Montevallo Main "Streetscape"

By: Elizabeth Rhinehart

After ten years of talking about it, setting up a budget, and trying to get all of the remaining pieces in order, Main Street Montevallo is receiving an upgrade. 

A few months ago, the City of Montevallo, in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Transportation, began construction on this five million dollar project that will be completed by December 2017. 

First Look at the New Downtown Montevallo

Some of the main focuses of this project are: to rekindle the city's water system, to beautify downtown, and to bring more business and restaurants to Main Street. In addition to all of those technical things, the most important thing to Mayor Hollie Cost and her assistant Sarah Hogan is to provide an atmosphere that fits Montevallo's entire demographic.

"It's going to create more areas where people will want to hang out, where they want to have gathering spaces," says Sarah. 

In order to satisfy that need, the city will be releasing a survey to the entire community to find out what they would really like to see in downtown Montevallo.

"We are in the process of completing a market study and that market study will enable us to go out and actively seek businesses that will be a good fit for Montevallo," says Mayor Cost.

During the Summer of 2016, Montevallo was named one of twenty "Main Street Alabama" locations, which allows the city to receive 80% of their funding from Alabama's Department of Transportation. 

Construction of the New Water Lines

"It's actually an Alabama Department of Transportation project, so a lot of the decisions are actually made by ALDOT and not the city, but the city is doing 20% of it," says Sarah.

Because of this extra funding, the city was able to go ahead and start with basic maintenance that was needed downtown. Construction workers are currently installing new water lines and they're making all sidewalks downtown wheelchair accessible. 

The 20% of funding that is coming from the city is from a budget that was established years ago when the city imposed a one cent sales tax. No current budgets are being af

fected by this project.

For more information on the Main Street Alabama project, click here.

To contact Sarah Hogan with any questions, comments or concerns about the project, click here.

Facts About Montevallo Since the Project Began (Courtesy of Main Street Alabama)

Czeskleba TV Repair: 45 Years of Service

By: Brianna Rose

Mr. Czeskleba repairing a tv

Walt Czeskleba is being acknowledged for his 45 years of service to the Montevallo community.
Walt owns the Czeskleba tv service store on Main Street where he repairs televisions and many other small appliances.

Walt said, "I work on old tv's, radios, clocks, floor lamps, old chords, and stuff like that."

Czeskleba discovered his love for television repair as a teenager. He said, "When I was a kid, my dad was an electrician at the university and I was interested in all that stuff."

Over his 45 years of service, Walt says business definitely isn't the same but there's really no telling how much business he should expect each week. He said, "It usually slows down after Black Friday because everybody buys new tv's during the holidays."

Front of Czeskleba TV Service store

Czeskleba has not only dedicated his services to the community or the city, but he also provided services to the University of Montevallo for about 26 or 27 years. Before the University of Montevallo had cable, Walt placed antennas all over the campus.

After dedicating his service to the community for more than four decades, Walt plans to stay in business for five more years before enjoying his retirement.

Even during his retirement, Walt still won't be quite ready to give up his repairing skills. He says he has plans to repair antiques, preferably antique furniture.

A March Into History

Story By: Adam Pettway

From March 02 to March 05 Selma Alabama hosted its 52- annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee. The Jubilee is a commemoration of the anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" and the Selma to Montgomery March. Activities include a pageant, a dance, women and youth conferences, a parade, festival, interfaith service and National Voting Rights Hall of Fame induction.

Rev. Al Sharpton crossing the bridge at the jubilee

One 93 year old woman who has lived through the Civil Rights Movement has some interesting stories about her life during that time and also meeting one of the pioneers of the Movement Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Menda Pettway a resident of Alberta Alabama got the chance to meet Dr. King at the store her and her late husband Joseph Pettway owned.

It was that chance meeting that sparked Mrs. Pettway's involvement in the Civil Right Movement.

Menda Pettway at home during the interview

Mrs. Pettway and her husband fought for the right to vote but were meet with opposition on every turn with officials making them take different test to prove they can vote.

Even though she was meet with opposition she did not give up and kept pushing forward to help others get the right to vote.

Mrs. Pettway has continued to push for Civil Rights and says as long as she can fight she will continue to fight for what's right.
To learn more about the Jubilee go to http://www.selma50.com/

Wearing Purple and Gold, Going Green

By: Hope Finley



The University of Montevallo provides many outlets for students to get involved on campus. One of those outlets had so much popularity it turned into a major and minor.

One of the Hydration Stations provided by the Green Fund

Environmental Studies is a major that is continuing to grow both in the classroom and outside of the walls of the university.

With programs like bike sharing, hydration stations, community gardens and even a community recycling center, there are multiple ways students can get involved in the community while making it more sustainable.

The "Green Fund" was started by students in the 2010-2011 school year when members of the UM Enviornmental Club successfully gained support from both 
the student body and SGA to charge an additional $5 to student tuition per regular semester.

The Recycling Center 

The "Green Fund" was started by students in the 2010-2011 school year when members of the UM Enviornmental Club successfully gained support from both the student body and SGA to charge an additional $5 to student tuition per regular semester.

Dr. Susan Caplow with the Enviornmental Studies program said, "Students have a lot of power here. All of the big initiatives for sustainability were started by students."

Grants are given out to students or faculty who are organizing projects that fail into one of two categories, Student Projects or Special Projects. These projects also must promote sustainability across the UM campus and throughout the City of Montevallo as a whole.


The UM Organic Community Garden provides anyone with the opportunity to grow their own fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. Individuals can rent their own plot and the all of the amenities, like hand tools are available for use.

The Recycling Center is just off campus and provides students the opportunity to recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, aluminum and electronics.


According to recycleacrossamerica.org, "recycling is the top action society can do to simultaneously improve the environment, the economy, sustainable manufacturing, and to prevent waste from going into the ocean.

Dr. Caplow said, "Ideally, recycling is a gateway behavior, in that people start doing that and then they realize there may be other things they can do."

For more information on how to get involved around the community with UM students, the Green Fund, or sustainability you can click here.

 

Marcus Henderson: Journey to the Big Screen

By: Brianna Rose

Behind the scenes of Get Out. Courtesy of Marcus Henderson.

Marcus Henderson

Marcus Henderson, a native of St. Louis, Missouri. Marcus attended Alabama State University on a football scholarship not knowing that his college years would lead him down a path of acting.

Henderson acts as Walter in the movie 'Get Out'. Get Out made its debut on the 24th of February on Oscar weekend. 

This is the second mainstream production filmed in Alabama that Marcus has a played a role in. Part of Get Out was filmed in Fairhope, Alabama last year. Henderson also had a role in the movie 'Woodlawn' where some parts were shot at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Marcus started his journey to the big screen when he attended Alabama State University. While working as security, Henderson noticed students on the stage and became intrigued in the craft. 

Since then, the road hasn't been easy but he doesn't plan to stop there. 

He said, "I don't even think I've scratched the surface. It's so much more. I know it is."

Marcus plans to continue his acting career and he said, "One day hopefully I’ll be able to open some doors but you know right now I can just encourage people by just like being who I am.”

To find showtimes for the movie 'Get Out' click here. 

Main Street Losing "A Personal Touch"

By: Elizabeth Rhinehart

March 2017 marks the ten year anniversary for A Personal Touch, a salon on Main Street in Montevallo.

Such a huge accomplishment typically involves a lot of celebrations and excitement, but that's not the case for the women at A Personal Touch. At the end of the month, Kathy Wright and her partner Amy Vanderslice-Hall, will be out of business.

"We had 30 days to make other arrangements," Kathy said.

Kathy and Amy have worked side by side for almost twenty years. According to Kathy, they are more than just friends.

"She and I have been working together since '99. We are basically family."

 Official Sketch of Taco Bell on Main Street

In Summer 2017, the building currently housing A Personal Touch, and Bradford Real Estate, will be torn down and replaced with franchise restaurant Taco Bell.

"It honestly took us a good three days to absorb the news. We were very, very devastated."

Luckily, Kathy found a way to continue her hair styling career elsewhere. She bought a portable building that she will keep on her property in order to do hair from home.

"The majority of my clients are fine with that. They're willing to come to where I'm at. Thank goodness."

Even though Kathy is having to leave her business unexpectedly, she's finding the silver lining in a sad situation.

"Things happen. Change happens. I know there's lot of growth going on in this town and that part is good."

Her partner, Amy, is also continuing her career with another local hair salon.

For more information on where Taco Bell will be located on Main Street, click here.