State business leaders: Education is the biggest issue for Alabama
Birmingham Business Journal – Feb. 26
The state of Alabama continues to struggle with a budget crisis in addition to federal mandates over social issues, but one problem is even more prevalent on the minds of business leaders —Education and workforce training. A recent University of Alabama survey asked Alabama’s state business executives their opinion on the top issue facing the state, of which the majority answered education. The survey, which was part of UA’s Alabama Business Confidence Index, also showed that business leaders viewed company finances and development as the most prevalent issue facing their companies.
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 26
Are You a Helicopter Child?
U.S. News and World Report – Feb. 26
Anne Borrowdale was visiting her parents in Suffolk, England, when a salesman rang the doorbell and her father – a minister in his mid-80s at the time – answered it. After several minutes of chatter, Borrowdale stepped in. “I went to the door and said firmly, ‘He’s told you he’s not interested. Goodbye,’ and shut the door,” says Borrowdale, 59, an author and speaker in Oxford, England. Borrowdale soon regretted it. “I’d treated him like a child who wasn’t capable of making sensible decisions anymore in front of a stranger,” she says. “I’d let my worry about elderly people getting conned override his dignity.” Similar to helicopter parents, who hover too closely over their adolescent children, adult children may find their involvement in their aging parents’ lives is unnecessary, unwelcome or both – even if just for a moment, as in Borrowdale’s case … The time to start talking with your aging parents about tough issues related to aging is now, says Patricia Parmelee, director of the Center for Mental Health and Aging at the University of Alabama. ”It makes families uncomfortable, and so we delay,” she says. “And the typical situation that happens is decisions get made under pressure and on a very short timeline, and at least a good portion of the time, nobody’s happy with the outcome.”
University of Alabama symposium to feature Japanese delegation
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 26
A Japanese delegation will visit the University of Alabama on Tuesday for a free public symposium on Japanese society, business, technology and culture as part of a tour across the Southeast organized by the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan. The symposium, “Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan,” will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Center for Materials for Information Technology, Room 1000, of the Bevill Building on the UA campus.
Cast announced for Tennessee Williams tribute at Gaineswood
Demopolis Times – Feb. 26
The University of Alabama Department of Theatre and Dance has announced the cast of next week’s Alabama tribute to its playwright-next-door, Tennessee Williams. The two-night event begins at Gaineswood in Demopolis on Monday, March 2, at 6 p.m. and concludes at the Marian Gallaway Theatre on the University of Alabama campus Tuesday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. Both events are free. The actors from UA and their scenes to be performed from the plays of Williams over the two nights include Andrea Love and Elizabeth Bernhardt, who will enact excerpts from “A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur.” Love will also read from the role of Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Michael Witherell will portray Mitch from “Streetcar” and Brick in “Cat on A Hot Tin Roof.” Julia Martin will perform the role of “Maggie the Cat” in “Cat on A Hot Tin Roof.” From “The Glass Menagerie,” Sarah Jean Peters will read the role of the delicate Laura, and Allison Hetzell portrays her mother, the domineering Amanda Wingfield.
UA TCF students take part in Global News Relay
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 26
Many journalists wait years for people to see or hear their work across the globe, but not this set of University of Alabama broadcasting students. With the leadership of professor Dr. Chandra Clark, a UA producing class and Radio, Television Digital News Association leaders partnered student journalists and universities around the world as part of a project called Global News Relay. The students produced a 15 minute program focusing on poverty in West Alabama. According to the Alabama Poverty Project, Alabama is the seventh poorest state in the nation.
U.S. Representative Terri Sewell launches oral history project
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 26
Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell is launching an oral history project. The year-long partnership with Alabama State University, Miles College and The University of Alabama calls on student volunteers to identify potential civil rights foot soldiers for interview subjects, conduct video interviews and collect archive footage. The oral history project is an opportunity for the students to connect with their local communities and learn about Alabama’s rich civil rights history while preserving it for future generations.
20th annual Kitchens of Consequence tour to be held Saturday
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 26
The 20th annual Kitchens of Consequence tour featuring local homes will be held Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Proceeds from ticket sales for the event will benefit WUAL/Alabama Public Radio. The tour will be from 1 to 4 p.m. and feature tastings in the kitchens of six private homes in Tuscaloosa in Cherokee Hills, Harbor Ridge, Indian Hills, Northshore Drive, Woodridge Drive and downtown on Third Street.