Good Day Alabama for February 8, 2012

Here is what you saw on Good Day Alabama for February 8, 2012:

Jeh Jeh Live - Join the talented students of ArtPlay's Make It Happen Performing Ensemble Feb. 11, 2012, for "Our Journey: A History through Song, Dance and Spoken Word,"  a celebration of Black History Month.  "Our Journey" is a play within a play. The story is guided by abolitionist and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth. A few of the iconic characters portrayed include American opera singer Grace Bumbry, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, civil rights activist Rosa Parks, Birmingham leader Richard Arrington, actress and singer Dorothy Dandridge and Phillis Wheatley, the first black American poet to publish her writing. This story of a family patriarch who learns to embrace his own history is performed and co-written by the MIH Ensemble, under the direction of ArtPlay Teaching Artist Alicia Johnson. "Our Journey: A History through Song, Dance and Spoken Word" will have two shows, at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Feb. 11 in UAB's Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Tickets are $8 kids, $10 adults. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
 

ZOO CREW - Mickey talks with Wes Garrison, Primate Keeper at the Birmingham Zoo, to learn more about the animals and their plans for Valentine's Day. For more information, visit birminghamzoo.com.

BARBER OF BIRMINGHAM - The list of Oscar nominees for Best Documentary Short Subject includes "The Barber of Birmingham: A Foot Soldier in the Civil Rights Movement." The film focuses on the life of James Armstrong, who among other things, won a lawsuit that allowed two of his children to desegregate Birmingham City Schools. The film allows him not only to describe his civil rights activity, but follows him on election day 2008, from the time he leaves his home to cast a vote (at Legion Field) for Barack Obama to that evening when he watches the returns on TV. Armstrong died in 2009 at age 77. The film was shown at the Alabama Theater last year. For more information, visit http://barberofbirmingham.com/trailer/.

ASK THE DOCTOR - Dr. Barry Rayburn, a board-certified cardiologist from Brookwood Medical Center, took viewer questions about Congestive Heart Failure. Congestive Heart Failure (or CHF) does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. CHF affects nearly 5 million Americans, and it is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in people older than 65.  Dr. Rayburn discussed why CHF occurs, who's at risk, symptoms and treatment options.  

GARDENING - Alabama Cooperative Extension Agent Bethany O'Rear discussed pruning - the tools you need and which plants to trim when. You can reach her at the Extension office with your questions!

Tomorrow on Good Day Alabama, Jeh Jeh celebrates Black History Month with some beautiful music! And a Barbershop Quartet joins us in the studio to get us in the mood for love... And Valentine's Day! Rachel Ray has some exciting guests and topics on her show these days and she joins us live from her studio with all the scoop! We check out a new book - 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans - and talk with the author! Are your kids taking AP (Advanced Placement) classes? What impact does this have as they prepare for college? We look at the numbers! Our Pet of the Week joins us in the studio! And we talk with our expert for advice on teaching your children values! That and much more tomorrow on Good Day Alabama!