No'Ala Shoals, March/April 2013 by No’Ala Studios

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www.flytheshoals.com

Modern Travel Old Fashioned Service MARCH/APRIL 2013 | NOALAPRESS.COM | 7

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March/April 2013

Why Not? Our readers answer the question.

BY VINCE BREWTON CHRISTI BRITTEN JEREMY BRITTEN ARIETE BURCH CYNTHIA BURKHEAD MACK CORNWELL BRADLEY DEAN BARBARA JANE ELLIS-KEMP MICHELLE RUPE EUBANKS SARAH GAEDE JIM FISHER ROY HALL CHRIS HEATON SARA KACHELMAN LAURA ANDERS LEE BUD PRIDE CLAIRE STEWART CONNIE THWAITE WES WAGES TERRI WHALEN ASHLEY WINKLE

70 Husband-and-wife team Abraham and Susan Rowe, who recently opened a studio near their home in Seven Points, said Help-Portrait was a great way for them to christen their new location and give back to the neighborhood.

BY LAURA ANDERS LEE PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD AND ABRAHAM ROWE

fresh from facebook…

“I would love to see a concert series at McFarland every weekend for the summer months. I know we have the Spirit of Freedom Celebration and Helen Keller Festival in Tuscumbia every year, but imagine something like that every weekend for the entire summer. Much like First Fridays, only bigger.” —Amber Farris Miller

A Florence couple’s love of people and networking (plus a love of swimming) has propelled them to success.

BY LAURA ANDERS LEE PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD

Providing Insurance and Financial Services

Myron Gardner, LUTCF 1819 Darby Drive, Florence, AL 35630 Bus 256-764-2234;Cell 256-335-6080 Email myron.gardner.b17k@statefarm.com

Phil Wiginton 419 Cox Boulevard, Sheffield, AL, 35660 Bus 256-383-4521; Cell 256-762-5859 Email phil@philwiginton.com M ARCH /A PRIL 2013 | NOALAPRESS . COM | 9

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contents SHOALS •••••

March/April 2013 Volume 6: Issue 2 ••• C. Allen Tomlinson Editor-In-Chief David Sims Creative Director Contributing Writers Amy Collins, Sarah Gaede, Laura Anders Lee, Claire Stewart, Allen Tomlinson Contributing Photographers Patrick Hood, Danny Mitchell, Abraham Rowe Marketing Coordinator/Advertising Sales Heidi King Features Manager Claire Stewart Business Manager Roy Hall Graphic Designer Rowan Finnegan Interns Mack Cornwell, Ryan Paine •••

No’Ala is published six times annually by No’Ala Press PO Box 2530, Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256-766-4222 | Fax: 256-766-4106 Toll-free: 800-779-4222 Web: www.noalapress.com

Calendar Events for March-April 2013

Check It Out

Standard postage paid at Florence, AL. A one-year subscription is $19.95 for delivery in the United States. Signed articles reflect only the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their advertisements.

Book Reviews BY FLORENCE-LAUDERDALE LIBRARY

Market Warm Up With Hot Colors BY CLAIRE STEWART

The Vine

Send all correspondence to Allen Tomlinson, Editor, at the postal address above, or by e-mail to atomlinson@atsa-usa.com. Letters may be edited for space and style.

Chablis—Refreshing and Food-Friendly BY AMY COLLINS

Food for Thought Why Not Make Your Own Artisan Bread?

To advertise, contact us at: 256-766-4222, or sales@noalapress.com.

BY SARAH GAEDE

Back Talk UNA Students Answer the Question, “Why Not?” BY CLAIRE STEWART

Bless Their Hearts Why Not Look on the Bright Side?

On the Cover Hill Leavitt asks the question that inspired dozens of residents to share with us their hopes and dreams—even a few pie-in-the-sky fantasies—for a better Shoals. Read all the essays, starting on page 22.

The editor will provide writer’s guidelines upon request. Prospective authors should not submit unsolicited manuscripts; please query the editor first.

No’Ala is printed with vegetable-based inks on 100% recycled paper.

BY LAURA ANDERS LEE

Parting Shot BY ABRAHAM ROWE

Join us on Facebook: No’Ala Mag

editor’s letter « Allen Tomlinson « 11

Well…why not? There’s a new energy in North Alabama, and an optimism we haven’t seen for a long time. So, to capitalize on it and to get some conversations started about how to make this wonderful place a truly awesome place, we began asking you to tell us what’s on your mind and what you dream about for this little corner of the world. This issue will be different, because what we’re presenting is a series of word pictures about things that would shape us, mold us, propel us forward…and change us as a community. Some of these ideas are so grand they would take billions of dollars and all of our attention to achieve; others are as simple as picking up litter to make our streets even prettier. You don’t have to agree with what you read; you don’t have to like every idea presented. All we ask is that you read the ideas, consider them, and then talk about them with your friends, your families, and our elected officials. And then, if you are moved, roll up your sleeves and help to make them a reality. And share your thoughts with us. We are very, very interested in your feedback and your own ideas. As creative types, we know that sometimes a gem of an idea can come from something seemingly totally unrelated. The important thing is that the ideas are out there and the conversations are started. Who knows what good might come of it? We’ll also tell you about a few other things that are going on around the area and introduce you to some cool and creative people, including two who outfit swimmers and swim teams all over the country from right here at home. We’re also introducing two new features in this issue: check out “Check It Out,” a review of staff favorites from the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, and “The Vine” by Amy Collins, a local sommelier who will teach you not just how to taste and pair wines with food, but why. Spring is coming, and it’s our favorite time of year, not only because the world around us appears to start fresh again, but because we do, too. Spring makes us want to get outside and do something. We hope this issue will you inspire you, too. Why not?

For this issue, we turned to local illustrators to help explain the ideas presented in these essays. Unlike a photographer, who is limited to what can be found in real life, an illustrator can use imagination to express a concept or thought. How appropriate for an entire issue dedicated to dreaming about what is possible! These artists are excellent, and our area is lucky to have them here. They are: Drew Botts Maggie Crisler Rowan Finnegan Chelsea Holeman Shawn Wallace

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scene

Tony Smith and Shan Jeﬀerys Joey James, Tommy Mathis, and David Muhlendorf Loee Miree and Mark Blackburn David Pryborski and Jacob Giﬀord

Hayley and Ryan Rogers

Tobias Jones

Ella Thompson, Carson Richey, Mike Thompson, and Sylvia Towery

Deebo Mitchell and Brady Liles

Above: Marigail Mathis First Annual “Men’s Night Out”

Below: Florence-Lauderdale Public Library Lego Club

DECEMBER 11, 2012  M ARIGAIL M ATHIS

FEBRUARY 9, 2013  FLORENCE L AUDERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Daniel Beadle and Kurt Watkins

Johnny Burch and Jackson Sawyer Jeremy and Elijah Risner Laila Thompson Jacob Jaynes

Christy Ricks, Angelina, and Julian

Piers and Shaun Dalton

Miles Thompson and Chris Ferguson PHOTOS BY FALLON YATES

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calendar

Now through March 5 Zdenko Krtic: Before Departure-Selected Encaustic Paintings Mon-Fri 9:00am–4:00pm; Free admission; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts; 217 E. Tuscaloosa St.; (256) 760-6379; florenceal.org Now Through March 2 George Lindsey UNA Film Festival Various Times; Free; Guillot University Center at UNA; (256) 765-4790; lindseyfilmfest.com March 1 First Friday 5:00pm–8:00pm; Free admission; Downtown Florence at Court Street; (877) 290-8880; firstfridaysflorence.com March 2 Book Talk/Signing The Books That Mattered: A Reader’s Memoir by Frye Gaillard 2:00pm; Free; Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; 350 N. Wood Ave.; (256) 764-6564; flpl.org March 5-April 17 Artistic Renderings of Youth Mon-Fri 9:00am–4:00pm; Free admission; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts; 217 E. Tuscaloosa St.; (256) 760-6379; florenceal.org March 7 Florence Camerata Choral Masterworks 7:30pm; $8 students and $15 adults; Norton Auditorium at UNA; (256) 765-4515; una.edu March 7 Get Dirty at the Library Alabama Cooperative Extension System Series presents Turf Maintenance 11:30am; Free; Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; 350 N. Wood Ave.; (256) 764-6564; flpl.org March 7–10 Here Comes Peter Cottontail & Clowns Play Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30pm and Sun at 2:00pm; $9 children and $12 adults in advance or $10 children and $15 adults at the door; Shoals Community Theatre; 123 N. Seminary St.; (256) 764-1700; shoalstheatre.com

March 14-16 Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale George S. Lindsey Theatre at UNA March 9 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Banquet 6:00pm; $20; Guillot University Center Banquet Hall at UNA; (256) 765-4444; una.edu

Through March 8 Nicole Ginzel: Language, Symbol, Artifact Mon-Fri 9:00am–5:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-3:00pm; $5 adults, $3 students, and free on Sundays; Tennessee Valley Museum of Art; 511 N. Water St., Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0533; ttvaa.org

March 10 Shoals Symphony Family Concert 2:00pm; $15 for adults and $5 for students; Norton Auditorium at UNA; (256) 303-2116; una.edu/shoals-symphonys

March 8–9 Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale 7:30pm; Admission charged; George S. Lindsey Theatre at UNA; (256) 765-5122; una.edu

March 12 Music Olympics 2:00pm; Free; First Presbyterian Church; 103 N. Broad St., Tuscumbia; (256) 383-2412; tuscumbiapres.com

March 9–March 10 Auditions for Les Miserables Call to schedule; Free; Ritz Theatre; 111 W. Third St., Sheffield; (256) 383-0533; ttvaa.org

March 13 UNA Writer’s Series 2:00pm; Free; Guillot University Center at UNA; (256) 765-4890; una.edu

March 9 Cultural Music Festival 5:00pm; Free; Guillot University Center at UNA; (256) 765-4248; una.edu

March 14 Artistic Renderings of Youth Reception 5:30pm; Free admission; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts; 217 E. Tuscaloosa St.; (256) 760-6379; florenceal.org

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March 14 Get Dirty at the Library Alabama Cooperative Extension System Series presents Rain Gardens 11:30am; Free; Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; 350 N. Wood Ave.; (256) 764-6564; flpl.org

March 17 St. Patrick’s Day

March 14–16 Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale 7:30pm; Admission charged; George S. Lindsey Theatre at UNA; (256) 765-5122; una.edu

March 20 UNA Lecture-Recital Noon; Free; Guillot University Center at UNA; (256) 765-5122; una.edu

March 16 Super Spring Book Sale 9:00am-3:00pm; Books $1; Florence-Lauderdale Public Library Conference Room; 350 N. Wood Ave.; (256) 764-6564; flpl.org

March 21 Get Dirty at the Library Alabama Cooperative Extension System Series presents Drip Irrigation 11:30am; Free; Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; 350 N. Wood Ave.; (256) 764-6564; flpl.org

March 16 Danny Killen Memorial Walk/Run to Emmaus 7:00am; $10-$15; First United Methodist Church; 104 E. Third St., Tuscumbia; (256) 760-8239; shoalsemmaus.com Riverhill Run and Health Fair 5K begins at 8:00am with 1 mile fun run at 8:45am; $15 in advance or $20 at the door; Free Health Fair begins at 8:30am; 2826 County Road 30; (256) 764-8200; riverhillschool.org An ARTtastic Event Backstage at the Ritz 6:00pm-11:00pm; $75; Ritz Theatre; 111 W. Third St., Sheffield; (256) 383-0533; ttvaa.org

Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale 2:00pm; Admission charged; George S. Lindsey Theatre at UNA; (256) 765-5122; una.edu

March 21 Chinese Auction Benefitting Florence City Schools Education Foundation 5:30pm cocktails and silent auction; 7:30pm main event; $100; Marriott Shoals Conference Center, 10 Hightower Place; (256) 768-2680; florencefalconsfoundation.org March 23 Auditions for Les Miserables Call to schedule; Free; Ritz Theatre; 111 W. Third St., Sheffield; (256) 383-0533; ttvaa.org (Continued page 16)

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calendar

March 24–May 10 John Petrey: Expressions Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-3:00pm; $5 adults, $3 students, and free on Sundays; Tennessee Valley Museum of Art; 511 N. Water St., Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0533; ttvaa.org March 25–31 UNA Spring Break March 28 Get Dirty at the Library Alabama Cooperative Extension System Series presents Organic Gardening Methods 11:30am; Free; Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; 350 N. Wood Ave.; (256) 764-6564; flpl.org March 31 Easter Sunday April 4–May 8 Pastel Paintings by Mikki Root Dillon Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm; Free admission; Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts; 217 E. Tuscaloosa St.; (256) 760-6379; florenceal.org April 5 First Friday 5:00pm–8:00pm; Free admission; Downtown Florence at Court Street; (877) 290-8880; firstfridaysflorence.com

April 14 Lincoln: The Civil War and the Constitution Meet Mr. Lincoln 2:00pm; Free; Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; 350 N. Wood Ave.; (256) 764-6564; flpl.org April 15–17 Alabama Master Gardeners Association Conference Mon 8:00am-noon Wed; $100; Marriott Shoals Conference Center, 10 Hightower Place; (256) 762-1938 April 18 OnStage Presents Mark O’Connor String Quartet 7:30pm; Admission charged; Shoals Community Theatre; 123 N. Seminary St.; (256) 764-1700; shoalsonstage.com April 20 Historic Tuscumbia Walking Tour 10:00am; Free; Coldwater Books; 101 W. 6th St.; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org April 20 Historic Sheffield Walking Tour 10:00am; Free; Sheffield Municipal Building; 600 N. Montgomery Ave.; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org April 20 Shoals Dining with Friends Reception 7:00pm-10:00pm; $30; UNA East Campus; 1640 Tune Ave.; (256) 536-4700, x125; mliles@aidsactioncoalition.org

April 6 Historic Tuscumbia Walking Tour 10:00am; Free; Coldwater Books; 101 W. 6th St.; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org

April 21 Lincoln: The Civil War and the Constitution Lincoln, Slave Narratives, and the Abolitionist Movement with Dr. Lisa G. Minor 2:00pm; Free; Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; 350 N. Wood Ave.; (256) 764-6564; flpl.org

April 6 Historic Sheffield Walking Tour 10:00am; Free; Sheffield Municipal Building; 600 N. Montgomery Ave.; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org

April 24 Music & Theatre Lecture/Recital noon; Free; Guillot University Center at UNA; (256) 765-5122; una.edu

April 11–14 Steel Magnolias Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30pm and Sun at 2:00pm; $9 children and $12 adults in advance or $10 children and $15 adults at the door; Shoals Community Theatre; 123 N. Seminary St.; (256) 764-1700; shoalstheatre.com

April 26 President’s Concert by UNA Bands 7:30pm; $5 students and $10 adults; Norton Auditorium at UNA; (256) 765-4362; una.edu

April 13 Shoals Symphony Fundraiser 6:00pm; $75; Dinner with Music at UNA’s East Campus; (256) 765-5122; una.edu/shoals-symphony April 13 Historic Tuscumbia Walking Tour 10:00am; Free; Coldwater Books; 101 W. 6th St.; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org April 13 Historic Sheffield Walking Tour 10:00am; Free; Sheffield Municipal Building; 600 N. Montgomery Ave.; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org April 13 Shoals Earth Day Festival 10:00am; Free; Colbert County Courthouse; 200 N. Main St., Tuscumbia; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org

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April 27 Historic Tuscumbia Walking Tour 10:00am; Free; Coldwater Books; 101 W. 6th St.; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org April 27 Historic Sheffield Walking Tour 10:00am; Free; Sheffield Municipal Building; 600 N. Montgomery Ave.; (256) 383-0783; colbertcountytourism.org April 27 A Taste of Tuscumbia 11:00am–1:30pm; By donation; Various locations in Tuscumbia; (256) 383-9797; colbertcountytourism.org April 28 Lincoln: The Civil War and the Constitution Out of the Margins: Common Whites and their Families in Civil War Alabama with Dr. Victoria Ott 2:00pm; Free; Florence-Lauderdale Public Library; 350 N. Wood Ave.; (256) 764-6564; flpl.org

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scene

Helen Nichols, Laura Hamner, Amy Rhuland, Lauren McCutcheon

Hamner family (Joel, Lauren, Laura, and Maddie); McCutcheon family (Lauren, Tom, Thomas, and Susie) Parke and Julie Cochran Chip and Theresa Rasch

Front row, L to R: Judy Underwood, Kim Ingram, Kaytrina Simmons, Amenia Kirkmon, Christy Reeder. Back Row, L to R: Bridgett Sims, Alisha Smith, Shirley Simmons, Brenda Reeder

Russell and Leslie Pigg Ryan and Holley Hamm and guest

Anna and Richie Whitten PHOTOS BY ABRAHAM ROWE

Above: 3rd Annual Shoals Margarita Ball Sponsored by the Law Firm of McCutcheon & Hamner DECEMBER 15, 2012  SUN TRUST TOWERS, FLORENCE

Below: Miss UNA Scholarship Pageant JANUARY 26, 2013  NORTON AUDITORIUM, UNA C AMPUS

Bill Cale and Ashley Winkler Third Runner Up, Chelsea Yarber Miss UNA 2012, Ann Marie Hall and Miss UNA 2013, Ashley Winkler

Miss Alabama 2012, Anna Laura Bryan

Second Runner Up, Allison Shelton

Ann Marie Russ

Miss UNA 2013 Ashley Winkler

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First Runner Up, Terri Wright

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

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check it out » Florence-Lauderdale Public Library The novel is written in the form of Carson’s private journal, so the story is experienced on a very personal and honest level. Struck by Lightning is a wonderful book for readers of any age who need to be reminded of the power of self-acceptance. —Jaimee Hannah In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker Adult Fiction Call Number: F-BAK (In Science Fiction and Fantasy Section) In the Garden of Iden is an Elizabethan romance, set in the time of Bloody Mary, between a fanatical religious heretic and an immortal cyborg botanist. Oh, and there’s time travel, but it doesn’t get confusing. See, time travel was (or will have been) developed in the 24th century as a business venture. Unfortunately, it only works in one direction—backwards. Nothing can be brought forward past its own time. Great for a day trip, but no way to bring home souvenirs.

How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown Adult Nonfiction Call Number: 523.49 BRO (In New Arrivals Section)

experiences as father of his first child. This novel will be a page turner for adults of all ages, from those who consider themselves space novices to those who secretly wish to launch a rocket from their backyards. —Abby Carpenter

Throughout elementary school, we all learned our nine planets through the popular mnemonic device, “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas.” But what happened to the pizza!? In this personal recount of scientific exploration, Mike Brown—a Caltech professor and native of Huntsville, Alabama—describes his personal quest to discover another planetary body. But what actually happens is quite the reverse. Though Brown does indeed find a 10th planet, Eris, the question then becomes not whether there should be 10 planets but how should a planet even be defined? As a result, the solar system as we know it does not gain an additional planet but, in fact, loses a former one.

Struck by Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal by Chris Colfer Young Adult Fiction Call Number: YF-COL (In Young Adult New Arrivals Section)

In this humorous portrayal of astronomic findings, Brown describes his many years of sky-watching along with his literally ‘universe-changing’ discovery which ultimately demoted Pluto from being a planet, even bringing about lawsuits and controversy surrounding who truly first discovered the dwarf planet, Eris. Brown is an excellent writer and adequately explains scientific terminologies and planet naming processes, all while paralleling his experiences as a discoverer of a new planet to his

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Carson Phillips is trapped in high school with peers he can barely tolerate, in a messy house with his addict mother, and in a small town where aspirations rarely meander outside the city limits. However, Carson plans to attend Northwestern University and leave these obstacles behind. Chris Colfer’s Young Adult novel Struck by Lightning brilliantly captures one boy’s struggle to establish a unique identity in a high school that only seems to value people who fit into certain molds. When his guidance counselor tells him that starting a school literary magazine may be the deciding factor in his admission to college, Carson must somehow convince the very people he has alienated over the last three years to help him with this project. When his more traditional efforts are rebuked by his classmates, Carson discovers that blackmail proves to be quite an effective and convincing tool.

So instead, the Company (as it’s called by its employees) goes back in time to make immortals (yeah, they can do that, too) out of stolen children (it’s a long process and doesn’t work on adults whose DNA has begun to degrade) by turning them into cyborgs. Then these operatives, to repay the Company for making them immortal, work in the past to hide away all the things that history says were lost, such as extinct species and destroyed works of art, so that the Company can make money off them in the future. All that, however, is just background to the tragic love story at the center of this tale. We follow the botanist Mendoza (born Catholic during the Spanish Inquisition) as she falls in love with Nicholas Harpole (an outspoken Protestant hiding on a country estate during the reign of Mary Tudor) and comes to terms with the inevitable fact of his mortality. —Jonathan Simms No Easy Day: The Autobiography of a Navy SEAL by Mark Owen Adult Nonfiction Call Number: 958.104 OWE (In New Arrivals Section) LT 958.104 OWE (In Large Print New Arrivals Section) The elite Navy SEALS who killed Osama bin Laden are men who live by a strict code of silence. So when one of them wrote a sweeping, first-person account of their

most important operation—and published it without official review by the Department of Defense—it understandably sent shockwaves through the Special Forces community. Mark Owen, nom-de-plume of former SEAL Matt Bissonnette, was a team leader in the 2011 bin Laden raid. His highly-controversial autobiography No Easy Day recounts not only that raid, but also the violence and drama of his entire career as a SEAL, from the almost superhuman feats of endurance required during SEAL training to hair-raising tales of his decade of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The book’s ‘unauthorized’ status combined with the author’s front-row seat to history makes it almost impossible to pass up. Despite heated opinions about its ethicality, the book does well in weaving together tales of war and brotherhood with a refreshing abandonment of sentimentality. Its account of the bin Laden raid is up-close and gritty. No Easy Day is a must-read for those interested in current events or military history. —Clint Alley A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson Adult Fiction Call Number: F-JAC (In the New Arrivals Section) LT-F-JAC (In Large Print New Arrivals Section) BCD-JAC (In the Audiobook Section) Author Joshilyn Jackson’s Southern women are the kind I like to read about—strong, courageous, and resilient. In Jackson’s latest novel, A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty, three generations of Slocomb women tell a story of secrets, truth, understanding, and love. Happy endings aren’t the norm for these three women. Jenny made a life for herself and her daughter, overcoming difficult circumstances as a single mother. However, her daughter, the wild and willful Liza, makes similar mistakes a generation later and pays for them mightily. And finally, Mosey, Liza’s teenage daughter, is driven to unravel an entrenched family secret following the dramatic cutting down of an old willow tree, revealing what is buried beneath. In this modern, Southern, Gothic tale, Jackson successfully weaves together mystery, humor, sassiness, and tenderness, providing an enticing element for all readers. —Nancy Sanford Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich Adult Fiction Call Number: F-EVA (In New Arrivals Section) LT-F-EVA (In Large Print New Arrivals Section) Janet Evanovich’s Notorious Nineteen has a little bit for everyone with themes of mystery, romance, and humor. The novel centers around Evanovich’s well-known protagonist Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter from New Jersey. Within this latest book of the series, Stephanie is trying to track down a criminal named Geoffrey Cubbin. Cubbin embezzled millions from an assisted-living facility and, unfortunately, disappeared, so now it is up to Stephanie to find him. Assisting Stephanie in this adventure are two laugh-out-loud characters, Grandma Mazur and Lulu. While trying to find Cubbin, Stephanie takes a second job guarding Ranger, her mentor and love interest, from a deadly Special Force adversary. The second job creates more trouble than she had anticipated. Check out this suspenseful thriller to find out how a little food poisoning, some threatening notes, and a bridesmaid’s dress may be connected and whether or not Stephanie can survive. —Melissa Dial

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ESSAYS BY

VINCE BREWTON CHRISTI BRITTEN JEREMY BRITTEN ARIETE BURCH CYNTHIA BURKHEAD MACK CORNWELL BRADLEY DEAN BARBARA JANE ELLIS -KEMP MICHELLE RUPE EUBANKS SARAH GAEDE JIM FISHER ROY HALL CHRIS HEATON SARA KACHELMAN LAURA ANDERS LEE BUD PRIDE CLAIRE STEWART CONNIE THWAITE ALLEN TOMLINSON WES WAGES TERRI WHALEN ASHLEY WINKLE ILLUSTRATIONS BY

DREW BOTTS MAGGIE CRISLER ROWAN FINNEGAN CHELSEA HOLEMAN DAVID SIMS SHAWN WALLACE

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WHY NOT JUST GET ALONG?

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ESSAY BY BRADLEY DEAN & WES WAGES » ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID SIMS

“MEN BUILD TOO MANY WALLS AND NOT ENOUGH BRIDGES.” —SIR ISAAC NEWTON WE WERE WARNED, WHEN WE TALKED TO OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES ABOUT THIS IDEA , THAT IT WOULD BE CONTROVERSIAL. We were told that it would never fly, that it had been discussed before without success, and there was one thing in the Shoals even more certain than death and taxes: consolidating the cities of Florence, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, and Tuscumbia would just not ever happen. Period. End of subject. Move on. It is not our intent to stir up trouble. It’s not our desire to make anyone uncomfortable, or make anyone mad. But please excuse us; we’re young, we’re not from here, originally, and we want to talk about it. Why not? First, a little background. One of us (Bradley) is from Huntsville; the other (Wes) is from Tupelo. We both came to Florence because of UNA, a wonderful experience for us both. Each of us met our wives here. Each of us got involved in the community, in the University, in life in this place. One of us (Wes) and his wife moved away, for a bit, but then came back. We decided—along with a lot of our friends, more and more every day, it seems—that this was the perfect place for us. We want to live here for a long time. We want to raise our families here. We want to roll up our sleeves and make this place even better, for ourselves and for the scores of friends who come to visit us, or come here to school, and also decide this is a creative, wonderful place with a good soul. So, because we are not from here, you have to forgive us for not being completely clued in to the politics of the area. We’ll admit it took years to learn where one city ended and the other began; we’re still not sure we know, exactly, except for Florence which has the river to separate it from the other three. City limits are arbitrary borders, anyway. We’re not sure why they matter—we only know that for some reason, around here, they really, really do. There are several arguments we’ve heard in favor of keeping the existing borders. They generally can be grouped into these categories: Each city has a unique character, and there is a fear that the flavor of each individually will be lost to the whole. Jobs will be lost if we consolidate, it’s explained, because if there is duplication in governmental services right now and you consolidate, some jobs will have to be eliminated. That affects families. Some cities who are doing pretty well right now shouldn’t have to bear the burden of carrying those that are landlocked and experiencing harder times, we’re told.

Besides, it’s pointed out, all of this consolidation talk is really nothing more than one side of the river trying to control the other, and we don’t like that around here. These arguments may have merit, but there’s another side to the story. Individual flavor will be lost Have you ever been to Hickory Hills? It’s a wonderful neighborhood in Florence, full of houses built in the 1960s, and it’s been a safe and wonderful place to raise a family for more than 50 years. The fact that this neighborhood is in Florence, or the fact that The Cedars, another nice neighborhood, was built just down the street doesn’t detract in any way from the charm of Hickory Hills. Indian Springs is in the same city, and so is Heathrow, but none of them detracts from the character of the others. They are all charming, they always have been, and they probably always will be. It’s been said that even the largest cities are just a series of neighborhoods that are knit together. New York City, for example, is made up of five burroughs, each with its own unique character; within the burroughs of Manhattan there are distinct neighborhoods and areas of the city that are very different from each other. Nothing is lost, and everything is gained when they work together as one larger unit, and they do that with burrough governments that are overseen by a metro authority. If we became one metropolitan area, we could still retain the flavor and feel of Tuscumbia, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, and Florence. To burrow down a little deeper, we will also still retain the charm of Hickory Hills, or The Oaks, or Sixth Street in Tuscumbia, or Montgomery Avenue. Charm is charm, and none of that is going to change! What changes, instead, is the fact that as a larger metro area, we become more attractive to people who want a great place to live. Real estate values increase, and new neighborhoods— each with its own charm—get built. Consolidation will lead to a loss of jobs These are challenging economic times. The argument that people will lose jobs is valid, but points to one of the very reasons why we should consider consolidation. Eliminating duplication of services is a good way to be good stewards of the public’s money, and who can be against that? In consolidation, why not reduce jobs through attrition? As people retire or leave, shrink the job pool until it reaches its ideal size; it’s a long-term approach, but it inflicts little harm. The same could be said of the elected leaders who will also lose their jobs. But if we layered a new leadership group above the

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WHY NOT JUST GET ALONG? (CONTINUED)

present offices and then phase out offices when terms end, it allows those politicians who want to remain involved the opportunity to run for and keep an office. Again, this is a longterm solution, but could be an effective one. Frankly, there might not be as much job reduction as we assume. We currently have four fire departments, each with its own chief and other management personnel. It’s quite possible that it will require the same number of firefighters as we currently have to adequately care for a city the size of our combined municipalities; the only losses will be at the very top. The same could be said of the police departments, parks and recreation, sanitation departments, and others. There will be savings in our scale—we will be able to purchase in larger quantities and take advantage of cost savings that way, but employment levels might remain fairly steady. We don’t want another city’s problems What about the argument that some of our towns are doing better than others and shouldn’t be dragged down by those who are going through hard times? Our response is the city of Sheffield, landlocked as it is, is as much a part of this region as Florence, which appears to be growing right now. If Florence and Sheffield work together, we strongly believe that it will not pull them down—it will lift them both up. How can a strong Sheffield be detrimental to Florence? Since many people who work in Florence right now live in Sheffield (and vice versa), what’s the difference? If we help the Shoals, we help everyone. And to those who loudly proclaim that this is all a plot for control, well, the invention of the automobile was also loudly railed against...by those who built buggy whips. The buggy whip manufacturers who came out on top found a way to become a part of a movement that transformed the way we live our lives. There will be similar opportunities if we consolidate.

even Washington. The recent decision to divide our Congressional districts helps marginalize our voice and keeps it easier for both of those power centers to not have to pay much attention to us. But imagine, if we were one municipality: we would be the sixth largest city in the state of Alabama. Could Montgomery ignore us then? Could Washington? We understand, from people who have lived here all of their lives, that it took 30 years to build the Singing River Bridge. One person told us they talked about four-laning Highway 157 to Cullman for 50 years before it was completed. And yet, when we recently traveled to the beach, we saw a road between I-65 and Flomaton become four-laned in one year. One year! Who knew that was even possible? So take a look at Highway 43 between Killen and the Tennessee state line. It used to be that residents of Lawrenceburg and other towns in southern Tennessee would come to the Shoals to do their shopping. We have great retail stores, movie theaters, restaurants, and cultural events. But Tennessee widened the highway. All of a sudden, it’s easier for a resident of Loretto to get to Columbia or Nashville to shop than it is to get to Florence. We may not be feeling this in our pocketbooks yet, but we think we will...and we think it’s imperative to make it as easy as possible for those shoppers to choose our retail establishments. Late last fall, the Alabama Highway Department announced that the widening of Highway 43 between Killen and the state line had been shelved. There’s no money for it; the limited money the Department of Transportation has to spend will go somewhere else. But there’s one more thing missing: there is no strong municipality standing up and screaming for this. If we were the sixth largest city in the state, would we get more attention when it came time to build necessary infrastructure?

There are much larger reasons for us to consider consolidation today, above and beyond the cost savings to our governments when we reduce duplication of services. From our perspective, we think our arbitrary city borders have done more harm than good. We’re not sure they even matter to a business who wants to bring jobs here; we think, instead, that we are being judged as a whole, and not as individual parts. After all, if we can’t really know if we’ve crossed the line from Muscle Shoals to Sheffield, after living here for a number of years, how will a recruiter from somewhere a long way from here? And will he care?

It’s our observation that people who seriously discuss the idea of consolidation get bogged down in the insignificant details. What will we name this new city? Who will be in charge? How do we legally dissolve the man-made city and county borders to create this new entity? We don’t think those questions have to be answered in order to commit to the process. What we have to do first, as a community, is realize the benefits to consolidation far outweigh the negatives. The city name, the boundaries, and the legal borders that are in place right now are man-made and can be changed.

These days, the world can be a competitive place. If we lived in Decatur or Huntsville, we’d be invested in the idea of “divide and conquer,” when it comes to the Shoals. If we’re going to fight against the Shoals for business, it’s in our best interest to encourage you to fight amongst yourselves so we can scoop up the cream. The same could be said of Montgomery—and

What can’t be changed is the fact that we are located in one of the most beautiful areas of the entire world. And we are living together, right now, mostly in perfect harmony. We live in one neighborhood and work in another; when a business opens on one end of Muscle Shoals, people on the other end of Florence patronize it, work in it, and support it. We flock to Tuscumbia

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for the Keller Festival, and then run to Muscle Shoals for baseball tournaments; we head to Florence for events at the University, and go to Sheffield to dance in street fairs. The “I don’t cross the river” mentality is still there, but it’s not nearly as strong as we’ve heard it used to be. Our hope is the day will come when it is gone completely. And there is more than one way to accomplish the goal of becoming a significant force in Alabama and regional politics. If consolidation is impossible, because our boundary lines are so deeply implanted on our souls, it is BRADLEY DEAN possible for one of the four cities to is a Shoals enthusiast who made his grow fast enough and large enough home in Florence that it eclipses the others. If Muscle almost a decade Shoals or Florence, for example, ago. He currently lives in a historical begin to accelerate their growth, it home with his wife may be the other towns begin to ask and son. He is the to join along, instead of staunchly digital design director at Billy Reid. defending their borders to the detriBradley is a creative ment of their residents. Not an ideal thinker with many solution, but viable—if we simply talents and projects in the works, can’t get along any other way. “We shouldn’t refer to this place as ‘The Shoals,’” someone said to us recently. “When you look at the map, there’s no such place. It confuses people.” Our point exactly. A wonderful place like this, with enough population to be considered the sixth largest metropolitan area in the state of Alabama, deserves to be thought of as its own place. Call it whatever you like—just call it united. Maybe that’s a conversation we need to begin to have. After all— why not?

including event direction and being a REALTOR®.

Though not a native of the Shoals, WES WAGES calls it home. He and his wife created Armosa Studios to pursue their passion of telling stories through photo and film. Wes is also the creator and director of MadeInThe Shoals.com.

fresh from facebook…

“I would love to see Lauderdale County officials team up with animal lovers to build a barn on a couple of acres to house starving horses in our area. The Rescue Barn built in Birmingham could serve as a model. It was built as a joint effort between the Sheriff’s department and the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Singing River Equine Rescue cannot do it alone.” —Kristi Grisham Mitchell

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ESSAY BY VINCE BREWTON

should embrace a bigger and more productive notion of citizenship—citizenship of the Shoals. We have plenty of competition, and it bears repeating, competition is good, but we need a stronger civicus among us as well.

WHY NOT BE A CITIZEN OF THE SHOALS? COMPETITION IS GOOD, AND WE COULD PROBABLY USE MORE OF IT HERE IN THE SHOALS. But cooperation is just as good, and may be rarer in our beautiful community. It’s not a unique problem. Communities fight amongst themselves, just as families do. But I think we can do better. Sometimes what’s true for one person is true for all. Like most residents of the Shoals, my family and I live in one particular community but share in the life of them all. Our home is in Florence, but that choice was made strictly due to place of employment. We regularly eat in Sheffield and have been members of a church there. We’ve toured homes in Tuscumbia with a Realtor and enjoyed the downtown there more times than I can remember. We have been frequent guests at Gattman Park, and I’ve driven a vehicle in the Muscle Shoals Christmas parade. Many of our friends live in Killen, and my wife’s grandfather owned a home and was minister to a church there. Under other circumstances none of this is even worth mentioning. It’s just the way we all live. What we don’t do much is claim publicly our participation in the larger community, almost as if it were disloyal or shameful. But we should, and it needs to be part of a larger conversation about what I want to propose in this essay: Shoals citizenship. We’ve all seen the bumper stickers over the years—“The Shoals, Don’t Keep It a Secret” and lately the one that says “Loving the Shoals.” Phrases grow out of movements, or maybe sometimes it is the other way around. Although I haven’t lived in the Shoals as long as some, I’ve been here long enough to recognize the time has come to start identifying the Shoals as the place that is our home. I believe we all work as hard as we can to make the Shoals a great place to live, but the Shoals deserves more than that: it deserves citizens. The Romans gave us the word “civic” from their “civicus,” which the OED defines as “of one’s town or city, of or connected with fellow citizens, involving fellow citizens.” I’m probably oversimplifying this, but the Romans had an expansive notion of citizenship—you didn’t have to live in Rome, you didn’t have to be born in Rome, Roman citizens were spread far and wide, and Romans in the suburbs were very much Romans. So I think—why not?—the people of the Shoals

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The beginnings are already in place. We have a Shoals Symphony. That’s as it should be. We can’t support four (or more) symphony orchestras. We have a Shoals Chamber of Commerce. That’s definitely as it should be, since we are one area as a matter of practical economic activity. We can operate—at most—one airport. The Handy Festival has events across the Shoals—seven communities in all. The United Way operates throughout three counties in northwest Alabama, as does the Junior League chapter. The Economic Development Authority serves our entire community, as does the Times Daily. The Healing Place, Safeplace, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army— these and many other worthy organizations serve us all equally and without prejudice. Recently, Florence and Lauderdale County came together to pursue ATRIP state transportation grants, which demonstrated a laudable spirit of cooperation. These areas of beneficial collective activity only scratch the surface of what is possible. There are other ways we can and must cooperate. Not consolidate—just cooperate. For purposes of argument, let’s take consolidation off the table. Working together does not require a legal arrangement. It doesn’t have to include mergers or the loss of existing identities. It just has to involve a change of attitude, a change of heart, and a willingness to communicate. The two sides of the river are currently served by separate historic preservation organizations. That’s probably a good idea: it makes organizing meetings easier and frankly the two sides of the river have different areas of concern and emphasis. But the two groups—the Colbert County Landmarks Association and Heritage Preservation, Inc. could collaborate on projects of mutual interest. They never have, but why not? The operations of the Colbert and Lauderdale tourism offices could be more closely coordinated. Not merged! Just coordinated. Why not? One possibility: communities with vibrant downtowns are hosting food and walking tours that are proving very successful in attracting attention to their communities. Why not coordinate a tour of downtowns on consecutive Saturdays in the late spring? Tuscumbia, Sheffield, and Florence have prospering downtowns, and Muscle Shoals is headed in that direction with their sidewalk project. It would take, at most, a little communication. As we have seen with the Handy Festival, when it was chosen one of the Top 100 Events in North America by Destination Magazine, collaboration with an event across our different localities yields big dividends. There is an expression—“a zero sum game”—that means basically that if one party wins the other loses. For too long the default thinking in our area has been “zero sum.” If one municipality gains, the others lose. We have to get beyond that. Do our area museums share exhibits or offer programming in tandem or on a rotating basis? Why not? If there were a major natural disaster here in the Shoals, there is no doubt the

municipal authorities in our area would cooperate, pool their resources, and combine their efforts. Why wait for that day? Why not look for opportunities to cooperate that save money for the communities concerned? Have the various school systems ever cooperated by sharing instructional staff or technology? Might the advantages outweigh the barriers? Businesses cooperate even as they compete. When there’s a good relationship between restaurant owners and chefs, they help each other when they run short. Law enforcement officers train together and share information. Physicians call each other to consult as a matter of routine. These are good models for how the different communities in the Shoals could make common cause for a better Shoals. If everyone in the Shoals agreed to undertake this new spirit of cooperation, it would certainly be a big step, but human beings need something tangible to rally around—we always have. The visible symbol I would propose to mark this new Shoals citizenship is the Shoals Museum of Art & Design (SMAD), a cooperative venture of the four major municipalities and any other jurisdictions that want to come on board, to be built on one side or other of the Singing River Bridge but with benefits and advantages for all. As a museum of art—understood broadly to include all the arts, including music—and design, it would be repository of the history of this entire area, with a permanent collection built over time and exhibitions of industry (TVA), architecture, textiles, and native art as well as the usual fine art associated with museums. There would be space for a permanent archival center for the entire Shoals. There would be classroom space and a theater for hosting film series. Adjacent would be an outdoor amphitheater for concerts, a substantial plaza with public art, and green spaces. The idea would be to create not just a museum or even a cultural complex but a true destination—a place where the community (families, couples, singles, young people, retirees) would want to come any and every day of the week to experience the sense of place that Southerners like to point to as the defining characteristic of what it means to be Southern. Regardless of its location, north or south of the bridge, it would transform the areas on both sides, spur completion of the Riverwalk, and be walkable from the Marriott, and enhance property values all along Wilson Dam Road in Muscle Shoals and in east Florence. It would be a major tool for industrial recruitment and particularly the recruitment of technology companies that look for more than just neighborhoods and schools in the communities where they locate. If we are serious about creating the kinds of jobs that would allow the children of the Shoals to remain here and start families of their own, we need to be focused on making the area attractive to information age companies. Heavy manufacturing is returning to the United States: SEDA and the Chamber do a great job of attracting our share of that and more. What’s critical for the future is putting the Shoals on the map of the information economy, and the Shoals Museum of Art & Design would be an important step in that direction. Jackson, Mississippi, recently reinvigorated their downtown with a museum, plaza, and public space. If they can do it, we can do it. It can be done. And with a little luck, the Shoals

Museum of Art & Design would enhance the feeling of citizenship throughout the Shoals. If the various Shoals communities can come together and really become the Shoals in spirit, build and maintain a high quality museum and event center and make the Shoals a destination far greater than it is or is even imagined at present, every single resident of our area will benefit. At present, there’s really no place in the Shoals that brings us all together, unless it is the Marriott and Conference Center. We need a physical place we all can own and identify with, just as much as we need a single source of information for the entire area about what to do, when to do it, when things are open, how to get tickets, where to eat, play, learn, worship, and live. Information is important, but geography touches hearts. The sooner the Shoals is on the map of people’s imaginations the better, and the surest route to that is the creation of a unique and memorable place we can call our own. I think that’s something to get excited about. So I would close with this challenge, respectfully submitted, to any and all readers. If you are part of an organization or group that has its footprint in a single locality in the Shoals, resolve to collaborate where appropriate with another organization in the area in the work that you do. We are not talking about charity here, but mutually beneficial shared efforts. It is very true that the wide Tennessee River divides us, but without the river, who of us would be here? The Tennessee River is the original cause of our community, and the river is what brings us together and unites us into one community—but we have yet to fully recognize that fact. If our model for future association is taken from how we all enjoy the blessings of the mighty Tennessee River VINCE through sharing and cooperation, BREWTON has then we will do well. Discord is a lived in the Shoals poisonous apple, and we know in since 2001 and is the director of the our hearts that in unity there is Honors Program strength. Moreover, we know what at UNA. individuals or small groups resolve to do of themselves is more powerful than any law or statute. Why not become a citizen of the Shoals? We have everything to gain.

fresh from facebook…

“I would love to see our music-rich area come together to build a big, beautiful outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Tennessee River. I love our music venues here but music just sounds better in the great outdoors!” —Johnna Jones Stafford

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TIME IS MONEY COULD TIME BANKING BE A TOOL FOR CITIZENSHIP IN THE SHOALS?

ESSAY BY CHRISTI BRITTEN » ILLUSTRATION BY DREW BOTTS

VISIT THE SHOALS AREA FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME and you will discover one of the distinct characteristics of small town living: everybody knows everybody, or at least their momma or daddy. Realistically, we may not know everyone who lives here, but we do know a friend of a friend who can get a job done. During economic downturns this is vitally important. Neighbors come together to help each other out. Whether it is cutting the elderly neighbor’s grass or bringing meals to families after a job loss, we tend to take care of each other if we know the need is there. In 2009 my husband and I became pregnant with our third child, our first Shoals native. We knew we wanted to use a doula or child labor coach. With money being tight, we sought out a friend of a friend. We met with our doula and bartered services with her. My husband made a website for her company, and she brilliantly attended our birth and provided her counseling services to us. It was such a blessing that we could have the child labor we had envisioned with the resources we had: our time and skill. While we all may not have monetary resources, every single person has value. Our time, talent, and skill are assets. Time banking is a concept that utilizes those assets as a form of currency. Instead of using money, time banking uses actual hours as currency. Hour-for-hour services are traded. One hour of babysitting is equal to one hour of tutoring. One hour of carpentry labor is equal to one hour of piano lessons. A time bank is a cooperative group of citizens that has come together to offer their time and skill in exchange for the time of another. While a time bank builds social capital instead of monetary capital, it keeps those monetary assets from being drained. Let’s say you need a large party catered but know you are on a tight budget. You can actually give a professional caterer who is part of your time bank the opportunity to earn “hours” for his service. All you are out of pocket is material cost for the food. That caterer, in turn, will receive “hours” in exchange for his service. He can then cash those “hours” in for yoga sessions with another member. So instead of having to directly barter an exchange with one individual, you have a menu of services to choose from. Anyone can join a time bank. Sometimes the services needed just require a warm voice or friendly company. A student may just need a ride to the airport or a doctor’s appointment. An elder may need someone to change out her lightbulbs and do some housework. A school may need someone to work in the computer lab. Because of this universal access, background checks are done to ensure the safety of all parties. Every measure is taken to make participants feel valued and safe. Time banks are popping up all over the country. All are founded to strengthen the communities they serve. Time Banks USA is the principal provider of time bank infrastructure. They operate under certain principles that all time banks must respect.

Assets “We are all assets.” Every community member has something to offer. Redefining Work “Some work is beyond price.” Work for money can be different than work we do out of respect and citizenship. We can be witness to work done to provide a direct impact to strengthen our community, democracy, social justice, and the environment. Reciprocity “Helping works better as a two-way street.” Instead of thinking about how we can help those in need, thinking about how we can all work together to build up our own community is a great approach to problem solving. Social Networks “We need each other.” Obviously, having a support system and strong community of trust will help our individual goals as well as community goals. Respect “Every human being matters!” TimeBanks USA highlights, “Respect supplies the heart and soul of democracy. When respect is denied to anyone we are all injured. We must respect people for the moment they are in, not the moment we hope they will be in at some future point.” The closest time bank to the Shoals is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville Permaculture Guild founded Tennessee Valley Time Bank in 2011. It presently has about 60 members. Representative Deborah Patterson suggests having regular meetings with members for networking. Community dinners or meetings allow people to network and see the people involved in their time bank. Knoxville’s time bank is still small but is continuing to grow. They are even working cooperatively with non-profits like one small elementary school they are helping sustain. There are more successful time banks all over the country. TimeBanks USA is based out of Washington, DC, where there are currently over 459 participants. Milwaukee Time Exchange has 758 members. Imagine the impact members have on stimulating their local economy and growing social capital. Many time banks even work with the local municipalities for beautification, tourism, and other projects. The Shoals would be a perfect area to start a time exchange. CHRISTI BRITTEN is a Networking is a huge boon for the writer, photograShoals. Imagine increasing the qualpher, arts and ity of life by redefining the Shoals’ community advobudget. We have infinite resources cate, and UNA Communications when we come together. For more information visit TimeBanks.org

alumna. She spends her time serving the Britten household of six, the Florence Lauderdale Public Library, Kilby Laboratory School, and Edgemont UMC.

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ESSAY BY ROY HALL

WHY NOT: UNA, DIVISION I, AND THE SHOALS AS UNA PLANS FOR ITS FUTURE AS A DIVISION I SCHOOL, why not ask ourselves, as residents of the Shoals, how we want those changes to affect the area? The expansion of UNA’s athletic program has the potential to spur significant growth, both in terms of population and visitors, as well as the revenue that accompanies the new students, fans and tourists a Division I school is likely to attract. But significant growth over a fairly short period of time can be a challenge, if that growth isn’t adequately managed. For those of us who grew up with Tuscaloosa and Auburn as our models for Division I host cities, we know that a large, seasonal influx of weekend fans can clog a city’s traffic grid, consume its resources, and generally make life difficult for a day or two every week. And we’ve probably also noticed how some student housing and entertainment districts, both official and unofficial, can become eyesores—and earsores.

ful planning. But we are on the verge of major change, and some of the questions asked of the residents of those cities will be asked of us. So why not involve citizens more closely in the planning process? Why not even appoint a planning committee composed of residents of all four Shoals cities to represent the voices of people who will be directly impacted by the changes that will accompany UNA’s transition to Division I? There will be a new stadium, surely, and its location will permanently alter the neighborhood in which it’s built. What location is best? New student housing will be necessary, in time. The location of those dorms has the potential to bring renewal to neighborhoods as well as an influx of revenue to an overlooked or abandoned part of town. New dorms and graduate student housing bring with them the potential for entertainment districts, parks, and other public spaces that benefit the entire community.

But Auburn and Tuscaloosa grew steadily, over time, creating a sprawl that often required post-hoc revamping. What we have here in the Shoals, with UNA’s intentional and gradual growth, is the opportunity to plan for a future in which UNA’s expansion benefits not only the university, athletically and academically, but its host community as well.

The Shoals is best known for its unique and singular contribution to American popular music, but sadly, much of the Shoals’ musical history is being forgotten. Why not take this opportunity to not only honor our history, but secure our place in the future, by promoting our unique legacy to the thousands of fans who will visit the Shoals?

One possible model for how a community manages and accommodates growth from an athletic venture is the Olympics. Every two years, we watch the extraordinary spectacle of the Olympics, and the years of planning that precede each Olympiad. Why not use the Olympics as a model—both for what to do, as well as what not to do? We’re all familiar with the horror stories of games that cost too much, and new and expensive construction projects that alienated residents of the hosts cities, all the results of poor planning and lack of community involvement.

And Division I schools aren’t just about athletics, either. Large schools provide academic and artistic opportunities for residents. Why not require a portion of revenue raised through property tax increases or bond initiatives, or the revenue from the athletics program, to be ear-marked for programs that enhance the lives of everyone in the Shoals?

But we’ve also heard the stories of Olympic host cities who managed to make it through the process without bankrupting themselves, cities that emerged with increased tourism, improved infrastructure, and with state-of-the-art facilities that last for generations after the games. Obviously, UNA won’t be the Olympics, and Florence won’t be London or Salt Lake City, two recent examples of success-

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The expansion of UNA’s athletic program has the potential to alter life on both sides of the river for years to come. Why not do everything we can to make sure that growth enhances the quality of our lives and makes the Shoals an even ROY HALL is the better place to call home? Business Manager here at No’Ala.

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WHY NOT CLEAN UP OUR ACT?

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ESSAY BY BUD PRIDE » ILLUSTRATION BY ROWAN FINNEGAN

MOST OF US HAVE WONDERED WHAT OUR DREAMS WHILE WE SLEEP ARE ALL ABOUT. However, we do not have to be asleep to dream. I do not have to wonder what some of my dreams are about; I know of the hopes I have for the future. And they can come true! I dream one day everyone will realize how blessed we are to have such a unique and beautiful home in which we live in the vast universe, and no one would think of harming Mother Earth’s lands, waters, and air. On a more personal level, I dream one day we would see our city streets, county roads, rivers, and streams free of unsightly and unhealthy trash, litter, and toxins. I dream I will not be driving down the road and see the occupants of the vehicle in front of me toss fast food containers from the windows. I will see no trucks going down the highway in front of me with all types of items blowing out onto our right-of-ways and lands. I dream one day I will go fishing and arrive at the public boat launch area and find it free of all types of discarded trash. Once on the water, I will see the beauty of nature in its pristine condition and not see the shoreline or lake’s surface littered with plastic bottles, vehicle tires, oil slicks, and every conceivable type of trash known to man. I dream of one day participating as a volunteer in a “clean up” project, two weeks later to find the same area is still clean. I dream one day everyone will put their discarded items into a trash container destined for a landfill or in a recycle container intended for a recycler. I also have a dream that one day those discarded items meant for the landfill will be converted into some useful products, such as some type of fuel or energy. And I dream one day, hopefully, more businesses and industries will consider our environment along with their “bottom line.” My “nightmare” is one day, in the distant future, we humans will have converted our unique and beautiful Mother Earth’s lands, waters, and air into one huge unsightly and unhealthy garbage BUD PRIDE is a dump. Hopefully, we will all become charter member and former chairsmarter than that, and that nightman of Keep the mare will never become a reality! I dream one day everyone will appreciate our wonderful world and share in the responsibility of being a good steward and caring for our surroundings, enjoying the spectacular vistas of Mother Earth’s lands, waters, and air.

Shoals Beautiful. He spent almost 10 years on the Florence City Council, and has been a Florence Planning Commission member since 1978.

MORE ABOUT LITTER Adopt a mile. This program was very successful a number of years ago. You and your friends, or any organization you might belong to, adopt a mile of highway and commit to keeping it litter-free. It can be policed in an hour or so a month—or, if you have the time, you could do a weekly walk along the street and keep the trash picked up. An easy way to pick up the litter on our streets. Yell a little. True Southerners shake their heads when they see someone roll down their car window and dump the remains of their fast food meal, and mutter a little “bless their heart” about how their mommas didn’t teach them any better. If we want results, we need to honk our horns...roll down our windows and shake our fists...take pictures of their license plates with our cell phone cameras and turn them in. If we refuse to allow other people to dump on this beautiful place we call home, it won’t take long for the worst offenders to learn a lesson. Embarrass them, for pete's sake! Up the fines. A friend of ours used to think that flipping a cigarette butt into the street was harmless...until he visited Palm Springs, California, and flipped a butt onto the street. A $500 fine later, he had learned that littering is littering...and Palm Springs does NOT tolerate it. So, why don't we make it so expensive to litter that people just won’t do it? Educate! Remember the TV commercial where the Native American cries when he sees how badly we treat this country by littering? Maybe we need to take the message to the schools, and get a whole new generation singing “Please, please, don't be a litterbug!” once again. Be green. We’ve heard it joked that the city flag of the Shoals is the Walmart bag. Oh, sure, there’s something graceful about the dance of the floating bags as they are caught by the wind and twirled around the streets...until you stop to think about what you are actually witnessing. Let’s put a stop to this! Take your own cloth or canvas bag to the grocery store, and let them keep their plastic; it’s the responsible thing to do, and you’ll feel a whole lot better about yourself and the environment. Maybe someday we’ll even have to put white plastic Walmart bags in museums so that people can see what they used to look like. Wouldn’t that be an admirable goal? Here’s the bottom line. We live in a beautiful place, but the fact that we are drowning in our own litter speaks volumes to those who come to visit us. If we don’t care enough about our surroundings to keep them clean, what does that say about our citizenry—and why would anyone want to relocate their business here, move here to live, or even come back for a second visit? If you just don’t care and persist in treating my community like your own personal trash dump, be prepared. I’m going to honk, I’m going to yell, and if we can increase the fines for littering, I’m going to make sure your license plate is photographed and turned in so you can pay a hefty fine. I, for one, am good and mad, and I don’t want to take it anymore.

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ESSAY BY JEREMY BRITTEN

food: some place that has great produce, a bakery, and a quality butcher.

WHY NOT BROADEN OUR ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS? STARTING WITH OUR RECENT ELECTION OF A NEW MAYOR HERE IN FLORENCE , ALABAMA , and learning of many Shoals area restaurants closing their doors, things are changing. I started thinking: “Just what type of businesses do people of the Shoals really want to see in downtown Florence?” My wife and I discuss this very topic a lot, at least once a week. We talk about what we’d personally like to see come to downtown. We talk about things like a bulk-foods grocery store, a Thai restaurant, and many, many other things. It turns out we aren’t alone in these thoughts. Many of you have ideas about how you’d like to see Florence improve. Why not act upon it? Why not find the right people who can help you? Back in September, I decided to survey the Shoals area via social media. I asked my Twitter followers and Facebook friends, “What would you like to see come to downtown Florence? What needs improvement?” The interactions on social networks here in Florence have grown steadily over the past few years, and I knew I would get a pretty decent response. I was not disappointed! As it turns out, plenty of people think about this stuff, just like my wife and I do. Most people had very similar wishes when it came to seeing new business come into downtown Florence. For the most part, these shared hopes and ideas can be organized into three main categories: food, drink, and entertainment. With food and drink, it is the hope for a wider variety in the cuisine of local restaurants and for quieter, more laid-back bars or pubs. Thai and Mediterranean were among the cuisines that were mentioned most frequently. People patronizing downtown desire a bar or pub where they can enjoy a quiet drink out and good conversation with friends. Another common thought was that downtown Florence could benefit from a small grocery store of some sort, as well, described by many as a food market that specializes in fresh, organic, locally grown

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In regards to the entertainment-themed ideas, something I heard more than once was the desire for downtown Florence to have a small independent movie theater. Having a theater that doesn’t play the typical Hollywood blockbusters could only add to the independent, creative buzz that is permeating our city. It seems to me there is a perfect opportunity for this already downtown with the Shoals Theatre (and an effort is already underway to make this happen). Several people would love to see real music venues. Not a restaurant or a bar that has a band stuck in the corner, but a true venue that brings in bands to play and nothing more. With such a rich musical heritage as we have here in the Shoals, how do we not have something like this already? We are all tired of talk, though. Not the brainstorming, camaraderie, motivating, and idea-sharing kind of talk. I love that. I could do it all day long, every day of the week. We all could. What we’re all tired of is the kind of talk and idea sharing that comes without follow-through. Why not MAKE. THINGS. HAPPEN? Seeing the passion for change is exciting. What is even more exciting though is seeing several of these ideas coming to fruition. Things are actually happening! Step in and help spread the excitement. Find a way to volunteer, help, or donate. Share a Facebook post. Retweet something from Twitter. Tell a friend. Invite your friends. Give money. Take charge. We all have things to offer—a wide variety of JEREMY BRITTEN is a things. Let’s start offering them. If Shoals area you have an idea, keep talking about advocate serving it…but don’t let it end there. Follow on the Board of through. Actively seek out people Directors for Flowho can offer advice and support in rence Main Street and the United order for your idea to take hold and Way of Northwest to thrive. I’m here for you. ALL of Alabama. Jeremy you. I will help in any way that I can. works full time as Florence is on the brink of something huge, and I plan on being a part of it. Why not join me?

the lead web and social media manager for UNA, and is a father of three (#4 due in April) fantastic children.

fresh from facebook…

“I think what Florence needs is an outdoor lakeside concert venue. We already have the music lovers, so a cool setting would only make Florence better!” —Sara Stubblefield Jeffery

If you live in this part of the world and need heart or vascular surgery, there’s good news. Our surgeons and their support staff aren’t just good at what they do — they are well known throughout the region for their experience and expertise. Like Dr. Constantine Athanasuleas, left, who specializes in valve repair, minimally invasive surgery for advanced heart failure, coronary bypass, and aortic surgery. Or Dr. Peter Pons, center, whose specialties include abdominal aneurysms, thoracic aneurysms, and carotid and peripheral arterial interventions. Dr. Denis Raleigh, right, performs surgery for aneurysms, aortic valve surgery, mitral valve repair, endovascular surgery and vascular surgery. The bottom line is good news for you. At Alabama Heart and Vascular and ECM Hospital, we have everything you need to care for you if you have heart and vascular issues. Relax — you’re in good hands.

For more information visit ecmhospital.com

541 W College Street, Suite 2000 Florence, AL 35630 M ARCH /A PRIL 2013 | NOALAPRESS . COM | 37

WHY NOT UTILIZE THE RIVERFRONT?

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ESSAYS BY C YNTHIA BURKHEAD, JIM FISHER , & CONNIE THWAITE » ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID SIMS

WHY NOT “RIVER ROW”? (CYNTHIA BURKHEAD) WATCHING THE OTTERS PLAY WHILE EATING PRAWNS THE SIZE OF A FIST IN A BAYSIDE RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY…enjoying Currywurst and cola in an outdoor café beside Berlin’s Wansee….looking out at the famous Little Mermaid in Copenhagen while dining on the freshest fish imaginable…watching the boats slip away from the dock during a meal of oysters and beer on Vancouver’s Granville Island…these are some of my favorite memories, and they all occurred waterside. It may seem that these moments on my personal timeline all have to do with food, and in part they do, but so much more went into making these memories so delightful. Each happened in locales that combined eateries with shopping, entertainment, and other unique services. You couldn’t go to Cannery Row without a ride on the restored wooden carousel. Summers on the Wansee were not complete without strolling folk musicians in traditional garb. And Granville Island is home to a thriving artist community and the most impressive indoor farmers market I have ever seen, with venders offering everything from exotic teas to fresh flowers to the most luscious fruits, meats, and cheeses a foodie’s heart could ever desire. I noticed one other quality shared by all these spots: they were popular destinations for both residents and tourists. In thinking about my dreams for the Shoals, I always come back to something that would attract locals and tourists year-round. The area is rich in culture and history, but those offerings often seem disconnected. Ivy Green, the Handy House, and Pope’s Tavern are important historical spots, but they are quick stops for both tourists and residents. We have amazing festivals offering music, film, and art to locals and visitors alike, but they only last for a few days. What the Shoals is missing is a year-round destination where folks gather regularly—not just for special occasions—and enjoy the best of what our community has to offer. For me it begins on the water, one of our most beautiful resources. There should be boats, lots of boats forming the backdrop of a morning or afternoon or entire day spent at the destination my dream is building. Along “River Row” (dreams have to have names), would be interactive exhibits where folks could stop after a meal or between shops and read about W.C. Handy while “St. Louis Blues” plays from the display, or hear George Lindsey as Goober saying, “I can’t do William Holden, but I can do Cary Grant. Judy. Judy. Judy” while they learn about one of UNA’s famous alums. Indeed, the Shoals has produced so many notable personalities, folks would need a whole afternoon just to make it through all their exhibits, and that’s a fine problem to have!

We wouldn’t have to go far to find shops for “River Row.” Billy Reid and Alabama Chanin could both have satellite stores there, and the “Row” would have galleries where all our local artists would find permanent venues to exhibit and sell their creations. Since this is my dream, I’ve also included a musical store carrying traditional instruments from around the world. Just think of the musical shenanigans that could occur when combining Shoals talent with, say, an Irish Bouzouki! I’ve restrained myself pretty well so far, but I can’t move on from the shopping portion of this dream without constructing a toy store for children and adults alike. No one should have to drive 75 miles or shop on the internet to find a Walking Dead action figure, but I digress… To sustain all this culture and shopping, “River Row” must have plenty of food offerings. A bakery and coffee shop would get the morning started just right. Other restaurants would offer the kind of diversity already found in Shoals eateries but would also include good Thai and Indian fare. And clubs would keep the waterfront hopping deep into the night. This dream is almost built, but I keep thinking of that farmer’s market in Vancouver. I’ve lived in many places but never experienced a market like this one, and it is truly a sensual experience. In addition to the usual fruits and vegetables (although there is nothing usual about a raspberry the size of a small plum), the market offered all the ingredients needed for any cuisine. The meat counter sold Irish bangers, just add the mash, and the cheese counter offered at least 10 varieties of blues alone. I’ve left one element of “River Row” for last because, well, it is a most revolutionary idea. Remember those strolling musicians on the Wansee? Granville Island also welcomed musicians to entertain patrons at appointed spots. Vancouver even has a “buskers” law setting out the musicians’ rights and limits. While we have plenty of music offerings in the Shoals, there is little opportunity for local talent to perform on a regular weekday among folks shopping and eating in exchange for praise in the form of cash. Allowing musicians to “busker” at “River CYNTHIA Row” might just make sure another BURKHEAD is Grammy winner is discovered in the an English Professor at UNA, where Shoals, and that is good for the she also co-directs whole community. Dreams should always be big, and this one is big by 10 acres or more. So many of the discussions I’ve heard concerning the Shoals have focused on creating offerings popular with both tourists and residents. I’ve seen such places around the world and know there is nothing

the Lindsey Film Festival. She studies television and film, would rather be given action figures than diamonds, and believes “what ifs” are only the starting lines of possibilities.

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THE WATERFRONT (CONTINUED)

that Berlin or Monterey or Copenhagen or Vancouver can do that the Shoals can’t. Come to think of it, none of those cities has catfish or Swampers!

WHY NOT DEVELOP THE RIVERFRONT? (JIM FISHER) THAT’S IT. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY DREAM. HAVE A NICE DAY.

Ok, that’s not quite all. The Shoals is sitting right on top of a goldmine called the Tennessee River. On the Florence side, we already have a dirt road carved between O’Neal Bridge and Wilson Dam/Marriott. I’ve walked it many times. There is even the beginnings of what appears to be an amphitheater on a hillside at about the midway point. I have a vision of a brick roadway lined with a boardwalk. Above the boardwalk are shops and restaurants. Above the shops and restaurants are a tightly restricted mix of businesses, condominiums, and private residences. I foresee a trolley and water taxis traveling back and forth from Florence Harbor all the way to the Marriott. I foresee tourists on Segways, scooting to and fro and drinking in all that we have to offer. This is not a pipe dream. It’s not like it hasn’t been done. Think of San Antonio, Texas; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Charleston, South Carolina; Venice, Italy. Yes, Venice Italy. This is my pipe dream so I get to dream it.

SEE YOU AT THE RIVERFRONT PAVILION (CONNIE THWAITE) A related vision is linking the Old Railroad Bridge to Patton Island. The bridge currently ends about five feet from the island so it shouldn’t be too hard. How incredibly cool would it be to develop that little island into something special? It could simply be a park, but it could also be so much more. Think of Mud Island River Park in Memphis. This is where we will hold international barbeque festivals and various offering from our local breweries. Oh, and my last vision is a local brewery. We do not have one, and we need one. I have a vision of walking down the Renaissance Boardwalk, crossing a footbridge over to Patton Park whilst sipping some authentic Pope’s Tavern Ale made from the same recipe that was used when Pope’s Tavern was actually a tavern. Oh, and we need to make it legal for adults to responsibly enjoy an adult beverage on our city streets and boardwalks. Get on that, will ya? Why not?

JIM FISHER is the owner of Excel Computers, married to Tammy, father to Ben, Connor, and Stella the dog, and a lover of ﬁne beer and wine.

Shop Local WE’VE HEARD IT SO MANY TIMES, IT’S LIKE A MANTRA . And for good reason. The money we spend in local stores enriches the Shoals economy. Local stores provide jobs, generate sales tax, and encourage community investment. Patronizing local shops and restaurants is also a rewarding social experience. For instance, when I visit my favorite coffee shop, it’s not all about the great pastries—although I swear the banana nut muffin is addictive. I like that the owner greets me by name and stops to chat while my skinny cappuccino is whipped up. Then there’s the local clothing shop where the owner knows my taste and points me in the direction of merchandise that she promises I’ll love. And she’s usually right. At the local fruit and vegetable market where I go for seasonal berries, tomatoes, and corn, it’s not unusual to run into friends. And at the family-owned hardware store I frequent, I can count on an employee to take extra time mixing up a gallon of paint to match a little square of fabric I’ve brought with me. That just doesn’t happen at a Big Box store. Riverfront Pavilion and Market What if there were a way to boost local commerce, enhance the social nature of shopping and even sponsor special events

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that would encourage tourism? And what if we did all this by taking advantage of our most treasured natural resource—the Tennessee River? I envision a Riverfront Pavilion and Market built on a large pier jutting out over the river. With two stories, the Pavilion is large enough to accommodate a variety of restaurants with tables and chairs spilling outdoors in fine weather. Can you picture yourself with friends gathered around a table at dusk, sipping wine and dining on fresh, locally caught seafood? The Pavilion also features boutique shops with merchandise such as clothing, books, gifts, and home furnishings. There is also a spacious gallery where you can browse while watching Shoals artists demonstrate their work in a variety of media, including painting, pottery, glass, jewelry, wood carving, and fabric art. Finally, the centerpiece of the Pavilion is a bustling, spacious market with booths and kiosks offering fresh produce, meat, seafood, deli sandwiches, and salads, gourmet food items, baked goods, and flowers. On a Saturday morning, the market will be abuzz with customers sipping coffee, greeting friends, and filling their shopping bags with ingredients for a special dinner. Special Events Riverfront Pavilion also draws visitors from outside the Shoals for a year-round calendar of special events. A shoreline ampitheater accommodates open air theater and musical concerts. There are sailboat races, fishing tournaCONNIE ments, and craft fairs. On THWAITE is a Independence Day, fireworks burst Communications in the sky and reflect on the water. Consultant with During the holidays, the Pavilion IFDC. She has more than 25 sparkles with a thousand lights and years of experiechoes with the songs of the season. ence writing for And throughout the year, a large lifestyle and busimulti-purpose room hosts communess publications. nity meetings, banquets, lectures, She is Vice President, Programs and book signings. Why not? A spot to meet and greet friends. A local shopping and dining experience. All in one scenic location surrounded by the ever-flowing river.

and a Voluntary Board Member of the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts and Publicity Chair for the arts organization aMuse.

Why not?

fresh from facebook…

“I would love to see a nice local breakfast joint. Serves good coffee and good food!” —Sarah Gwin Gillis

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THE (IRRELEVANT) SOUTH THE BURDEN OF HISTORY IN THE REMAKING OF A CENTURIES-OLD IMAGE

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ESSAY BY MICHELLE RUPE EUBANKS » ILLUSTRATION BY SHAWN WALLACE

I HAVE FRANK DEFORD TO THANK FOR THIS. It was television and radio sports commentator DeFord’s weekly report on NPR that I was listening to one early fall morning on my commute into the office. My interest was piqued, naturally, when the topic at hand had to do with the SEC. For us Southern types, that’s not the Securities Exchange Commission; it’s the Southeastern Conference. That’s right. Football, and lots of it, please. In his commentary, DeFord spoke of a book, “Better Off Without ‘Em,” (the subtitle of which is “A Northern Manifesto for Southern Secession”) that decries the South’s claim to football fame and the SEC’s chokehold on national championships, particularly the titles that have been awarded to gridiron powerhouses from Alabama, Louisiana State University, and the University of Florida. And, just so we can set the record straight at the outset, my allegiance is to none of these teams. Our preferences tend toward the orange and blue of Auburn University. Naturally, you can understand how, as an Auburn fan, I would love to see some dirt on the Crimson Tide. But I, in no way, wanted to see that dish of humble pie served unfairly, much less by someone uneducated about what it means to live and work in the South. The author, one Chuck Thompson, from the great state of Oregon, which, if you follow the game at all, you know has a pretty good football team itself, had some nerve, in my opinion. He railed the South from top to bottom in “Better Off Without ‘Em,” blaming the region for everything from the nation’s obesity rate to the economically depressed Rust Belt.

For instance, the author dedicates an entire chapter to the South’s education funding, or lack thereof. He purports that not properly funding our schools, from K-12 to universities offering post doctoral degrees, will, eventually and inevitably, cause the entire state, region, and nation fail. That’s right. Fail. How is that, you ask? This is how the system works in Alabama: When the sales tax revenues collected during a given year fall short, which is exactly what’s happened since 2007 and the start of the Great Recession, the money dedicated to schools decreases. This means teachers don’t get merit raises, technology stagnates, and extracurricular activities are cut. This is at the K-12 level. For colleges and universities, the stakes are even higher. In addition to programming cuts, institutions of higher learning must raise tuition. That means students must make some difficult choices: Borrow money to attend school, hoping they land a job upon graduation to repay those loans; ask parents to pay tuition and burden them with additional debt; or, perhaps most difficult of all, not attend a college or university at all because they can’t afford it. There’s a way to fix all this, and, yes, it involves raising property taxes, which no one wants to hear, vote for, or support, but it’s no coincidence that the states that have a different system of tax collection to support education don’t share these same challenges to an educated population.

And, in the end, he wanted us gone, swiped from the face of the United States of America without so much as a look back at the Dixie flags waving in the breeze.

Again, I ask: Why has finding a way to fund, adequately and sustainably, our future workforce not been a priority? Avoiding the issue is tacitly approving of it, so why not make an effort to improve the situation, even if it means digging a little more deeply into our pockets? Aren’t our children worth it, after all?

But why? How had we given the author enough fodder not only to write a book about the South’s failings, but the same book could then serve as a manifesto for the South’s secession? And, for that matter, why is that okay with us?

Politically speaking, we’ve not been kind to ourselves, either. In fact, during the most recent election cycle that wrapped in November, the South had the least visits by presidential candidates than any other region in the country.

I posit that it’s not okay. Why not strive for a South that is not defined by its past, a South that can and does seek for the best for its residents, a South that innovates, creates, and develops the best the nation has to offer? Of course, I had to read “Better Off Without ‘Em.” After all, this chucklehead thinks he knows the South. Ha!

That tells me our Electoral College votes are all but a foregone conclusion. I believe we can do better as a state and as a region; we have the opportunity to make ourselves more politically relevant by listening to candidates, hosting debates, seeking opinions, and charting our own course, rather than have that course charted for us by individuals who have stereotyped us as faithful to one party over another.

But, as I read, (and oh, how I wanted Mr. Thompson to be wrong), some of the things he had to say were, dare I admit it, kind of, maybe, just a little bit true.

Issue after issue reveals that the South has allowed itself to take the shape of what others, including “Better Off Without ‘Em” author Chuck Thompson, think we should be, yet our history

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THE IRRELEVANT SOUTH (CONTINUED)

is replete with those who have or are influencing the nation and the world. He overlooks the contributions of George Washington Carver and his breakthrough research on the peanut; nowhere does Thompson mention Tuscumbia native and First Lady of Courage Helen Keller; and perhaps the author just forgot that the head of the most powerful private company in the free world, Apple, is run by Alabama native and Auburn grad Tim Cook. Instead, we seem okay with being defined by the likes of reality TV personality Honey Boo Boo and her family. Believe me when I say how much I love being a Southerner. I love the food, the cornbread and greens, the chocolate gravy, and hot biscuits. Are you hungry yet? I am. I love the climate—most of the time. (August is a pretty tough month to love living in Alabama.) I love the proximity to beaches and our own brand of courtesy and manners toward others. I enjoy the slower pace of life, the lack of traffic and congestion, and knowing my neighbors. And, yes, I enjoy the football. These are all things that make this part of the country a special place. Why not celebrate our history without allowing it to define us? Why not get creative with how we cook so that we keep the flavor but lose some of the fat and cholesterol? Why not engage in critical thinking and thoughtful debates about our beliefs without having to turn to violence for resolution?

MICHELLE RUPE EUBANKS lives in Florence with her husband, Jeff, two daughters, Maeve and Ally, and pup, Olive. She feels uncomfortable speaking about herself in the third-person, so, “in order to keep it entertaining, I’ll answer Maya Angelou’s perennial questions: How I handle a rainy day? I read and knit. How I handle lost luggage? So far, so good. How I handle tangled Christmas lights? Buy a pre-lit tree.”

Why not?

fresh from facebook…

“We definitely need to see some food trucks. If they cruised around Industrial Park, the downtown areas, as well as populated business areas where people need a quick lunch, they would really make some money. With Twitter and Facebook, it would be easy to track where they would be and when…. It would also be nice to have a local micro-brewery!” —Laura Senecal

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ESSAY BY CLAIRE STEWART

WHY NOT MAKE THE SHOALS A BETTER PLACE FOR SINGLES? IN 2011, FLORENCE MADE IT ONTO Huffington Post’s list of “11 Great American Small Towns.” In that same year, Garden and Gun Magazine named Florence the “Best Arts and Design Town in the South.” We were ecstatic! Then, fresh off our high of national recognition, in February of 2012, Kiplinger Magazine put Florence in its list of the “10 Worst Cities for Singles”….Ouch.

So why don’t we? We have one of the best assets for attracting singles a town could ask for—a college. And college towns like Iowa City, Durham, Bloomington, and Ann Arbor have been making it on Top 10 lists for years for their large single populations. The real question here may be “Why aren’t they staying?” UNA graduates, I know the thoughts you are having as you walk across the stage in Flowers Hall—“I need to go to a big town and start over,” “I will never meet anyone interesting stuck in Florence, Alabama,” “My only job opportunities are in big cities.” Well, I am here to tell you otherwise. In regards to jobs, a recent article by the Birmingham News reports that Florence is the best place in the state to find jobs, and the Shoals area has done the best in rebuilding jobs since the recession. So why not stay? There are amazing things happening in the Shoals right now. Musicians, entrepreneurs, artists, and educators are getting things going, and this is one of the worst times to move out of this city—it is time to dive in! Now that you have graduated,

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The only way to fall in love with the Shoals in this new part of your life is to make it completely different from your college life. This is a time for rediscovery, and I am sure there is a lot for you to find in the Shoals with your nose now out of those books. Long-time Shoals residents, now that our young people are motivated and inspired, we have to help them. Even with the numbers needed for a thriving young adult populace, we need to plan events especially for them. My single friends who have moved to bigger cities like Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and even Birmingham seem to have fun events to go to every week in their new town. They go to trivia nights on Tuesdays, speed dating events on Thursdays, and singles mixers held by local bars on the weekend. The idea of consistency is the most important aspect. Long-standing events that people know they can go to every week are the events that will attract large crowds. © BUKHAVETS MIKHAIL

Shoals residents either laughed at the report with a nod of recognition, scoffed at these statistics while showing the article to their significant other, or went home to pack their bags. Regardless of your reaction, Kiplinger’s ranking should stir something in us and make us recognize a problem. Young adults in the Shoals are the movers and shakers in this town. They are starting businesses, leading our next generation of residents, and bringing new ideas to the table for our growth. Shouldn’t we cater to them? Wouldn’t they be the perfect group to direct our energies to, with mixers, focus groups and planning efforts?

make a point to go to events other than fraternity parties and half-price Margarita Night at Fiesta. Go to the weekly shows at Pegasus Records, attend spoken word events at The End, or go hiking on the TVA trails. Move out of your college living space and find some other graduates who are very different from yourself. Young professionals’ groups like the 41/20 Club have monthly get-togethers for this very reason—to connect and improve the young people’s population in the Shoals.

When trying to get a thriving, young, post-college population, it might be the right time to implement another nightlife venue in the Shoals. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the bars in Florence, but when the bartender knows your order from your last three years in college, you may want a change of scenery as an adult. Many of my friends have commented that a 21 and up bar would be the best thing for their awkward transition out of college life and into the working, adult world. Being able to get into a new environment and seeing the young professional crowd in the Shoals would make anyone want to stay here.

CLAIRE STEWART is a recent graduate of UNA and our Features Manager here at No’Ala.

We have everything we need to make this city a great place for singles. We can be a flourishing young city. We can make college grads want to stay here after graduation. And we can accommodate the age group that will further the progress of our community. So, why not?

For rehab, assisted living or long-term care, we never forget we’re caring for someone you love... If you or a loved one needs help, Glenwood understands. You want to entrust the care of your loved one to a compassionate and caring place, and we never forget that. We offer rehab services after surgery or illness, assisted living for those who need a little looking after but can still live independently, and long-term care, for those who need roundthe-clock attention. We are dedicated to quality, and we work to earn our great reputation every day. Most of all, we never forget that we are caring for someone you love!

Rehab • Assisted Living • Long-Term Care ____________________________________ 211 Ana Drive, Florence, AL 35630 • 256-766-8963 www.glenwoodhc.com

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WHY NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ANIMALS?

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ESSAYS BY BARBARA JANE ELLIS -KEMP & TERRI WHALEN » ILLUSTRATION BY CHELSEA HOLEMAN

WHY NOT SAVE THE ANIMALS? (BARBARA JANE ELLIS-KEMP) DOGS HAVE BEEN MAN’S BEST FRIEND FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL , and now they provide even more than just friendship. Their duties span from companionship to tumor identification, from combat duty to guiding the blind and much, much more. Cats also provide a unique combination of camaraderie, self reliance, and affection. Despite what they do for us approximately five to seven million of these animals enter animal shelters, nationwide, every year, and approximately three to four million are euthanized. It is estimated that 60% of all dogs that enter a shelter and 70% of all cats are put to death. The Florence Lauderdale Animal Shelter has an annual intake of approximately 5,100 animals per year, which constitutes 14 animals a day! The existing shelter has 30 dog stalls, four puppy pens, a kitten room with 15 cages, and a cat habitat room which can accommodate 10 cats. The number of intakes every day far exceeds our capability to handle them. That creates an ongoing and desperate situation. Previously this problem was “solved” by euthanizing the vast majority of animals that arrived at the shelter. In this day and age, this approach is totally unacceptable. Instead, a valiant group of volunteers called HASRA (Heart of Alabama: Save. Rescue. Adopt.) has been endlessly and selflessly working to try and save as many animals as possible and find good forever homes for these pets. They have had significant success, but, by doing so, they have BARBARA focused awareness on the crumELLISKEMP was born in Lonbling, inadequate facilities of don, England and our 40-year-old animal shelter. worked for 25 years in the medical profession both in England and the Middle East. After meeting a U.S. Naval Officer at the American Embassy in Saudi Arabia they married and “retired” to a farm in Alabama where she started a second career as an animal advocate volunteer for the Florence Animal Shelter and HASRA (Heart of Alabama Save Rescue Adopt).

So WHY NOT build a new animal shelter which could be an example to many other shelters across the country as a No Kill Shelter, providing humane treatment of all animals who arrive at the door? This new building would demonstrate our compassion and our understanding for those creatures who, simply put, are “man’s best friend.” Many of the animals who arrive at our shelter are abused, neglected or unwanted. But after proper care and treatment these same animals give back so much love and affection to the families in our community. WHY NOT have a new

shelter which could focus on education and training, veterinary care and spay neuter assistance and simply be a humane environment for them until they are adopted, rescued, fostered, or reclaimed? Educating the young in the humane treatment of animals has many beneficial aspects, not least of which leads to less bullying and abuse of each other and animals. Teaching people and animals how to co-exist comfortably means fewer animals relinquished and abandoned. Educating people about the importance of the basics of care for animals leads to less pain and suffering. Spaying and neutering animals prevents indiscriminate breeding which can compound genetic weaknesses and consequently cause tremendous suffering. WHY NOT make our shelter the shining example of how a community can make the difference between life and death, suffering and compassion, companion or conflict, education or ignorance? Our community has much to benefit from such a worthwhile project. Statistics from the Humane Society of America state that 62% of the population of America have one or more pets. With a population of 93,000 in Lauderdale County, this means that at least 58,000 county residents have pets. With so many people directly affected there are at least 58,000 reasons why we SHOULD have a modern shelter for our community and reap the benefits of kindness and compassion.

WHY NOT TREAT OUR ANIMALS BETTER? (TERRI WHALEN) MY DAUGHTER AND I OFTEN PLAY A GAME THAT SHE HAS ENTITLED “THE MAGIC GAME.” The purpose is to use your imagination to create a picture, image or scenario that would be “magical.” Many times, the ideas expressed are simply amusing…such as, “what if all trees were really made of cotton candy and licorice sticks?” Or, “what if we make things appear just by thinking of them?” What I would really like would take much more than just thinking about, but it is no less possible. What if the Shoals were nationally recognized as a safe haven for all companion animals? What if ALL people valued the life, dignity and welfare of ALL animals, no matter what size, shape, temperament, species, breed, age or gender? Can you imagine human beings caring for domesticated animals solely with compassion and empathy for their health and well-being? Can you imagine people taking the responsibility of caring for pets as seriously as they take job security or attending church? Could we really become a community that is notable for how we define acceptable care and treatment of companion animals? Yes. It would take cooperation, concern, and perhaps a re-ordering of some of our priorities. But when one thinks of all of the issues, concerns, causes, and campaigns we donate to and promote, does anything compare to the only other entity on this planet that breathes, has feelings, can experience pain,

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WHY NOT TREAT OUR ANIMALS BETTER? (CONTINUED)

relates to humans, and can develop an attachment to his/her caregivers? Has your pet ever greeted you at the door? Snubbed you after being gone for an extra-long time? Spited you for not paying attention when they wanted to play? Why do cats and dogs, perhaps even smaller and larger animals (and even reptiles) want our attention? Why do they cry when we leave and bound toward us with joy and excitement when we return? Because they FEEL. They know pain, loneliness, sadness, joy, security, fear, isolation, hunger, thirst, cold, heat…they cannot use the English language to communicate, but they do tell us in many other ways how they feel. What would be the first step? Understanding that animals have feelings. They have souls. They deserve to be treated with kindness, respect, dignity for their health and well-being.

Can you imagine no more dogs tied outside with inadequate housing, and inconsistent food and water supply…victims of passive neglect, which our laws are inadequate to address? Do you not think that they suffer? Do you not think they feel pain and loneliness? Dogs are social creatures who are created to thrive in the company of other dogs or humans. Do you think they are happy living in a yard, tethered to a tree or post, without love and warmth, without the assurance that they are valued as a living creature? Can you imagine a shelter that is state of the art, with multiple indoor/outdoor runs, mandated cleaning protocols, a surgery suite to perform on-site sterilization? What if we were so successful in minimizing the numbers of unwanted pets that the Shoals was actually able to take in shelter animals from other states in the South? There are numerous rescue groups and shelters in the North that want our puppies and dogs for adoption in their regions. What if the laws of Alabama were designed to proactively protect the animals being abused and neglected, ones that could and would be enforced by local law enforcement and animal control officials? These laws that would give the authority to actually protect the animals who have no voice or ability to help themselves. Imagine that laws existed and could be enforced to prevent deliberate and calculated forms of forced and manipulated animal fights…cock fighting, dog fighting (pit bulls, anyone?)…. Is this really sport? Or is it cruelty? Michael Vick’s case demonstrated it to be cruelty. Imagine if we had sufficient manpower, trained and dedicated to intervening and saving the lives of

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Imagine having no more unwanted cats and dogs that end up losing their lives because there was no one to care for them. Could we not have a mandatory spay/neuter law to prevent the thousands of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens? How about recognizing and supporting the feral cat colonies that exist because domesticated cats were abandoned and they reproduced in the wild? Would it hurt to feed them, spay/neuter them through local programs at no cost, and care for them during their short life expectancy of four years?

these animals—how much needless suffering would be ended! Imagine that companion animals were treated as family members, and received regular medical care, stayed warm and dry during inclement weather and cool and hydrated during southern summers. Imagine that our pets were not bred for sport or profit, and that they had nutritional food and life-sustaining water. Imagine that shelter was more than an overturned plastic container or the meager and moving shadow of a flimsy branch. Imagine if no animal needed to be taken to the shelter, because their value was so great that no one would willingly send them to that uncertain future. What if as a part of this system of nurturing and support for companion animals, we educated children about the proper care and treatment of animals? What if caring for an animal was symbolic of how we treat other human beings and was taught as such? Is it possible to instill in our youth that all living creatures are deserving of respect? Yes. What if we had a veterinarian co-op that provided low-cost veterinary services to low-income families…those who love their pets but perhaps have limited incomes to meet the needs of a medical emergency or serious illness? What if we had community-wide spay/neuter laws with financial assistance to any who apply? Can you imagine how many thousands of animals would not be born to a fate of unnecessary and imposed death due to overpopulation? What if the Shoals were designated no-kill communities? What if all residents, not just “animal lovers,” supported the reduction and elimination of the overpopulation of companion animals through a comprehensive spay/neuter program?

How about a “state-of-the-art” dog park—complete with walking trails, water stations, picnicking area, shade trees, and structures, safety fencing…perhaps even horse trails? What about allowing your pet to come to work with you? What about allowing ALL service animals in the schools and workplaces, utilizing the healing capacity of canine and feline companionship for our seniors and the seriously ill, who are hospitalized or in long-term care? How close are we? There have been dozens, perhaps hundreds of people working diligently to improve the plight of animals living in our communities. We have seen progress in achieving a “low-kill” rating for FLAC; a pet licensing law is being proposed for the City of Florence; there has been improving and effective cooperation among city and county officials related to a new animal shelter and animal control services. There has been a state-mandated elimination of the gas chamber in animal shelters, and there is significant progress towards developing a beautiful dog park and the restructuring of animal control services in Lauderdale County. Let the Shoals speak out as a loving, compassionate and tolerant community that embraces and values human and animal dignity, and takes seriously the value of animal life and the responsibility of humans to animal kind. We demonstrate our love and respect for one another in how we TERRI WHALEN treat those who are dependent upon is passionate about the care of anius. Let us show the world the commals, and serves as passion of the Shoals towards the President of companion animals who have no the local chapter voice of their own. of PAWS, a rescue organization that is dedicated to resI recently read the book, Heaven is cue, adoption, and for Real, the kid’s version, by Colton spay/neuter proBurpo. In it, a child tells of his expegrams. She has practiced as a rience of going to heaven and licensed clinical returning to earth. He tells of seeing social worker for pets—dogs, cats, and animals of all 20 years and has kinds in heaven. Wouldn’t it be reasbeen involved with animal rescue suring to know that our companions eﬀorts for 25 live on in peace and harmony, that years. the love and caring they knew on earth is surpassed only by the joy of being in heaven? Would we not all want to know that we “did right” by the animals we had the privilege of knowing and caring for?

fresh from facebook…

“I think the Shoals needs a dog park! We need a safer, more active, pet-friendly community! It’s not just fun and exercise for your pet—it can offer the same for you!” —Tracy Fowler

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Your BizHub Watchdog If you’re interested in controlling costs with office equipment solutions for almost any business challenge, call me. We’re the specialists, because we’re the watchdogs. —J.T. Ray

(256) 464-0010 450 Production Avenue, Madison, AL 35758

News, classical music and more 88.7 FM Muscle Shoals • 100.7 FM Huntsville www.apr.org 52 | NOALAPRESS . COM | M ARCH /A PRIL 2013

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ESSAY BY ASHLEY WINKLE

Convert East Florence into something like the Cotton District in Starkville, Mississippi (www.cottondistrictms.com). When The Cotton District began, it was little more than what East Florence is now. What a great place for students, where homes could be revamped into cute cottages; UNA transportation could make the loop, students would be able to walk to UNA tailgating/football game events, commercial structures could be renovated to target a younger demographic, and all this could tie into the new outdoor amphitheater.

17 AWESOME IDEAS THAT COULD CHANGE THE SHOALS THE MORE I TRAVEL, THE MORE I FALL IN LOVE WITH OUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD. The Shoals—so rich in history, beauty, culture, and talent—is hard to compete with on any level. I am so very thankful to call it my home and to be fortunate enough to have been raised here. What fun to think of all the ways in which we can continue to grow our amazing community into an even more incredible place for our kids, college students, singles, families, and retirees alike. While we have farmers’ markets, a new “healthy” grocery store, tons of restaurant choices, a plethora of amazing local shops (more than cities MUCH larger than ours), more events/festivals/workshops than you could ever possibly attend, and great diversity of people, there are always ways to progress. Here are a few ideas (not all my unique thoughts) I think would help the Shoals by bringing in more tourism, giving residents greater selection, or just making it cooler in general. (I am a Florence resident so excuse the fact that I know the needs in this city better than the other fabulous Shoals area cities.) Build an outdoor amphitheater at East Florence’s brownfield site, creating something similar to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Pelham, Alabama, to draw large-name acts to entertain locals and bring in tourism dollars. There is easy access from the new Patton Island Corridor, and this is in a location where an “anchor” is needed.

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Pay attention to our retail/service industry needs. We need a kids’ hair salon, kids’ gym, women’s boutique shoe store, lingerie shop, young, trendy home/vintage store, and I am sure many more. But these particular ones are untapped completely. I’d love to throw in a Costco for good measure, but it isn’t as much of a need. All of our local boutiques need to stay open until at least 6:00 p.m. for the working shoppers out there. Currently all of them are opening only to the unemployed and those with very flexible jobs. Even if you didn’t open until 11:00 and then stayed open until 6:00, it would be better. But of course, as with most things, it will take time for people to adjust to the new ideas, so doing it for a few weeks to “try it out” won’t give the populace time to adjust. It must be a long-term commitment of AT LEAST six months, even if you see no increase for five months. Given time, people will embrace the change. Open up the west side of Florence. Continue with plans to connect College Street to Savannah Highway. Hopefully it will open up the west side of town for development, to make Downtown Florence the true city center again. Create a neighborhood near the Sportsplex similar to Providence in Madison, with a range of architectural styles and sizes for a variety of buyers. Also, connect Mobile and Tombigbee streets to Cedar Street, to allow better flow throughout downtown and encourage redevelopment of one of the oldest residential districts within our city. Market downtown Tuscumbia to young families for living and working. To continue to make Tuscumbia an up-andcoming area, there needs to be a concentrated effort to market its old homes to young families. As the old guard dwindles, there must be a new love for the older properties in Tuscumbia, or they will become neglected and it will negatively impact the downtown commercial area that has worked so hard to become amazing. Currently, younger families are choosing to live almost exclusively in other cities unless they grew up in Tuscumbia or Cherokee. New residents to the area must be courted to redevelop downtown Tuscumbia and make it the Franklin, Tennessee, of the Shoals area. Open an urban event venue and rural/country event venue in Florence. People are looking for a “loft” experience in Downtown Florence for their weddings and events and there is nothing available. They are also looking for a

rural/barn-like setting close to Florence for weddings and events. Both are huge needs within the event industry.

but otherwise all it would require would be the collection of a rental check at the beginning of each month.

Swap a nursing home with ECM East and make a donation to UNA. This one is a bit far-fetched and very complicated, but I could see it having long-lasting benefits for many Shoals residents. As ECM prepares for a move to a brand-new facility near East Florence, I can only imagine they will not need the ECM East facility they currently have (on Cloyd Boulevard), as it will all be incorporated onto one campus. I propose they could coordinate with Mitchell-Hollingsworth nursing home to “trade” their properties. It would benefit the nursing home, because they would back up to Deibert Park, so residents who were able could take strolls through the park; I think this location would also give them more space to expand their services. ECM could then take the old Mitchell-Hollingsworth building and donate it and the land around it to UNA as a tax write-off; that property could be used for a new state of the art stadium just for UNA. Braly could then be solely for the use of the city schools. It would also allow UNA tailgating to be done on campus, which would be ideal.

Renovate the parking deck in Downtown Florence. It wouldn’t take a lot to make a HUGE difference here. New lights that aren’t that eerie yellow at night would make it more evening friendly. New landscaping around the exterior would make it more welcoming. Fix broken doors and windows so all access points are available. Keep elevators in working order and replace if needed. Put up better signage or allow anyone to park on the lowest level instead of only pass holders, and have a debit card swipe machine on the lowest level to allow anyone to pay and exit. Also, create signage around downtown to point people to the public parking areas throughout downtown.

Add a PGM program at UNA. There are very few Pro Golf Management degrees in this country, and I think the addition to UNA’s curriculum would be a wonderful addition to the Shoals, with our many outstanding golf courses. UNA could coordinate with the City of Florence to do a “long-term rental” of McFarland Park’s golf course, where students could learn turf management, golf cart fleet management, etc. Let’s Eat! We need a nouveau Southern cuisine restaurant with live jazz/blues, a pizza by the slice restaurant, and more ethnic food. All of our local restaurants need to explore more in-depth the use of Farm to Table practices similar to the movement in Asheville, North Carolina, and use more “homemade” items instead of using things straight from wholesalers with little change. Also, more restaurants need to have outdoor seating. The city needs to create design guidelines for this to create consistency and to uphold the quality of the area in which the restaurant resides. There also needs to be more places for lunch and dinner on Wilson Lake available to the public via boat and vehicle access. (The old “Upper Deck” building and “Marina Mar” buildings would be perfect locations for these.) Rethink buildings. I would love to see service businesses in Downtown Florence (lawyers, ad agencies, financial service businesses, etc.) create small retail shops at the front of their buildings. So many people want to open something small and don’t need the 3,000-5,000 square feet that so many buildings in downtown contain. If they could have 800 square feet at a reasonable rate, it would allow many more small businesses to open. The service industry buildings could create a hall within the front door so that the spaces could be locked separately,

Show movies at the Shoals Theatre, and program more cultural events there in general. All of the cities need to incorporate more sidewalks/bike lanes to encourage a healthy and green lifestyle to their residents. Expand the “beach” at McFarland Park to allow for more public use in the summertime. Give residents an incentive to recycle (i.e., a percentage off your power bill, no garbage fee, etc.) Combine city/county government in Florence/Lauderdale County, similar to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville/Davidson County (www.library.nashville.org). WIFI the Shoals There are so many more ideas that have been discussed and many others that haven’t even been thought of yet, all of which can continue to make this place great. These are the 17 that speak loudest to my heart, and I can see doing the greatest good. I hope these ideas have spurred you on to want to be involved in your community and have given you a fresh love for it. I can’t wait to see what the next 10, 15, even 20 years brings to the Shoals. It is sure to be no less than amazing, especially if, in this time of economic downturn and whole cities being blighted, we have actually grown and progressed!

ASHLEY WINKLE’s passion for the Shoals was instilled in her by her mother at a young age and she was fortunate enough to make that passion her work when she was hired as the Florence Main Street Director from 2007-2010. Now as a mother of two and a small business owner, she hopes to continue to teach that pride of place to her own boys and continue to make the Shoals an incredible place to call home.

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REVITALIZE SWEETWATER

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ESSAY BY CHRIS HEATON » ILLUSTRATION BY M AGGIE CRISLER

WHY NOT DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE AND MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY, TOO? Why not designate the Sweetwater area as an arts and entertainment district, and make a commitment to complete the lovely proposed streetscape that would infuse a fresh new energy into East Florence? In this age cluttered with text messaging and multitasking, people are drawn to the quiet stability of history-rich places and reminders of a gentler time. Perhaps that is why so many people love the Sweetwater area. Shoals natives often have pleasant memories that inspire their affection for East Florence. But those who are new to the Shoals love Sweetwater, too. There is just something special about the place. RegionalCare Hospital Partners believes in our area’s potential enough to invest $250 million in a new hospital. Shouldn’t we match their optimism by investing less than one percent of that amount in neighboring Sweetwater as well? Imagine traveling north across the Singing River Bridge and being welcomed to Florence by a shining new state-of-the-art hospital to the right and a vibrant entertainment district to the left. Picture quaint shops, inviting restaurants, and—poised on the hill to capture a view of the river—stylish condos. Picture a place where hospital workers might drop in for lunch, a place with spirited charm that spurs new businesses and provides an upbeat setting for locals and out-of-town visitors alike. And the picture you have just imagined gets even better when the positive economic impact is factored in. Investments in entertainment districts have a good return on the dollar. The financial lift of such areas is well-documented (http://tinyurl.com/as67j9k). Not only do they create jobs and generate tax revenue, but they emanate a magnetic energy that attracts even businesses with no relation to entertainment. People are drawn to the lively atmosphere, and the cheerful blend of commerce and entertainment continues to grow. Good things build on good things. It just takes a start to get it all going. Think about it. Not only would an entertainment district improve the quality of life for local residents, but it would entice new businesses, new jobs, and a healthy supply of tourist dollars. For its size, the Shoals has an impressive number of reasons for a tourist to visit, and adding a festive entertainment district would seal the deal. Blessed with a royal musical pedigree—from Handy to Muscle Shoals Sound—it makes sense to celebrate our heritage with an entertainment district. And for those who think such a spot might

CHRIS HEATON and her husband are renovating the Historic Sweetwater Depot, and they are enthusiastic participants in Sweetwater Project, a citizen group supporting the proposed arts and entertainment district designation and street scape for the area. www.SweetwaterProject.com

compete with other local attractions, the reality is just the opposite. The combined offerings would make an even stronger argument for planning a visit here. It is up to us—both residents and city officials—to be good stewards of our area. Sweetwater is a treasure which deserves our care. With the scenic gateway created by the Patton Island corridor and the bright promise of a new regional hospital, Sweetwater is suddenly positioned at the doorstep of our future. Let’s grab the goodness that is right in front of us. Let’s designate Sweetwater as an arts and entertainment district, and give it a beautiful streetscape with leafy trees, brick sidewalks, and a grand fountain. Let’s make it happen!

MORE ABOUT SWEETWATER Why not convert the intersection of Royal Avenue and Huntsville Road into a roundabout, and put a beautiful fountain at the center? Why not place brick pillars at the corner of Huntsville Road and Helton Drive to designate the historic buildings behind the pillars as the Sweetwater District? When newcomers to town come across the Singing River Bridge, and they sit at the traffic light there, we want them to know that this area of commerce is not Downtown Florence, but instead an area that deserves its own identity. Think in terms of the Virginia Highlands area of Atlanta, the Twickenham District of Huntsville, or the Mountainbrook area of Birmingham. Why not build a hotel on the site where the Foundry of the Shoals once stood? The new hospital will create a need for more hotel rooms, and our Marriott stays booked. (If the Marriott is afraid of the competition, make the new one a Marriott, too!) Hotels bring in people who need places to eat and shop—which brings even more opportunity for those who might want to locate restaurants and shops in the Sweetwater area. Why not ask the new hotel to include a space where live entertainment can happen? This will be the entertainment district, after all. Why not build luxury high-rise condos on the hill behind the commercial district in East Florence? Medical personnel will appreciate the convenience to the new hospital, as will others who might like a condo with a view of the river. Why not convert one of the gas stations in East Florence to an old-time full-service station, where people pump your gas, wash your windshield, and check the pressure in your tires? Why not build a brew pub in East Florence?

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ESSAY BY M ACK CORNWELL

Japanese University Meal Project, a club who strives to share Japanese culture with the community through food, was the first campus organization I joined. At the time, I was the only domestic student at a meeting and the other members were surprised to see me there. My story of meeting some guys that I share hobbies and interests with and becoming friends is not uncommon. Yet without my parents’ appreciation and understanding of the long-term effects of our cultural exchange with Tom, I may not have appreciated the world as being any bigger than my own home town.

I have been blessed to have had the ability to travel and live all over the world by the age of 22. I do not take my parents’ viewpoint, that encouraged and equipped me to become a world citizen, for granted. I also appreciate the opportunities UNA has afforded me in expanding my world view. Honestly, I did not need to spend my summers working in orphanages in Eastern Europe or to travel to South America with Dr. Infanger to experience the benefits of getting to know someone from a different culture. I live in an extremely diverse place. UNA hosts nearly 400 international students and has one of the highest percentages of international students of other schools our size. People travel from over 40 countries in the world to study in Florence, Alabama

MY PARENTS SURPRISED ME WITH A PHONE CALL WHILE I WAS WORKING AT A SUMMER CAMP: “We have decided to host an international student in our home for a year!” Their excitement was not met by mine. My first selfish reaction to this news was that I was going to have to drive a kid from Poland to school every day, awkwardly introduce him to my friends, and watch as all the girls at my school drooled over his accent. That is exactly what happened.

An international student pays at least $18,000 in tuition and fees a year to attend UNA, roughly twice what the average domestic student pays. These students buy cars, rent apartments, and shop in our community to help boost our local economy. Up to half of the internationals students come here with limited language skills and are required to attend an intensive language curriculum that prepares them for the rigors of a UNA education. Families save for a lifetime to send their student to UNA, even just for a semester. These students didn’t come to America because it was easy and so they could party. International students pack their bags and leave home for years so they can learn and grow from us.

WHY NOT BE A FRIEND TO AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?

Consequently, I was exposed to Tom, a young man who traded a comfortable home life and education to move in with a family he had never met, live in a small town (nothing like what is on MTV), and attend a southern Christian high school, all in the name of becoming a world citizen. After I got over the immense complication Tom’s presence gave to my very selfimportant, 17-year-old social life, I came to understand that I was living with a young man who appreciated what I now feel is the best thing one can have: an appreciation that our world is smaller than we think. A few years later, I moved to Florence to attend UNA—from the other side of the country, with zero contacts, and not a single friend. I struggled, like many freshmen, knowing where to start. I took a lonely walk to the university tennis courts and was greeted by three students. After I was embarrassed on the court, these young men invited me to attend their club. The

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Last night I played a very emotional game of one-on-one basketball with one of my best friends, Yoshihiro Sato. Yoshi reminds me of the value of making friends with international students. Yoshi is graduating this semester and accepted a job in Japan that he says he got because of his investment in his future to study at UNA. Yoshi is a star student at UNA. He has been the president of student organizations, a leader on campus, and is one of the most popular faces on campus. His smile is inviting and he will not hesitate to meet a new friend. Yoshi was my first friend in Florence three years ago, and went out of his way to welcome me here with a game of tennis. I appreciate him for that today, and do everything I can to now welcome new international students into the Shoals community that I now call home. Sadly, Florence is not always the most welcoming place for these students. I have been in the presence of racist and igno-

rant remarks from my peers and even local business owners. My first day in Florence, four years ago while touring the campus, I walked into a local shop and asked the clerk what Florence and the university was like. She said it was great, but we have a lot of people from other countries. I continued to pry and ask her what she meant: “only that they are not like us,” she said. I was saddened by the response and think about myself and how scared I was when I was here alone. I do look like “everyone else;” I wondered how a new student from Nepal feels when he stumbles out of a taxi after a 16 hour plane ride at the door to the university dormitory. I am writing this to the other people who love this community and who are proud to share its gifts with the world. We are so fortunate that we can learn about other cultures without having to leave our own community. The University of North Alabama Office of International Affairs has a great program called Friends of International Students. This program pairs local families with UNA international students and they are encouraged to meet at least once or twice a semester. The purpose of the program is to promote cultural understanding and show the international students what our families look like here in the Shoals. Without this program, some international students never have the opportunity to experience a family outing or traditional American home-cooked meal. Often those who participate in the program say they gained a new member of the family. Also, all domestic UNA students are encouraged to participate in the Language Partner program (LP). LP matches students with similar interests, and they meet twice a month to just sit and have lunch or coffee and talk. LP isn’t a homework study session, but a way for students to get know a peer who might be born in another country but can learn that they might not be that different. Why not get to know an international student? Why not appreciate someone who moved here to know and learn from you? If you are a family who can see how special it could be to welcome a student from another country into your home for dinner or game night, please email the Friends of International Student Coordinator, Evelyn Roberson at ebroberson@una.edu. If you have any question about the language partner program or my experience please email me at mcornwell@una.edu. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn from an international student. Why not?

MACK CORNWELL is a student at UNA studying marketing and communication, where he works in the office of International Affairs. He is a strong advocate of the Shoals and is proud to now call it home. When Mack was 14 he asked for a lawn mower over a gocart and still loves to work in his yard.

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ESSAY BY SARAH GAEDE

per year to house each inmate. Judge Self knows that treating addicts in this punitive manner does not work. Putting drug addicts in prison only makes them better addicts. Addiction is an illness that leads to criminal acts, not a crime in itself. Self describes drug-related crime as intentional misconduct coupled with a neurochemical disorder, fueled by cultural, economic, and environmental influences. He believes the primary emphasis should be on breaking the cycle of addiction and crime when it is still possible, rather than immediately incarcerating the offender.

WHY NOT GIVE SOMEONE A SECOND CHANCE? IN THE MIDST OF WHAT HE CALLS A PARADE OF MISERY AND TRAGEDY, Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Gil Self knows where he can find a ray of hope—the quarterly Drug Court graduation ceremony. It is something he is passionate about, because he knows it works, and he knows it is the right thing to do, both on the purely practical and the ethical level. Drug Court saves money, and it saves lives. Drug Court was brought to Lauderdale County about 10 years ago by Judges Deborah Bell Paseur and Mike Jones. The 12member, all-volunteer staff includes the District Attorney’s office, a criminal defense attorney, and a member of the Florence Police Department. Riverbend, Bradford Rehabilitation Services, and New Beginnings agencies are also participants. After a program lasting at least a year, graduates earn an opportunity to be sober, productive citizens of our community. While the program is not coercive, it is rigorous, with regular drug tests, multiple A.A. or N.A. meetings each week, group counseling, and weekly check-ins. Participants are required to be employed (they are always looking for employers who understand their goals), pay child support, pay restitution to their victims, and do community service. Many complete their GEDs. Through Drug Court, people with addictions, no jobs, and often little education are transformed into responsible, contributing members of society who have hope for the future. Alabama prisons are at 200 percent capacity, the most crowded in the country. Eighty percent of incarcerations are for drug-related, mostly non-violent crimes. It costs $40,000

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Drug Court more than pays for itself. Though the state provides some funding for drug testing, participants pay a monthly fee. Participants also pay all court costs, and full restitution to their victims. And they pay taxes on their earnings. In Lauderdale County alone, 60 participants a year saves the state prison system $2.4 million. Graduates of the program have their charges dismissed. Most never return to court on drug-related charges, but if they do, incarceration is the next step. That, and the knowledge that someone believed in them enough to give them a second chance, are strong incentives to stay on the right side of the law. Why not support this program even more—and give people a second chance? Testimony from Phillip Nelson, graduate of Drug Court My name is Phillip Nelson. I was born March 12, 1964. My drinking started at an early age and has been progressing for some 30 years. By July 2010, my addiction had taken everything (wives, kids, and family). I got accepted into the Lauderdale County Drug Court program at the end of July 2010. I had felony drug charges pending. In the beginning, I wasn’t willing to comply. On August 18, 2010, my noncompliance landed me back in jail for 20 days. I was released from jail on September 7, 2010 and became very involved in recovery. I completed the Drug Court program and graduated on September 7, 2011. As a result of the Lauderdale County Drug Court program, I am still very involved in recovery and have been sober for over two years now. I have a relationship with my children and family now, which I never thought possible. And most importantly, I have a relationship with a higher power whom I choose to call God.

Among other things, SARAH GAEDE is an Episcopal priest with an interest in justice issues and good stewardship of the taxpayers’ money, both of which Drug Court addresses.

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ESSAYS BY SARA KACHELMAN, ARIETE BURCH, AND ALLEN TOMLINSON

“WHY NOT?” SHORTS We live in the Shoals, a small pocket of the world teeming with creative talent. Annual events like the Helen Keller Festival, the Arts Alive Festival, and the W.C. Handy Festival celebrate local art and music. With our independent theatres and the departments in our high schools and colleges, we’ve already proven our strength in drama and writing. By uniting it in an annual festival, we could attract professional and educational opportunities to the Shoals. Charlton James, assistant professor of theatre at the University of North Alabama, believes that the community would support a theatre festival if it were only given the opportunity. “I think we forget about theatre when entertainment is at our fingertips…but there is something about having a personal experience with the performer that keeps it unique,” he said.

WHY NOT START A ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL IN THE SHOALS? (SARA KACHELMAN) LONG BEFORE THE AGE OF SIT-COMS AND SMARTPHONES, society’s popular form of entertainment was heralded by men in masks, wigs, and high-heeled shoes. I am talking, of course, about the Festival of Dionysus held in ancient Greece. It is to this festival that we owe almost all of our knowledge of classical Greek theatre, because the Athenians chose to worship Dionysus, god of wine and revelry, with a playwriting competition. By collecting the winning scripts and securing their playwrights with fame, the Greeks handed civilization the blueprint for the entertainment industry. We’ve progressed a little since then. The traditional garb has been cast off, and set design has ventured far from the slopes of Mt. Parnassus; likewise, you never see anyone receive a sacrificial goat at the Golden Globes. Growth is good, but we’ve lost a few things along the way. As an audience, we’ve lost a personal interaction with the performers. Screens will never shake your hand after the show. Second, the Greeks were supporting their own citizens, not ghostwriters in Hollywood; this buoyed their pride for their home and attracted people from far and wide to the Greek drama scene.

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In the tradition of the Greeks, the playwriting would be left to the locals. We could start small. Writers of all ages could submit one-acts or ten minute plays. “With thirty-minute sit-coms and other forms of high-speed media, our attention spans can’t handle long performances anymore,” said James. “One-acts are the future.” With a run time of about thirty minutes, the oneacts could be performed in a marathon format over a weekend. After the plays are judged for entry, parts would be assigned to actors in a staged reading. The committee that would review the plays for production could include professionals from other areas; judges could be brought in from New York, Atlanta, or the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. Written critiques and connections would prove invaluable to our writers, who, after seeing their work come alive, might have the opportunity for publication and advancement to other theatres around the country. The festival could act as a launch pad for unpublished writers and students while attracting our graduates and professionals to the area. The concept of a one-act play festival is not new. In recent decades, these festivals have spread across the country, with a few flourishing right here in the South. The Actors Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky offers three playwriting festivals a year. The Northern Virginia One-Act Play SARA Festival offers a scholarship suppleKACHELMAN ment for their student applicants. is a Florence High And student one-act plays are proSchool Senior and duced in an annual festival by the will be attending University of the South Carolina Theatre Association. The Shoals has the potential to be added to that list. A one-act play festival would support our local

South in the fall for a degree in English.

theatres and theatre departments and strengthen the arts in our area. If we have learned anything from the Greeks or our own musical heritage, it is that when opportunities for creativity are established, local talent can put us on the map.

I WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE in the TimesDaily’s “You Said It” column that there are other people in our community interested in having fitness equipment available to the general public.

In Brazil during lunchtime people came from their offices to exercise for 15-30 minutes. Some equipment is placed beneath trees, to provide shade. In California some fitness clubs and parks have placed the equipment under canopies. I have approached the Florence Parks and Recreation Department with the idea but was informed that there are no funds available for the estimated $40,000 cost of the project.

Last fall while vacationing in Brazil, I visited several parks and plazas where outdoor fitness equipment for adults was installed. I found it to be a wonderful experience to exercise in the open air in a park setting, surrounded by pleasant sights and sounds. I was so impressed with the experience that I decided to bring the idea back to the Shoals. After returning to the U.S., I did an internet search and found several companies that market outdoor exercise equipment similar to what I saw in Brazil. One of the companies claims to have more than 100 installations in parks around the country.

Deibert Park would be a great location to start. I believe that many, if given the opportunity, would take advantage of the equipment to exercise in the open air. Can we as a community bring this idea to fruition? The cost of the machines varies from $650 to $2,000 per piece of equipment. I cannot donate a complete installation to the city, but will be pleased to donate one machine. How many of our citizens would like to contribute to this project? Perhaps some civic clubs in the area could help pay for installation of the equipment.

You can learn more about this concept by visiting either of the following websites: www.outdoor-fitness.com www.gfoutdoorfitness.com

Fitness doesn’t have to be a dream—it could easily become a reality. Why not?

The equipment is safe (you only use your own body weight), it is easy to use and you get a good workout in 15-20 minutes.

(ALLEN TOMLINSON)

WHY NOT MAKE OUR PARKS EXERCISE FRIENDLY? (ARIETE BURCH)

ARIETE BURCH is a native of Brazil and a retired Spanish and World History teacher. She loves travel and international cultural experiences and has visited approximately 30 countries.

WHY NOT REVITALIZE SHEFFIELD WITH STUDENTS? DOWNTOWN SHEFFIELD, WHICH STILL RETAINS ITS CHARM (even though much of it is unused) is not very far from the campus of the University of North Alabama. Think about that, for a moment: Downtown Sheffield is closer to UNA than Killen is. Downtown Sheffield is closer to UNA than the apartments on Helton Drive near Cox Creek Parkway. Downtown Sheffield is very close to UNA. Because this article is all about dreaming, take a moment right now to suspend your disbelief. Those of you who have lived here for multiple decades will argue that Downtown Sheffield, because it is “across the river,” seems like it’s light years away from UNA…but it’s not. Others, afraid for whatever reason of the narrow O’Neal Bridge, will claim that downtown Sheffield is harder to get to from UNA than Killen, but it’s not. Objectively speaking, Downtown Sheffield is practically UNA’s neighbor. It’s very close.

Here’s another reality: property in Downtown Sheffield is amazingly affordable. As our area has grown, Sheffield has found itself slightly off the beaten path, removed from the high traffic areas of the Shoals and landlocked, unable to grow. Property right downtown is much less expensive than property in the downtown of any of the other three Shoals cities. So, here’s an idea.

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UNA is growing, and we want to do everything we can do to encourage that growth. If the university continues to pursue its path toward Division I status, the student population will continue to grow. But UNA has limited dorm space, and apartments near the college are already full. Where will these new students live? Why not Downtown Sheffield? In Austin, Texas, the University of Texas (with a student population of around 50,000) sits in the middle of downtown and is surrounded by privately owned dorms. These are high-rise structures, and offer apartment living for students that includes built-in coffee shops, gyms, parking, and security. It makes the University happy—they can continue to grow without having to outlay cash or try to find space to build dorms—and it makes private investors happy as well. Parents are happy because their children live in nice, affordable apartments with security. Imagine what a private dorm in Downtown Sheffield would mean. First, you could have a seven or eight story building to accommodate a multitude of apartments, with a coffee shop, gym and bookstore on the ground floor that is also available to the public. If the apartments are nice enough—but mostly, if they are affordable—they present an alternative to aging dorms and tiny, squalid apartments that many students have to choose today. The introduction of a couple of hundred young people to Downtown Sheffield means there is a huge opportunity for restaurants, entertainment venues and shops to cater to this crowd. They need to eat—they need to spend money. I’ll bet there are some entrepreneurs who would be more than willing to accommodate! Who will work at these new retail stores? Well, there are a couple of hundred students in the dorm who might be interested in jobs to help them finance school and life in general. Do you think this might be a step towards making Downtown Sheffield a vital and alive place once again? One fact to consider at UNA is parking. UNA’s beautiful pedestrian campus can’t really handle many more cars, a problem that will face the college no matter how they decide to grow. So, for this private dorm in Sheffield, offer a shuttle service to the campus. Other colleges are doing this already—Auburn, for example, offers Tiger Transit to encourage students to leave their cars at home. This might be an opportunity for another entrepreneur, to operate the Lion Line between downtown Sheffield and UNA—or, it could be something UNA would be willing to consider, to use their already-existing fleet of buses. Perhaps the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG) could lend some assistance in putting this together? The University of North Alabama is an economic powerhouse for our area, and growth there means growth for the entire Shoals. But UNA is pretty much thought of as a Florence insti-

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tution, which is unfortunate; it’s really a northwest Alabama institution. If a private dorm were to be located in Downtown Sheffield, it helps bridge the gap between Lauderdale and Colbert counties, and helps us view UNA as a regional asset, not just a Florence asset. And an influx of young, energetic students with (mom and dad’s) money to spend could be the key to jump starting Downtown Sheffield once again. Imagine the possibilities, and the economic impact. Why not?

WHY NOT BUILD A HIGH SPEED RAIL? THIS IS A BILLION DOLLAR IDEA . That alone makes it unlikely, but we’re presenting it anyway because it contains some smaller ideas that could be implemented. And besides— other communities have high-speed rail. Why can’t we? Huntsville, Alabama, is like a different country. It’s the fastest growing municipality in the state, and since the U.S. Army Materiel Command headquarters has been relocated there, that growth isn’t going to stop anytime soon. Even during the darkest days of the recent recession, Huntsville’s growth, although slowed, didn’t stop. As Huntsville grows, and as new people move in, the city is experiencing a lot of the problems all cities have to deal with. Traffic at five o’clock is horrible. The routes between Downtown Huntsville and the Arsenal, or the arteries that lead to Madison and Decatur, are clogged and congested. If you travel from Florence to Huntsville at three in the afternoon, the commute is an hour and a half. At 5:00 p.m., it can take two hours or more. Now, contrast that with Tuscumbia. Historic shops downtown, beautiful tree-lined streets, easy access to the Tennessee River, and a lifestyle very conducive to raising a family; who in the world wouldn’t choose Tuscumbia over Madison to live? Wouldn’t it be great if there were a way to let people live in Tuscumbia but work at Redstone Arsenal, without the hours and hours of commute time required today? Tuscumbia—and the Shoals area in general—could easily become like Franklin, Tennessee, one of the more desirable outlying areas around Nashville. Franklin is the cool, artsy place to live; since the country and western singers have discovered the rolling hills of Franklin, the town has become a hot spot. Property values are sky high, and it’s very common for people to live in Franklin and commute to Nashville for work. So, how do we make that happen here? One way is high-speed rail. With a terminal and rail station in Tuscumbia, and lots and lots of parking, commuters could step on a train and travel at a hundred miles an hour to Redstone Arsenal, with stops in Decatur, at the Huntsville airport in between. Park in Tuscumbia, step on a train, open up your laptop or a copy of the morning newspaper, and a half hour later step off the train at the Arsenal. Easy!

(Having the train stop in Decatur, at the airport, and then at the Arsenal makes it a little more realistic, even though this is a pie-in-the-sky dream. There aren’t enough people living in the Shoals and commuting to the Arsenal right now to justify this expense; we need to include Decatur, for their political clout as well as their passengers. Including the airport in Huntsville on the route also makes this more feasible and strengthens boardings there, which gives us even more political leverage.) Yeah, yeah, it will cost a billion dollars. But the good news is that the rails already exist; perhaps that will reduce the expense somewhat. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame property might be a great location for parking—the building could be a terminal, perhaps? There are opportunities for entrepreneurs on the other end of the rails for Zip car rentals, taxis, and other surface transportation so commuters who don’t work on the Arsenal can still get from the station there to their final destination. So, in the absence of a billion dollars, are there still ideas here that could be adopted? The basic idea of making the Shoals area the cool place to live, even if you have to go to Huntsville to work, is valid. There are people in this country who commute farther than that every day, so our first step might be to just market our real estate to Huntsville to remind them what a great place this is to live. While we’re at it, we should market our events over there, too; if someone from Huntsville comes over for First Friday, spends the weekend at the Marriott, plays a little golf, shops, sees our museums, attends a play, or goes to a festival and generally is treated with the Southern charm we are known for, it won’t take much convincing to push them towards become tax-paying residents. High-speed rail might be an idea too expensive to actually implement. Spreading the word about this great place isn’t. Why not?

WHY NOT PUT DOWN THE CELL PHONE? ONCE UPON A TIME, A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, before the invention of cell phones, we used to gather around the radio at night and listen to The Grand Ole’ Opry… Well, not really. We’re not that old (yet)! But we are old enough to remember a time when our smart phones didn’t dominate our lives…and we think it might be a novel idea to break that technology bond and try a little something new. When I was young, the Shoals area had a reputation for hospitality. Part of it, interestingly enough, was because we were a dry county. No legal alcohol meant no fancy restaurants or chain eateries, and our grandparents and parents learned the art of entertaining at home. Legend has it that one of the reasons musicians liked recording here (besides the obvious fact that we had the most talented support system a musician could ever want) was that they could relax on the lake and be entertained in someone’s home—it was part of our charm.

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That didn’t mean we didn’t have liquor. Far from it—we also had a reputation for being the wettest dry county in the state! But since you couldn’t legally go out to dinner and have a glass of wine, we learned to put together gatherings in our homes. Now, fast forward 50 years. Not only are we no longer a dry county, we have some pretty fabulous places to take (or meet) friends for dinner. It’s a lot easier to have someone else do the cooking and the cleaning, even though it’s more expensive. And besides, we have these computers we carry around in our pockets and purses that demand our attention. There’s an entire generation now that believes that a vibrating or squealing piece of plastic in your hand trumps face-to-face communication anytime and will abandon real conversation for texting without a moment’s notice. So, here’s a revolutionary idea: let’s put down the cell phones and begin entertaining again. In our household, we’ve decided to try this for this year. We’ve done it twice so far, and it has been absolutely delightful. Both times, we gathered at our table in the cramped sunroom of our house—our formal dining room was turned into a televisiondominated den years ago—and we’ve served up stews and chilis that taste great but aren’t much trouble to prepare. Add wine and a good dessert, put away the phones, and the conversation flows like water. The memories of these evenings are already among the warmest we have. Most people, I think, are intimidated by the idea of entertaining. There are all of the usual insecurities—will my house be pretty enough? Will everyone have a good time? What will I serve them?—but the best advice we can give is to forget all of that and concentrate on putting together a great guest list. Pick six or eight people you really, really like; they don’t all have to know each other, but pick people you think would enjoy each other’s company. The rest is simply a collection of details. No one will really remember what you served or whether or not you brought out the good china (don’t bother); what they will remember is the company of wonderful people. There is absolutely nothing to be nervous about. We find that the conversations, once started, take on a life of their own; at some point during the evening, there are likely to be multiple lively conversations going on at the same time, and at other times everyone will be focused on one person’s story. We’ve been lucky, too, in that there has been a lot of laughter around our table, which is important to us, and we hope our parties provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas without judgement. Does it take work to make entertaining at home successful? Sure, but it’s worth it. Plus, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having the meal catered or prepared by the Publix deli—that’s not the most important part of the event. Order in pizza, if you’d like—that can be fun, too! (In our house, we do spend a lot of time on the desserts—we love them, and we love preparing them, but even that can be purchased somewhere else.)

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There’s only one rule, when you come to our house for dinner: leave your cell phone in your pocket or your purse. My goal is to keep you so engaged and entertained that you don’t even think about it. I’ll admit, it’s a selfish goal—I can learn so much more about you when we talk face to face than I can from your texts, tweets or Facebook posts. I really want to know your story…so come over for dinner, and let’s talk!

WHY NOT BE CAREFUL: GREEN MEANS “DON’T GO” I AM THE FATHER OF THREE NOW-GROWN CHILDREN, and one of the things I had to do, as they were growing up, was teach them how to drive. I started early, taking each of them to the cemetery in Tuscumbia as soon as they turned 15, where there are miles and miles of unpaved car paths that wind through the graves. We couldn’t go very fast, it taught the kids how to steer and accelerate and avoid hitting trees and tombstones, and my theory was that if we ran over someone in that particular place they wouldn’t really mind, as they were already dead. After spending a month or two of weekend afternoons there, it was time to venture out on to the paved roads of the Shoals, and this proved to be much more challenging. By this time they knew how to steer and keep the car in the proper lane without wandering, but the addition of other cars around us was nerve wracking for me. Not for them—they handled it all just fine, with their fast teenage reflexes—but it wasn’t what I would call a relaxing period in my life. (It reminds me of a friend, when I was growing up, who was also learning to drive. “I can’t decide which I hate worse,” she told me once, “driving with my mother or my father. My father yells at me the entire time, but I think I dread riding with Mom more. She just sits there with her eyes closed and prays.”) While all of these driving lessons were going on, my kids were also going through Driver’s Education at school, where they got even more time behind the wheel. They are all excellent drivers, now, and although I still worry about them behind the wheel— I am a father, after all—I am confident they have the experience and skills needed to handle ordinary commutes. There was one thing I taught them, though, that was in direct conflict with their Driver’s Ed teacher. In Florence, Alabama, I lectured them, a green light NEVER means “go.” It means wait a minute for all of the cars who are gunning it to get through the intersection, and then cautiously proceed. I used to wonder why we had so many accidents at intersections around Florence. From my corner office, I can look out a window and see the intersection of Poplar Street and Dr. Hicks Boulevard. About once a month, I’ll hear the familiar “boom” of one vehicle slamming into another, and I don’t even have to look up as I dial 911 to report the accident. But I travel a lot— clients and another magazine mean trips to Huntsville at least

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once a week, and Birmingham or Nashville frequently. I don’t see people in those cities running yellow lights. Why is that? Turns out, there is a reason. Cities determine how long yellow lights are supposed to be, using guidelines and calculations based on speed limits and how long (supposedly) it should take to stop at a traffic light. A minimum amount of time is two seconds; in some places, like California, it can be as long as seven seconds long. In Florence, the yellow lights appear to be on the shorter end of the scale; in Birmingham, to choose another city at random, they appear to be much longer. I’ve driven enough in Birmingham to know that when my light turns green, I am fairly safe in proceeding through the intersection. I’ve lived long enough in Florence to know that is never the case. But all cannot be blamed on the length of the yellow lights. There’s a cultural component to this, as well. In Birmingham, where commutes are long and sitting at traffic lights is just par for the course, drivers treat yellow lights with a bit of resignation, but they also treat them like stop signs. The sight of a yellow light causes them to put on the brakes. In Florence, where many of us might only have three or four lights between us and our destination, we’re unwilling to stop and wait. Instead of treating a yellow light as a sign to begin deceleration and a stop, we treat it like a challenge. We don’t put on the brakes, we put our foot firmly on the gas. Maybe there’s a little NASCAR in each of us? Perhaps it’s our Scottish heritage, where no one is going to tell US what we’re going to do, that makes us put all of the horsepower under our hood to the test? So, here’s a “why not:” Why not make the yellow lights in Florence a little longer? And then, because even an additional second or two for some will only be another challenge to try to beat, why not enforce the traffic laws concerning running a red light and make it a very, very expensive proposition? I shamefully admit that my first impulse, when the light turns yellow, is to experience that surge of power I never otherwise feel in the mile and a half commute between home and the office. (If you’re interested, the Infiniti will roar right through. The Prius, not so much.) But if you made me pay $500 for the privilege of blowing all of that carbon out the tailpipe, I’d prefer to stop, thank you very much. Will there ever come a time when I tell my children they can relax and treat a green light as a signal to go? Nope. I’ve seen people slide through lights that have been red for a good 10 seconds, because they are reading a text or typing a response on their phones. That’s a whole article in itself; let’s solve it one thing at a time. Why not? The Florence Camerata presents

Choral Masterworks Featuring Bach’s Magnificat and Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna With special guests: UNA Collegiate Singers and Masterworks Orchestra Thursday, March 7, 2013 • 7:30 p.m. • Norton Auditorium www.florencecamerata.com 68 | NOALAPRESS . COM | M ARCH /A PRIL 2013

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TEXT BY L AURA ANDERS LEE » PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD AND

ABRAHAM ROWE

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a special photo project is leaving many area families speechless with gratitude. On December 8, local photographers Abraham and Susan Rowe joined with thousands of other photographers across the world in an initiative called Help-Portrait, giving free portraits to families just in time for the holidays. Nashville-based, celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart founded Help-Portrait several years ago, and word quickly spread all over the globe— to photographers as far away as New Zealand. When Abraham and Susan found out about the project at a Las Vegas photography seminar, they were anxious to get it started in Florence. The husband-and-wife team, who recently opened a studio near their home in Seven Points, said Help-Portrait was a great way for them to christen their new location and give back to the neighborhood. “We wanted to host the event to help our neighbors,” said Abraham. “We like to do anything that’s involved in the community. I loved doing street photography in college, documenting the town and emphasizing local neighbors. Our neighborhood runs the gamut of socioeconomics. After moving here and seeing the neighborhood people, we knew we wanted to start the program.”

four-by-six, black easel frame—all on the spot. Abraham and Susan, who normally charge $150 for a portrait session, donated more than $2,500 in services. The first clients of the day were Trina Bates and her three daughters who walked from their house to the Rowe’s studio. Trina learned about the project from Abraham who went door to door introducing himself and distributing fliers. Trina was able to get a family portrait as well as individual shots of all three girls at no cost. In addition, she received a cd of images so she could get more printed on her own, which Trina planned to do and give them as Christmas presents. Her daughters Eternity, who’s in kindergarten; Layla, who’s in third grade; and Tamia, who’s in fourth grade, posed in matching Christmas dresses.

On the day of the event, Abraham and Susan captured dozens of people, from kids, college students, and young couples to single moms and grandparents, who may not have afforded portraits otherwise, helping to make Christmas a little more special. The families got a free portrait made, selected the image they liked, and received a printed copy mounted on a

Facing page and above: Abraham Rowe photographs the Bates sisters. The girls’ mom, Trina, planned to give the photos as gifts to friends and relatives at Christmas.

“I feel happy because I get to wear my dress,” Tamia said about getting her portrait made. “We’re gonna hang the picture up on our wall.” While Trina did the girls’ hair, Tamia says she wants to learn how to do her little sisters’ hair one day soon. The girls got a free lesson in photography, too. They gathered around the desk as Susan showed them how the images uploaded onto the computer from the memory card in the camera. Then, the girls anxiously watched their pictures being printed and mounted. Kodi Chandler, a UNA student, also took advantage of Help-Portrait. He was getting a picture made for his mom for Christmas. Kodi said he wouldn’t have paid to have a portrait made, but having a free option made an easy and convenient gift.

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Abraham and Susan say they are definitely participating in Help-Portrait again this year, which falls on December 7. “It was fun, we had a great time, and we got to meet some new people,” said Abraham. “Hopefully we’ll do it with a lot more people and get some other photographers involved.” He added that they want to expand the program, possibly partnering with Armosa Studios and offering hair and makeup services for their clients. While the event just took a day of Abraham and Susan’s time, the pictures they captured will last a lifetime.

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Top: Eternity, Tamia, and Layla Bates were photographed in matching Christmas dresses. Above: Three more portraits taken of nearby residents by Rowe throughout the busy day.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Florence-Lauderdale Public Library presents an exhibit called Lincoln: The Civil War and the Constitution, along with a series of related events. Join us at the Library! Sunday, April 14, 2:00 p.m.

Meet Mr. Lincoln with Dennis Boggs as Abraham Lincoln Sunday, April 21, 2:00 p.m.

Lincoln, Slave Narratives, and the Abolitionist Movement with Dr. Lisa G. Minor Sunday, April 28, 2:00 p.m.

Out of the Margins: Common Whites and their Families in Civil War Alabama with Dr. Victoria Ott Tuesday, April 30, 7:00 p.m.

Norman Corwin’s The Rivalry with Will Stutts as Abraham Lincoln and Terry Pace as Stephen A. Douglas Sunday, May 5, 2:00 p.m.

Lincoln and the Law in War and Peace with Paul Horwitz During the month of April, an exhibit called Lincoln: The Civil War and the Constitution will be on display in the library, and there will be a Lincoln Film Series. Check our website for details! All events are free to the public. For more information, visit www.ﬂpl.org/lincoln . This series is co-sponsored by The Alabama Humanities Foundation, the state aﬃliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area; the National Park Service, and Pillar of Fire.

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scene

Marianne Griﬃn, Kathryn Robinson, and Samantha Burk Ashley Kelsoe, Ethan Lolley, and Rachel Derivaux Melissa Foster and Burt Helton

Donna Keenum and Karen Johnson

Emma Lee Borden

Devan Sullivan, Chandler Sartain, Ryan Johnson, and Chase Wise

Jane Wilson and Sara Kachelman

Sarah Clark PHOTOS BY XX

Above: Miss Tennessee Valley Winter Fashion Show

Below: Progress Bank Groundbreaking

DECEMBER 1, 2012  FLORENCE

DECEMBER 19, 2012  FLORENCE

Doug Ruggles, Jackie Hendrix, Hugo Dante, Dick Jordan, Russell Carbine, Bruce Pylant, Andy Mann,Charles Vaughn, Miranda Walton, and Dana Coleman

Marlyn and Richard Eckl

Mansel Long, Patty and Wade Gilchrist

Nikki Mann, Kate Mann, Andy Mann, and Anna Claire Mann (front)

Steve Holt, Mickey Haddock, and Andy Mann

Shaler Roberts, Aubrey Wilson, Maray Daniel, and Jim Stanphill

John Brock, Mike Johnson, Mike Doyle, and Joel Stephenson

Charles Vaughn, Andy Mann, and Bruce Pylant PHOTOS BY DAVE REASONS

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everybody’s business

TEXT BY

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LAURA ANDERS LEE

RICK HOOD

» PHOTOS BY PAT

eith and Debbie Haden were high school sweethearts, where she cheered him on at swim meets at Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida. Thirty-seven years later, they watched pool-side in London as Michael Phelps won his 18th Olympic gold medal, the most of any Olympian in any sport in history. It was an impossible ticket for many to get, but owning one of the top 10 swim shops in the United States meant Keith and Debbie got to be there in person. Their Florence-based company, All American Swim, ships some 50 to 100 packages each day from their catalog of 25,000 products, including swimsuits, goggles, fins, swim caps, kick boards, training equipment, embroidered items, and other swimwear and accessories from the likes of Speedo, Nike, Tyr, Dolfin, and Arena. Their customer base includes swim teams and individuals in 40 countries. In addition to their Florence warehouse, they own retail stores in Raleigh, Memphis, Nashville, and Pensacola. “We started with four employees,” says Debbie. “Now we have around 40, with retail stores, contracts with large community swim teams and universities, a mail order business, and the Internet.” In tough economic times, their business has thrived. The company has been on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies for three years running, with 157 percent revenue growth from 2009 to 2010, 72 percent revenue growth from 2010 to 2011, and 75 percent revenue growth from 2011 to 2012. In a short period of time, they have figured out a successful business model that takes many small business owners a lifetime. “We had the opportunity to buy the company seven years ago, and it was a natural fit for me,” says Keith. “I had a career in my early days as a swimmer. I swam in high school and college on scholarship at Eastern Kentucky University. I didn’t want to coach, so when I graduated, my career as a swimmer was over. I left the sport for 20 years.”

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Below: In tough economic times, Debbie and Keith Haden’s business has thrived. The company has been on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies for three years running.

But when the couple moved to Florence, Keith started swimming again and reconnected with the sport, eventually leaving his job to start the new business venture with his wife. Keith’s passion for the sport is no doubt a contributor to his success, but it’s also the couple’s love for people and networking. When they took over the company, Auburn University was already a major client, but Keith leveraged his relationships to expand the business. “I can walk into any pool at any facility in any town and find a connection,” says Keith. “Swimming is a close-knit, small family; relationships are very important.” College athletes go on to become assistant coaches at other colleges; assistant coaches go on to become head coaches somewhere else. Thanks to their networking, the couple now serves major university swim teams including the University of Miami, the University of South Carolina, Notre Dame, Texas

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A&M, Vanderbilt, Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Florida State University, Purdue, and Duke. They even service a Kansas City community swim club with 650 members. Keith recently entered an exclusive license agreement for a Drag Fly resistance swim trainer. He is the only United States vendor who can sell the Drag Fly, and it’s all due to a contact he made at Auburn who now runs a swim program in Australia. “We’re a niche business,” says Keith. “We don’t have to compete with Walmart or Dick’s. We deal with specialized customers. There are lots of people who do what we do, but not many do it as well as we do it. Our people are our secret weapon. We work as a family. The left hand knows what the right hand is doing.” Of course another contributing factor to the business’s success is the recent attention swimming has received on the world

stage. To put it simply, the Olympics mean gold for the swimwear industry. More kids want to be like Michael Phelps, Misty Franklin, and Ryan Lochte rather than Tiger Woods, Anna Kournikova, or Tom Brady. Plus, swimming is becoming ever-more popular because it’s something people can do at any age, from three to 93. “Swimming used to be an afterthought, something people thought about for one week every four years,” says Keith. “We bought this business about the time Michael Phelps was coming into his own. Michael wanted to take the sport to another level—he’s inspired kids to be like him. Today, there is much more network coverage; swimming’s more mainstream.” But while internet sales on allamericanswim.com surged following the Olympics, it remains a year-round business. Between summer leagues, university training, and club teams, the company stays busy. And even in the winter, it’s summer in Australia. All American Swim also attends some 100 swim meets each year, making their products available to teams on site. But with their busy schedules, Keith and Debbie find time to give back. They are involved in a not-for-profit called the Make A Splash Foundation, which aims to provide every child in America the opportunity to learn to swim. “Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under 10,” Keith says. “We want to support the initiatives of Make A Splash and give back to the sport.” On working together, the couple admits that while it’s been an adjustment, they wouldn’t have it any other way. “If you’re not careful, you’ll talk about business at home, at the dinner table…” says Keith. “At some point you have to turn off that switch and talk about life.” To get away, the couple goes on four-day “power trips,” usually somewhere in Europe. But the sport is never far from Keith’s mind. He’s already planning another vacation to coincide with the world championships in Barcelona, and Debbie will be right there behind in his wake.

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Left: Keith and Debbie Haden (center) with their corporate office staff, (from left to right): Dustin Hubbard, Ken Darby, Gwen Roach, Mona Rester, Pam Threet, Courtney Ellison, Don Anderson, Bill Baskin, Hollon McCullar, Joel Kerr, Larry Baskin, and Mike Ivanco; Below: Debbie completes an order of custom embroidery.

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market » Claire Stewart » Photos by Danny Mitchell

Warm up with hot colors

Assorted Scarves ($18.95 each) Andy’s the Professionals (256) 767-2800 Yeti 5.2 Gallon Cooler ($199.99) Women’s Snowbelle Jacket ($399) Alabama Outdoors (256) 764-1809

My Flat in London Pretty and Witty Wallet ($110) The Village Shoppe (256) 256-383-1133

MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote ($195) Marigail’s (256) 764-9444

Sweet Shop USA Chocolates ($2.75 Truffles/$3 Nut Brags) Flavors like Sundae Bash, Chocolate Cookie, Sea Salt Caramel, and Swiss Mint David Christopher’s (256) 383-2274

Uncle Frank Charcoal Print Dress ($168) Audie Mescal (256) 314-6684 Vava Tassel Dress ($64) Nellie Mae Boutique (256) 320-5438

All-Natural Smoothies ($6) Reboot Juice ($7) Osa’s Garden (256) 764-7663

Red Long Sleeve Blouse ($59.95) Market House (256) 577-5197 Michael Star Top ($68) Pearl Bangle Set ($14) Pearl Statement Necklace ($38) Pearl Jeans ($95) Jewell’s (256) 712-5988 Jon Hart Chico in Mink ($83 with monogram) Jon Hart Makeup Case in Pink ($85 with monogram) Jon Hart Grande in Blue ($29 with monogram) Printers & Stationers, Inc. (256) 764-8061

Anna Claire Eyelifting Cream ($49) Milner Rushing (256) 386-5220

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market » Claire Stewart » Photos by Danny Mitchell

BareMinerals Customizable Get-Started Kit ($62 with loose powder foundation/$64 with compact foundation) La Bella (256) 765-2042

Vintage Reproduction Turquoise Jars ($40, $65) The French Basket (256) 764-1237

Customizable “Envelope” Necklaces ($38 and up) Relique (256) 767-4810

Heritage Line Hat ($25) Vineyard Vines Men’s Bungalow Shorts ($85) Jar & Co. (256) 760-9648

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Good Bones, Great Pieces by Suzanne & Lauren McGrath ($32.95) Driftwood Home+Design (256) 349-5981

Pig Tail Food Flipper ($35) The Grilling Room (256) 766-7899

Uno De 50 Coin and Pearl Bracelet ($90) Uno De 50 Dragonfly Bracelet ($105) The Village Shoppe (256) 383-1133

Brown Embroidered Corral Boots ($194) Nellie Mae Boutique (256) 320-5438

Ceramic Picture Frames ($9) Lola’s Gifts & Flowers (256) 383-2299

Wardani New York Bracelets ($45 each) Side Lines (256) 767-0925

Eyebobs ($75 and $85) Marigail’s (256) 764-9444

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scene

Russell Meﬀord and Jay Burgess Devon Hester, Clay Mize, Mitch and Mary Lee Dobbins Ben and Beth Harrison

Dee and Amy Mussellman with Jerri and Ed Bullard

Kathy Smith and Teresa Rogers

Frances Adams and Brianna Bolden Allison and Scott Hamner

Garry Rosenberger and John Maxwell PHOTOS BY XX

Above: BNI Shoals Christmas Party NOVEMBER 29, 2012  PRINTERS AND STATIONERS, FLORENCE

Below: American Heart Association 2013 Heart Ball Sponsor Party JANUARY 11, 2013  HIGHER GROUND ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Gina Smith and Joel Anderson Tricia Lane and Leslie Ouellette

Randy and Dana Aldridge Ian and Elizabeth Berry

David Smith and Russell Pigg Keith Sims and Brenda Melton

Kim Jimmerson, Mickey and Jolette McClure

Sheila Pierce PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

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the vine » Amy Collins

Chablis—Refreshing and Food-Friendly CHABLIS IS ALWAYS CHARDONNAY, BUT CHARDONNAY IS NOT ALWAYS CHABLIS. We’re not talking about the ubiquitous cheap white jug wine out of California that shamelessly calls itself Chablis (which some of us shamelessly guzzled back in college). Chablis, the original and only, is a region in France, and considered part of Burgundy. Like white Burgundy, Chablis is made from 100% Chardonnay grape. Surprised? Many times over the years I’ve heard customers in restaurants, retail stores and friends in casual conversation declare, “I hate Chardonnay.” And I love to ask, “Do you like Chablis?” The answer has always been yes. Most wine drinkers associate Chardonnay with a California wine, high in alcohol, rich and buttery with vanilla and tropical fruit aromas and a slick, oily taste on the tongue. This is of course a generalization of American Chardonnay, most of which would fall in the inexpensive category. There are several reasons for that flavor profile, primarily involving how the wine is treated in the winery. The story of Chablis, however, is far less technically manipulated, with a focus on what happens in the vineyard, not in the winery. The dry, flinty, fresh style of Chablis is driven by the region’s climate, its soil and the grape itself. This is what we talk about when we talk about terroir.

If you’re a cheese lover with an extra twenty-five bucks in pocket, try Burgundy’s famous pungent, gooey, eat-itwith-a-spoon Époisses.

You might argue that Chablis is the truest expression of Chardonnay. With long cold winters and short hot summers, the area naturally raises grapes with high acidity and lower alcohol levels than the standard California version. The grapes are typically fermented very simply, often without significant manipulation in the winemaking process, including no new oak barrels (though not always) and made instead in stainless steel tanks, which do not affect the flavor of the wine. Chablis is always dry. Growers battle every year with the threat of spring frost, which can kill off new shoots and reduce a crop to little or nothing. Nature’s rule of grape growing dictates the colder a winter and spring, the higher the acidity of the grapes. Acidity makes a wine feel leaner, more welcoming of food and easier to drink. Acidity gives a wine freshness, which Chablis lovers champion. The other major factor that makes Chablis such an interesting wine is the soil in which it is grown. The Oxford Companion to Wine by Jancis Robinson, M.W., tells us the rock basin under the vineyards is roughly 180 million years old, layered with limestone, clay, and ancient tiny fossilized oyster shells, from way back when Europe was under water and dinosaurs roamed our small earth. Geologists have named this particular soil combination ‘Kimmeridgien.’ Chablis producers and wine experts believe it is the unique elements of the Kimmeridgien which gives Chablis its steely, mineral quality (often called ‘flinty’ or ‘gun flint’), setting it apart from all other Chardonnays.

So now you know why you like Chablis, or why should try it— great lean acidity that refreshes and makes you want to drink more, an appealing fruit profile of tart green apples that makes you want to eat more, and a dry, mineral touch that doesn’t whack you over the head and make you feel 25 and stupid again (because really, who wants to be 25 again?) Pairing Chablis and food is relatively easy. Because it has great acidity, it welcomes food, and with its tart fruit flavors, it works well alongside creamy dishes with butter or cream-based sauces, like a delicate white fish or sea scallops in beurre blanc, an omelet with fresh herbs and goat cheese, butter braised cucumbers (see Fanny Farmer) with fish, or a simple roast chicken and green vegetable, well buttered, of course. If you’re a cheese lover with an extra 25 bucks in pocket, try Burgundy’s famous pungent, gooey, eat-it-with-a-spoon Époisses. Allow the cheese to warm to near room temperature, carefully chase one spoonful—forget the bread—with a swallow of Chablis, allow total peace and satisfaction to wash over your body, and repeat. When selecting a bottle of Chablis, keep in mind the four basic qualifying tiers: Grand Cru, Premier Cru, Chablis, and PetitChablis, the latter coming from vineyards on the very lowest part of the slope and Grand Cru wines from the highest and best producing part of the area’s sloping vineyards.

Beginner’s Sipper (under $20) Jean-Marc Brocard Bourgogne Chardonnay ‘Kimmeridgien’ 2010—easy on the wallet, easy on the palate, a good introduction to the dry, flinty qualities of Chablis. Knows Just Enough to Make Trouble ($20-$35) Roland Lavantureux Petit Chablis 2009—this producer’s Petit Chablis often outshines his Chablis, depending on vintage, and especially for the money. High Roller’s Cuveé ($50+) Vincent Dauvissat Grand Cru ‘Les Preuses’ or ‘Les Clos’ 2009—considered among the best Chablis money can buy, rare gems, hard to find, and totally worth it.

Follow Amy at www.pigandvine.com for more stories and wine suggestions.

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M onday tthru hr u Sunday Sunda y Monday LLunch unch 1111 - 2 . DDinner inner 5 - 9 DDine ine IInn oorr CCarry ar r y OOut ut

2256.349.2074 56.349.2074 117 117 N Court Cour t St St . Downtown D owntown Florence Florence /yummsushiandbeyond yummsushiandbeyond

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food for thought » Sarah Gaede

Why Not Bake Your Own Artisan Bread? SEVERAL YEARS AGO, A BAKER IN NEW YORK, JIM LAHEY, CAME UP WITH AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO PRODUCE EUROPEAN-STYLE BREAD AT HOME, using very little yeast, a wet dough, long rising time, and baking in a closed, preheated pot. With the first bite, you are transported to a place where good bread truly is the staff of life. It’s well worth experimenting with—just Google “Jim Lahey no-knead bread.” The drawback to this method is the need to plan 24 hours ahead, including counting backwards for when to begin the various stages (on your fingers, in my case) in order to have the bread appear in all its glory at the exact right moment to dazzle your friends.

Mix

I promise this recipe is as foolproof as anything can be, and is so rustic and yummy, especially spread with European-style higher fat butter. Wrap

Luckily for those of us who are challenged in the patience and math departments, as well as those who are new to bread baking of any kind, my old cooking teacher, Nathalie Dupree, and her friend, Cynthia Graubert, have come up with a method that is much quicker, and produces very good results. The recipe can be found in their new book, Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking, which I was honored to help proofread, and which I highly recommend. (I also recommend their book Southern Biscuits, if for no other recipe than the yogurtcream biscuits.) If you mix up the bread dough after breakfast, you will be set for dinner. I promise this recipe is as foolproof as anything can be, and is so rustic and yummy, especially spread with European-style higher fat butter. (My motto for life: You have to die of something, and at least I’ll be happy. Butter is my best friend.)

Bake

Some tips: I use organic Gold Medal or King Arthur all-purpose flour, both of which are available locally. You can substitute one cup of white whole wheat flour for one cup of all-purpose if you are feeling virtuous, but I admit I like the all-white flour version better. I buy SAF instant yeast in a 16-ounce bag from kingarthur.com, since yeast keeps in the refrigerator for a couple of years, and I make a lot of pizza dough. I have had good results baking this bread in a Le Creuset pot, and in a pottery casserole dish with a tight-fitting lid. You could even use your mama’s

Wait

Enjoy

cornflower Corning Ware casserole. Lodge makes a 6 1/2enameled cast-iron Dutch oven for a fraction of the cost of an equivalent Le Creuset pot. Target sells them for under $55. You can also find good deals on enameled cast-iron pots at TJ Maxx. If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you need to run out and buy one right now, even if you don’t use it for bread. It’s my go-to pot for soups, stews, and pasta sauce. A good one will last you for the rest of your life. Serve this bread with something simple and rustic, like a hearty soup or stew. It’s great for sopping up gravy. I confess I have been known to spread butter on top, and then sop, for a double portion of deliciousness. After all, the bread itself is fat-free.

No-Knead Artisan Bread • • • • •

3 cups all-purpose or bread flour 1 package (2-1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1-1/2 cups room-temperature water No-stick cooking spray

Spray the inside of a gallon-size plastic zip bag with cooking spray. Whisk flour, yeast, and salt together in a bowl. Stir in water to barely combine the ingredients. It’s okay if some flour is left behind. Do not knead. Dump the contents of the bowl into the plastic bag, seal the bag, and let sit for about 4 to 8 hours in a warm room (at least 70 degrees) until it looks bubbly. When dough is ready, put a 4- to 6-quart heavy covered oven-safe pot or casserole in the oven. (The lid is on the pot when you are heating it up.) Turn the oven to 450 degrees. Lightly flour the counter; slide the dough out of the bag onto the floured surface. Gently fold dough in half, and return to the bag. Let dough rest for 30 minutes while the oven is heating. After 30 minutes, armed with oven mitts or heavy potholders and moving quickly and carefully, remove the very hot pot from the oven, set it on the stove top (to protect the counter) and close the oven door. Remove the lid and set it aside. Quickly and gently take the dough out of the bag and set it in the hot pot. Jiggle the pot to center the dough (don’t forget oven mitts!), cover with the lid, and return to the hot oven. Bake 30 minutes; remove lid and bake uncovered another 15 to 30 minutes, until bread is browned and crisp on the outside. If it appears to be browning too quickly, turn the oven down to 400 degrees. The bread is done when the internal temperature reaches 195 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, or it sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pan and cool on a rack. Lather on butter and enjoy. Bread lasts up to four days at room temperature, or may be frozen for up to three months. It makes great toast— with butter and jam! To recrisp crust, heat in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.

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back talk » Claire Stewart

“Why not have child care facilities at UNA for student parents? Students in family development and education classes could use the facility for observation hours.” —Valerie Teran

Valerie

“Why not focus more on crime around campus and less on parking tickets?” —Elizabeth Topping Elizabeth

“Why not have more attractions geared directly to college students that are very different from the venues that other Shoals residents visit?” —Alex Gouin Alex

“Why not have more of a variety of entertainment? More live theater, different genres of music, and maybe another place to see a movie.” —Steve Bowling Steve

“Why not have more retail choices available locally (different sizes, styles, budgets) so residents would stay here and shop instead of going to bigger cities?” —Aliyah Cole

Aliyah

“Why not build an amusement park?” —Noel Miguel Noel

“Why not change restaurant hours to accommodate college students? McDonald’s is the only option now for late night study sessions.” —Gabriel Tuell Gabriel

“Why not illuminate the road from the UNA campus to downtown so more students will venture that way on week nights?” —Tyler Thompson Tyler

“Why not have a local pizza parlor downtown or a cool juice bar in the area?” —Bethany Oliver Bethany

“Why not reach out to young girls in the area with a mentoring program through UNA?” —Rachel Gandy Rachel

“Why not build a designated football stadium for UNA football? It would benefit the athletic program and impress other D1 teams.” —Sara Gipson Sara

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back talk » Why not? “Why not have a downtown retail community that is open later with more entertainment options?” —Savannah Smith Savannah

“Why not have events like Handy Week happen more throughout the year? We also need a change of open-container laws so that more outdoor events could go on downtown.” —Josh Weaver

Josh

“Why not block off Mobile Street and have street vendors and street entertainers on the weekends?” —Chandler Richey Chandler

“Why not build a bigger convention center that could attract high-profile bands to come to the Shoals?” —Brian Dunn Brian

“Why not have a low-key lounge with music and food, where you can stop in after work or school and not feel like you’re at a crazy party?”—Taylor Brown Taylor

All respondents are students at the University of North Alabama.

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bless their hearts » Laura Anders Lee I HAVE NOW LIVED IN FLORENCE FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR. In fact, my first article for No’Ala exactly a year ago was about my first impressions here. Today my husband and I believe more than ever it is a great place to raise a family. (Before all of our boxes were even unpacked, we found out we were expecting baby boy number two.) There are many values I want to teach my sons, but toward the top of the list is how to be a positive person.

Why not look on the bright side? Yes it’s easy to find fault with a person, a town, or an idea. There’s a reason we all grew up hearing that if you can’t say anything nice then don’t say anything at all. Our mothers were right. It’s far better to look on the bright side. I’ve yet to meet a naysayer who productively contributed to a community. (Think Oscar the Grouch, Eeyore, and Debbie Downer…wah-wah-wah.) It’s the dreamers, the positive thinkers who make a difference. I’m not saying I’m always a positive person. Believe me, I’ve done my fair share of complaining…I’m a sleepdeprived mother for crying out loud—literally. But what I am trying to say is that before we get all negative and down in the dumps, we should take the time to count our blessings. I mean there are far worse things in life than not having a Publix. (Though that’s certainly easy to say now that we have one!) And yes, it would be nice to have a Starbucks. But while some cities have a Starbucks on every corner and no church to be found, we have a church on every corner and no Starbucks to be found. (Although you can get a Starbucks at the ECM gift shop—Pumpkin Spice Latte, Peppermint Mocha, and all.) And speaking of ECM…we are lucky to have excellent health care right here at home. We have amazing doctors and compassionate nurses, who cared for me and my son when he was born and when he was hospitalized later for a respiratory virus. We could not have had a better experience anywhere else. And while we’re on the topic of health…I want to mention the wonderful places to exercise. TVA’s riverside trails afford stunning views. Deibert Park boasts a brand new playground alongside its paved walking trails. The Y’s firstrate facility includes a kid-friendly pool. (Even if they took kid-friendly to the extreme by nearly kicking me out for wearing a two piece—albeit mom-appropriate.)

I’m not saying I’m always a positive person. Believe me, I’ve done my fair share of complaining.

Of course other great assets are UNA, a strong public school system, and other continuing education opportunities. My friend is taking a class at UNA just for fun. I’m enrolling in a community art class. Renowned natives like Natalie Chanin offer public workshops. There are many ways to better our minds and learn from one another. As an outsider moving to a smaller area, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the local shopping. Of course there’s Billy Reid’s flagship store on Court Street, but there are numerous other boutiques and specialty shops from downtown Florence to English Village and from downtown Sheffield to downtown Tuscumbia with fabulous finds. I confess I did rush to Bridge Street when they opened H&M, but I’ve also bought plenty of clothes and gifts right here at home. Not only is the Shoals a nice place to live, but it’s a nice place to relax and vacation. When we couldn’t sell our Gulf fishing boat when we moved from Florida, we hauled it up here. And while the bass fishermen have told us that it’s “alotta boat for these waters,” and pontoon boat owners occasionally ask “what kind of boat is that?” some of our happiest memories have been out on Wilson Lake and Shoal Creek. When I was eight-and-a-half-months pregnant in August (and miserable, it should go without saying), we checked into the Marriott for the night. We played in the pool, ate dinner alfresco, and watched the barges go through the dam—which I still haven’t quite figured out how. Back in the room, I was just too uncomfortable without my body-sized, pregnancy pillow. So we simply carried our sleeping two year old to the car and drove home before heading back for breakfast in the morning. Now that’s a staycation. One of my favorite places to go in town is the 360 tower at the Marriott. You get a bird’s eye view of the entire Shoals—far above the noise, the judgments, and the politics and where imperfections are blurred. Instead you focus on the big picture and a promising future as the sun sets over the lake, the river, the cliffs, and the trees beyond. The world is a beautiful place when you look on the bright side. It was Gandhi who said to be the change you wish to see in the world. We can start by simply changing our mindset. Our community is far from perfect, but I’ve had some pretty perfect moments here.

Laura Lee is a freelance writer, public relations consultant, and regular contributor to No’Ala magazine. A native of Fairhope, she graduated from the University of Alabama and now lives in Florence with her husband Bryan and their two boys.

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parting shot » Abraham Rowe

Tamia Bates, Portrait Day

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