Web Intervention Helps Moms Keep Kids Slim
PsychCentral – Nov. 6
An innovative research effort uses online resource to educate mothers on factors that cause childhood obesity. The Web-based intervention allows mothers to access software that includes a variety of helpful tools to instill lifelong healthy behaviors. The software tool kit includes healthy recipes, strategies for grocery shopping, techniques for better communicating with their children, tips for involving their children in meal preparation and other practical advice. Adam Knowlden, Ph.D., a former doctoral student at the University of Cincinnati and a current assistant professor in the University of Alabama’s Health Science Department, hopes his research can better prepare moms to keep their kids from joining the rising ranks of America’s obese children. “Addressing this problem of childhood obesity needs to start in the home environment and preferably with children at younger ages,” Knowlden said.
Researchers: Racial attitudes at University of Alabama are in mainstream
Researchers who presented a symposium on student perceptions of race relations at the University of Alabama say campus ideas on race mirror regional and national attitudes. “What you see here at the University of Alabama, I don’t think you should see as elevated,” said sociology professor Michael Hughes of Virginia Tech. Hughes was part of a group of six researchers who surveyed 4,451 UA students between January and March to study racial attitudes on campus. The other primary researchers included UA social work professor Celia Lo, UA political science associate professor Utz McKnight, UA graduate student Gabrielle Smith, UA political science department chair Richard Fording and UA research scientist Debra McCallum.
Hip-hop expert to speak on politics, society
Crimson White – Nov. 7
Lester Spence is not your typical college professor. He is also a veteran DJ and hip-hop expert who uses music to connect with students about black politics and American society. Spence will speak Thursday afternoon as part of the ongoing 50th anniversary celebration of desegregation of The University of Alabama. The event is being sponsored by the department of gender and race studies in conjunction with the department of political science Utz McKnight, chair of the gender and race studies department, said he believes that in selecting Spence, the 50th anniversary planning committee has secured someone students will enjoy and can relate to. “He’s a musician or DJ himself, so he is engaged with the music,” McKnight said. Spence is a prominent thinker in the fields of hip-hop studies and black politics, and is an associate professor of political science and africana studies at Johns Hopkins University. He received his bachelor’s and doctoral degree from the University of Michigan and is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Miller: Winning the war on hunger
OANow.com – Nov. 6
… One in five children in our area lives in poverty. This number is higher in many other counties. With changes in the food stamp program and continued tough economic times, the number of families unable to put a meal on the table is increasing. What does this have to do with football? On Oct. 24, the University of Alabama and Auburn University kicked off their annual food drives. Through the wisdom of food bank directors in Auburn and Tuscaloosa, the competition between the schools is taken off the field and into the hands of every resident. Locally, we participate in the Beat Bama Food Drive. In Tuscaloosa, they have Beat Auburn Beat Hunger. Whatever your allegiance, your donation will assist those in need.
UA prepares for large crowd for football game
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Nov. 7
This weekend’s ‘Bama game is the hottest ticket in the nation. There’s a record demand for tickets, and they’re selling for an average of 383 bucks. That makes it the most expensive college football game this week, with thousands expected in town this weekend, the game is bringing lots of business, and lots of traffic, to the area. The night team’s Sherrie Evans has more from Tuscaloosa. Sherrie Evans: “The University has been planning for this game a year. It’s expecting around 175,000 people on campus this weekend. Sports networks are here already setting up. Many preparations are underway. The Tuscaloosa DOT says now is your time to prepare your route for the game.”
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Nov. 7
Jim ‘N Nick’s to honor Archibald’s BBQ owners, celebrate generational barbecue business
Al.com – Nov. 6
Two Tuscaloosa barbecue juggernauts will join forces this evening, one honoring the other in a celebration of bringing pit-cooking pig in the Druid City and Northport for decades. At his Tuscaloosa restaurant today from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Jim ‘N Nicks Community Bar-B-Q owner Nick Pihakis will host George Archibald Jr. and his sister Paulette Washington of Archibald’s BBQ to celebrate their contributions to the state of Alabama and the state of barbecue. The Archibalds have been pit-cooking ribs and other barbecue in Northport and Tuscaloosa since 1962, with George and Paulette carrying on the tradition of parents Betty and George Sr. Archibald’s regulars can dine compliments of Jim ‘N Nick’s tonight. To earn a free meal, you’ll need to answer a one-question quiz. Regulars should easily ace the quiz, according to the Southern Foodways Alliance. Jim ‘N Nick’s is a member of the Southern Foodways Alliance, which received a grant from the Alabama Department of Tourism to carry out a study on Alabama barbecue under University of Alabama history professor Joshua Rothman.