VOLUME 05 | ISSUE 07 | AUGUST 2017
WONDER WOMEN
HOW COOL IS A CUCUMBER?
NOTHIN’ CHILLIN’ AT THE HOLIDAY INN
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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DOWNTOWN FLORENCE HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE OUTLAW TOM CLARK WAS BURIED UNDERNEATH TENNESSEE STREET IN 1872. BOUTIQUE HOTEL TREND, P29
LETTER
CONTRIBUTORS
FROM THE EDITOR
LET’S HEAR IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
APPS TO SAVE YOUR SCHOOL LIFE HAVE NO FEAR! TECHNOLOGY IS HERE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
WHAT’S WRONG WITH “THIS TOWN?” As Mallory Kirk points out in this issue of SET in her article about Florence’s new fascination with boutique hotels, most literature about millennials is written with a negative light cast on us, but we are adventurous. We strive for deliberateness, quality and simplicity. We are not content staring at our shadows on the cave wall. So we chase our vitamin B12 with sparkling mineral water, put on whatever it takes to make us look like we’re from any time and place other than these, and we set out to question everything from textbooks and corporations to teachers and world leaders. We’ve said we can’t wait to get out of “this town.” And we blamed it on the idea that we were too young to provide for ourselves or even make an attempt to follow our dreams. But as I got older I realized I love this town. Florence. The river town I call home. It’s not too busy, not too bor-ing, and it’s close enough to all of the other unique southern cities that offer a super dope variety of festivals and events with themes that intrigue us into attendance. Just for you, Will Corey captured some first-class photos of Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN. Also in this issue, New SET writer Charlie Gordon teaches about the locally-loved Watermelon Festival in Russellville, AL. I can-not wait to attend this festival about fruit. A seed spitting contest and a best-dressed watermelon competition? Count me in. And who doesn’t love watermelon? The Shoals is known for pumping out incredible music, and writer Rebekah Milwee got to sit down with one of the area’s newest and most prodigious acts, The Band WILLIS, for an exclusive interview that turned into an impromptu
SHE RECOVERY LEARN ABOUT THIS NEW NONPROFIT SERVING WOMEN OF THE SHOALS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
NOT KNOWING YOUR MAJOR IS OK CHOOSING YOUR MAJOR IS NOT A MARATHON RACE. . . . . . . . . . . 8
WILLIS CATCH ‘EM ON THE COME-UP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
MELONHEADS THE WATERMELON CAPITOL OF ALABAMA WELCOMES A NEW YEAR OF A SMALL-TOWN SOUTHERN TRADITION . . . . . . . . 15
SECRET STAGES A BIRMINGHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL SHOWCASES LOCAL EMERGING TALENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 acoustic jam session. Mallory Kirk’s article about the new boutique hotel craze gives us an inside look at the GunRunner, which is set to open on August 1. Mallory gives an excitingly detailed description of the new attraction and a cerebral examination of what this new fad could mean for our generation, and Allie Sockwell teaches us all about the new and monumentally helpful SHE Recovery, a recovery facility for abused women and women who suffer from addiction. SET Magazine is and always will be by and for young people from Columbia to Cullman, but this issue has a lot to offer people of all ages from absolutely anywhere. So sit back, grab a cucumber water and enjoy this issue of SET Magazine.
BY WESLEY HOPKINS, EDITOR
SET is a publication by and for local young people dedicated to lifestyle, finance, technology and community. It is published by Listerhill Credit Union as
part of its ongoing mission to promote the credit union philosophy of cooperation and financial literacy. It is a platform for 15-20 somethings in the community and it is free.
CALL ME SNAKE HOW HIDEO KOJIMA’S LOVE OF MOVIES HELPED CREATE ONE OF GAMING’S MOST ENDURING FRANCHISES. . . . . . . . . . . . 19
CALENDAR WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
COOL AS A CUCUMBER THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CUCUMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23
SPOTLIGHT SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27
THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL TREND CHANGING THE WAY WE BOOK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29
FREESTYLE ONE FINAL THOUGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
CONNECT WITH SET MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 566 Sheffield, AL 35660
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4790 East Second Street Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
4 CONTRIBUTORS
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SET CONTRIBUTORS KARAH WILSON
Scottsboro, TN
ALLIE SOCKWELL
Lawrenceburg, TN
CALEB BILLINGS Sheffield, AL
EMILY STRICKLIN Florence, AL
MALLORY KIRK Florence, AL
REBEKAH MILWEE Gilroy, CA
LUKE ARCHER
Tuscumbia, AL
CHARLES S. GORDON Russellville, AL
COURTNEY TULLY Rogersville, AL
DUSTIN COAN
Ford City, AL
WILL COREY
Florence, AL
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Until 1840, only the wealthy went to elementary school.
TECH 5
Before erasers were invented, the best way to erase graphite was with a balled up piece of white bread.
In rural areas, the school was planned around harvest time.
APPS TO SAVE YOUR SCHOOL LIFE HAVE NO FEAR! TECHNOLOGY IS HERE! With school starting back in full swing, it may be time to begin looking for some assistance, and what better way to do that than to turn to an item you are never without – your phone. There are so many phone apps out there that can be used for help with money management, scheduling, and group projects. We downloaded some of the most popular apps and narrowed it down to some we find very helpful.
another person’s and have someone transfer money into your account as well. It is a great way to be paid for small tasks or if you need to get someone back for some money you borrowed but can’t make it to a bank.
WOLFRAM ALPHA: Wolfram Alpha is similar to Khan Academy, except it holds more for the person who wants to know more general knowledge. It also tells the weather, what flights are overhead, and your current location in case you get lost. The random example option is my personal favorite because it will give you any fact that the app holds. A lot of the topics are pretty random ones rather than filtered by a certain school subject.
CHEGG:
Chegg is most popularly used to buy and rent textbooks at a lower price. Not only can it be used for textbooks, but it also provides a section for online tutoring and textbook solutions. There are online tutors for subjects from accounting to computer science to writing. Chegg also has an app named Flashcards+ in which students can create flashcards online to study assisted with photos. Chegg is a great asset that can pretty much do it all.
EASYBIB: Work citations can be a
pain and very confusing, but EasyBib is there to make it just that: easy. Just enter in the book, journal, magazine, etc. that is being citied and fill out the rest of the information, and it will create the citation for you, no matter the style the teacher assigns. The most popular styles are APA, Chicago/Turabian, and MLA. Those three are all on the continuous list of writing styles EasyBib provides.
EVERNOTE: Evernote is an advanced note taking app. Within the app, you can upload photos, change the font and color, record audio, scan documents and sketch. It adds all the flair of writing in a notebook without the messiness and hand cramps. You can also share notes via text, email, and social media accounts.
LET’S PUT THESE TO GOOD USE!
ISTUDIEZ LITE: iStudiez Lite is a
calendar and planner all in one. You can sync your phone calendar with the app, along with your Facebook events. Under the “planner” tab, you can add semesters, classes, times, grades, and assignments. It will give notifications of what events you have planned for that day. You can add events from inside the app itself, too, instead of adding them on your phone calendar or through Facebook.
KHAN ACADEMY: Khan Academy
hosts many subjects and topics within the app. There are topics unrelated to college, also. You can also filter topics and search any subject you need a little extra push in. The app holds anything between articles and videos to help students learn. It is also a great app for anyone who simply wants to learn a little bit more in life.
MINT: Mint is a great app to manage
bills and create budgets. This is a great app for someone who is too busy to remember when bills are due and to keep up with how much money you have left to spend. There is also an option to apply for credit cards that are being offered to you based on your accounts added to the app. Mint may seem like a minimal app, but it is a lifesaver.
TRELLO:
Trello is a great app for managing group projects. Trello lets you add lists for projects that you are working on in class. The lists are great for determining which members will be working on which part of the project, what has already been done, and what is to be done. Trello’s only feature is pretty much just making lists, but it is perfect for the organizer who uses lists to plan out the projects.
VENMO:
Venmo is a money transferring app like PayPal or the Cash app. You can quickly transfer money from your bank account to
VISIT FLORENCE AL: If you are
new to the town like I am, it can be pretty difficult finding events and places that are popular. Luckily, Florence has its own app. In the app, there are tabs for what to do, where to eat, where to hear live music, where to stay, and annual events in Florence. This app will be very useful for me when I get settled into the city, as it will help plenty of you who are new to the city. Hopefully, these apps will help you survive the upcoming school year and make it a little bit easier to plan, budget, learn and succeed. I am going to keep these downloaded for the upcoming school year and see how well they work out for me.
STORY BY KARAH WILSON
6 NONPROFIT
1 in 3 Americans are suffering from addiction.
SHE Recovery’s founders have been teaching yoga and self care practices to women at other non-profits such as New Beginnings and Safe Place.
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50% of people have witnessed a traumatic event.
SHE RECOVERY SERVING WOMEN OF THE SHOALS
DANIELLE SNODDY AND BROOKE ROSE. Two women have found a way to give back and serve those who need it most in the Shoals area. Danielle Snoddy and Brooke Rose are the co-founders of SHE Recovery, and their backgrounds align to create the perfect combination for support to those they serve. “Danielle ca-me to me with the idea of starting SHE Recovery,” Brooke explained. “We both have a passion for helping at-risk women, and we both have been working with women for most of our careers.” Danielle has taught Yoga and Ayurveda to thousands of people over the last seven years. Brooke has a background in social work with a concentration in child and family welfare. Through their own experiences
and passions, these women strive to help others reach peace and empowerment. Research points to the fact that women are twice as likely to develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). SHE Recovery, located in the Shoals, wants to combat this through three areas: yoga instruction, Ayurveda workshops, and group counseling. You may have been thinking, “Ok, so what is Ayurveda?” Ayurveda is the sister science of Yoga. It empowers people by allowing them to take control of their mind and body, further recognizing addictive and self-destructive patterns. It allows them to consciously make the best choices of what exercise, supplements, food and daily rhythms will
bring balance to their lives. SHE Recovery’s mission focuses on two main ideas, education and support, as highlighted on their website: “Our mission is to provide holistic, ongoing education and support to women in the Shoals who are in recovery from any form of addiction or who have experienced trauma or abuse.” SHE Recovery partners with other nonprofits and recovery facilities to fully meet every need that women who have suffered from trauma or addiction may have. “We are here to enhance the ability of local organizations to offer ongoing, holistic education and support to the women seeking help.” The services offered at SHE Recovery have been shown to improve the overall quality of life for those struggling with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, PTSD, anger management and addiction. Any woman who has been in a traumatic situation or has an addiction is eligible to receive services from SHE Recovery. Danielle and Brooke discovered a need in a local area and found a way to use their gifts and passions to help meet that need. When asked about why the Shoals area, Brooke responded, “We feel like there is a strong need to provide our services to women in our community because it is a rural area and there isn’t any access to yoga, Ayurveda, and counseling for free. We hope to educate and empower the women so that they can educate and empower others. Almost like a ripple effect.” SHE Recovery fully operates on grants and donations. So, what can you do to help launch SHE Recovery? Keep your eyes
open for future volunteer possibilities. “We have already had several people interested in volunteering for SHE Recovery. As of now, it will just be me Danielle and our three board members. We will have some other opportunities in the future for volunteers, especially when we get women who have children. We would love to have some people watch their children while the women receive our services.” Also, by visiting SHE Recovery’s website, you can make a donation that goes directly towards serving these women. For example, one $50 donation funds a group counseling or yoga class into a treatment facility or shelter. As SHE Recovery opens and continues to grow, other exciting opportunities will develop. “We are excited to announce that five women will be eligible for scholarships. One woman will be able to become certified in yoga recovery. One woman will be eligible to attend Shoals yoga teacher training, and three women will be able to attend a yoga of recovery workshop!” A launch party is set for Thursday, September 28 at 116; September is recognized as Recovery month, so Brooke and Danielle felt it was the right time to open SHE Recovery’s doors. For more information, you can find SHE Recovery on Facebook and Instagram, as well as their website sherecovery.org.
STORY BY ALLIE SOCKWELL
AUGUST 2017
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NONPROFIT 7
8 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Men make up 44% of the student population women make up 56%.
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The word “college” comes from the Latin “collegium”.
NOT KNOWING YOUR MAJOR IS OK CHOOSING YOUR MAJOR IS A MARATHON NOT A RACE
YOU CAN TURN BACK, BUT IT’LL COST YA. There are people who know exactly what they want to major in before they even graduate from high school, and that’s awesome! Although, there are some people who have no idea what they want to eat for dinner. For these individuals, choosing a major can be a tough decision! It’s what you’ll be doing for the rest of your life. There’s so much pressure. If you are a little lost, it’s okay. First things first: stop stressing about choosing a major while you are still in basic courses that everyone is required to take. It’s important to learn to how walk before you can run. If you are not considering a specialized profession, there is no rush when it comes to picking a major. That is what Biology 101, English 101, History 101, and many more required classes are for. They will teach you what you like, dislike, love, and hate.
IT IS OKAY TO TELL PEOPLE YOU ARE UNDECIDED Throughout your two years of required basics, you will be asked about a million times, “What are you studying,” followed with, “You don’t know yet?” This is okay. According to The Mentor at Penn State, an estimated 20 to 50 percent of students enter college as “undecided” and an estimated 75 percent of students change their major at least once before graduation. This means, take your time when it comes to choosing a major.
don’t do research on particular majors. They basically choose to do something based on what their friends are doing. It is really intimidating when you come into college as a freshman and everyone is either going to school to be a nurse, teacher, accountant or any of the other most popular career paths. What people do not tell you is that you should choose your own path. Don’t choose a major just because that is what everyone else is doing or for the money. You need to choose what you are interested in, and if you do not know that yet, like stated above, that is okay!
DON’T CHOOSE A MAJOR MAJORS ARE CHANGEABLE JUST BECAUSE THAT IS THE BUT NOT RECOMMENDED MOST POPULAR Majors are not set in stone. Some It is becoming a trend to major in certain career fields because people
people tend to forget that they can change majors, basically, whenever they want. With that being said,
changing majors frequently does not reflect well on you. That is why it is best to wait it out and choose a major that truly reflects you and what you want to do in your future career. Really dive into those basic courses and get a feel for who you are and if you already know who you are, that’s great! You have four years to graduate college and two of them are spent taking basic courses so just do you.
STORY BY EMILY STRICKLIN
AUGUST 2017
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SET isn’t just a magazine looking for people to share their 2 cents. It is entirely comprised of content provided by the 15 - 29 year olds of our community. No one else writes the articles, no one else takes the pictures and no one else decides what runs. That’s why we need you. Attend our next editorial meeting, drop us a line or send us an idea for your story. We want your photography, art and music. Get on SET’s team.
getsetmag.com/contribute
SPECIAL FEATURE 9
10 FEATURE
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STORY BY REBEKAH MILWEE
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FEATURE 11
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Willis is drummer Glenn O'Steen's first name. To most people, the phrase “Muscle Shoals Sound” indicates belted vocals, lively, pulsing rhythm sections and perhaps even the occasional horn solo. However, with the hype sur-rounding local band WILLIS only continuing to crescendo, the phrase may soon translate to mean psychedeliainspired soundscapes with touches of indie, alternative blues and surfer rock. When WILLIS premiered their second EP at 116 East Mobile Street
Bassist and vocalist Murphy played the saxophone in high school.
in Florence earlier this summer, I was away on vacation in California. Regardless, thanks to social media, even 3,000 miles of distance didn’t keep me from hearing the buzz going around town about their explosive breakout onto the local music scene. The band consists of five lifelong friends including a set of brothers, which undoubtedly contributes to their collective dynamic. All five members attended Florence High School together, and four of the five
Daymon Jolly mixed WILLIS' first EP.
played in the Florence High School concert band. The band consists of Murphy Billings on bass and vocals, Edward Armstead and Trey Murphy on guitar and occasional vocals, while Glenn O’Steen plays drums alongside his younger brother, Will O’Steen, on keyboard. Since I missed the release party, I chose to interview the band at my house with the ulte-rior motive of getting them to play for me in my living room. With only two acoustic guitars, a tambourine, a drum,
and a set of keys, they obligingly performed an acoustic set that was impressively cohesive to be improvisational. Guitarist Trey Murphy even picked up a mandolin I had lying around and absolutely shredded it. Also in attendance for the interview-turned-live show was Florence native, Nate Slaughter, who co-manages the band along with fellow local, Russ Randolph. Slaughter attested that the members craft melodies that are mature
THE BAND WILLIS.
12 FEATURE
Electric guitars were introduced in the 1930s. beyond their years, meshing like a much older band that has been playing together for decades. This is likely largely in part to their tireless dedication to their craft. Murphy, Edward, Trey, Glenn and Will consistently meet three times each week in Glenn and Will’s father’s studio to practice their set and collaborate on new material. Together, the five have arrived at a truly singular sound. As Billings, Murphy, and Armstead weave alternately trippy and mellow electric guitar and bass effects, they are supported by an underlying percussive energy provided by the O’Steen brothers on the drums and keyboard. Billings writes the majority of the group’s lyrics and delivers them in an effortlessly quirky, low-key manner that is distinctively his own. According to Billings, many of the original lyrics are references to the group’s past experiences together as lifelong friends, as well as the life they are hoping to create together in the future as professional musicians. “I think we’ve all found out after growing up together that this is all we want to do,” says guitarist Edward Armstead. “Many of the lyrics are also anticipatory of what we’re about to experience on the road together. We hope to log at least 100,000 miles on the road.” That goal isn’t far from becoming a reality. With an upcoming multistate tour reaching as far West as Colorado scheduled for the fall, the members are busy promoting their newest EP, “Locals 2,” which just dropped in June. According to the band, recording “Locals 2” was an altogether different experience from their first. The group recorded their debut EP, “Locals,” primarily in Glenn’s living room and mixed it themselves with some friends from UNA’s Entertainment Technology program. However, for “Locals 2”, they went into the studio to record their next six songs at Portside Sound in Sheffield with co-owners Albert Rothstein, Danley Murner and Jamie Sego. The legendary Jimmy Nutt mixed the finished recordings at Nutthouse Studios, also in Sheffield. The EP’s recording only took two days, but the mixing and editing process took much longer to ensure that even the finest details were perfected before its release nearly half a year later.
Renaissance and Baroque guitars are usually used as rhythm instruments.
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People who repair guitars are called "Luthiers."
WILLIS.
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FEATURE 13
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David Browne holds the longest guitar playing marathon. Since WILLIS released “Locals 2” in June, reception has been overwhelmingly positive, and rightfully so. Their style of music is undeniably original, especially for the Shoals. After playing together under the radar for years now, the
appreciation is well-earned and undoubtedly rewarding. The momentum behind WILLIS is only continuing to build. Paired with the type of wild-eyed ambition that’s taken others straight to the top, there’s no telling what this
by Aaron Shum in Hong Kong.
The highest price paid for an electric guitar was $959.5K.
year will hold for the group. In the meantime, be sure to like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Spotify to stay in the know. Or head straight to their website at thebandwillis.com.
"LOCALS 2" RELEASED IN JUNE.
14 FOOD
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Nick Walton
Miracle Osborne
Member since 2015
Member since 2013
Visit Our Stop by The Hill
to relax, recharge, or (of course) take care of your financial
needs. The Hill is a full service, student-run Listerhill Credit Union location in The Commons at UNA dedicated to helping students reach their full financial potential.
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“Mr. Ant” is the official mascot for the festival.
The Watermelon Festival is home of the Watermelon Fashion Show.
FOOD 15
Watermelons are great sources of vitamins.
MELONHEADS THE WATERMELON CAPITOL OF ALABAMA WELCOMES A NEW YEAR OF A SMALL-TOWN SOUTHERN TRADITION
AS SEEN ON THE LOGO AND T-SHIRT, THE OFFICIAL MASCOT OF THE FESTIVAL, MR. ANT, DRIVES HIS TRUCK OF WATERMELONS TO DELIVER TO RUSSELLVILLE. Watermelons are enjoyed as a summertime snack and treasured as a staple in the Southern way of living. There is a town in North Alabama that has been going wild for watermelons for 37 years. The fruit has become a symbol for Russellville, Alabama. Just 30 miles south of the Tennessee River, Russellville is home of the Franklin County Wa-termelon Festival, a two-day extravaganza held the third weekend of August. From its humble beginnings as a gathering of local farmers to sell their harvest, the Watermelon Festival has grown to encompass Downtown Russellville and brings in an average of
35,000 people who want to experience just what the Watermelon Festival is all about. The festival is hosted by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Its executive director Cassie Medley regards the festival as a “beacon of community unification for a common goal.” Known locally as “Christmas in August,” the Watermelon Festival was recently selected as one of the top 20 festivals in the southeastern United States by the Southeastern Tourism Society. Each year, the festival has a message that relates to the Alabama Tourism Department’s theme for the year. This
year celebrates the diverse arrangement of unique attractions in Alabama. Franklin County is a leading provider of experiences such as King’s Drive-In, one of the only few remaining original Drive-In Theaters; the historic Roxy Theatre, one of the oldest performance venues in the state; and the Red Bay Museum which showcases clothing and possessions of Tammy Wynette, who calls Red Bay, Alabama her hometown. This year, the festival will be headlined by Aaron Tippin and an Eagles cover band called 7 Bridges, both of which will be performing on the main stage in the center of town. For those young and young at heart, Disney princesses and characters and even superheroes will be dropping by to take photos, sign autographs, and possibly eat their share of free watermelon. Yes, free watermelon! What many non-locals do not know and are amazed by is the free admission and entertainment. The Watermelon Festival also takes pride in hosting numerous contests for all ages such as seed-spitting, coloring contests, and even a watermelon fashion show where contestants dress up a watermelon in their greatest garb. The special events throughout the weekend are hosted by the Franklin County Watermelon Festival Queen, who represents not only the festival itself but is a figure for the entire county throughout her reign. The Queen can also compete in the state Watermelon pageant, vying for the title of “Miss Alabama Watermelon” through the Alabama Watermelon’s Association. In recent years, Franklin County has been rightfully named “The Watermelon Capital of Alabama,” as watermelons are not just a fruit to the citizens of Franklin County but a lifestyle. The Watermelon Festival t-shirt itself becomes a sort of status symbol with citizens vying to be the first to purchase their shirt and wear it around town. The preparation for each year’s festival
happens just a few days after the previous year’s festival ends with the meeting of the Watermelon Festival Committee who determine the variety of vendors and entertainment for the celebration. The Committee also seeks sponsors who help finance the large event. Roughly 40 sponsors each year donate in amounts ranging from $150–$2500 to help support the festival. The Committee also works with the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the City of Russellville, and the Franklin County Junior Leadership Program, a 10-month service organization for Franklin County High School Juniors, to facilitate the weekend as well as the numerous volunteers who work diligently to produce a top-notch event. Medley is in awe over the love and enthusiasm Franklin County has for this festival. “It really is all about smalltown pride. Something so simple, a watermelon, has brought so many people together,” she said. “This could have easily fallen to the wayside, but the people of Russellville and the surrounding county have made the Watermelon Festival a part of their life. It’s a tradition. It matters to these people.” She dreams of expanding the festival leaps and bounds with the possible addition of a third day, a parade and big names to further enhance the atmosphere. The 37th Annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival will be held Friday night, August 18th from 6-10pm and Saturday, August 19th from, 9am-10pm in Downtown Russellville, Alabama. Medley recommends that everyone come to Russellville, bring a lawn chair, grab a slice of watermelon and learn for themselves why the Watermelon Festival has been successful for so long.
STORY BY CHARLES S. GORDON
16 ENTERTAINMENT
Secret Stages is celebrating their 7th year.
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AUGUST 2017
Bell Adair played the first Secret Stages in 2011.
SECRET STAGES
GETTING HYPE AT SECRET STAGES!
A BIRMINGHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL SHOWCASES LOCAL EMERGING TALENT
Summer is winding down, school is starting, and the prime time for music festivals is coming to an end. Don’t want the music to stop? Good news! Secret Stages has announced that they are returning for their seventh year! Never heard of Secret Stages? Don’t worry. We’re here to help! Secret Stages takes place the first weekend in August in downtown Birmingham and features more than 60 up-and-coming, cuttingedge music acts from across the country. It boasts itself as a “music discovery festival.” Tickets are $50 for a weekend pass, $100 for VIP, and $30 for a day pass. There will be six stages that stretch across the two blocks of Second Avenue North and 23rd Street as well as 22nd and 24th Street North in the Loft District; this means that you will
have plenty of music to explore! If you purchase tickets online, you can pick them up at the box office that will be located in the parking lot between Pale Eddie’s and Rogue Tavern on the 2300 block of 2nd Ave. North, starting at Noon on Friday, August 5. Now, why should you attend Secret Stages? Do the names Dawes, Shovels & Rope, Belle Adair, Doc Dailey, Dylan Leblanc or St. Paul & The Broken Bones mean anything to you? They have all performed at past Secret Stages festivals. There is always great music to be found during Secret Stages! What do the stages and tickets consist of? The six stages are all located in a two block area that, in the past, has included Pale Eddie’s, Rogue Tavern, Matthew’s Bar &
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ENTERTAINMENT 17
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A map of the festival can be found at secretstages.com.
Many bands play their first festivals at Secret Stages.
FROM SECRET STAGES 2016. Grill, M-Lounge, Das Haus, and the all-ages Midtown Main Stage. With general admission, you get access to all six stages. However, with the VIP pass, you’ll get access to an extra venue with exclusive entertainment as well as complimentary catered food and drinks. Keep in mind that, since a lot of the stages are in bars, there are age restrictions. The Main Stage and the VIP at the Parthenon Conference Center are for folks of all ages, but Das Haus, Rouge Taven and Pale Eddie’s are 18+ establishments. Festival-goers under 18 can purchase a venue pass for the Main Stage for $15 while guests between the ages of 18 and 20 can buy any pass for $5 off. Go ahead and prepare yourself for the festival by listening to the media player on the Secret Stages website or the Secret Stages Spotify playlist to hear all of the bands performing at the festival. We’ll be there. Will you?
THIS YEARS LINEUP IS:
Aaron Burdett Band (Asheville, NC) Adam Torres (Austin, TX) Afrobeta (Miami, FL) Alabama Rose (Birmingham, AL) The Anthony Pirog Trio (Washington, DC) Anwar Sadat (Louisville, KY) ASAD ILL w/ Burnin Giraph (Los Angeles, CA) Blunt Bangs (Athens, GA) Brad Armstrong (Rhinebeck, NY) The Bronzed Chorus (Greensboro, NC) Caleb Elliott (Shreveport, LA) Camacho (Decatur, AL) Cuz Lightyear (Atlanta, GA) Dasher (Cayuga, IN) Della Ray (Tuscaloosa, AL) deM atlaS (Minneapolis, MN) Devon Sproule (Charlottesville, VA) DieAlps! (Tampa, FL) Dogwood (Birmingham, AL) Dumb Waiter (Richmond, VA) Dylan Earl and the Reasons Why (Fayetteville, AR)
Early James and the Latest (Birmingham, AL) Glories (Birmingham, AL) Jabee (Oklahoma City, OK) James and the Ultrasounds (Memphis, TN) Jeff Zagers (Savannah, GA) Jesse Aycock (Tulsa, OK) Jonny P (Nashville, TN) Little Stranger (Charleston, SC) :lovesongs (Athens, GA) Lowland Hum (Charlottesville, VA) Mad Squablz (Philadelphia, PA) Manrelic (Nashville, TN) Marcel P. Black (Baton Rouge, LA) Molly Parden (Nashville, TN) Nossiens (Hattiesburg, MS) Omni (Atlanta, GA) Patois Counselors (Charlotte, NC) The Prescriptions (Nashville, TN) Richard Daniel (Birmingham, AL) River Kittens (St. Louis, MO) Sarah Shook and the Disarmers (Chapel Hill, NC) Skoolie Escobar (Bessemer, AL) Skyway Man (Nashville, TN)
Small Batch (Lexington, KY) Snakes (Baltimore, MD) Snail Mail (Baltimore, MD) Spocka Summa (Providence, RI) Swarming Branch (Columbus, OH / Boone, NC) Timber (Birmingham, AL) Trio Noir (Birmingham, AL) Tristen (Nashville, TN) Tyler Ambrosius (Birmingham, AL) Us, Today (Cincinnati, OH) The Veldt (Raleigh, NC / New York, NY) The Wall Chargers (Shreveport, LA) Western Medication (Nashville, TN) Wolfpack ATL (Atlanta, GA) Young Valley (Jackson, MS) The Young Step (St. Augustine, FL)
STORY BY DUSTIN COAN
18 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Kahri Member Since 2013 Abby Member Since 2013
Drew Member Since 2013
Rebecca Member Since 2013
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SPECIAL FEATURE 19
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2001: A Space Odyssey is Kojima’s favorite movie.
The anti war themes of the Planet Of The Apes movies inspired Kojima to explore his own anti war views in the Metal Gear series.
Carpenter admitted his great respect for Kojima.
CALL ME SNAKE HOW HIDEO KOJIMA’S LOVE OF MOVIES HELPED CREATE ONE OF GAMING’S MOST ENDURING FRANCHISES
LEFT: KOJIMA’S “SNAKE” RIGHT: CARPENTER’S “SNAKE”. Video game maker Hideo Kojima is obsessed with movies. All you have to do is scroll through his Twitter page for confirmation of that. He probably spends more time talking about the movies he’s been watching than anything to do with video games. Over the last three decades, his love of all things cinematic has bled over into his most famous creation—the Metal Gear series. This influence can be seen in all aspects of the game from the characters, story, cut scenes and even the dialogue between characters. The Metal Gear games feature a blend of stealth, action and fourth wall humor that was completely unique when the first game came out in 1987. Even now there aren’t many games quite like it. It also has probably one of the most entertainingly convoluted stories in video game history. The games take place over a broad period of time beginning at the height of the Cold War in 1964 and (so far) ending in 2018. Veteran special forces operative Solid Snake starts out as the primary protagonist of the series and players guide him through battles with the legendary soldier Big Boss, his
cloned offspring, and futuristic walking battle tanks known as Metal Gears. The newer games in the series have placed the player in the shoes of Big Boss and followed his evolution into the main villain of the series. Reading interviews with Kojima reveals a near infinite amount of cinematic influences on the series, but a movie that has left one of the biggest imprints is the 1981 cult classic “Escape From New York.” The movie depicts an America where skyrocketing crime levels have led to the island of Manhattan being turned into a maximum security prison for the country’s worst criminals. Kurt Russell’s gruff anti-hero Snake Plissken is tasked with finding the President after Air Force One is hijacked by a terrorist and crashed on to the island. Hideo Kojima first saw the movie upon its release in 1981 and immediately fell in love with it and its unique protagonist; “I was especially electrified by the hero, Snake Plissken. Being in the midst of my rebellious period, the anti-hero “Snake” resonated harmoniously! He
was a dark hero that separated himself from the orthodox hero who was either part of some organization, enslaved by the system, or was justice personified”. It’s no surprise that Kojima ended up using the name Snake for his character. Kojima even makes another callback to Solid Snake’s namesake in Metal Gear Solid 2 when Solid Snake briefly goes under the code name Iroquois Plissken (the word Iroquois means “snake” in some Algonquin languages). Beyond just the sharing of the same name, both characters have similar personalities and cynical views of the shadowy dystopian world surrounding them. They are each veteran soldiers with extensive training in stealth, firearms and hand-to-hand combat. Neither has strong loyalty to the countries they fight for and would prefer to live as loners with no authority figures hanging over them. The physical appearance of Solid Snake has a more complex and evolving set of cinematic influences. The box art for the very first game modeled the character after the character Kyle Reese from The Terminator. Once the series moved over to the PlayStation, he became much more detailed with his body designed to resemble Jean Claude Van Damme and his face resembling Christopher Walken. By the time of Metal Gear Solid 4, Solid Snake has aged into an old man. Kojima has said this version of the character was modeled after actor Lee Van Cleef, who has a prominent role in “Escape From New York.” This actor was also used as the model for recurring series villain Revolver Ocelot who resembles an old western gunslinger (a role that Lee Van Cleef often played in the 1960s and 1970s). The characters aren’t the only aspects of the games that benefited from Kojima’s love of movies, but also the style of gameplay as well. Before the Metal Gear series, you didn’t really have video games forcing players to
deal with a deadly situations stealthily. Most shooters, for example, were of the “run and gun” variety that threw endless waves of enemies at the player and didn’t allow for them to deal with situations any other way. Shooting and hand to hand combat are big parts of the “Metal Gear” series, but Kojima believed that forcing players to be more selective when it came to using violence would lead to a more rewarding gaming experience. This playstyle was likely derived from “Escape From New York,” having the main character infiltrate a place stealthily to execute their mission and get out without raising the alarm. “Escape From New York” can’t claim to Kojima’s only source of influence on the style of the series though. He’s also cited “The Great Escape,” “Guns of the Navarone,” and the James Bond series. “The Great Escape” in particular involves POWs trying to tunnel out of a Nazi camp in World War 2. The goal is not to kill but to successfully pull off their escape. Outside of the main bosses, Kojima has always left it open for the player to complete the game without killing anyone. It’s a challenge that the most skilled “Metal Gear” players relish. Some of the most exciting art is made by people that are approaching a medium from a completely different viewpoint. For example, famous movie director Stanley Kubrick carried over skills he learned working as a photographer to his film career. His photographic attention to the tiniest details became a trademark of his visual style and set him apart from all other directors. Hideo Kojima similarly has drawn from movies to push video games in radically new directions and expand what this comparatively new medium can accomplish.
STORY BY CALEB BILLINGS
20 CALENDAR
EVENTS
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AUGUST 2017
AUGUST 4 - AUGUST 29 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
DJ NATE SLAUGHTER WILL BE AT 116 E MOBILE AUG 4
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
AUGUST 2017
AUGUST 4
NATE SLAUGHTER, BRYAN BAKER AND HUNTER JACKSON @ 116 E. MOBILE ST., FLORENCE, AL 9:30 PM
AUGUST 4-5
SECRET STAGES @ DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM, AL
AUGUST 5
JOHN PAUL WHITE @ CROCKETT THEATRE, LAWRENCEBURG, TN 7:00 PM
AUGUST 6
CALENDAR 21
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MAGIC CITY MAC ’N’ CHEESE FESTIVAL @ AVONDALE BREWING COMPANY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 1:00 PM MARY J. BLIGE @ METRO NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM, NASHVILLE, TN 8:00 PM
AUGUST 8
JOHN MAYER @ THE BRIDGESTONE ARENA, NASHVILLE, TN 7:00 PM LISA LAMPANELLI @ STAND UP LIVE, HUNTSVILLE, AL 6:30 PM
AUGUST 9
WILDER ATKINS WITH MCKENZIE LOCKHART AND EARLY JAMES @ 116 E. MOBILE ST., FLORENCE, AL 7:00 PM
AUGUST 10
JASON ALDEAN, KANE BROWN AND CHRIS YOUNG @ OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATRE, PELHAM, AL 7:00 PM
AUGUST 12
4TH ANNUAL GREEN CORN RUN 5K AND 1 MILE FUN RUN @ OAKVILLE INDIAN MOUNDS PARK & MUSEUM, DANVILLE, AL 8:00 AM DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS AND THE MAINE @ ASCEND AMPHITHEATER, NASHVILLE, TN 7:30 PM THE STEELDRIVERS @ THREE CAVES, HUNTSVILLE, AL 7:00 PM
AUGUST 13
ROGER WATERS @ THE BRIDGESTONE ARENA, NASHVILLE, TN 8:00 PM
AUGUST 17
SHAKEY GRAVES @ AVONDALE BREWING COMPANY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 8:00 PM
AUGUST 18
WATERMELON FESTIVAL @ Russelville, AL Show starts at 7:00 PM
AUGUST 19
RENAISSANCE CITY PRIDE ON THE RIVER @ MCFARLAND PARK, FLORENCE, AL 12:00 PM DECATUR HEART WALK @ OLD STATE BANK, DECATUR, AL 9:00 AM ROCKIN’ THE RIVER @ JOE WHEELER STATE PARK, ROGERSVILLE, AL 1:00 PM UMPHREY’S MCGEE @ ASCEND AMPHITHEATER, NASHVILLE, TN 7:00 PM NATE SLAUGHTER @ SINGING RIVER BREWERY, FLORENCE, AL 9:00 PM
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
AUGUST 24
SHOOTER JENNINGS @ SINGIN’ RIVER BREWING COMPANY, FLORENCE, AL 8:00 PM THE BIG DEAL - LISTERHILL CREDIT UNION CAR GIVEAWAY @ UNA
AUGUST 25
JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT @ THE VON BRAUN CENTER, HUNTSVILLE, AL 8:00 PM
AUGUST 26
MURFREESBORO HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL @ OAKLANDS PARK, MURFREESBORO, TN 5:00 PM
AUGUST 29
IRON AND WINE @ SATURN, BIRMINGHAM, AL 8:00 PM
22 HEALTH
Buy organic: cucumber skin is covered with pesticides.
WWW.GETSETMAG.COM Cucumbers contain bacteria that help kill bad breath.
AUGUST 2017
Eating cucumbers speeds up hair and fingernail growth.
COOL AS A CUCUMBER
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CUCUMBERS
Cats are afraid of them. Jamaicans rap about them, and, for some reason, they’re cool. That’s right: cucumbers. And they’re better for you than you probably thought. In this age of mass communication, we’re starting to learn things that challenge conventions about the food we’ve always eaten. We’ve always known fruit and vegetables are good for us. But recent or suppressed studies have revealed that fruit, vegetables and grains may be the only things that are good for us. The list of health benefits of cucumbers is long, and two don’t even require consumption. So cucumbers
are even useful to people who don’t enjoy the taste! If you don’t like cucumbers, it could be due to your genetic makeup. In 1931, scientists discovered an organic substance called Phenylthiocarbamide, or PTC, in cucumbers. PTC is either bitter or tasteless depending on the genetic makeup of the individual. But pickling cucumbers virtually eliminates the taste of PTC. Cucumbers fight cancer! The cells of cucumbers contain an organic polymer called polyphenols that may reduce the risk of developing breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Studies
AUGUST 2017
HEALTH 23
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Cucumbers contain 13 vitamins and minerals.
The term cool as a cucumber is actually derived from the cucumbers ability to cool the temperature of the blood.
It’s possible to have too much of a good thing, even vitamins!
Have you ever noticed that a freshly grown cucumber looks different than those we buy in a supermarket? The cucumbers in supermarkets look glossy because they’re coated in an edible wax that protects them from moisture loss, insects and damage during transport. It’s a good idea to remove the wax before consumption because there could be residual pesticides trapped underneath. You can remove the wax by washing the fruit with cold water, submerging it for two minutes in a mixture of lemon juice or water and vinegar, scrubbing it with a rough cloth, and washing it in cold water again. But the healthiest way to eat your cucumbers is to peel them first. Cucumbers are a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed by themselves, on a sandwich, in a salad or as a juice. They can be fermented into delicious pickles or rubbed on the skin to fight signs of aging. They’re a great hydrator and source of energy. They’re simply amazing. If you think you don’t like cucumbers, try some of these easy recipes. Maybe you just haven’t found your cucumber song.
MACKA B RAPS ABOUT CUCUMBERS. FOR YOUR HEALTH! on polyphenols have shown that eating cucumbers and certain other greens can prevent some of the things that cause cancer. Polyphenols have an array of benefits and can be found in many plants we consume such as grapes, green and black tea, pomegranate and broccoli. Cucumbers contain antioxidants! In addition to vitamin C, cucumbers contain other antioxidants with various benefits. Kaempferol is an antioxidant that has been proven to reduce diabetic complications, interrupt the growth of cancer cells, decrease infection and prevent cardiovascular disease. Quercetin is a type of antioxidant in cucumbers, tomatoes, berries and broccoli. It has stunning antiinflammatory properties that prevent high cholesterol, heart disease, cataracts, stomach ulcers, gout, viral infections and cancer. Quercetin also lowers the effects of seasonal and food allergies, asthma and skin reactions. And it’s a natural arthritis treatment! Cucumbers are natural breath mints! Holding a cucumber slice between your tongue and the roof of your mouth for about 90 seconds increases the rate of saliva production washing away odor-causing bacteria. Cucumbers boost energy and prevent headaches! Cucumbers are high in
vitamin B, carbohydrates, sugar and electrolytes which can help you avoid headaches and fatigue without relying on harmful pills, supplements and energy drinks. So next time you feel like you need a pick-me-up, slice up a cucumber and drop it in your water instead of going out to buy a threedollar Red Bull. Cucumbers make you look younger! A photochemical in cucumbers makes the collagen in your skin tighten, lessening the visibility of wrinkles on your skin. Not only can you place slices on your eyes to prevent bags under the eyes, but you can rub slices on an unwanted spot of cellulite or wrinkles to reduce visibility. Cucumbers keep your memory sharp! Cucumbers contain another anti-inflammatory phytochemical compound called fisetin that has been proven to prevent one of our most depressing diseases, Alzheimer’s. The Salk Institute for Biological studies discovered that a daily dose of fisetin prevented memory and learning impairments in mice that usually develop Alzheimer’s symptoms within a year of birth. Before the Salk Institute’s study, treating Alzheimer’s symptoms mainly relied on targeting proteins called amyloid plaques that are blamed for the development of Alzheimer’s.
CUCUMBER SALAD
Ingredients: 2 cups thinly sliced cucumbers 1 cup thinly sliced onion 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup vinegar 1/4 cup water 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon dill weed 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 pinch ground red pepper This recipe is simple but can be modified based on the cook’s taste. Feel free to add sliced olives, halved cherry tomatoes or anything else you think would taste good in the mix! Place the cucumber slices in a bowl, sprinkle in the salt and add the onions. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour them over the cucumbers and onions. Toss lightly and cover. Refrigerate the salad for an hour or until you’re ready to eat. Toss before serving.
VIETNAMESE STYLE SANDWICH
Ingredients: 1/2 inch thick pork chop 1 hoagie roll desired amount fresh cilantro desired amount of thinly sliced jalapeños desired amount julienned carrots desired amount sliced cucumbers
desired amount thinly sliced onion 1/2 tablespoon peeled and grated ginger 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 tablespoon Sriracha 1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Place the pork chop in a ziplock bag with the soy sauce. Mix the mayonnaise, Sriracha and sesame oil to make a spicy mayo. Put the hoagie in the oven open faced to toast. Heat the vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet, add the garlic and ginger and sear the pork chop for about 5 to 7 minutes per side. When the hoagie is toasted to your liking, smear on the spicy mayo. Add your cooked pork chop and raw vegetables to the hoagie roll. Enjoy!
CUCUMBER SORBET
(Ice cream maker needed) (About 1 quart) Ingredients: 1-1/2 pounds peeled and seeded cucumbers 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 cup granulated sugar Finish off your cucumber-based meal with this incredibly simple, threeingredient sorbet. Peel cucumbers and remove the seeds. Cut them into 2-inch pieces and place them in a food processor with the lemon juice and sugar. Process the mixture until smooth. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and let chill in the refrigerator until cold. Freeze the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the unit’s instructions. Process until the mixture has reached a softserve consistency. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and sit it in the freezer for about four hours before eating. It’s best to let the ice cream sit at room temperature for five minutes before serving.
STORY BY WESLEY HOPKINS
24 SPOTLIGHT
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SAY CHEESE!
SET READERS IN ACTION
AUGUST 2017
PHOTOS BY WILL COREY, DEAN COAN, COURTNEY TULLY AND LUKE ARCHER
BONAROO 2017 MANCHESTER, TN, JUNE 8-11, PHOTOS BY WILL COREY
HEAD AND THE HEART
BLUEGRASS SITUATION ROOTS
CROWD FUN DURING UMPHREY’S MCGEE
ED HELMS OF BLUEGRASS SITUATION ROOTS
CAGE THE ELEPHANT
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SPOTLIGHT 25
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SLOSS FEST BIRMINGHAM, AL, JULY 15-16, PHOTOS BY DUSTIN COAN
THE FURNACE
CHALRES BRADLEY
MUSIC DOESN’T STOP FOR RAIN
WAKA FLAKA FLAME
NERVES BADDINGTON
26 SPOTLIGHT
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AUGUST 2017
SET SUMMER PARTY BLUEWATER BREWING, JULY 26, PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY
JORDAN TOLBERT, TOSHA-PAIGE BREWER, EMILY STRICKLIN
CARLEY MALONE, CHANDLAR WRIRICK, ANDREA SEXTON, ANNIE KENNEDY
THE BAND WILLIS
MARY KATHERINE BROWN, LAUREN DAVIS, LILY RAUSCH
DONIALLE KILLEN, CASSIE FOSTER, RYMAN
AUGUST 2017
SPOTLIGHT 27
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HANDY NIGHTS FATHERS AND SONS SHOW AT FLOBAMA, JULY 25, PHOTOS BY LUKE ARCHER
CRAIG MCREE
TAYLOR WILLIAMS, TANIYA AND LAKEN VAUGN
WILL AND JANET MCFARLANE AND ARTHUR TREFF
BRADY KEENUM AND JESSICA SMOLKA
NORMAN GARNER BAND
28 SPECIAL FEATURE
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Boutique hotels have been around since the ’80’s.
The first hotel opened in 707 A.D., in Komatsu, Japan, and has been operated by the same family for 46 generations.
AUGUST 2017
Uniqueness is a boutique hotel’s most important quality.
THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL TREND CHANGING THE WAY WE BOOK
Hospitality has proven to be one of the most progressive industries in the market and continues to modernize the standard of a traditional hotel. Airbnb has embraced the sharing revolution by giving people the opportunity to stay in high-rises, cottages and even boat houses. Although this innovative venture has established the company as the leading competitor in the industry, the reviews for this service have not always been flawless. What if, in an Airbnb world full of unexpected inconveniences and fraudulent accounts, you could still have a unique travel experience and avoid the yellow striped walls and floral comforters within the conglomerate hotel corporations? There is good news.
BAR AREA SURROUNDED BY CONTEMPORARY RUGS.
The boutique hotel trend started in the 1980s in major cities like Paris and New York and is making a comeback in smaller metropolitan areas where there is demand for quality accommodation. According to Covington Travel, boutique hotel characteristics include a small number of rooms, prime locations, local culture, and eccentric guests. This new trend establishes an atmosphere free of long elevator rides and dirty shower floors in your average hotel and creates new possibilities of individuality and class while staying in the heart of a city. The Shoals area is full of hotels with minimal accommodations and inadequate locations. Lucky for the folks of Florence, there is a boutique
hotel coming right downtown among the appetizing restaurants and entertaining nightlife. The GunRunner Boutique Hotel is opening August 1 in Florence, Alabama and SET Magazine got an exclusive tour with Judy Hood while renovations came to a close in July. The mastermind behind the idea of GR is Billy Ray Casteel, a business owner from the Shoals area. The hotel remains historic with exposed brick walls and original wood floor from an old pawn shop and gun retailer – hence the name. The architecture is far from outdated though, with chestnut-stained wooden beams and elegant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The entrance to GunRunner
ADDING THE FINISHING TOUCHES.
AUGUST 2017
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Entrepreneur Steve Rubell, coined the term boutique hotel.
The most expensive hotel room is The Royal Penthouse suite of Hotel President Wilson in Geneva. The average price per night is approximately $61K - $84K.
SPECIAL FEATURE 29
6 of the top 10 tallest hotels in the world are in Dubai.
VELVET WALLPAPER AT GUNRUNNER. is a colossal wooden door in the back of Turbo Coffee on East Tennessee Street in downtown Florence. The first floor has a couple of rooms and an unfinished warehouse, where Hood said there might be plans for another business in the future. Beyond the wooden door is a staircase leading to the second floor where the real magic awaits. Billy Ray has a vision for start-ups and real estate, but his wife has a knack for interior design. Suzy Casteel has transformed the once pawn shop into a contemporary sensation full of vintage rugs and unique light fixtures. The entrance is laced with velvet wallpaper leading up to the common area with a big wooden bar lined in fluorescent yellow onyx. The bar will be exclusively accessible to all guests staying at GR. The GunRunner Hotel has 10 rooms with separate themes commemorating local artists, recording studios and businesses including: The Billy Reid suite, Muscle Shoals Sound suite, Single Lock Records suite, The Lion’s Den, Frank Lloyd Wright suite, Smithsonia suite, Devil’s Backbone suite, Glencoe suite, Sam Phillips suite and Casteel’s own Lumber One Company suite. Each space is filled with artifacts and décor that mirrors its theme. The Billy Reid
suite has fabric and apparel sketches dangling on the wall. The Sam Phillips suite has a Sun Records mural painted on the closet doors by artist Scott Campbell. The Frank Lloyd Wright suite is structurally designed with the late architect in mind. The Muscle Shoals Sound suite has a vintage microphone speaker for your phone and golden records hanging on the wall. Each suite was carefully calculated to represent the topic of interest in a way that transports you into the world of music, art and history – everything that the Shoals stand for. All but three suites feature private balconies looking over East Tennessee Street, and guests have access to the rooftop view of downtown Florence. According to the hotel’s website, more benefits include “large walk-in tiled showers, custom sound systems, 55-inch televisions, wet bars, refrigerators and luxury bedding.” Hood revealed the Billy Reid suite has steamed showers and every guest gets a complimentary lush red robe to wear while staying at GR. Prices are double the standard hotel room in the Shoals, but the expense seems well worth the extra dough. The Hotel Analyst conducted “The Boutique and Lifestyle Hotel Report” in
2014, reporting that there is no longer a “catch all” segment in the hospitality industry that pleases all consumers. This could be good news for boutique hotel owners because this could allow consumers to become loyal customers in these distinct hospitality markets. For example, instead of a person bouncing from one big name hotel to another because they are unsatisfied, this consumer could find the niche market of boutique hotels and choose that option when traveling. The market that the boutique hotel industry targets is the individualistic and the unconventional, appealing to their sense of freedom from major conglomerate corporations that could care less whether they enjoy their stay or not. The term millennial is usually attached with a negative connotation, but this generation is making smarter decisions that benefit local economies compared to the country as a whole; this means more restaurants, entertainment, recreation and even hospitality geared toward the popular demand of millennials. With this in mind, the world could shift its accommodation efforts from baby boomers to the younger generation that is coming of age. This does not
necessarily mean more brunching and Netflix options (sorry, y’all), but instead a more sustainable, environmentallyfriendly, socially responsible, healthy and education-driven society. No hate intended toward the older generation by any means, but the technology today has given millennials more information than ever before, and they are changing the way goods and services are consumed. The boutique hotel industry fits the description of what millennials want in hospitality: a customized, accommodating experience tailored to the open-minded, independent consumer that embraces change. Although Florence has the reputation of being slow to change, businesses like GunRunner could mean more opportunities are making their way to this small southeastern town. Looking back, downtown Florence has come a long way since Outlaw Tom Clark was buried underneath Tennessee Street in 1872 (look it up, you will thank me later).
STORY BY MALLORY KIRK
30 FREESTYLE
AUGUST 2017
ONE FINAL THOUGHT
PHOTO BY CHRIS ANDERSON
FREESTYLE
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IN NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE: STREET ART!
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