UA News and Events

ALCOHOL, SPEED, WEATHER A LETHAL COMBINATION FOR HOLIDAY DRIVING A recent study conducted by UA's CARE Research & Development Laboratory comparing the traffic patterns of the past two Thanksgiving holidays has shown that the basic problems remain alcohol, speed and weather conditions. The CRDL researches crash statistics for the state and found some interesting results related to holiday travel. "Alcohol, speed and bad weather are a lethal combination," said Dr. Allen Parrish, professor of computer science and director of the CRDL at The University of Alabama. For more information, contact Dr. Allen Parrish, director of the CRDL, at 205/348-3749 or parrish@cs.ua.edu, or Mary Wymer, engineering public relations, at 205/348-6444 or mwymer@eng.ua.edu. See the complete news release at http://uanews.ua.edu/anews2007/nov07/holidaydrive110907.htm



SONG OF HOPE SPRINGS FROM ENTERPRISE TRAGEDY -- The powerful feeling that music can provide is the impetus behind a new, commissioned piece of music from UA to honor and remember victims of the devastating tornado that slammed through Enterprise on March 1. Eight students -- all teenagers -- were killed at Enterprise High School when the F4 storm hit early in the afternoon and a hallway roof collapsed. The tragedy has been described as the worst disaster in Enterprise history. The commissioned music is simply named "Enterprise," says Ken Ozzello, UA director of bands, who initiated the project. Ozzello and others behind the music hope that it will provide healing and hope for those directly affected in the Enterprise community and others across the state. UA students in the Alabama Wind Ensemble and in the University Singers will start rehearsing "Enterprise" after Thanksgiving break. Contact Dr. Ken Ozzello, 205/348-8242, 348-6068, kozzello@music.ua.edu or Linda Hill in media relations, 205/348-8325, lhill@ur.ua.edu; online go to http://www.ua.edu/features/enterprise.html



CURRENT COMMENT

'TIS THE SEASON - On-line Christmas shopping is expected to be up over last year, and gift cards are once again expected to be the easy solution for what to get Aunt Millie. For a closer look at the Christmas shopping outlook, contact Dr. Kristy Reynolds, Bruno Associate Professor of Marketing, 205/348-0050, kreynold@cba.ua.edu. Reynolds can discuss retail loyalty, shopping motivations and behavior, customer-salesperson relationships, online shopping, and impulse buying. For more information, contact Bill Gerdes, media relations, 205/348-8318, bgerdes@cba.ua.edu.



EVENTS


PRESIDENT AND CEO OF INFINITY SECURITY SOLUTIONS TO SPEAK WITH UA STUDENTS - Woodrow "Woody" Cannon, chief executive officer and president of Infinity Security Solutions, will speak with UA students on Monday, Nov. 19. Cannon's presentation is part of the College of Engineering's Dean's Leadership Series, which brings prominent business leaders to speak with students at UA. Cannon's lecture begins at 3 p.m. in Shelby Hall, room 150. It is open to the public. For more information, contact Mary Wymer, engineering public relations, at 205/348-6444 or mwymer@eng.ua.edu.



'BACKSTAGE' SCREENING AT BAMA THEATRE NOV. 19 - "Backstage," a one-hour documentary from CPT&R's Production House, will screen at the Bama Theatre in downtown Tuscaloosa Monday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Produced and directed by Andy Grace, a UA Center for Public Television producer, "Backstage" <http://www.thelivingsouth.org/backstage> follows a small community theater in north Alabama as they prepare an adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird." With a cast of characters who defy expectation, the documentary captures the struggles and triumphs, the humor and irony, of a decidedly Southern community theater. The screening <http://tinyurl.com/ytz7q8> is free. Contact: Deidre Stalnaker, dstalnaker@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-6416



COE DOES ART PERFORMS DELICIOUSLY FUNNY "ROMEO AND HARRIET" -Shakespeare will be deliciously funny with the help of a group of quarreling chorus members-Oregano, Antipasto, Pesto and Romano. The College of Engineering does Amateur Radical Theatre, known as COE does ART, will host their second dinner and a show with "Romeo and Harriet," a comedic spin-off of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." "Romeo and Harriet" will be Nov. 30- Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in 126 H.M. Comer. The cost of attending is $8, and tickets can be purchased at the Ferguson Center box office the week before opening day and at the door. Dinner will consist of fried chicken, a choice of various sides, a roll and dessert. The production lasts two hours and includes an interactive intermission between the cast and guests. It is open to the public. For more information, contact Mary Wymer, engineering public relations, at 205/348-6444 or mwymer@eng.ua.edu.