VOL 6 ISSUE 2
FREE
SET is a publ
nion rhill Credit U te ication of Lis
H TOWN INANCE TEC LIFESTYLE F
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY
KALI DANIEL
@droptopkalibop
March. The beginning of spring.
Sitting on my porch, I feel like I am relearning how to breathe. There’s the powerful scent of freshly cut grass, a liveliness in the birds chirping, and a comfort in watching my dog perk her ears up curiously at the squirrels that run across the grass. Spring brings a fresh, new season. I’m speaking literally, I guess. But I’m also talking about a fresh, new season for SET. Things are looking a little different around here. We’ve completely redesigned the magazine to put a greater focus on the words and pictures that our writers and photographers work hard for, and you, our readers, look forward to. In this process, we’ve grown up as a publication, but we’re still kids at heart who want to get the most out of the Tennessee Valley. The design isn’t the only thing that’s fresh, though. We’re starting off this new season hungry to learn and, well, eat. Taylor Simpson guides us through the perks of zucchini as pasta or even as a dessert, while Emily Stricklin takes a risk by exploring Brandless, a food delivery service that’s tasty and safe for those penny-pinching.
And while we’re tackling these new ideas, we’re also reveling in our past. Dustin Coan leads us on a fascinating journey through the history of Florence, which began its bicentennial celebration this month. History has been made, and it’s showing no signs of stopping: Blank is celebrating a two-year anniversary, while TED Talks make their way to the Shoals.
WE’VE GROWN UP AS A PUBLICATION, BUT WE’RE STILL KIDS AT HEART. Don’t worry, we’re doling out brand new peeks at the arts, too. Wesley Hopkins hunts down some free art via Instagram while Jesi Livingston finds out how eight local cinematographers got their work featured in the George Lindsey Film Festival this year. This issue of SET is the start of something new, but it’s also the continuation of something we’ve always been focused on — sharing with and hearing
Going Brandless
5
BETTER STUFF, FEWER DOLLARS
Starter’s Guide to Cryptocurrency A FEW TIPS, FACTS AND CAUTIONS TO KNOW BEFORE JOINING THE CRYPTOCURRENCY SOCIETY
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Back to Blank
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY AND CATCHING UP TWO YEARS LATER
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Mean, Green, Cleaning Machine ECOFRIENDLY WAYS TO KEEP IT CLEAN THIS SPRING
Free Art Friday of Florence ALL THE BEST ART IN LIFE IS FREE
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Something Worth Talking About FROM YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN TO DOWN THE BLOCK, THERE’S A TED TALK FOR THAT
Lights. Camera. Action!
FILM FESTIVAL FEATURES 8 LOCAL FILMMAKERS
All Suds, No Duds
TWIST ON HOCKEY PERFECT FOR SPRING GAMING
Calendar
15 16 21 22
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?
Looking back, looking forward FLORENCE CELEBRATES 200-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Spotlight
24 26
HAPPENINGS ABOUT TOWN!
Spring Break Stay-cation PRETEND TO BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN HOME SWEET HOME
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Zucchini: Food for Any Mood
IT’S PROBABLY MORE VERSATILE THAN YOU THINK.
from you, our community. I hope you’ll love the new issue, the new writers, the new content, but most im-
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portantly, I hope in this new season for the magazine that you’ll seek to be a part of it.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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! T I E R A H S D N A TAYLOR SIMPSON
REBEKAH SAMUELSON
WESLEY HOPKINS
JESSICA B. LIVINGSTON
SPENCER BROOKS
ALLIE SOCKWELL
DUSTIN COAN
EMILY STRICKLIN
Birmingham, Alabama
Goodrich, Michigan
Hartselle, Alabama
Ford City, AL
Athens, AL
Florence, AL
Physical Address: 4790 East Second Street Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
SET is a publication by and for local young people dedicated to lifestyle, finance, technology and community. It is published by Listerhill Credit Union as part of its ongoing mission to promote the credit union philosophy of cooperation and financial literacy. It is a platform for 15-20 somethings in the community and it is free.
CONTRIBUTORS
ISSUE NO.2
Lawrenceburg, TN
Florence, AL
Listerhill Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative whose purpose is to improve the quality of life for the membership by providing cost effective services to meet their financial needs while maintaining financial soundness and promoting the credit union philosophy.
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Mailing Address: P.O. Box 566 Sheffield, AL 35660
TECH HEALTH & FITNESS COMMUNITY MUSIC VIDEOS
CONTRIBUTORS
www.getsetmag.com info@getsetmag.com
PHOTOGRAPHY ARTS& ENTERTAINMENT FOOD FASHION FREESTYLE
Y P O C E N O E K CONNECT WITH SET A T E S A PLE
Wanna be a contributor?
Email contribute@getsetmag.com
GOING BRANDLESS
BY
EMILY STRICKLIN
@emilyannestricklin
Do you ever find yourself wanting to go rogue and eat tasty, healthy food but are balling on a budget that can only afford a dollar menu hamburger? If you automatically thought yes, then I have the perfect place for you. I recently stumbled upon this cool website called “Brandless” and immediately fell in love. Not only was I impressed with the website design and healthy products but just to add a cherry on top, everything is $3. They started July 2017, so they are new to the scene, but they have grabbed people’s attention. Their mission is “Better stuff, fewer dollars.” When I saw this, I had to place an order. I ordered chocolate chip cookies, jalapeno chips, mac and cheese and coconut oil. I spent $12 for all of that and no, shipping did not cost an extraneous amount. I signed up to be on the email list, so my shipping was only $1. Everything tasted great and the amount of food was spot on for each. The cookies were my favorite item out of the food I ordered because they were super chocolatey. I love sweets, so I was all about it. I even had my coworkers try them and they fell in love, as well. One of my friends said, “I wouldn’t have known that these were not bad for you if you wouldn’t have told me.” I always struggle to find tasty food that is not full of fat, carbs, and gluten, but Brandless solved that problem. Out of everything I ordered, the coconut oil was my favorite. I use it for my face every night and wipe it off in the morning. It is all-natural, so it smells like real coconuts, and it has done wonders for my skin. If you leave it on overnight, it will make your face super smooth. I will be ordering more. I was also highly impressed with the packaging of each item. It was simple yet cute. So, you might be wondering, what’s the catch? To me, there isn’t one. They are basically
a modern grocery store. Their items are even aesthetically pleasing. They have a sleek, modern style to their packaging. They sell food, household items, beauty products, personal care products, healthy supplements and home/office materials. Their products are mainly organic and dairy-, gluten- and GMO-free. Plus, there are many options that have no artificial preservatives, coloring, or flavoring. These attributes are very hard to find in good-tasting, cheap food. They are also hard to find in your little everyday items such as soaps, feminine items, and pencils. Moreover, every single item is only $3 and if you create an account the first time you place an order, your shipping is only $1.
WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW IS THAT THE NAME BRAND FOOD THEY PURCHASE IS USUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE BECAUSE OF THE BRAND CHARGING A BRAND TAX. Brandless is more than just their clean, affordable products. They also contribute to the world. For each order you place, they donate one meal to Feeding America. Feeding America is a nonprofit organization that has over 200
food banks and feeds more than 46 million people a year through shelters and other communitybased agencies. This makes the experience more than just purchasing items; it really hits home to people. Another thing I noticed when I was checking out was that at the bottom of the order there was a dollar amount of how much I saved on brand tax by shopping with Brandless. What a lot of people do not know is that the name brand food they purchase is usually more expensive because of the brand charging a brand tax. Brandless cut the middle man out without the quality of the food being altered. They stand by their vision statement, “We believe doing is what matters, so we’re committed to giving back—starting by helping people facing hunger. Partnering with Feeding America®, the nation’s leading domestic hunger relief organization, a meal is donated every time you shop on Brandless. We’re also planning community events, volunteering, giving opportunities, and more. As we grow, we continue to explore the ways to leave a positive impact on our neighborhood, country, and planet through tangible acts of kindness—because to us, that’s priceless.”
If you want to learn more about Brandless, you can go to Brandless.com or follow them on social media @brandlesslife.
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FINANCIAL WELLNESS
5
TECH
ISSUE NO.2
@berserkxspence
SPENCER BROOKS BY
SET’S STARTER GUIDE TO CRYPTOCURRENCY 6
Last year we saw the cryptocur-
rency known as Bitcoin raise to almost $20,000 per coin in value, 20 times more than its original value of $1,000 at the beginning of 2017. Not only did this increase awareness in the mass media, but it also made a lot of online investors incredibly wealthy, especially those who invested when the cryptocurrency was only $22 per coin in 2013.
This type of money making might seem out of the average person’s league, but, in actuality, anyone can invest — from a college student with a hefty tax return to anyone with a spare hundred dollars. Here are a few tips, facts and cautions to know before plunging into the cryptocurrency world.
BITCOIN IS NOT EVIL Let’s go ahead and get a couple silly rumors out of the way. Many people may have heard about the “Dark Web,” a macabre part of the internet where usually criminals thrive and utilize cryptocurrency, more often Bitcoin. The “Dark Web”
may or may not still exist, no one can be sure without finding out for themselves, but that also involves illegal activity which the average person usually doesn’t have time for. Because of Bitcoin’s reputation with this dark side of the internet, many people are cautious or completely turned off by the idea of investing in cryptocurrency, believing it to be illegal or used in illegal activities. Although the perception of Bitcoin is twisted by this relation, there is no wrongdoing occuring as long as you’re not on the “Dark Web” itself. “While it can be used on the ‘Dark Web,’ it is not a direct link,” University of North Alabama’s Student Web Developer Quint Glover said. “It would be similar to using physical currency to buy illegal paraphernalia. Bitcoin is not inherently evil.”
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE TECH-SAVVY TO INVEST IN CRYPTOCURRENCY Another misconception with the online trade is being
barred from getting involved because of lack of technological prowess. The process for “mining” or acquiring Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies involve coding, utilizing spare computer parts and complicated mathematics, all things either too complicated or tedious to do for the average person. This route in investing may be far from parsimonious but the outcome does produce free cryptocurrency. “You’re basically trading computer power for cash,” Glover said.
tidbits
Mining is not the only way for people to become involved with cryptocurrency. The average person can invest physi-
»» In 2013, Bitcoin was $22 a coin, in 2017 Bitcoin jumped to almost $20,000. For each Bitcoin bought in 2013, the investor would profit around $19,900 for each coin if cashed out in 2017, making over a
it is not the only cryptocurrency to choose from. Other cryptocurrencies include Litecoin, Ethereum, Zcash, Dash, Ripple and Monero. Not only are people able to invest in these other cryptocurrencies, but investors can also convert cryptocurrencies they already have to other cryptocurrencies (e.g., bitcoin to litecoin). Utilizing sites such as coinshift.in, shapeshift.io or poloniex.com, investors can convert “coins,” just as someone would convert dollars to yen. Depending on the market, knowing this option could possibly save future investors from losing a significant amount of their money.
million dollars from six Bitcoins originally costing $132. »» Multi-word phrases are considered stronger passwords »» than combined number and letter passwords. According to Thomas Baekdal,
cal money by converting it online, using a proof of stake model which a standard computer can handle. This model allows for investors to put forth tangible monetary value into whatever cryptocurrency they desire, just like buying stocks in the stock market. The following are a few popular exchange sites for beginners: coinbase.com, bitstamp. net, kraken.com, gdax.com, gemini.com.
BITCOIN IS NOT YOUR ONLY OPTION Bitcoin may be the most popular in the news right now, but
the password J4fS<2 would take 219 years to crack while “this is fun” would take 2,537 years. As of 2018, China has banned and blocked all sites dealing with cryptocurrency and exchange.
UNDERSTAND AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE MARKET Dealing with cryptocurrency is similar to the stock market. Paying attention to the rise and fall of values is important in the venture and the key to not losing ALL of the invested money. The same risks of investing in a business that is failing in the stock market is indistinguishable to investing in cryptocurrency that falls in value. “It’s much faster paced, depending on the money you can put in you gain or lose a couple thousand dollars in a couple of hours,” said Mitchel Moon, Associate Director for Digital
Communications in UNA’s University Communications and Marketing. Unlike the stock market, cryptocurrency has no government involvement, meaning the people participating are the ones gaining and losing. There is no central authority over the currency while at the same time there is no insurance for the money invested. Cryptocurrency is run by the people for the people, so no matter what cryptocurrency a person invests in, the risk of losing money will always be a possibility. “There is no guarantee you’ll make any money and no guarantee the government might take over,” Moon said. Whether it be poor managing or government intervention, the risk is there, thus knowing the market and consistently checking the value of investments and keeping up with the news is important to protecting your assets.
able to trade properly and possibly lose money invested. After creating your wallet(s) and setting up your investments, the next action should be to manage your portfolio. Fortunately, the average person does not need to become a master in Excel spreadsheets. There are multiple applications that can be downloaded on your phone such as Blockfolio and Delta. Creating a portfolio will help organize and keep track of every investment. Once the person is all set up and organized, an important precaution would be setting up security. Do not use a simple password — this is money after all and no one needs someone hacking and taking all of their money. Setting up two- to three-way verifications is also recommended. It is better to have to use other accounts, emails, phone numbers, etc., and take time rather than having a flimsy password to guard your finances.
WHERE TO GET STARTED? There are a few sites a person can utilize, such as Bitfinex, Poloinex and Bittrex, but since this is directed for beginners, let’s suggest Coinbase. Some sites only deal in a couple of cryptocurrencies, while sites such as Coinbase and Poloinex allow for multiple currencies which gives the investor more options for buying and trading. The first action is setting up a digital wallet. This will be where funds will be sent and converted for cryptocurrency. Specific wallets are used for specific currency, meaning a wallet cannot hold more than one cryptocurrency. If a person decides to dabble in more than one cryptocurrency, they will need more wallets (one for each type) or they will not be
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RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! Now that we’ve gotten to the end, there is just one more important piece of advice. Research everything! Yes, this article may have directed you to the proper path, but it is still not a bad idea to research which site is more accommodating to your needs or which currency is more affordable for you at the moment. Even after you find those answers, it is important to keep up with news and trends and be aware of what you have invested in. The market is always changing and being attentive to those changes could be either your greatest payday or worst mistake.
TECH
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@berserkxspence
SPENCER BROOKS BY
BACK TO BLANK FREE COMIC BOOK DAY AND CATCHING UP TWO YEARS LATER
It has been almost two years since SET magazine interviewed Blank: Comics • Coffee • Records. Back then, the new business was just starting up preparing for their grand opening with their sights set on establishing a new and reputable shop in north Florence. With Free Comic Book Day inching ever closer, we decided to swing back and see how Blank will be celebrating the day, what other events will be coming up and how business has been since opening shop. Free Comic Book Day takes place on the first Saturday of May almost every year and has been an established event across North American comic book shops since 2002. Comic book publishers release standalone comic books for free to
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COMMUNITY
ISSUE NO.2
the public on this day. “It’s a yearly retail event meant to get people that might not otherwise read comics, reading stuff,” Blank co-owner Patrick McDonald said. “The publishers put out about two to three dozen different titles and we will have a table of possibly 40 to 50 comics.” This will be Blank’s third Free Comic Book Day since opening in 2016. “We try to make it as big as possible,” McDonald said. “We’ll also be doing sales on other stuff all day and offering food and entertainment.” Along with popular publishers like DC and Marvel, Free Comic Book Day will release titles for a diverse audience, featuring not only the well-
known superheroes but comics spotlighting characters such as the Power Rangers, Doctor Who, Spongebob Squarepants and even the Little Mermaid. “We expect younger readers,” McDonald said. “We believe the whole point of Free Comic Book Day is to get people reading stuff they might not otherwise read. “It’s not necessarily a day for our regular comic-buying customers, but an opportunity to show new people the business and give them an opportunity to see what’s going on.” Along with Free Comic Book Day, Blank is preparing for its busiest day out of the year, Record Store Day. “Record Store Day is the biggest day of the year and has
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Because of the oversaturation in the market (they make dope movies), Marvel is still the best selling publisher at Blank, even though they make crappy comics and can’t finish a storyline to save their lives. (Thank you Robert Downey Jr.)
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Other than the popular titles released by the popular publishers (The ones that have tv shows and movies) DC and Marvel, Blank also sells titles from Image (The Walking Dead, Spawn), Valiant (Bloodshot, Harbinger), Dark Horse (Hellboy, The Mask (the original content for the Jim Carrey movie)), Boom! (Six Gun Gorilla, The Mighty Morphing Power Rangers) and Aftershock (Alters, Negative Burn).
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The top selling comic titles at Blank include The Avengers, Captain America and Spiderman (bullcrap The Flash and Green Arrow are way cooler)
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The overall best selling character at Blank is Batman! (that’s one for DC! Booyah!)
been since we started,” McDonald said. “Free Comic Book day is fun and nice but is eclipsed by Record Store Day.” April 21 will be Blank’s third Record Store Day since opening, releasing dozens to hundreds of exclusive limited edition releases that come out in every record store. “Every independent record store throughout the country opens with a line outside their door that day,” he said. “Collectors are beating down the store to get records that can triple in value the next day.” On top of the exclusives, Blank will be having a big record sale, excluding Record Store Day releases, providing live entertainment throughout the day. They will also be serving breakfast and lunch. This spring, Blank will be incorporating nightly events with games, including a bean bag toss and ladder ball, and live entertainment on their recently built makeshift stage behind the store. “As the weather warms up, we will start to be holding trivia and game nights and possibly screening movies for customers,” McDonald said. Later in the year, on August 12, Blank will be creating a new annual event in Pocket Park across the street from the shop, where the annual Florence Art Crawl is held. Celebrating the invention of the phonograph, a device used for mechanical recording, Blank plans to host an event in the park all day, providing food trucks, live entertainment playing throughout the day and a booth set up with records and record players for people to enjoy. Record vendors from Birmingham and Nashville will also be attending. “We’re thinking of calling it the ‘Invention of Sound,’ but that is pending,” McDonald said.
With two years under their belt, the owners at Blank have grown past being known as a comic book shop and more as a pace for customers to hang out and congregate. “In the beginning the perception of this place was just a comic store,” said McDonald. “People were surprised when they saw we carried records and we were a coffee shop. “Now two years later, we have dozens of regulars that come here just for the coffee shop or people who shop here just for records.” With a menu featuring locally sourced coffee beans from Lyons Coffee, a selection of records determined by customer interest, and inside attractions — including board and card games in the seating area and a “Punch Out” arcade machine — Blank is growing into a hangout spot in north Florence. “In the first year we would be shocked to see someone come and do something other than buy something and leave,” McDonald said. “The first couple of times people would hang out here we were like, ‘there are actual people hanging out in here, that’s crazy.’
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“Now it’s a normal thing to have some who will stay two to three hours playing games or hanging out.” Although comics make up half the sales of Blank — covering over 100 weekly customers for just comic books alone — the business is becoming more split with the coffee shop and record sales. “We try to keep everything as fresh as possible by changing things up and adding as much as we can,” McDonald said. “It’s starting to get a better reputation as a coffee shop than it just being an afterthought or just an added little bonus inside of a business.” McDonald says they are planning to expand online, not only with products but also content. With a website in the works, Blank is planning on having an online shop to provide products that can only be found either on their site or in store, including shirts, figures, pre orders and possibly self published comic books. Blank is expecting to start blogging from the site as well, featuring comic book and record reviews and behind-the-scenes looks at the day-to-day life of working at the shop.
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THE COLLABORATIVE PUBLICATION Whatever you’re into, we’re into. That’s a fact. SET is entirely made up of content by us, our area’s fine youth. If you’re reading this, we want to know about your life, your hobbies and passions.
ved Be a part at getsetmag.com/get-invol
MEAN, GREEN ECOFRIENDLY WAYS TO KEEP IT CLEANING CLEAN THIS SPRING MACHINE BY
Spring cleaning can be a love/ hate relationship. It’s a valuable time to rid your home, office and other living spaces of things you no longer want or use; however, cleaning can be less than glamorous. I’ve never liked cleaning and never will, but I was raised in a home where cleaning was not only a literal act, but a metaphorical one. Whenever my mom needed a break from work, needed to destress or simply needed to turn on some tunes and feel productive — Justin Timberlake being her go-to — cleaning was the way to go. Today, my mom’s obsession with cleaning is at an all-time high. Walking into the side room of her garage, you’ll find shelves upon shelves of Tupperware containers, bottles and baskets with assorted materials like baking soda, vinegar and vodka. This isn’t a scene from “Breaking Bad,” no, this is my mother’s DIY cleaning lab. While I roll my eyes at the idea of having a small closet dedicated to cleaning supplies, I know that if I encounter a mess, bug problem or any other household ailment, I can shoot my mom a text for a quick, organic fix. The following tips are some that I’ve come to use regularly, including some that tackle problems unique to the Tennessee Valley.
BYE BYE BUGS Every spring, tiny beetles that look like ladybugs sneak in through cracks in doors and windows. Grab some cheesecloth, whole cloves, whole bay leaves and twine, and you can get rid of the bugs in no time. Cut a decent-sized rectangle of cheesecloth, enough to fold it a couple of times. Place a tablespoon of cloves and three or four bay leaves in the center of the cheesecloth. Fold the edges up to make a sack, then tie it with the string or twine.
Place these bags around your room or work area to deter beetles and spiders, but be sure to keep them in a safe place as bay leaves are toxic to animals. Pro tip: Use 3M hooks to hang the bags on windows, ceilings or walls to keep out of reach of pets and tiny humans.
CLEANER FLOORS, SAFER PETS If you have pets, particularly dogs and cats that shed, keeping your floors clean is daunting. A vacuum now and then
picks up the hair and dust, but a mop can make those hardwood floors shine like new. Most people have a Swiffer or Shark for quick messes, however recent allegations claim the chemicals used in the fluid and wipes for these products can be toxic to animals. While this has been proven false by numerous sources, making your own wet pads assures you that you know exactly what is going on your floor and what you’re exposing your pets to.
KALI DANIEL
@droptopkalibop
Mix half a cup of white vinegar with juice from one lemon, two cups of water, and ten drops of peppermint essential oil (or whatever scent you prefer). Pour the mixture in a spray bottle and apply to mirrors, windows and other glass surfaces in your home. Pro tip: This mixture can be used to clean just about anything, and adding certain ingredients (like a teaspoon of borax as a water softener for places
THIS ISN’T A SCENE FROM “BREAKING BAD,” NO, THIS IS MY MOTHER’S DIY CLEANING LAB. Start with a medium-sized container — a bowl, two-gallon Ziploc bag or tub will do the trick. Combine distilled water with white vinegar using a two-to-one ratio. For example, if you use four cups of water, use two cups of vinegar. Add in your favorite essential oil like lavender or lemongrass, which are animal-safe. Using 11-inch-by-11-inch rags or washcloths, dip each in the mixture until liquid is fully absorbed. Attach to Swiffer Wet Jet like traditional pads. Pro tip: Use an empty Swiffer Wet Pad container to combine ingredients, then place folded washcloths or rags in the container one by one until all liquid is soaked up. Easy storage, easy access.
MOVE OVER, WINDEX Remember in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” where the main character’s dad swears by Windex as God’s gift to, well, the world? He’s got nothing on this recipe for DIY glass cleaner, which has never left a streak on a single surface in mine or my mom’s home. WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
with hard water stains) can amplify its usefulness.
NO WAY, RED CLAY Alabama red clay is everywhere, as are the stains that come with it. A quick mixture of ingredients can remove these dark discolorations as well as ketchup, natural juices from carrots or beets, and a slew of other items that can tarnish your clothes. Mix a quarter cup of vegetable glycerin with a quarter cup of water, a quarter cup of castile soap in your favorite scent, a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and 40 drops of lemon essential oil. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and store in a dark place to prevent the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. To use, spray on stain then blot with a towel. Let sit for five minutes, then scrub with a brush or heavy cloth. Pro tip: Be sure to use essential oil rather than fresh lemon juice, as the oil makes the mixture last longer than it would if you used lemon juice. HEALTH & FITNESS
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#ffaflo
WESLEY HOPKINS
@melatonin.words
FREE ART OF FLO ALL THE BEST BY
ART IN LIFE IS FREE
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SPECIAL FEATURE
ISSUE NO.2
Whoever said “nothing in life is free” obviously hasn’t been to Florence lately.
Every Friday, a member of a group of selfless artists carries an item of art to a random location in Florence, leaves it there and takes a photo to be posted on Instagram, hinting at the mysterious creation’s new location. That openhanded group of charitable creators is called Free Art Friday of Florence. The exact number of current contributors is unknown—next Friday’s contributor could be dropping off his or her first piece of free art.
The pieces that have been posted to the Free Art Friday of Florence Instagram page range in format and structure: drawings and paintings made from various media, sculptures and modified found art made from an assortment of vehicles and instruments. One composition is actually a guitar. Nobody has left a car out to be picked up, but one contributor did replace a restricted-parking sign with a perfectly sized painting that read “Read a Book” and depicted an open book at the bottom. Free Art Friday of Florence made its first “drop” on June 30,
by some charmed stranger who will cherish it as it should be.
You can You can become a become a FAFFLO contributor FAFFLO simply by contributor letting go of simply by your revered lettingand go creation allowing of yourit to be found by revered some charmed creation stranger whoand allowing it will cherish it as should be. beitfound 2017. The premier photo was of an alligator’s head floating in outer space with the caption “AMPM made their first drop today. The hint is in the photo. Go find it. #fafflo” The celestial alligator was created by Brandon Stoll, founder of Free Art Friday of Florence and A.M.P.M Paint Company, a mural company based in Flor-
T FRIDAY ORENCE ence. Before moving to Atlanta in 2005, Brandon was the lead singer of two of the most popular Florence-based punk rock bands, The Disease and The Static. When he returned to the Renaissance City in 2017, he started A.M.P.M and Free Art Friday of Florence.
“I’ve always been drawn to art,” Stoll said. He started doing street art when he was 14. “(In school,) I was always drawing while the teacher was talking.” Brandon started FAFFLO (Free Art Friday of Florence) to give an outlet to artists who wouldn’t have one otherwise. He wants to promote the idea of creating for the passion of creating, not
for the paycheck. He believes in putting the city before oneself. Free Art Friday has been promoting free art and giving it away every Friday for seven months. And contributors show no signs of slowing down. “I plan on continuing searching for art as well as hiding it,” said Liz Kramer, who found a picture of a cat petting a cactus. “I have a whole stack of art that I have created that is waiting to be hidden.”
BRANDON STARTED FAFFLO (FREE ART FRIDAY OF FLORENCE) TO GIVE AN OUTLET TO ARTISTS WHO WOULDN’T HAVE ONE OTHERWISE. FAFFLO’s contributors are from different areas, so art can be found all across town, but the majority is left downtown. You can become a FAFFLO contributor simply by letting go of your revered creation and allowing it to be found by some charmed stranger who will cherish it as it should be. Just take your art somewhere interesting—wherever you want— and leave it there. Make sure it’s accessible, take a photo that will reveal the free art’s location to the clever art sleuth, WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
and post it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @freeartflorence, and hashtag FAFFLO! All are welcome to participate. “I really do believe FAFFLO has brought the community together,” Kramer said. “I know, at least for me, it has exposed me to people that I wouldn’t have normally been exposed to.” FAFFLO contributor Lyndsay Forsythe said it’s nice to make someone happy without expecting anything in return. “If I’m leaving my art in random places, I definitely don’t want or need anything in return,” she said. “Hopefully it makes their day and inspires them to create their own art.” Patrolling the Friday sidewalks can get you art that’s free but 100 percent original, and the experience is rewarding. “I have found many beautiful pieces of art since (FAFFLO’s Instagram page) was created,” Kramer said. “The first piece of art I ever found was a cat drawn by @cheestaysfly. The walls of my bedroom are dedicated to the things that bring me joy, and that is where all of the art hangs.” If you find a piece of free art, be sure to comment on its Instagram post informing other searchers that it’s been found. And though you may try not to brag, the art you find might speak for you. SPECIAL FEATURE
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e v i s u l c x e r u O 15 20 SOMETHINGS
r o f t n u acco OVERDRAFT FORGIVENESS FREE CHECKING PERSONAL LOANS MOBILE BANKING
SOMETHING WORTH TALKING ABOUT BY
TEDx is coming to the Shoals.
The non-profit, online-media organization known for their unique and creative TED and TEDx Talks is coming to Downtown Florence this September. TED stands for technology, entertainment and design, which was its original purpose evolving to include topics such as education, business, activism and science. From topics such as synthetic biology to “How to Practice Safe Sexting,” TEDx Talk videos cover a wide range of subjects from a diverse and unique assortment of speakers. While TED Talks take a more global approach, TEDx Talks focuses on local communities and their residents’ voices. “In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx,” TEDx Wilson Park event director Kristen Mashburn said. “TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.” This program allows organizations and communities to stimulate a similar experience of a TED Talk but it all happens locally, Mashburn said. “At our event, TED Talks video and live speakers will combine to spark a deep discussion and connection in a small group,” she said.
SPENCER BROOKS
@berserkxspence
The goal of TEDx Wilson Park, according to their website tedxwilsonpark.com, is to bring together bright minds to give talks that are ideafocused on a wide range of subjects to foster learning, inspiration and wonder while provoking conversation for that matter.
“Our hope is that having something like a TEDx in the area will be a catalyst for other people doing these kinds of mindful activities,” Mashburn said. “This is just another step to make change in our area.” Change, while not the topic of the TEDx Talk, is the goal and theme for TEDx Wilson Park. “TEDx Wilson Park started with discussions about change,” Mashburn said. “We noticed that our little corner of the world, the Shoals, has been growing. “This small metro area nestled along the banks of the Tennessee river has a combination of music, arts and culture that rival cities like Austin and Nashville, and now the word is getting out.” Mashburn and her team at TEDx Wilson Park believe the “catalyst” for this “renaissance” is a combination of “makers,” who have been leaving their mark on the area. “We wanted to meet them, to get to know them and find out
what it is about them and the area that has allowed their ideas to flourish,” she said.
“TEDx Wilson Park is about ‘Making Change’ and to do this, we’re bringing together a stellar, wide-ranging lineup of innovative thinkers and doers to share their ideas with the Shoals and the world.” The group is hoping for this event to leave the community with more than just a unique experience, but also a takeaway or two, or possibly a few, about creating change in the Shoals. The TEDx Wilson Park team wants everyone in attendance to learn and understand from the speakers and repurpose this experience in future endeavors. “A speaker does not have to be someone everyone knows, or someone who does a lot of motivational speaking,” Mashburn said. “The speakers we are looking for are people that have done some kind of research or have some kind of experience that is dissimilar from what might be the norm.” Bryan Rachal, chair of the marketing and public relations committee, said there has already been an outpouring of qualified and exciting speakers who have applied. “We haven’t officially selected any speakers yet, but we’ve been pleasantly surprised WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
by the number of people who have applied,” he said. “TedX is one of those things where you’re pulling people in from not just around the city or even the state, they’re coming from all over.”
Who will be speaking? What will be the topics? Only one way to know for sure, attend TEDx Wilson Park, congregate with other members of the Shoals and see what a select few people from the community think about and research. TEDx Wilson Park is a oneday event scheduled for September 8. Don’t let the name confuse you — although it reflects one of Florence’s downtown attractions, Wilson Park, this TEDx Talk will take place three blocks west at the University of North Alabama’s Mane Room, due to the rules of the TEDx program. The group’s choices for names were limited. “We had to have a venue that would allow for 100 guests,” Rachal said. “If you’re in a bigger city like Birmingham, you can obviously have thousands of guests. But for our purposes, the Mane Room was perfect.” For self-research or just to check out a TED Talk, go on YouTube and/or ted.com, look for a topic that interests you and watch away. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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LIGHTS CA FILM FESTIVAL FEATURES EIGHT LOCAL FILMMAKERS AND
JESSICA B. LIVINGSTON @jlivingston23
AND
KALI DANIEL
@droptopkalibop
A group of students shuffle around a room, directing each other, all offering valuable insights. Though young, each of these talented artists brings something to the table — or rather, the set. These are University of North Alabama film students, and in several months time, their hard work will pay off in the form of a degree. Better still, their work was featured in the annual George Lindsey Film Festival March 1-3.
As seniors, film students are required to work on a thesis project. This film, also called a practicum, demonstrates their skills and provides them with examples to add to their portfolio, which can launch them into a fast-moving industry. Throughout college, each film student had to work together on sets as a team. This allowed each of them to grow in their particular roles and grow together as a “film fam.” Everyone learned to find which role on set they were best at,
and from there they grew and learned together.
Javarice Moody, who wrote and directed “Kima’s Cafe,” said there were many heroes on his set who helped create the end product. Everyone took on a specific role, which is important as students identify what aspect of film they are most passionate about. “I got started with (filming) with just a phone call,” Moody said. “Someone asked me to be on a set and while there I thought, ‘I can do that.’ I’ve pursued it ever since, though now I realize how challenging it is.”
UNA film students work together on set.
This year, eight alumni will have their work screened — Amandalyn Dorner, Paige McCay, Colton McCormick,
Javarice Moody, Bri Palmer, Austin Parsons, Daichi Shigematsu and Shaq Shoulders.
”
Every year, people from around the world submit their work into the festival, which features a variety of screenings and panels.
ACTI ACT
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FEATURE
ISSUE NO.2
AMERA
ION! TION!
Often, students will tackle more than one role to create the perfect film.
Daichi Shigematsu worked as a writer, director and colorist for his senior thesis, “Reverie with April and Diane.” However, his favorite position on set is assistant camera, a po-
making was through UNA’s Filmmaker’s Club. There are so many people in the organization with a passion for filmmaking that I immediately fell in love with set work.” And set work looks good on him. Shigematsu worked on every thesis his senior colleagues had. That’s participation in a diversity of ideas, creating more opportunities to perfect various concepts, which is often a challenge for creatives.
”
“I feel that the best way that I can express my gratitude toward this important form of art is to be involved in the actual production.
There are several different roles students may take on. The amount of people on a set can range from seven individuals up to 25. The director and the cinematographer, or director of photography, begin the process of constructing the film.
Paige McCay and Colton McCormick review notes on set.
The cinematographer needs to be able to translate feelings into what the audience can see and feel, said Bri Palmer, who wrote and was the cinematographer for both “Far West” and “Sorry Charlies.” “The cinematographer is the director of the lighting and camera department on a film set,” she said. “They work with the director to design and execute the visual style of the film.”
sition where he helps the cinematographer. “It is the most active position,” he said. “This was my position on Java’s film, ‘Kima’s Café.’” Shigematsu has always felt a creative pull, and working in film quickly became his calling.
This collaborative outpouring is one of Amandalyn Dorner’s favorite parts of the filmmaking process, and one she feels is reflected in her “33 Cloudless Blue.”
Shaq Shoulders considers his next move for his project.
“I love seeing so many different individual personalities and talents come together to form one beautiful piece of art,” she said. “I think that is what makes film so unique as an art form.” Unique though it may be, the large number of people »
“I feel that the best way that I can express my gratitude toward this important form of art is to be involved in the actual production,” he said. “My first actual foray into filmWWW.GETSETMAG.COM
FEATURE
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required for a set reflects how complex the process can be. “Filmmaking is a challenge for me because you are taking the story, finding all the important details and shoving into a small frame,” said Austin Parsons, who wrote and directed “The Trial of the Rockstar.”
Java Moody and Austin Parsons wait for crew before filming their next scene.
“I crave any opportunity to tell stories,” Parsons said. “Whether I'm in front of a camera, on a stage, writing the script or directing what you see, I truly desire being a part of the audience's journey with the story.” Like Parsons, Palmer also enjoys being part of the audience’s journey; however, she prefers guiding it. “Writing scripts is what I enjoy most,” Palmer said. “Colton McCormick and I worked together on ‘Far West.’ We got lucky working together on this film.” McCormick’s colleagues say he likes to edit, so he was an editor on some sets that he helped out with but he also is a good writer and director.
Austin Parsons and Bri Palmer take notes on "The Trial of the Rockstar."
“I love seeing so many different individual personalities and talents come together to form one beautiful piece of art. I think that is what makes film so unique as an art form.”
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“I love how movies can allow people to see through other people’s eyes, how they can be used as a brief escape from our own problems, and how they can make us reflect on our own lives and values,” he said. Sometimes film can harness reality. But sometimes how the story is shared is, in and of itself, the story. Such is the case in Shaq Shoulders’ meta “Behind the Scenes of a Thesis.” The film brings to light the process of film design as well as the challenges and risk of making a thesis. “My film goes through pre-production, production, and postproduction,” Shoulders said. “I am trying to give light to a program that is typically kept away from the spotlight.”And
Shoulders is well-versed in what’s in the spotlight. On his peers’ sets, he often acted as a gaffer, who focuses on lighting. But his passion lies in sound design, which he is currently pursuing in graduate school. McCormick believes every aspect of the filming process, from writing to lighting, is critical to creating the perfect work of art. “I love the process of making films, from the writer’s table to the cutting room floor,” he said. And learning this process is no easy task. While all of the filmmakers have identified their passions, they rely on their professors to guide them. “I have wanted to make movies from a young age,” McCormick said. “And once I decided to pursue it in college, I learned the entire production process from the current, fantastic film professors at UNA, Jason Pangilinan and Mike Johnson. Instead of just knowing how to properly use a camera, they taught us about how larger scale productions should function and the duties of key positions on a set.” These professors aren’t simply doing their jobs, they’re fostering relationships with their students, pushing them to better themselves and delve deeper into their passions. “I was taught by Jason Lee Pangilinan on how each position on set is different,” Shoulders said. “He is the one that pushed me to do sound in film. He saw more potential and talent in me and pushed me to become a better sound designer, filmmaker, and person. He also pushed me to go to grad school.” Shaq is currently in the sound design graduate program at
Bri Palmer works as cinematographer on “Far West,” a film she co-wrote with Colton McCormick.
Amandalyn Dorner and Daichi Shigematsu prep the camera for the next shot. Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. He is working on some student public service announcement films and a sitcom called “Nailed it,” where he is co-chair of sound and sound floor director. What’s next for the rest of these talented filmmakers? Cliche though it may be, the world is their oyster and they’re headed in a number of different directions. Moody currently works at Ebed Pictures and 321Film and has future plans to direct many films with them in the future. “My career goal is to create a creative studio where people can come together in every aspect of the arts to work on projects while making a living,” he said. His next big project is to be announced, but he’s keeping his options open.
“It could be producing or directing a feature. It could be another short or web-series. It all depends where the company (I work for) stands in the near future, we have our hands in several baskets.”
he said. “I want to keep the specifics of the story a secret, but it’s a film that will depict a day in a character’s life.” Parsons co-hosted the awards show at the George Lindsey Film Festival with George
“I love how movies can allow people to see through other people’s eyes, how they can be used as a brief escape from our own problems, and how they can make us reflect on our own lives and values.” Shigematsu is currently always up at UNA helping other film students and writing a short film. “If I can get all the vital components assembled in time (i.e., cast, crew, location, etc.), I plan on filming it within the year,”
Lindsey Jr., and is focusing on collaborating with Palmer. “We are co-writing a feature film that I plan on directing,” he said. “I started collaborating with her a few months ago, and we will be revealing some information on a film we are WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
working on at the festival.” And aside from collaborating with Parsons, Palmer is currently doing freelance cinematography. She and her fiancé, Josh Boeing (who is also in the industry), are making plans to move to New York to focus on film. Dorner currently works at WHNT News 19 as a creative producer where she writes, shoots and edits content for television. Her next big project is a feature film with Ansbach Productions. All of the films screened at the festival the first weekend of March, but most of the creators feature their work on their websites. But honestly, if you missed their work, it’s no sweat. The way these creators are headed, you’re likely to see them on the bigger screens very soon. FEATURE
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Good for Cord. Good for the Community.
Join us at listerhill.com
BY
You might have heard of street hockey, ice hockey, and even bubble hockey, but what about soap hockey? Soap hockey is the latest extracurricular craze, and the national fad has finally reached the Shoals area thanks to the help of the Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) at the University of North Alabama. Last semester, the OAC invited students of UNA to join them for their first-ever game of soap hockey at their facility on Irvine Street, nestled into the southwest corner of campus. They had a perfect turnout with six people on each team, enough people to play.
“They wouldn’t do anything differently other than adding less soap to the playing field, though having more soap added to the fun with people slipping all over the place,” Walker said. “Overall, the event went really well and the OAC said it was one of the more fun events they had hosted.” Soap hockey is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It can be played in any person’s backyard and requires very few materials, most of which you probably have lying around already. This sport is played on a tarp covered in soap and water, adding a slippery aspect to the classic game of hockey. The playing field consists of several tarps covered in, you guessed it, soap. “The amount of soap used is up to you, but the OAC recommends using about one cup of soap for a somewhat stable slip factor,”
@the_littlest_cymbal
Walker said. “Using more soap will result in a more slippery playing field, which isn’t necessarily a deterrent — it can add to the fun.” It is recommended that the tarps be held down by something to keep it in place while in play. Camping stakes or anything similar is ideal. Players split into teams of two and attempt to score into the opposing team’s goal, just like any other game of hockey. Each player is equipped
BECAUSE SOAP HOCKEY DOES NOT HAVE ANY OFFICIAL RULES, IT IS A SPORT THAT ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY WHEN YOU PLAY AND ALLOWS YOU TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE. with a rugby club or shorter hockey stick, and the object in play can be a ball or puck. The game ends when one of the teams has reached a certain amount of points or the game has reached its time limit, depending on the rules set in the beginning of play. “Soap hockey is a unique sport because it has no set rules or equipment, making each game different from the next,” Walker said. “Players can determine the rules for their field, changing anything from the scoring of points to contact between players. “Players can also determine how large the playing field will be, how much soap will be used, and how long the game will be played for.” When the OAC was playing their game of soap hockey they had only one rule: Have fun! Because soap hockey does not have any official rules, it is a sport that encourages creativity when you
play and allows you to customize your own experience. “Although we don’t follow anything officially, we usually go by general hockey rules,” Walker said. “Except no fighting.”
tidbits:
“The OAC found out about this sport online and decided to bring it to our own backyard as a fun night where students could let loose and try something new” said Lead Graduate Assistant Christian Walker.
REBEKAH SAMUELSON
ALL SUDS, NO DUDS
TWIST ON HOCKEY PERFECT FOR SPRING GAMING
»» Soap Hockey originated in Sweden »» Soap Hockey has become a collegiate intramural sport for many universities »» Haliburton County of Ontario, Canada will be having the first soap hockey world championship this July 6-8.
WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
Want to make your own field at home? All you need are the aforementioned materials, some friends to play the game with, and an open space to set up in. This game is great for events such as open houses, barbeques, or a summer afternoon hangout with friends. There is also an official Kickstarter campaign that has been launched that sells official soap hockey packages for anyone who wants a premade package delivered to their front door. This package includes balls, sticks, goals, and a 14x9 canvas playing field. You can also find packages online with official game apparel for all your players, including shorts and jerseys. Interested in playing your own game of soap hockey? The OAC will be hosting another night of soap hockey on April 13th from 2 to 5 p.m. This event is free to all UNA students and they will provide all equipment needed to play. SPORTS
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APRIL
EVENTS
CALENDAR OF EVERY TUESDAY
TAIL-WAGGER TUESDAY Singin’
River Brewery, 526 B E. College St., Florence, AL @ 4 PM
3
THE BIRMINGHAM SUNLIGHTS CONCERT Wallace State
Community College, Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, Concert Hall, 801 Main Street NW, Hanceville AL @ 11 AM
OPEN MIC NIGHT - Singin’ River
Brewery, 526 B E. College St., Florence, AL @ 7 PM
6-8 DAVIS CUP: USA VS. BELGIUM
Belmont University Curb Event Center, Nashville, TN
7–11 ANNUAL SHOALS EARTH DAY FESTIVAL Historic Downtown Tuscumbia, AL @ 11 AM
7 CHICK FIL A RUN Regency Square Mall, 341 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, AL @ 4 PM
3–7
11
21
IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA TRIVIA Singin’
RECORD STORE DAY Blank
14, 21, 28
FLORENCE YOUTH WRESTLING SHRIMP BOIL COOK-OFF
River Brewery, 526 B E. College St., Florence, AL @ 6:30 PM
HISTORIC WALKING TOUR
Rogers Hall Front Lawn, University of North Alabama, Florence, AL @ 10 AM
18 NEW GIRL TRIVIA Singin’ River Brewery, 526 B E. College St., Florence, AL @ 6:30 PM
26–29 27–28 OUTDOOR CLUB WHITE WATER RAFTING (Bevill State -
Fayette), Ocoee River, TN Hops and Hymns, April 10th
CARVER COMMODORE W/ PACE HOUSE 116 E Mobile St,
8, 15
CALENDAR
River Brewery, 526 B E. College St., Florence, AL, @ 6:30 PM
ST. JUDE ROCK N’ ROLL NASHVILLE MARATHON AND ½ MARATHON Nashville, TN
5
22
Bevill State, Mcdonald Auditorium, Fayette, AL
FABULOUS 80’S TRIVIA Singin’
Nursing and Center for Science, Conference Center, 801 Main Street NW, Hanceville, AL @ 10 AM
University of North Alabama, George Lindsey Theatre @ 7:30 PM
UPWARD BOUND BANQUET
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
School of Nursing and Center for Science, Peinhardt Conference Center, 801 Main Street NW, Hanceville, AL @ 11 AM
WALLACE STATE JOB AND CAREER FAIR School of
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA THEATRE PRESENTS EURYDICE
24 25
4
6, 7, 12, 13, 14
Singin’ River Brewery, 526 B E. College St., Florence, AL @ 4 PM
19
TIN PAN SOUTH SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL Nashville, TN
Florence, AL @ 7 PM
Coffee Comics Records, 1121 N. Wood Ave., Florence, AL @ 8 AM
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA THEATRE PRESENTS EURYDICE
28 MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
Student Center Gazebo Area, 801 Main Street NW, Hanceville, AL @ 6 PM
University of North Alabama, George Lindsey Theatre @ 2 PM
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10
THE TENNESSEE VALLEY STRUMMERS Florence -
HOPS AND HYMNS Singin’ River
Brewery, 526 B E. College St., Florence, AL @ 6:30 PM
ISSUE NO.2
Lauderdale Tourism & Visitors’ Center, 200 Jim Spain Dr., Florence, AL @ 2 PM
SMOKE ON THE WATER FESTIVAL AND BACKYARD BBQ CONTEST McFarland Park, Florence, AL @ 10 AM
29 GIRL SCOUTS AWARDS CEREMONY Student Center, Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre, 801 Main Street NW, Hanceville, AL @ 2 PM
PUT COMMUNITY FIRST - JOIN THE CREDIT UNION TODAY!
Women have (not-so) secretly run this town since the 19th century.
LOOKING B BY
The original courthouse in 1822.
Florence’s first fire department.
The year is 1818, and a lot of events are happening. The White House is opening after being rebuilt. Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” is being published for the first time. The 49th Parallel now forms a border between the United States and Canada. The Christmas carol “Silent Night” composed by Franz Xaver Gruber is sung for the first time at St. Nicholas Parish Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Congress decides on the U.S. flag being 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars. But most importantly, for those of us in the Tennessee Valley, is the establishment of Lauderdale County and the foundation of Florence, Alabama. Lauderdale County was established on February 6, 1818, a year before Alabama became a state, by an act of the First General Assembly of Alabama Territory. The founding of the county left a lot to the imagination of the
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SPECIAL FEATURE
ISSUE NO.2
DUSTIN COAN @dustincoan
FLORENCE CELEBRATES 200-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
founders, who had to determine locations for official county workings. Originally, the courts “in and for said county of Lauderdale, shall be holden at the house commonly called ‘Col. Puler’s place,’ east of Cypress and near the creek, and may at the discretion of said Courts, for want of necessary buildings, be adjourned to some convenient place contiguous thereto.” Col. Puler’s place was sufficient for the courts until 1822 when the first courthouse was built for $20,000. This courthouse was used until it was torn down and replaced by the current building in 1900. Right after the formation of Lauderdale County, a group of investors based in Huntsville, under the name of Cypress Land Company and led by Gen. John Coffee, purchased 5,515 acres of land from the government for just under $100,000 — a nominal fee to found a city. Cypress
LO
Land Company employed an Italian surveyor by the name of Ferdinand Sannoner to survey and split the property into lots. Sannoner, upon completion of his work, was given the honor of naming the city by the Cypress Land Company.
Sannoner gave the town the name “Florence” after the capital of his homeland of Italy. On July 22, Cypress Land Company sold the lots off for a profit three times what they originally paid for the land. At the time of the sale, four lots on Court Street sold for $10,500. And who were the big spenders? The biggest purchasers were President James Madison and Judge John McKinley, who promised to build a tavern, a courthouse, and the development of two ferries to cross the river. Other major purchasers included soon-to-be President Gen. Andrew Jackson, Gen. John Coffee, Thomas Bibb, Dabney Morris, and James Jackson, who built
A man stands on the edge of Wilson Dam in the early 20th century.
and owned the Forks of Cypress. Fast forward to 1826 and the city of Florence is incorporated with Alexander Wood serving as the first mayor. Now, in 2018, it is the bicentennial for the city of Florence. That means the tiny city has been established for 200 years, which
BACK,
University of North Alabama’s campus at 10 a.m. May will be centered around the arts. Events kick off on May 4 with First Fridays downtown on Court Street. May 5 will feature an event themed around fabric. May 12 will feature wood. May 19 and 20 will feature the 32nd Annual Arts Alive Festival in Wilson Park. May 26 will feature clay. June will take a trip back in time and be centered around
sic from all over The Shoals with performances everywhere from parks and sidewalks to restaurants and theatres. The Handy Festival has been named a Top Ten Event in Alabama, Event of the Year in 2007 by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, designated a three-time Cultural Olympiad Designee by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, selected as a Local/Destination on the National Geographic Appalachian Regional Commission’s Featured Sites Map, and designated as a Top Twenty Event in the Southeast since 1986 by the Southeast Tourism Society. August is dedicated to education, with Florence being home to one of the first chartered schools in the state of Alabama, the University of North Alabama. Education is an important feature
September 23. The second will feature the Indian Mound and Museum on September 16 with a second presentation on September 30. September will also feature the 25th annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride on September 15. October’s theme is “Homecoming.” October will feature a “Reunion at the River” that will include music, food, and family events at McFarland Park on October 20. The same weekend will feature the Alabama Renaissance Faire at Wilson Park on October 20 and 21. The Renaissance Faire is a free, educational and entertaining event featuring craft vendors and Renaissance entertainers from all over the United States. The timeframe is the 1100s through the 1600s. Costumes are not required; however they are welcomed. There
OOKING FORWARD city officials and inhabitants alike see as worth celebrating.
The city established a committee to commemorate the bicentennial with a year of events starting on the city’s birthday of March 12 and ending with the burial of the bicentennial time capsule. Each month of 2018 will feature a different event theme for the celebration. March is the “Birthday Celebration” and kicks off the bicentennial events. There will be a birthday bash at Wilson park on March 12 at 3:30 p.m. with a rain location of the FlorenceLauderdale Public Library. April’s theme will be architecture. There are two walking tours scheduled downtown. The first will meet at 10 a.m. at the Kennedy Douglas Center for the Arts on April 7 and feature Wilson Park. The second is scheduled for April 14 with a walking tour of North Court and Seminary Streets. That tour will meet in front of Rogers Hall at
frontier days. Beginning with a dedication of the John Coffee Cemetery on June 2, the month continues with Frontier Days at Pope’s Tavern on June 2 and June 3. On June 23 there will be a Korean Veterans Meet and Greet also held at Pope’s Tavern. There are several other events that fall under this category but are not in June, including the re-enactment of the first Battle of Florence with infantry, artillery, and cavalry units at McFarland Park on November 3 and 4, a World War I Display at Pope’s Tavern for the 100th Anniversary of the end of the war from November 8-10, and “Every Light A Prayer For Peace” Program at Pope’s Tavern with “Pearl Harbor” display on December 7. July is all about the music. July kicks off with the Independence Day celebration at McFarland Park and conclude with the W.C. Handy Music Festival July 2029. The festival showcases mu-
of the area. At the time of press, there is only one event scheduled for August: the Road Rally. The Road Rally is a community scavenger hunt to historical sites around the area.
will also be a to-be-determined event at the Shoals Community Theatre as they celebrate their 70th birthday. November will conclude the years festivities with a focus on
Father of the Blues, W.C. Handy, of Florence, jokes with actress Tallulah Bankhead, of Huntsville.
September is dedicated to Native Americans. There will be four different Native American presentations. The first is September 9 at the FlorenceLauderdale Public Library with another presentation on WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
Faith. There will be a community Thanksgiving on November 18th on Mobile Street in front of the Shoals Community Theatre. Florence has seen a fantastic 200 years of progress and innovation. Here’s to another 200! SPECIAL FEATURE
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SAY CHEESE! KAITLYN TEW AND MCKENZIE PRUITT
SPOTLIGHT
FLORENCE CHOCOLATE CRAWL ASHLEY AND CORY ADUM
TODD ERICKSON AND MAGGIE GRUBER
FLORENCE MAIN STREET FEB. 3
OFFICE TRIVIA NIGHT
SINGING RIVER BREWERY • FLORENCE, AL • FEB. 21 RYAN LAGANKE, COURTNEY MOORE, MARY AGEE AND RACHEL MILWEE
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SPOTLIGHT
ISSUE NO.2
JADON DANIEL, BROOKLYN SAYERS, LANE BECKMAN, BLAIR SHELTON, KAILA LIGHTFOOT AND TRINITY EZELL
ARX MORTIS’ MY BLOODY VALENTINE PEYTON HEATHERLY AND PAM ALLEN
KILLEN, AL • FEB. 14
REBEKA TENNANT AND KATIE FRANKLIN
SAVANNAH BRASHEARS AND
WILL FRETWELL
DEVIN JOHNSON
JOSHLYN TAYLOR, ALLI CLARK, AUSTIN EZELL AND NATHAN MORAN
WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
SPOTLIGHT
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Nick Walton Member since 2015
Miracle Osborne Member since 2013
Visit Our Stop by The Hill
to relax, recharge, or (of course) take care of your financial
needs. The Hill is a full service, student-run Listerhill Credit Union location in The Commons at UNA dedicated to helping students reach their full financial potential.
DAY 1
TUSCUMBIA
women’s softball team compete in a doubleheader at 2 p.m.
Afterwards, if history’s your thing, visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum house on Riverview Drive. Architecture critic Peter Blake wrote in the 1960s that “during the ’30s, Wright built four structures of beauty unexcelled in America before or since, one of those being the Rosenbaum house.” Admission is $5 for students, $10 for adults and hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with tours lasting 45 minutes. Conclude your day in style with a visit to the 360 Grille, located at the top of
DAY 2
FLORENCE After enjoying your breakfast at Cold Water Inn, head into Florence, home of the University of North Alabama. Or, try another breakfast spot with Rivertown Coffee in downtown Florence, right across from the post office. If you’re kicking off spring break on Saturday March 24 or 25, stop by Mike D. Lane field to catch some sunshine and watch the Lions play baseball (double header beginning at 1 p.m.) or head to the UNA Softball Complex to watch the
To cool off, take a short drive downtown to enjoy Trowbridge’s ice cream and sandwiches, a classic favorite. If you’d rather have a different type of treat, try Miami Ice at their original Florence location, located on Clayborn Liles Road, where you can enjoy shaved ice and a variety of flavors, such as Bahama Mama, Strawberry Shortcake, or Iced Tea (can you say yum?).
@sock319
Treat yo’self to a one-of-a-kind dinner spot at Rattlesnake Saloon. This spot opened in 2009, but since then has been featured in music videos, TV shows, and has become known as a mustvisit spot. Choose from classics like burgers, nachos, and salads. End your day with a synchronized water light show at Spring Park before checking in to the Cold Water Inn, Tuscumbia’s only boutique hotel.
ALLIE SOCKWELL
Follow your history lesson with lunch at The Palace, where you step back in time to an oldfashioned soda shop and drugstore. After eating a chicken salad sandwich, hot dog, or hot ham and cheese, take your ice cream or famous Harvey’s oldfashioned milkshake and walk throughout the downtown area, browsing through boutiques like Nellie Mae’s and Blush.
BY
Spend time in Tuscumbia, AL, birthplace of Helen Keller. Begin by touring the grounds of Ivy Green at 300 North Commons Street any time Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, which includes a guided tour of the home and grounds, including the black well-pump where Keller first learned the fingertip alphabet.
SPRING BREAK
STAY-CATION
With the arrival of spring comes college and high school kids’ favorite: spring break. While many students opt for lavish trips to tropical destinations, not all of us are so lucky. If you’re looking for a fun and affordable way to enjoy your break, look no further.
Renaissance tower overlooking the Shoals. For this evening’s stay, chec kout Airbnbs, specifically “Historic Downtown Florence McCorkle Lofts” located in the heart of historic downtown Florence (roughly $180 a night with 2 bedrooms) or “the Lelia House” with 1 bedroom for roughly $90 a night. These are in prime locations where you can still walk to downtown for more food or shopping.
DAY 3
COLUMBIA, TN Head north about an hour and a half and you’ll come across Mule Town USA, a nickname given from the area’s high involvement in the mule industry. You can’t miss the downtown square, a picturesque spot with booming business. Grab lunch at Square Market (the tomato bisque soup is to die for) along with their delicious fruit tea. Afterwards, walk around the square to Duck River books
to peruse the shelves for literary treasures. Because no trip is complete without a dose of history, be sure to stop by our 11th President James K. Polk’s home on West 7th Street. For $10, you can walk through the surviving residence of Polk and see relics from the Polk Presidential Hall. If too much history has you yawning, head back to the square for Mule
Town Coffee before heading to dinner at Puckett’s (live music performances on weekends and great menu selection of good eats!). If you want to stay the night while still being affordable ($42 a night!), check out the Airbnb titled “Charming room in historic downtown Columbia” within walking distance of the square. Stay in a beautifully furnished bedroom in a 1890s home.
Whatever you decide to do for your spring break staycation, take time to slow down and act like a tourist for a few days. You never know what hidden gems are right in front of you. WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
TRAVEL
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ZUCCHINI: FOOD FOR ANY MOOD BY
A long, green squash is an
unlikely competitor for most versatile vegetable, but it just might be winning.
Zucchini has a high water content, low calorie count, and is cholesterol-free, but there are more than just healthy reasons to eat it. “When I buy it, I know that the odds are high that I can use it before it goes bad, because it can be quick and easy and tasty, or elaborate,” said Chef Prema Monteiro, an instructor in the culinary department at the University of North Alabama in Florence. ”It can be prepared to go with all types of food — Asian, American, European. It can be used as a main or part of a main dish, a side or dessert.”
gluten-free or try to be more health-conscious. It is a useful ingredient for those with gluten allergies because it can be substituted for pasta in some recipes. Thanks to the help of a kitchen gadget called a “spiralizer” anyone can make zucchini noodles, or “zoodles,” at home. Spiralizers usually cost from $10 to $15 anywhere kitchen utensils are sold. They also work for other vegetables like carrots and onions. If you aren’t feeling spaghettistyle noodles, you can shave a zucchini and use the thin slices as pasta layers in lasagna. “There is no best way to eat zucchini, it is really versatile,” Monteiro said.
Monteiro said she sees zucchini becoming more popular as more people start to eat
For vegetarians, any versatile vegetable is essential to home cooking.
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ISSUE NO.2
FOOD
TAYLOR SIMPSON
@taysimp
“When I was a vegetarian, I found myself replacing meat with carbs a lot,” said UNA senior Molly Ratliff. “Zucchini is a light alternative to more starchy vegetables.” Ratliff said she uses zucchini to substitute pasta or eats it on its own as a side dish. Perhaps even more unexpected is the fact that zucchini can also be used in baking bread or muffins. Where a recipe calls for butter, oil, or shortening, you can use shredded zucchini instead. The vegetable locks moisture into the batter and replaces the fats that the recipe calls for, making the resulting muffin or bread both healthier and more rich. A popular recipe that includes this trick is for chocolate zucchini bread. There are also plenty of other desserts that use zucchini in-
cluding zucchini cobbler, zucchini bread, zucchini halwa, or zucchini berry coffee cake, Monteiro said. If you’re still trying to keep your healthy-eating New Year’s resolutions, zucchini can help you there, too. Not only does zucchini have all of the above-mentioned benefits, it’s also a source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, Monteiro said. “It has a low glycemic index, making it an ideal food for those who want to normalize their blood sugar levels, like pre-diabetic and diabetic folks,” she said. But zucchini isn’t just healthy; it’s also easy to squeeze into traditional recipes. You can add it to just about any recipe that calls for vegetables. Even major food chains like Logan’s Roadhouse have start-
CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup plain greek yogurt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups shredded zucchini
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Extra chocolate chips for topping
ed serving zucchini fries as an alternative to the traditional potato fries. Zucchini fries make a great appetizer or an unexpected side for burgers, and they are low-carb, too.
carb foods or when I’m in a hurry,” said Harrison Russell, a UNA senior who eats a lowcarb diet. Baked pizza boats are another easy and filling way to use zucchini, he said.
Another low carb option is to wrap cheese, lunch meat, and other vegetables with sliced zucchini to make a no-bread sandwich.
“It is very suitable for those on a ketogenic diet, being lowcarb,” Monteiro said.
“Zucchini roll-ups are my go-to when I get tired of other low-
For a green vegetable, zucchini is pretty hearty. You can
TIME: 1 HOU R
Recipe via wyldflour.com
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray. Shred zucchini using a cheese grater, then lightly squeeze with paper towels so that zucchini is not dripping, but is still moist. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients until
smooth. Stir together the wet and dry ingredients with a fork until there are no lumps. Using a spatula, fold in the zucchini, making sure to spread the zucchini evenly in the mixture. Pour the mixture into a loaf pan and top with more chocolate chips. Bake for 40-50 minutes.
add it to both soups and sauces to make meals more filling and tastier. Another reason to use zucchini in cooking is its price. Zucchini are routinely sold in packs of three or more and have an average price of $1.90 a pound. This makes it a great staple for college students on a budget. “I almost always buy zucchini and squash to go with my healthy meals,” Russell said.
“It’s great for when I’m between paychecks.” While zucchini is available year-round in grocery stores, you can buy locally soon. Summer squashes, including zucchini, thrive when planted in southern climates, so be on the look out for this fresh summer vegetable at your local farmer’s markets from May though August and in supermarkets year-round.
LISTERHILL SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST Also known as a bunch of
AMAZON ECHO DOT This year, the Listerhill Video Booth will be traveling to local schools and public events to film submissions to win $10,000 in scholarship money and an Amazon Echo Dot. To check the schedule and get the details, go to: