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MONDAY, JUNE 24 – SUNDAY, JUNE 30   

RESEARCH

TROUBLE TREES: SPREAD OF FORESTS CONTRIBUTED TO ANCIENT EXTINCTION – Evidence from ancient rocks in north Alabama show the Earth’s first forest spread rapidly, likely contributing to a mass extinction of shallow marine life some 370 million years ago. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA communications, at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.

BEST BETS

BRYANT MUSEUM CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY OF OLDEST LIVING FOOTBALL PLAYER – The Paul W. Bryant Museum will celebrate the 100th birthday of Don Salls, the oldest living University of Alabama football player, June 24 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Salls attended the University and played football from 1938-1941. Following his time at UA, Salls served in World War II as an Army officer, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 and authored the book How to Live and Love to Be 100 in 1995. Admission to the museum will be free during the celebration and the public is invited to celebrate with Salls, enjoy birthday cake and sign a giant birthday card. Salls will be available for media interviews at 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.  

EVENTS

ANCIENT TOOLS AND WEAPONS AT MOUNDVILLE – UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park will host Saturday in the Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This weekend’s event will include ancient tools and weapons. Each weekend offers a new activity for attending families, including sessions on tools and weapons, flintknapping and pottery firing, among others. Saturday in the Park activities are free with paid park admission. Saturday in the Park is open to the media. To better determine a precise date and location for interviews, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.  

CURRENT COMMENT

DEEP SOUTH, BLACK VOTES SIGNIFICANT IN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION – As the Democratic primary campaign unfolds in earnest with the looming presidential debates, there will be great interest nationally on how the race plays out in the Deep South, including Alabama, says a UA political science professor. On March 3, Alabama will be one of 13 states holding its primary election. The results from Super Tuesday will lead to a significant narrowing of the field, says Dr. Richard Fording, professor of political science. Another reason Alabama will be in the spotlight is that with so many candidates in the race, black voters – who often vote as a bloc – will undoubtedly have an impact on who wins the Democratic nomination. For interviews, contact Fording at rcfording@ua.edu. For assistance, contact Jamon Smith, 205-348-4956 or jamon.smith@ua.edu

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