SHINING THE LIGHT ON SELMA AND DALLAS COUNTY, ALABAMA
www.selmasun.com
June 25, 2020 | Volume 7 Issue 25
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Selma children’s book author, illustrator teaches lessons about epilepsy and bullying BY FRED GUARINO
Selma Sun Staff A new children’s book by a Selma author and illustrator promotes seizure and epilepsy awareness and sends a strong anti-bullying message. The book “Zeeba and the Seizure” was written and illustrated by Meadowview Christian School and University of Montevallo graduate Michaela Barnes of Selma. The goal of the book, Barnes said, is to educate children and adults who do not have seizures to possibly save a life. It also encourages children with epilepsy. Barnes said the book was inspired by her 6-year-old niece, who suffered seizures
and epilepsy since she was 3. The book features Zeeba the zebra, her classmates at school, and a moose and a crocodile as doctors. Some of the characters in the book are based on Selma doctors and nurses, Barns said. Barnes said she worked in medical records for Selma Medical Associates after college, and two of the doctors in the book – a moose and a crocodile – were based on Dr. Nicholas Knight and Dr. Jack Burns, respectively. Barnes said her niece, who is stable at present, had a lot say about who was who among the characters. According to Barnes, when her niece was small, she would run into things and fall, and
The book “Zeeba and the Seizure” was inspired by Michaela Barnes’ 6-year-old niece, who suffered seizures and epilepsy since she was 3.
no one knew what was going on. But when her niece had an actual seizure, Barnes said she was diagnosed with epilepsy. She said her book follows Zeeba the Zebra to school, where things happen to her such as headaches and falling, which Barnes said she uses to teach children to recognize the symptoms of seizures and what to do. Barnes said at the beginning of the book, Zeeba the zebra falls, and a little girl character, who proved to be a bully, does not know what is going on. That character, Barnes said, makes fun of Zeeba. But in the end, when the bully realizes that Zeeba had been suffering seizures, “She apologizes and promises to never bully anyone again,” Barnes said. Barnes said was also aware of children who died in their sleep from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy). And she said she wanted people to know the signs and symptoms to save a life. In “Zeeba and the Seizure,” the class takes a field trip to the hospital, where they learn many valuable lessons. The book focuses on anti-bullying, empathy, friendship, courage and support. The book also features seizure first aid. Barnes said her book, which was published June 1, can be read by children and by parents to their children. And she said it currently available on Amazon.com for $11.99 and will be available on Barnes & Noble. com soon. It received a five-star rating on Amazon, she said. Barnes said “Zeeba and the Seizure” is her second book to illustrate and the first she has written. Barnes is the daughter of Eugene and Gail Barnes. She is a 2007 Meadowview Christian graduate who earned a degree in mass communications from the University of Montevallo in 2011 while minoring in fine arts. When she is not writing and illustrating books, said she does portrait art.
Michaela Barnes of Selma has a new children’s book she wrote and illustrated that promotes seizure and epilepsy awareness. Photo provided.
Facade enhancements, flowerbed projects coming downtown SRA approves grants for beautification along Broad Street
Saints graduate Class of 2020 in ‘COVID-friendly’ style Selma-Dallas County high schools finished out graduation ceremonies last week for the Class of 2020 in unique ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Selma High School’s graduation
on Saturday featured nearly 200 graduates who were recognized through a parade and a chance to walk across a stage set up at the high school after getting out of their cars. Many seniors like
DeKarria Ross, brought a trailer of friends and family to cheer her on in the parade. READ more about this year's graduates on PAGE 7.
Old shrubs could soon be replaced with flowerbeds lining Broad Street. BY FRED GUARINO
Selma Sun Staff
DeKarria Ross had a trailer full of family and friends participate in the graduation parade.
At least six buildings in downtown Selma will get a facelift and new flower beds will line Broad Street from the Edmund Pettus Bridge to Selma City Hall, it was announced at last week’s Selma Redevelopment Authority meeting. “With the facade project and this flowerbed project, we can start to make downtown much more presentable,” SRA board member Harold Speir said. Board member Billy Young volunteered to adopt a couple flower beds himself. The SRA will have at least six building facade enhancement projects for an estimated $10,550 in grant funds as of its Thursday, June 18 meeting. The projects, whose amounts
are estimated, will be funded as follows: • A project through Arts Revive for $3,000 • Two projects through Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn for $1,000 each (pending an Ethics Commission opinion to be requested on behalf of the SRA) • A project through David Summerlin for $3,000 • A project through Jody Pilcher for $2,000 • A project through Joseph Harris for $550 These projects come from $15,000 in SRA grant funds, including $5,000 from the Dallas County Commission and $10,000 from EFA through a nonprofit. The board approved the projects pending receipts from grant recipients for what was spent, with one third, a maximum of $3,000, coming from the SRA.
The board also voted to expand the facade project, originally to include Water Avenue and Broad Street, to one block to the east and west of Broad Street pending funding. The board also approved a project to add 20 flower beds along Broad Street from the bridge to City Hall. It was pointed out during the meeting that the SRA can weed and prune the flower beds. The City Council approved participating. Businesses will partner with the SRA for the project. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the SRA continued to meet by teleconference. Present for the meeting by teleconference were Chairman Juanda Maxwell, Clint Wilkinson, Martha Lockett, Johnny Moss Jr., Young and Speir.
Late on your property taxes in the City of Selma? Find out in the Tax Delinquencies List inside on Pages 5-6
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