Feb. 13 Issue

CAN COLLEGE

STUDENTS STAY IN LOVE? SPECIAL SECTION 1B

Feb. 13, 2014

Volume 82, Issue 21

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

CAMPUS

ADMINISTRATION

WINTER WONDERLAND

President’s Cabinet aims to provide university scholarship, Unexpected snow day funding

excites campus community

ASHLEY REMKUS

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ IZMUS][(]VI ML]

PACE HOLDBROOKS

The university President’s Cabinet is scheduled to meet Feb. 27 to hear a report on the state of the university and an update on the UNA Foundation.

The cabinet will be able to determine their goals for the year once the university’s issues are presented at the meeting, said Cabinet member William “Luckey” Crocker.

“Our goals will be decided at the meeting once we hear what the university’s problems and issues are right now,” Crocker said.

”

THE (CABINETʼS) UNRESTRICTED GIFTS ARE VITAL TO BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR

UNA.

WILLIAM CALE

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

The President’s Cabinet, composed of 77 members this year, is a special group of donors who recognize the need for available funds, which are not tied to a specific program and are not governed by State regulations.

The cabinet is made up of community members who choose to make a donation of at least $1,000 to UNA each year.

The average annual donation is about $1,400, said University President William Cale.

Last year’s cabinet members donated $106,482, which went to help programs such as study abroad and scholarship support, Cale said.

This money provides funding for expenses that are not directly funded by state programs, he said.

;MM +)*16-< XIOM )

INSIDE

this week’s paper

6M_[ -LQ\WZ VM_[(NTWZITI VM\

Winter conditions Monday night brought cold weather, icy roadways and most notably snow.

Due to the dangerous driving conditions, officials elected to close the university on Tuesday, Feb. 11 and Wednesday Feb. 12, said Chief of Police Bob Pastula.

Campus police worked three car accidents on Wood Avenue Tuesday during the morning hours. Police have continued to assist with any traffic issues throughout the weather, Pastula said.

Although police are hard at work, the snow attracted campus residents outside to play, Pastula said.

“There were some (students) out on campus at 2 or 3 a.m. ,”

Pastula said. “They were playing in it like they’ve never seen snow before.”

Some of the students playing on campus property were disruptive, Pastula said.

“We got calls from Grandview Apartments because there were students having a snowball fight in the early morning while other tenants were trying to sleep,” Pastula said.

Freshman Jonathan Barnett is grateful that officials decided to cancel school for the day.

“I love that UNA chose to close on this beautiful day,” Barnett said. “I get the chance to rest and catch up on my homework and reading. I’m going to play in the snow. It is not everyday that we get such a blessing in Alabama.”

;MM ;67? XIOM ) photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

McKenzie Burns sleds down the hill in front of Powers Hall while Tiffani-Paige Avery, Rachel Terry, Alyson Mavromat and Christina Caufield look on the Feb. 11 snow day.

ENTERTAINMENT

Alpha Tau Omega, Phi Mu thrill Step Sing crowds JASMINE FLEMING

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ RNTMUQVO (]VI ML]

While nine teams competed on Norton Auditorium’s stage to raise money for United Way in Step Sing, Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity and Phi Mu sorority stole the show, wowed the judges and impressed the audience on Feb. 8 and 9.

“With Phi Mu, I know that they were all very together with the dance moves and the singing,” said freshman Audrey Burton.

“ATO was very in character with the ‘Grease’ theme, which I really liked. All of the groups did really good, but I was most excited by Phi Mu and ATO’s performances.”

Both Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Mu placed first in their re-

spected divisions.

Step Sing 2014’s theme was Dancing Through the Decades, said Lesley Carter, service chair for the University Programming Council.

Alpha Tau Omega placed first in the men’s division and first overall with their 1950s theme the “T(au) Birds.” The group centered their performance around a member’s break-up with his girlfriend Sandy and included songs like “Soul Man,” “Great Balls of Fire” and “Shout.”

Alpha Tau Omega appealed to the crowd more than anything, said junior Christian Bayens, president of Alpha Tau Omega. photo by SARAH HOLLIDAY I Staff Photographer “ATO always goes for really Members of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity perform their routine high energy,” Bayens said. “As entitled “The T(au) Birds” at the 2014 Step Sing Show on Satur-

;MM ;<-8 ;16/ XIOM ) day, Feb. 8. ATO won first place in the men’s division and were named overall winners for their performance.

NEWS................2A PUZZLES.............5A VIEWPOINTS.........7A

LIFE...............3B SPORTS...........5B EXTRA.............8B

CAMPUS MYTHS BUSTED ...6A

Please recycle your paper.

2A NEWS

Feb. 13, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

ACADEMICS

CRIME

Midterms become dying trend

Why should students care about...

TAELOR HOPWOOD

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ \PWX_WWL(]VI ML] With the middle of the semester rapidly approaching, students may be bracing themselves for midterm exams.

However, midterm exams may be a dying trend at UNA. “We are actually seeing a significant decline in midterms,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs John Thornell. “Over time, research showed that was not the best way to evaluate student performance.”

In an earlier time for higher education there was a tendency to set a major portion of a student’s grade on only a midterm and a final. Now more frequent tests on a smaller amount of information seem to better evaluate a student’s ability, Thornell said.

”

OVER TIME, RESEARCH SHOWED THAT (MIDTERMS WERE) NOT THE BEST WAY TO EVALUATE STUDENT PERFORMANCE.

JOHN THORNELL VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS “I polled the deans about their opinions on midterms and all of them said that there has been a decrease in the emphasis on midterms across the board in their colleges,” Thornell said.

While there are no concrete repercussions for the student, there could be abstract consequences for students who do poorly on midterms, Thornell said.

“The faculty member tends to develop a certain opinion of you and a perception of your abilities based on poor performance on a midterm,” Thornell said. “Failing a midterm can also deflate a student’s academic enthusiasm.”

Not all professors have gone to this new way of thinking, he said.

Tammy Winner, professor of English, still gives a midterm in some of her classes, she said.

“It is used as a communication tool to give students a gauge on how they are doing,” Winner said.

Some students like the pressure of midterms, said junior Jenna Bradley.

“I feel like I learn more when I have a midterms and a final because it puts pressure on me to learn more,” Bradley said. “ I know it’s very traditional, but it really gauges what you do or don’t know.”

Midterms can be just as much work as finals because they can be stressful for the students and for the professors, Winner said.

“I divide my courses into three sections so it never falls on the midterm,” said Carrie Barske, professor of history.

Barske does not believe there are any other drawbacks for professors if that is

;MM -@)5; XIOM )

the

BLYTHE STEELMAN

5IVIOQVO -LQ\WZ UIVIOQVO(NTWZITI VM\

Clery Act?

Each fall universities across the country release their Annual Safety and Security Report. It details crime statistics and occurrences for previous years, and any school that participates in federal Title IV student financial assistance programs is required to release their report to the public.

This security report, coupled with consistent crime log updates and campus crime alerts, makes up a body of law known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Where does that obnoxiously long title come from?

Commonly known as the Clery Act, the law was originally enacted in 1990 as the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. It was an amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965, but was renamed in 1998 after a first-year student named Jeanne Clery was raped and murdered in her dorm room at Lehigh University.

The U.S. Department of Education requires each school participating in federal financial assistance programs to comply with the Clery Act and clearly outlines their expectations and requirements online and in their Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting.

What are ments?

the

require-

In order to comply with the law, universities must adhere to requirements that fall under three specific categories, according to the U.S. Department of Education. These categories include: • •

•

Clery crime statistics and security-related policies.

A Clery crime log requirement for institutions with a campus security or police department.

Missing student notifications and fire safety requirements for any university with at least one student-housing unit.

“It’s a requirement to post crimes on-

University officials do a good job of line in (our) crime logs,” said University notifying the campus about safety and Police Chief Bob Pastula. “I usually have security concerns, said sophomore Heath (the crime reports) listed every 48 hours.”

Does the Lion Alert Newton.

“It’s pretty well-organized,” he said. system somehow fit into “You’re usually notified pretty quickly all of this? about anything that happens.”

Part of the Clery Act also requires The university also submits a fire timely notices or alerts when campus safety is threatened or compromised, ac- safety report and the annual residential cording to the Handbook for Campus fire statistics to the U.S. Department of Education.

Safety and Security reporting.

The university’s alert system is more commonly known as Lion Alerts. It issues automatic text messages and emails NFO FROM S to campus community members once administrators determine there is an ongoLERY EPORT ing threat toward safety or security.

Lion Alerts are issued about each Clery-related crime on campus, but Pastula said his department does not stop at • THE UNIVERSITYʼS CRIME just campus crimes.

REPORT LISTS CRIMES THE CLERY “It’s not necessarily just crimes on ACT REQUIRES TO BE REPORTED campus,” he said. “Anything (in the EACH YEAR. Shoals community) that poses a threat (to campus) is something we notify students about.”

Transfer student Emily McCoy said • INFORMATION IS CURRENTLY she was not aware of the university’s Lion AVAILABLE FOR THE 2010, Alert system.

2011 AND 2012.

“I think (the system) is smart — it lets people stay in the know,” she said. “I definitely don’t see anything wrong with • THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF INCIletting people know what’s going on, on DENTS OF A RECORDED CRIME IS campus.”

I 2013 C

What does UNA’s annual safety report look like?

“In accordance with federal regulations of the Campus Security Act, the University of North Alabama publishes both crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years and UNA security-related policies and procedures,” reads one of the opening lines of the university’s 2013 report.

The 36-page report outlines the university’s stance on dealing with any number of crimes, including safety and access to campus facilities, arrest powers, prompt and accurate reporting of crimes and drug or substance-abuse education initiatives, to name a few.

The crime report portion of the document breaks down criminal incidents by type, year, on or off-campus location, public property and hate crimes.

UNAʼ R

103. THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN 2012 AND ARE LISTED AS “LIQOUR LAW VIOLATIONS.” • ONE

FORCIBLE SEXUAL OFFENSE

ON CAMPUS WAS DOCUMENTED

(2010, 2012) IN THE

DURING EACH YEAR

2011 AND REPORT. • 12

DRUG-RELATED VIOLA-

TIONS AND

11

BURGLAR-

IES OCCURRED ON CAMPUS IN

2012.

NEWS 3A

Feb. 13, 20134• The Flor-Ala

CAMPUS

Some Cool Cats

Caretakers maintain stable environment for lions in winter months ASHLEY REMKUS

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ IZMUS][(]VI ML]

With the ‘big cold’ having a noticeable impact on the Shoals area, students may wonder how the university’s beloved mascots are handling the weather.

Leo III and Una are not actually exposed to the cold all the time, said Ann Howard, caretaker of the lions.

“They actually have a temperature controlled room they have access to at all times,” Howard said.

“This room stays at a constant 70 degrees all year round — not too cool in the summer and not too hot during the winter.”

Senior Sarah Powers thinks the lions can adapt to the weather changes, she said.

“People can adapt to the cold, so I think (Leo III and Una) can, too,” Powers said. “As long as they are healthy, that’s all that matters.”

To help Leo III and Una adapt to the colder winter weather, the caretakers feed them more and give them

straw to lay on when they are in the exhibit, she said.

“During the winter, he (Leo III) eats about 10 and a half pounds of food, and she (Una) gets about 6 and a half,” Howard said. “That’s up from about eight or nine pounds for him and about five pounds for her when the weather’s warm.”

One of the most important parts of keeping the lions happy is maintaining continuity, she said.

“They need continuity—the same people and contact. Everything has to be on schedule for them,” Howard said. “That’s why we can’t have student workers or volunteers because they graduate and leave on spring break and during the summer.”

The weather has yet to cause the lions’ temperaments to change. However, the older the lions get, the less they like to be uncomfortable, meaning caretakers do everything they can to keep them happy and healthy, Howard said. ;MM 4176; XIOM )

photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

UNA mascots Leo III and Una lounge inside their indoor habitat during a winter day. The recent cold has not affected the animals’ temperament, said caretaker Ann Howard.

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4A IMAGES

Feb. 13, 2014 • The Flor-Ala Director of Residence Life Kevin Jacques and Director of Student Engagement Tammy Jacques

LO E IS IN THE AIR

Photos by Alli Ownby, with information compiled by Corinne Beckinger

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, couples everywhere are planning what they will do for the holiday. Some of them are married, some have a budding relationship and some are long-standing loves.

The pictures on this page are just a small glimpse of such couples across campus.

Each couple has their own set of interests and their Seniors Taylor Carney & Ann Marie Russ own story — a story those of us at The Flor-Ala wanted to highlight and share with our readers.

Ann Marie and Taylor grew up together, but started For instance, Director of Residence Life Kevin hanging out while in college. They have been together since September and love watching Netflix, bowling, Jacques and Director of Student Engagement Tammy taking a karate class together and attempting to cook. Jacques, pictured above, have been married for 11

Sophomore Mark Sanchez & Freshman Mai Curott-Nguyen After being together for four months, Mark and Mai say they met by “fate” — essentially all their classes corresponded perfectly so that when he was leaving one she would be arriving for hers and vice versa.

Freshmen Eli Morgan & Paige Sheffield Paige, a biology and chemistry major, and Eli, who is undecided, met during the fall semester and have been dating for three months. The two love to shoot guns and play pool together.

years. They met in Michigan when Tammy happened to be Kevin’s interview host. They love to travel, attend concerts, compete in barbecue contests and look at houses.

Relationships are filled with any number of small details and facts, and Valentine’s Day is a celebration of each and every thing that makes your relationship yours. And you can clearly see that each of these couples are unique in their own ways.

For more Valentine’s Day content, flip to Section B of this issue. To see more of our featured campus couples, check out our web gallery at www.florala.net.

Seniors Aaron Lovelady & Alexis Cote Aaron and Alexis are both music performance majors and have been together since their senior year of high school. They love practicing music together, going to Crossfit and playing with their dog Oakley.

NEWS 5A

Feb. 13, 2014• The Flor-Ala ;<-8 ;16/ KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) long as the crowd is having fun and we’re having fun, then that’s going to be the best that we can do. It’s also going to make a winning show.”

Step Sing 2014 was very successful, said Lesley Carter, service chairwoman for the University Program Council.

“We were able to raise over $3,000 by the people’s choice award alone,” Carter said. “We also sold out both shows, so that is a great feeling to know that we raised that much money for United Way. Each of the groups performed very well and gave the audience a great show.”

In addition to placing first in the women’s division, Phi Mu also won the People’s Choice category. The award is based on monetary donations from the audience from both nights. The audience donated $588.20 toward Phi Mu’s bucket.

“The most important part of winning viewer’s choice was raising money for United Way,” Willoughby said. “We all got to raise money for them, but this award gave us a chance to see how much we raised. Viewer’s choice is just a fun award to win.”

Phi Mu’s theme was “It’s a Phi Mu Life for me: Finding the Treasure for United Way.” Their competitors were Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi and Alpha Gamma

;67? KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) believes the university did not have to close for the day, she said.

“I’m glad school closed today, but I don’t think we actually needed to,” she said. “Most of the snow had melted by

+)*16-< KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) “The President’s Cabinet brings together a group of individuals who recognize the critical need that is met for the University through the gift of unrestricted funds,” Cale said. “The purposes for which State funds may be used are proscribed and carefully monitored, but those permitted uses are not sufficiently broad to allow for the full engagement of the university in the kinds of activities that make it successful.”

Sophomore Jackson Hardman is eager to see what the President’s Cabinet does this year, he said.

“I think it’s good to have a lot of different perspectives on where the money goes

Delta, who won second place.

Phi Mu’s show involved looking for, finding and delivering lost treasure to United Way, and that progression led them to win the women’s category, said Jeri Willoughby, Phi Mu Step Sing Captain.

“We put in a lot of work to develop the storyline,” Willoughby said. “It gave UNA something different that they haven’t seen before. Our entire team was really excited to be on stage, and I really thing that translated through the performance.”

Honors Student Organization won the coed division with their tribute to American Soldiers with their theme “The Fighting Forties.” Their show included the songs “Americana,” “Thrift Shop” and “What Does the Fox (Honors) Say?” HSO was honored to win in the category, said Hailey Boeck, a junior and Honors Student Organization President.

“We didn’t have any competition, so we knew that was going to happen,” Boeck said. “It’s still cool because now we have our third year of being undefeated in the coed division. Maybe next year we’ll try for a fourth.”

Phi Gamma Delta fraternity placed second in the men’s division. The men’s division also included Delta Chi and Kappa Sigma. photo by SARAH HOLLIDAY I Staff Photographer Editor’s Note: For more photos from Phi Mu sorority member Anna Barrera performs during Step Sing 2014. Phi Mu Step Sing, please visit www.florala.net.

placed first in the women’s category and won the People’s Choice award.

10 a.m. I’ll probably just stay inside and watch Netflix all day and do homework.”

Most Alabama residents are unfamiliar with driving in the snow, said senior Ashton Nemith, who is from Ohio. “(The snow) made me feel like I was at home again,” Nemith said. “I only get to see snow when I go home at Christmastime.” at the university,” Hardman said. “Getting more than just the same groups’ thoughts all the time is good.”

The Cabinet’s gifts allow UNA to fill gaps in funding of scholarships, to participate in community events, to thank the employees of UNA for their years of service, to meet an academic need where funds are lacking, to help a deserving international student cope with an unexpected problem and dozens more, Cale said.

Sophomore Owasra Ayassor thinks the President’s Cabinet is important to bring UNA and the Shoals community together, she said.

Some one whose scholarship gets funded by the cabinet’s donations could be in a position later in life to help those people when they are in need, she said.

“The (cabinet’s) unrestricted gifts are vital to building a stronger future for UNA,” Cale said.

See your ad in this space!

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6A NEWS

SGA

Feb. 13, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

MYTHS

MYTH-BUSTINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Senate seeks feedback via suggestion Popular campus myths prove false box online Busted LAKEADRA COFFEY

ASHLEY REMKUS

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ IZMUS][(]VI ML] The Student Government Association has created a suggestion box on their webpage. This will create a new methd for students to contact SGA members about their needs.

Since SGA sent an email to the student body introducing the suggestion box on Feb. 4 a few students have already provided feedback, said SGA President Laura Giles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had some students give us suggestions and tell us what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to see happen on campus since we started the suggestion box,â&#x20AC;? Giles said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(However), it has not been an overwhelming response.â&#x20AC;?

The online suggestion box is a convenient way for students to share their opinions with SGA members if they are unable to contact them in person, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is just a different way for us to reach out to students,â&#x20AC;? Giles said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some students arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t on campus all the time or maybe donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know anyone on SGA, so this is a way they can communicate with us.â&#x20AC;?

Senior Katie Hartman thinks the suggestion box is helpful for students who do not know people in SGA, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know who to talk to about my ideas for campus,â&#x20AC;? Hartman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know anybody on SGA and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think every other student does.â&#x20AC;?

Freshman Forum Adviser Maurice Mull thinks the suggestion box requires SGA members to be more accountable to students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(The suggestion box) is a more feasible way for students to get their suggestions to us and a way for us to be more accountable to them,â&#x20AC;? Mull said.

One feature of the suggestion box is that it allows students the option to submit their suggestions anonymously, Giles said.

Anonymous submission is a good idea, said junior Victoria Atkinson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some people may not feel comfortable talking to SGA members about what they think SGA should be doing,â&#x20AC;?

Atkinson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some people may just want to be heard, but not seen to avoid controversy.â&#x20AC;?

Students also have the option to provide their contact information when submitting their suggestions, Giles said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The purpose of getting contact information from students is to allow us to give them feedback and to let them know what work we are doing or have done in regards to what they say they want to see happen on campus,â&#x20AC;? Giles said.

It also gives SGA the opportunity to keep them updated on any progress made, she said.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: To read the rest of this story, vist www.florala.net

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ TKWNNMa(]VI ML]

Every culture possesses certain legends and stories that make it unique.

When it comes to commonly accepted myths, our campus is no different.

Because of this, we at The Flor-Ala thought it would be interesting to explore the credibility of some of the more popular myths on campus.

Myth 1: The Tardy Professor.

It is the unspoken college rule â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 9:10 a.m., but class was scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. and the professor still hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t arrived. As the clock ticks, some students decide to leave. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I left after 10 minutes,â&#x20AC;? Cooper said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The professor said that she knew she was late so we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to stay.â&#x20AC;?

There is no official policy that states students can leave class if a professor is late, said Vice President for Academic Affairs John Thornell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Faculty members may be detained by circumstances beyond their control and when they do arrive to class, even after 10 minutes, they are entitled to teach the class,â&#x20AC;? Thornell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(That is) unless the syllabus specifies a wait period.â&#x20AC;?

Myth 2: The Ghosts of Campus Past Some students, like freshmen Brady

Johnson and Ariel Lefort, have heard parts of campus are haunted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I heard that Norton and the off-campus bookstore are haunted,â&#x20AC;? Johnson said.

Lefort was informed of such hauntings while she was touring campus, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was told by my tour guide that the castle building (Wesleyan) was haunted,â&#x20AC;?

Lefort said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if I believe it.â&#x20AC;?

Senior Jaleesa Diggins is a little paranoid to go into a classroom in Wesleyan alone, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard too many stories,â&#x20AC;? Diggins said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been in there every (time Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had class) for the past two years and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m paranoid about going in a classroom by myself.â&#x20AC;?

Ghost sightings on campus are common, Thornell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If (students) see (a ghost), (they should) capture it on video and send it to the Center for Extraterrestrial Research in Cullman,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be in contact.â&#x20AC;?

Myth 3: The Harry Potter Scene?

Freshman Dakota Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SOAR counselor told her that part of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Harry Potter and the Goblet Fireâ&#x20AC;? was filmed on campus, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(SOAR Counselors told us) the scene

;MM 5A<0; XIOM )

â&#x20AC;˘ Myth 1: Students are allowed to leave class if the professor is between 10 and 15 minutes late to class. Ruling: FALSE, no such rule exists, although faculty may allow this. â&#x20AC;˘ Myth 2: Campus is haunted. Ruling: FALSE, or at least there is no physical evidence at this time. â&#x20AC;˘ Myth 3: A Harry Potter Scene was ďŹ lmed on campus. Ruling: FALSE, all scenes for this movie were shot in England or Scotland. â&#x20AC;˘ Myth 4: Catch a squirrel, receive full tuition. Ruling: FALSE, no such scholarship exists.

In the background a clock is set on 15 minutes after the hour, depicting the first myth. photo by JOSHUA BROOKOVER I Staff Photographer

HEALTH

Staff Senate creates ĘťWellness DayĘź event JASMINE FLEMING

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ RNTMUQVO (]VI ML]

In an effort to promote awareness of physical and mental health on campus, the Staff Senate will be hosting UNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Wellness Day. The event will be held on Feb. 19 from 10 to 2 p.m. in the Guillot University Center banquet halls.

Staff concerns about healthcare costs prompted Wellness Day, said Melissa Thornton, President of Staff Senate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to do is promote health and wellness on campus for faculty, staff and students,â&#x20AC;? Thornton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The idea originated in staff senate, because one of the questions we get a lot is why the insurance premiums are so high, and what can we do to make them go down?

Basically, the only thing we can do is to be healthier overall â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fewer doctor visits, fewer emergency room visits and fewer prescriptions.â&#x20AC;?

Ultimately, UNA Wellness Day is the kickoff to a new health initiative, Thornton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I see it being a once a year thing,â&#x20AC;?

Thornton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From this, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hoping to get awareness, and then weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking

into starting maybe some walking/running programs just to kind of get a (team effort) going on so that we can get people involved. What weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hoping is to show the whole campus that (health is) something we should be looking at and thinking about all the time.â&#x20AC;?

Although the list of vendors is not yet complete, a variety of organizations are set to attend, Thornton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also having people from fitness centers, health food stores and places like that to give us some information, just to get people thinking â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;health,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Thornton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Counselors will be there from UNA counseling services as well to discuss mental health.â&#x20AC;?

Local hospitals will be involved with Wellness Day, Thornton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re having vendors from Helen Keller and ECM hospitals,â&#x20AC;? Thornton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to do glucose checks for those that want them and blood pressure checks. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also going to bring information on different (health) programs.â&#x20AC;?

The setup will have multiple information stations as well as prizes for attendants, Thornton said.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m thinking of it sort of like the SOAR setup, where you have different information booths,â&#x20AC;? Thornton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can just go and find out about different programs. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also going to have some giveaways, such as gym passes and personal training sessions, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still working on that.â&#x20AC;?

Sophomore Michael Smith does not believe the event is necessary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone already knows that they need to be healthy,â&#x20AC;? Smith said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know that we need to eat right and work out. I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be interested in going to a program just to learn that.â&#x20AC;?

Being healthy is important and finding ways to do so with different activities is a necessity, said Jacob Phillips, a freshman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I need to be healthy to live a good life,â&#x20AC;? Phillips said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes I play intramural sports. I also participated in step sing, and I go running sometimes, which helps me stay active without thinking about it.â&#x20AC;?

Mental health is just as important as physical health, said freshman Brittney Carter.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: To read the rest of this story, vist www.florala.net

VIEWPOINTS 7A

Feb. 13, 2014• The Flor-Ala

Safety article written to inform, not infuriate STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

THE

CORINNE BECKINGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF BLYTHE STEELMAN MANAGING EDITOR PACE HOLDBROOKS NEWS EDITOR KALI DANIEL LIFE EDITOR DALLAS MOORE SPORTS EDITOR ANNA GRACE USERY ONLINE EDITOR LAURA IVIE BUSINESS MANAGER KEVEN RIVERA-ORTIZ GRAPHIC DESIGNER LELA AARON-VICENTE CIRCULATION MANAGER WALTER HARTLEY KAYLA STINNETT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES ALLI OWNBY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER SARAH HOLLIDAY ROGER WANG STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS REBECCA WALKER ADVISER

Letters Policy The Flor-Ala welcomes and encourages Letters to the Editor.

• The deadline for submitting letters is 10 a.m. Monday, the week of publication.

• Letters must not exceed 400 words.

• Letters must be accompanied by the writerʼs name, mailing address, phone number and email.

• The Flor-Ala prefers to publish your letters exactly as written, but reserves the right to reject slanderous or libelous material.

• The publication of any letter is left to the discretion of the Editorial Board.

• Priority is given to letters critical of The Flor-Ala, or written in direct response to an editorial, a column, or a news story.

• When the editors deem it necessary for ease of understanding or to clarify facts, an Editorʼs Note may accompany a letter.

• Address correspondence to The Flor-Ala. UNA Box 5300, Florence, AL 35632.

Email: florala@una.edu.

• Phone: 256-765-4364 Copyright © 2013 The Flor-Ala All rights reserved.

First copy free.

Additional copies $1 each.

CORINNE BECKINGER -LQ\WZ QV +PQMN MLQ\WZ(NTWZITI VM\

In the past week, I have received more calls and emails about the Feb. 6 “How Safe Is Fraternity Row” article than any other this year. The feedback has been both negative and positive, and I feel it is necessary to outline the reporting, writing, editing and design processes The Flor-Ala editors followed as we pursued this story.

As a Greek student who has been to several mixers and parties at various fraternity houses and as an editor who has consistently had to stand back and examine Greek actions from a non-Greek perspective, I find the article to be 100 percent objective.

The idea for the article came about after News Editor Pace Holdbrooks, Managing Editor Blythe Steelman and I discussed the alleged sexual assault at the Phi Gamma Delta house and the vandalism crime that occurred at the Kappa Sigma house in January.

We wondered how the fraternity houses would respond

to the crimes and if safety standards would be raised, but most importantly we wondered what students thought about the crimes. Through discussions with students across campus in the last week of January, we realized many were questioning the safety of the houses. With Greek Retreat commencing and several annual fraternity parties kick starting for the spring semester, we decided the article was timely and relevant to the student body.

Pace Holdbrooks selected a staff writer who produces exceptional work week after week for The Flor-Ala. The writer has no affiliations with Greek Life, has never visited a fraternity house and has no biases toward a particular group. She has worked on several prominent news stories over the past year and is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her thoroughness in her research.

Pace worked closely with the writer of the story and spoke with her after every interview she completed. Blythe, Pace and I were confident in her abilities and are very pleased with the story she produced.

Since I became editorin-chief of The Flor-Ala last spring, I have maintained a strict policy that I will not contribute to the reporting, editing or designing of any Greek Life story that goes into the paper. Likewise, there is a strict policy no writer can take

a story for a group he or she is already a member of. This is to ensure there is no conflict of interest for any story, Greek Life or otherwise.

Because the Greek organizations have several unfamiliar expressions for non-Greek students, I offer background information on phrases and acronyms so every writer of a Greek Life story will be prepared for their interviews with Greek members. You could say I am a “glossary of terms” for them.

I previously held positions as standards and risk management chairs for my sorority. I was also vice president of judicial for National Panhellenic Council and spent a semester as president of NPC before accepting this editor position. For this particular Greek Life story, I made sure the writer understood the policies fraternities have regarding judicial and risk management procedures before she began interviews.

The article was researched thoroughly, and the writer took detailed notes during each of her interviews. She worked closely with Pace to interview non-Greek and Greek students so both sides could be represented fairly and impartially.

Because I removed myself from the editing and designing of the story, Blythe then stepped in to work with the writer in the editing and design phases before the story went to print. They studied the UNA Crime Logs from the past six

years for fraternity-related crimes. All these crimes are public record and can be found online.

Blythe and the writer decided to use percentage values within a bar graph to indicate the types of crimes found at the fraternity houses. They also decided to round the percentages to the nearest whole number, resulting in the extra 2 percent.

I believe it is both an objective and educational discussion on Greek procedures and nonGreek student opinion.

The article outlines Greek safety policies and procedures clearly for non-Greek students.

I also believe the non-Greek student comments reveal several stereotypes many still hold about Greek housing and partying.

I hope the article will spur discussions between Greek and non-Greek students about the safety policies and procedures for each of the fraternity houses. I also hope to see more transparency between both sides so non-Greek students will continue to feel welcome and comfortable at the houses this spring.

We are a student newspaper, and we appreciate all the feedback we receive from student, faculty, staff and community readers each week. We are constantly learning how to deliver fair and balanced news, but we strive to always produce the best content possible for the UNA community.

UPC members need to focus on meeting etiquette THE FLOR-ALA STAFF -LQ\WZQIT *WIZL NTWZITI(]VI ML]

As students and members of the press, we wear a couple of different hats on campus.

On the one hand, we’re unbiased reporters and editors, but at the same time we go to class and participate in many of the same activities across campus as other students.

The staff of The Flor-Ala prefers to work hard and play hard.

We know that members of the University Program Council, a branch of the Student Government Association, live the same type of lifestyle.

Unfortunately, it has become our opinion that some of the members of UPC may be playing harder than they work.

UPC is allotted $146,050 of student-generated funds each year for the purpose of planning events for one target audience: students.

According to the description of UPC provided on the organization’s OrgSync page, the group’s mission is to enhance the cultural and educational capital of students

through planning innovative events that promote unity, entertainment, service and tradition.

Members of UPC sometimes spend countless hours putting together these events for the student body, often with very little gratitude. In light of the hard work of some, our concern is other members do not take their positions as campus leaders very seriously.

After reporting on weekly UPC meetings, we’ve noticed that members have an issue with staying focused and actively participating during each meeting — decorum, as it’s called in the student government world.

When discussion occurs, side chatter disrupts the conversation. The side chatter generally has nothing to do with planning events to encourage student involvement, cultural diversity, entertainment or school spirit. Our reporters have had difficulty hearing what delegates were saying during meetings because of the off-topic conversations, which makes it tough for them to bring stories back to the editorial staff each week.

When the council moves to vote, many delegates — whose side discussions are obviously interrupted by said vote — have confused looks on their faces when other members say “aye” or “nay.” They don’t voice their opinions because they didn’t realize a vote was taking place.

At a recent UPC meeting, Vice-President Walter Hartley called for decorum twice, but it was not long before the dull roar of whispers overpowered the room again.

Similarly, in the last meeting alone our reporters observed several students playing on their cell phones throughout the meeting. One student in particular did not even look away from their phone while casting a vote.

It’s also been recorded in meeting minutes from earlier this month that the group’s adviser has “encouraged delegates to stay engaged in meetings.”

For individuals who are responsible for keeping students’ best interests in mind this sort of behavior is unacceptable.

We understand from our experience as reporters and as

students that UPC is usually the more laid-back branch of SGA. We know there are pros and cons to this. In fact, two members of our own staff served on UPC last year and are all too familiar with the casual atmosphere of their meetings. We also know this is not the first group of UPC delegates to have trouble focusing.

However, in light of recent SGA legislation like the UPC Visibility Bill (Bill 14-04, which mandates delegates must submit event proposals in writing to receive approval from the council), we believe it is time for the delegates to start taking their jobs seriously.

It is with our own hands-on experience that we would like to challenge the members of UPC to rise to the occasion and be the voice of the students.

We’ve seen UPC do some good work this year, like putting on a successful Step Sing last weekend.

It’s time, in our opinion, for those delegates who are more concerned with Twitter than making a difference at UNA to grow up or get out.

8A NEWS

Feb. 13, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

SGA

IN

REVIEW

â&#x20AC;˘ FRESHMAN FORUM - VOTED TO ALLOCATE $50 TO PURCHASE DECORATIONS FOR A NURSING HOME SERVICE PROJECT THAT WILL HAPPEN ON FEB.

25.

â&#x20AC;˘ FRESHMAN FORUM - INTENDS TO WORK ON AT LEAST ONE SERVICE PROJECT EACH MONTH THIS SEMESTER.

â&#x20AC;˘ SENATE - ESTABLISHED A NEW $1,000 LION NIGHT SCHOLARSHIP TO BE GIVEN AWAY AT LION NIGHT DURING WELCOME WEEK IN AUGUST.

photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

Una presses against the cage so her caretaker Ann Howard can spray goat milk, a favorite snack, onto her tongue. The lions have four different caretakers they are accustomed to seeing regularly, Howard said.

4176; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) â&#x20AC;&#x153;And theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been with me since just right after they were born.â&#x20AC;?

The only time the lionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; schedules deviate is during football season because they are at the home games, Howard said.

-@)5; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) the way they want to assess their students, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cumulative midterms are a lot to study for, especially if the student has multiple midterms,â&#x20AC;? said senior Evan Curtis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I do feel like a midterm should be a checkpoint of the semester so far.â&#x20AC;?

While frequent testing has become more of the norm, Thornell said students would benefit from knowing how they are doing at the midpoint in the semester. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would love to see some sort of mechanism in place that tells every student where they stand at midterms,â&#x20AC;?

Thornell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not mistaken I be-

5A<0; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) where Mad-eye Moody turns Malfoy into a weasel was filmed in the Math Building Courtyard,â&#x20AC;? Smith said.

According to imdb.com, all scenes in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireâ&#x20AC;? were filmed in England and Scotland, United Kingdom.

Myth #4 Wanted: Live Squirrel. Reward: Full Tuition.

Senior Ashley Jackson heard catching a squirrel will get students a full scholarship for a year, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The craziest thing I heard was that if you catch one of the squirrels on campus, your tuition will be paid for that year,â&#x20AC;?

Howard is with the lions everyday from about 7:30 a.m. until after they eat dinner around 5:30 or 6 p.m. The lions are accustomed to the four workers who help take care of them, she said.

It is good they do not have student workers to take care of the lions, said Ashlea Clemons, a senior. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having student workers would be a lieve we only do that now for students that have Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or Fâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.â&#x20AC;?

It could also be good for students to get a get a wake-up call and a chance to get back on track for the last half of the semester if needed, Thornell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to offer sort of a midpoint for reflection for students,â&#x20AC;? Winner said.

Junior Matthew Bassie believes that while a midterm adds on to everything else students have to do, they can also give you an idea of what to expect on a final. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I had a magic wand, I would just encourage the faculty to put more emphasis on more frequent testing over smaller amounts of material and move away from major exams like the midterm,â&#x20AC;? Thornell said.

Jackson said.

If this is true, Jackson is going to try and catch one, she said.

Senior Jordan Harper heard of this myth from an admissions counselor at the university, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I asked somebody in admissions and they said it was true,â&#x20AC;? Harper said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if they were pulling my leg or not.â&#x20AC;?

Catching a squirrel is probably not going to get students a full scholarship, but it is deserving of campus recognition, Thornell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ask a friend to capture it on video and the university will post it on the UNA website as evidence of the talent of our students,â&#x20AC;? Thornell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Myths are a good way to add interest and intrigue on days when real life is kind of slow.â&#x20AC;?

liability,â&#x20AC;? Clemons said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just like any other animal the lions probably wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be very comfortable around people they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know.â&#x20AC;?

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: To read the rest of this story, vist www.florala.net

â&#x20AC;˘ UPC - VOTED TO ESTABLISH A SUBCOMMITTEE TO PLAN AND ORGANIZE UPCĘźS WELCOME WEEK EVENTS. â&#x20AC;˘ UPC - DELEGATES ARE CURRENTLY PLANNING STUDENT EVENTS FOR SOAR. FOR MEETING BRIEFS AND UPDATES ON THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, PLEASE VISIT WWW. FLORALA.NET

ALENTINEʼS

DAY

SECTION B

Feb. 13, 2014• The Flor-Ala

Fools For Love?

RELATIONSHIP

Professor, students debate lasting value of college romance ASHLEY REMKUS

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ IZMUS][(]VI ML]

What is love? The age-old question can plague the heart and mind for years, often with no answer or end.

People devote entire songs, movies, books and works of art to it and it is easy to see there is not a limit on love and whom it can reach.

But in a time where divorce rates are steadily rising and older generations are discouraging millenials from hastily rushing into a relationship or marriage, how can a young adult know their love for someone is real?

“It really comes down to how you define love,” said psychology professor Gabriela Carrasco. “There are different types of love styles, and it depends on what kinds of love you believe in and follow.”

Determining one’s love style comes down to what they expect from the relationship, Carrasco said. “(It depends on) what you want out of a relationship and

what you’re willing to give in a relationship, as well as what you expect from the other person,” she said.

A common view or expectation of love and relationships may have developed amongst people, though, Carrasco said.

“I think a lot of people have this view of love and a warped expectation of what love is,” she said. “It’s very media-driven and superficial, and if that’s what you think love is, then no, I don’t think college students can be in love. But it’s not because they’re college students — I just don’t think anyone can sustain that type of relationship.”

Relationships, especially those that are long-term, take effort, said senior Amanda Daniel.

“I love my fiancé more today than ever,” Daniel said. “It’s work, yes, but you have to make the decision to feed the relationship. Relationships are like plants — if you take care of it it’ll bloom, but if you neglect it it’ll die.”

Understanding what both people expect and how the other

person loves can make for a more practical relationship, Carrasco said.

“I think you can sustain that relationship (as a young adult), but it requires more than this belief that things just happen almost magically,” Carrasco said.

Whether someone is looking for love or just for fun, creating a successful relationship starts with understanding both people are human beings and not just a commodity for the other person, Carrasco said.

“You’ve heard what people

photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

Day’Zha Sales and Haston Coates share a kiss on campus. Relationship length is not determined by whether or not someone is in college, officials said.

say about ‘It’s more than the sum of its parts,’” she said. “I think a relationship is more than the sum of its parts. And you have to treat it like an entity, so you have to maintain it.”

Relationship mainte-

nance can make all of the difference in whether or not someone stays in love, Daniel said.

“You can stay in love, but you can also fall out of love depending on what you choose to do,” she said.

HISTORY

St. Valentine’s Day: a romantic History KAITLYN TEW

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ S\M_(]VI ML]

Saint Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love and comes with many traditions. While this holiday has been around for quite some time, there are many questions about where its traditions originated.

Valentine’s Day is named after the Christian martyr Saint Valentine, but it is uncertain as to who this man actually was, said Jeffrey Bibbee, associate professor of history.

“The problem with Saint Valentine is that there are multiple people that actually kind

IN THIS SECTION

of become Saint Valentine,” Bibbee said. “There are multiple martyrs and there are a lot of stories associated with Saint Valentine.”

One of these stories says that in the 400s, the Romans executed Valentine for marrying soldiers, which was illegal, Bibbee said. Another common story is he passed out paper hearts to soldiers going into battle, Bibbee said.

“The problem with all these stories is that nobody really knows for certain,” Bibbee said.

Valentine was a popular name, so there were several martyrs with the name, Bibbee

said.

“There have been two that historians have gravitated toward,” Bibbee said. “Saint Valentine of Rome is the most common one that people talk about.

He was executed for trying to convert soldiers to Christianity.”

The 14th century poet Geoffrey Chaucer started the association between Valentine and love, Bibbee said.

“It’s in the 14th century that Chaucer began to write poetry that references Valentine and talks about Saint Valentine being a patron of lovers,” Bibbee said. “Chaucer actually starts writing about Valentine and

See page 3B

church calendars, but traditions like sending cards and flowers began in England in the 19th century, Bibbee said.

“In the 19th century, printing and paper and postage get really cheap,” Bibbee said. “Now you can send valentines through the mail very easily and it becomes quite popular to mail people valentines.”

Valentine’s Day in Western culture is celebrated on Feb. 14, which also coincides with when it is celebrated on the religious calendar, Bibbee said.

Editor’s Note: To read the rest of this story, please visit www.florala.net

SPORTS

LIFE Florence tops list of best Alabama cities

making these references to love and that seems to be about the first time that Valentine actually is associated with lovers and romance.”

The history behind Valentine’s Day is not always considered important in America, said sophomore Rebecca Joy. “It’s important to know why we do the traditions that we do, so we’re not just running around and doing a bunch of silly things and having no true reason for (them),” Joy said.

Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in many different cultures and is celebrated as a religious feast day on different

Nutrition labels receive makeover See page 4B

Students fight to move back home See page 5B

Olympic Games begin in Sochi See page 6B

2B ALENTINEʼS DAY Not just another Valentine’s Day column OPINION

BLYTHE STEELMAN

5IVIOQVO -LQ\WZ UIVIOQVOMLQ\WZ(NTWZITI VM\

This is not going to be another Valentine’s Day column. They’re tired, overdone and cliché.

No, this is not going to be me prattling on about a holiday loved — and conversely hated — by many.

But if I were going to write such a column, I might talk about how Valentine’s Day gets a lot of flack for no reason. I would talk about how I probably should hate this day, considering the fact that I’ve never been on a real Valentine’s Day date, and I have been single for a good two years now.

I might talk about how overrated it is to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on someone just to show how much you care about them, when you should be showing them how much you care every day.

This is not going to be one of those columns, though.

Because if this was going to be one of those columns, I would certainly proclaim (with much anguish) how tough it is to be the perpetual single girl in the room. I would tell you all how much it sucks to be the one who’s asked by friends each year to baby-sit their kids or who’s always scheduled to work.

I would be remiss if I left out of that column how much I wish I was going to get flowers from someone this year and how pathetic I feel for even writing that.

If I was going to write that type of column, I know I would talk about how I hate being able to count on one hand the number of friends I have who are single and how — though I love them dearly — I don’t want to spend another V-Day with them at dinner.

But I swear this isn’t one of those columns.

Not to mention the fact that I could easily talk about how after 23 years I feel like I deserve a date, but will probably spend the night with a bottle of wine and my favorite guys — Nicholas Sparks, Milton Hershey and my dog Hank, of course.

If I wanted to write a Valentine’s Day column, I could talk about a myriad of emotions, ranging from happiness to angst to bitterness to resignation of my single-state.

I would write about how happy I am

PLAYLIST

The Flor-Ala Lovelist I’M THE MAN WHO LOVES YOU

HERO

I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU

LITTLE THINGS

HEAD OVER FEET

CASE OF YOU

WILCO

LINDA RONSTADT

ALANIS MORISSETTE

ENRIQUE IGLESIAS

ONE DIRECTION

JONI MITCHELL

CAROLINE

FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU AGAIN

LIGHT MY FIRE

DO YOU REALIZE?

FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE

SEXUAL HEALING

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW

THE DOORS

D’ANGELO

IMELDA MAY

THE FLAMING LIPS

MARVIN GAYE

For the explanations as to why our staff picked these songs, and to hear more songs, check out florala.net

for my friends who are planning special nights for their significant others and how sweet it is for them to ask my advice on what they should do though I’m probably the worst suited person to ask.

I could take it around in circles and say V-Day really isn’t all that terrible. For all of the positive and negative marks of the day, when you get down to the heart of it it’s just another day to go above and beyond to show someone you care about them.

I might ask you all to consider the single people in the world and be grateful you aren’t one of them, while also telling all of the single people to stop moping and be grateful you aren’t dropping a couple hundred of dollars in the name of love.

I would tell you to enjoy your night, no matter what your plans may be. And if you don’t have any plans with friends or someone special, that’s OK, too. It’s just another Friday night, and it’s the perfect opportunity to sit at home and catch up on sleeping and Netflix anyway.

Love it or hate it, one thing is for sure: Valentine’s Day is upon us and I will not be sad to see it pass (is anyone else going to buy enough half-price candy for the rest of the year?).

And for all of that, I have to say I’m sorry — I guess this did turn into one of those columns, after all.

Feb. 13, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

LOCAL

V-Day Drink Specials

Flobama will have a Pink Heart Martini during Happy Hour on Valentine’s Day. Dish is having a half-price special on champagne toasts.

The Wine Seller is having a tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. It’s a pre-dinner Valentine’s tasting. It will be an additional $2 per glass of wine, but $10 for the full tasting. information gathered by Keanu Kirkpatrick

LIFE 3B

Feb. 13, 2014• The Flor-Ala

LOCAL

Florence No. 4

photo by ROGER WANG I Staff Photographer

One of Florence’s many attractions is the Oneal Bridge overlooking the Tennessee River. Florence placed fourth on the list of 10 best places in Alabama, according to real estate blog Movoto.

Florence makes blog list of 10 best Alabama cities EMILY ALVES

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ MIT^M[(]VI ML]

Florence was voted No. 4 out of 10 cities in a “10 Best Places in Alabama” list in a trending article published on Jan. 21 by Real Estate blog Movoto.

The site based the list off of amenities, quality of life, total crimes, tax rates, unemployment, commute time and weather, putting Auburn, Madison and Pelham ahead of Florence.

Monica Raquel, a freshman nursing major, moved five hours from her family in Arkansas to attend college at UNA and could not imagine calling another place her home.

“I’ve lived in two countries and over 20 cities before moving to Florence, and it is, by far ,

my favorite place,” Raquel said.

“I love the music scene here and the culture that revolves around it.”

Over the years, Northwest Alabama has become known for its unique musical sound, especially through the release of the 2013 documentary “Muscle Shoals.”

Several up-and-coming artists have roots that can be traced back to the Tennessee River.

Local artists such as Grace & Tony, firekid and the Local Saints are a few bands contributing to the history of Florence.

Although the city of Florence is steadily growing with the influences of incoming cultures and the new additions of businesses downtown, some residents, like senior Savannah Comer, think the progression is not occurring quickly enough

”

BEING HERE, YOU FEEL A

CONNECTION WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE MODERN WORLD AND THOSE THAT CAME BEFORE US.

SARAH KEETER to keep up with the changing needs and wants of the community.

Comer said Florence’s lack of modernization overpowers the charming, small-community vibe present and is a downfall of living in the area.

“I feel like it’s a good step that they’re redesigning the mall, but that they fall short because they’re not adding any new stores to go with the new look,” Comer said. “I just feel like any modernization that is

happening is a result of tons and tons of pushing from the community. The town needs to be more proactive.”

Comer thinks adding bike lanes and other options for shopping aside from expensive boutiques will add to the overall appeal of the city in the future.

Student Government Association senator Sarah Keeter said she has only taken a greater liking to the city throughout her time at UNA. “Florence and the Shoals in general is so rich in history, heritage and tradition,” Keeter said. “Being here, you feel a connection with the people of the modern world and those that came before us. It allows the citizens of this area to relish in the nostalgia.”

Trevor Beasley, a sophomore and Florence native, has

had the opportunity to observe the evolution of Florence over time. Those who have recently passed through or settled down in Florence may not realize that many of the characteristics of the city that come to mind have only become applicable to the area in the past 10 years, he said.

“I remember grass lots where buildings now stand,” Beasley said. “It’s great that Florence is growing. I feel like it’s headed in a more positive direction than it ever has been in my lifetime. I take pride in the fact that so many other people love it here. It’s a great place to grow up. I like getting away from time to time but this city always calls me home.”

ENTERTAINMENT

New York Voices bring workshop, performance to campus LAKEADRA COFFEY ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ TKWNNMa(]VI ML]

The Distinguished Events Series will host the New York Voices on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.

Before their performance the group will be giving a free music workshop in the Choral Music room from 4 to 5 p.m.

Debbie Chaffin, director of Educational Technology Services and one of the coordinators for the Distinguished Events series, said the Grammy-award winning group is phenomenal

and absolutely first class.

“This is the kind of performance you pay big money for to see in Atlanta or New York City,” Chaffin said. “And we’re getting them in Florence for free.”

Kim Nazarian, Peter Eldridge, Darmon Meader and Lauren Kinhan comprise the group.

“We’ve been on hiatus since Christmas, so it’s going to be great to get back on the road,” said the group’s tenor, Darmon Meader. “We’re really looking forward to seeing each other as

well as meeting new teachers and students.”

The workshop involves educating on numerous aspects of choral performance, including four-part harmonies and the history of vocal jazz, Meader said.

“Sometimes we work with the university’s (choir) as far as repertoire and soloists,” Meader said.

The Distinguished Events Series began in 2005 by President William Cale to encourage, promote and bring cultural influence to the faculty, staff and students of UNA, as well as

the community of Florence as a whole.

“These types of events enrich the lives of many,” Chaffin said. “We’re heavily encouraging the attendance of students.

This program is for them.”

Student attendance has been down in recent years, and it is the goal of the Distinguished Event Series to increase student attendance, ultimately creating the “well-rounded student.”

“You don’t have to be knowledgeable or a jazz enthusiast to attend,” Meader said.

“It’s not just about jazz ensem-

ble. It’s about everything from jazz standards to world music.

It’s going to be a really enjoyable event.”

The group will perform for 75 to 90 minutes, and will follow with a meet and greet afterward. They will also have CDs and other items for sale after the concert.

Editor’s Note: Life Editor Kali Daniel contributed to this story.

4B LIFE

Feb. 13, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

REVIEW

St. Paul and the Broken Bones shakes up soul scene

MARI WILLIAMS

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album art courtesy of Single Lock Records

St. Paul and the Broken Bones first full-length album, “Half the City,” will be released from Single Lock Records on Feb. 18. The album is the band’s first release since their 2012 EP, “Greetings from St. Paul and the Broken Bones.”

HEALTH

One minute I’m sitting in my room popping in St. Paul & The Broken Bones’ debut album Half The City and the next minute it is as if it’s 1964 and I’m sitting in the back of a dark, sketchy lounge gripping a plush loveseat in awe, wondering when music had last made me feel this way.

Being someone who had never bothered much with soulful music, listen-

ing to Half The City was like opening a wardrobe to Narnia and getting lost in an entirely new world that, if I had known existed, I would have ventured into a lot sooner.

St. Paul & The Broken Bones is a Birmingham based band who is sure to blow up in the near future. They released their first EP in December of 2012, which included Sugar Dyed, Broken Bones and Pocket Change, and That Glow, all found on their first studio album.

Before I discuss Paul Janeway’s startling vocals, I’d like to admire the barrage of instruments used to execute their somber yet worthy of foot tapping songs.

Clean rhythmic sounds come from the drums, bass, organ, trumpet, trombone and tuba, caressing their way into each song.

Editor’s Note: To read the rest of this story, please visit www.florala.net

RSOS

Nutrition facts Japanese group shares receive makeover culture through food, film

by Student Writer Lauren Tobin KALI DANIEL

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The Food and Drug Administration hopes to redesign nutrition labels on food and drink packages to emphasize calories this year.

The labels have been the same since 1972, when the FDA proposed what should be featured on food and drink packages, according to CNN. “The information is already there, but people look over it,” said Emily Wigginton, registered dietician at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.

Features such as calories, serving size and sugar counts are already on nutrition labels, but the color and text size of the print are identical.

The FDA has proposed to emphasize certain information to make it “as clear and useful to the consumer as possible,” according to their website.

“The more obvious we can make it, the more people will pay attention to it,” Wigginton said.

The last change made to the nutrition label was the addition of trans fat, said Jill Englett, instructor of human environmental sciences.

“We have an obesity epidemic in the nation because people over-consume calories,” Englett said. “What they’re trying to do is increase awareness (of calories) and lower obesity rate.”

The label may place emphasis on calories by making the text bolder or

by changing the text color, according to CNN. “Bolding calories is not the only thing that needs to change,” Englett said.

She said the current labels do not distinguish between natural and added sugars.

“It’s a step, but is it enough? I don’t know,” Englett said.

Wigginton said another way to combat the obesity problem is to clarify the serving size of food.

Tiffany Boykin, a senior and biology major, said she has been counting calories since January and just having the calorie count on the front of food packages helps her to be more conscious of what she eats.

Boykin said she learned how to count calories in a nutrition class and from there bought a book that has different food counts in it.

“It would probably make it better for people like me who watch it (added sugar and serving sizes),” Boykin said.

Even if the proposed changes go through, it will be another year or more before consumers see them because of the time it takes manufactures to change their labels, Englett said.

“A lot of times they lobby against label changes,” she said.

The updates are still being formed, according to the FDA website.

The Japanese University Meal Project has planned numerous cultural events for the coming semester to encourage students to explore Japanese culture.

By sharing Japanese food, JUMP is sharing the culture, said JUMP President Kiko Himeno. “(Many) American people have not been to Japan so we want them to be interested in Japan,” Himeno said. “Our name includes ‘Meal Project,’ and we want to sell things we can make originally. We want to make Japanese food that we have here so American people can make it themselves if they really like it.”

JUMP sold a traditional Japanese breakfast of rice balls and miso soup, as well as Japanese pickles and tea on Feb. 3.

“The goal of JUMP is to give everyone at UNA a taste of Japan,” said Vice President of JUMP Daichi Shigematsu.

“We hope to enlighten or interest people by sharing our culture. (We want to) let people who never had a chance to explore Japanese culture see what Japanese culture is like.”

JUMP will be hosting a Japanese bake sale in the GUC on Feb. 24.

“We will be selling anpan, which is red bean bread, dango which (has the) texture like rice cake, oshiruko, which is like a sweet soup and matcha doughnuts,” Himeno said. “All except the doughnuts are traditional.”

The food JUMP sells requires a fee.

At their Japanese breakfast, each indi-

vidual item cost $1 while a bundle of two rice balls and a bowl of miso soup cost $2.

“The money we make from these events becomes the budget of subsequent events,” Shigematsu said.

Money raised from the food sales also goes to the Sakura festival in April, he said.

“We will have the Sakura festival and we want to make free food and Tshirts for the event,” Himeno said. “We haven’t decided on the exact date, but it will be in April.”

Aside from their namesake of food sales, JUMP hosts numerous movie nights throughout the semester with the theme “A Taste of Japan.”

“Japanese movies have a lot of Japanese culture in them, so it’s an easy way to explain it,” Himeno said.

“A Taste of Japan” was inspired by a member of JUMP at the outset of the organization.

“JUMP originally started as a food event, but once it became the sole Japanese RSO at UNA, (member Tony Mashburn) decided we could do something more to depict Japanese culture,” Shigematsu said. “Movies and TV shows became a quick and convenient way to do so.”

JUMP holds their meetings every Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Stone Lodge across from the Guillot University Center.

“If you are interested in Japan even a little, you are so welcome to join our events,” Himeno said. “Come have fun with us.”

SPORTS 5B

Feb. 13, 2014• The Flor-Ala

SCOREBOARD Jan. 4 - Feb. 10 Tuesday, Feb. 4 MENʼS BASKETBALL

UNA vs. Union University 100-58 Win

WOMENʼS BASKETBALL

UNA vs. Union University 67-58 Loss

Thursday, Feb. 6 MENʼS BASKETBALL

UNA @ Lee University 87-78 Win

WOMENʼS BASKETBALL

UNA @ Lee University 79-68 Loss

Friday, Feb. 7 WOMENʼS TENNIS

UNA @ Belmont University 4-3 Loss

Feb. 7 - Feb. 9 SOFTBALL

UAH Charger Chillout Wins - 3, Losses - 3

SGA

Fight for student section moves to SGA KELSEY WHITE

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The Student Government Association has been working with the Athletic Department in an effort to move the student section to the home side during football games.

The UNAtics student fan group is the compromise SGA and the Athletic Department has come to. Assurance that the student section will be filled throughout the game is the major stipulation required by the Athletic Department.

A UNAtics membership is free and comes with multiple benefits. Student members will receive season tickets to sit in the student section on the home side of Braly Stadium. They will also enjoy T-shirts and discounts from local businesses. Specifics have yet to be decided.

SGA contacted Mark Linder, director of athletics, about a month ago, members said.

“SGA will have to present a solid plan (which we will help them create) that ensures that the students who are sitting on the west side will attend all the games and stay for the entire event,” Linder said.

There is only one requirement: commitment.

Adam McCollum, SGA student welfare chair, is putting everything together.

“We are looking for the most committed fans of UNA athletics,” McCollum said. “It comes

with the territory. You have to be committed to showing up and staying throughout the entire game.”

McCollum said the Athletic Department does not wish to block off a certain amount of seats and have no one filling them.

“It started out as an idea of trying to get the student section on the home side,” McCollum said. “I hate the student section being on the visitors’ side.”

Communication between SGA and the Athletic Department will continue throughout the semester.

“We will need to meet again, once the SGA representatives have had time to get with the interested students,” Linder said.

A spot on the home side will be guaranteed for members of UNAtics.

“The department will issue the tickets in a block area and reserve each seat for the student

group,” Linder said.

Policies of the east side will still be in effect. UNAtics will still be able to obtain free tickets for guests.

Students can sign up for UNAtics by clicking the link in the portal email or by going to Orgsync and filling out the form on the UNA Senate page.

The deadline to apply has been extended to Feb. 18.

;MM .)6; XIOM *

BASEBALL

Lions baseball season off to swinging start MATT WILSON

Sunday, Feb. 9

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BASEBALL

UNA vs. LeMoyneOwen University 13-3, 8-3, 1-0 Win

Monday, Feb. 10 MENʼS BASKETBALL

UNA vs. University of West Georgia 97-89 Win

WOMENʼS BASKETBALL

UNA vs. University of West Georgia 80-59 Win

F OLLOW U S FLORALA.NET/SPORTS @F L O R A L A S P O R T S

file photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Senior Staff Photographer

UNA students cheer during a football game in Braly Stadium. The student section currently resides on the visitor side of the stadium.

photo by ROGER WANG I Staff Photographer

Junior Dylan Boston pitches during Sunday’s game versus LeMoyne-Owen College.

The baseball team rebounded from a 3-loss opening weekend by sweeping a tripleheader at home against LeMoyne-Owen on Feb. 9.

The opening series against Florida Tech saw the Lions drop three close games in which small mistakes cost them wins, despite an otherwise solid performance, said Head Coach Mike Keehn.

“What we want to try and do — and what we try and instill in our players — is to be good early but to be great late,” Keehn said.

Keehn said when they play a good team like Florida Tech they can’t afford to give them any opportunities late in a game by making mistakes, no matter how small those mistakes are.

“In those two close games we felt like we should have gotten the wins,” Keehn said.

The home-opening series against LeMoyne-Owen was moved from the typical double-

header on Saturday followed by a third game on Sunday to having all three games played on Sunday, in order to avoid weather problems.

The Lions righted the ship Feb. 9 and picked up their first three wins of the season, moving their record to 3-3 on the year.

UNA’s bats opened the series hot, going on to win the opening game 13-3 behind solid batting performances from Dylan Boston, Jake Ward and Jake Smith.

“Hitting is cyclical,” Keehn said. “We probably aren’t going to have any ten to 15 homerun guys this season, but we have guys that can bunt, hit it in the gaps and make runs. Those skills are key, especially when the other team has a good pitcher on the mound.”

Keehn said pitching is going to be important for them this year and he likes the way the rotation is starting to form.

“Cade (Medley) pitched great in both starts,” Keehn said.

“He is going to be a star out there for us — he really bears down when he’s out there with

a lead.

“We are going to need our starters to go deep (into the game) for us this year and we’ve got guys like (Jacob) Westerhouse and (Brantley) Claunch that are going to be key and some young pitchers who are going to see some time out there.”

Brantley Claunch tossed a three-hit shutout in a 1-0 win to cap the weekend’s home series for the Lions.

The Lions have 21 home games this season and Keehn said that can be an advantage for UNA. “Playing at home lets the guys be in their comfort zone,” he said. “They get to sleep in their own beds, so sure, that can help them be more focused.”

Apart from the bleachers along the first and third base lines, there is another option for students who want to come out and watch a home game this year. The grassy area behind right-center field sees many tailgating students. There is a

;MM *)44 XIOM *

6B SPORTS

Feb. 13, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

INTERNATIONAL

Olympics offer entertainment for students, faculty MARISSA CASTILE

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The 2014 Winter Olympics started Feb. 6 with athletes from 88 countries competing for medals in Sochi, Russia.

In this year’s Winter Olympics, there will be 15 sports with 98 events total.

The U.S. team also boasts the largest it has ever to compete in the Winter Games.

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, the day before the games, superstar snowboarder Shaun White announced that he was dropping out of the slope-style event. White is still competing in the half-pipe event, where he could win his third consecutive gold medal.

“All of my favorites are not competing (in the Olympics) anymore,” said senior Aimee L’Eplattenier. “Figure skater Evan Lysacek had to pull out of the Winter Olympics, but now Patrick Chan is my favorite ice-skater – he is from Canada.”

The Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics started with fireworks exploding from the stadium. The Opening Ceremony had many surprises that contributed to the greatness of getting the games started by all of the technical equipment and pieces of art.

Some of the performances in the opening ceremony included an 11-yearold girl who took the audience on an interesting journey, the Russian ballet and

STAYING

ACTIVE AT

13

12 p.m. - TRX 3:30 p.m. - Ab Attack 4 p.m. - Zumba, XFit and Cycling 6 p.m. - Muscle Works 7 p.m. - Tabata 6:30 p.m. - Kayak Polo hosted by THURSDAY the OAC at Flowers Hall 10 a.m. - Baseball tailgating with the OAC

graphics of the country on the main floor while the athletes walked out.

Sochi held about 40,000 people in the stadium watching the athletes taking their walk. Former Russian goldmedalists figure skater Irina Rodnina and hockey legend Vladislav Tretiak lit the Olympic cauldron to officially begin the Sochi Games.

Team USA has a few strong opponents this year in Sochi, said Chanho Kang, a health physical education and recreation professor.

The Germany and Norway teams are strong opponents to the U.S. Olympic Team and they are going to be two of the top competitors for the U.S., Kang said.

“Germany has won over 339 medals at the Winter Olympic Games, Norway has won over 300 medals at the Winter Olympic Games and the U.S. Team has won over 250 medals at the games,” Kang said.

Being from Korea, Kang said he is interested in the Winter Olympics because the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held in Pyeongchang, Korea. He also enjoys watching the speed skating.

“I like to watch the short-track speed skating because the game provides me with tremendous excitement,” Kang said.

“I really like games where the outcome is uncertain.”

A new face for the Winter Olympics team is Lolo Jones, but she is not new

15

UNA

3:30 p.m. - Ab Attack

14 FRIDAY

4 p.m. - Ab Attack

16

SATURDAY

3:30 p.m. - TRX and Ab Attack 4 p.m. - Zumba, XFit 6 p.m. - Yoga 7 p.m. - Tabata

17 MONDAY

3:30 p.m. - TRX and Ab Attack 4 p.m. - Zumba, XFit

SUNDAY

18

12 p.m. - TRX 3:30 p.m. - Ab Attack 4 p.m. - Zumba, XFit and Cycling 6 p.m. - Muscle Works 7 p.m. - Tabata 2-5 p.m. - Archery Clinic in Flowers hosted by the OAC TUESDAY 6 p.m. - Yoga 7 p.m. - Tabata

19 WEDNESDAY

OAC = Outdoor Adventure Center *Weekly pre-trip meetings for the OAC weekend outings are Tuesdays at 5 p.m.

SRC = Student Recreation Center All exercise classes held at the SRC.

to Team USA. Jones competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing in the 100-meter hurdles and is now competing in Sochi as a bobsledder.

“Lolo Jones is good at running, so I don’t know why she wouldn’t be good at bobsledding,” said senior Josh Scott.

“She is pretty intense.”

Zach Parise, a member of Team USA, is captain for the men’s ice hockey team for the Winter Olympics.

The U.S. hockey team is always a strong contender and it will be one of the biggest events of the Winter Olympics this year, L’Eplattenier said.

The Winter Olympics will close out in Sochi with the closing ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 23.

The 15 different sports that are included in this year’s Winter Olympics are: Alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsled, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, hockey, luge, Nordic combined, short-track speedskating, skeleton, ski jumping, snowboarding and speedskating.

photo illustration by Sports Editor Dallas Moore

*)44 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * deck right up against the outfield fence that is often home to die-hard UNA baseball fans — known as The Deckheads.

The Outdoor Adventure Center is going to be hanging out by the decks during the home games on Feb. 15 and is inviting students to come out and enjoy a hotdog and some baseball.

McKenzie Martin, Coordinator of the Outdoor Adventure Center, said they will be setting up at 10 a.m. Feb. 15 to grill hotdogs and tailgate before Saturday’s doubleheader. Food will be provided for the first 30 to 40 people. *Editor’s Note: For updates on Saturday’s game, be sure to follow us on Twitter @FlorAlaSports. Afterward check www.florala.net for coverage.

.)6; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * McCollum said SGA has already received multiple applications. They hope for 200 to 300 students to join in order for the move to occur.

“We are trying to build a fan base right now,” McCollum said. “If we can have strong commitment, Mark Linder might increase the amount of seats on the home side from year to year.”

Student Philip Towns is in full support of the move, he said.

“I would like to see the band facing me when it plays during halftime,” Towns said.

Student Bethany Pierce thinks the move has been a long time coming.

“It just makes sense,” Pierce said. “I would love to see UNA students on the home side.”

ALENTINEʼS

Feb. 13, 2014• The Flor-Ala

RECIPES

DAY 7B

ʻThe way to the heart is through the stomachʼ

ANNA GRACE USERY 7VTQVM -LQ\WZ WVTQVM(NTWZITI VM\

My name is Anna Grace Usery, and I do not enjoy long walks on the beach or any other romantic mumbo jumbo associated with the Hallmark holiday that is Valentine’s Day. My philosophy is you should appreciate and cherish the person you’re in love with every day, 365 days out of the year. But if people are going to make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day and indulge in sappy sweetness, why not make a good meal out of it?

Picture a classic Valentine’s Day date. Your partner arrives at your house with a bouquet of roses and a box of cheap Wal-Mart candy selected from the picked over sweets aisle ridden with hyper children.

Next, you venture to an expensive restaurant to wait in line for two and a half hours with other uncomfortable couples to indulge in semi-quality food and sip too many long island iced teas to numb the brute awkwardness of the date. Instead of dropping a Benjamin on a meal neither of you will remember nor candy that could be mistaken for chocolate-covered concrete, try using your kitchen for an activity other than beer pong — cooking.

One of my favorite Valentine’s Day quotes comes from a famous grief counselor (how ironic) named Alan D. Wolfelt. He says, “Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.”

In other words, step outside your comfort zone and wow your significant other by honing your cooking skills to create these hearty — and maybe not so healthy — romantic foods. After all, I am told the way to the heart is through the stomach.

Y A D S ʼ E N I T N E VAL

She-crab Soup (minus the she-crabs) Ingredients: 1/2 tsp. pepper 2 cans crab 3 1/2 cups milk

Melt butter and sauté the onions until translucent.

Whisk in Worcestershire and flour until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Thin with milk if needed.

Add the cans of crab and sauté for five minutes. Whisk in the milk and heavy cream.

Turn the eye to medium-high heat and let simmer for eight minutes.

The concoction will become frothy and thick.

Enjoy!

Valentine’s Day Sharpie Mugs 1

Place your burlap gift bags on a flat surface and slide a piece of paper inside the bag to prevent any paint from bleeding through.

2

Tape your heart stencil to the bag and use your brush or sponge to carefully paint in the heart. Add glitter, if desired.

3

Let dry completely before filling with candy or other Valentine’s Day goodies.

Crafts made with love

by Managing Editor

Blythe Steelman

Buy your Sharpies in whatever color you would like, but make sure they are oil-based paint Sharpies instead of regular Sharpies. They can be a little pricey (I paid around $4 for one pen), but they adhere well to the coffee mug.

Buy a cheap coffee mug from the dollar store or Wal-Mart in whatever color you would like.

2

Clean the coffee mug with an alcohol wipe before starting to remove any streaks or marks.

3

Depending on what you want to draw on your coffee mug, you can either trace the design or freehand it. Once you have finished drawing on the mug, let it sit for at least 24 hours before baking.

4

Place your coffee mug in a cool oven and set the temperature for 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Once your oven has reached 425 degrees, start a timer for 30 minutes.

5

After 30 minutes have passed, turn off your oven and let the mug sit inside until the oven is cool again. This is important, because you don’t want the glass to crack after being subjected to abrupt changes in temperature.

6

Once cooled, wash the coffee mug thoroughly with soap and warm water.

7

Fill the mug with bags of your loved one’s favorite tea, their favorite coffee or pieces of candy and surprise them with a sweet homemade gift!

Valentine’s Day Burlap Gift Bags 1

3 tbsp. all-purpose flour 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp. salt

Begin by turning the eye to medium heat.

ENTERTAINMENT

GIFTS

2/3 cup heavy cream 3 tbsp. butter 3/4 cup onions, minced

8B EXTRA

Feb. 13, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

Tweets of the week

DISCLAIMER: The tweets below are public tweets found on Twitter by searching hashtags and keywords involving UNA, Florence, Shoals and other university-related topics. Want to see yours on here? Be sure to hashtag UNA and Shoals in your tweets.

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