SET - Nov/Dec 2015 by SET Magazine

VOLUME 03 ISSUE 10 HOLIDAY 2015

HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR THE

HOLIDAYS GUMBY KNEADS THAT DOUGH

IS YOUR HOUSE ON FIRE, CLARK?

THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT CROWDFUNDS

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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HOLIDAY 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

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THAT’S AWESOME DUDE… I’M GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD TIME. BUT GET ON WITH IT! TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE MEGABUS! A MEGA FUN WAY TO TRAVEL, P7

LETTER

CONTRIBUTORS

FROM THE EDITOR

LET’S HEAR IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

INVESTING YOUR SANTA CASH WORTH IT? ONLY FOR THE LONG HAUL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

A MEGA FUN WAY TO TRAVEL

NOT-SO-JOLLYDAY Just like heartburn in the middle of the night, the holidays have snuck up on us. But, even for ol’ dearest Scrooge, there is always something to look forward to during the cold months. You might be dreaming of a white Christmas, but I’ve been daydreaming about the holiday food coma since Christmas commenced last year. Aside from yelling over loud family members, wrestling for the TV changer and letting my family know, again, I don’t have a boyfriend this year, food is my saving grace during the holidays. “Lord, I forgot the butter. How could I forget the butter when I need 14 sticks of it?” my mother has said on multiple occasions, post-Wal-Mart run. So, here I am at Wal-Mart, dodging an elderly woman’s cane for the last few packs of Great Value unsalted butter. When did life get so hard? I finally make it back home to learn the lemon extract has gone missing. The equivalent might be an apocalypse, but even that is an understatement. Now, I’m back at Wal-Mart practicing my tap dancing moves to avoid an Achilles tendon snap from the wild n’ crazies with buggies full of grocery items they should have purchased weeks ago. The meal finally gets prepared, we arrive at our scheduled locations and everyone sits down for a nice, hot meal. But, I’m still left standing. Let me just say, I’m in an awkward transition this year. At 23-years-old, I’m no longer capable to fit in the plastic Little Tykes picnic table, so I’m having to brace the hard transition from the kid’s table to the adult table. At the kid’s table I was able to fix my

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ANYWHERE BUT HOME. . . . . . . . . . 7

HOME AWAY FROM HOMELESS INN OFFERS WINTER RESOURCES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

CHEERFUL INTENTIONS GONE WRONG DIDN’T LOOK LIKE THE PHOTO? NAILED IT!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13

PLAY DIRTY, WIN DIRTY (SANTA) MAY THE ODDS NEVER BE IN YOUR FAVOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

CLAYMATION STATION CHERISHING CLAYFULLY CINEMATIC CHRISTMAS CLASSICS. . . . . 16

BLINGIN’ BACK THE OLDIES plate first, receive Milo’s refills at my beckoning call and fling sweet peas with a fork at my cousin’s faces. Who wants to leave that? Granted, I’ll get to eat what I want and as much of it as I want, but nothing beats the joy of being taken care of. Adults talk about politics and life atrocities at their table (or so I’ve heard.) That’s a conversation I want no part of while I’m trying to enjoy a meal I’ve been preparing my taste buds for for 364 days. Though the transition is a hard realization, nothing could be harder than the Little Tykes plastic seats, so I guess I’ll embrace the change. Welcome to the holiday issue of SET. Want to be home away from home during the holidays? This is your go-to guide. Ride the Megabus for pocket change to some of the biggest cities in the U.S. Discover how other cultures celebrate Christmas. And laugh uncontrollably at the many holiday Pinterest fails we’ve all tried to create at least once.

MAKING HOLIDAYS BRIGHT, ONE ORNAMENT AT A TIME. . . . . 17-20

BY ANNA GRACE USERY, EDITOR

SANTA! OH EM GEE! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

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.

I’M ALL LIT UP IT’S LIKE A LITE-BRITE, BUT BRIGHTER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

CALENDAR WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23

SPOTLIGHT SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27

HOST THE PERFECT FRIENDSGIVING IT’S JUST LIKE THANKSGIVING, BUT MORE FUN.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

W-INTER-NATIONAL TRADITIONS FORGET THE FIGGY PUDDING. TRY SOME GOAT INSTEAD. . . . . 30-31

NEED MONEY TO BE CREATIVE? THE CONTINUING RISE OF INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGNS. . . . . . . . . . . 33

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4 CONTRIBUTORS

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HOLIDAY 2015

SET CONTRIBUTORS SPENCER BROOKS SAMUEL SATTERFIELD JASMINE FLEMING Athens, AL

Florence, AL

Sulligent, AL

PAIGE MCCAY

BRITTANY LEACH

SARAH EMERSON

Locust Fork, AL

Florence, AL

Hamilton, AL

MARION HOLCOMB

ALLIE SOCKWELL

ALEXIS PECK

ERIN REMKUS

JARED MCCOY

Columbia, TN

Lawrenceburg, TN

Columbia, TN

Cherokee, AL

Hazel Green, AL

KALI DANIEL

CALEB BILLINGS

JACKSON TOWNSEND

DEAN ARNOLD

COURTNEY TULLY

Murfreesboro, TN

Sheffield, AL

Pulaski, TN

Cairo, MS

Rogersville, AL

HOLIDAY 2015

MONEY 5

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Big companies can often be lousy investments.

By 2017, social security costs may exceed revenues.

INVESTING YOUR SANTA CASH WORTH IT? ONLY FOR THE LONG HAUL

THIS IS GONNA COST ME. Money can be used for a multitude of purposes — especially during the holidays when it seems to be a necessity. Amid selfless gift giving, festive parties and “here-andthere” donations to philanthropies, you might find yourself with some extra cash. You may plan to use that money on a new TV, a future cruise or just a nicer drink at the bar this weekend. Or, you may have no idea what to do with the money, so it might just go in a savings account or anywhere secure for the time being. But, have you ever considered investing? Investing is a foreign thought in my mind, but it involves devoting money to bids such as stocks, bonds, real estate and other similar venues in hopes of making more money. This allows you to accumulate more cash for the future without having to put in additional hours at your job or

selling your (insert future Xbox or Playstation-brand game system here.) “A person currently in their 20s has a better opportunity to make more money investing,” said Andy Clark, certified financial planner for Listerhill Credit Union. “By starting young, you have the value of time that older people do not.” That’s because investing a little money over a long period of time is less detrimental to a budget than investing a lot over a short period of time. The process and amount of money to start investing varies. “Everyone is different,” Clark said. “Be aware of fees and always ask questions. Investing is a risk. It would be odd if it wasn’t, but risks can be managed.” Steer clear of putting all your money in one investment. Diversify your spending to different assets so if one

fund struggles, not all of your money invested will struggle. Determining what you’re trying to achieve through investing would be a good starting point before actually investing. “Investing really involves longterm goals,” Clark said. “For shortterm goals, like one to four years, it would be best to put the money back in savings.” If you’re deciding to put that money towards a future income for family purposes or retirement, investing would be a route you would likely consider. However, if you are deciding to put the money towards a new car or a fancy piece of furniture, placing it in savings would be the more suitable option. Assuming you decide to invest long-term, another safeguard advised is setting up an emergency fund. Clark said an emergency fund should already be made before investing, even with small investments, and is a different amount for almost everyone. “The fund should be at least one to three months of living expenses, preferably in a savings account,” he said. “If you have that, anything above and beyond that could be allocated for investment.” Do not depend on your investment being your emergency fund. Using the profit from your investment to maintain bills and personal expenses can ruin your progress. Along with establishing and understanding the importance of the emergency fund, Clark said it is important to recognize if your finances are viable for investing. After taking the precautions to be fiscally organized and secured, you should be ready to confidently begin investing. Clark said everyone should be encouraged to invest, especially younger people. A common starting point for beginning investors is enrolling in your job’s 401(k) plan, an account holding your stock, bond, mutual fund or cash

investments. The money that goes in the account and the profit made from the investments are protected from income tax until your retirement. Some jobs offer a SEP-IRA, Simple IRA, Roth 401(k), or 403(b) plan instead. The guidelines are all individually different from a 401(k) plan, but they all do the same job. Contributing more money to a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA), if qualified, or a Traditional IRA helps set aside even more money for retirement along with your 401(k). The unique tax benefits offered from each IRA provide more profit gain for the investor. After setting up this first investment, you should be capable of moving your interests towards other investment opportunities, including stock and real-estate. Before pursuing other investments, a brokerage account should be opened. This is an agreement between an investor and a licensed broker in which the investor gives funds to the broker and the broker handles the paperwork, monitors the activity of the investment, and informs the investor of change. Most brokerage accounts can be opened at banks, credit unions and mortgage companies. Brokerage accounts can also be opened online. E-Trade, Tradeking, and Scottrade are popular among the many sites that exist. It is possible to invest without a broker, but the ample amount of time and work has made the option unpopular. This is very daunting information, yes. But you’re technically an adult now. If you’re dedicated, now is the time to start planning ahead.

STORY BY SPENCER BROOKS

6 TRAVEL

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Kahri Member Since 2013 Abby Member Since 2013

Drew Member Since 2013

Rebecca Member Since 2013

HOLIDAY 2015

TRAVEL 7

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Megabus started in the United Kingdom in 2003.

It saves travelers $1.2 billion over other travel options.

A MEGA FUN WAY TO TRAVEL The drive to Chicago would be about $45 dollars if your car gets 25 miles per gallon. That’s not much more than a $30 Megabus ticket, but Megabus still has the advantage. With Megabus, no one in your group has to drive. And since my group rode through the night, we saved money on hotels and were able to just sleep on the bus. I left my apartment in Florence Thursday at 5 p.m. and I made it back Sunday at noon. Here are my suggestions for a few trips you could consider taking:

NASHVILLE TO CHICAGO

– as inexpensive as $25 one-way Yes, I know I’ve just told you all about it. But it was a great trip. For just shy of $100 you can get the Chicago City Pass, which has tickets for five attractions — Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, Willis Tower, the Museum of Science and Industry and either Adler Planetarium or the Art Institute — and lets you skip all the lines.

I’VE BEEN EVERYWHERE, MAN.

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ANYWHERE BUT HOME Wanderlust is a buzzword coined by many millenials on Twitter. Traveling the world is a desire many young people have. However, it’s not always affordable. Also, let’s face it — many people our age are flat broke. Well, at least I know I am… Anyways… Luckily, there is a solution for all you wannabe travelers! Ever heard of the Megabus? It’s like the Greyhound but...not. The fare for this bus starts at just $1. Four quarters. Or, in my case, 100 pennies. It really sounds too good to be true, but the best part is it’s not. For my 2015 spring break, three friends and I decided we wanted to see the Windy City. On Thursday at 9 p.m., we boarded a Megabus in Nashville. We were able to sleep through the night as the Megabus made its way

north on the almost 10-hour trip. We awoke at 7 a.m. in Chicago. From there, we were able to walk almost everywhere we needed to go. Over the next two days, we were able to see: Millennium Park, The Bean, Chicago Cultural Center, Navy Pier, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of History, the Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago, the Hancock Tower and the Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower. We even ate Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. All of this in just two days! We only took an Uber to and from the Museum of Science and Industry (it was eight miles.) Besides that, everything else we wanted to see was within a twomile radius. After spending two days in the city, we boarded a Megabus at

midnight and arrived safely back in Nashville at about 10 a.m. In total, I spent less than $300. So, at this point you’re probably saying to yourself, “That’s awesome dude… I’m glad you had a good time. But GET ON WITH IT! Tell me more about the Megabus!” All right, all right. Here are some details for you. My Megabus tickets to Chicago cost $60 roundtrip. You can buy your ticket for dirt-cheap and print it out at home. Follow the direction to where the bus stops. Unlike most buses, Megabus cuts costs by not having big terminals for bus stops. Scan your ticket and pick a seat. On the bus, there are plugs for charging your devices and Wi-Fi (well, spotty Wi-Fi). There’s also a bathroom, which I found to be surprisingly clean. Megabus offers an advantage over many forms of travel. I spent some time checking on flight costs and found the Megabus to be an efficient mode of transportation. The average cost for flights to Chicago out of Nashville were $270, and from Birmingham $250. Keep in mind I was able to spend less than $300 total for my trip to Chicago.

MONTGOMERY TO NEW ORLEANS

– as low as $5 one-way This trip is one of the cheapest. I mean $5. Come on. This trip would be great if you’re looking to take leisurely strolls through the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. There’s also Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral to check out. Of course you can always get some good Cajun food, too.

KNOXVILLE TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

– as low as $47 one-way This trip seems to be the most expensive, but once you get to D.C. there are many free attractions to see: the Smithsonian, National Mall, White House, Capitol Building, Supreme Court building and the hipstery Georgetown are several sights I would recommend. And during the holiday season, you can go see the National Christmas tree.

STORY BY SAMUEL SATTERFIELD

8 HERO

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Over half a million people are homeless in the U.S.

HOLIDAY 2015

Youth, 15-22, are the fastest growing homeless population.

HOME AWAY FROM HOMELESS INN OFFERS WINTER RESOURCES As the winter months creep closer, people will layer clothing, blast their car heaters and buy warm drinks from coffee shops before school or work. But for the homeless population, these options are not feasible. Krista Manchester, Director of Homeless Care Council of Northwest Alabama, said there are 245 homeless people in Lauderdale and the five nearest counties. “It’s a misleading number in the sense that we’re not allowed to count people who are couchsurfing, but we know that’s one of the highest numbers of the hidden homeless population in our area,” she said. “So, I know it’s a lot higher.” Last winter during the Polar Vortex, to help the homeless in the area survive, Manchester and friends partnered with First Presbyterian Church to open a warming station each night temperatures were below freezing. When winter ended, they wanted to create a more permanent environment. Manchester and friend Beth Howard were researching viable options when they stumbled across Room in the Inn, a nonprofit emergency shelter for winter months that finds the homeless nightly housing. Room in the Inn started in Nashville in 1987 when a Roman Catholic priest decided to open his church to the growing homeless population. Now, Room in the Inn Shoals, led by co-founders Manchester and Howard, is the No. 20 of 22 programs of its kind. “Our primary goal is to make sure (the homeless) have food and shelter during the coldest months of the

KRISTA MANCHESTER year,” Manchester said. “It’s based around the idea of guest and hospitality. We believe in small shelters where people are treated like guests and their needs are taken care of.” Room in the Inn Shoals is open three days per week from Nov. 2 to March 31 each year. There are no requirements or restrictions. The homeless come into the office, hang out, drink coffee and register for the night, Manchester said. They attend a short orientation, and around 6 p.m., volunteering organizations take them to their locations for the night. The organizations provide dinner, a place to sleep and breakfast in the morning before bringing them back. “To be successful, we need 30 groups at least a season, and that’s if each group can do a regular weekly or biweekly commitment,” she said. “We generally don’t send out more than 12 to each group. However many groups of 12 is how many (organizations) we need each night.”

Manchester said the nonprofit partnered with 17 organizations to help 67 people from January to the first week in April during its first operation last year. “We had UNA students who fell between the cracks with rent but wanted to stay to finish their degrees,” she said. “We had some LGBT students who had been kicked out of their homes. We had some transgender kids who had been kicked out, veterans, families who were living in their cars. It’s a wide range of people who need resources in our area.” University of North Alabama senior Will Chaney, who volunteered through Trinity Episcopal Church last year, said it is a great experience for college students. “God calls us to take care of the needy, and here’s an opportunity to do so,” he said. “It really works with a student’s schedule. Most of us don’t get enough sleep anyway, so you might as well do that helping people.” Chaney said working with Room in the Inn Shoals has been an eye-opening experience. “I’m from Tuscaloosa, and I’ve seen a few people struggling with homelessness through the years,” he said. “But when I came to Florence, I saw it more than I ever did in my entire life.” The people he has helped have been friendly and respectful, which made volunteering easier, he said. Those who want to volunteer to work in the office, at onsite locations or to host a group this winter can request a form by emailing Manchester at roomintheinnshoals@gmail.com. “We’re very clear that we can’t fix why people are homeless,” Manchester said. “That’s very deep and complicated. What we do believe is that we can treat (the homeless) with respect, make sure they have food to eat, shelter and point them in the direction of resources that can help them.”

STORY BY JASMINE FLEMING

HOLIDAY 2015

HERO 9

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Nick Walton

Miracle Osborne

Member since 2015

Member since 2013

Visit Our Stop by The Hill

to relax, recharge, or (of course) take care of your financial

needs. The Hill is a full service, student-run Listerhill Credit Union location in The Commons at UNA dedicated to helping students reach their full financial potential.

10 FEATURE

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HOLIDAY 2015

DIDN'T LOOK LIKE THE PHOTO? NAILED IT! If it's one thing we get to cherish during the holidays its a little bit of down time. Whether it's slipping on comfy jammies and devouring an entire chocolate pie, or doing your spring cleaning a little late (or early), everyone has a different plan of action for enduring the holidays. Four SET contributors decided they wanted to pursue a Pinterest craft to kickstart themselves into the holiday spirit. They carefully perused Pinterest in search of the perfect crafts. Little did they know, they were destined for failure. The almighty Pinterest failed each and every writer, crushing their naive hopes of achieving the improbable and resulting in a phenomenon we all know best - a classic, Pinterest fail.

othing screams holiday season quite like a classic red and green mintinspired peppermint tray for serving treats or displaying goodies at holiday parties. The ingredient list and directions didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look too daunting, so I felt pretty confident going into the project. After purchasing bags of peppermints and spearmints, I went home and used a 10-inch cake pan and aluminum foil for the base of the craft. The first step is to line your pan with aluminum foil. After preheating the oven to 350 degrees, begin to cover the foiled-pan with peppermints. I chose a simple pattern with a green Christmas tree in the middle. Other suggestions included Mickey Mouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head shape, a star or a swirl. After arranging my pattern, I placed the pan in the oven and set the timer for 10 minutes.

The Tray That Wasn't Mint to Be How My Peppermint Pinterest Plate Flopped

Picked for you by Allie Sockwell

HOPEFULLY IT TASTES BETTER TO THE DOG THAN GRANDMA'S MYSTERY DISH.

HOLIDAY 2015

FEATURE 11

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Peppermint is a hybrid of water mint and spearmint.

The U.S. produces 75% of the world's peppermint.

I’m not really who you’d call Martha Stewart, so I had low hopes for the project from the get go. A few minutes into the baking, the kitchen became filled with an aroma of peppermints, and I faintly felt like this project would be a success after all. I checked on the pan after about six minutes, and everything still looked good to go. When the timer rang, the peppermints appeared melted and some even had bubbles, making a mess of the pattern. Great. Happy holla-days, everyone! After letting the peppermint tray cool, I was able to fairly easily remove the peppermint tray from the foil. The sides of the tray, however, began to chip off in small pieces that created a jagged look and made cleanup (sigh) really, really fun. I also noticed the tray reeked of peppermint. Now, this could be a great thing if you are all about clearing your sinuses. But when I think of mixing this around food, I’m just not too sure how the smell would end up. The tray was also a little sticky to the touch and as brittle as my hair in winter. One drop of this baby means bye-bye peppermint tray. On the plus side, this made a great chew toy for the dog. Hours of fun plus fresh breath equal win-win. Best of luck, fellow Pinteresters, if you attempt this project yourself. I definitely recommend less baking time — maybe 8 minutes — and perhaps testing with a few mints to see how quickly they melt or bubble. Happy holiday crafting!

VISIT PINTERESTFAIL.COM FOR A FEW GOOD LAUGHS.

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WATTLE IS A DEFORMED TURKEY TO DO?

DIY Turkey Wreath Turned Fowl Play Don't let this craft gobble up all your time

Picked for you by Marion Holcomb

e all know how it is to scroll through Pinterest and see a cute wreath or DIY sweater. You pin only the most visually aesthetic, crafty items, but let's face it. Nothing amounts to it. Why is that? I'll tell you why - it all becomes one big mess. I chose to make a turkey wreath, which seemed simple enough. Wrong! All it amounted to was glitter scattered across my floor and paint dabs covering my pants and hands. Wreaths are festive, yes, and you can make them to be just about anything if you are crafty enough. Take my advice, though. Don't waste your time and clothing. If you're the type who doesn't listen, here are the directions anyway. Choose your favorite craft store and grab a white, foam ring, orange tulle, two small, foam balls and whatever else is in the clearance aisle you just have to have. First, start by painting the bottom portion of the foam ring brown. Wait and wait and wait and wait for it to dry. Meanwhile, cut the tulle into eight inch-long strips. Check your paint, and if it's not dry - and you're super impatient like me - blow dry it with a hair dryer. It'll be dry in seconds. Next, tie all the cut strips of tulle onto the Styrofoam circle. As soon as you can't feel your toes any longer because they've fallen asleep from keeping your legs out for so long, you can paint the turkey's eyes on the smaller foam ball. They might end up being a little crooked, but who doesn't love a goofy looking turkey? Next, put on your (in my case, crumpled) paper beak. Now that your turkey is full of feathers, eyes and a beak, and you're covered in a glittery, painted-on mess, hang it as you please. From experience, it looks best adorned near the trash can.

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12 FEATURE

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Kodak named its most popular camera “Brownie.”

HOLIDAY 2015

North & Central America have over 7 million wild turkeys.

Fa La La La – FAIL! Pin-spired baking that didn't take the cake... or brownie.

Picked for you by Lexi Peck

interest can be a great resource for all things holiday related. It’s loaded with ideas for crafts, stunning home décor, and my favorite - delicious holiday food. I decided to give one pin a try and chose these adorable brownies baked in cookie cutters. The idea is to give someone a double gift: a brownie to eat and a cookie cutter for future treats. It seemed like a really cute idea. So, I gave it a go. First, I preheated the oven to 350 degrees and gathered my ingredients. I followed the ingredient list on the back of the brownie mix box. Hey, anything to make homemade treats easier, right? Then I arranged my jumbo cookie cutters on a baking sheet. You can line the cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat, if you want to get fancy. I combined the ingredients in a mixing bowl and gave them a good stir. I continued to mix until all the lumps were gone, attempting to refrain from humming “Whip it Good.” To avoid the most mess, I used my ice cream scoop to maneuver the brownie batter from the mixing bowl into the cookie cutters. After I finished filling the cookie cutters (about two scoops per shape), I noticed they were already starting to leak but moved them into the oven anyway. I baked the brownies for 24 minutes, contrary to the box directions.

YOU'RE NOT GETTING BROWNIE POINTS FOR THIS. (Because who wants uncooked brownies?) I checked on them at 19 minutes, and they were already twice as tall as the cookie cutter and had leaked batter all over. When the timer buzzed, I removed them from the oven. I thought I could break off the almost-burnt edges, but they were still chewy and left crumbs all over the outside of the cookie cutter. The finished product didn’t give you pretty edges like the picture. I went ahead and arranged some sprinkles on them to give you the full idea. As you can see my brownies didn’t turn out as good as the original pinspiration. The tops of the brownies aren’t as smooth as the picture, and, like most brownies, they crinkled and crumbled just a bit on the tops. Dealing with all the leaked-out edges – trying to break them off neatly – just made a mess. All in all, the brownies were still delicious but definitely not gift worthy in presentation. If you wish to attempt this project, choose a thicker batter or maybe even fudge. Find a way to get the cookie cutters to sit as close to baking sheet as possible, and try not to fill the cookie cutters too high since they’ll rise. Happy holidays, and may the Pinterest odds be forever in your favor.

AS OF SEPTEMBER 2015, PINTEREST HAD 100

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MILLION USERS.

HOLIDAY 2015

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AL was the first U.S. state to recognize Christmas in 1836.

ith the holidays just around the corner, my DIY Pinterest boards are becoming overloaded. I've sought fun, simple projects to hone my creative spirit this season. As I was pinning, I discovered the perfect mixture of my favorite holiday traditions: Christmas trees and dresses. Once I discovered the infamous “tree dress”, I couldn’t wait to do the DIY. You know, the YMCA but with the letters “D”, “I” and Y.” My crafts haven’t always worked out well in the past, but I had a good feeling about this one. After all, it's just a tree with sporadic decorations, right? I believed this would be a great success. Little did I know, it would become the biggest fail in DIY history. I began my search for the perfect ornaments at Dollar Tree to complement my tree dress. Don’t get me wrong, they had some high quality holiday décor, but it just wasn’t what I needed. They were out of peacock feathers, so I settled for a Wal-Mart boa feather scarf that I could cut into segments.

FEATURE 13

1st President to put a tree in the White House was Pierce. I ventured to Dollar General, where I consulted amiable sales associate and friend Dean, for advice on my next pick. He suggested a miniature snowman and assured me nothing was tackier than hot pink felt. How could I resist hanging those on my tree? Dean helped me gather an array of other items, including a package of multi-colored tinsel that would complete my décor collection. After acquiring the supplies, I was ready to start my masterpiece. I wrapped the strands of tinsel around the artificial tree and tucked the feathers between the branches. Sounds beautiful, right? Well... I’m not sure where I went wrong. I mean, I bought all of the items brand new. (Nothing against thrift stores, but, you know.) Maybe I overdid it with the snow-covered pinecones. Or maybe I shouldn’t have left the $1 clearance sticker on the tank top. Maybe I shouldn't have borrowed my sister's roommate’s mother's cousin’s dilapidated tree. It just wasn’t what I envisioned. All I wanted was my own homemade Christmas display. Perhaps my dad's doublewide could use some holiday cheer.

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FIY – Fail It Yourself Oh, Christmas tree how ugly you are

Picked for you by Erin Remkus

NOT ONLY DOES THE TREE FLOP, SO DO MY IDEAS.

14 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.

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HOLIDAY 2015

SPECIAL FEATURE 15

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The game is also known as “Yankee Swap.”

“Hot cockles” was a popular medieval Christmas game.

PLAY DIRTY, WIN DIRTY (SANTA) There are oodles of ways to play this game, but for this article I’ll stick with my most familiar set of rules: • Players draw numbers and pick presents in order. • If a new present is drawn, it must be opened immediately for all players to see. • Players may use their turn either to pick an unopened present or steal one already opened. • If your present is stolen, you may pick another unopened present or steal one yourself. • The second time an opened present is stolen, it cannot be stolen again. Now that you know the ways of play, here are some tips if you want to play clean or, as I’d suggest, play dirty.

1. RELEASE YOUR INNER CHILD:

GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SHAKE WEIGHT.

MAY THE ODDS NEVER BE IN YOUR FAVOR Just like a good game of Cards Against Humanity, Dirty Santa is a seasonal tradition to remind you which of your friends or family have no sense of humor – and which of them are sociopaths. For those unfamiliar with the game, it’s a fine amusement that ranks among the great holiday traditions such as listening to that one Trans-Siberian Orchestra song on the radio and groaning that your mother is watching “A Christmas Story” for the third time in one day.

The game takes the communal flavor of a potluck dinner and spices it up with the competitive spirit of high-stakes gambling. In hindsight, it’s an odd way to spend your time. But well worth it (maybe). If you’re like me and my friends and are chronically economically challenged (i.e. broke), you might set a present cost limit ahead of time – somewhere around $7-10. This can either limit you or let you define your creative options.

Some people just want to watch the world have a good time. You know what you can buy a lot of when you have a budget to meet? Drug store toys. Grab balloons, green army men, robots that change form but are sufficiently distinct from certain trademarked characters of a similar nature, etc. When there’s no mean spirit involved, you can enjoy people’s enthusiasm spark when their childhood nostalgia is piqued.

2. FEEL THE ROOM:

You don’t have to end up with a bad present if someone else already opened it. Did you get the Shake Weight on your first try? I hate it for you. No one’s stealing that, sucker.

3. HOPE FOR A MIDRANGE NUMBER:

If you are Nos. 1-5 and you’re the one who opened a dollar bin find of “The Last Airbender,” you’re out of luck, my friend. On the flip side, if you’re one of the last ones left in the game, good presents may be dead before it’s even your turn. Middle children, appreciate your luck and use it to your advantage.

4. KNOW YOUR PRESENT:

Did you buy a good present that just about anyone would enjoy? Have

a gold star for being a good person. Did you buy a good present and want it for yourself? That’s more like it. Keep an eye on the wrapping paper you used and don’t grab it immediately off the table. Take note of how many times it’s been stolen and jump for it when the time strikes.

5. THE OLD BAIT AND SWITCH:

There’s a couple ways to do this. Got a terrible joke of a present? Make sure the presentation is immaculate. Some schmuck won’t be able to resist something that looks like an awful lot of work went into it. Got a great present that anyone would want? Flip the idea around and wrap it in newsprint (make sure to read SET Magazine before using it for this.) For the incredibly devious, make your present - no matter the quality of the prize inside - ridiculously hard to get into. Glue it, staple it, duct tape it and shrink wrap it. You’ll have a contestant who’s either incredibly relieved at their opening efforts or explosively angry for the same reason.

CREATIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR DIRTY SANTA GIFTS: • A Tickle Me Elmo with its red plush pulled off • The discography of Creed (in case you still own it and want it out of your house) • Rip-off Legos

STORY BY JARED MCCOY

16 MOVIES

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The California Raisins are clamaytion characters.

HOLIDAY 2015

There are 1,800 shots per 1 minute of film.

CLAYMATION STATION CHERISHING CLAYFULLY CINEMATIC CHRISTMAS CLASSICS In just a few short weeks you won’t be able to turn on your TV without seeing a Christmas special or a classic justfor-Christmas movie on ABC Family. Many of your favorite cinematic Christmas moments have one important element in common - clay animation, or claymation. There are artists who go to school specifically to study the art of designing, creating and animating claymation films. These are the people who make claymation more than just another animated film - they turn it into an art. So, what is claymation? It’s a form of filmmaking in which the filmmakers use stop motion to shoot a set that is, for the majority, claymade as are the characters and props. Dedicated filmmakers go through the painstaking process of setting up the scene, moving the pieces, shooting a still, moving the pieces again, shooting again, and on and on until the movie is finished. This kind of animation dates back to 1908. I could go on for days about the mastery of this craft and the amazing films it has spurred, but I’ll try to reign in my excitement for now. What does claymation have to do with Christmas? Millenials - think back to the late 90s and you’ll remember two of your most-watched Christmas movies, both founded in claymation. “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” are etched in my brain, and if you had a decent childhood, I hope they are in yours, too. You probably assume they were made in the time period of most of your favorite classics, but they date back a little further. “Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer” was made in 1964 followed by “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” in 1970, but the Christmas claymation trend didn’t end there.

WHAT’S UP, HERMEY? What is debatably one of the most popular animated Christmas movies of our day, Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” came long after the aforementioned films. This masterpiece graced our screens in 1993 and has been warming hearts, in a strange, dark way we don’t quite understand ever since. But it’s no classic, right? Wrong! If you watch all three films back-to-back (which I would suggest as an amazing Christmas marathon movie night) you will see a distinct change in style. This probably doesn’t come as much

of a surprise considering the time gap between them, but the consistent aspect of clay animation is the process stays much the same over time. The evolution is in the detail. Not only did the production technology improve over time, but directors were able to spend more time detailing characters’ movements and the final product was a smoother, more lifelike animation. These movies stand out in stark contrast to other classic, Christmas movies and have been in every millennial’s annual Christmas routine

since birth. There is no scientific reasoning behind why Americans have adored these films for so long, or exactly how they became so iconic and necessary during the Christmas holidays, but one thing is for certain Christmas-themed claymation will be watched in every household, young and old, and will be loved the same as it was many years ago.

STORY BY PAIGE MCCAY

HOLIDAY 2015

SPECIAL FEATURE 17

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In 1973, Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments were introduced.

Upcycle SET Magazine and use as wrapping paper!

BLINGIN’ BACK THE OLDIES MAKING HOLIDAYS BRIGHT, ONE ORNAMENT AT A TIME [INSTRUCTIONS] CUT, HANG, ADMIRE

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HOLIDAY 2015

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HOLIDAY 2015

SPECIAL FEATURE 21

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Trees with electric lights became popular after WW II.

Sportsman Lake Park spends $97K annually on its display.

I’M ALL LIT UP IT’S LIKE A LITE-BRITE, BUT BRIGHTER

THE WRIGHT HOUSE and better we can get! When we realized the traffic it created with eager onlookers, we decided to do something for our community.” The Wright family light display opens Tuesday, Dec. 1 and stays open during and after Christmas until Dec. 31. They display in on from 5:30 p.m.-midnight during that time. The Wright house is located at 4170 Ricks Lane in Spring Valley.

NOW WATCH ME SWAN DIVE. When all the leaves have fallen and the air becomes frigid, it’s hard to find myself outside at all - especially when hot chocolate wafts in my kitchen and Christmas movies are readily available on Netflix. The one thing that gets me up and out of my comfy recliner during winter nights is the bright displays of Christmas lights radiating holiday cheer. The Shoals has a knack for bringing the community together, and the Christmas lights sure do brighten the town (and my spirits.) Once I’ve seen the lights in downtown Florence, I’m always ready for more! You mean there are equally beautiful Christmas lights outside the qualms of Florence? Of course! There are colorful display scenes in every pocket of Alabama including Cullman, Spring Valley

and Tuscumbia, which are all worth visiting during the holidays.

WRIGHT FAMILY LIGHT DISPLAY IN SPRING VALLEY Spring Valley is home to the Wright family whom have been entertaining visitors with its Christmas light craftmanship since 1971. With more than 140 manpower hours and 15,000 lights produced in the set up each year, they truly know how to put on a light show for the community. Their home is now the biggest light show in Spring Valley. “In the beginning we started off with a strand here and there,” Tammy Wright said on the Wright’s Lights website. “Nine years ago we went just a little crazy and we haven’t looked back since.... except to think of how much bigger

13TH ANNUAL WINTER WONDERLAND AT SPORTSMAN LAKE PARK: Sportsman Lake Park, located in Cullman, has over 40 different sceneries of light shows. Director of Parks and Recreation Doug Davenport said the park receives more than 5,000 cars of people each year (that’s 1,200 to 1,500 people each week.) The park requests a $5 donation per car, and delicious cups of hot chocolate can be purchased in an effort to fund the display. Davenport said it takes him and his crew 25 days to get all the lights ready. The drive-thru Christmas light display is open Tuesday, Dec. 4-31 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., weather permitting. The park is located at 1544 Sportsman Lake Road NW in Cullman.

SPRING PARK CHRISTMAS IN TUSCUMBIA The next best place to see star lights and star brights is at Spring Park in Tuscumbia. This beautiful park offers a spectacular display of dancing waters with 51 flumes propelling water 150 feet into the air. Colorful light designs adorn the surrounding trees, creating a nice ambiance for a romantic evening with a significant other. In the photo, you can see a display of a swan that looks as if it’s floating alongside you in the pond. The light display is open Tuesday, Dec. 1 - Dec. 24 from 6 – 8 p.m., seven days a week. Spring Park is located at 1 Spring Park Road right in downtown Tuscumbia. There you have it - three of the best places that will certainly light up the holidays in north Alabama. Make sure to remember your coats and gloves before setting out on the Christmas light adventure; and it wouldn’t hurt to bring along some hot apple cider and hot chocolate for the ride.

STORY BY BRITTANY LEACH

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EVENTS

HOLIDAY 2015

NOVEMBER 3 - JANUARY 4 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOVEMBER 3

STRANGE WAVES, THE HEAD, CHEAP THRILL DEVILLE @ the end. theatre, Florence, AL, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm

NOVEMBER 4

TRIVIA NIGHT @ True Love’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm 2015 CMA AWARDS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm BROOKLYN @ Your Local Movie Theater

NOVEMBER 5

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm

NOVEMBER 6

FIRST FRIDAYS @ Court Street, Florence, AL, 5pm SINGING RIVER RECORDS SHOWCASE @ Mane Room, Florence, AL, 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm SPECTRE @ Your Local Movie Theater THE PEANUTS MOVIE @ Your Local Movie Theater SPOTLIGHT @ Your Local Movie Theater TRUMBO @ Your Local Movie Theater ROOM @ Your Local Movie Theater

NOVEMBER 8

SAM’S PLACE - MUSIC FOR THE SPIRIT @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm

NOVEMBER 9

BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm

TGIF

NOVEMBER 10

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm

NOVEMBER 11

VETERAN’S DAY TRIVIA NIGHT @ True Love’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm STRAIGHT NO CHASER @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm

NOVEMBER 12

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm

NOVEMBER 13

POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm DRAG US TO THE THEATRE @ George S. Lindsey Theatre, Florence, AL, 7:30, 10pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm BY THE SEA @ Your Local Movie Theater MAN UP @ Your Local Movie Theater THE 33 @ Your Local Movie Theater

NOVEMBER 14

UNA VS WEST ALABAMA @ Braly Stadium, Florence, AL, 1:30pm DRAG US TO THE THEATRE @ George S. Lindsey Theatre, Florence, AL, 7:30, 10pm

NOVEMBER 16

BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm

JOHN PAUL WHITE @ The WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, AL, 8pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm

NOVEMBER 17

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm DEAD AND COMPANY @ Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, 7:30pm

NOVEMBER 18

TRIVIA NIGHT @ True Love’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm DEAD AND COMPANY @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm

NOVEMBER 19

MEISA MUSIC SHOWCASE: SOUND OF THE TOWN @ Mane Room, Florence, AL, 7pm

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TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET @ Shoals Community Theatre, Florence, AL, 7:30pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm

NOVEMBER 20

POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET @ Shoals Community Theatre, Florence, AL, 7:30pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2 @ Your Local Movie Theater CAROL @ Your Local Movie Theater LEGEND @ Your Local Movie Theater MUSTANG @ Your Local Movie Theater

HOLIDAY 2015

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NOVEMBER 21

SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET @ Shoals Community Theatre, Florence, AL, 7:30pm GRACE & TONY @ 116 E. Mobile Street, Florence, AL, 8pm

NOVEMBER 22

WWE: SURVIVOR SERIES @ Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, 7:30pm SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET @ Shoals Community Theatre, Florence, AL, 2pm

NOVEMBER 23

WWE: RAW @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 6:30pm BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm

NOVEMBER 24

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm

NOVEMBER 25

TRIVIA NIGHT @ True Love’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm THE GOOD DINOSAUR @ Your Local Movie Theater CREED @ Your Local Movie Theater THE NIGHT BEFORE @ Your Local Movie Theater MEET YOUR MAKERS @ Your Local Movie Theater

NOVEMBER 26

THANKSGIVING GALAXY OF LIGHTS 2015 BEGINS @ Botanical Garden, Huntsville, AL, TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm

NOVEMBER 27

BLACK FRIDAY POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm I SAW THE LIGHT @ Your Local Movie Theater

THE DANISH GIRL @ Your Local Movie Theater

NOVEMBER 28

THE IRON BOWL @ Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL

NOVEMBER 30

BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm

DECEMBER 1

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm

DECEMBER 2

DECEMBER 3

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm

DECEMBER 4

FIRST FRIDAYS @ Court Street, Florence, AL, 5pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm MACBETH @ Your Local Movie Theater KRAMPUS @ Your Local Movie Theater

DECEMBER 7

BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm

DECEMBER 8

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm

DECEMBER 9

TRIVIA NIGHT @ True Love’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm

DECEMBER 10

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm

DECEMBER 11

POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm HUNTSVILLE BALLET COMPANY - THE NUTCRACKER @ Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL, 7:30pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm IN THE HEART OF THE SEA @ Your Local Movie Theater KNIGHT OF CUPS @ Your Local Movie Theater THE LADY IN THE VAN @ Your Local Movie Theater

DECEMBER 12

HUNTSVILLE BALLET COMPANY - THE NUTCRACKER @ Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL, 2pm HUNTSVILLE BALLET COMPANY - THE NUTCRACKER @ Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL, 7:30pm

DECEMBER 17

96.1 JINGLE BALL: JUSTIN BIEBER, NICK JONAS, FIFTH HARMONY, & SHAWN MENDES @ Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm

DECEMBER 18

POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm STAR WARS 7 @ Your Local Movie Theater SISTERS @ Your Local Movie Theater

DECEMBER 21

BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm

DECEMBER 22

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm

DECEMBER 23

HUNTSVILLE BALLET COMPANY - THE NUTCRACKER @ Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL, 1pm TOBY MAC, BRITT NICOLE, & COLTON DIXON @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 6pm

DECEMBER 14

DECEMBER 24

DECEMBER 13

BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm

DECEMBER 15

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm THE WEEKEND @ Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, 7:30pm

DECEMBER 16

TRIVIA NIGHT @ True Love’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm

CHRISTMAS EVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm

DECEMBER 25

CHRISTMAS DAY POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm CONCUSSION @ Your Local Movie Theater DADDY’S HOME @ Your Local Movie Theater JOY @ Your Local Movie Theater POINT BREAK @ Your Local Movie Theater SNOWDEN @ Your Local Movie Theater THE HATEFUL EIGHT @ Your Local Movie Theater THE REVENANT @ Your Local Movie Theater

IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM

DECEMBER 28

BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm

DECEMBER 29

TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm

DECEMBER 30

TRIVIA NIGHT @ True Love’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm

DECEMBER 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm JACK DANIEL’S BASH ON BROADWAY: NEW YEAR’S EVE IN MUSIC CITY @ Nashville, TN

JANUARY 1

NEW YEAR’S DAY POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm

JANUARY 2

GALAXY OF LIGHTS 2015 ENDS @ Botanical Garden, Huntsville, AL, REC 4 @ Your Local Movie Theater THE SEARCH FOR GENERAL TSO @ Your Local Movie Theater THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN @ Your Local Movie Theater THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 @ Your Local Movie Theater TRACE AMOUNTS @ Your Local Movie Theater

JANUARY 4

BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm

24 SPOTLIGHT

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SAY CHEESE!

SET READERS IN ACTION

HOLIDAY 2015

PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY, DEAN ARNOLD AND JACKSON TOWNSEND

ARX MORTIS GHOSTHILL, KILLEN, AL, OCTOBER 16, PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY

CALEIGH GRACE SCOGGINS, AMY PITTS, MACKENZIE GARNER, ABBY PITTS, KRISTEN PERRIGO, MACAYLA WRIGHT AND FELESHA PERRIGO

KENDRA

LAUREN AND PAYTON

KATELYN AND ALLISON COSBY

ARX MORTIS STAFF

HOLIDAY 2015

SPOTLIGHT 25

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JAMES HENDRIX AND LACEY LENNICK

ROB ALLEN AS REGIBUS ORTA

ASHLEY BACCUS

RENAISSANCE FAIRE FLORENCE, OCTOBER 24, PHOTOS BY DEAN ARNOLD

NOELLE SMITH, ANA HENDERSHOT AND MELISSA BLANKENSHIP-PARKER

LIZ WOOD BEHEL

THE THREE TROUBADOURS

RENAISSANCE STORYTELLERS

26 SPOTLIGHT

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HOLIDAY 2015

SET SHINDIG VARIETY RECORDS, OCTOBER 3, PHOTOS BY JACKSON TOWNSEND

LAWN DART CASUALTY

CRISSY DALE AND LEXI PECK

AUSTIN TYLER

PRESTON SALES

ALEXIS PECK WINS FOO FIGHTERS TICKETS

HOLIDAY 2015

SPOTLIGHT 27

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JORDY SEARCY

SAMUEL JOINER, TOMMY QUINN AND AUSTIN FRENCH

JORDAN SEARCY AND BAND

THE BIRD AND THE BEAR

28 FOOD

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HOLIDAY 2015

FOOD 29

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Ben Franklin wanted America’s national bird to be the turkey.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in the 1920s.

HOST THE PERFECT FRIENDSGIVING give a little money if it means they can partake in the feast that will be prepared. Here is an easy recipe that anyone can do (trust me):

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN AND DRESSING

What you’ll need: • 4 cups shredded chicken (canned will work) • 6 cups crumbled cornbread • 8 firm, white bread slices, torn into pieces • 2 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth • 2 cans cream of chicken soup • 1 medium onion, chopped • 3 celery ribs, chopped • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten • 2 teaspoons ground sage • ½ teaspoon pepper • ¼ teaspoon salt

THE OG’S OF FRIENDSGIVING.

IT’S JUST LIKE THANKSGIVING, BUT BETTER. Carnivornes, vegans, vegetarians and picky eaters can all rejoice during this time of year. I can already smell the turkey in the oven, the taste of apple cider — a secret family recipe, of course — and I’ve been dreaming of that succulent, sweet potato casserole for months now. That’s right, y’all. Friendsgiving is around the corner. What’s “Friendsgiving” you may ask? Friendsgiving is just like your family Thanksgiving except you celebrate with your closest friends. The party can be on Thanksgiving if you know you won’t be able to make it home this year, or you can host it before or after the holiday. It’s a wonderful time to spend with those you love, eat good food, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Who can turn that down? Now, you may be thinking, “Thanksgiving is a lot of food – I can’t cook all of that!” or “I can’t afford a to cook a feast on my budget!” Fear not. While it may seem intimidating, Friendsgiving food is much easier than you expect and can be done in a cost efficient manner.

A CLASSIC, COST-EFFICIENT FRIENDSGIVING MENU:

*costs based off items found in Wal-Mart Meat: Turkey (if you’re brave) - $30 AND / OR Chicken & Dressing - $25 Sides and vegtables: Sweet potato casserole - $15 Green bean casserole - $10

Fried okra or squash - $8 Cranberry sauce - $3 Rolls or bread - $2 Drinks and desserts: Apple cider - $8 Pumpkin or pecan pie - $15 Red velvet cake - $10 I advise that as host, you pick one big item to cook and assign dishes to those who RSVP to the party. Have everyone bring something — just like the Pilgrims and Native Americans did on the first Thanksgiving — to alleviate any stress and to make the event a community effort. If someone would rather not try his or her hand at cooking, you can always ask them to make a donation toward a big item on the menu. It may seem awkward but most people will be willing to

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Transfer mixture to a lightly greased, 5-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on high three to four hours or on low for seven hours. Stir well before serving. *For more Friendsgiving recipes, check out SET Magazine on Facebook. You don’t have to go all out with decorating, but it may be fun to put out a orange or brown table cloth to set the mood. (Dollar Tree is your best bet!) If you’re feeing really festive, there are tons of adorable centerpiece ideas on Pinterest. Or, you can arrange a colorful fall bouquet for the center of the table. Before you slip into your food coma, go around the room and tell each other what you’re thankful for. It may seem cheesy, but it’s a simple way to remember just how blessed you really are with each other.

STORY BY SARAH EMERSON

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In Hawaii, Santa is called Kanakaloka!

HOLIDAY 2015

Polish legend says a spider wove Baby Jesus’s blanket.

W-INTER-NATIONAL TRADITIONS FORGET THE FIGGY PUDDING – TRY SOME GOAT INSTEAD What do KFC, apples and goat meat have in common? You’re right, Christmas. Cultures around the world celebrate the traditionally Christian holiday in various ways. In Japan, KFC is the premium delicacy on Christmas Day. While not every family necessarily eats KFC, they do enjoy some form of chicken as opposed to the American ham. “In Japan there are Christmas cakes and Christmas chicken,” said Daichi Shigematsu, a University North Alabama student from Kurume, Japan. “Both are no different than regular cake or roasted chicken, but stores sell decorated version of the aforementioned foods for people to have on Christmas season.” Japan is not the only country to celebrate Christmas with specific foods. In Rwanda, meat is not usually eaten, however, families make an exception for Christmas. “We have what we call brochettes, which are meat on wooden sticks,” said Mary Umutoni, a UNA student from Kigali, Rwanda. “We especially eat goat brochettes that look like kebab - or beef, chicken or

fish brochette. But, what we love or find the most are the goat brochettes.” While 94 percent of Rwanda’s population identifies as Christian, less than 1 percent of Japan’s population is distinguished as such. Therefore, Japan’s experience of Christmas is focused primarily on family and various winter-themed events, Shigematsu said. “Christmas season is more like an event period where stuff happens for the sake of it,” he said. “Since a lot of Christmas and winter-themed events happen on the days leading up to Christmas Day, the day itself is less important to Japanese people than the days before it.” Similar to Japan, China’s events are more seasonthemed than religious-based. Adelina Gu, a UNA student from Jiaxing, China, said the holiday is more for young couples and children than adults. “I did not get any gifts when I was little, so it was not very popular at all,” Gu said. “But now, more and more immigrants are under the influence of globalization, so Christmas is becoming more and more popular.” China’s National Day is Oct. 1, opening China’s

THESE BROCHETTES ARE BAAAAAD TO THE BONE.

“Golden Week” — the biggest week for tourism in the country. Because of the “tourism overdrive” combined with the national festivities, Gu said China typically does not celebrate another holiday until the Chinese New Year. “I think we celebrate Christmas more because we need that kind of festival-like atmosphere to celebrate again,” she said. “It’s also a big chance for business sales.” Gu said Christmas Eve in Chinese translates to “ping an ye,” which is similar to the pronunciation of the word “apple,” creating a unique cultural tradition. “On Christmas Eve in high school, boys and girls would send an apple to each other with best wishes,” she said. “They may even disclose their secret love. It’s kind of like another Valentine’s Day for young people.” In Ukraine, a predominantly Orthodox country, Christmas is celebrated Jan. 7 in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Margarita Hartung, a UNA student from Donetsk, Ukraine, said presents are not as important as feasting with family and friends. “We have to bring at least 12 foods to a group,” she said. The 12 foods signify the 12 disciples of Christ. “We call it Sviata Vecheria. It’s a lot of warm soup and breads. Very plain and bland, but it’s what we like.” Traditionally, Hartung said, they also set up a “vertep,” or Nativity scene, and a “didukh” adorns the table. The didukh is a clump of wheat that signifies the bountiful harvest and prosperity in the following year, similar to Americans’ view of Thanksgiving. “We don’t start eating the meal until the first star is in the sky,” she said. “And we have St. Nicholas, but it’s more of a Catholic tradition than a national one. Something you can find throughout the country are Christmas eggs. They’re similar to Easter eggs, but they use Christmas scenes and colors.” She said upon walking into Ukrainian homes, many will find the familiar wooden dolls within dolls, called Matryoshka dolls. “They’re used as decorations to celebrate and remember grandparents,” Hartung said. Despite the diverse holiday traditions, Hartung said Ukrainian tradition is steeped in culture. “I didn’t truly know what Christmas was until I came to America,” she said. “We are very orthodox, and what we do is not as big as the traditions here.” Regardless of where the holiday is celebrated, many international students at UNA agree it is a time of joy. “It’s becoming more and more popular,” Gu said. “Not all people celebrate it, but everyone knows about it. It makes them feel happy and get rid of stress in their life.”

STORY BY KALI DANIEL

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In Europe, elves are spirits active during the 12 Days.

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The French burn yule logs made out of cherry wood.

KENTUCKY FRIED CHRISTMAS IN JAPAN.

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Indiegogo.com reaches over 9.5 million monthly people.

68% of Indiegogo users are male.

NEED MONEY TO BE CREATIVE? THE CONTINUING RISE OF INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGNS Crowdfunding websites have been the source of a lot of debate since their arrival in the late 2000s. Supporters point to it cutting down on the risk of investing and helping to get projects going that might not get funded any other way. On the other side, detractors cite instances where the funded projects weren’t finished and left contributors unrewarded. Regardless of where you stand, it’s hard to deny the impact they’ve had and will continue to have in the future. Kickstarter seems to be the crowdfunding site that comes to most people’s minds first, but Indiegogo actually started a year before it in 2008. Co-founder Danae Ringelmann has said the origin of the site goes all the way back to the early 2000s when she was working in finance on Wall Street. Out of curiosity, she went to a meeting of filmmakers in search of funding just to observe. She wasn’t on the fringes of the meeting long when the older filmmakers realized she was in finance. They all wanted her to finance their film projects. Shortly after, Ringelmann quit her job and went to business school where she met fellow co-founders Eric Schell and Slava Rubin. Her goal became to “democratize finance” and get normal people involved with raising money. The initial focus of the website was to help fund film projects, but its scope has widened considerably since then. Some of the higher profile Indiegogo campaigns have included funding for the sequel to the cult comedy “Super Troopers,” an

JENNY KERIS

enclosed beehive called ‘Flow Hive’ that allows for easier collection of honey, and a museum dedicated to inventor Nikola Tesla. These three projects altogether raised approximately $17 million. Beyond artistic projects and inventions, the site also allows campaigns for charities, medical expenses and disaster relief. These are areas where Indiegogo distinguishes itself from Kickstarter, which focuses more strictly on creative projects. Indiegogo even eliminates fees for these “personal cause” campaigns. Starting a campaign is simple enough. On the Indiegogo website you first decide what kind of campaign you want to launch (personal, creative, entrepreneurial or nonprofit), what you want the name to be, and how much you’re trying to raise. Once your campaign page is made you can add videos, pictures, and a detailed description of what you’re trying to accomplish.

On the right side of the page you can offer perks to contributors based on how much money they chose to donate. You can choose how long you want the campaign to be, but most last between 30-40 days. Florence singer-songwriter Jenny Keris began searching for a crowdfunding site to raise money for her EP “The Distance Between Us” earlier this year. “I started asking other musicians and creatives if they ever used Kickstarter,” she said. “Most people used Indiegogo instead. Then, I started to do some online research on Indiegogo and found out why.” The flexibility of Indiegogo versus the more rigid Kickstarter immediately appealed to her, she said. “I chose to use Indiegogo over Kickstarter because if you don’t meet your goal, you are still able to receive the funds from contributors. Indiegogo takes a small fee (5 percent) from the overall contributions. Whereas if you use Kickstarter, you will not receive the funds if you do not make your goal.” This is a big incentive for creative people to use Indiegogo since every little bit helps. The “all or nothing” approach of Kickstarter makes sense for larger projects

that need hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, but here, a looser approach can give the artist the drive to keep going. “I have a week left of my campaign and was able to raise over $1,600 toward the creation of my first EP,” Keris said. “I still haven’t reached my goal, but it won’t stop me from finishing my record. I’m very appreciative of the amount of support I have already received.” For smaller projects or personal cause campaigns Indiegogo has an edge that’s hard to beat. You also don’t have to go through the hassle of having Indiegogo approve your campaign before you start like you would with Kickstarter. The main benefit of Kickstarter is since it is the most popular crowdfunding site in the U.S., it would be best to go with it if you needed to find money for a much larger project. The major crowdfunding websites out there may all seem the same on the surface, but it’s important to look deeper and find out which one best suits your goal.

STORY BY CALEB BILLINGS

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SANTA! OH EM GEE!

SANTA’S COMING! I KNOW HIM! I KNOW HIM!

HOLIDAY 2015

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