The city of Montevallo started National Fire Prevention Week with a day set aside for dedication to the men and women of the local fire department. The fun filled day included a loud and heart-pounding parade where the community watch and waved as the bright red trucks rolled on by.
2nd Annual Fire Parade
After the parade the community strolled their way down to Orr park , where the festival has been arrange for family fun and a chances for kids to meet and greet firefighters. The event include fun events for the kids , free food and live music.
Prevention Week Main Theme
National Fire prevention week runs from October 6th to the 12th. It was created to pay homage to the great Chicago fire of 187, which killed 250 people and left over 100,000 homeless. Every week since 1922 have been dedicated to the special week. This year's theme was " preventing kitchen fires". Kitchen and cooking fires are the number one cause of house fires and fire related injuries. Fire departments across the nation are focused on preventing local residential fire with small steps that can make your home a lot safer.
If you have been paying attention to your broadcast emails these past few weeks, you might have noticed several messages detailing a meeting for a group known as the H.E.R.O. club. Standing for "Helping-Everyone-Reach-Out" the H.E.R.O. club is all about bridging the gap between the community and the campus.
Club organizer Darlena Garner
Currently meeting every Thursday at 5 pm in the GloCo building. The H.E.R.O. club will be a place where students can gather and receive information on local volunteer opportunities. Darlena came up with the idea for the H.E.R.O. club when you found it hard to get volunteer hours for her major.
Using the experience and love for helping others she accumulated from being the former president of the Habitat-For-Humanity club, Darlena sought out a way she could help other students help others. Taking into consideration that some UM students just don't have the means to travel to places like Birmingham and Montgomery at anytime, she came up with the idea to host a club that would gather the information students need to help out in and around Montevallo.
If you would like any information on the H.E.R.O. club or are interested in helping the community, feel free to contact Darlena at dgarner2@forum.montevallo.edu. Or if you want to get started right away keep an eye on your forum account for any opportunities that might pop up on the broadcast.
The Delta Gamma sorortiy hosted its 22 annual Anchor Splash in the UM Student Activity Center Thursday night, October 24 in support of their charity, Service for Sight. Turn out was described as good by those running the event as there were more than enough people to line the perimeter of the pool several people deep.
Chalk "billboard" for Anchor Splash
Money brought in by the event is expected to exceed $1000 and all proceeds will go toward Camp Jared, a camp for blind and vision impaired children.
Anchor Splash included water sport activities like save the mermaid where fraternity brothers had to carry a sorority sister on an inflatable dolphin across the pool and back. Also included were the dolphin relay, where participants pushed a beach ball with their nose, and the wet t-shirt relay. A twist on the popular wet t-shirt competition, the relay required participants to put on a wet t-shirt, swim across the pool and change shirts with their partners.
In addition to the relays sororities and fraternities also delighted the crowd with several synchronized swimming routines. One included an homage to Michael Jackson's Thriller music video while another was a tribute to Disney's Little Mermaid.
Fraternity members compete in the wet t-shirt relay
Those in attendance were also given the opportunity to participate in a raffle for prizes included free meals at places like Moe's and Chick-fil-A.
For more information on Delta Gamma and Service for Sight visit their national website.
Gerald Cunningham and Que Bryson play basketball to see who will have to shave off all their hair. Bryson says that " me and Gerald claimed that we both better than each other in basketball." So they decided to make it into a competition, and they called it Ball for Bald. Whoever was the loser would have to shave off all their hair. Many student, when asked, said that they wanted Gerald to lose so that he could lose all of his hair.
But with a score of 12-2 Que would be the one who would have to shave it all off.
Que through out the process
With Que being a good sport, he let gerald take the first shot at cutting his hair. With many of his friends around Que he showed that he was not scared but that he also was a man of his word. The guys say that they want to turn this into a tradition that they can do through out of the year.
24-year-old James Lutz suffers from a rare brain disease
that his family calls cerebellum atrophy. It is a brain disease that he was
affected with only a few months after he was born. Lutz's family was told that
he would be unable to live past the age of five.
"The doctor said I would be a vegetable; I wouldn't be
able to move or nothing," Lutz said.
"But I always prove them wrong," Lutz added.
Somehow, Lutz survived and struggled to learn how to walk, though with much
difficulty. For several years, Lutz had to use a walker and wear a helmet for
protection.
James Watkins, a former classmate of Lutz's, has known Lutz for 17 years, says that Lutz was able to do many things that people said he
would never be able to do.
"I would say that the only reason that this man was
able to do this is because it's James Lutz," Watkins said.
Lutz graduated from Montevallo High School, and by this
time, the walker and helmet were far behind him. He developed an interest in
weightlifting and began working out at the Student Activity Center at the
University of Montevallo. Lutz works out three days a week and puts two hours into
every workout.
"He hits the workouts hard. It's really inspirational
to see the way he invests in the process. So its always good to se him here
working out," said weightlifter James Jackson. "He motivates
me."
All through school, Lutz worked to overcome his difficulties
with walking, and now he has found new goals to reach for, as physical fitness
has been one of his interests since high school. He says he hopes to continue
making progress through plenty of hard work and dedication.
"Being
around him has given me inspiration," said weightlifter Ellie Glasscox,
who has known Lutz for three years. "And its given me reason to think that
people can always work and get better, and devote your energies to something
worthwhile, and James is certainly the type of person that has had an influence
on me."
2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. In honor of the anniversary, the University of Montevallo hosted a series of different events. Civil Rights: Then & Now was an art exhibition held in the Gallery at Bloch Hall.
A Nightmare
This exhibit featured some of the most captivating moments of the Civil Rights Era. Alabama native, James"Spider"Martin captured the events of the march from Selma to Montgomery and Bloody Sunday.
"The photographs by Spider Martin helped change not just the American South, but change our nation and our world."-John Lewis
Amelia Boynton
The exhibition also featured work from UM's alum,AJonathan Purvis. Purvis recieved the unique
opportunity to shoot some of the key figures Civil Rights. Key figures like Andrew Young, John Lewis,
Amelia Boynton and the late Fred Shuttlesworth.
Panel Discussion
The lecture and panel discussion was held in conjunction with the art exhibition. UAB's Dr. Jessica Dallow held a lecture on the issues of race and representation.
Following the lecture, was a panel discussion. The panelists included Dr. Dallow, UM's Dr. Wilson Fallin, Alum/Photographer, Jonathan Purvis and Tracy Martin, the daughter of Spider Martin(not shown in picture). After the discussion, a brief reception was held in the Gallery.
In the past two weeks, UM students have faced a foe scarier than midterms: the Montevallo Plague. This particularly nasty strain of cold has flown across campus, taking out dozens of students every day. The symptoms appear to be a combination of bronchitis, the flue, and a sinus infection. Amy Hester explained that this means lots of coughing, headaches, sore throats, and heavy fatigue.
Luna Shedrick explains foods to combat illness
The plague has been hitting hundreds of students, knocking down attendance levels in huge percentages.
Although the bug is a looming threat with midterms coming up, UM student Luna Shedrick suggested some foods to help combat it. She listed lemon water, honey and garlic as good foods that will make your body stronger.
If you think you are coming down with the Plague, head it off by going to Health Services to get checked. Also, stock up on warm drinks, soups, and cough drops. The Montevallo Plague may be strong, but you can be stronger.
You can find Health Services in the East Wing of Main Hall
A brand new SGA has been elected and they have big plans for the coming year. Rachael Swokowski,The newly elected SGA President sat down to talk about both the challenges of getting elected and her cabinets plan for the future.
Swokowski came into office a little over a month ago, defeating her competition with assurances of better communication and more frequent events. In the past weeks she has already helped sponsor a blood drive, and is now working on rewriting SGA legislation but her largest project, Midnight Madness, is just weeks away.
Midnight Madness is a Montevallo event like no other. Rachael, aided by her Vice President Jonathon Evans and an excellent cabinet, will bring the public eye to the athletics department. It will be a full nightwhich will include the player introductions for both the Montevallo volleyball and basketball teams. There will also be great giveaways, a half court shot for a big money prize, and the unveiling of the brand new Freddie the Falcon!
Swokowski has worked hard over the past month to establish strong ties with the athletics program and to promote student attendance. It is set to be a great night of school spirit and fun, but if you can't make it to the Student Activity Center on October 17th, be sure to tune into the live Falcon Fever broadcast of the event.
There was a sweet aroma floating arounf Aldridge Gardens on October 10, 2013 and it was due to Taste of Hoover. Alridge Gardens hosted this years tatste of Hoover.The tickets went for thirty dollars which allowed guest to sample over twenty different restaurants in the Hoover area It a event were local restaurants in the Hoover come up to give patrons a sample of what there restaurant have to offer. There were about 20 participants this year some including Mikey's Grill, Gigis Cupcakes, and Tazikis. Many of the participants brought small taste of there restaurants most popular dishes. T
Two women enjoying taste of hoover
Many of the guest who I was able to speak with said the truly enjoy the event and the set up. The event being held outside added a more relax feel to the event. The weather was nice and the food was good. I spoke with one guest at the event and she stated this was the best taste of Hoover she had ever been to.
Many of the participants were hoping that taste of Hoover would bring in more business for there restaurant. Many guest believe it worked, a lot of guest were eager to see what else the restaurants had to offer, because the dishes all tasted so good. Many said they felt that the taste of Hoover was a huge success and cant wait till next years event.
Montevallo's Alpha Tau Omega Brothers have recently moved into the old Delta Chi house. They moved at the end of the summer, and have done some extensive renovations. The Brothers are really enjoying the new house considering it's not only bigger, but several of the amenities are unbeatable.
"ATO's Rush Symbol/Greek letters"
"ATO's Official Creed"
ATO members spoke with me about how much they are enjoying the size of the house. Compared to the old house, the basement seems to be their favorite spot. The volleyball court is a fun way to spend an afternoon, and ending the night with a nice campfire in the spacious backyard. The rooms are all located in one hall, which keeps them all together, and as Thomas Woods (Current ATO member) said, "It gives us all a chance to bond more as brothers."
"ATO Brothers outside of their old house."
The old ATO house was bought back by the University, and is currently being used as a campus office building until other arrangements are made. The Delta Chi's are officially kicked off of campus after getting in trouble with the University. The ATO members want to make sure everyone knows that they did not move into the old Delta Chi house out of spite, they have the up most respect for their fellow fraternities, and wish the best to all other Brothers.
If you want to see more from ATO, you can find them on Twitter, and also you can look up more information on them on their official ATO website. Also on Twitter they post their up coming events and parties.
A new show is being produced this semester at the University of Montevallo. Mass Communication student Gerald Cunningham is the producer behind this show. It was originally just an idea for instructor Bruce Finklea's MC215 class, Producing Video in the Studio. However, after they were done filming, they loved it so much that they decided to make it into a syndicated show the next semester.
Panel for "No Hears Barred"
The show, called "No Hearts Barred", is a relationship debate show that has a panel of six people to talk about different aspects and problems of relationships.
Cunningham says "It's a very open discussion, very free-flowing type of show, and it's great for people that want to listen in and get help on their relationships, such as relationships at home, relationships going on at school, and marriages as well."
The first episode of the show just premiered on October 10th. It is filmed about every three weeks, which means there should be a new episode up around the beginning of November.
Montevallo's student government association sponsored a two day blood drive on the 17th and 18th. SGA President Rachel Swokowski was not surprised when the faculty and students of Montevallo rushed to give back to their community. The entire blood drive only spanned about 8 hours over Thursday and Friday, but the American Red Cross was able to gather over 60 donations. Each of these donations consisted of just one pint of blood, but according to the Red Cross, that blood will be able to save up to three lives. This is vitally important in the U.S. since one blood transfusion is needed every two seconds. The donation process is made to be quick and simple. It begins with the donor reading some educational materials and getting a basic background screening. this helps to ensure the donor's safety as well as confirming their eligibility to donate. Next the donor is lead to a chair where a registered nurse will monitor the entire donation process. Its a simple way to save a life and it takes no more then an hour. If you did not get a chance to donate and would like to don't worry. The SGA will be sponsoring up to four more blood drives this year, so look out for the Red Cross symbol and join us next time in donating to save a life. You can learn more about the Red Cross and its blood drives at their website or the SGA webpage.
Fall is approaching and many montevallo students prepare to get their closest ready for the upcoming season. Students take inspiration from many sources including New York and Pairs Fashion week, magazines and television. Senior Tavares Dozier says that he take inspiration from the famous designer Givenchy.
Students in unpopular trend
Students not only talked about what they liked they also talked about what they were not looking forward to seeing this season. One trend that they all seemed to agree on was the popular boots, uggs, and shorts. Some students feel that people who wear this need to pick a season, either summer or fall.
But weather you like to keep up with the trends or make your own, fall is the time of year to take chance and have fun.
Fall trends
Here are some fall staples that you can put in you closet. (From left to right)
1. Jackets- they are good for layering and makes the look complete
2. peplum tops- great way to dress up any simple look
3. Sweaters- not only do they keep you warm but they easy to wear
4. Jeans- not they don't just have to be blue but you can also wear them in color. They are just simple ways to keep out fits sexy and easy.
The University of Montevallo volleyball team partnered with Joe Jackson's dog world. The shelter is located in Jemison in Chilton county. The shelter was started in 2011. Joe Jackson's Dog World is also a 10-acre fenced dog park for visitors to enjoy time with their pets in a safe environment. The shelter has expansion plans to add horse trails and campsites to create a unique experience for animal lovers.For more information on Joe Jackson's Dog World, please visit www.joejacksonsdogworld.com.
The falcons hosted the drive to help support Joe Jackson's Dog world with supplies needed to run the shelter. On the items needed were dog food Purina brand can dog food, treats, leashes and collars, stainless steel water bowls , wire crates, dog beds, blankets and toys, flea and tick shampoo.
Cookie aka" Cookie Monster"
During the event the people brought out a nine month old named Cookie. Cookies is a miniature dachshund mixed and was recently returned after being adopted . She is a beautiful golden brown and she is looking for her forever home. Cookie is a little shy but her small size and adorable face would be a perfect for a growing family. And also for the elderly who want a little buddy to keep them company cookie would bet the perfect fit.
This fall, the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences
found a new home in University of Montevallo on Main, or UMOM. The department,
which houses fives majors (History, Sociology, Social Science, Social Work,
Political Science) was previously located in Jeter Hall.
Having been built in 1915, Jeter Hall has been in need of
renovations for years. Dr. Scott Turner, Professor of Political Science, said
that the building was leaky and that there were sometimes animals in the attic.
Action was finally taken this year when the town of Montevallo purchased the
Alabama Power Company building on Main Street.
Dr. Ruth Truss, Professor of History and Chair of the BSS
Department called UMOM an improvement over Jeter Hall and that students seem to
be enjoying the "fresh, new, clean space." One possible disadvantage of the new addition to the campus
is the distance between UMOM and the other school buildings. University of
Montevallo student Trevor Jones said that whatever limited inconvenience that
comes from it is balanced out by the advantages, such as UMOM's handicap accessibility. Dr. Truss said that at Jeter, classes would have to be moved to
other buildings in order to make accommodations for handicapped students. Having UMOM on campus
also provides benefits for the town. Its location brings students closer to
Main Street businesses. Dr. Turner says that the addition of UMOM is a sign
that Montevallo is growing.
Late on Wednesday afternoon, a Montevallo Power Plant faculty member was severely injured on the job. The faculty member was hooking up a trailer to a tractor
when suddenly the tractor ran over his chest. He is in stable condition, but the
story is still under investigation.
UAB Hospital, Birmingham AL
The faculty member was airlifted out of Montevallo and transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. His conditions are currently unknown, but we do know that he was in critical condition and hoping for a miracle. The staff of the Power Plant ask us to keep him and his family in our prayers.
On September 18th, UM theater students Mary Kate McLaurine and Brandon Caruthers starred in Main Street Tavern’s first dinner theater show. The audience was given a buffet meal of some of the Tavern’s best cuisine, including macaroni, hamburger steaks, banana pudding and more.
The promotional poster for the production at the Tavern
The Last Five Years focuses on the relationship of Jaime Wellerstein and Cathy Hyatt, an enterprising novelist and a desperate actress. Interestingly, the show’s characters perform the timeline in opposite order- Cathy tells the story backwards, beginning at the end of the marriage, while Jaime’s is told in chronological order beginning with their first date. They only directly connect at the song of their wedding, “The Next Ten Minutes”.
"Jaime" and "Cathy" enjoying their first date while we enjoyed our meal
The UM cast helped to illustrate this part of the show's writing by sitting onstage at a table with glasses of water interacting with each other as if they were on a date while the audience enjoyed their meals. From this point, viewers understood ahead of time that the characters were in a relationship, and that the story would circle around them.
The show was written by Jason Robert Brown, lamenting a recent divorce. Actor Brandon Caruthers told me that he felt a connection to the character of Jaime because he has also been through a difficult relationship like this one. He stated that the reason he liked this show so much and connected with it on such a strong level was because "there is no good guy, and there is no bad guy... it's the story of two people who fall in love, and it doesn't work."
For more information about productions happening at the Tavern in the future, look at their facebook page.
Students react to the government shutdown
Story by: Andrew Mechum
With neither the Republicans in the House nor the Democrats in the Senate able to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution to keep the government running, the federal government shutdown last Monday. While both parties have been vocal about how the shutdown will affect America and who's to blame, most Americans feel their government isn't listening to the very people who voted them into office.
Many UM students feel that the shutdown was wholly unnecessary and the result of useless, and often times, mean spirited bickering between the two parties. Students we spoke with were quick to lay blame on one side or the other but all agreed that both parties are at least in part to blame for the failure to keep the government running.
Gorden Hunt, political science major
“Hopefully this is a wake-up call for Americans to get more
involved and start paying more attention to what’s happening in the White House,” said Gorden Hunt, a political science major.
Hunt went on to add that much of what we see in the media is simply a distraction from what is really going on in Washington and that American's need to start paying attention to how their politicians are spending our money.
While the House and Senate, along with President Obama, continue to negotiate a way out of the mess they have created, the rest of us can only wait and hope that some sort of resolution is reached before the debt ceiling crisis hits us on October 17.
With issues like the government shutdown, it's important to be a registered voter. Many issues plague the youth and some of these issues they are unaware of. Some don't know the difference of an absentee ballot and a regular ballot.
Student signing up to vote
That's why the University of Montevallo Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta threw a voter's registration drive in celebration of National Voter's Registration Day. The voter registration was held on September 24, 2013 in the cafeteria. Students that were interested in becoming a registered voter had the opportunity to sign up.The voter registration had a great turn out. Most students who were in the cafeteria were already registered voters. If you were unable to attend the voter's registration on campus, don't let that stop you from becoming a registered voter. You can register to vote by visiting your state or local government's website. Or you can stop by these local government offices and agencies:
Swokowski has worked hard over the past month to establish strong ties with the athletics program and to promote student attendance. It is set to be a great night of school spirit and fun, but if you can't make it to the Student Activity Center on October 17th, be sure to tune into the live Falcon Fever broadcast of the event.
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The donation process is made to be quick and simple. It begins with the donor reading some educational materials and getting a basic background screening. this helps to ensure the donor's safety as well as confirming their eligibility to donate. Next the donor is lead to a chair where a registered nurse will monitor the entire donation process. Its a simple way to save a life and it takes no more then an hour.
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