Good Day Alabama for February 13, 2013

Here is what you saw on Good Day Alabama for February 13, 2013:

JEH JEH LIVE - The talented teens of the ArtPlay Make It Happen Performing Ensemble will portray legends of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in an original play, "Lessons Well Learned," on Feb. 16, 2013. "Lessons Well Learned" is a celebration of the fight for equal rights that takes a look at those iconic times. It includes Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" and Dudley Randall's poem "Ballad of Birmingham," which pays tribute to the victims of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. The play includes songs that resonated throughout the movement, such as "Wade in the Water," "Hold On," "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round" and "His Eye is on the Sparrow." The performers will portray Civil Rights legends who fought for equal rights, including King and his wife Coretta Scott King, the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, Andrew Young, Rosa Parks, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Viola Gregg Liuzzo, Fannie Lou Hamer, Vivian Malone Jones, Eleanor Roosevelt and Angela Davis. The ArtPlay Make It Happen Performing Ensemble, under the direction of ArtPlay Teaching Artist Alicia Johnson, features local high school students who have researched and written this original production celebrating Black History Month. Packed with memorable songs, spoken word and dance, the story is brought to life by the ensemble through performances using voices of the past and present to tell a story that inspires and educates. "Lessons Well Learned" will be performed at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m., Feb. 16, 2013, in the Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall at 'UABs Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 children. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org..

ZOO CREW - Mickey visited with Lindsey Darby from the Birmingham Zoo to learn more about the native birds of Alabama. For more information, visit birminghamzoo.com.

GOOD DAY CHALLENGE - Dr. Asa Andrew joined us to discuss the Good Day Challenge. Dr. Asa took questions on the Good Day Alabama Facebook and Twitter pages. He'll join us again next week to take more questions and offer more advice.

TOP GUN OR BLU-RAY - The seminal 80s classic - Top Gun - made its 3D debut in IMAX theaters on February 8th and makes it Blu-ray 3D debut on February 19th. Acclaimed actor Tom Skerritt discusses his experience making the film that became a worldwide sensation! As Cmdr. Mike "Viper" Metcalf, Tom Skerritt tried to keep Tom Cruise's Maverick from heading into the danger zone. The Emmy-winning performer is one of the most versatile and acclaimed American actors of both the big and small screens. With a career that spans more than five decades, Tom Skerritt has appeared in a wide range of films including Robert Altman's classic comedy M*A*S*H, Ridley Scott's Alien, The Turning Point with Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine, David Cronenberg's The Dead Zone, Robert Redford's A River Runs Through It, Steel Magnolias, Contact, The Other Sister, Tears of the Sun, and many, many more. He has also appeared in acclaimed television series including "Picket Fences", "Cheers", "Brothers and Sisters", "The Grid", "Leverage" and more.

ASK THE DOCTOR - Dr. Anabela Simon-Lee, a cardiologist from Brookwood Medical Center, answered viewer questions about heart disease. She discussed your risk, what you can do to limit your risk factors, symptoms that should not be ignored, and more. For more information, contact Brookwood Medical Center.

GARDENING - Bethany O'Rear joined us to discuss soil testing. Now that the holidays are over, lots of folks are ready to get back to the garden. As you gear up for Spring, one of the first steps to take before you set out the first plant or sow the first seed (and a guaranteed way to ensure gardening success) is to conduct a soil test. Test results indicate nutrient levels in the soil (and provide recommendations based on those levels). It is helpful because it can help you prevent excess nutrients from being applied to the soil. For instance, if you know your soil has an acceptable amount of phosphorous for the particular plant that you are growing - (based on test results) adjust fertilizer amounts and analysis ( N-P-K :3 numbers on the bag) accordingly. Test results also indicate the pH of the soil. pH is the measure of the soil's acidity or alkalinity and can directly influence the vigor and quality of lawns, ornamentals, and gardens. pH that is too high or too low can cause nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and other nutrients to become less available. The soil test kit is free. It is available at your local extension office, garden centers , and several libraries in and around Birmingham. It is a do-it-yourself test that includes instructions, a sheet to accompany your sample, and a box for mailing it. Just remember - Don't guess, soil test!!!


Tomorrow on Good Day Alabama, Mickey takes us live to the Home and Garden Show that you can visit this weekend for lots of new ideas! Jeh Jeh showcases a local choir in honor of Black History Month. Model Kate Upton made the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and she joins us to tell us about the honor and experience! The niece of the founder of Scientology details her experience of breaking away from the religion in her new book. She joins us with her stories in a very interesting interview you don't want to miss! And meet our Pet of the Week in the studio! Join us for all of this and more tomorrow on Good Day Alabama!