FREE Set is a publication of Listerhill
LIF E ST YL E - F I N AN CE - T ECH - T OW N
PREMIERE ISSUE FALL 2012
THE N O C A B O T E Y B D SAYING GOO and sausage and bbq) (and ham
IPHONE 5 THE GREATEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN. EVER.
YOUR MONEY 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
HOMETOWN HERO BETHANY OLIVER LIGHTS THE NIGHT
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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THIS IS A PRO-BACON MOVE. WE WANT TO SEE BACON FOR THE LONG HAUL. APORKALYPSE NOW P8 FEEDBACK
LETTER
LET’S HEAR IT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
FROM THE EDITOR
TECH
THE GREATEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED . . . . . . . . . . 5
MONEY
4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CREDIT. . . . . . . . . 6
TO THE YOUNG IN OUR COMMUNITY.
FEATURE
A magazine? That will never work. I mean, come on it’s 2012. We’re all abzout having our noses in our phones and wanting our information in 140 characters or less. I struggled with those thoughts for a bit before it finally clicked: People were made for community. Why else would Twitter be a success? It’s not because we’re a lazy generation of people who don’t want to typemore than 140 characters; it’s about community. And although an online community is a very real thing, there will always be something magical about a physical and local community. That’s the vision that guides this journey. SET Magazine is a community by you and for you. That doesn’t mean SET won’t be online. On the contrary, all of SET’s content will be online, along with web-exclusive content as well. Check out getsetmag.com for yourself. Similar to our own lives, SET exists in the physical and digital. SET Magazine is written by its readers. If we collaborate as a generation, there is no limit to the
HOMETOWN HEROES
HOPE FOR THE BEST, PREPARE FOR THE WORST. . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
positive impact we can have in this community, and I hope SET can be a catalyst and platform for that cooperation. However, that requires involvement from you to make this work. We are always looking for contributors with fresh and creative ideas to join our team. In fact, we’ll even pay you, so if you’ve got something to say, email us at contribute@getsetmag.com. I hope that you are as excited as we are about what this can become. SET will continually evolve and be shaped by those who embrace it. Give us your feedback, and let us know how we’re doing. Edward Filene, a pioneer of the credit union movement, once said “Progress is not the mere correction of evils. Progress is the constant replacing of the best there is with something still better.” Take ownership and make this yours.
BETHANY LETS HER LIGHT SHINE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
NON PROFIT
CHAMPIONS FOR A CURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CALENDAR
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
FASHION
FALL FASHION MUSTS FOR HIM AND HER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
SPOTLIGHT
HOMECOMING, THE FAIR AND EVERYWHERE. . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17
ARTS FEATURES
HALLOWEEN MOVIES AND MORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19
FOOD
WHO LET THE MUMMY DOGS OUT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
FREESTYLE THE SET STAFF
ONE LAST SHOT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SET CONTRIBUTORS
AMY JACKSON
Tuscumbia, AL
KAYLA SLOAN
Florence, AL
LEE TAYLOR
Florence, AL
MAGGIE BEA RAY Sheffield, AL
MARIANNE GRIFFIN Florence, AL
SET is a publication by and for local young people dedicated to lifestyle, finance, technology and community. It is published by Listerhill Credit Union as
part of its ongoing mission to promote the credit union philosophy of cooperation and financial literacy. It is a platform for 15-20 somethings in the community and it is free.
MATTHEW VAN ORMER Florence, AL
JEREMY JACKSON Decatur, AL
DUSTIN VARNER Cullman, AL
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Please take one copy and share it. Listerhill Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative whose purpose is to improve the quality of life for the membership by providing cost effective services to meet their financial needs while maintaining financial soundness and promoting the credit union philosophy.
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Sheffield, AL
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TECH 5
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IPHONE 5
THE NEW HOTNESS.
THE GREATEST THING EVER? The iPhone 5’s release has once again sparked the audacious opinions of haters and fans alike. It’s the tech talk of the internet and our generation is at the centerfold of the discussion. At least, you would assume. Right? Well, I had some questions about that, myself. I’ve gotten to talk with a lot of 20 somethings in North Alabama about what they think of the iPhone 5, and the response I got was really interesting. We’re all impressed with the technological advancements we can watch in a Keynote presentation from Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, but do these leaps forward really make that much of an impact on our daily lives? I mean, how much does a faster ohone really change anything? Refreshingly enough, the answer seems to be yes. Ryan Hodgin, a new iPhone 5 owner, says the phone is “Substantially and noticeably faster” than his iPhone 4. As someone who spends a lot of time on the go in a 4G network,
this helps him stay above the curve professionally and socially in a huge way. As the increase in demand for info is constantly on the rise, a RAM speed of 1 GB combined with 4G LTE network connectivity isn’t slowing anyone down in their endeavor for knowledge and accessibility. So, it’s definitely faster...a lot faster. It has better graphics, a larger display with dozens of other cool features. Are there any drawbacks to this new technological rockstar? Well, Apple’s not taking any steps backwards, but there a few things a lot of us aren’t all that excited about. The new lightning connector has potential consumers like Dillon Green taking a step back from purchasing the phone. Dillon says, “You’re just going to have to buy adapters for it...for right now, I’ll just keep my iPhone 4.” Dillon represents a strong percentage of younger people who don’t see the worth of moving forward just yet, due to the details such as this one paired with the high price of the phone. Price is what it comes down to any way, right? It’s really the only reason any of us have to complain about Apple’s products at all. If they can;t scratch our backs, do our homework for us or make us a sandwich, we typically throw out the “then why is it so expensive?” card. With the exception of the Maps app (which is becoming a PR nightmare for Apple’s developers) and small things like the new connector port, the new iPhone 5 really is a truly exciting product that is easily considered the best phone out there today. With the classic Apple price placed in the triple digits and the promise that this will come down in a year’s time, it looks like this life changing product will have to wait its turn with 20 somethings in our area. This is good economical thinking on our part, but it’s also refreshing to see consumers like Katie Terry say, “I like to stay a generation behind just to see what happens and learn from people’s mistakes.” This tells me that we’re telling Apple, “We’ll see.” This puts us in charge, which is where we should be.
BY LEE TAYLOR
6 MONEY
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Save money by making a list before you go shopping.
Average lifespan of bill depends on denomination
FALL ISSUE 2012
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4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CREDIT BECAUSE IF IT GOES BAD, IT’LL EAT YOU ALIVE.
1 - HIGH BALANCES ON CREDIT CARDS
There are a lot of opinions on credit cards. Some people think they are the devil and others couldn’t exist without them. Whatever your opinions of them are, they are an easy way to begin establishing credit. One thing that a lot of people don’t realize though is that high balances on credit cards can hurt your credit score even if you make the payments on time. The magic number is to keep the balance somewhere below 75% of the credit limit. Which means if you’ve got a card with a $1000 limit, keep the balance below $750 if possible.
2 - BAD CREDIT HURTS . . . A LOT.
Let’s say you’re doing good and making all of your payments on time for a couple of years and you’ve got a good credit score. Then for whatever reason, you make some late payments. It’s all good, right? All of your good credit will balance out that bad credit; the
850
Hello all! This is Matthew Van Ormer (AKA Van O) with Listerhill Credit Union. I work in the Lending Department so I see all kinds of credit reports. Good, bad, ugly, new borrowers, credit-heavy, everything really. I’ve even seen credit reports where an individual was incorrectly reported as deceased! And there are a lot of people who don’t understand why their credit score is what it is. I’m going to share a few trends and tips with you today that will hopefully give you a leg up as you establish your credit history.
THE MAIN REASON I CAN’T DO THE LOAN IS BECAUSE YOU’RE DEAD. Credit Bureau will understand, right? WRONG! Bad credit will always always always always hurt you more than good credit will help you. Your credit report is a history of your loan payments. But it is also a snapshot in time. If you’ve got some recent derogatory accounts then that will definitely hurt you a TON! While sometimes things come up in life that are unavoidable, it is important to be proactive and do everything in your power to keep your payments current.
3 - COSIGNING
If you’ve got good credit, at some point someone might ask you to cosign for them so they may get a loan. If that happens, seriously consider before agreeing. Cosigning is very serious. What you are doing is agreeing to make the payments if the person you are cosigning with does not. What this means is that you are just as responsible for the debt as they are. Collectors can call you, you can be
sued, and your wages can be garnished. Legally speaking there is no difference betweez zn the primary’s obligation of repayment and the cosigner’s. Not only that, but any late payments will go on your credit and affect your score and your ability to get a loan. The only time you should ever cosign with anyone is if you are fully willing and able to make every single payment on that loan.
4 - CREDIT IS A LONG TERM PROCESS
Establishing or rebuilding credit takes a long time. And by long time I mean years. Just because you’ve had a $500 credit card for six months doesn’t mean you suddenly have great credit. It takes several years before you start to establish yourself as a reliable borrower. A single late payment (late is defined by a payment made at least 30 days after the due date) can affect you for up to two years. Collection accounts, charge offs, bankruptcies, and
judgments can take 7-10 years at least before they’ll roll off your credit report. This can cost you a lot of $$$. With a low credit score comes high interest rates. A high interest rate means you’re going to pay more overall on a loan than someone else with a high credit score. And don’t think that just because you pay something off means it goes away. The credit report will still show that an account had delinquencies or went to collection. It will still take 7-10 years for an account to roll off completely. Maybe that’s why Rip Van Winkle slept for 40 years. I hope this was helpful to you. Credit can be confusing, but if you just remember to pay your bills on time and only borrow what you can afford you’ll be fine. Feel free to give me a call or any loan officer here at Listerhill if you have any questions, or would like some ideas on how you can establish your credit.
BY MATTHEW VAN ORMER
FALL ISSUE 2012
MONEY 7
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NOW BY CHRIS ANDERSON, STAFF If you love bacon (and most people do), the next year or so is going to prove to be a tumultuous time. What is being referred to on twitter, facebook, NBC Nightly News and the blogosphere as the “Aporkalypse” is upon us. It is early yet, but it appears a collective panic has begun to grip lovers of all things swine as the world braces for a global shortage of deliciousness in 2013. It all started last week when Britain’s National Pig Association (NPA) issued a warning that this devastating shortfall of bacon and other pork “is now unavoidable” due to a shrinking number of pigs. Low rainfall this summer in Europe has led to poor crop production, which, in turn has hurt the pig population. “New data shows the European Union pig herd is declining at a significant rate, and this is a trend that is being mirrored around the world,” said the NPA in a press release issued by The Voice of British Farming. The same conditions have also hurt production in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who reported in August that hog producers “are paring production in an effort to control costs.” "Everybody is getting out of it because corn has become so expensive,” says David Vial, a local hobby-farmer from Rogersville, AL. “And they'll eat fifty pounds of corn a week. That'd be $500 invested into a pig you would sell for $300.” Some farmers, like Vial, have begun experimenting with different feeds for their animals. “We grew some corn and have about a half acre of turnips planted. We’re going to teach them how to eat turnips.” Cooperative rearing of pigs has also become a popular method of cutting costs for those who want to share the responsibility and the pork. But the bottom line remains: food costs and crop shortages are gonna hurt the herd. Shortages in the global food markets are constantly occurring. This is nothing new. But, now we’re talking about bacon, which has a cult following unlike any food we’ve ever seen. Right now, on the
world wide interwebs, you can satisfy your psychotic need for everything bacon with a remarkable scope of products targeted at bacon lovers: bacon jerky, bacon salt, baconnaisse (it’s what you think it is), bacon popcorn, bacon ranch dressing, bacon gravy, bacon croutons, bacon lip balm and the unbelievably brilliant bacon flavored envelopes (Mmmvelopes). Conspiracy theories have begun to abound in this atmosphere of anxiety over the availability of the king of the food cults. Herd-cutting, price-fixing and charges of fueling the hysteria to drive up pork costs have all been leveled at the NPA and other pork industry organizations. Already Major League Eating, the governing body for professional eating, has banned bacon eating contests amid the looming shortage, especially in regards to the world’s top ranked professional eater, Joey Chestnut. In an online interview with CNBC, MLE President Richard Shea stated, “We cannot in good conscience allow Joey Chestnut to eat bacon during a global pork shortage. We estimate he could eat 20 pounds of bacon in 10 minutes of competition,” adding, “This is a pro-bacon move. We want to see bacon for the long haul.” So, just how bad will it be? Sources within the industry are quick to downplay the impact of the shortage. Cindy Cunningham, a spokeswoman for the National Pork Board has stated, “If you define a shortage as a situation where product cannot be found or where buyers must wait in lines to buy a product, the answer is no.” However, a price increase is coming. No doubt about it. Industry insiders put the price tag on pork going up anywhere from 2 - 10% in 2013. Not the end of the world, maybe, but those of us in the South, where the pig is a cultural cornerstone, it’s gonna hurt.
WILBUR
PORKY
ARNOLD
BABE
THIS MIGHT REALLY BE ALL, FOLKS.
FALL ISSUE 2012
FEATURE 9
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“Word has gone out to sell anything that eats corn.”
bacon 45% sausage 41% ham 14%
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APORKALYPSE SURVIVAL GUIDE HOPE FOR THE BEST. PREPARE FOR THE WORST.
PREFACE: PIGS AND SOUTHERN CULTURE We at SET thought we’d put together our guide to surviving the worst-case Aporkalypse. Remember, it’s not like it’s the Zombie Apocalypse or anything (in which case we’d all be in big-time trouble). Just remain calm and bear in mind that those of you who love bacon are probably going to be alright. But, just to be safe, we’re offering some tips.
TIP #1
GET A PIG
If the impact up North is going to be akin to a punch in the gut, then the lack of pork in the South is going to be like a freight train plowing into a firework outlet. We’re big on the pig down here. The weekends are filled with the smell of wood and fruit smoke billowing from backyard barbecues, country ham and bacon frying up in ancient skillets and about a million roadside shacks serving up ribs, pulled and chopped pork and the like. We love it. We’ll even eat the feet down here.
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CT ON ED EFFE ESTIMAT ES BY CUT* IC PORK PR
By the way, they don’t call them pigs for nothing. They can put away a lot more chow than just about any other barnyard critter. So, they’re a little expensive on the feed side, but it’s not like you’ve got to put them up in the Ritz. A small enclosure and a little mud is about all these guys need in terms of housing. The good news: a 250 pounder is going to yield about 144 pounds of retail cuts. EXPERT TIP: Split the cost of raising a pig with a friend.
TIP #2
HOARD BACON NOW
This is generally not great advice during a shortage of anything from a community perspective, but, if you’re somebody’s that’s got to have it, it’s best to get all the bacon you can while it’s still around (and prices are lower). We recommend a locking floor freezer to stash your reserves during the lean times. There could be a potential for looters. EXPERT TIP: Smoked bacon lasts a whole lot longer than “green” or unsmoked bacon.
TIP #3
TRANSITION TO TURKEY
This is going to sound like sacrilege to the hardcore, but in a state of total baconlessness, it’s going to be better than nothing. Start working turkey bacon into the rotation at first (we recommend every fifth slice in the beginning) to avoid complications from withdrawal. Then, step up the fake bacon intake, working towards a pure turkey bacon diet. On the bright side, you’ll be cutting out tons of nitrates, sodium, cholesterol and fat from your diet.
TIP #4
BECOME A PORK DEALER
Become a pork wholesaler. It's easy; in most cases, all you need is a tax id. You may not even have to setup an actual business. Then, start buying bacon in bulk at lower than retail prices. Just make sure you do all the right things for the IRS. You may even be able to get a tax write-off for buying bacon (This is not legal or tax advice. If you’re going to go this route, we highly recommend you consult with a professional). Also, not a bad strategy to pair with TIP #2.
*we made these up
White males have the highest risk for Leukemia
The five-year relative survival for Leukemia has quadrupled in the last 50 years
HEROES PASSION BETHANY LETS HER LIGHT SHINE. Bethany Oliver isn’t afraid to let her light shine. This was evident when Oliver took a position with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in February as “Light the Night” campaign coordinator in north Alabama. A Muscle Shoals native and University of North Alabama alumna, Oliver has her bachelor’s in public communications and is
currently a graduate student at Belmont University studying nonprofit leadership while working with the LLS. LLS sponsors the “Light the Night” walk event to honor those affected by blood cancer. Monetary donations toward the event are divided between leukemia and lymphoma research as well as patient services. Taking a role with a nonprofit organization is nothing new for Oliver. While active as an undergraduate student, most of her hands-on experience comes from internships while studying at Belmont. “I have a passion for nonprofit,” said Oliver. “I’ve learned that if you take those who can help out of the equation, people in need are left with nothing.”
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For more on the LLS, check out www.lls.org
Before LLS, Oliver took the lead in creating and streamlining a volunteer manual for The Dispensary of Hope, a large organization that collects unused sample medications from doctors’ offices all across the country and distributes them to free health clinics, based in Nashville. Her experiences have helped to prepare Bethany to take on significant responsibilities with the LLS. Oliver is the sole organizer behind the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in north Alabama. This means she, with aid from a small committee of previous planners, is coordinating the Shoals’ 13th Annual Light the Night Walk scheduled in Florence as well as the Huntsville walk. In addition to planning, fundraising for both of these events is also hers. “It was an honor to be asked by Bethany to be a Hero for the walk, said Shelby Fink, UNA student and this year’s Honored Hero in Florence. “You can tell she has a great passion for this.” “Being a survivor also gives me the opportunity to tell my story to so many
PHOTO BY MARY COLLEEN PHOTOGRAPHY
10 HOMETOWN HEROES
PHILANTHROPIST, BETHANY OLIVER
people through this event. Without Bethany, I wouldn’t have been able to share my experience in this way.” One day, Bethany hopes to go overseas to continue helping others. “There’s a world full of pain out there,” said Oliver. “But there’s also light.”
BY DUSTIN VARNER
FALL ISSUE 2012
NON PROFIT OF THE MONTH 11
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Founded in 1949, the LLS has invested over $750M in cancer research.
KEEP WALKIN’
JUST A FEW OF THE 56,000 WHO HAVE DONATED THEIR TIME AND EFFORT FOR LLS.
WILL YOU BE A CHAMPION FOR THE CURE? Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Every year, cities in northern Alabama host annual “Light the Night” walks put on by Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The walk is held to honor those affected by leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma—all cancer of the blood— and fund lifesaving research and support for people battling cancer. Participants walk on a two or three mile route through the community displaying banners or names commemorating the person with cancer. The participants who raise $100 or more, called Champions for Cure, get the honor of carrying an illuminated balloon—white for survivors, red for supporters, and gold in memory of loved lost ones.
“Light the Night” walks illuminate towns across the country, like Florence and Huntsville, to raise funds for research. In 2011 alone, LLS has raised $76.6 million for research groups like the Specialized Center of Research. In some cases, conditions such as breast cancer can be detected early through self-examination. Blood cancer is usually detected and diagnosed later than many other types of cancer because of the series of tests required to accurately detect and diagnose. For that reason, LLS research groups work diligently to find effective treatments, methods to detect blood cancer earlier, and, hopefully- a cure. An estimated 1,012,533 people in the United States are living with or are in remission from some type of blood cancer. However, research funded by LLS has led or contributed to advances in chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation in addition to new, targeted oral therapies to make living with cancer easier than it once was. Events like “Light the Night” have made it possible for LLS’s mission and message to be spread and heard. And because of the efforts of LLS and its volunteers, more than 56,000 people have donated their time, effort, and money throughout the country for the cause.
BY DUSTIN VARNER
12 CALENDAR
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EVENTS
FALL ISSUE 2012
SPORTS, CONCERTS AND GENERAL GOINGS ON.
-ARX MORTIS: Doors open at 7:30pm ALL October, Killen, AL— www.arxmortis.com/ -DISTURBIA HAUNTED HOUSE: Thurs-Sun 7pm ALL October, Huntsville, AL — www. disturbiahauntedhouse.com/ -TOURS OF MCGEE FARM: 10:00am – 6:00pm ALL October, Florence, AL — www. mcgeefarm.com/ -THE PUNCH BROTHERS @ Shoals Theater, Florence, AL. Oct. 19— www.shoalstheatre.com/ -FLORENCE GHOST TOUR, Wilson Park at 7:30pm October 19 – 31.— shoalsghostwalk. blogspot.com/ -NEIL YOUNG AND CRAZY HORSE Thursday, Oct 25 7:30p @Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa — www.tuscaloosaamphitheater. com/ -PLANET INK WITH SCM ELECTRIX, Red Mouth and 1 other band. Rock Fri, Oct 26, 2012 @ 8PM @The End Theatre (Florence, AL) — www.facebook.com/theendoftheatre -UNA STEP SHOW @ NORTON AUDITORIUM, Oct 26th, 7pm— www.una.edu -BOOK SIGNING OF DEBRA GLASS (FLORENCE’S GHOST EXPERT) @Cold Water Books (Tuscumbia) October 27, 10:00am -2 pm— http://florenceonfoot.wordpress.com/ appearances-2-2 -LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS HALF MARATHON, Florence, AL. Oct. 27— www.ucprun.com/ -NOAH GUNDERSEN FOLK Sat, Oct 27, 2012 @ 8PM @The End Theatre (Florence, AL)— www.facebook.com/theendoftheatre
SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVES AND BROTHERS, BEAR AND BO RINEHART, ARE BETTER KNOWN AS MEMBERS OF NEEDTOBREATHE Von Braun Arena, Nov 7th 7:30pm. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com and at the box office. 7pm - 10pm— https://orgsync.com/39102/ events/434034
-RENAISSANCE FAIR, Wilson Park, Florence, AL, Oct.27 10am-6pm, Oct. 28 12pm-6pm— http:// www.florenceal.org/Community_Arts/Art_ Museums/Annual_Events_Festivals/index.html
-FIRST FRIDAYS November 2 (Downtown Florence) 5:00pm – 8:00pm— http://www. firstfridaysflorence.com/
-KAPPA SIGMA’S “4TH ANNUAL HAUNTED HOUSE” @ Kappa Sig House, UNA, Oct 31th,
-VALHALLA PARTY @ ALPHA TAU OMEGA, Nov. 2, 9pm
-UNA VS. TARLETON STATE @ BRALY STADIUM, Florence, AL, Nov. 3, 3pm— www. roarlions.com/Lion_Sports/Football/ Current_Season/schedule.htm -ROGERSVILLE’S FIRST SATURDAYS, Rogersville, AL, November 3, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
-NEEDTOBREATHE CONCERT, Von Braun Arena, Nov 7th 7:30pm— www. vonbrauncenter.com/
DAM BRIDGE RUN, Marriott Shoals Hotel, Florence, AL, Saturday, November 17, 2012, 08:00am
SHOALS COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS “THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE”, Shoals Theatre, Florence, AL, Sunday, November 8-11, 2012, Admission: $15 adults, $10 students www.shoalstheatre.com/
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14 FASHION
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Sulfur dye is used to make colored jeans.
THE ESSENTIALS
THERE ARE EASY WAYS TO CHANGE THE LOOK OF ANY OUTFIT
FALL FASHION MUSTS FOR HIM AND HER. Fashion trends change with every new season. Things come in and out of fashion sometimes, it seems, as quickly as they are produced. Personally, I always dread this time of year, the never knowing if your summer clothes are appropiate still or if it’s time to pull out the fall items. During this transition period my closet and room are in a constant state of dissaray. After cleaning up my room each morning and weeding out my closet from the past season, I research to see what should fill the spaces I zcreated. I’ve narrowed it down to three essentials for both guys and girls. Pull these pieces to the front of your closet or head out the places listed below to get these fall must-haves. Upon closer inspection of my fall wardrobe I noticed it was missing
MENSWEAR–INSPIRED OUTFITS ARE “IN” several key pieces. The first thing every girl needs this season is a pair of colored jeans. The colored jean craze has carried over from the summer. To find the perfect pair for fall steer away from the neon’s and look for richer colors. Gold, burnt orange, teal and plum are all great colors to look
FALL ISSUE 2012
FALL ISSUE 2012
FASHION 15
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Best day to go shopping: Thursday
*ACTUAL PERSON NOT INCLUDED
Color trends of Fall 2012
for. The skinnies pictured from Grass Roots Market ($44) are the perfect fall color. Another very hot item for ladies: denim shirts. The shirt pictured from Addiction Boutique ($32) is the perfect item to pair with your colored jeans for a very polished look. Like jeans, denim shirts come in many washes and fabric choices. A lighter fabric is great for the transition months and to layer with when it gets cold. Once it finds a place in your closet, this piece will be your go-to for many different looks. It can easily be worn with colored skinny jeans and boots like pictured or tucked into a pencil skirt with a blazer for a work-appropriate look. To finish off this look and fall essentials, every girl needs a great pair of boots. I practically live in my riding boots this time of year. When looking for a the perfect pair there several styles to choose from including riding boots, wedges or army inspired. These are all quite different but each help polish off your fall ensemble. The wedge boots pictured from Marigail Mathis ($250) are a great color and a perfect compliment to bold jeans and denim shirt.
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Now, on to the men. Guys these days are taking much more pride in how they look. From working in retail, and just looking about in everyday life, I have noticed an abundance of well-dressed men. I have narrowed it down to three key pieces every man should have in their fall wardrobe. First and foremost, the foundation for men this season is a good fitting pair of dark jeans. I believe that a good pair of jeans should be seen as an investment, something you research, put time and effort into. Like most girls, guys often have a miscontrewed view of their body. Take my tall, broad shouldered, handsome boyfriend for example. When we first met he wore light washed, Levi’s relaxed fit jeans. He considered himself to be a “big guy” and believed these were the only type of jeans that would fit him. After a while I convinced him to at least try on a pair of slimmer fitting dark jeans and he loved the way they fit, looked, and made him feel. By choosing a pair of dark wash like the ones pictured from GAP ($59.95) you are able to easily pair them with a blazer for a night out or dress down with a t shirt. Another thing
every guy should have in his closet is a winter plaid shirt. While this is often a heavier fabric it is the perfect piece to start your transition into fall. With the right pattern and color scheme, like the one pictured from JAR & Company ($99.50) you will be able to dress this up with a tie or sweater or down with jeans and boots. The last thing guys need to add to their closet this season is a solid v-neck sweater or quarter zip. The quarter zip pictured, also from JAR & Company ($98), is lightweight and perfect to throw on over a buttondown or t-shirt. This should be the goto in every man’s wardrobe, if you aren’t feeling confident about a button down or certain pattern you should throw on old reliable and be ready to go. Fall is a great time to explore your personal style. Girls and guys alike layer a sweater over your favorite shirt or add a scarf for a new look. Most importantly, make sure you have fun with it and wear what makes you feel best!
BY MARIANNE GRIFFIN PHOTOS BY KAYLA SLOAN
16 SPOTLIGHT
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SPOTLIGHT
SET FINDS READERS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT
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PHOTOS BY KAYLA SLOAN AND AMY JACKSON
UNA’S PRIDE OF DIXIE MARCHING BAND AT HOMECOMING
UNA AT HOMECOMING
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18 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Trick-or-treating dates back to the late 1800s.
FALL ISSUE 2012
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Easy at-home spiced cider
HALLOWEEN REVAMPED 7 NEW WAYS TO SAY TRICK OR TREAT It’s time to pull-out your plaid button-downs and cider recipes because Fall is here. Crisp air. College Game Day. Great food. Haunted houses. Pumpkin Carvings, or even better, pumpkin smashings. I absolutely love the Fall, but there is one thing I miss in a seemingly sentimental kind of way: trick-or-treating. As a child, I thought trick-or-treating would never be out of style. I looked forward to all of the free candy, wearing costumes, and hanging out with my friends; then I celebrated my 13th birthday. After becoming a teenager, trick-or-treating immediately became an excuse to go and T.P. someone’s house. Now (unfortunately) – as a 21-year-old – even that isn’t an option. For all of the ones who have outgrown trick-or-treating (or at least say they have), I have compiled this list of 7 New Ways to Say Trick or Treat.
1 - SWEET WATER MANSION
Sweetwater Mansion is located in Florence, AL. Sweetwater is a plantation house designed by a War of 1812 veteran, General John Brahan, and is complete with a family cemetery, including the general’s grave. Apparitions have been spotted all throughout the mansion. The most notable story is of an old caretaker citing a soldier’s body in a casket in the basement. Sweetwater received national attention after its feature on A&E’s Paranormal State, which aired April 25, 2011. If you don’t believe in ghosts, then the Sweetwater Mansion could have you reconsidering. However, the mansion is private property and has “no trespassing” signs posted.
2 - THE BELL WITCH
Robertson County, TN is not next door, but worth the drive. In Adams, TN, the Bell Witch legend inspired the generation of “The Bell Witch Haunting”, “An American Haunting”
and “The Blair Witch Project.” In 1820, a member of the Bell family, John Bell, reported a female poltergeist, Kate, whom would verbally curse the Bell family. John would receive many death threats from Kate, and on December 21, 1820, John Bell was found dead. The family discovered a vial by his body, and Kate shouted, ‘I gave Ol’ Jack a big dose of that last night, which fixed him!’ The urban legend continues to say that this woman started laughing when John died and didn’t stop until all of the Bell family was dead. “The entity that tormented the Bell family and the Red River Settlement almost 200 years ago is often blamed for unexplainable manifestations that occur near the old Bell farm today. The faint sounds of people talking and children playing can sometimes be heard in the area, and it’s not uncommon to see “candle lights” dance through the dark fields late at night. Photography is especially difficult; some pictures taken in the area show mist, orbs of light, and other phenomena, including human-like figures who were not present when the pictures were taken.” If you have it in you, check out bellwitch.org for the entire story. You can visit the Bell farm in Robertson County, TN. Then again … your family could be next.
located in Huntsville, AL. Be ready to flood through this house as you endure over 75 frightening rooms! Top Haunts Magazine rates Disturbia in the top 13 of “World’s Best Haunted Attractions.” This bone-chilling experience features a haunted green house, an experimental lab and circus side show. Yes … that means clowns. To buy your tickets, check out disturbiahauntedhouse.com. I have not been to Disturbia, but this is one place I have added to my calendar.
3 - ARX MORTIS
5 - FLORENCE GHOST TOUR
Arx Mortis is a local haunted attraction in Killen, AL. In 2010, Rand McNally ranked Arx Mortis as a Top Ten Haunted Attraction in the Country. There are 3 phases within the one location: Covington Clinic, Miner’s Mill and Chaos. Chaos is the newest addition, an interactive haunted attraction. You are given a paintball canon and a chance to blast away your greatest fears! I’ll see you on the battlefield.
4 - DISTURBIA
Yes, there are things worse than death. The Haunted Attraction, Disturbia, is
AN ARTIST’S ETCHING OF THE BELL HOME, ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 1894.
Got a spare 90 minutes? The Florence Ghost Tour is an annual reoccurring event, yet I still hear claims that people have never heard of it. Debra Glass tells the tales of the apparitions that have been cited in Historic Downtown Florence. Tours cost $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. You think you got what it takes? Souls depart at Wilson Park at 7:30pm October 19 – 31.
6 - LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
If you would rather relax, laugh and enjoy a festive event, then “Little Shop of Horrors” is right up your alley. The
American comedy makes for a perfect family outing! The musical is coming to the Shoals Community Theater October 11 – 14. Student tickets are $9.
7 - THE RENNAISSANCE
Okay, so this one isn’t technically a Halloween event, but it can be just as scary – the Alabama Renaissance Faire. The Renaissance Faire is an educational not-for-profit event where workers volunteer their time to provide reenactments, arts and crafts, music and food – that includes belly-dancers. If you have never been to this, you absolutely have to stop by this year; it is something you will never forget. Did I mention the belly-dancers? So dust-off your broadsword and suit up on October 27 and 28 at Wilson Park. For the full list of medieval events, visit alarenfaire.org. I hope this list keeps you busy this Halloween season as well as provide some alternatives to trick-or-treating. Perhaps our paths will cross!
BY WILL RILEY
FALL ISSUE 2012
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 19
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Michael Meyer’s mask is the face of Captain Kirk.
Watch trailers for new horror movies online.
BOX OFFICE TOP OR FLOP?
LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!
FALL’S MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES Fall is here and everybody knows what means; the days are getting shorter, the temperature is dropping, the leaves are changing color and the pumpkin spice latte is back on the Starbucks menu. Although, in the midst of all those changes, there is one very special day that takes place that always seems to have people playing dress-up, Halloween. With Halloween approaching, people tend to focus on what costume to wear or what variety of candy to purchase for trick-or-treaters and others try to find out what horror flick has graced the screen of their local movie theater. This Halloween season leaves viewers with many films to laugh at and others that will have them sleeping with a nightlight. Paranormal Activity 4 will prove to do just that. Since the release of the first Paranormal Activity in 2009, viewers have been left wondering if that bump in the night is more than just the wind blowing tree branches up against the window. This film will continue to keep audiences wondering just that. This sequel takes place several years after the events of the first two films and follows the main character, Alice (Kathryn Newton), whose home begins to experience paranormal phenomena when the new neighbors move in. The new neighbors in the film happen to be Katie and Hunter (Katie Featherston and Brady Allen), now called Robbie, who were both last seen at the end of the second movie. The tagline of the film “All the activity
has led to this…” leaves viewers anticipating its release. Like the first three films, Paranormal Activity 4 is rated R. Paranormal Activity 4 will hit theaters October 19. Another sequel hitting the big screen this October is Silent Hill: Revelation 3D. It is the sequel to the 2006 film Silent Hill which is based on the video game series of the same name. This film is based on the video game Silent Hill 3. It follows Heather Mason (Adelaide Clemens) who is plagued by nightmares before her 18th birthday and the disappearance of her father, Christopher Da Silva (Sean Bean). She discovers that her life is not at all what she thought it was and when she discovers her life’s true origins she finds herself in the twisted alternate dimension of Silent Hill. Set to release on October 26, Silent Hill: Revelation 3D offers a good mix of horror, mystery and drama that will definitely capture that attention of those familiar with the games and the first film. Radha Mitchell and Deborah Kara Unger will be reprising their roles as Rose Da Silva and Dahlia Gillespie in this film. Silent Hill: Revelation 3D is rated R While R and PG-13-rated films seem to dominate the month of October with ghosts and gore galore, Tim Burton teams up with Disney to bring back to life, Frankenweenie, rated PG. Frankenweenie is actually a remake of Tim Burton’s 1984 short of the same name. With the use of 3D black-and-white
stop motion animation, Frankenweenie follows the story of Victor (Charlie Tahan) who, in a tragic turn of events, loses his dog Sparky (Frank Welker). After the death of Sparky, Victor turns to science to bring his beloved canine back to life. Victor succeeds in resurrecting his pooch and tries to hide what he has done but Sparky gets out and ends up unintentionally wreaking havoc on the town of New Holland. Frankenweenie comes to life on October 5. A new film, Sinister, is set to hit theaters on October 12. Like the Paranormal Activity franchise, Sinister will follow the “found footage” style along with traditional cinematography. Sinister follows the story of Ellison (Ethan Hawke), a true-crime writer who uncovers a box of home movies found in his new home that puts him and his family in danger. The movies are of previous residents of the house and their murders. While trying to find out the mystery behind the tapes, he discovers that all of the murders are somehow related to malevolent spirit known as Bagul. Ellison must find out how to deal with Bagul before he and his family end up becoming the next victims. Sinister is rated R. More films to check out this October include Taken 2, Alex Cross, Fun Size and Cloud Atlas just to name a few. Remember to have a fun, safe Halloween season and try not to be afraid of things that go bump in the night after watching these upcoming films.
BY JEREMY JACKSON
20 FOOD
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$27.2 Million: The most expensive party in the world.
PARTY 101
SCARY GOOD (AND EASY) HALLOWEEN FOOD YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF. The holidays are coming up, and that means plenty of opportunities to attend or host a party. The task of party planning can seem daunting and stressful, but preparing for the party can be just as much fun as throwing it with a few simple tips. First, decide on a theme. Once you do this, everything will fall into place. Before you take action, create a plan. Food is normally the highlight of any holiday party, and since tablescapes are the newest fad, your menu is a great place to start. You don’t have to be a chef to prepare your own foods. Homemade goodies make your party more personal, are fun to make, and cut down cost. Your
dishes don’t have to be themed, but it certainly adds character and fun to your overall presentation. Gather inspiration from seasonal magazines, craft blogs, or Pinterest. The key is to enjoy yourself and be creative. Arranging your foods can be tricky. First, pick out the key elements in your menu. These items may be the largest or the most decorative. You’ll want these to be your focal pieces, so space them out, put them in the foreground, or give them height. Height and shape variations can make a big difference, and you can achieve this with platters, cake stands, bowls, and other items around the house. After your food is arranged, add some decorative pieces. Hang spiders down from your light fixture for Halloween or ornaments at Christmas. Little signs identifying foods are a great way to add color and help your guests make their choices. A great investment for party planning and home decor is glass containers. At your Halloween party, fill these with candy for a decoration that’s tasty too. You can change these out for every occasion. Fall leaves, ornaments, easter eggs, and sea shells are a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless. No matter your experience or budget, with a little planning and creativity you can be a successful party planner too. There’s no better time to start than now. So, invite your friends over, and using these simple tips, you can throw a memorable Halloween bash!
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FOOD 21
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AN INVITING TABLESCAPE BRIGHTENS ANY PARTY
PUMPKIN CAKE This cake is super cute, and it’s sure to impress your guests. Best of all, it’s so easy to make. Prepare your favorite cake batter, and bake it in a greased and floured bundt pan. You’ll need two of these. Once they have both cooled completely, level off the bottoms so that they are flat. Turn one upside down, and put a layer of icing on the top. Add the other cake right side up, with the frosting sticking the two cakes together and the bases touching. Cover the two cakes with orange frosting. Prop an upside down chocolate cupcake in the center whole to make a stem. You can add spinach leaves, or any other leafy greens, to accent your pumpkin.
For an extra touch, make a coffin to display these in from a cardboard box and black paper. Skeleton Goody Bags Party favors are a great way to thank your guest for coming, and can be the ‘cherry on top’ to an excellent party. These easy favors combine some tasty ingredients for one cute goody. Stack 5-6 white chocolate covered pretzels on top of each other using melted white chocolate chips as a binding agent. Then, color a skeleton face on a jumbo marshmallow using an edible ink marker. Using the melted chocolate, place the marshmallow on top. Finally, stick the pretzels & marshmallow on top of a brownie, using the chocolate to adhere them. Stick them in a clear treat bag and make a cute tag or handwritten note.
MUMMY DOGS This take on the hot dog is fun for all ages, and a wonderful addition to a Halloween party. All you need is a can of refrigerated crescent rolls, hot dogs, and a small garnish for the eyes. Unroll the dough, cut it lengthwise, and wrap it around the hot dog. Use whole pepper, coriander, or mustard seeds to press into the dough for eyes. Bake at 375°F for 13-15 minutes. Serve with ketchup and mustard.
BY MAGGIE BEA RAY
22 BACK PAGE
FALL ISSUE 2012
ONE FINAL THOUGHT
PHOTO BY CHRIS ANDERSON
FREESTYLE
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