VOLUME 05 | ISSUE 05 | MAY 2017
SIMPLE BARE NECESSITIES
TV GONE VIRAL
FOOD COURTING
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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“OUR THINKING WAS ‘BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME.’ THE SECRET LIFE OF ART IN COLUMBIA, P10 CONTRIBUTORS
LETTER
LET’S HEAR IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FROM THE EDITOR
RETHINK TV LIVE TV FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
MONEY ON MY MIND
IT’S… GONNA BE MAY Welcome to the 2017 Arts Issue! I’m so excited for this month’s feature. I think you’ll find it pretty cool, too. Tucked away on a barren street in Columbia, Tennessee, there lies a converted warehouse, now called the Columbia Arts Building, or the CAB. The CAB hosts a small but growing collective of local artists who a stirring up what they call the “Columbia Buzz.” Columbia is slowly finding its way as an artistic hub, fueled by the slow movement and the passion of the creators that live there. I was first introduced to the CAB but this month’s feature writer, Marianne Messina, and was immediately struck by how this building and movement was right under our noses, just waiting to be discovered. Art is such an important part of our lives, and the CAB is fostering some real creativity in the youth of Columbia. Alongside this month’s feature, you’ll find some pretty cool articles from some of our best writers. Wes Hopkins dives into why we say some of the things we say (particularly as Southerners), Rebekah Milwee gets the bear necessities from the Shoals Symphony at UNA as they perform a live edition of The Jungle Book, Derrick Flynn researches a new TV service brought to us by none other than YouTube, and writes about the importance of the music in the hit Netflix series “13 Reasons Why.” Ashley Graves gets an exclusive look inside Cullman’s newest eatery, Mae’s Food Hall (pretty exciting stuff going on there in Cullman), and Allie
QUICK FINANCIAL TIPS FOR RECENT COLLEGE GRADS. . . . . . . . . . 7
ISBELL TEAMS UP WITH T.E.F. “AN EVENING WITH JASON ISBELL & ROB ALDRIDGE” EDUCATION BENEFIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
THE SECRET LIFE OF ART IN COLUMBIA AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK INSIDE THE COLUMBIA ARTS BUILDING. . 10-13
LITTLE REASONS WHY MUSIC FIXED DRAMA TV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
WHY DO WE SAY THESE THINGS? A LOOK INTO THE DIFFERENT SAYINGS THAT HIT CLOSE TO HOME. . . 17
BRINGING BALOO TO NORTON! UNA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM THE JUNGLE BOOK LIVE!. . 18
CALENDAR WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
COME AND STAY A WHILE Sockwell gives some helpful budgeting tips to all you soon-to-be graduates out there (congrats!) As you can tell, this issue is busting at the seams! Go ahead and turn some pages! And as always, if you want to flex your writing muscles, hit us up on social media or shoot me an email editor@getsetmag.com.
MAE’S FOOD HALL OPENING IN CULLMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SPOTLIGHT SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27
ONE TANK SUMMER ADVENTURES NO. 1 SET’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
FREESTYLE BY ISAAC RAY NORRIS, EDITOR
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.
ONE FINAL THOUGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
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4 CONTRIBUTORS
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SET CONTRIBUTORS DERRICK FLYNN Madison, AL
EMMALEE MARTINEZ Double Springs, AL
ALLIE SOCKWELL
Lawrenceburg, TN
DUSTIN COAN
Ford City, AL
ALLEN CHILDERS Savannah, TN
ASHLEY GRAVES Athens, AL
MARIANNE MESSINNA REBEKAH MILWEE Columbia, TN
Gilroy, CA
WES HOPKINS
GISELLE MOSIER
Florence, AL
Columbia, TN
TECH 5
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YouTube TV is currently available in 5 major cities.
Three simultaneous streams are allowed with YouTube TV.
RETHINK TV LIVE TV FOR THE NEXT GENERATION YouTube, and their belief that anyone with a dense social media following should be given a show to present to them the world, may be the most prolific form of media revolution in the modern era. They hold the title for the most popular online video platform on the planet. Left to lead just about any other form of video content out there. Except for live TV. The new live TV app from YouTube takes content from their own platform and blends it with the prominent face of live TV, creating an immediate connection to all four major broadcast networks and over 35 cable networks for $35 a month. The main appeal of the new YouTube service is the inclusion of local channels that are publicly broadcast in specific areas. Now you can watch primetime events such as The Oscars and the Super Bowl directly from the app. The new service stands out with its ease of use and the simple user interface. An outlier experience compared to other major players like DIRECTV NOW, Sling TV, and PlayStation Vue. Three main tabs are displayed throughout the app upon a first look. The beauty of this is that it will not complicate live TV like that of a full menu of network channels with a time spread out on the screen. YouTube TV saves you the trouble of a text focused menu for a more visual menu. Your eyes are the best indicator for live TV. Small factors like smooth channel transition and reliable picture quality make a world of difference. YouTube knows how to use your eyes in both their favor and your own. The interface is ridden with a plethora of ways to
receive content as well. Love that new show all your friends have been raving about? You can favorite it. Tired from the day and want to watch your show later? A single tap will add it to your DVR. Any live channel viewed on the YouTube TV app can record the current channel, and any future or new show. Those that turn away from purchasing internet television due to sports will be in for a treat. YouTube handles sports in an uncanny way that finally fulfills the dream of traditional cable or satellite television. Specific teams are the main focus within the app as opposed to a lineup layout, unlike cable television. Want to follow the next Golden State match? YouTube TV includes an individual card for every major sports team to follow and automatically add and record every future and new match; complete with a scorecard and top roster for the team you follow. What YouTube TV puts forth better than the rest is this new era of internet television is the power of Google and their search function. Mainly, you can search by a keyword. YouTube TV not only
shows results from live TV, it also pulls videos from YouTube with the keyword you have punched in. Another vital point for the new YouTube platform is that up to six people can have an account with one subscription. Your content will only show though your account and the same happens for another member of your plan. YouTube TV will be the only major internet TV provider to allow six user accounts with one subscription. The new live TV platform from YouTube may the best implementation of live TV and online video content, but it should not be considered for four key reasons until multiple additions are made to the platform. • More live TV content for the initial price
YouTube TV will win users over with a stellar implementation of a live TV and online content platform, but content will be the main problem until YouTube can resolve the relation with multiple network companies. There are no channels from networks like Viacom and Turner, but they could be added to their lineup in the near future. Continued support for more devices and content from network providers could make YouTube a behemoth in the race for the future of live TV. Despite initial expectations, YouTube has set a key example of what consumers want for the future of live television. For more info on the new YouTube live TV app, you can visit tv.youtube.com for availability and their current network channel lineup.
• Chromecast & web browser dependent • No use of external TV on Demand content • No add-on HBO option
STORY BY DERRICK FLYNN
6 MONEY
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Miracle Osborne
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The average starting salary is just under $50,000.
59% of millennial graduates have no idea when their loans will be paid off.
MONEY 7
In 2012, 71% of 4-yr college grads had student loan debt.
MONEY ON MY MIND QUICK FINANCIAL TIPS FOR RECENT COLLEGE GRADS Graduation is here! With that comes feelings of success, relief, and gratitude. Job well done. However, we’d be remiss to leave out the emotions of anxiety and stress when facing the great unknown. For some grads, graduation represents a time where they are officially “on their own,” perhaps without financial assistance from parents, scholarships, student loans, or even the smaller luxuries like meal plans. Personal finance is something not as widely discussed, almost like a secret code newfound graduates have to figure out on their own. While every situation is different, below is a list of some tips to get you grounded on your feet that first year post-graduation: Live within your means. Realize that you can’t have the lifestyle of your parents or the rich and famous immediately. Be frugal; even the smaller things add up. Spending $5 a day on Starbucks creates a yearly hit of $1,825 that could go toward savings or paying back loans. Put aside a portion of income each month for savings. Financial advisors have agreed upon roughly 70 percent of your income going to “living,” with 30 percent being put away to save. Make a student loan repayment plan. Most student loans have a sixmonth grace period after graduation.
NOT SAVING UP? BENJI IS DISAPPOINTED. But once November or so rolls around, you are hit with the reality of paying back your loan payments. The average Class of 2016 graduate has $37,000 in student debt. Some repayment plans are income driven; in other words, the amount you have to pay back is determined based on how much you are making per year. The average monthly student loan payment for adults ranging from 21-30 is $351. Look at the details of your loans: what is the interest rate? What is the term for each loan? Are they private or federal? It’s understandable to want to ignore these loans (I’m right there with ya!”). But sometimes you can end up with higher costs overall from making uninformed decisions. The quicker you can have these loans paid back, the less interest will accrue over time. Side note: if you choose to further your education, you can put your student loans in deferment, which means you don’t have to make back any payments while in graduate school. Start a budget. Estimate your monthly averages for food, rent, bills,
student loan payments, car payments, insurance, cellphone bills, clothing, gas, etc. Use a budget calculator (can be found online at sites such as “You Can Deal with It”) to help you establish goals for your monthly spending. Of course, emergencies pop up as well, so leaving some extra wiggle room is helpful for those random health issues, car problems or home expenses. Be cautious of credit cards. Credit cards can be helpful in establishing your credit score, but be mindful of using them and make sure you can easily pay back what you borrow by the due date. One tip to gain good credit is to dedicate your credit car to gas or groceries and immediately pay back the amount owed; in turn, making payments on time can strengthen your credit. Find a financial adviser. For some, this may be a parent or relative. Find someone older (and hopefully wiser) than you who can advise you on the in and outs of learning to live on your own. Asking questions is key! If you don’t know, chances are that other
fellow college grads are unsure as well, so asking someone for answers is always wiser than trying to blindly figure it out on your own. Also, look for financial groups to go to, such as Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace class, to learn even more details about budgeting and becoming debt free. Churches and local businesses in your area host these meetings and can be a great way to be financially in the know. Spend money on experiences not things. It can seem impossible to have fun while living so tightly on a budget and watching what you spend. However, life is short, and you shouldn’t be deterred from enjoying yourself. Prioritize and save for plans in advance, whether that be skydiving, taking a vacation, visiting a friend, or attending a music festival or concert. You’ll have the memories to last long after that new iPhone or TV dies.
STORY BY ALLIE SOCKWELL
8 NONPROFIT
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In 2007, Isbell released his first solo effort.
In 2012, he toured with Ryan Adams.
ISBELL TEAMS UP WITH T.E.F. “AN EVENING WITH JASON ISBELL & ROB ALDRIDGE” EDUCATION BENEFIT Jason Isbell is a Greenhill native who has risen to music fame: winning a Grammy in 2016 for Best Americana Album and garnering a massive following. On June 16, he and his band, The 400 Unit, are releasing a new album entitled “The Nashville Sound.” Isbell is coming to Tuscumbia, Alabama on May 12 to help raise money for the Tuscumbia Education Foundation (TEF) alongside local musician Rob Aldridge. Aldridge released his freshman album, “Anything & Everyone” in September 2015 and is currently recording a rock album with his band “The Proponents” at The Nutthouse Recording Studio in downtown Sheffield. On Friday, March 10 at 10 a.m. tickets went on sale for “An evening with Jason Isbell & Rob Aldridge” at the Shoals Theater. At 10:01 a.m. tickets were completely sold out. TEF was formed in 2006 as a nonprofit that met educational funding needs where federal funding was cut short. It took six years for TEF to find its footing, and in 2012 it finally began to grow
and affect change. Since 2012, TEF has awarded $140,000 in grants to teachers in the Tuscumbia School System, as well as $4,000 in scholarships to high school students through the Tiger Sweetheart Scholarship Pageant. In 2016, TEF received more than $80,000 in grant requests from teachers and awarded 30 $10,000 grants. They do all this through fundraising. TEF has several different fundraisers each year to raise money for the scholarship fund as well as the grant fund. In the past, the TEF has hosted a variety show in the Spring, offering a public performance of local talent show winners, local artists, as well as a Tuscumbia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This year the talent show has been replaced with the concert at the Shoals Theater on May 12. The Hall of Fame induction honors graduates of the Tuscumbia School System who have given back to their community or brought attention to the Tuscumbia School System. Past inductees include Harvey Robbins and his wife, Joyce Ann McKinney. Both graduated from Deshler High School and helped revitalize downtown Tuscumbia in the 1990s. In the Fall, the TEF hosts the Warren T. Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament. Along with these annual fundraisers, TEF hosts other activities such as partnerships with local restaurants and clothing representatives for a percentage of the sales. In June, they are partnering with a Matilda Jane Clothing representative to receive 20% of sales. There have also been large fundraisers such as an evening with Todd Gerelds, the author of the bestselling book “Woodlawn” which inspired a major motion picture in 2015, and “An Evening With Jason Isbell” this year. The TEF has sponsorships available if you would like to donate. On the Corporate level they have 4 scholarships, Superintendent ($1500), Principal ($1000), Teachers Pet ($500), and Honors Society ($250). On the Individual level they offer “Partners
ISBELL PERFORMING AT THE SHOALS THEATRE in Education” sponsorships in amounts of $10, $25, $50, or more. They will also accept sponsorships in honor of loved ones. If you would like to donate or purchase a corporate sponsorship, you may contact the TEF via email at foundation@tuscumbia.k12. al.us or by mail at Tuscumbia Education Foundation: 303 North Commons East Tuscumbia AL, 35674.
STORY BY DUSTIN COAN
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Kahri Member Since 2013 Abby Member Since 2013
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Needle & Grain has over 7k followers on Instagram.
The CAB shop sells local handmade soaps, bath salts, and antiques from the area.
Bryson Leach hand-painted the facade of the CAB.
"There’s a bit of a buzz” – Ryan Rado Next time you go for coffee in Columbia, mention the Columbia Arts Building (CAB) to your barista, and you may discover she has a creative “other life.” From your café server to your host at a Chamber of Commerce 101, a growing number of Columbia’s teens and twenty-somethings have been diving into their creative sides, and what they’re pulling out is not only exciting but contagious. Erin Huffman, a server at Columbia’s new Windmill Bakery and Coffee Shop, grows animated at the mention of the CAB. “I can’t wait for them to finish the pottery workshop – it’s going to have a kiln and state-of-the art equipment.” Though Erin doesn’t consider herself an artist, she does have an artist’s drive to learn everything she can about her medium: dough. She liked working with dough enough to attend culinary school. And that makes her right at home at the Windmill, a bakery known for its wide variety of gluten-free desserts. “I’ve always wanted to take a throwing class,” Erin says. She’s referring to a pottery technique in which you literally throw clay onto a potter’s wheel head. “It reminds me of dough. It’s that whole idea of making something out of nothing. ” Zackery Jones, 23, works with Erin at the Windmill. “I wish the town had what they have now back when I was a kid.“ Zack says that by high school many of his friends had already turned to pain pills and other highs, mostly out of boredom. Not all that far from the Windmill, Bethany Orban works as the communications and events manager at Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance (or simply Maury Alliance). “I took a beginning weaving class at the CAB,” she says. “I loved it. Loved it. I plan to take more.” In its quest to provide diverse class offerings, the CAB is talking to – and asking to hear from – a wide variety of artists. If it succeeds, it will open up the idea of “art” beyond the few traditional mediums that have left many people, often very creative people, feeling they have nothing to offer. This could be why the CAB has inspired such a buzz around town.
THE CAB
CALLING ALL ARTISTS- HOW RISKY IS THAT? The CAB is still in the process of reinventing itself - again. Originally a warehouse for Chas. C. Parks Wholesale Grocery, the three-story building has housed everything from marble manufacturing to cabinetry. Soon its 12,000 square-feet will morph into a host of unique studios, retail shops, and large venues, and its berm perch at 307 W. 11th Street will become a hub for teaching, learning, enjoying and practicing creativity. It will also serve as a cornerstone of Columbia’s burgeoning Arts District, an area bordered by the Windmill and most recently populated by Hair Envy Salon in its funked-out relocation at 206 Depot Street (check it out!). But the massive size of the CAB project
makes one wonder: isn’t it a bit risky? “It wasn’t as risky until we put money in it,” says owner Holly Freeman. As she spoke, she and husband Robert were only a short wait away from the point of no return – installers had been contracted to outfit the CAB with its new 12,000-foot capacity HVAC system. According to Freeman, the building was solid – “bomb proof” one inspector told her – and the business proposition was sound, if they left it as a warehouse. “If the arts building was not well received, we could have run it as it was,” she says. “They were leasing out space. People just storing stuff, odd landscaping and mechanics.” Yes, the building had once been an auto repair shop, too. But for the Freemans’, storing things was Plan B. Robert Freeman is a sculptor, and
the couple was used to living around creativity in art-friendly cities such as Portland, OR, Athens, GA, and Burlington, NC. They wanted the place they now call home, which includes their farm with over 100 animals on Carters Creek Pike, to offer their young children “a lot of opportunities for art.” “My children wanted to do art,” Holly says. “They didn’t want to do sports; they wanted to do art. We knew there was a need for it in Columbia; we saw a big vacant void – we weren’t sure why that was. We said, ‘let’s just see.” When they put the idea out there - a space for the arts – the Freemans' had no idea what reaction they might get. Holly’s statement on CAB’s website says it all: “Our thinking was ‘build it and they
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CAB plans to supplement the arts in lieu of local curriculums. will come.’ What we could not have known is that y'all were already here: Our city is packed to the gills will folks who eat, sleep, and breathe art. We are surrounded by crafters, thinkers, writers, painters, musicians, teachers, knitters, dreamers, and artists of all ages.” As the owners are envisioning it, the studio-sized spaces for lease along the building’s bottom floor can be used as studio, maker retail shop, or a combination of both. Staying afloat while art making is a constant juggling act for artists trying to develop a recognizable brand. So Holly finds it important for the CAB studio spaces to facilitate creating work, selling work, and keeping costs low all at once. The idea is partly a response to her own experience when, as a 23-year-old artisan, she tried to create and run a retail shop around her work. Eventually, the high overhead costs forced her out of business. “If I had had a space like this,” Holly considers, “my business could have thrived.” Other artists must agree; within two months Holly received 80 applications from artists wanting to occupy CAB studio spaces. “It’s going to be curated,” Holly announces. “But in the sense that we want to be diverse.” She will go through the applications carefully to ensure a nice mixture of artistic and artisan endeavors for the “no two alike” spaces. Where are the artists coming from? It turns out that the buzz about arts in Columbia is not just among folks in Columbia. It’s spreading, a little stealthily, but very steadily. Sometimes its people who have grown up in Columbia, moved away, and then returned. Other good word of mouth has come from explorers and day travelers who have seen the growth and told their friends. Another vector of buzz flows up through Spring Hill, Franklin, and on to Nashville as people seek to abandon the expense, traffic, or congestion of those cities. And then again, the not-so-secret that Columbia is receptive to the arts is spreading through a hundred little vectors across the Internet. An example of all of the above is Susan Leach, the twenty-something owner of the nationally known quilting company, Needle and Grain (needleandgrain.com). Both Susan and her husband Bryson grew up in Columbia, and they have made waves in returning. But returning to
Holly Freeman, the CAB founder, opened her own vintage clothing shop at the age of 23 in Athens, GA.
The Freemans' are also farmers in Columbia, TN. creative workspace – coffee, WiFi, creative people working, shared work, and collaboration. Like Susan Leach, Rudd moved down from nearby Spring Hill. And like Holly Freeman, he brings with him experiences to share from living in other art-friendly cities. He remembers belonging to a simple email chain called 615. It had an open, collaborative vibe and brought creative people together to compare notes. “They’re the best of the best in their industry – a core of people – I got in pretty early. It was just there to share your work, receive feedback if you wanted to put yourself out there.” Rudd is still connected to and inspired by members of that 615 group. It gave him a creative boost he hopes to replicate and pass on to others. As the Muletown Collective grows, the two communities can’t help but be linked in a creative nexus… one more pathway for news of artsfriendly Muletown to spread.
WHO ARE THESE ARTIST TYPES, ANYWAY?
ECLECTIC, RIGHT? Columbia was never in their game plan. They had left town and were living in Franklin with their sights set on reaching Nashville to put down roots. “We were like, ‘we’re never moving back.’” But just about the time Nashville was becoming unaffordable, Susan started noticing Columbia’s growth, and the direction seemed promising. She felt the new vibe might support her and Bryson’s creative tendencies. Meanwhile, Needle and Grain was becoming a well-known and successful Internet brand. Since Bryson worked in web design, a high-demand field around Nashville, it took a bit of convincing from Susan, but eventually Bryson opened up to the idea and the couple gave their hometown a second look. It didn’t hurt that houses in Columbia were still affordable. “We just swallowed our pride and
said ‘we’re going to believe in this community,’” Susan says. Now the Leaches both teach classes at the CAB, including an upcoming class Bryson is scheduled to teach on April 29, Social Media for Small Business. Susan has also had a hand in putting Columbia on the map through Needle and Grain. Many times when people learn she’s in Columbia, they ask what they should see on a day trip to town. Four years ago, Susan Leach would probably never have imagined she’d be playing the role of Columbia tour guide. Now she relishes it. “It’s been cool to be a cheerleader for Columbia.” Putting Columbia on the map is an intentional goal for Aaron Rudd, who is organizing the Muletown Collective, soon to occupy the CAB’s third floor. (Because the CAB is built into a berm, all three floors are “ground level” and accessible to foot traffic.) Muletown Collective grows from the idea of a
Bethany Orban communications and events officer at Maury Alliance echoes Erin Huffman in scoffing at the idea that she’s an artist. “But I like taking classes,” Bethany admits. Yet who’s to say her love for weaving or textiles may not become a lifelong pursuit? “I believe everyone has a creative person inside them,” says Jill Hassen. Just out of her thirties with a successful career underway, Hassen is beginning to take the idea of developing creative talents seriously. “There’s probably some creativity locked up inside of me,” Hassen says. “I play by the rules a lot. But I’ve been inspired.” Her experiences with the CAB include a recent CAB class taught by artist Ryan Rado called “Freestyle Art for Adults.” That’s where she noticed herself trying so hard to follow the rules she forgot to let go and create. Hassen came away from the class with a positive sense for how art can help her grow. “I could be more brave next time,” Hassen says, looking forward to the next class. Jill Hassen hails from Chicago, and though she has been in Columbia for over a decade, she did not feel quite at home until she hooked up with Holly, Susan, and other CAB artists. She
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Resident arts range from teachers to dietitians. has found that simply being around a community of artists can have an impact for growth and self-discovery. Now she is teaching at the CAB. For her May 7 class “Create Your Own Miniature Fairy (or Dino) Garden,” both children and adults have signed up. This suggests that untapped creativity such as Jill’s is not only all around Columbia, but it is among all age groups and just waiting to bust out. When you talk about creativity with those involved in the CAB’s early stages, you get a sense that we are all both teaching and learning; both taking in and sharing. There’s no Pinocchio moment you click on to become “real” or “expert” or “adult” where growing ends. And that’s OK. Nevertheless, Bethany Orban is impressed by how many of the people starting creative businesses are the same age as she is – early twenties. Orban has a unique perspective on the recent movement of creativity around Columbia through her work at the Maury Alliance. “When you look at the big movers and shakers in Maury County,” Bethany says, “they’re under 30; they’re 40 and below.”
The Columbia Arts Building plans on teaching children how to farm their own produce.
A glance over the movers behind the CAB will confirm this.
“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Ryan Rado, an artist who moved down from Nashville, has done a lot of work with bands. He remembers when vputting together a band was the way you got to hear the music you liked. It wasn’t available locally, so you got a bunch of friends together and made the music in your basement. Then you passed around the tracks and all your friends partied with it. “If you’re in a small town and you don’t have that, you make it. Then kids that are into it form their own little cells of creativity and introduce those around them to it.” Rado thinks the return or the migration of artists to Columbia works in the same way; little cells, often with their own circles spanning the Internet, come to town bringing their ethos and their drive with them. Orban sees Rado’s model as exactly the way the new creativity is revitalizing Columbia. “A lot of people have moved back after they moved away. They’re looking at what
Find summer camp info at columbiaartsbuilding.com
other communities are doing. They’re taking it on themselves,” says Orban. “They’re looking at the community and seeing what they need, and they’re making what they want to see.” There does seem to be a consensus about this. It goes all the way to City Hall. As the City’s point of contact for the Columbia Arts Council, Assistant City Manager Thad Jablonski has been hard at work developing the City’s physical Arts District. After announcing the Arts District last summer, he was overwhelmed by the response. “What’s so exciting is that it is coming from everywhere,” says Jablonski. “Whether that’s Maury County or the city, or folks as far away as Chicago.” Jablonski is the grant-writing machine behind a large mural soon to go up by the fire station, the “gateway” to the Arts District. But Jablonski himself has moved on to other, bigger grants, including one that could put a half-million-dollar “Streetscape” along Garden Street. According to Jablonski, the Freemans' have done the city a great service with their investment in CAB – or as he puts it, “they’ve made a winning investment.”
Make it hap" pen "
BOTTOM ROW: AARON RUDD & JENNY RUDD; MEGAN CICCOLINE WHITE; JILL HASSEN; RYAN RADO BACK ROW: HOLLY FREEMAN, SUSAN LEACH
14 MUSIC
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Dylan Minnette helped on the soundtrack for 13 Reasons Why.
HBO won in a bid war with Netflix for Big Little Lies.
LITTLE REASONS WHY
SHAILENE WOODLEY, REESE WITHERSPOON, AND NICOLE KIDMAN.
MUSIC FIXED DRAMA TV When routines bite hard. When ambitions hit low. When emotions would not form. That quiet touch of realization and an abrupt streak of blood to the head, taken down with a sea of embrace. That embrace now a measure of total peace, melded into art. The choice of music latent in the adaptation of both “Big Little Lies” and “13 Reasons Why” provides a peek into the future for the art of film. Handed to the viewer, the shows become a ballad of mortality that allow both HBO and Netflix to stray from the beaten path of traditional drama TV. While a novel performance of each
member and their narrative direction are Emmy-bound, the key to fame for both will be left to another; hidden within the wonderful chamber of music. “Big Little Lies” and “13 Reasons Why” attempt to maintain the pressure of drama TV with style and admiration of the human ability to moderate the veneer of death. The ability to outfit death with the limit placed on the human mind; to trim the mayhem left behind. HBO and Netflix have created two unique miniseries that peer into the authenticity of human life, in the form of music. Apart for the main connection in
relation to the nature of the character instead of the viewer for once, very little reason is known for why certain music was selected to create the backdrop of the story behind both “Big Little Lies” and “13 Reasons Why.” Drama and the dark connotation of the word often hold up within the overall tone, which would be why it felt unusual to hear an eclectic mix of pop, rock, and soul music without all of the nuanced aroma of such a woeful point in life. Even with the already paramount topic of murder and teen suicide touched in each drama, the music will leave a definitive impact on the viewer. The intro title for “Big Little Lies” and the accompanied soundtrack are met with soul and pain from Michael Kiwanuka and the “Cold Little Heart” of his creation. The viewer led to believe that such a beautiful tune comes from the iPod Touch of an independent 8-year-old California
kid named Chloe. Chloe and her valid perception of music are left to deal with the burden of an adult life and the vice presented next to it. Billie Eilish and her tender voice from the “13 Reasons Why” soundtrack, echo the entire mood of the show in three whole minutes. “Bored” may be an outline of an emphatic howl of love and torment on the surface, but beneath the melody, lies the path to a spell of self-doubt and ruin. Confined to the Walkman tucked in the backpack of a 17-yearold California kid named Clay. Clay and a friend both left to a map and a unit of thirteen tapes from a dead woman. Every character is treated more like an adult than ever before in a TV drama. The juvenile trace of first and ninth grade fail to hold up to the mature blend of audial warmth and apathy. A common hymn for the therapy and intuition on the reality of death and the impaired. If it were not for the enthralled voice of Hannah Baker or the rich relationship of Nicole Kidman and her lover, the only addition you could add would be to have the Shazam app opened on your phone while you watch all the wonder unfold. The word limber comes to mind when you think about where we have been in the frame of drama TV. Not flexible, but an act of a warmup. The main problem with traditional drama TV drawn to the truth that the audience, plainly put, cannot relate to the sound behind the plot. Drama TV had usually been covered with the doleful method of a dark tune that paved way for a crucial moment on film. “Big Little Lies” and “13 Reasons Why” have the opposite effect with the viewer. They allow the music to take the lead and craft a deep chain of hardship for the main plot. They turn over the tape and leave with sympathy on the occasion of death to traditional drama TV.
STORY BY DERRICK FLYNN
16 SPECIAL FEATURE
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 else 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.
getsetmag.com/contribute
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By 1st grade, roughly 5% of children have speech disorders.
40 million Americans have communication disorders, costing the U.S. approximately $154–186 billion annually.
SPECIAL FEATURE 17
3 million+ Americans stutter.
WHY DO WE SAY THESE THINGS? was recorded. Instead, these are phrases passed down orally amongst unique folk groups. Folk groups can be age groups, occupational groups, family groups, gender-differentiated groups, regional groups and ethnic or nationality groups. Southernisms are used among a regional folk group. And, even after reading multiple books on sayings and their origins, it’s difficult to pinpoint the origin of these says. But I’ve asked some Southerners what their favorite sayings are and decided to try to clear some of them up for you beloved SET readers. OK. Here goes. “You’re gonna dry up and blow away!”
WELL, BLESS YOUR HEART!
A LOOK INTO THE DIFFERENT SAYINGS THAT HIT CLOSE TO HOME We have a lot of hilarious sayings in the South, and folklorists call those popular Southern sayings Southernisms. These Southernisms come in a variety of ways, as all sayings do. We have our wisecracks (“You couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.”), our sarcastic interrogatives (“Does a cat have an ass? Does a dog have fleas?”), our euphemisms, idioms (“raining cats and dogs”) and our smilies (“stubborn as a mule”). These Southernisms are adaptations of sayings that were spoken long before America came into existence. And we have our linguistic mistakes that have become popular Southern vernacular. For example, if you’re an irritated Southerner and tell a Northerner you’re “ill,” she or he may suggest a physician. A long time ago, scholars determined four basic theories for how and why folklore is created, evolves and
remains a significant but generally unrecognized part of every culture. The communal theory held that the folk we created was composed as folklore as a group effort. The survivals theory maintained that contemporary folklore is an endowment from the past. The theory of gesunkenes Kulturgut (German for “debased elements of culture”) asserted that folklore had sunk from its high origin of “art” or “learning” to become “tradition” among the common people. The most commonly accepted theory among modern folklorists is the theory of individual origins and communal recreation. This theory held that an item of folklore most likely had a single inventor, who could have lived at any level of society, but each folkloristic item was changed in some way as it was transmitted by word-of-mouth. It’s difficult to accurately determine the origin of any folklore, since little
Growing up, my grandmother always told me that I was going to “dry up and blow away.” I know some of you have heard that idiom when your caregivers were trying to tell you that you need to eat more. The phrase “dry up and blow away” has been used throughout history, throughout multiple regions and cultures, and its meaning varies from culture to culture. The common idea is that the passage of time will cause something to cease to exist. In the South, we mean that if we go too long without eating, we’ll become so small that the wind could carry us away. “I’m full as a tick!” I’m sure you’ve heard this simile on Thanksgiving Day by some glutinous family member—one that is far from drying up and blowing away. The Oxford English Dictionary of Proverbs says this simile dates back to the 17th century and possibly before. As I said, it’s very difficult to pinpoint to origins of folklore. But its meaning is undisputed. A tick that’s just fed on some poor unsuspecting victim have two distinguishable characteristics: its tightness and its fullness. So, when you’re as full as a tick, you may have eaten a little too much. And the South is notorious for its oversized portions. The full tick’s characteristic of being tight has also been made into a catchy simile to describe a penny-pincher: “tight as a tick.”
“Hair of the dog” Some people eat too much. Some drink too much. We use the phrase “hair of the dog” to refer to an alleged hangover cure. An ancient remedy recommended that, whenever a person had suffered a dog bite, a hair from the offending animal should be applied to the wound to help it heal and offer protection against disease. A recipe book written in 1670 declared that notion to be true, and the remedy was considered viable until the 19th century. But by the 16th century that remedy for dog-bites was already being recommended as a hangover cure. The idea was that, after waking up with a headache, if someone drank a bit of the same poisonous liquid that gave them that hangover, then it would help to heal them. From the 16th century until today, people still debate the legitimacy of the solution. In the Iliad, we find the belief that a wound caused by the spear of Achilles could be healed but the rust of that same spear. So, this idea is old and is still debated. But, based on my experience, an alcoholic beverage will never cure a hangover. But a nice fried breakfast just might help. “Knee-high to a grasshopper” To be “knee-high to a grasshopper” means to be noticeably short or very young in relation to company. Folklorists believe that this idiom was first recorded as “knee-high to a frog,” and it has also existed with a “jackrabbit,” “bumblebee” and “mosquito” as a replacement for “grasshopper.” Southerners are usually made fun of because of our colloquialisms, but they’re also one of our most endearing qualities. If you’ve ever wondered where these things we say come from, hopefully I’ve done a good job of fulfilling your curiosity!
STORY BY WES HOPKINS
18 ENTERTAINMENT
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The Jungle Book was the last animation Walt Disney oversaw.
King Louie was based on Louie Armstrong.
BRINGING BALOO TO NORTON! UNA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM THE JUNGLE BOOK LIVE! Calling all parents of young children, Disney enthusiasts, and symphony fans! Back by popular demand, the members of Shoals Symphony at UNA are preparing to bring the magic of Disney LIVE to the Shoals for the second consecutive year. Directed by Dr. Daniel Stevens of UNA’s Department of Music, this performance will include a full viewing of the classic version of the Disney film, The Jungle Book, with a live symphony orchestra on Friday, May 5. This will be the premiere Disney LIVE orchestral performance of The Jungle Book original score in the United States. UNA Senior Lily Mitchell will be playing timpani in the show. According to Mitchell, the decision for the symphony to perform another Disney LIVE collaboration was an obvious one, after experiencing firsthand the enormous success of last year’s live orchestral performance of Pirates of the Caribbean. “The response last year to our first Disney LIVE show, Pirates of the Caribbean, was incredible. From the moment we announced the show, students and community members shared positive remarks, made encouraging comments, and expressed overall excitement in anticipation for the premiere,” she said. “People were so enthusiastic to hear about a new, unique performance such as this one coming to UNA, especially from the Shoals Symphony. You could truly sense the energy from those who were in the audience the night of the
THE BARE NECESSITIES, MAN. Pirates of the Caribbean performance. It was a very humbling experience from all of us who participated in the symphony last year to be able to look out into a sold out crowd and perform,” said Mitchell. Putting on shows this ambitious is no small undertaking. However, Stevens and his dedicated group of musicians are confident that they are up for the task. Rehearsals for the show began in early April, and become more frequent and technically intensive in the weeks leading up to the May premiere. During the final week before the show, sound engineers and audio visual technicians from Disney fly in from Los Angeles in order to ensure that the screening of the
movie and the live music will coincide flawlessly. The Jungle Book songs were cowritten by Terry Gilkyson, Richard M. Sherman, and Robert M. Sherman, and the original score was composed by George Burns. According to sophomore violinist Carleigh Pickard, the repertoire for The Jungle Book has a jazzier tone than most other music she is accustomed to learning as a strings player. Therefore, this experience has allowed her to experiment artistically, and become a more well-rounded musician overall. Tickets for The Jungle Book Live are on sale now at una.edu/shoalssymphony/events and range from $18-
25 for adults, and $10 for all children. As someone who’s father introduced me to the symphony at a very early age, I can personally attest to the fact that young children are indeed capable of falling in love with classical music. The Jungle Book Live will be a wonderful opportunity for any music lover to introduce a child in their life to the captivating magic of the orchestra. Regardless of age, be sure you don’t miss out on this fun-filled night of Disney magic.
STORY BY REBEKAH MILWEE
MAY 2017 WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
ENTERTAINMENT 19
20 CALENDAR
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EVENTS
MAY 1 - MAY 31 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SECRET SISTERS WITH CHEYENNE MEDDERS // MAY 13, 116 E MOBLE, FLORENCE, AL 7PM
MAY 1 BILLIARDS @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ ODETTE, Florence, AL 8pm
MAY 2 GRAND OPENING FIESTA @ 12 SOUTH FARMERS MARKET, Nashville, TN 3:30pm
LIL WAYNE @ METRO NASHVILLE MUNICIPAK AUDITORIUM, Nashville, TN 7pm CHRIS BROWN @ PHILIPS ARENA, Atlanta, GA 7:30pm EST TRIVIA NIGHT @ LA FUENTE, Columbia, TN 7pm TRENT HARMON @ TIN ROOF, Birmingham, AL 7:30pm
MAY 3
MAY 4
SUSHI CLASS @ SINGIN’ RIVER BREWING COMPANY, Florence, AL 7pm POKER NIGHT @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN 10pm
COLLEGE STREET PRODUCERS MARKET GRAND OPENING @ SINGIN’ RIVER BREWING COMPANY, Florence, AL 3pm BLACK VIOLIN @ CITY WINERY, Nashville, TN 8pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ LA FUENTE, Columbia, TN 7pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
KARAOKE @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 8pm OLD DOMINION @ AVONDALE BREWING COMPANY, Birmingham, AL 7pm BOSTON @ BJCC, Birmingham, AL 7:30pm
CALENDAR 21
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MAY 5 SHOALS SYMPHONY: DISNEY LIVE @ UNA, Florence, AL 7:30pm FIRST FRIDAYS @ DOWNTOWN FLORENCE, Florence, AL 5pm CALEB CAUDLE WITH CALEB ELLIOT @ 116 E MOBILE, Florence, AL 7pm PIXIES @ RYMAN AUDITORIUM, Nashville, TN 8pm J.C. ANDERSON AND JOHN FOX UNPLUGGED @ PUCKETT’S, Columbia, TN 7:30pm SIPS UNDER THE SEA @ GEORGIA AQUARIUM, Atlanta, GA 7pm EST SHAKY BEATS FESTIVAL @ DOWNTOWN ATLANTA, Atlanta, GA BLACK VIOLIN @ CITY WINERY ATLANTA, Atlanta, GA 7pm EST POKER NIGHT @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 9:30pm DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE @ SLOSS FURNACES, Birmingham, AL 7pm GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 @ Your local theater JIM PARKER SONGWRITERS SERIES @ VON BRAUN CENTER, Huntsville, AL 5pm
MAY 6 PARKER GISPERT WITH BRANTLEY CHARLES @ 116 E MOBILE, Florence, AL 7pm NASHVILLE TACO FEST @ NISSAN STADIUM, Nashville, TN TREY SONGZ @ MARATHON MUSIC WORKS, Nashville, TN 8pm SHAKY BEATS FESTIVAL @ DOWNTOWN ATLANTA, Atlanta, GA PARTY AT THE PARKS @ RAILROAD PARK, Birmingham, AL 4pm MADMUGS & MUSIC @ CAHABA BREWING COMPANY, Birmingham, AL 2pm FAIRHOPE BEER TASTING @ HOP CITY, Birmingham, AL 12pm PICKERS’ MARKET @ UNIVERSITY MARKET, Huntsville, AL 9am
MAY 7 NASHVILLE TACO FEST @ NISSAN STADIUM, Nashville, TN BROADWAY BRUNCH @ CITY WINERY, Nashville, TN 11am
SHAKY BEATS FESTIVAL @ DOWNTOWN ATLANTA, Atlanta, GA
MAY 8 BILLIARDS @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ ODETTE, F lorence, AL 8pm
MAY 9 TRIVIA NIGHT @ LA FUENTE, Columbia, TN 7pm
MAY 13
MAY 19
MAY 26
SECRET SISTERS WITH CHEYENNE MEDDERS @ 116 E MOBLE, Florence, AL 7pm DREW HOLCOMB AND THE NEIGHBORS @ RYMAN AUDITORIUM, Nashville, TN 8pm FLUX PAVILLION @ GLOBAL EVENT CENTER, Nashville, TN 8pm THE WEEKND @ PHILIPS ARENA, Atlanta, GA 7pm EST
ATLANTA FUNK FEST @ WOLF CREEK AMPHITHEATER, Atlanta, GA 7pm EST POKER NIGHT @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 9:30pm ALIEN: CONVENANT @ Your local theater
MUSIC CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL @ RIVERFRONT PARK, Nashville, TN POKER NIGHT @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 9:30pm PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES @ Your local theater WAR MACHINE @ Your local theater
MAY 14
MAY 10 BASTILLE @ THE FOX THEATER, Atlanta, GA 7pm EST POKER NIGHT @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN 10pm
MAY 11 KINGS OF LEON @ LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATER, Atlanta, GA 7pm EST TRIVIA NIGHT @ LA FUENTE, Columbia, TN 7pm KARAOKE @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 8pm CHASE RICE @ IRON CITY, Birmingham, AL 7pm
MAY 12 ALI WONG @ TABERNACLE ATLANTA, Atlanta, GA 7pm EST HEATHER MCDONALD @ CITY WINERY ATLANTA, Atlanta, GA 8pm EST POKER NIGHT @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 9:30pm SWEET TEA TRIO @ WORKPLAY, Birmingham, AL 8pm 4 THE RECORD @ VIRGINIA SAMFORD THEATER, Birmingham, AL 7:30pm KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD @ Your local theater THE WEDDING PLAN @ Your local theater SNATCHED @ Your local theater ROCKET CITY BREWFEST @ Huntsville, AL 7pm
JAY BURGESS, DANIEL MARKHAM, JOHN CALVIN ABENY @ 116 E MOBILE, Florence, AL 6pm BACKYARD SESSIONS @ AM BOOTH’S LUMBERYARD, Huntsville, AL 7pm
MAY 15 BILLIARDS @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ ODETTE, Florence, AL 8pm PHOENIX @ RYMAN AUDITORIUM, Nashville, TN 7:30pm
MAY 16 WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? @ TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, Nashville, TN 8pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ LA FUENTE, Columbia, TN 7pm TASTE OF FIVE POINTS @ VULCAN PARK & MUSEUM, Birmingham, AL 12:30pm
MAY 17 POKER NIGHT @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN 10pm
MAY 18 KIEFER SUTHERLAND @ SINGIN’ RIVER LIVE, Florence, AL 8pm SHOALS MUSIC TROLLY TOUR @ MCFARLAND PARK, Florence, AL 9am JOHN LEGEND DARKNESS AND LIGHT TOUR @ BIRDGESTONE ARENA, Nashville, TN 8pm YOGA ON THE FIELD @ NISSAN STADIUM, Nashville, TN 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ LA FUENTE, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 8pm
MAY 20 WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE @ FLORENCE-LAUDERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY, Florence, AL 1pm SHOALS FRONT PORCH STORY TELLING FESTIVAL @ SHOALS COMMUNITY THEATER, Florence, AL 7pm NASHVILLE WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL @ BICENTENNIAL CAPITOL MALL STATE PARK, Nashville, TN 12pm JAZZ BRUNCH & DAY PARTY @ SAMBUCA NASHVILLE, Nashville, TN 12pm BLOCK PARTY @ TN BREW WORKS, Nashville, TN 12pm COFFEE & VOLKSWAGENS @ THE WINDMILL BAKERY & COFFEE SHOP, Columbia, TN 10am
MAY 21 BARK IN THE PARK @ REGIONS FIELD, Birmingham, AL 2pm
MAY 22 BILLIARDS @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ ODETTE, Florence, AL 8pm
MAY 23 TRIVIA NIGHT @ LA FUENTE, Columbia, TN 7pm
MAY 24 POKER NIGHT @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN 10pm
MAY 25 TRIVIA NIGHT @ LA FUENTE, Columbia, TN 7pm KARAOKE @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 8pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
MAY 27 SPRING HARVEST SUPPER WITH ZACH CHANIN @ THE FACTORY CAFÉ, Florence, AL 6:30pm BREW AT THE ZOO @ ZOO ATLANTA, Atlanta, GA 5:30pm EST
MAY 29 BILLIARDS @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ ODETTE, Florence, AL 8pm
MAY 30 TRIVIA NIGHT @ LA FUENTE, Columbia, TN 7pm
MAY 31 POKER NIGHT @ DOLAN’S DELI AND BAR, Spring Hill, TN 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN 10pm
22 FOOD
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FOOD 23
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Cullman Warehouse District merchants benefit from Mae’s.
Top architects, interior designers and construction companies from Cullman, Birmingham and Nashville are all focused on making Mae’s Food Hall a truly word-class venue.
Mae’s Food Hall is named after Linnie Mae Quick.
COME AND STAY A WHILE
MAE’S WILL BRING THE HOUSE DOWN!
MAE’S FOOD HALL OPENING IN CULLMAN In the midst of the hustle and bustle of lunch time rush in Cullman’s Warehouse District, sounds of construction echo between passing trains. Cullman, Alabama is seeing a revitalization that is bringing commerce and people to the town like never before. The Warehouse District, in recent months, has seen a massive amount of growth and the flow of money is nothing but a good thing for the district and local economy. What once stood as an empty, yellow metal warehouse building in the heart of the town, now has signs of new life with a brick facade, thanks to local developer Shane Quick. Pretty soon, the sounds of power tools will be traded for chatter and laughter with the much anticipated opening of Mae’s
Food Hall. “We’re excited about it and excited to build on what great people from this community have already started,” Quick said. “This is not just going to be an adult venue, this is going to be an everybody venue.” Best described as a modern day food court, Mae’s is expected to feature multiple arrays of foods and drink options. “Basically, this is going serve as an incubator for chefs,” Quick said. “ It’s going to allow people an opportunity to launch their food without risking the farm for it.” However, that’s not all. Quick also has plans to add a retro arcade with games such as Donkey Kong and SkeeBall, along with a few other surprises he’s sure people will enjoy.
“We want this to be a place to eat, drink, and play; a place where people come and stay a while,” Quick added. “Everything is being carefully thought out and planned, including the seating. “The seating will be longer farm tables, where people who don’t know each other can sit together and talk while enjoying lunch or dinner.” The sought-after environment for the food hall was inspired by his grandmother, Linnie Mae Quick, whom the venue is named after. “She was the grandma who always had people over, feeding them, and people getting to know each other. Everyone knew her and was welcome, whether it was the preacher, a banker, or the farmer.” With the current food hall craze sweeping the nation, launching one
of his own is something Quick mulled over for quite some time. As for doing it in his hometown? It was a no-brainer. “Cullman’s greatest natural resource is our people,” he said. “It’s full of people with incredible stories, but we lacked a place for those people to meet each other. That’s where Mae’s scratches that itch.” Though a completion date hasn’t been set yet, Quick anticipates being open for business by the end of the year. For pictures of progress and inspirational ideas, follow the journey on Instagram @maesfoodhall.
STORY BY ASHLEY GRAVES
24 SPOTLIGHT
SAY CHEESE!
WWW.GETSETMAG.COM MAY 2017
SET READERS IN ACTION
PHOTOS BY EMMALEE MARTINEZ AND DUSTIN COAN
RECORD STORE DAY BLANK COFFEE-COMICS-RECORDS, FLORENCE, APRIL 22, PHOTOS BY DUSTIN COAN
BRAD STEELE AND DEVYN CONNER
ELI FLIPPEN
WILL MCFARLANE AND COREY KEENUM
SPOTLIGHT 25
MAY 2017 WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
DEVYN CONNER
COREY KEENUM
MICHAEL BOWLING
26 SPOTLIGHT
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WOMEN OF THE SHOALS THE MANE ROOM, FLORENCE, APRIL 18, PHOTOS BY EMMALEE MARTINEZ
ROSIE MCCLENDON, HOLLY DOUGHTY, ABBY DOUGHTY, EMMIE CHAMBERS, MEL HODGES, HALEY WEBSTER, MATTIE STEMBRIDGE, EMMALEE MARTINEZ
MEL HODGES
MATTIE STEMBRIDGE
HALEY WEBSTER
EMMIE CHAMBERS
TIERA LEFTWICH
ROSIE MCCLENDON, MATTIE STEMBRIDGE
SPOTLIGHT 27
MAY 2017 WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
THE BOXMASTERS SHOALS THEATRE, FLORENCE, APRIL 18, PHOTOS BY DUSTIN COAN
BILLY BOB THORTON
THE BOXMASTERS
ROB ALDRIDGE
BILLY BOB AND SET
DUSTIN COAN AND BILLY BOB THORTON
DAVID FREDRICK AND BILLY BOB THORTON
28 TRAVEL
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TRAVEL 29
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At its height, Wartrace, TN had six inns and hotels.
The Walking Horse Hotel has been open since 1917.
ONE TANK SUMMER ADVENTURES
NO. 1
SET’S SUMMER TRAVEL SERIES
First stop, Non Non Bed-and-Breakfast! You don’t expect to find a Japanese bed-and-breakfast in a town like Wartrace, Tennessee, but sometimes in life you get a welcome surprise. Nobuko and Itsuo Watanabe’s Japanese style bed-and-breakfast, Non Non, serves up authentic Japanese cooking in a homey, traditional setting that keeps customers coming back. Non Non stands out from many other quaint bed and breakfasts in the hills of Middle Tennessee, not only for its unique cultural experience, but also because of the warmth of the owners, who make every visitor feel like family. Just outside Bell Buckle, famous for its Moon Pie Festival, art scene, and antiques, Non Non draws high-powered Japanese businessmen and millennials alike looking for something off the beaten path in more ways than one. As far as the Watanabes can tell, they have the only bed-and-breakfast run by a Japanese married couple in the U.S. Non Non sits on 8 acres of Tennessee woodland off Highway 82 South. Itsuo named the place for his wife, whose nickname, Non, stuck. “People we knew from our restaurant in Murfreesboro begged us not to
change the name so they could find us,” Nobuko says. Thirteen years ago, they retired from their Japanese restaurant and grocery store in Murfreesboro and opened Non Non. The couple have been married for 24 years. “The restaurant was a good business but we were so busy,” Nobuko says. “Too busy. The bed-and-breakfast is hard work, but we have faithful, regular customers, good guests. They are like family.” It would be next to impossible to find the personal service the Watanabes provide at Non Non. “When someone books a reservation, we first ask about food allergies and sensitivities,” Itsuo says. Nobuko adds, “Everything we make is traditional Japanese cuisine with organic ingredients.” It’s best to give them a few days’ notice because their menu is always fresh. “We both do the cooking,” Nobuko says. She worked in a cooking school, teaching Americans Japanese cuisine. Itsuo worked as a chef both in Japan and the U.S. “Sometimes cooking together leads to unwanted advice in the kitchen,” she adds. “I notice that my husband sometimes takes credit for
the meal even though I cook, too,” she says, smiling. Itsuo admits that he doesn’t always correct his guests. The Watanabes possess a love of nature and spend much of their time planting fruit trees and tending their garden. They use no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Their house is filled with flowers, and from their back door, cherry trees they planted appear among the native cedars and locusts in their wooded glade. Touring the lovely home, visitors get a sense of the Watanabes’ love of their culture, not to mention their talent and creativity. Itsuo remodeled many of the rooms himself. On return trips to Japan, they chose fine Japanese vases, statues and wall art, from traditional Japanese cranes in flight to shadow boxes illustrating traditional folk tales. They even have a gorgeous red and white kimono often worn as the outer layer of a wedding garment hanging on the wall in the hot tub room. The house of tongue-and-groove makes for cozy bedrooms featuring traditional Japanese foutons and shortlegged tables with removable tops and heaters underneath. This kind of table,
known as a kotatsu, is a sought-after item among Japanese families in the U.S. Another unique feature is the library filled with Japanese graphic novels. “We have some businessmen who love to sit in the library and unwind with a book.” In fact, the Watanabes say that some of their most loyal customers tell them that coming to Non Non is like going to grandmother’s house. For so many Japanese families living and working near plants like Calsonic, Nissan and Toyota Boshoku in Jackson, Tennessee, a place like Non Non can be a home away from home. But the Watanabes have just as many loyal American regulars, people from half a dozen southern states, some who ask for the same dishes again and again. In addition to operating the facilities as a bed-and-breakfast, the couple sometimes allows groups to hold dinner parties. “We don’t advertise,” Nobuko says. “Our business is primarily word-ofmouth.” From the first moment visitors enter the home, they are greeted with two messages: “Take off your shoes please, thank you,” and “Good friends, good food, good times.” Another sign reads, “When you’re here, you’re family.” The Watanabes’ gentle spirit is a guiding light for those looking for something out of the ordinary and for the far-flung looking for a little taste of home. Non Non is located at 171 Loop Road in Wartrace, off Highway 82 South, which intersects Highway 231 between Murfreesboro and Shelbyville, Tennessee.
STORY BY GISELLE MOSIER
30 FREESTYLE
ONE FINAL THOUGHT
PHOTO BY ALLEN CHILDERS
FREESTYLE
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JUSTICE.
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