Rise students run, jump with joy at holiday party
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 17
Nearly 100 children filled the University of Alabama gymnastics team’s practice facility Thursday, walking carefully across balance beams, bouncing on trampolines and swinging into foam pits as the Rise School held its annual Christmas party at Coleman Coliseum. “They just love it. They go hog wild,” said Martha Cook, director of the UA-based Rise School, which serves children with disabilities as well as those without disabilities. The UA gymnastics team has hosted Christmas parties for the school for more than 20 years…UA gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson is a prominent supporter of the Rise School, which she called “one of the crown jewels of the University of Alabama.” She said the gymnasts get as much enjoyment out of the event as the Rise students. “We wanted to do something that as our kids are coming out of final exams, they’re stressed, they’re trying to score a perfect 10 on an event, they’re trying to make straight A’s, and I think sometimes you need to put things in perspective,” said Patterson, who is beginning her 33rd year as UA’s gymnastics coach…
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Dec. 16
Prenatal care in the Black Belt
Demopolis Times – Dec. 17
…According to data from the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, in all of the 12 counties that make up the Black Belt Region, there were 348 licensed doctors, or 1.5 doctors for every 1,000 residents. Outside the Black Belt, there are 4.2 doctors for every 1,000 Alabamians…