The (semi) secret history of Trump’s Andrew Jackson portrait
Christian Science Monitor – Feb. 10
President Trump has hung a painting of Andrew Jackson in a prominent spot in the Oval Office, just behind his desk and off to the side. It’s meant as a visual comparison: Trump has embraced the idea that he’s a modern-day Old Hickory, a populist outsider and scourge of Washington elites. It’s also a comparison that may be apt in an unintended way. The portrait itself – depicting a leonine Jackson, dignified in a dramatic cloak – was originally a bit of 19th century political PR. It was painted by Ralph E. W. Earl, a close friend of Jackson who churned out a stream of images aimed at convincing voters that the seventh president was a worthy member of America’s founding pantheon. Thus presidents down the centuries invoke the past to try and claim their spot in the American experience. Jackson wanted the United States to look at his bearing and see someone as dignified and statesmanlike as George Washington. Trump and his aides hope a glimpse of the same image today will cause voters to associate a mercurial new president with Jackson’s fierce defense of ordinary citizens. “It is definitely interesting the way they are using it,” says Rachel Stephens, an assistant professor of art history at the University of Alabama and author of the forthcoming book, “Selling Andrew Jackson: Ralph E. W. Earl and the Politics of Portraiture.”
Doctor explains why elderly folks need their shots
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 9
At 75-year-old, Irene Crawford cares as much about her health now as she when she was younger. That’s why she’s one of several people who attended a lecture at the Bryant Conference Center on the importance of immunization shots for the elderly. “I just like to be informed about what a senior needs to do to stay healthy,” Crawford said. She followed the same advice Dr. Jane Weida gave an audience of two dozen senior citizens Thursday to “stay sharp on your shots.” Weida, a family practitioner and associate professor at the University of Alabama, said the shots you got in years past eventually wear off the more you age. “Older people tend to lose their immunity as time goes by so things they may be immunized for 20 years ago, maybe they’re not still immune,” Dr. Weida explained.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 9 (Video report)
Blackbird murmurations explained: Why you see thousands swirling together at dusk
AL.com – Feb. 10
We can’t take our eyes off of the swirling blackbirds you might see at dusk, thousands of them flying through the air together in what looks like controlled chaos. You can’t even believe your eyes when you see it, resembling computer-generated effects from a sci-fi movie. Truly a sight to behold, we wanted to understand why the birds might do it. AL.com photographer Bob Gathany captured gorgeous footage of murmurations in Huntsville in January. . . . The site is both beautiful and bewildering, so we had to ask Michael Steinberg, a professor at the University of Alabama’s New College and resident bird expert on campus, just what the heck is happening. He said groups of birds like this often fly in mixed flocks, consisting of true blackbirds (red-winged, most of the time), common grackles, brown-headed cowbirds and starlings. “They don’t participate in this behavior during the breeding season because their energy is geared towards producing and raising young birds,” Steinberg said. “It probably happens in the winter because there is power in numbers in terms of avoiding predators.
Does Senate appointment hurt Luther Strange’s 2018 prospects?
AL.com – Feb. 10
“Big Luther” headed to Washington firmly pledging on Thursday to consistently fight in the U.S. Senate to uphold and expand conservative values that a majority of Alabama voters care about. . . . Richard Fording, chairman of the department of political science at the University of Alabama, said that Strange will have a large enough campaign apparatus to blanket Alabama while he is in Washington on the Senate floor. “This raises his profile,” said Fording. “Whatever he would lose in terms of not being back (in Alabama), he will be back here enough. He’ll have staff that is back here.”
Lawmakers: cloud over Strange’s appointment
Times Daily (Florence) – Feb. 10
While Luther Strange was in Washington, D.C., Thursday becoming the state’s next U.S. senator, several members of the Alabama Legislature, including Republicans, questioned the appointment. . . . Bill Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama, said Strange is qualified for the job. Sessions was also state attorney general before becoming a U.S. senator. But Stewart said he’d like more information about the “related work” by Strange’s office. “A fuller explanation would make me more comfortable with Strange entering into this prestigious office he’s been appointed,” Stewart said.
Mayor pledges to restore Merritt School
Union Springs Herald – Feb. 10
Almost six years ago, the Board of Education delivered a devastating blow to the Town of Midway. They closed Merritt School, the center of unity for the citizens of Midway and surrounding communities. Thousands of children, now adults, graduated from Merritt School. . . . Ms. Nisa Miranda, Director of the University of Alabama’s Economic Development Department and Dr. Autoro Menefee, Alabama Community Leadership Network of Auburn University, have visited Midway and met with officials and citizens of the Town.
Play shows inner turmoil of beauty pageants
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 10
Brad Bailey had finished four plays, three produced, one of them a Norman Lear Award winner, before working on one based on memories playing piano for beauty contests. “The Real Queen of Hearts Ain’t Even Pretty” wound up one of his biggest successes, kick-starting his professional career. It’s set backstage at the 1976 Queen of Hearts Beauty Pageant in small-town Alabama, tangled up in the lives of four high school girls, two of them competitors, two struggling toward different ends. . . . Back in 1982, director Jeff West and he met with four woman actors at the University of Alabama for a cold read. The script wasn’t complete. . . . University of Alabama student Katharina Fox knew of Baker, but didn’t know she was being directed by the original Paula. “I said something like ‘Oh my God, this character’s crazy,'” Fox said, laughing. “And Drew said ‘How do you think I feel?’
UA to hold Dance Marathon
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Feb. 9
The University of Alabama is hosting its 12-hour Dance Marathon this coming Saturday. It helps raise money and awareness for children and families treated at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. This no sitting dance-a-thon runs from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. It’s at the Ferguson Student Center on the University of Alabama’s campus.
Stand for something, stand for them
Crimson White – Feb. 10
This past year, I joined The University of Alabama Dance Marathon because just like many others before me, I went to their 12-hour main event, had a lot of fun and wanted to somehow add to it making it bigger and better. But, in the midst of being involved with UADM, I’ve grasped the fact that they didn’t need me to worry about what music would be playing, dancing or activities for the main event; they needed me to be selfless, which I’m not exactly. So, I found myself having to make a decision: what would I stand for? To say that the choice to fully commit myself to UADM and its efforts happened overnight or even after monthly meetings would be a lie. I choose to stand for Garrett and Marcus.
Mobile mapping used to boost Northport retail development
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Feb. 9
According to Matthew Hudnall at The University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety, there are two ways cell phones are mapped. One is through “location services” under your phone’s privacy settings. “So that is actually apps on a person’s cell phone where people allow the app manufacturer to track their location,” Hudnall said. The other way retailers track your location is through your phone’s Bluetooth.
PREVIEW: Public astronomy observation and lecture
Crimson White – Feb. 10
The Department of Physics and Astronomy will be hosting an event that features three speakers and an observation this Friday. On display will be the next full moon and lunar eclipse. WHO: The observation and lecture is held by the Department of Physics and Astronomy and open to the general public. WHAT: Lucas Johnson, a graduate student, will talk about lunar eclipses. His lecture will be followed by an observation of the full moon and lunar eclipse through multiple telescopes.
Crimson Couch to 5K participants begin training
Crimson White – Feb. 10
Crimson Couch to 5K, The University’s flagship exercise program, is gearing up for the launch of its seventh consecutive year. Friday, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be the beginning of the first Crimson Couch to 5K event of 2017, which is hosted by the University’s Office of Health Promotion and Wellness. Although the run is not until April 8, the event is preceded by a seven-week training program available to faculty and staff members at the University. The Office of Health and Wellness spends almost two months with the participants, working to improve their eating and exercise habits. The result of this training is then put to the test in the 5K and 10K, which is open to students and family as well as the trainees.