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VOLUME 01 ISSUE 07 AUGUST 2013
WE’RE NUMBERR E! ONE!
BACK IN THE DAY HOPPING THROUGH THE PAST
THE GHOSTS OF NETWORKS PAST NO SPACE FOR MYSPACE
BEST BAGS IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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AUGUST 2013
AUGUST 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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A SPORT WHERE MEN IN PADS CRUSH EACH OTHERS’ BODIES AND SPIRITS IN PURSUIT OF A BALL IS JUST SO ‘MERICAN MASCOT FACE-OFF P12 FEEDBACK
LETTER
LET’S HEAR IT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FROM THE EDITOR
BLAST FROM THE PAST
AND YOU THOUGHT TIME TRAVEL WAS IMPOSSIBLE. . . . . . . . . 5
WHATCHA READING?
AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT HOW TO SAVE ON TEXTBOOKS . . . . . . . . 6
A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
EXCITING NEWS FOR SET!
Hey SET readers! I hope your summer was full of good music, sunshine, ice cream and prancercising (yea that’s right, prancercising!). School is just around the corner, and hopefully this issue of SET will help you start the school year off right. If you are new to town and picking up SET for the first time and have absolutely no idea what this magazine is all about, then let me tell you! SET is a publication of Listerhill Credit Union that is written by and for young people. The content of the magazine focuses on community events, financial tips, new technology and so much more. SET provides a platform for young people to do what they love (whether it’s writing, drawing, designing, photography, etc.), build up their portfolio and earn a little bit of cash in the process.
ONE GIRL’S MISSION TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING. . . . . . . . . . 8
Now, whether you have been reading SET from day one or not, I have some big news to share with you… (drum roooolll)… beginning in September we are expanding the distribution of SET to include south central Tennessee!! I think the magazine will benefit greatly from this change and I am extremely excited about the opportunity we have to meet new readers and add some new contributors into the mix. What does this mean for you? You have the chance to make new friends, work with even more talented people and learn more about all of the exciting things going on in Tennessee! You may notice this month that our calendar already includes many more events taking place in Tennessee that you might not have known about. In the future you will see articles written by folks from Tennessee as well as an expanded Spotlight section full of pictures of events from both Alabama and Tennessee! If you are interested in contributing to SET, we would love to have you! Whether you’re a writer, artist, photographer or musician, there’s always a place for you in the magazine. Shoot me an email at contribute@getsetmag.com and get started!
BY LINLEY MOBLEY, EDITOR
YOUR MOVE
NOW IS THE TIME TO END SLAVERY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SET’S FIRST TAKE
TOUGH QUESTIONS IN THIS UPCOMING FOOTBALL SEASON . . . 10
MASCOT FACE-OFF
A FUNNY FIGHTING FRENZY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
EPIC MASCOT BATTLE
BRACKET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
CALENDAR
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17
MASH UP
NEW ALBUMS CREATING A BUZZ IN THE MUSIC WORLD. . . 18-19
THE SHOP AROUND THE TAB
A NEW WAY OF SHOPPING THAT SAVES TIME AND MONEY. . . 20
THE GHOSTS OF NETWORKS PAST
FOUR SOCIAL NETWORKS THAT MADE THE FAIL BLOG. . . . . . . . 21
SPOTLIGHT
SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23
BATTLE THE BULGE
STAYING HEALTHY YOUR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE . . . . . . . . . 24
BREAKING THE CHAIN
THAT LITTLE PLACE ON THE CORNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SET CONTRIBUTORS STEPHEN JACKSON JEREMY JACKSON Tuscumbia, AL
Decatur, AL
KYLE ENLOE
Florence, AL
MATT JONES
JARED MCCOY
Rogersville, AL Hazel Green, AL
FREESTYLE
THE PERFECT BOOK BAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
KAHRI BOLDEN Trinity, AL
WILL RILEY
SHANE MOODY
CLAIRE STEWART
JACOB EZELL
Muscle Shoals, AL Ford City, AL Vestavia Hills, AL Anderson, AL
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.
Florence, AL
NIKKI MESSER
Florence, AL
MAGGIE BEA RAY Sheffield, AL
CONNECT WITH SET MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 566 Sheffield, AL 35660
Please take one copy and share it. 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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8 HOMETOWN HERO
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Activism raises awareness of unseen social problems.
AUGUST 2013
Trafficking is the 3rd largest international crime industry.
A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS ONE GIRL’S MISSION TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING PHOTO BY TATE HIPPS
YOUR LIFE IS WORTH SAVING. WHY NOT THEIRS?
There are many words that can be used to describe a hero. However, when observing the actions of Britney Newby, one word jumps out — compassion. Newby is a University of North Alabama (UNA) student as well as the president and co-founder of the International Justice Mission (IJM) local chapter. “I got involved in the effort to end slavery after hearing about it at the Passion Conference in Atlanta in 2012,” Newby said. “I started this organization on the UNA campus in February of this year because I felt the need to tell people
about the injustice of slavery around the world,” said Newby. IJM is a human rights agency that seeks to end modern-day slavery through working with national, state and local governments. IJM advocates for the rescue and aide of human trafficking victims. Newby, as well as co-founders Ashley White and Brooke Chamblee, felt strongly about starting the chapter and raising awareness. “We found that we all had a passion to start this organization on campus. From there everything happened in a whirlwind,” Newby said. Newby uses her future family as motivation to act against slavery. “When my grandchildren read about this in their history books, I want to be able to tell them that I did something to end it,” said Newby. The reward of serving her community
in this way is being able to read survivors’ stories on the IJM website and know that she did something to help. “The challenges are small compared to the rewards. However, there are times when we question how much of an impact we really make on something so large,” said Newby. “The number of people this happens to is incomprehensible.” Regardless of the challenge of doing something as big as ending slavery, Newby said that having someone say, “I would have never known,” is both encouraging and motivating. “I realize that even if it’s just for one person, one life, then it’s all worth it.”
STORY BY JACOB H. EZELL
AUGUST 2013
NONPROFIT OF THE MONTH 9
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4X as many slaves are trafficked in the U.S. than in the years prior to the Civil War.
HEADLINE
YOUR MOVE
MEMBERS OF THE IJM UNA CHAPTER STOOD 27 HOURS FOR SLAVERY.
NOW IS THE TIME TO END SLAVERY
PO Box 58147 Washington, DC 20037 www.ijm.org 703.465.5495 / 703.465.5499 (fax) Office hours: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm EST
There are 27 million people in captivity worldwide. There are more people forced into slavery today than in all of history. “That’s 27 million men, women and children just like you and me trapped and forced to work against their will. These are people with stories, families, hopes and dreams,” said Britney Newby, president of the University of North Alabama (UNA) International Justice Mission (IJM) chapter. “IJM is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression,” said Newby. “The goals of our IJM chapter at UNA are to raise awareness on campus as well as in the community.” Newby believes that awareness is the first step to ending slavery. Local IJM members raise awareness through events on campus as well as fundraising for the larger IJM organization. “Human trafficking is not just an overseas problem,” said Newby.
“It is everywhere — even in North Alabama.” According to Newby, Atlanta is one of the largest hubs, while I-20 going through Birmingham is the worst highway in the nation for human trafficking. “We want everyone to know that ending slavery in our time is a reality,” said Newby. “We can all do something now to end slavery. As a campus chapter of IJM, we work to fight against injustice and oppression in the world by raising our voices through prayer and advocacy.” Stand4Justice, an IJM event that took place in March, consisted of students standing for 27 hours straight to represent the 27 million people in captivity. IJM will also host Justice Week this fall, which will consist of an entire week of fundraising and events. “The easiest way for students to get involved is to sign up on OrgSync on the UNA website, find our page and join,” said Newby. People can also get involved through getting connected on Facebook (North Alabama IJM) and Twitter (@UNA_ IJM). IJM hosts events every semester and meets monthly.
STORY BY JACOB H. EZELL
10 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Auburn vs. Georgia is the oldest rivalry in the SEC.
AUGUST 2013
NFL home teams provide 36 footballs per game.
SET’S FIRST TAKE players on the field. With recent trouble in the love department I foresee a single McCarron… and lots of happy ladies — oh yeah, and the Heisman.
WHO IS THE BEST-DRESSED COACH? R: I have no statistics to back any
kind of legitimate answer, but former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley did have those bright orange pants… maybe Butch Jones will carry on the tradition.
N: Nick Saban is always high on my
best-dressed list. Other coaches that make my list include… uhh, yeah, I’ll stick with Saban.
EXPERTS PREDICT MCCARRON WILL SNAG THE HEISMAN WITH GOOD LOOKS.
ANSWERING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS IN THIS UPCOMING FOOTBALL SEASON The time for tailgating, body painting, packed stadiums and heated debates is right around the corner. Another exciting season of college football is about to kick off! Just to get everyone in the mood of what will surely be a great few months, SET had Nikki and Ryan send in answers to a few major questions dealing with the collegiate gridiron. You’re free to disagree, but there aren’t many people who are more knowledgeable on this subject than these uhh… experts.
WHICH TEAM WILL BE A BREAKOUT CONTENDER THIS COMING SEASON? RYAN: I am going with the Louisville Cardinals. They are carrying in momentum from an 11-2 season with QB Teddy Bridgewater leading the team, Charlie Strong as one of the best young coaches and a favorable schedule in a so-so conference. It all adds up to a run at the national championship.
NIKKI: The University of Kentucky
could seriously surprise the SEC this season. According to sources, they sent spies across the state lines to retrieve Saban’s plays. Any team that can slip under the radar is sure to make an impact.
WHAT PLAYER WILL WIN THE HEISMAN? R: I am picking Baylor University’s
Lache Seastrunk. For the latter part of last season Seastrunk tore up the field, and as of late, the award has leaned toward players with stats similar to video games.
N: If you know anything about college football, you know Alabama’s A.J. McCarron is one of the most attractive
WHICH TEAM WILL WIN THE REMATCH OF ALABAMA AND TEXAS A&M? R: Hands down, I think Alabama
will win, even in College Station. The Aggies had real talent around Johnny Manziel last season, but I see him struggling to not only live up to the hype, but also keep A&M relevant.
N: Western football can’t touch
Southern football. The guys in crimson give their all each and every inning and the Longhorns just won’t keep up. Alabama fans are ready to send those cowboys back to their state. Roll Tide!
WHICH TEAMS HAVE THE BEST AND WORST UNIFORMS? R: With my impeccable taste in
style, I actually like Maryland’s new uniforms; they are a huge improvement over their 2011 gear. For worst uniforms, I have to go with the Oregon Ducks. They have too many flashy shoes and helmets, their usual uniforms seem to be forgotten.
N: Best uniforms: Oregon. They
WHICH SEC TEAM COULD KNOCK ALABAMA OFF ITS THRONE? R: It’s a stretch to pick any team in
the SEC to beat the Crimson Tide, but I believe the Florida Gators can and will meet Alabama in the SEC Championship. They are the only team with the talent to keep pace for four quarters.
N: Didn’t The University of Florida
“swamp” Alabama a few years ago? If they did, I bet they could do it again.
WILL AUBURN REBOUND FROM ITS 3-9 SEASON UNDER NEW HEAD COACH, GUS MALZAHN? R: I believe with the talent that was
meant for Malzahn’s offense, Auburn will post a 7-5 season, which won’t fully appease Tiger fans, but will hurt much less than 3-9.
N: I’m going to say yes! I’m confident
they can break the ranks. They just need to channel the ferociousness of their mascot, the tiger. And I love the patriotism of their second mascot, the eagle!
WHICH TEAM WILL HOIST THE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY THIS YEAR? R: Cliché pick, but I am going with
Alabama. Give me a team that’s more talented, proven and disciplined from player to player, assistant coach to head coach. The Tide keeps rolling.
N: Alabama, obviously! Haven’t they won the National Championship a couple of times before? Either way, I’ll be sporting crimson this year — it looks so good with my tan.
keep up their appearance with new STORY BY uniforms every game! Worst uniforms: Clemson University. That orange is RYAN ETHERIDGE just all wrong. AND NIKKI MESSER
AUGUST 2013
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SET isn’t just a magazine looking for people to share their 2 cents. It is entirely comprised of content provided by the 15 - 29 year olds of our community. No one else writes the articles, no one takes the pictures and no one else decides what runs. That’s why we need you. Attend our next editorial meeting, drop us a line or send us an idea for your story. We want your photography, art and music. Get on SET’s team.
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SPECIAL FEATURE 11
12 FEATURE
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BY STEPHEN JACKSON It’s almost fall and with that comes the dawning of a new season of the sport every American loves and treasures in their hearts. That sport, of course, is football. A sport where men in pads crush each others’ bodies and spirits in pursuit of a ball is just so ‘Merican; but let’s all be honest here — the true spirit of this sport is embodied in the mascot. Since we were children, these questions have been asked: “Could a bear beat a tiger? Could a cougar take down a pirate? Could we actually get these mascots together to see which one would win in a battle to the death?” The answers to these questions are, “Maybe, maybe and no (that would be a PR nightmare).” So, I used my imagination to put together a list of local mascots and what they’d bring to the table in a real-life savage battle.
AUGUST 2013
AUGUST 2013
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The tiger is one of the planet’s fiercest predators. Its ability to climb trees, combined with its sheer power, makes it a formidable foe in any mascot battle. There is also a golden tiger that’s not much more powerful, but hey — it’s golden. Though it has the cunning and power to take down another mascot, it also has a chip on its shoulder. The bulldog is a very dignified, muscular animal, but don’t let it fool you — its face looks like it’s already taken a savage beating. It also gets along well with children, and somehow that doesn’t bode well for its viciousness in the arena.
This bunch of rag-tag looters is a pretty hardcore group of guys. They pillage and plunder, and when they aren’t pillaging and plundering, they’re pillaging and plundering. These peg-legged, eyepatched, toothless sea dogs are known to be terrifying fighters, which is probably brought about by the anger of losing legs, eyes and teeth to scurvy and dysentery.
Rebels are people who are, well, rebelling. They are trained gunsmen, but might not do very well without a cause to fight for. Maybe they can rebel against the other mascots.
‘Merica loving citizens who wear ponytails, tricorn hats and use muskets … which takes about 10 seconds to reload. It’s a good thing they have a bayonet too…
The bear is a formidable beast whose viciousness is equal to or greater than its massiveness. It can run fairly quickly and can take down its enemy with its power and speed. Bears can stand on their hind legs and slam all their force into whatever lies below them. They can also use their giant paws to play Ping-Pong with their opponent’s heads.
Eagles have an edge when it comes to strategic maneuvering. They can dive down in mid-flight and use their enormous talons to scratch or drop rocks or comically large anvils on their opponents. They are nature’s jet fighters. Eagles can also use their big beaks to really do some damage … and crack open piñatas.
Here is a group that is up to the task of fighting. Brave and strong, Warriors have the perseverance and the tools necessary for destroying even the toughest foe. When they do defeat their foe, they wear its pelt almost as if to say, “Look at me, I’m warm now because you failed.” And you think you’re safe in the air? Nope, ‘cause you just got arrowed.
An ‘aggie’ is someone who attends an agricultural school — basically a farm boy. Farmers are pretty tough guys and I suppose they could use their rifles and pitchforks as weapons. Other than that I’m not real sure how much an extensive knowledge of agriculture will help them in a battle to the death.
That’s right, more cats. Like those that came before, these cats are muscular hunting beasts. Like the tiger and the bobcat they can climb trees and ambush prey. They stalk their prey, so that could be helpful. They also love mountainous, rugged terrain. So if they battle it out on the edge of a cliff, it’s go time for these cats.
These flying insects swarm and give very uncomfortable, slightly inconvenient stings. If an opponent is allergic to yellow jackets then they might have a problem with these pests, especially if a nest is irritated … the hive will be swarming in less than a minute. If a fellow mascot has a thick coat or even a strong tail to swat then they should be OK, if not, they’ll be covered in irritating welts.
Lions, the ‘Kings of the Jungle.’ These giant cats have paws that could take off a head at 40 paces. Don’t believe me? Go find a lion and try getting near it. That’s what I thought. Weaknesses? You tell me.
These guys are very similar to the Indians/Warriors, only they have a giant wooden horse. They have swords, spears, and shields and are very skillful fighters. The Trojans are like brothers, always protecting and watching over each other in battle.
These cats can be pretty vicious at times, but I don’t see them making a big scene in this battle. They can climb trees, and they can use their claws to hunt small prey … and they can chase balls of yarn. The bearcat, however, defecates on threatening opponents. That’s right, it poops on them.
Wild horses … they buck, trample and bite. Ever seen their crazed eyes when they’re mad? It’s a pretty scary sight. As long as nothing gets the jump on it, then it should do pretty decent.
Well, well, well … the supernatural has finally reared its horned head. Devils, be it the red or blue variety, have the capability of supernatural, spirity things. On top of the unfair advantage of supernatural powers, the devil also has a pitchfork and fire. So things could get real in a battle with one of these.
FLIP TO THE NEXT PAGE AND FILL OUT THE BRACKET FOR A CHANCE TO WIN $100!
14 FEATURE
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AUGUST 2013
BULLDOGS TIGERS LIONS
REBELS PATRIOTS BEARS TROJANS
@
nam
AUGUST 2013
Fill out the bracket based on the strengths and weaknesses listed in the mascot profiles. Snap a photo and tweet it to us at @getsetmag by August 21. On August 23 we will post Stephen’s bracket. The person with the bracket closest to Stephen’s will win a $100 gift card!
AGGIES
YELLOW JACKETS
DEVILS
instructions
me
FEATURE 15
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16 CALENDAR
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EVENTS
AUGUST 2013
AUGUST 2 - SEPTEMBER 5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
AUGUST 2
127 CONNECT – WORLD’S LONGEST YARD SALE @ Alexander City, AL 6:00am FIRST FRIDAYS @ Downtown Florence, AL 5:00pm MATCHBOX TWENTY & THE GOOGOO DOLLS @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham, AL 7:00pm THE MUSIC MAN @ Von Braun Center – Play House, Huntsville, AL 7:30pm SET MAGAZINE LAUNCH PARTY @ Pocket Park, Florence, AL 8:00pm THE CONSOULERS @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:30pm FIRST FRIDAY DOOMSDAY @ The End Theater, Florence, AL 9:00pm JEFF HENSON & JORDAN DENTON @ On The Rocks, Florence, AL
AUGUST 3
127 CONNECT – WORLD’S LONGEST YARD SALE @ Alexander City, AL 6:00am FIRST SATURDAYS @ Downtown Rogersville, AL 3:00pm THE MUSIC MAN @ Von Braun Center – Play House, Huntsville, AL 2:00pm & 7:00pm
AUGUST 4
127 CONNECT – WORLD’S LONGEST YARD SALE @ Alexander City, AL 6:00am BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOS @ Regions Field, Birmingham, AL 7:05pm
AUGUST 7
KATHY GRIFFIN COMEDY LIVE @ Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL 7:30pm JEFF HENSON & JORDAN DENTON @ On The Rocks, Florence, AL
AUGUST 8
LIVE ON THE GREEN – MATT & KIM, GIN WIGMORE @ Public Square Park, Nashville, TN 5:00pm SONSETT, OF THE COAST & THE RUNNER UP @ The End Theater, Florence, AL
AUGUST 9
VINYL RADIO @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:30pm
ST. PAUL AND THE BROKEN BONES AT LIVE ON THE GREEN, AUGUST 29
AUGUST 10
VARIETY RECORD LOUNGE GRAND OPENING @ Columbia, TN CARRIE UNDERWOOD @ Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN 7:00pm JUSTIN BEIBER @ Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 7:00pm EST JAMIE DAVIS & SOUL GRAVY @ Flobama, Florence, AL 8:00pm DIRTY POP @ Iron Horse, Hoover, AL 10:00pm
AUGUST 11
BRAVES VS. MARLINS @ Turner Field, Atlanta, GA 1:35pm EST
OUTBACK SURVIVOR 5K & 1M FUN RUN @ Outback, Sheffield, AL
AUGUST 13
FLORENCE FOODIES @ Yumm Sushi and Beyond, Florence, AL 5:30pm
AUGUST 14
BRAVES VS. PHILLIES @ Turner Field, Atlanta, GA 7:10pm EST JIMMY EAT WORLD @ Center Stage, Atlanta, GA 8:00pm EST JEFF HENSON & JORDAN DENTON @ On The Rocks, Florence, AL
AUGUST 15
LIVE ON THE GREEN – MATT NATHANSON, THE MOWGLI’S @ Public Square Park, Nashville, TN 5:00pm BAREFOOT IN THE PARK @ Shoals Theater, Florence, AL 7:00pm
AUGUST 16
CABARET @ North River Yacht Club, Tuscaloosa, AL 6:00pm BAREFOOT IN THE PARK @ Shoals Theater, Florence, AL 7:00pm SEYMOUR BLUE @ The End Theater, Florence, AL 8:00pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
WANNABEATLES @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:30pm FRANKLIN COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL @ Russellville, AL
AUGUST 17
THE SHOALS FLEA MARKET @ North Alabama State Fairgrounds, Muscle Shoals, AL 9:00am BAREFOOT IN THE PARK @ Shoals Theater, Florence, AL 7:00pm BRUNO MARS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 8:00pm JASON ISBELL @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 8:00pm
AUGUST 2013
2 STEEL GIRLS @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:30pm FRANKLIN COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL @ Russellville, AL FRANKLIN COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL 5K @ Russellville, AL
AUGUST 18
THE SHOALS FLEA MARKET @ North Alabama State Fairgrounds, Muscle Shoals, AL 10:00am BRAVES VS. NATIONALS @ Turner Field, Atlanta, GA 1:35pm EST BAREFOOT IN THE PARK @ Shoals Theater, Florence, AL 2:00pm
AUGUST 19
CALENDAR 17
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CLASSES BEGIN FOR FALL SEMESTER @ Wallace State Community College, Hanceville, AL CLASSES BEGIN FOR FALL SEMESTER @ Northwest Shoals Community College, Muscle Shoals, AL
AUGUST 21
CLASSES BEGIN FOR FALL SEMESTER @ University of North Alabama, Florence, AL CLASSES BEGIN FOR FALL SEMESTER @ Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL JEFF HENSON & JORDAN DENTON @ On The Rocks, Florence, AL
AUGUST 22
LIVE ON THE GREEN – MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD, THE DELTA SAINTS @ Public Square Park, Nashville, TN 5:00pm THE BIG DEAL @ University of North Alabama, Florence, AL 6:00pm KEITH URBAN @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham, AL 7:00pm BRUNO MARS @ Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 7:30pm EST PUNCH BROTHERS’ CHRIS ELDRIDGE & JULIAN LAGE @ Workplay, Birmingham, AL 8:00pm
AUGUST 23
7’ CLEARANCE @ Flobama, Florence, AL 6:00pm
AUGUST 24
UNA SGA TOGA RUN 5K @ University of North Alabama, Florence, AL 6:00pm THE CRIMSON SEASON DEBUT SHOW, CHAOTIC THEORY, THE RUNNER UP, DARK BEFORE DAWN & STRUGGLIN’ JIMMIES @ The End Theater, Florence, AL 7:00pm UNA SGA TOGA PARTY @ Wilson Park, Downtown Florence, AL 8:00pm SARA BAREILLES @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 8:00pm CLASSES BEGIN FOR FALL SEMESTER @ Columbia State Community College, Columbia, TN DRENCHED HUNTSVILLE NOVELTY 5K @ Huntsville, AL
AUGUST 28
JEFF HENSON & JORDAN DENTON @ On The Rocks, Florence, AL
AUGUST 29
LIVE ON THE GREEN – ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES @ Public Square Park, Nashville, TN 5:00pm HUNTSVILLE STARS VS. JACKSON GENERALS @ Joe Davis Stadium, Huntsville, AL 6:43pm COREY SMITH @ Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL 8:00pm
AUGUST 30
SEAN RIVERS @ Flobama, Florence, AL 10:00pm ALABAMA STATE FAIR @ TBA
AUGUST 31
MUDDY-MAMA 5K @ Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL 8:00am ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE VS. VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES @ Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA 4:30pm EST AMERICAN IDOL LIVE @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville TN 8:00pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
JASON MATTHEWS & FRIENDS @ Puckett’s, Columbia, TN 8:30pm AUBURN TIGERS VS. WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS @ Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
SEPTEMBER 2 LABOR DAY
SEPTEMBER 5
LIVE ON THE GREEN – LOCAL NATIVES, LEAGUES, LULU MAE @ Public Square Park, Nashville, TN 5:00pm
18 MUSIC
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AUGUST 2013
“Sigur Rós” is Icelandic for “Victory rose.”
MASH UP NEW ALBUMS CREATING A BUZZ IN THE MUSIC WORLD KANYE WEST – “YEEZUS”
Kanye’s latest effort shows a bold change of direction for his sound. This album is probably not the one that consistent Kanye fans were expecting. As usual, Kanye finds refuge in his own pure audacity with song titles like “New Slaves,” “Black Skinhead” and “I Am a God.” Given West’s controversial real-life antics and his trademark off-the-wall, self-obsessed, vulgar hilarity, the listener has to spend much of the album wondering just how much Kanye is joking, if he is at all. On “Yeezus,” this signature craziness and persona filters through soundscapes that hearken back to 90’s electronic acts such as Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails, which opens this album up to a whole new range of listeners who might not have otherwise tried it simply because Kanye’s name was attached. While in the past he has crafted his songs with a
perfectionist’s concern for creating a smooth and high-gloss hip-hop album, Kanye now recycles outdated synthesizer sounds, combines them with rougher and more intense vocal deliveries and blares strings of samples that jump out of the song to compete for your attention with all the welcome of a pop-up ad.
THE CIVIL WARS – “THE CIVIL WARS”
Much to their fan base’s delight after their sudden hiatus last November, Florence’s favorite Grammy-winning duo is set to release their self-titled sophomore album Aug. 6. Judging from their teaser single, “The One That Got Away,” this new album seems to show signs of heavier rock influences creeping into their sound. Hopefully the band has dealt with the “internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition” they cited as the reason for their initial break and can continue to put out music. With over 8,000 likes and 700 shares on the Facebook post they put out in March, which only announced “good news,” I think fans will respond exceptionally well to this album.
JASON ISBELL – “SOUTHEASTERN”
Muscle Shoals native, and former Drive-by Trucker, Jason Isbell returns with a collection of songs that show a heartwarming sense of honesty. The sound is somewhere
JASON ISBELL RELEASES A HEARTWARMING ALBUM.
AUGUST 2013
MUSIC 19
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Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” spent 15 years on the Billboard 200.
THE CIVIL WARS ARE OUT OF HIDING, HOPEFULLY FOR GOOD. between country and Southern rock, relying not so much on pop hooks as solid lyrics, straightforward melodies and complementary guitar picking. The emotional clarity and vulnerability in “Songs That She Sang in the Shower” evoke the melancholy tied to memories while still maintaining a calm sense of humor. On the flipside, “Super 8” details a comic yarn about the perils of a musician on the road that’s just ridiculous enough to be taken as a factual account. Throughout the album, the sounds blend together in an appropriate enough fashion to make it cohesive but without coming off as boring or overly safe.
SIGUR RÓS – “KVEIKUR”
Sigur Rós surprised no one when they released their previous album “Valtari,” due to its similarity to most of their original catalog. The first second of “Brennisteinn,” the first new track from Iceland’s postrock kings, lets you know this is not the same old Sigur Rós album.
Instead of the typical atmospheric keyboards and strings, the listener is assaulted by a rattling, distorted bass and piston-like drumming. That’s not to say they have completely abandoned everything that was previously identifiable as Sigur Rós characteristics. Vocalist Jónsi Birgisson still plays his guitar with a cello bow and leads the band with a music-box sweet falsetto. Working with their foundations as a band, Sigur Rós still manage to show how they have evolved over time. “Ísjaki” is probably one of their most poppy tracks to date and lends itself more to the sound of Birgisson’s solo album “Go.” Unlike previous albums, “Kveikur” keeps a steady pace of energy throughout and allows most of its tracks to stand alone without sounding like one giant, album-length track.
STORY BY JARED MCCOY
20 FASHION
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Neckties are banned in Iran.
AUGUST 2013
215 pairs of jeans are made with one bale of cotton.
THE SHOP AROUND THE TAB WANELO.COM
Pinterest. We’ve all grown to love it, but haven’t you always wanted to buy your pins? Stop re-pinning and start buying the perfect trinkets to enhance the atmosphere in your pad and closet. Wanelo’s (wah-nee-lo) online shopping community is user-generated. Members post products that they think people will “want, need and love.” When you set up your profile you can choose “male” or “female” and have recommended products listed on your page (so you ladies won’t have to worry about the handcrafted humidors). You can choose from some of the trendiest items in the world. Before we know it, we’ll have another social media verb added to the Merriam-Webster and everyone will be “waneloing.”
A NEW WAY OF SHOPPING THAT SAVES TIME AND MONEY With advanced online shopping, who still leaves their house to enhance their wardrobe? Maybe people who have a “mattress account” and do not actively use a debit card. Most sites are offering unbeatable deals and creating their own customer base without anyone ever entering a store. There are many more examples in addition to my list, but to me, these are the best of the best. My definitive style advice will (hopefully) give you incredible experiences from a few online websites.
BIRCHBOX.COM
DOLLARSHAVECLUB.COM (DSC)
Before you start dressing fresh, you have to look fresh. It’s time to give your upper lip a rest and send that caterpillar ‘stache flying — you know, the one you’ve been growing since 8th grade. DSC is truly a remarkable company. You get some of the world’s sharpest blades delivered right to your door. It’s as cheap as $1 a month. I may be unemployed and living with my parents, but I know a steal when I see one. If the video on the home page doesn’t make you want to invest in their blades, then Old Spice’s Wolfdog needs to educate you on marketing. Once you go to their website, you’ll have a few different options on how many blades you want delivered to your house. Your first delivery will include a handle, your razor cartridges and usually a sample of another product DSC offers. Tell your barber you’ll see him next month because you won’t have a need to go back for a shave. Time to twist off your grandfather’s shave butter and turn that 5 o’clock shadow into a face
NO SHIRT, NO SHOES? NO PROBLEM, BECAUSE YOU’RE SHOPPING FROM YOUR COUCH. your mother could kiss — even if your name was North West … ha!
WARBYPARKER.COM (WP)
OK, now you’re clean-shaven and presentable. It’s time to see what everyone else is doing. Warby Parker is a recent site I’ve explored that specializes in men’s and women’s eyewear, and I love it. They’ll actually donate a pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses to a child in need — very similar to the TOMS movement. Other than looking super-trendy, they do everything for you. You can pick out several frames you like and they’ll ship them to you to try on. After you’ve chosen your frames and sent the samples back, they call your optometrist for all of your prescription
information and get started on your lenses. Be prepared to spend at least $95, but with everyone walking around with Ray Bans nowadays, the price shouldn’t deter you.
THETIEBAR.COM
I can get a suit from the thrift shop but I can never find the right tie to match. That’s why I love TheTieBar. com. The Tie Bar is endorsed by Condé Nast (publisher of “GQ Magazine”) and all ties are $15. I know you probably have at least one Billy Reid bowtie or a nice collection from Fashion Exchange, but these are unbeatable deals. Check it out. Any fabric, style and size. To compliment your tie, go ahead and throw in a pocket square and a tie bar (their specialty).
Birchbox, which launched in 2010, is an online platform that is revolutionizing the retail experience. Birchbox will send its subscribers a box of sample products each month. Initially Birchbox only appealed to women, but in 2012 it extended its market to men. Where all my ladies at!? It’s only $10 a month for a women’s subscription. Sorry guys, we have to fork out an Andrew Jackson to receive our box, but it’s still a great deal. Birchbox has partnered with several brands to create a diverse sample box delivered right to your door. Some of the brands include Ghirardelli, Malin+Goetz, Herban Essentials, Juicy Couture and Lancome. Now, just because you’re not getting out doesn’t mean you should stop working out. All of this online shopping can make you a couch potato, but you still want your outfits to fit by the time you receive them. Suit up and be happy, because this year you’ll have enough saved up to start paying off those student loans.
STORY BY WILL RILEY
AUGUST 2013
SPECIAL FEATURE 21
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Twitter is the fastest growing social network.
What social network is next to go? @getsetmag
THE GHOSTS OF NETWORKS PAST FOUR SOCIAL NETWORKS THAT MADE THE FAIL BLOG Let’s hop into the DeLorean and head back to 2003. You’re in middle school (give or take a couple years). Chances are you’re going through an unavoidable awkward phase and some extreme changes. You need a safe outlet to channel your thoughts and energy. So, what do you do? What any other normal middle-schooler of the new millennium would do — log in to the virtual world of your favorite social network. With MySpace, AIM, new iPods and Xboxes how could life possibly get any better!? Back to reality. It’s 2013. iPods are old news. “Halo: Combat Evolved” is no longer the cool topic of conversation. Your favorite social networks from a decade ago are more or less 6 feet under. Times have changed. But how did the top dogs of social networking from the past become the joke of the present? Let’s find out what really happened!
1. AOL INSTANT MESSENGER (AIM)
This one right here takes us all the way back to the archaic days of dialup Internet connection. Released in 1997, AIM was a cutting-edge instant messenger during the early years of social networking. But like so many others, AIM failed to remain relevant when the big, much more competitive social networks (Facebook) released their own form of instant messaging. Bye-bye, AIM. So where is it now? AIM has seen a harsh decline in users during the previous decade. It went from the most used instant messenger in North America to just another “has been.” However, AIM still serves as an option (although, probably a last choice) in most operating systems to connect and chat with friends.
2. XANGA
If you’re like me, you feel like everything you say is extremely important. So, naturally, you would have loved Xanga. As this blogging website developed, people used it to account every single tiny little detail of their day (“Today I woke up and brushed my teeth. Then I went and fixed breakfast … Cap’n Crunch fooools! After that I got dressed for school and ~*OhMiGoSh*~ there was a mouse in my dresser!”) — needless to say, these posts could get pretty ridiculous. When released in 1999, the site’s original intent was for people to share book and music reviews, but due to the website’s ability to network with friends, follow different Xanga profiles as well as serve as one of the first entertaining blog sites, its popularity spread like wildfire. Xanga had one problem: it lacked the versatility and seemingly limitless features of MySpace and Facebook. So where is it now? The company stayed competitive until 2007 when it became the “nerd among the jocks.” Following that year, Xanga finally fell as a victim to bigger business and users swiftly declined.
3. FRIENDSTER
Released in 2002, Friendster was the granddaddy pioneer of bigtime social media. Its focus on customizable profile pages, friend networking and “testimonials” (basically a glorified shout out from a friend) offered something that people had never seen. The website was extremely addictive for a while, but after you tweaked your profile to perfection, there wasn’t much left to do besides add more friends and get testimonials. However, Friendster’s greatest (and eventually fatal) mistake was failing to implement a news feed,
THE BIG GUY ON CAMPUS, KNOCKING SOCIAL NETWORKS OUT OF THE WAY WITH HIS THUMBS UP. taking the “social” out of social network. So where is it now? Since Friendster is now basically non-existent in the United States, it has taken up roots in southeastern Asia, where it is attempting to survive as a social gaming website.
4. MYSPACE
I’ll be the first to admit it … my MySpace profile was the COOLEST. If you didn’t have one, you were either living under a rock or didn’t have a pulse. MySpace, which came out in 2003, offered a customizable profile page with features like wallpapers, profile songs and the infamously dramatic Top Friends list (“OMG! Why am I not on your Top Friends!?”). If it was so cool, what the heck happened?? While thinking of the MySpace days brings back the warmfuzzies, it still doesn’t change the fact that the company failed to remain innovative. As a result, MySpace
crumbled and fell into the shadow of the enormously popular Facebook by 2008. So where is it now? In 2011, Justin Timberlake bought and redesigned MySpace, shifting its focus toward a musical emphasis. MySpace is still struggling to get back on its feet, but the new ownership is a good first step. With social media, you can never really expect what’s next. Vine and Snapchat are perfect examples of the complete randomness of social media. Yet, despite their randomness, they are still enormously popular with young people. My best advice is to expect the unexpected, enjoy the fast-paced evolution of technology and be on the lookout for the next biggest thing!
STORY BY KYLE ENLOE
22 SPOTLIGHT
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SAY CHEESE!
SET READERS IN ACTION
PHOTOS BY JUSTIN ARGO, KAYLA SLOAN AND SARAH JOHNSON
AUGUST 2013
PHOTOS BY NAME AND NAME
STUDENTS FROM BEIJING INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY VISIT FLORENCE
BRIANNA BOLDEN, JUSTIN BARNETT AND PAUL POLAND, MOVIE IN THE PARK
MALACHI COLE AND DALTON PURYEAR, MOVIE IN THE PARK
VICTORIA BONIFER AND RYAN WOLFGANG, MOVIE IN THE PARK
SHOALS FAIR
LAUNCH PARTY
AUGUST 2013
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SPOTLIGHT 23
WHITNEY BALES, KAITLYN WILSON, JESSIE AND BEN SKIPWORTH, LAUNCH PARTY
BRANDON PENNINGTON, LAUNCH PARTY
ROBERT SANDERS, CORY BEAMS, BOBBY COBLE AND CHRIS WILLIAMS, LAUNCH PARTY
JOANNA FERGUSON, ASHLEY WHITE AND JUSTIN BARNET, SHOALS FAIR
WILL RHODES, KASSIE STANFORD, STU CLAYTON AND LILLY HOLLY, PEGASUS RECORDS
MARY KAYTLIN GREGG, MOLLY ODOM AND AUGUSTINE COFFMAN, PEGASUS RECORDS
MIRANDA LILES, SANFORD RODRIGUEZ AND VICTORIA BURNSIDE, PEGASUS RECORDS
24 HEALTH
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Two-thirds of all college freshmen will gain weight in their first year.
BATTLE THE BULGE
STRESS CAUSES PEOPLE TO CRAVE JUNK FOOD. FIGHT THE URGE!
STAYING HEALTHY YOUR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE We’ve all heard of the Freshman 15. That ominous idea that you will gain weight your first year in college and then fight to lose it over the next three years. Fortunately, there are easy ways to fight against this trend. Instead of focusing on the daily gains and losses on your bathroom scale, try to motivate yourself to pick up healthy habits! Here are 4 tips for healthy living to battle the bulge your freshman year.
KEEP HEALTHY HOURS
Though your schedule can be completely out of whack some days, it is important to establish regular times for eating and sleeping. The more normal your schedule is, the better your body feels. So slip a PB&J in your backpack for those classes that drag on during lunch hours and be sure to get to bed at a decent hour.
COLLEGE PARKING RULES!
We all complain about parking on
college campuses, but when it comes to your health, that long walk each day to your car may be one of the best things for you. A little exercise does the body good!
PARTY LIFE = UNHAPPY BODY
We’ve all heard our parents say it — nothing good happens after midnight. Though many college students disagree, for your body, the saying rings true. Staying out into the wee hours of the morning does not allow your body to rest and leads you to eat much more than you would have if you had gone to bed earlier. There is just something about 2 a.m. that makes a McRib and a chocolate shake look really appetizing. Am I right?
LEARN HEALTHY EATING HABITS NOW
As hard as you want to fight it, you are slowly and surely creeping toward adulthood. Before you are pushed out into the big, bad world, why not learn healthy eating habits now that you have a meal plan with tons of options? It is fine to splurge on junk food every now and then (trust me, I have perfected the skill), but when you can, make healthy eating choices — you will be thankful for it the rest of your college career!
STORY BY CLAIRE STEWART
AUGUST 2013
AUGUST 2013
FOOD 25
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You have to walk 9 miles to burn off a Double Whopper.
80-90% of American businesses are family owned.
BREAKING THE CHAIN Pilgrim’s Place is a family-owned barbecue restaurant with a little twist. They have the typical items any barbecue joint would have but a wider selection of sides including fried okra, turnip greens and other conventional homecooked foods. You have got to try the smoked chicken breast plate, which comes with two sides and their homemade white sauce. After your meal, whether you have room for it or not, try a slice of their pie — it’s incredible.
CHAT-N-CHEW IS KNOWN FOR THEIR DELICIOUS, OLD-FASHIONED HOMEMADE MILKSHAKES.
THAT LITTLE PLACE ON THE CORNER MAY JUST BE YOUR FAVORITE NEW PLACE TO EAT It gets old seeing the same restaurants in every town. But, if you just take a little time to search them out, a quality restaurant isn’t too hard to find. Yes, walking into a small, privately owned restaurant can be a little intimidating, but in the end you’ll walk out of the door best friends with the owner and a to-go box full of leftovers. So pull your stretchy pants on and get your sporks ready, I’m taking you on an eating adventure of epic portions. Pizza Chef is a small pizza joint in Florence
located in the Four Lane Shopping Center on Florence Boulevard. The menu includes signature gourmet pizzas, mouth-watering subs and salads with homemade dressings. The food has always met, if not exceeded, my expectations. If you like a wide array of toppings on your pizza I would recommend the “Chef’s Abbondanza” — Pizza Chef’s equivalent to a supreme. All of the ingredients are fresh and the pizza lacks nothing. Don’t eat meat? Don’t fret! There are plenty of veggie options. This establishment has a very limited dining area so I would advise calling your order in for pickup or delivery. If you’re ever out near the UnderwoodPetersville community, stop in at another small family-owned establishment — Chat-N-Chew. Chat-N-Chew has a menu consisting of delicious hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken tenders, fries and more. While their food is very tasty, you should definitely try their handspun milkshakes. The first time I had their peach milkshake it was love at first sip. They have all the basic flavors and then some — peach, pineapple, peanut butter … the list goes on. These shakes are perfectly creamy and if you want a flavor combination, it’s never a problem. Just one turn off highway 43 and a couple miles down the road on Jackson Avenue in Russellville is a small restaurant called Pilgrim’s Place.
If you’re heading south on I-65 toward Birmingham, take the Cullman exit and try out The All Steak Restaurant, established in 1934. This is a great location for dining in with a quaint environment and friendly service. Their menu consists of steaks (obviously), salads, specialty sandwiches and a bunch of good ‘ole home-cookin’. If you’re in the area around lunchtime, try their lunch special — the meat and two. Whatever you do, don’t leave All Steak without eating an Orange Roll — their signature item. Basically it is a cinnamon roll, minus the cinnamon, covered in a delicious orange glaze and baked to perfection. The best part is they come with the meal! I would highly advise planning for naptime after a trip here as you will leave stuffed and totally satisfied! Last but not least, one of my personal favorites … Staggs Grocery. Located on Huntsville Road in East Florence, it stands as one of the Shoals’ best-kept secrets. Formerly a little grocery store, it is now a short-order grill only serving breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday. Most locals know about this gem, but if you’ve never given it a chance, or are coming from out of town, don’t pass up the pork chop biscuit for breakfast or a burger for lunch. All the food is cooked to perfection and made to order. It’s not too difficult to become a regular at this eatery (as long as you have a consistent workout plan). Sure, drive-thrus are very convenient, but I can assure you the food from these restaurants will be more satisfying. All it takes to find your next favorite spot is an empty stomach and the willingness to try something new! Next time you’re hungry skip out on the Golden Arches and try out one of these places or take a chance and try that new restaurant on the corner you’ve always wondered about.
STORY BY SHANE MOODY
26 FREESTYLE
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AUGUST 2013
THE PERFECT BOOK BAG Feeling a little lost when it comes to packing your book bag for the first day of school? Have no fear — we’re here to help! While the contents of each person’s bag will always vary, these essentials will at least get you through the day without any problems (or hunger pangs). Not only does your book bag hold all of your necessities, it is also mobile billboard advertising your personality. Stitch, patch and pin your favorite things on the outside to show the whole campus who you are!
STORY BY KAHRI BOLDEN ILLUSTRATION BY MAGGIE BEA RAY
AUGUST 2013
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FREESTYLE 27
4 FEEDBACK
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FEEDBACK NCE
H - TEC
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06 ISSUE
2013 / JULY JUNE
a SET is
erhill of List ation public
FREE
L IF E
IN A E - F STYL
ND IPS A PHILLARNEY H T KE S P O T L IG E H T OUT OF
PLETE R INCOMO SUMME T P E ID GU AT, P L AY, S H O E
E IN TH DOWNPS(TER) O T M U N D O T, WA T N N WA S T E
NIKKI MESSER, @_NIKKIMESSER “The Dumpster article was awesome! Can’t wait to dive for a free box of donuts!”
@UNA_SOAR “Love the event-packed calendar. Keeping our summer busy!”
TATE HIPPS, @TATEHIPPS “I thought the summer issue was a fun read, with material that kept me wanting to read on, and the graphics were really awesome too! It was an outstanding issue!”
JAKE AND LAURA SENECAL “Awesome sauce. We heart SET!”
KAHRI BOLDEN, @KAHRIJASON “The Dumpster diving secret is out. DARN!”
MCKENZIE MARTIN “I think this magazine is a breath of fresh air for people in their early twenties. Everyone knows there are fun things to do in town, but SET magazine really showcases it! It’s really encouraging seeing people enjoying the amazing things that the community has to offer!”
AUGUST 2013
AUGUST 2013
TECH 5
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161m minutes a month are spent on social media apps.
Follow on Twitter: @timehop & @Abe
BLAST FROM THE PAST AND YOU THOUGHT TIME TRAVEL WAS IMPOSSIBLE Remember that Facebook status you posted about the football game that got over 100 comments? How about the clever tweet that was retweeted 30 times? The awesome Instagram photo of your friend planking on a basketball hoop?
Yeah … I don’t remember that either. But with Timehop, a free app for iOS users, you can be taken back in time every day to see the things you have said and done in yesteryears. Don’t have an iPhone? No big deal! Timehop is also available through email. Timehop syncs to your social media accounts, like Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Instagram, to see what was posted on each site one to six years prior to the current date. If you find something really good, you have the option to share past posts and photos with your friends. Not only does Timehop offer a look into your past, it also shows you popular news stories from that day. “Your life story is being told by the digital content you produce. But so far, this content remains disaggregated and siloed across devices and services,” said the creators of Timehop. “We believe
there’s a massive untapped opportunity in the history sections of today’s web services. We’re building the ultimate personal history experience.” If you’re feeling a little iffy about having another form of social media to keep up with, then listen to what these Timehoppers have to say. “It’s pretty cool seeing exactly what I was doing and thinking on any given day and seeing how much has changed over the course of a year,” said Matt Law from Decatur. “I think it’s a mixed feeling — some posts make me think about good times, while some make me ask, ‘What was I thinking?’” said Parker Hendricks from Killen. I recently downloaded the Timehop app and I am pleased with how it works. I did feel a little embarrassed by some things I had posted, but, all-in-all, it was
ABE THE TIMEHOP DINO. a nostalgic feeling. When using the app, I enjoy seeing where I’ve been and seeing where I am now and I think that future users of Timehop will feel the same way. As the creators of Timehop say, “Happy time-traveling!”
STORY BY JEREMY JACKSON
6 MONEY
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58% of students prefer digital over regular books.
AUGUST 2013
There are 130m different books in the world.
WHATCHA READING? AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT HOW TO SAVE ON COLLEGE TEXTBOOKS August is here! It’s time to get ready for college football, last-minute beach trips and, most importantly, the dreaded beginning of the fall semester. All college students know what that means — it’s time to see your entire life savings fly right out of your pocket one textbook at a time … or is it? Just because you need a textbook for a class doesn’t mean you have to fork over hundreds of dollars when there are more options made available to students. When getting your textbooks, it is always best to check out all of your options first.
TRADITIONAL PURCHASING
For all students, the campus bookstore is definitely the most accessible option. There is guaranteed to be plenty of friendly staff on hand that will be more than happy to help you find exactly what you need. The cost of a new textbook may cause you to get a little queasy but just take a deep breath and know that the bookstore also offers used books to help you out with your budget. One perk of buying a textbook is being able to sell it back. Whether you take it back to your campus bookstore or try to sell it online, you can usually make enough money back to start saving up for your textbooks for the next semester. How awesome is that?
ONLINE PURCHASING
I’m not sure if you knew this, but the Internet is pretty awesome. You do almost everything on the Internet
TEXTBOOKS ON YOUR TABLET GIVES YOU A WHOLE NEW LEARNING EXPERIENCE (AND LESS BACK PAIN). nowadays, so why not use that to buy some textbooks? Amazon and eBay, among others, are great websites for purchasing the textbooks that you need. The savings really add up quickly if you’re ordering off a site like Amazon. With savings of up to 90 percent on used books you could afford to opt-in to Amazon Prime’s student discount ($39/year) or buy that laptop you know you’ll need for school. Some colleges have begun creating Facebook pages to provide another way for students to find textbooks online. On these pages students can communicate with each other to buy/sell their textbooks (sort of like Craigslist without the murder aspect). This is a great resource to a) get to know your fellow schoolmates and b) save a lot of money on books.
RENTALS
Have you ever signed a 12-month
lease for an apartment or house? Have you ever paid for a Redbox movie and returned it the next day? People rent stuff all the time to save a little bit of cash, so why should textbooks be the exception? You are only going to be in class for five months anyway. You can rent books from the campus bookstore or through online companies such as chegg.com, textbookrentals.com and campusbookrentals.com, all of which offer excellent rental prices to students. If renting seems like the best option for you, just don’t get lazy at the end of the semester and forget to ship your books back or you’ll be buying those bad boys, and that’ll take a chunk out of your piggy bank.
e-books for your tablet. If you’ve been struggling with the decision ‘to tablet or not to tablet,’ then trust me when I say that they are worth the investment once you see how much money you save each semester. The money you would be paying for a backpack full of textbooks could go to downloading Angry Birds or buying more lives in Candy Crush Saga. Remember, it’s not just about where you buy, but also how you buy, that makes you a smart shopper. Students are going to need textbooks one way or another, why not save a little money by taking advantage of all of the options you have?
TABLET VIEWING
E-books are considerably cheaper (and lighter), so the lugging around textbook days are over! There are websites such as efollet.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more that offer
STORY BY MATTHEW JONES
AUGUST 2013
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MONEY 7
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