Good Day Alabama for January 2, 2013

Here is what you saw on Good Day Alabama for January 2, 2013:

JEFFCO'S NEW SUPERINTEDENT - It's the first day on the job for Jefferson County's new superintendent.Dr. Stephen Nowlin previously served as superintendent of Lee County Schools. He was interim superintendent of Anniston City Schools from 2000 to 2002. Dr. Nowlin takes over for Dr. Phil Hammonds who retired at the end of last year.

JEH JEH LIVE - Rich Wingo, who was a part of one of the most famous plays in college football history as a linebacker at the University of Alabama, was the keynote speaker at the fourth annual BBVA Compass Bowl Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Breakfast presented by Northwestern Mutual of Alabama this morning. Jeh Jeh took us there live.The BBVA Compass Bowl is on Saturday at noon. Ole Miss plays Pitt. Tickets to the seventh annual BBVA Compass Bowl are now on sale. Tickets may be purchased by calling (877) 464-9529 or through the Bowl's web site at www.bbvacompassbowl.com.

ZOO CREW - Mickey visited with Travis Coty from the Birmingham Zoo to learn more about the fishing cat. For more information, visit birminghamzoo.com.

BARGAINOMICS - Judy Bates, the Bargainomics Lady, joined us with a great do-it-yourself idea today! If there's ever been a craft for the craft-less, this is it! You don't even need to know how to sew to make your own t-shirt scarf - and they make great gifts, too. It takes about 20 minutes to make one. If you have a t-shirt and a pair of scissors, you're ready to get started:
(1) Start with a clean t-shirt in whatever color you want to work with. Look for shirts that are seamless down the sides or else have only 1 seam. A size large or bigger gives you the fullest scarf. Judy bought my shirts at The Foundry Thrift Shop in Cullman for 40 cents each since they were $1.99 with 80 percent off.

(2) Smooth the t-shirt flat. Turn it sideways and cut it off armpit to armpit so that you have a solid rectangle of fabric.

(3) Cut the hem off. Then cut the rest of the fabric side to side into 1-inch wide strips so that you end up with a bunch of long loops.

(4) Gather the loops together and hold one side in one hand and one in the other. Stretch the fabric as far as you can. If you're short, the easier way to do this is to stand on one end of the loops and pull the other end with your hands.
(5) Now you're ready to finish your scarf. Cut a one-inch strip of fabric from the top of the t-shirt that you set aside - Judy goes from sleeve to sleeve.
(6) Gather your loops together with the seamed sections in your hand. Starting just in front of the seamed section, put the strip of fabric over the loops and start wrapping, tucking in the end you starting with. Wrap a 2-3 inch section, covering the seamed sections of your loops and use your scissors to tuck the end of your wrap piece inside the wrap.
(7) You've got a finished scarf! For the one Judy wore today, she added a little embellishment by cutting some very narrow pieces and sewing them onto the middle of the wrapped section and stitching a button into the center.
(8) There are a jillion ways to decorate a scarf once you've made it. And this is the perfect time to get started so you'll have all year to make these for gifts all year long, including next Christmas.  

For more on this project and other deals, visit www.Bargainomics.com.

ACTIVE SHOOTING TRAINING - Jefferson County teachers take active shooter training during teacher training sessions today. Planning for it began in November, but the timing now following the Connecticut shooting certainly makes teachers much more willing to make sure they are prepared in case of gunman at school. Dale Stripling coordinated the effort with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department's resource officers. He joined us this morning live to explain just what they're doing today.

ASK THE DOCTOR - Jack Mathews, MD, general and bariatric surgeon at Princeton Baptist Medical Center, joined us to take viewer questions. He discussed and answered questions about weight loss and the various types of surgery. He also discussed the brand new operating rooms at Princeton and the new Princeton Bariatric Center which is the first of its kind in the city.

GARDENING - Jon Culver with Sweet Peas Garden Center joined us to discuss plants to brighten the home during these dreary cold January days. For more information or gardening advice from Jon Culver, visit Sweet Peas Garden Shop at 2829 Linden Ave, Homewood... The phone number is (205) 879-3839. Or you can email him at jonculver6@gmail.com.

DR. ASA - Dr. Asa Andrew joined us with his 6 Keys to Reaching Your Health Goals in the New Year1
1.Decide you want to live well
2. Eat 3 balanced whole food meals per day and 2 small snacks in between
3.exercise 30 minutes a day 4-5 days a week doing something you enjoy
4.Drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day
5.get a genetic nutrition test or blood test by your doctor to locate nutritional deficiencies
6. Supplement with whole food supplements including:
     -Multi-vitamin
     -omega 3 fish oil
     -digestive enzymes
     -probiotics

He also recommends you manage your stress and get rest - get 7-8 hours of sleep and take 1 full day off per week. Known as America's Health and Lifestyle Coach®, Asa Andrew, MD is a national best-selling author, radio and TV host, and founder of Diagnosis HOPE, a non-profit dedicated to health education and supporting the uninsured. He has dedicated his life to helping others thrive in their health. For more information, visit www.AskDrAsa.com or  follow him on twitter @DrAsa.

Tomorrow on Good Day Alabama, are you headed to Miami for the National Championship Game? We check out some fashions to sport your team colors and show your support! People Magazine releases its annual "Half Their Size" edition! We talk with the editor for the scoop on this year's feature stories and how these people found so much success!
We check out with do-it-yourself experts for advice on how to spruce up your rooms with some simple touches!  Our Pet of the Week joins us in the studio and we're cooking with the chefs from Café de Paris! That and much more tomorrow on Good Day Alabama!