they have more time to get into it. When you get freshman, it’s easier to work with them to make them show up for training and practice.”

The members loved the fan support on the season. They noticed that at every game the stands were packed and people were having to stand along the boards because there weren’t any seats left. The team wanted to put on a good show for the fans in attendance and thank

them for their support.

“We packed out the arena every game,” Hornsby said. “During the final weekend, we had like 1,200 people

even with the spring game and the NCAA Final Four [basketball tournament] going on.

All of those proceeds went to Autism Speaks.

The entire season, we gained more and more support. In fact, if you look right over there, someone is wearing a UAB Hockey shirt. You are starting to see people wear it on campus.”

The Blazers look to schedule 30-40 games next season, according to Hornsby.

Jack Ryan can be reached at sports@insideuab.com and on Twitter @kscope_sports.

INTRODUCING

DELAYED-START CLASSES AT CALHOUN!

Start now (or

later).

With our new delayed-start classes this summer, you can begin your classes in May, or if you have other obligations, like a family vacation or your job, you can start in June and still have time to take one class or a full load!

Visit us at www.calhoun.edu for more information.

April 11, 2017

The Kaleidoscope

Page 7 | Sports

SOFTBALL

From the batter’s box: Mary Warren No. 23 success not only on the field but in the classroom too Trinity Dix Sports Reporter

S

enior infielder Mary Warren stands in the batter’s box. With two outs and two strikes on her, the pitcher winds up to deliver the pitch.

Warren smacks the ball and launches it for a home run.

Originating from Ococee, Florida, Warren began her love affair with softball by playing baseball when she was about 7 years old. At a young age, she said her dad literally dragged her to softball signups.

She kicked and screamed all the way there.

“I did not want to play softball,” Warren said. “I wanted to stay and play baseball. Once I started playing softball, I got hooked. So, I loved it ever since.”

Back in 2013, Warren decided to attend UAB to pursue her dream of playing collegiate softball and making her family proud.

In her eyes, UAB was the school for her because of the immense size. The Blazer’s family atmosphere drew her into playing for the school.

“We’re a huge fam-

ily,” Warren said. “We care about each other.

The coaches treat us as if we were [their children]. Coach [Marla Townsend] is like my second mom. She really cares about [me] and the girls. We all care about each other.”

In the 2013-2014 season, she started in 57 of 59 games, according to UABsports.com.

She earned three accolades for her achievements in her first year.

She was named to the Conference-USA All-Freshman Team, the Getterman Classic All-Tournament Team and the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

During the 20142015 season, Warren had 23 starts as a designated hitter. She earned the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll once again.

According to UABsports.com, she started in 52 games as a designated player in the 2015-2016 season.

In it, she racked up 42 hits and 14 runs for the program.

Instead of receiving one award, Warren received four from C-USA and one from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

C-USA selected Warren to the All-Conference First Team while

UAB senior designated hitter Mary Warren steps to the plate.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

BY UAB ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

the NFCA gave her the Mideast All-Region Third Team Honors.

She received the Conference Player of the Week award April 11 and 25, 2016. For the third year in a row, Warren earned the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Of the 34 games played this season, Warren started in 21 games and played 25.

As of April 2,, she accumulated ten hits, seven runs and one home run

for the Blazers.

Overall, Warren averaged 0.875 percent on field, 0.292 percent in slugging and 0.208 percent at bat. She walked nine times, totaled 14 bases and put out seven players.

This season proved to be tough for the team with an overall

record of 13-21 and a C-USA record of 5-3.

Despite this, Warren says that the season has been going great for her.

“We’ve had our struggles, but we’re overcoming things and we’re working hard to get where we want to go and accomplish our

goals,” Warren said.

Warren is set to graduate this summer in managing and accounting. After graduation, she plans to stay in Birmingham for a year and try to claim residency. She is thinking about going to graduate school and getting her Master in Business Administrations from the Collat School of Business.

Trinity Dix can be reached at tri915@uab.edu.

Bring us your: Plastic bottles Aluminum cans Paper & Flat Cardboard *No Liquids or Foods* Learn more about our mission at www.uab.edu/recycle.

opinion Spring 2017 Chandler Jones Editor-in-Chief editor@insideuab.com

Tessa Case Managing Editor managing@insideuab.com

Surabhi Rao Campus Editor campus@insideuab.com

Jack Ryan Sports Editor sports@insideuab.com

Ian Keel Photo Editor photos@insideuab.com

Tamara Imam Branding and Outreach Manager online@insideuab.com

Emily Cox-Oldham Assistant Photo Editor emilyco@uab.edu

Kristina Balciunaite Assistant Branding and Outreach Manager

Page 8 April 11, 2017

EDITORIAL BOARD

A diamond among the iron Connor McDonald Opinions Columnist

U

AB has a lot of issues, and I spend more than my fair share of time complaining about them. Often, it becomes so infectious to whine about the faults I find in UAB that it’s easy to forget why I chose to go here anyway. When I was looking at schools, there were several things UAB had that no other school in Alabama could provide. So with that said, let’s take a moment to appreciate a few things about UAB. For starters, UAB easily has the most convenient campus in the state. Rarely ever does it require more than five minutes to walk from one class to the next, and the majority of that time is usually spent waiting at crosswalks. In fact, I can say with certainty that in all of my time at UAB, every single class I have ever had has been within the same three-tofour-block area. The density of UAB’s campus is a huge asset in our modern, fast-paced

society. This contrasts sharply of people. The streets here are with the artificially inflated not littered with kids like they distances between buildings are in most college towns. The on Auburn or Alabama’s general vibe of “the big city” campuses that serve only to puts academics in a healthharm function in favor ier, more professional of form. perspective by allowing UAB also has the students to slowly bemost laid-back, least come familiar with the “state school” feel of real world they are soon any public university to enter. in Alabama. Students It’s also easy to be here seem to put an McDonald unaware of just how emphasis on their studmuch of a monster UAB ies, undoubtedly because of is. The university boasts its UAB’s high number of medistatus as the state’s largest cal students in it for the long employer with an estimated run. Even Greek life at UAB 10 percent of all jobs in the feels far more laid-back when Birmingham area directly or compared to other schools in indirectly involving UAB. In the state. case you can’t do that math, Another factor that makes that’s around 100,000 people.

UAB feel more serious is that UAB’s economic impact is it’s located in such a large estimated to be over $5 billion city instead of a college town. a year, according to a 2010 Auburn and Tuscaloosa, while study posted on al.com, which fine cities, have little to offer is comparable to the economic off-campus aside from night impact of Auburn University life. Birmingham, on the other despite UAB having 10,000 hand, has way more to offer less students. in terms of recreation and On top of that, unbeentertainment since the area knownst to most, UAB has the supports such a large amount largest budget of any school

in the state of Alabama. Not only does it have the largest budget in the state, but its budget is larger than the budgets for all other universities in the state combined. This is all thanks to UAB Hospital and its incredible team.

The Best Doctors database, a list which only includes 3 to 5 percent of all physicians worldwide, names 345 physicians from the Birmingham area, the majority of which work for UAB. Not only is UAB able to stand up on its own and go toe to toe with Auburn and Alabama in both power and education, but its urban setting and extreme convenience will combine to be the one-two knockout punch leading to explosive growth in the future. As demographics change and people increasingly continue to flock to cities, I can only hope that UAB is able to keep pace.

Connor McDonald can be reached at conmcdon@uab.edu.

asst.online @insideuab.com

Sufia Alam Campus Reporter sufia@uab.edu

Wallace Golding Community Editor community @insideuab.com

Trinity Dix Sports Reporter tri915@uab.edu

Connor Gentry Sports Reporter gcgentry@uab.edu

Anthony Roney Community Reporter roney16@uab.edu

Chris St. John Opinions Columnist cstjohn@uab.edu

Connor McDonald Opinions Columnist conmcdon@uab.edu

Leisha Chamers Head Illustrator lei2013@uab.edu ILLUSTRATION BY LEISHA CHAMBERS/HEAD ILLUSTRATOR

Marie Sutton Advisor masutton@uab.edu

Patrick Johnson Production Manager

GUEST SPEAKERS

Enjoying the ideas UAB has brought me

plj3@uab.edu The Kaleidoscope functions as a memeber of UAB Student Media in association with UABTV, BlazeRadio and Aura.

Website: UAB.edu/kscope Twitter @UABkscope Facebook facebook.com/uabkscope/ Instagram instagram.com/ uabkscope/ The Kaleidoscope is produced in the office of UAB Student Media.

Suite 130 Hill Student Center 1400 University Blvd.

Birmingham, 35233 (205) 934-3354

Chris St. John Opinions Columnist

P

art of going to college is doing things you don’t want to do. Therefore, when I was assigned by my creative writing professor, Jim Braziel, M.F.A, to go the Birmingham Area Consortium of Higher Education Writers’ Series, I went because I had to.

I am from a small town called Lucedale in Mississippi near Mobile, and eventually lived in another small town called Arab. I have always been a small-town guy.

I must admit, I have enjoyed the culture this school has made available to me. This university does a splendid job

of finding quality guests to were knowledgeable in their lecture to the student body. craft, and very open about Personally, I thought themselves and their personal going to a reading was writing process during going to be a boring the question portion. experience. Instead, I “We have a Lecture had a wonderful time Series Committee made and looked forward to up of undergraduate the other two assigned and graduate students, writers. faculty, and staff who W. Ralph Eubanks St. John meet to decide on which particularly impressed speakers we actualme. He is a fellow Mississiply bring to campus.” Jessica pian and, when I spoke to Nathan Brown, coordinator of him afterward, he surprised Student Activities, said. “This me because he knew exactly year, we tried to make sure the where my hometown was. His topics that the speakers spoke readings, in which his stories about were relevant to our focus on the Mississippi Delta student population.” area, and the answers to his I am thankful for UAB questions about research were bringing this culture to Birextremely helpful. mingham, or else I never All the visiting writers would have experienced it. I

urge students to make an effort to participate and listen to the speakers that are brought to this campus. Part of getting an education is not just classroom experience, but listening to new ideas and considering them.

One of the problems with people I have noticed is that they lack empathy. Most would disagree and say that is why they protest because they do have feelings for others.

But my challenge to that belief: have you ever considered the viewpoints of those you protest against? Have you ever sat down and listened to what they had to say?

Chris St. John can be reached at cstjohn@uab.edu.

April 11, 2017

The Kaleidoscope

Alabama From Page 1

he entered the Old Senate Chambers to applause to give his last speech to members of the press.

“I have spent the last year in deep, earnest prayer over our state and our people,” Bentley said.

His resignation came only three days after the Alabama House Judiciary Committee’s release of the report that details the lives of Bentley and Mason since his re-election in November 2014.

The report, which was part of the concurrent impeachment investigation, includes evidence that assures an affair took place between Bentley and Mason and that the former governor used state funds and property to

perpetuate and conceal the affair.

The affair alone would be enough to permit Bentley’s impeachment under Alabama’s moral turpitude clause, which bars elected officials from engaging in any morally questionable acts.

According to the report, the former governor had “burner phones” that he used to text and call Mason in an attempt to hide the affair from his family and colleagues. However, Bentley faced multiple miscues when he would text Mason from his personal phone, which shared an iCloud account with Diane Bentley, his then wife, allowing her to see the texts between her husband and Mason.

One such series of text messages features Mason re-

ferring to the former governor as a “handsome, wonderful, amazing, delicious, funny, sweet man” with Bentley replying to Mason “you are wonderful, my sweet love.”

Other messages are more illicit, such as one Mason sent to Bentley stating “bless our hearts and other parts.”

Deposition transcripts show Linda Adams, the former governor’s scheduler, referring to Mason by the nickname “flim-flam” and stating “I never thought she [Mason] worked anyway. She was just there.”

Ray Lewis, the governor’s bodyguard, kept a very detailed calendar and submitted copies to the impeachment investigation. Several portions of the calendar appeared in the Committee’s report. In one such instance, Lewis wrote “honesty – not

Page 9 there” in regards to Bentley.

Another exhibit includes Lewis’ note of “[Bentley] has changed. He is very arrogant and seems to have almost developed a God complex.”

The report also provides evidence that Bentley abused state funds and property to continue and cover up the affair. Bentley routinely invited Mason on trips funded by the state when she was not a state employee, including one trip to Las Vegas where the two attended a Celine Dion concert.

Bentley’s voice broke and shoulders slouched as he concluded his remarks to the press in the afternoon of April 10.

“I have realized there are things more important than a political office,” Bentley said.

“I give thanks to God for such a wonderful gift he gave

me when he allowed me to be the governor of Alabama.

I love this state from the bottom of my heart.”

Governor Kay Ivey was sworn into office April 10 at 6 p.m. in the Old Senate Chambers. She will remain in office until the 2018 gubernatorial elections. Ivey is the 54th governor of Alabama and the second female governor.

“Today is both a dark day in Alabama and one of opportunity,” Ivey said. “I never desired this day, but the people of Alabama can be sure that there will be no disruptions in the [state’s administration]. I pledge to each of you that I will do my very best.”

Wallace Golding can be reached at community@insideuab.com or on Twitter @WGolding_4.

PHOTOS BY TAMARA IMAM/BRANDING AND OUTREACH MANAGER In addition to serving as a springboard for local farmers and small businesses, Pepper Place has assumed what Beasley calls a “vital” role in providing for members of the community. BELOW: Renea Spear is one of those new vendors, who with the help of her husband, John, set up her very own 10x10 tent for her small business, Brown Sugar Desserts by Renea. Spear came to Pepper Place to sell and promote her homemade desserts, which include cakes, pies, cookies and cupcakes.

Market From Page 1

the new parking lot on 29th Street, the emphasis on new businesses is what’s is unique about the market this year, which welcomed around 200 vendors.

“We look at ourselves as a market as an incubator for small, up-and-coming businesses,” she said. “New businesses like to use the market as trial and error, especially brandnew businesses that no one [has] ever heard of, for honest feedback on their products, on their display, on their packaging, and so we encourage new vendors to look at it that way.”

Renea Spear is one of those new vendors, who with the help of her husband, John, set up her very own 10x10 tent for her small business, Brown Sugar Desserts by Renea.

Spear came to Pepper Place to sell and promote her homemade desserts, which include cakes, pies, cookies and cupcakes.

“I’ve been baking since I was a little girl but when I got older it really became my passion, and people were really enjoying it.

So, I decided to turn it into my own small business,” Spear said.

“Pepper Place was brought to my atten-

tion, and I came out and saw the crowd and fell in love.”

Spear, like many of the other new vendors, is hoping to get her start at the market.

“I’m hoping to get the name out there since we are new,” she said. “A lot of companies started out here, so I hope to build my brand that same way.”

Pepper Place is only a few miles from UAB’s campus, and many students made their way to the market to check out the vendors on opening day.

“It’s nice to have a local farmers market decently close to campus, although I wish we had more regular ones that were affordable and more walkable,” senior international relations student Helen Bae said. “[Opening day] had a good turnout and a lot of people were investing in local, which was really awesome and uplifting to see.”

In addition to serving as a springboard for local farmers and small businesses, Pepper Place has assumed what Beasley calls a “vital” role in providing for members of the Birmingham community. At the end of last summer, the market began accepting EBT cards for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program recipients in the area.

SNAP recipients can come to the information desk at the market each week with their EBT cards and swipe them in exchange for tokens, each worth a dollar that they can use for approved items. The market also provides them with pamphlets to show them which items they can purchase.

Although some of the vendors were independently accepting EBT cards, the market now covers all vendors with approved food items. Pepper Place also received a grant for the Double-up Food Bucks program that allows the market to match “dollar for dollar” up to $20 the amount requested by a SNAP recipient.

“We stepped up as a market because we do believe that with Birmingham being somewhat of a food desert, this is very important. We want to be able to use all of our connections to help the community,” Beasley said. “So we stepped in and we were able to administer SNAP as the market.”

The outdoor market will run through Saturday, Dec. 9.

Tamara Imam can be reached at online@insideuab.com.

9Page 10

The Kaleidoscope

April 11, 2017

Spaces filling fast for Fall 2017!

SECURE YOUR SPACE TODAY

Rates as low as

$479 PRIVATE BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS

FULLY FURNISHED APARTMENTS AVAILABLE

AMENITIES FOR A FIT & HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

ACADEMICALLY-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT

INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY LEASES

ROOMMATE MATCHING AVAILABLE

APPLY ONLINE @ BIRMINGHAMSTUDENTHOUSING.COM

500 Palisades Dr | 205.943.8427 Rates/installments & amenities are subject to change. Rates/installments do not represent a monthly rental amount (and are not prorated), but rather the total base rent due for the lease term divided by the number of installments. Limited time only. See office for details.