Concerts for a Cause

Efforts to rebuild Alabama’s cities after the April 27, 2011 tornados continue at full strength every hour, every day. While most students left campus for the annual summer hiatus, many students stayed behind to aid with clean up activities. However those unable to help with hands-on rebuilding can participate in other fundraising activities. 

Local events have been created to raise money for the tornado relief cause. A benefit music night will be held in Tuscaloosa on June 3, 2011 titled Roll Tide Relief Benefit Show. The event will start at 4 p.m. and will be located at multiple venues in downtown Tuscaloosa. Locations include L & N Train Station, Brown’s Corner, Wilhagen’s, Green Bar, and 4^th and 23^rd. All proceeds will go directly to United Way’s tornado recovery fund. 

Bama Rising, a benefit concert initiated by country music group Alabama, will be held at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center on June 14, 2011. Renowned country artists performing at the concert include: Rodney Atkins, Dierks Bentley, Bo Bice, Sheryl Crow, Sara Evans, Taylor Hicks, Little Big Town, Montgomery Gentry, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley and Kellie Pickler.

Tickets for Bama Rising went on sale May 20 and as of May 25 all general admission tickets were sold out. Limited VIP packages for the concert remain available upon request. The sell out reveals the outstanding support of the community to help the tornado victims rebuild their lives. 

For more information on Bama Rising visit www.bamarising.org. 

An added tragedy that is sometime overlooked during disasters are the ways that family pets and animals suffer. The Humane Society has stepped in after the tornados to help care for pets that were either abandoned or lost during the storms. Dogs, cats, birds and other animals have been rescued and helped by the Humane Society during the aftermath of the storms. Heartbreaking stories have surfaced of dogs sitting on top of piles of rubble awaiting their masters return while other joyful stories have been shared of reunions. The Humane Society has been working non-stop in the areas hit hardest at recovering the animals and providing them with care. As of May 13, 2011 451 cats had been trapped and taken in while 121 had been reunited with their owners. The Humane Society will continue their relief efforts and providing care to the animals of all kinds that need their help. Donations can be made to the Humane Society to help their efforts at http://www.humanesociety.org/.

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This spring, tornados and other terrible storms swept all across the South-East leaving thousands homeless and hundreds dead. On April 27, 2011 Tuscaloosa, Alabama was devastated late in the afternoon as a tornado surged through the city leaving a path of destruction. According to Birmingham News it was the deadliest day of tornadoes since 1925. After the weather cleared for the evening many students found themselves hopelessly wandering around searching for their friends and trying to make sense of everything. Because cell towers had been affected it was nearly impossible to communicate efficiently which added an addition feeling of chaos and terror. Fortunately the campus and downtown Tuscaloosa were spared but areas around 15th Street/McFarland were destroyed. Local businesses like Krispy Kreme and Hobby Lobby no longer exist. The next day, the damage was so horrific that no one really knew where to begin fixing things. It seemed that initially the best way to help was to stay out of the Disaster Relief's way. Different churches such as St. Matthias began advertising for volunteers to go there for directions to help serve. Delta Kappa Epsilon set up an organization known as Greek Relief in which the sororities and fraternities across campus joined together to help victims. They helped provide thousands of meals (10,101 in one day alone!) in addition to providing supplies as well as chain saws and manuel labor (Image #2). It was a way for the Greek community to join together and help the Tuscaloosa community in the initial steps of its recovery from the devastating effects of the tornados. Since then all sorts of organizations have been set up as well as donations made. Kenny Chesney released the information that all proceeds from his concert in Tuscaloosa on May 25 will be given to the relief effort to help those affected by the tornados. In addition to Kenny Chesney, the concert Bama Rising: A Benefit Concert for Alabama Tornado Recovery will take place in June in which all proceeds will go to the relief effort. Artists like Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Jake Owen, Rodney Atkins, and many more are scheduled to play at this event. On the Ticketmaster site alone, group tickets for this event were sold out within the hour leaving only individual seats for those who waited a little too late. There are many ways to get involved in the tornado relief. $10 donations to the Red Cross can be made by texting REDCROSS to 90999 and for those searching for ways to volunteer around the Birmingham area, check out handsonbirmingham.com for a list of possibilities. Also, for those who were in Tuscaloosa or other areas affected by the tornadoes we welcome your stories.

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There's lots you can get in trouble for. This is a list of what it wil cost you financially:

DUI- Cost between $600-$2,000 for being pulled over. You don't have to be driving--sitting in the driver's seat with the keys in the ignition is enough. Jail may be given.

Public Intoxication- Arrest is automatic. This offense covers any behavior in a public place that indicates intoxication, either alcohol or drug related. Cost $336. You also have to attend a drug/alcohol abuse program and pay for the cost.

Open Beverage Containers- Cost $236. It is illegal in tuscaloosa to carry an open alcoholic beverage in public or to drive a car in which there is an open alcoholic beverage.

Fake Ids- $336 and possible suspension of your liscense for 90 days.

MIP (Minor In Possession) of alcohol- $336