Specially trained dogs help sniff out historic cemetery site in Alabama
Birmingham News – Jan. 27
At first glance, the scene in a field in Perry County just looks like a couple of women walking their dogs. But a closer look reveals something different. First, the brown-and-white border collies are slowly sniffing every inch of the ground. Second, when they reach a set of small orange flags, they change directions. Third, the dogs’ owners carry not just rubber toys and bags of treats, but also a handful of human teeth. These dogs are trained to sniff out historical remains. Unlike the more commonly used cadaver dogs who find missing people or disaster victims, they’re specially trained to find centuries-old bones. . . . But it has meaning to Charles Weissinger, whose great-great-great grandfather, George Weissinger, settled this fertile patch of land about 10 miles from Marion in the early 1820s. The family long ago sold the property and moved away, but Weissinger and other family members tracked its history. They knew that a small family plot once sat near the Federal farmhouse that burned down in 1917, and there may be an unmarked slave cemetery too. Weissinger has the shattered marble headstone that once marked the patriarch’s grave and he wants to restore it to its rightful place. So about two years ago, he called up the Office of Archaeological Research for Alabama Museums, a part of the University of Alabama, looking for help. V. Stephen Jones, whose expertise is in using ground-penetrating radar to find burial sites and other hidden parts of history — usually for companies, the transportation department or developers who are required to do such surveys before they pave over land — decided to give it a try…
Couple use sitcoms to paint tale of their family’s life with autistic son
AL.com – Jan. 26
When Suzanne and Rick Dowling imagined their life with kids, they pictured sitcoms. The Brady Bunch, the Cosby Show, Happy Days – worlds where dinner was always cooked, the house was always clean, any problems could be solved in 30 minutes or less, and the children were picture perfect. But when their “sitcom-perfect child” Sam was diagnosed with autism at age 2, the Dowlings realized life wouldn’t be like television. The Dowlings, faculty-in-residence at the University of Alabama, presented their story Wednesday night in a program titled “Something About Sam: Autism Told Through the World of Sitcoms.”
Salazar announces grants to boost recreational boating in 10 States
Chattanoogan.com – Jan. 27
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on Thursday announced more than $7.5 million in competitive grants to 10 states for 11 projects to support recreational boating through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant program. . . . The 11 projects receiving the competitive grants include: The Docks at Manderson Landing, Tuscaloosa, Ala. BIG Grant: $199,568. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management will partner with the University of Alabama to construct a floating dock with eight handicap accessible slips, a pumpout, dockside electric service, a pedestrian access ramp, retaining wall and a gangway ramp providing ADA. Total Project Cost: $ 567,568.
Baldwin County set for Lean treatment
Mobile Press-Register – Jan. 27
A program largely funded by Auburn University and the University of Alabama to help coastal government cut waste and improve efficiency should be under way in Baldwin by late February, officials said this week. After some initial resistance, commissioners agreed to give the Lean Government Systems a try with 30 county employees participating in the training at a total cost of $2,500. Mitch Emmons of the Auburn Technical Assistance Center and Linda Coogan of the Alabama Productivity Center told commissioners at Tuesday’s work session that the schools wanted to help cities after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
UA clinic helps people with ADHD
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Jan. 26
At the University of Alabama, there’s a clinic designed to address the needs and problems of students with identified and unidentified ADHD. Dr. Mark Thomas runs the clinic. He’s seen the disastrous consequences of college life distractions as well as negative outcomes of untreated ADHD.
National marrow donor registry holds drive on UA campus
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Jan. 26
The simple act of rubbing a cotton swab inside your cheek could help save a life. The National Marrow Donor Registry held a drive on the University of Alabama campus in honor of student Martin Townsend. Townsend was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia last March. He is currently in remission.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 26