UA Opera Theatre team headed to National Opera Association competition finals
AL.com – Jan. 4
The University of Alabama Opera Theatre has advanced to the finals of the National Opera Association’s Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition, set for Jan. 5 in Memphis. It is the third consecutive year UA Opera Theatre has made it to the finals. Paul Houghtaling, Opera Theatre director, will accompany Jennifer Bryant, soprano; Perry Davis Harper, tenor; Brad Baker, pianist; and Amir Zaheri, Opera Theatre composer-in residence, to the finals.
Housing market grew stronger in 2011
Anniston Star – Jan. 4
The Calhoun County housing market improved overall in 2011, judging by real estate industry numbers, and some experts expect that trend to continue in the new year. It wasn’t always pretty, but the county and state housing markets showed more signs that the market has improved. since the financial crash in 2008. . . . The numbers indicate to me that the market has indeed improved,” said Leonard Zumpano, professor of finance at the University of Alabama. “The market is beginning to clear –- homes are selling quicker and the number of sales are up while inventory is down. The vibes I’m getting from realtors is the market is beginning to form up.” Alabama Center for Real Estate statistics indicate home sales in the county decreased slightly while average sales prices increased slightly between January and November 2011 and January and November 2010. (December numbers were not yet available.) Total housing inventory also decreased slightly. Total state home sales, however, increased slightly between the same timeframe. Also, the state’s total home inventory decreased significantly, about 11 percent.
Muddling through the gray: Economists say there will be little to jump for joy about in 2012
Mobile Press-Register – Jan. 4
Political gridlock in Washington and a looming European debt crisis will continue to trickle down to south Mississippi and Alabama economies in 2012, serving to stifle both business and consumer confidence, economists said. . . . University of Alabama economists see recovery in the state slowing, but not stalling as a result of the tenuous national and global situations. According UA’s Center for Business and Economic Research, ongoing and upcoming projects in the automotive, steel, and shipbuilding sectors should help increase employment from the less than 1 percent growth seen in 2011 to 1.5 percent in 2011.
Alabama football teams up with Habitat
Fox 10 (Mobile) – Jan. 3
The University of Alabama has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild areas affected by the April 27 tornados. Coach Nick Saban is sponsoring 13 houses in honor of 13 national championships. It’s been a little more than seven months since the storm that ravaged the city of Tuscaloosa. In less than six minutes more than 10,000 people became homeless. . . . Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban and his charity “Nick’s Kids” are working with Habitat for Humanity to help get the city back on its feet.