Although Auburn women's basketball head coach Nell Fortner has a list of accomplishments longer than a three-point shot, she still looks to those around her to improve the game, welcoming opinions and seeking advice from staff and players, alike."She shows great respect for her staff and team," said assistant coach Kerry Cremeans.
This generation might have mastered the art of text messaging, but it still has a thing or two to learn about etiquette.July is "National Cell Phone Courtesy Month," so there's no better time to learn than now."Face-to-face interactions with people should always take precedence over our technology devices," said Shanna Carter, the founder and president of Premiere Image Consultants in Auburn.
Summer is in full swing, and the chefs at Ariccia and Quixotes are taking full advantage of its bounty by adding new dishes with a seasonal flair.From locally grown tomatoes to fresh herbs and spices, the flavor is anything but boring.Malcolm Sanz, Ariccia's executive sous chef, goes straight to the restaurant's herb garden for ingredients in some of the menu's newest dishes."We now have Maryland striped bass, which is wild, and it's served with a nice tomato salad that's been warmed up slightly with some balsamic vinaigrette and wilted arugula," Sanz said.
First Book, a non-profit organization, gives children one resource many take for granted: books.Founded nationally in 1992, First Book strives to increase literacy by donating books to underprivileged communities."I think this effort makes a difference in the lives of youth locally and helps to improve literacy rates among child populations," said Chippewa Thomas, a professor in the department of special education, rehabilitation and counseling."As the organization's adviser and president of the Alabama Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development, Thomas said she will work this year to collect books and distribute them to local youth organizations, schools and individuals."As part of the 'Read Across Alabama' initiative in November, books will also be given to children at a school in Birmingham who don't have books at home of their own to read," Thomas said.First Book raises awareness in Auburn by planning fund-raisers at local restaurants and bookstores, said Kimberly Parent, First Book president at Auburn."We also raise the bulk of our funds through the generosity of our donors, and we do appreciate whatever people are willing to give," Parent said.Parent said gift cards will be available in October for those wanting to support the organization."Anyone who wants to show their support for children in need can purchase one and give it to someone they care about to show some holiday spirit," Parent said.The Auburn chapter of First Book began as an advocacy project, consisting of a book drive and reading day at a local elementary school, for one of Parent's classes."Then the idea kept getting bigger, and I spoke to someone who had started a First Book chapter at their school," Parent said.
The men's golf team will soon be welcoming a new face to the team as Nick Clinard, former head coach at the University of Central Florida for eight years, joins the Tigers as their new head coach.Clinard hopes to bring both passion and experience to Auburn's program, but also making sure to keep a strong recruiting mindset and a determination to succeed."I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed, and I'm going to stick with what I know how to do, and that's recruit, and coach, and get the former players involved in our program and get the donors and boosters behind what we're going to do," Clinard said.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc., announced the launching of their latest campaign, Common Sense, on June 24 with the hopes of reaching a younger audience and lowering the number of pedestrian accidents on railroad tracks.Operation Lifesaver is a national, non-profit public education program devoted to reducing the number of injuries and deaths that occur around railroad tracks."The purpose of this new Common Sense campaign is to address the problem that we're seeing with trespassing," said Nancy Hudson, executive director for Alabama Operation Lifesaver.
Alabama is inching closer to becoming the most obese state, but with five communities in the state each receiving $3,000 to stimulate physical activity and nutrition programs, Mississippi may stay on top.The Chronic Disease Directors Association chose Alabama, as well as seven other states, to receive funds through the Balancing InTake and Expenditure grant.The State Obesity Task Force then divided the money among the five selected communities including Anniston, Birmingham, Greensboro, Millbrook and Montgomery.Miriam Gaines, nutrition and physical activity division director for the Alabama Department of Public Health, said Alabama applied and won the grant in early 2009 because of its intention of building the infrastructure of rural communities.It makes sense why Alabama is so far behind other physically fit states, like Colorado, she said."It's because (Colorado) has places where people want to go be active, where they have that infrastructure of walking and that expectation that it's going to be safe and pleasant."The grant money was open for everyone, but small organizations and the School of Architecture at Auburn University ended up applying and receiving the majority."Auburn students saw this as an opportunity, and they ran with it," Gaines said.It is the young people who are going to make a difference, she said.She is excited to see what impact the money has on the communities.Choona Lang, coordinator for the health and wellness ministry at Mount Gillard Missionary Church in Montgomery, said she is excited to use the money to expand an existing plan that began five years ago.In October there will be an additional health care fair with a community walk and lectures focusing on diabetes, healthy food choices, stress and smoking."We're trying to get the message out there about making wise, healthy life choices," Lang said.
Men's golf will soon be welcoming a new face to the team as Nick Clinard, head coach at the University of Central Florida for eight years, signs on as head coach.Clinard not only brings passion and experience to Auburn's program, but a strong recruiting mindset and a determination to succeed."I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed, and I'm going to stick with what I know how to do, and that's recruit, and coach, and get the former players involved in our program and get the donors and boosters behind what we're going to do," Clinard said.
Wade Benson has been coaching volleyball for more than 20 years. As head coach of the women's volleyball team at Auburn, he and his staff bring a lot of experience and passion to the game."Speaking for everybody, I can tell you that we really enjoy Auburn as a school and as an area to live and raise a family," Benson said.
When your stomach is growling or you want to get your daily coffee fix, check the time before you head downtown.
