UA Museums event catalogs biological diversity
Tuscaloosa News – April 17
The University of Alabama Museums’ first Bioblitz and Earth Day Celebration will be Saturday at Moundville Archaeological Park. Participants will get a chance to help identify and record the biological diversity found at Moundville Archaeological Park as part of the daylong survey. “Participants record observations of as many different organisms as possible — potentially everything from algae to alligators,” said John Friel, director of the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
Parade of Storms – Over 1″ Rain by Thursday – Shelters Rare for Mobile Home Parks
Minnesota Star-Tribune – April 17
Every spring I hear the same stuff from bright, high-functioning adults. “Tornadoes can’t hit cities or cross lakes & rivers!” Wrong. “If it’s not raining I can’t be hit by lightning.” Wrong. “It’s just “heat lightning” Paul, not a threat!” No such thing as heat lightning; it’s just lightning from a distant T-storm, too far away to hear the thunder … “There have been other efforts to attempt that, but the mobile home industry and mobile home park owners have put up a lot of resistance to it,” namely citing high costs, said Laura Myers, who studies tornado disasters and responses as executive director of the Center for Advanced Public Safety at the University of Alabama …”
Ancient Indian mound at condo site recognized
Decatur Daily – April 17
Dozens of Native American prayer ties hang in the home of Limestone County resident Dale “Lone Elk” Casteel. “The wind carries the message to the creator. It’s an old Native American belief,” said Casteel, who said he is of Cherokee and Chickasaw descent. A member of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama, he hung some prayer ties recently to protect the neighborhood during severe weather. He plans to hang more soon to pray for an ancient people he believes are his distant ancestors … “Soil was sacred to the Copena, and the intentional selection of dirt from certain areas bares witness to the importance they put on both where the soil came from and its color,” said Matthew Gage, director of archeological research for the University of Alabama Museums.
UA students take part in TNR Week
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – April 17
Feral cats have become a growing issue in Tuscaloosa and Northport… While most feral cats are born on the streets, it has become a growing issue due to college students abandoning their pets…University of Alabama students are part of the problem, but they can also be part of the solution. Trap, neuter, release week was kick-started by University of Alabama students.
Do Tattoos Have Health Benefits?
ULoop – April 17
Traditionally, tattoos have held a rather negative connotation within society, however there have been a series of studies conducted recently that are throwing around the idea that perhaps tattoos can present a variety of health benefits – particularly when it comes to their ability to boost your immune system.
PREVIEW: UA STEAM to promote studies in STEM fields
Crimson White – April 17
This week, the University will host an event to promote STEM studies to local high school students. STEAM Sports Group and Honda will co-sponsor the event, which will highlight the role STEM plays in the automotive and motorsports industries. The event is also the result of a partnership with a University student design team, Formula SAE.
On this day in Alabama history: The University of Alabama opened
Alabama News Center – April 18
April 18, 1831 The University of Alabama opened as the state’s first public college with four faculty members and 94 students. The Legislature established the school in 1820 and appointed a board of trustees, who selected the state’s then-capital, Tuscaloosa, as the university’s home.
UA Contemporary Ensemble presents “Composers Present”
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – April 17
In Tuscaloosa tonight, something for lovers of all music; a student composed show that hit every note. “Composers Present” was written and performed by UA’s Contemporary Ensemble. From classical to pop-tunes, the group performed this evening at Moody Music Hall on campus.
“A Chorus Line” transports audiences to 1975 Broadway
Crimson White – April 17
The buzz of the audience slowly becomes a murmur until silence fills the theater. The curtains raise inch by inch as anticipation from both audience and performers builds. Then, as the lights shine brightly on 16 dancers, audience members are transported back to 1975. The UA Theatre & Dance production’s of “A Chorus Line” will transport audiences this week at the Marian Gallaway Theatre. This musical theatre piece is both a portrayal and celebration of the world of professional dancers and their struggles to make it big in 1975. The production is meant to illustrate real life in real time, so that the audience can truly experience the world of the performers. “The show is a look at a performer’s life in the audition world and the things that they have to go to in order to obtain a part in the show,” said Stacy Alley, the director and choreographer of the production. “The audience gets to be a voyeur into the lives of these people in the business.”