VOLUME 04 ISSUE 05 MAY 2016
TURN ME RIGHT ROUND BABY, RIGHT ROUND
CYLCE PATHIC
IT’S GOOD TO BE KING
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MAY 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
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CHOOSING TO RIDE A BIKE ... SAVES MONEY ON GAS AND IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. SPOKETACULAR CYCLING, P28
LETTER
CONTRIBUTORS
FROM THE EDITOR
LET’S HEAR IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
THRIVING IN ALABAMA NONPROFIT BRINGS HIV/AIDS EDUCATION TO THE SHOALS . . . . . 6-7
HUNTIN’ When I was a little girl I loved going to visit my grandmother’s house, just under a half mile from my childhood home. Grandmother and I loved to cook, look at old pictures, watch subpar TV court shows and more importantly, go bird huntin’. “Grandma, can we go bird huntin’?” I asked politely, my little voice cracking in excitement. “Grab the broom, honey, and come on,” she’d say, motioning her wrinkled hands toward the back door. “Grandma’ll take you bird huntin’.” “Huntin’” came in the form of roving newly sodden trees for bird nests and knocking them from their budding state, I’m sad to say, but I wouldn’t trade our slightly redneck outdoor adventures like that for the world. Dollar General broom in one hand, the other in the safe space of my grandmother’s fingers, on a mission from God to find something so foreign to my toddler brain – a bird’s nest and offspring. As I said previously, May is the precursor to summer. The rain has come and gone, and flowers of the era are blooming bright colors. Oh, and the sweat on my upper lip has already graced my mirror selfies. Some of you out there know the travesty I speak of. While the sweat and chafing do ensue, don’t let that get in the way of the outdoors you think you already know. What better a way to explore nature than strolling an unearthed trail, hiking stick in one hand and a water bottle in the other. Or flask.
LIFE FROM EVERY ANGLE HOW 360-TECHNOLOGY IS TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN. . . 8
THE HOLY GRAIL OF TRAILS A LOCAL GUIDE TO HIKES WE LIKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
THE LAD AND THE LION LOCAL COMIC WRITER INCORPORATES UNA IN RECENT STRIP. . . . 15
WINE AND DINE WITHOUT THE AIRLINES You do you. SET contributors Kelli Axley and Allie Sockwell have compiled an extensive list of trails beckoning the soles of your Chacos and Tevas this summer. Follow your heart, or more importantly the map, to find your light at the end of the trail (tagging @setmagazine in all your social media posts, duh). Also, if the sunshine has your craving the concrete instead of the carpet, check out SET contributor Wesley Hopkins’s article on how you can start biking for exercise. If you get hungry along the way, Columbia native Lexi Peck has suggestions for the best Italian, seafood and deli restaurants in the area. As always, if you’re interested in joining the SET family feel free to email me at editor@getsetmag.com. May the forsythias be with you.
VACATION-STYLE EATS AT HOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
BLANK COMICS, COFFEE AND RECORDS NEW SHOP COMPLETES THE GEEKVERSE IN FLORENCE. . . . . . . . . 18
CALENDAR WHAT’S GOING ON HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
MISSED MOTHER’S DAY? SIGNATURE MOM GIFTS FOR THE FORGETFUL SOUL. . . . . . . . . . 22
SPOTLIGHT SET READERS IN ACTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-27
SPOKETACULAR CYCLING BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO CYCLING FOR EXERCISE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
FREESTYLE BY ANNA GRACE USERY, EDITOR
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4 CONTRIBUTORS
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SET CONTRIBUTORS WILL COREY
Florence, AL
SPENCER BROOKS Athens, AL
ISAAC RAY NORRIS Hubbertville, AL
ALLIE SOCKWELL
Lawrenceburg, TN
JONATHAN FOSTER ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN Florence, AL
Florence, AL
KELLI AXLEY
KALI DANIEL
LEXI PECK
Florence, AL
Murfreesboro, TN
Columbia, TN
COURTNEY TULLY
JACKSON TOWNSEND
WESLEY HOPKINS
Rogersville, AL
Pulaski, TN
Florence, AL
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CONTRIBUTORS 5
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Miracle Osborne
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6 NONPROFIT
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2 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2014.
MAY 2016
For more information, visit thrivealabama.org.
THRIVING IN ALABAMA ME: Why open a clinic in Florence?
NONPROFIT BRINGS HIV/AIDS EDUCATION TO THE SHOALS HIV and AIDS are still prevalent issues within our society and culture. It’s a disease that has taken many lives and affected countless more. One nonprofit in Alabama has been fighting HIV/AIDS since 1988. Thrive Alabama, formerly the AIDS Action Coalition, fights both the disease and the stigma still clouding it. I recently spoke with April Koonce (AK), Mark Moore (MM), Jay Hixon (JH), and Jennifer Deermer (JD) of Thrive Alabama on the impact the organization has had on Florence and the state of Alabama. Koonce is the social worker and manager of the Florence clinic and Moore, Hixon, and Deermer are part of the organization’s development and marketing team.
ME: What exactly is Thrive? MARK MOORE:
Thrive Alabama is a nonprofit that specializes in HIV testing and care. Our home offices are in Huntsville, Alabama. We opened in 1988, known then and the following years as the Aids Action Coalition (AAC). We recently changed our name to Thrive Alabama. We offer STI/STD treatment, along with HIV treatment services in terms of dieticians, navigation, prevention and housing services. We also have an on-staff Affordable Care Act Navigator for ObamaCare. Also, we now offer PrEP. Most of our services are of no charge to our patients.
AK: Saturday, April 9, 2016 was my
image of HIV-positive people felt necessary to stay relevant.
15th year working for this organization in Florence. I started mostly in outreach in 2001. My degree was in social work, and we had clients all over west Alabama. We didn’t have a clinic in Florence, so many people were not able to come to Huntsville to pick up their medication. When I first started working, a lot of people we uninsured. Because of that and the Alabama Drug Assistance Program, they were only able to get their prescriptions filled once a month. My main purpose for opening a clinic was to get people their medication. As we’ve grown, people on this side of the state don’t have to go to Huntsville unless they want to. Our medical provider comes at least once a week to interact with patients, and we also offer a teleappointment for our patients via the internet. Basically, there was a need and we wanted to meet that need.
ME:
How have you impacted the LGBT community here in Florence?
ME:
APRIL KOONCE:
MM: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is when people at very high risk for HIV take HIV medicines daily to lower their chances of getting infected. Currently we don’t have any patients or clients using PrEP in Florence. PrEP was approved by the FDA in 2012, and we just started prescribing it around November with 40-44 patients in Huntsville. We want to make sure that everything is working smoothly before we send it out to our satellite locations.
Having a clinic in downtown Florence has been so much better. It’s easier for our clients to get their medication and it is near everything that I refer to as a social worker. It’s close to Riverbend, the Medicaid office, the social security office, the Presbyterian church, etc. We have people coming in, walking up and down the sidewalk, asking who we are and what we are because we are new to downtown. It’s given us a lot of visibility in the area.
What can you tell me about PrEP?
ME: How many people do you treat in ME: Are you worried about the long Florence?
term effects of a new drug as a clinic?
99 percent effective if used properly, and you just can’t beat those numbers.
ME: Who is at risk for infection? MM: In the South, it is primarily African American men. After that is African American women, then back to gay men. The South in general has the highest rate of infections, especially in rural areas. Florence is a perfect area to get people tested and informed, as well as getting them care. ME: Have you faced any push back when talking to younger groups?
MM: Surprisingly very little. One of the new programs we have is called the Student Movement Against Stigma and Hate, or SMASH. They have some really great events that target youth and college-aged people. It’s an awareness vehicle. Last year in Florence they had almost 1,000 students in attendance at an event. In a way, we have had to pick up the slack for the lack of sex education in schools, but the response has been phenomenal and very positive. ME: How do you find funding? MM: Forty-seven percent of our money comes in through federal and state grants. Another 40 percent comes from our prescription drug program, then another portion comes from individual gifts and fundraising. JENNIFER DEERMER: We’re planning on using all of the donations that come in to purchase a mobile testing unit. This unit will go into lowincome populations and certain events to do more screening-type testing.
What language should people AK: We have about 76 people who we MM: In major cities, PrEP isn’t new. ME: use when speaking on the issue of treat in Florence.
ME:
Why transition from AIDS Action Coalition to Thrive?
MM: In total we have about 670 clients with HIV who we assist.
MM: AIDS is still a stigma, especially in the South. We wanted a name that was more friendly and approachable. People living with HIV are living healthier, longer lives. So a name change that promoted that positive
JAY HIXON:
In the last year our numbers have risen to about 3,000 patients and clients for north Alabama, southern Tennessee and Mississippi.
It has been very successful; most people only deal with nausea, and we test every three months for kidney and liver function in our patients. New medications are being approved for the use of PrEP. Truvada is the brand name for PrEP, and they are working on a new pill with less side effects. As with any medication, there may be some long term effects. PrEP is 92 to
HIV/AIDS?
MM: I just talk to people normally. If someone uses a word with a negative connotation, I just respond in kind because we don’t want to browbeat them and make them feel less than. As far as the stigma goes, I compare HIV to diabetes. You’re going to have it for the rest of your life, and you’re going to
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Globally, an estimated 2.6 million children were living with HIV in 2014.
THRIVE ALABAMA be taking pills for the rest of your life. But it’s still not something that you want. We also have to deal with the lax attitude toward, especially among youth. You still have to be responsible for your health. It’s all about getting education out there and making it a part of your regular health routine.
for being HIV-positive. They’re going to be doing advocacy for people who become positive and go through the process and get wrongly accused. There are going to be a lot of different stories, from military wives to other people who became positive without knowing it.
AK:
The terminology behind the stigma of “being clean,” is detrimental. If someone is diagnosed with HIV, the hardest part is hearing someone say that they feel “so dirty,” when you aren’t. You just became positive.
MM: You run into a lot of gray areas when trying to criminalize HIV. There was a situation wherein a man didn’t disclose his status even though there was no transmission, and there was protection used. It’s a difficult area.
MM: All of it is irrelevant. Becoming positive only means that you had sex or shared needles with someone who was positive. What matters is what you do after you find out that you had a reactive test. You’re not a dirty person, and your life still has as much value and potential. We have support groups and counselors on staff to deal with these issues.
MM: Our goal at Thrive is to give people all the facts that we can, and then have people use those facts within their life. We want to encourage everyone to make getting tested a part of their normal health routine. Helping people with this issue is why we are here.
AK:
I have people that tell me that they disclose their status and people bolt. It takes a lot of courage to disclose your status.
ME:
What can someone do if they get tested, have a reactive test, and the person who infected them didn’t disclose their status?
JD:
We’re actually having an HIV Is Not A Crime Conference May 17 through 20 at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The conference will bring awareness and will feature talks with survivors who have been victimized and criminalized
Though the issue of HIV/AIDS is serious topic, Thrive takes a comfortable approach to help those who need it. Thrive’s Florence clinic, The Hames Clinic, is located at 112 South Pine St. They are open Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Fridays 8 a.m. to noon. To find out more about Thrive Alabama, visit their website at thrivealabama.org.
STORY BY ISAAC RAY NORRIS
8 TECH
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The digital camera was created in December 1975.
MAY 2016
Kodak launched the first commercial DSLR in 1991.
LIFE FROM EVERY ANGLE
2015 FLORENCE CHRISTMAS PARADE IN DOWNTOWN FLORENCE
HOW 360-TECHNOLOGY IS TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN Imagine being able to sit in your living room and transport instantly to The Eiffel Tower, or immerse yourself in the concert of a lifetime. Teleportation technology is still a thing of the future, but 360-degree video and photo technology isn’t. It’s advanced enough to not only be available but for consumers to recreate the phenomenon affordably. So, what is 360-degree photo and video capability? Well, it’s basically everything. It’s a snapshot of everything surrounding the person taking the shot. You may have seen them recently on Facebook of riots,
jet takeoffs or sporting events. In the past, to make a 360-degree photo or video, you would have to use numerous cameras to capture every perspective then stitch the image together using advanced software. But with the newest cameras you can press one button and have a photo or video of everything you can see. For example, The Ricoh Theta S camera has two 12 megapixel image sensors on either side of the small remote control device and uses either an Android or Apple application to instantly stitch the image together, allowing you to
2016 SETTYS share the moment in seconds. It’s really that simple. 360-degree videos and photos can be viewed on many different devices. To get the best and most immersive experience, a Virtual Reality headset is recommended. A VR headset is a wearable device with two screens that display the image. When you turn your head, the image turns with it. You could be watching a concert and turn to the left to see the guitarist slaying an awesome solo, then turn to the crowd going wild. This technology has limitless possibilities and is most likely the future of media. Many different manufacturers have started producing the headsets including the Samsung Gear VR, Playstation VR, the original Oculus Rift and the frugal option, Google Cardboard. The uses of 360 videos are endless. They can be used to show everything you can see on a cruise or can be attached to drones to provide amazing aerial views
from beautiful landscapes. Virtual tours could be made of cities, houses for rent or nightlife of a place you’re planning to move to, and businesses now have a free and effective marketing tool. With technology rapidly advancing each day, it’s enough to make one wonder if we’ll ever physically visit places in the future. Will we just put on a VR headset and take a virtual vacation to exotic places that people shot on 360-degree cameras? The technology for this is out there, and it’s becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society. The technology could change the way we watch television and how we capture daily life in general, becoming life from every angle.
STORY BY WILL COREY
MAY 2016
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TECH 9
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A local guide to hikes we like.
By Kelli Axley and Allie Sockwell
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HIKING BURNS UP TO 500 CALORIES AN HOUR, MAKING IT AN EXCELLENT FORM OF EXERCISE!
Are you smelling what I'm smelling? It's not the intoxicating blend of 90s Bath and Body Works goodies, but the smell of warm weather sticking around for a while. We’ve endured our April showers and now welcome (with arms wide oooopen) May flowers and its outdoorsy joys the month produces. One of our favorite ways to spend the warmer days is getting outside and doing some exploring. Yes, and camping in the backyard. I'll give you that one. But, if you’re ready to mix things up, keep reading because you’re in luck. Here's a list of some of our favorite hiking trails in the north Alabama, middle Tennessee region: Let's start in Tennessee (home sweet home to me, Allie) and take a look at Columbia, Tennessee’s Cheeks Bend Bluff View Trail. This is a 1.9-mile leisure trail, perfect for all skill levels and easy enough for children. This trail is
ideal for those wanting a peaceful stroll through nature or wanting to have a nature walk with family. You’ll be tucked away enough to feel like you’re far away, surrounded by lots of trees and greenery like cedar groves, hickory trees and ferns. The trail is well-marked, which is a comfort in knowing you won’t get lost! The best part? Keep an eye out for the cave at the end. It is somewhat hidden and off of the main trail, but when you get to the bluff you’ll know you’re close. There are views of the Duck River and canoe rentals are available here as well. Bring a flashlight if you’re up for peeking in the caves! While you’re out and about hiking in this neck of the woods, be sure to grab lunch at the By-pass Deli (the best hamburgers!) or Square Market (delicious sandwiches- I recommend the Reuben or chicken salad and fruit tea) to either pack up for a picnic or enjoy at the restaurant.
If you head a little south from Columbia, still within Maury County, you’ll enter Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, home of Stillhouse Hollow Falls. This is a favorite trail among locals. It’s tucked off Highway 43 right past the bridge, and if you’re not careful you’ll easily miss the brown sign marking its entrance. Once parking in the gravel lot, you’ll begin the hike down. This one mile, moderately-trafficked loop trail is a little easier going down, but the hike back will definitely get your heart rate going. The waterfall along the trail provides the most rewarding view. I suggest you eat a picnic dinner by the falls and bring a blanket for stargazing. Additionally, you can climb the rocks to stand behind the cascading water of the falls, perfect for an impromptu photo session. Bring a pair of Chacos or shoes to wade near the base of the falls, if that’s your kind of thing. Now, let's head to Florence, Alabama
where you'll find Wildwood Park, a local favorite. This oasis is right downtown, tucked pristinely behind the University of North Alabama, boasts beautiful trails, a pavilion, picnic tables and not to mention, the famous Cypress Creek. The creek flows along the outskirts of town and is a popular choice for kayaking, canoeing (check out Beardo Outdoors for rentals), floating and swimming. If you plan a trip down Cypress, your likely finish line will be Wildwood Park. No kayak? No worries. There are plenty of kayak rentals in the area. The park is even equipped with a ramp and steps for getting out of the water with ease. You can find trails on either end of Wildwood Park. The trail closest to the entrance (to the right upon entering the park) is paved and is perfect for a light stroll or even riding your bike. In recent years the city has added a plethora of mountain bike trails that
CRANE CREEK
PRO TIP
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MAKE SURE TO PLAN PLENTY OF TIME TO COMPLETE A COURSE AND ARE PROPERLY FUELED AND HYDRATED.
TVA, ROCKPILE TRAIL
CANE CREEK
TRAIL FACT
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WILLIAM B. BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST (1 OF ALABAMA’S 4 NATIONAL FORESTS) COVERS 181,230 ACRES.
connect across the street from this trail. The bike trails come complete with ramps and various skill level routes. The other hiking trail is at the far end of the park, off the second parking lot. This trail isn't paved and is a moderate hike. You'll hike through the woods, eventually landing an astonishingly beautiful look above Cypress Creek. Wildwood Park is also a popular destination for hammock dwellers, again, if that's your thing. Is all this outdoor activity making you thirsty? Head to Florence's other Wildwood - Wildwood Tavern, where you’ll find local brews, specialty pizzas and hot dogs. You're just a hop, skip and jump away from downtown Florence, so don't miss out on this funky eatery. Quote: “They won’t even mind if you’re a little sweaty. Just don't dance on the bar.” Cross the Tennessee River into Sheffield and Muscle Shoals and you’ll come across the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Trails. There's a variety of trails for walkers, runners,
avid hikers and even bikers. These trails vary from beginner to advanced and offer beautiful scenery of the Tennessee River. Try some of the unpaved trails if you really want to explore. Although maintained, these trails offer a backdrop that, I think, rivals the Amazon. Recently, TVA has been hard at work upgrading and adding new trails. Upgrades include new signs with maps, paved trails and trail markers. Go to TVA’s website for an easy to read map, complete with color coded trails. If you’re feeling more-thanadventurous, I suggest you check out Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve in Tuscumbia. This 700-acre preserve is privately maintained and protected by a nature loving couple, Jim and Faye Lacefield. They have poured their hearts and souls into preserving this diverse area and personally welcome everyone who visits. They provide maps, public restrooms and water stations along the 15 miles of hiking trails.
The canyon is nestled in the Little Mountain region of Colbert County and has everything from waterfalls to wildflowers. However, this isn’t your city park, so you’ll need to prepare for the trek. A water bottle is a must, and I would also recommend packing a snack or picnic if you plan on exploring most of the preserve. I usually take a hiking stick for the steep trails, but you if ask the Lacefield’s they’ll point you to a bundle of sticks for hiking. An even further trek south will lead you to Double Springs, Alabama, home to the Bankhead National Forest, providing a total of 22.3 mile moderate to strenuous loop trails that feature waterfalls and flourishing creeks. Dogs are allowed on the trails, so be sure to include your pets if they’re up for a little challenge! There are several bluffs and rock formations such as Shiprock and Eye of Needle, as well as camping sites and kayaking trails. Bring along your camping gear since a crowd favorite is camping at the top of the waterfall.
One of the most recommended routes is to park at Thompson Creek trail head and hike along the creek, then explore Sipsey River and West Bee Branch Canyon. If you want a day full of breathtaking views, adventures, and exercise, this is your next oasis! Hopefully this list will inspire you to get outside and explore places not too far from your own backyard. The best part is, even if hiking isn’t necessarily your cup of tea, you can find other opportunities within the places above from canoeing to kayaking, spelunking to camping and picnicking to stargazing. We’re fortunate to have such a selection of hiking trails and parks available so close. If you visit any of the places mentioned above, be sure to tweet us your pictures @getsetmag. Happy hiking, friends!
JUSTIN JAYNES, SCOTTY GREER, AND DUSTIN MAY AT CANE CREEK NATURE PRESERVE.
14 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 15
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About 600 comic books are published monthly.
Superman’s favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
THE LAD AND THE LION LOCAL COMIC WRITER INCORPORATES UNA IN RECENT STRIP Martin Powell, a comic writer who has written Superman, Batman, Sherlock Holmes and Rumpelstiltskin among many others, moved to Florence in 2015 to be with his wife, Leia Powell, after meeting her at a comic book convention. Since moving to Florence, Powell recently began working on a new piece close to the heart of UNA: “The Lad and the Lion.” The story, originally a novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, who is Powell’s favorite author, is about a young prince, Michael, who is heir to the throne. When the king is murdered by conspirators, Michael is sent away for his own protection. His ship wrecks and he is saved by another ship, on which there is a caged lion. Michael befriends the lion, and the story of their friendship as they arrive in Africa ensues. But, what does this have to do w i t h the city of Florence, Alabama? In Powell’s comic adaptation of the novel, the Laura Harrison Fountain at the University of North Alabama can be clearly identified in at least one frame. “When I first moved here, ‘The Lad and
the Lion’ hit me then, when I first saw Leo (III),” Powell said. “It inspired me to see one of them so close and that’s what I want to try to capture with the script. The majesty and everything about them — the savagery, the scariness of it — everything about it that makes us admire it and
makes us fear it. It’s very primal.” Powell has been writing the comic strips for three months now, and said readers can expect to see continued references to the Florence area. “I can’t set it in Florence, realistically, but there will be details like (the fountain),” he said. Along with artist Tomas M. Aranda and letterer Oscar Gonzaloz (working from Spain and Colombia, respectively), Powell publishes one comic strip per week at edgarriceburroughs.com/ comics. Reading the comics comes with a $1.99 monthly subscription fee, and you’re also able to read Powell’s other adaptations of Burroughs’ work such as John Carter and Tarzan. In the past, Dark Horse has published Burroughs’ comics, which means it will be next year before we see a completed graphic novel. While Powell has created his own characters, he enjoys the adaptation side of writing. He acknowledges, however, this unique style of comic book writing is much more time-consuming. “Adapting is much harder if you want to be true to it,” he said. “How many times have you gone to a movie that was based on a book you read, and the movie is nothing like the book? Everybody is always disappointed. In order to try to be true to the author, it’s harder than it sounds. Movies aren’t books. Comic strips aren’t books. Yet,
LEO CONTEMPLATES POUNCING THE FENCE.
you have to try to retain the same basic premise. It’s not an easy thing to do. Powell was 19-years-old when he first began writing his own comics. When it comes to advice, he encourages those of the same age to keep working, no matter what. “I wrote nonstop for five years without selling anything,” he said. “I sent off stuff every week and if I was lucky I’d get back a rejection letter. That’s why everybody said I was crazy. Maybe I was. I think you have to be a little bit crazy to do something for five years and everybody else is having a good time and you’re pounding away at a typewriter in the days before the internet. Luck is the most important thing, but luck can’t help you if you’re not doing the job.” As with all things creative, Powell said aspiring comic writers should focus on their passion, not the wealth that may or may not come from it. “You should do it mostly because you love it,” he said. “If you’re a writer, you should write every day — and I mean every day. You can’t help but get better if you keeping doing it.”
STORY BY KALI DANIEL
16 FOOD
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FOOD 17
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The oldest shrimp fossil is 360 million years old.
In 1959, there were 15,000 delis in New York City.
WINE + DINE WITHOUT THE AIRLINES
DON’T BE SHELLFISH. LET’S SHARE.
PASTRAMI ON RYE? YES PLEASE.
VACATION-STYLE EATS AT HOME Summer vacation is almost upon us, and it seems like everyone is planning a trip to the beach or an adventure abroad. Everyone except me, that is. Being a broke 20-something is not as romantic as it’s chalked up to be. So, while everyone is dreaming about his or her vacations on the cobblestone streets of Rome or the warm beaches of the Gulf Coast, I’ll be at home eating my macaroni and cheese watching reruns of Gilmore Girls… or will I? Food plays an important role in your destination vacation. And if it doesn’t, are you actually even human? Let’s face it. No one pictures themselves eating frozen corn dogs while touring the Mayan
Ruins. What you eat on vacation reflects where you’re staying and helps create a complete experience. Since I’m not traveling anywhere, I hit the streets of my hometown in Columbia, Tennessee to find the best vacation-like food it has to offer. Nestled in a tiny, white house off the Columbia Bypass is a gem of an Italian eatery - Napoli’s Authentic Italian Restaurant. When you first walk in, you’re greeted with the warm sounds of Frank Sinatra’s greatest and the smell of seasoned tomato sauce. The walls are covered with portraits of gondola rides, Michelangelo’s statues, and other Italian treasures, but the menu will give you the
true taste of Italy. With dishes like toasted ravioli, baked ziti, chicken parmesan and custom calzones, everyone is sure to find a favorite. Or, if you’re looking for something a little fancier, you can ask for a chef’s menu that includes meals like filet mignon, lobster ravioli or veal parmesan. Make sure you leave room for dessert, too, because the tiramisu is divine. If a trip to Italy is as far out of your budget as it is mine, check out Napoli’s for some near perfect Italian food. For a more beach, coastal vibe, I went to Bubba Gandy Seafood that recently moved from the north end of town to Trotwood Avenue. Now, Bubba Gandy is unique in that it’s not set up like a typical restaurant. More like a seafood market, Bubba Gandy provides Columbia with quality seafood items fresh from the Great Lakes, New England coast and Florida. Assorted raw fish, oysters, shrimp and other seafood favorites are available for purchase by the pound. You can also call in orders of crawfish, crab or shrimp, which they can steam or boil with creole seasoning. I won’t blame you if you can’t wait to get home to eat your seasoned Andouille sausage, shrimp and corn, and neither will they as they do provide a few seats outside for you to enjoy the summer sunshine during your chow-down. It’s as close as you can get to the ocean without even getting near it. If a café is more your style, be sure to visit Square Market Café in the heart of downtown. Reminiscent of a few of the cafés you might find in New York City, the cozy restaurant has been a Columbia
favorite for years. The menu is full of delicious plates for breakfast and lunch during weekdays and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. A few of my favorite meals include the Polk’s pear salad (named after U.S. President James K. Polk), lobster bisque and tomato Florentine pasta. If all of these sound good to you, go for a specialty combo so you can try more than one item. Also, don’t forget to peek at the dessert case where they keep chocolate truffles, cheesecakes and pastries. A pastry and cappuccino sounds like the perfect finish to a lunch in NYC – I mean, Columbia, Tennessee. Food is an experience. When you go on vacation, it’s not enough to just be there. You want to lie on the sandy beaches with fresh coconut milk, walk the streets of Rome with a cone of gelato or duck into an New York café during a rain shower. Just remember that you may not have to go very far for the “experience”, as it may be a few minutes down the road. So, while all my friends are booking hotels, dieting in preparation for bathing suit season, and trying to see how many outfits they can fit in a carry-on, I’ll be here. Not in front of my TV, not eating frozen dinners, but going out for some delicious local food that makes me feel like I’m on vacation without leaving the city limits.
STORY BY LEXI PECK
18 SPECIAL FEATURE
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The best times to coffee up are 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
MAY 2016
Caffeine increases metabolism 3–11 percent.
BLANK COMICS, COFFEE + RECORDS NEW SHOP COMPLETES THE GEEKVERSE IN FLORENCE It’s a question I hear quite frequently: why aren’t there more comic book shops in Florence? If you haven’t noticed, comic books are kind of a big deal now. Marvel is making millions in the box office, while DC (Gotham and the Flash) and Image (Walking Dead) are dominating the small screen. It’s almost impossible to go anywhere in Florence without seeing someone sporting some comic-related attire. Unfortunately, in the past three years Florence has seen two comic outlets close: House of Heroes in 2013 and Pegasus Records last month. These losses left few options and environments for the comic book community to thrive and expand. Fortunately, a new store opened April 13 in Seven Points, close to the University of North Alabama’s campus, with ideas and expectations that could lead to a successful location in Florence. While the store is now open for business, the grand opening is set for sometime mid-May. Jeremy Cole, alongside co-owners and high school friends, Corey Mauter and Patrick McDonald, plan to appeal to consumer demand while also profiting from their own passions with Blank Coffee, Comics and Records. “The coffee is what will make the store different from previous comic stores,” said Cole, one of Blank’s owners. “I believe the coffee and the lounge is going to be somewhere people can buy their comics, sit down and read them while enjoying the coffee and snacks.” Currently, the only venues in Seven Points for customers to buy coffee are a few fast food restaurants and gas stations. There is no coffee shop in the area and a large amount of traffic comes in and out, due in part to the university and downtown Florence. Cole said most people will come into Blank wanting to buy coffee, smoothies or slushies but when they
CAPTION.
BLANK’S CO-OWNER JEREMY COLE do, they may buy a comic or a record while they’re enjoying their beverage. Blank’s coffee will be brewed using roasted coffee beans from Lyons Coffee Roasters, a local business in Florence’s Court Street Market. “We plan to stay local with food and beverages,” Cole said. “We might switch it up, having Lyons coffee one week and possibly Muletown from Columbia, Tennessee the next.” All three owners grew up in Florence
and are avid about supporting the community and encouraging local businesses. “We’re inspired by Pegasus,” Cole said. “We’re not going to have a full garage with a full rock show going on, but we can have events and get involved with the community.” Eli Flippen, owner of former Pegasus Records, aided the three with the transition, even allowing for Cole to job shadow and purchase the
store’s comics and vinyls. “Eli has helped us keep in touch with the customers from Pegasus and tell them about the new store,” Cole said. “We’re incredibly thankful for all they have helped us with.” Blank will be hosting the monthly meetings for the Florence Vinyl Junkies, a local fandom designated to preserving and enjoying vinyls, which met at Pegasus Records before the close. The owners are currently formulating ideas for events, including holiday themed gatherings, family movie showings and trivia nights. “We’ll have to wait to see how much room we have, but the possibilities are limitless,” Cole said. Along with comics, coffee and vinyls, Blank will be selling “geek” attire, after seeing unique clothing and accessories made by vendors from fan conventions, Cole said. “I want to have clothes here that you have to come here to get,” he said. “Stuff you can’t get at Wal-Mart or Target. Then everyone has to come here to get that awesome product.” Blank will stray away from toys and games and focus geekwise, on comics, trade paperbacks and apparel and localwise, on artwork and unique items. Cole said he expects the store to be self sustaining and a place customers want to go. “We want Blank to become a brand name people recognize and enjoy,” he said. “Whether it’s Blank Comics, Coffee and Vinyls or Blank Pawnshop, we want to be the place you choose to go.”
STORY BY SPENCER BROOKS
MAY 2016
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SPECIAL FEATURE 19
20 CALENDAR
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EVENTS
MAY 1 - MAY 31 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAY 1
PVRIS @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, 7pm
B.O.B WITH SCOTTY ATL AND LONDON JAE @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 9pm
MAY 12
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm EARTH, WIND & FIRE & VON BRAUN CENTER @ Huntsville, AL, 8:30pm
MAY 2
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm TOKYO POLICE CLUB @ Saturn, Birmingham, AL, 8pm BLACK LIPS W/ SAVOY MOTEL @ Exit/In, Nashville, TN, 9pm GHOST @ Iron City, Birmingham, AL, 8pm
MAY 13
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm THE DARKNESS @ Your local theater MONEY MONSTER @ Your local theater KIDNAP @ Your local theater
MAY 3
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm GHOST @ Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN, 8pm TOKYO POLICE CLUB @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 8pm SIXX: A.M. @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, 8pm
MAY 14
MAY 4
TRIVIA @ Truelove’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm DISTURBED & ROB ZOMBIE W/ POP EVIL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Birmingham, AL, 7:30pm BRING ME THE HORIZON W/ GUESTS ’68 & SILVER SNAKES @ War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm PAUL SIMON @ Legacy Arena at the BJCC, Birmingham, AL, 8pm KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 8pm AIMEE MANN @ The Franklin Theatre, Franklin, TN, 8pm A BIGGER SPLASH @ Your local theater
MAY 5
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm
MAY 2016
SALT N PEPA, I LOVE THE 90S @ BRIDGESTONE ARENA, MAY 27, 7:30PM BEYONCE @ Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN, 6pm
MAY 6
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm THE AVETT BROTHERS @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 8pm LUPE FIASCO @ Iron City, Birmingham, AL, 8pm ELIZABETH COOK @ Legacy Arena at the BJCC, Birmingham, AL, 8pm PARACHUTE @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm 20TH ANNUAL MAIN STREET JAZZFEST @ Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN, 6pm CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR @ Your local theater BITE @ Your local theater THE IDOL @ Your local theater
MAY 7
DISTURBED & ROB ZOMBIE W/ POP EVIL @ Ascend Amphitheatre, Nashville, 7pm 20TH ANNUAL MAIN STREET JAZZFEST @ Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN, 11am TRAMPLED BY TURTLES AND THE DEVIL MAKES THREE @ Carl Chevy Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel, Whites Creek, TN, 7pm
MAY 8
SHOALS SYMPHONY AT UNA: AMERICANA SPRING @ Norton Auditorium, Florence, AL, 3pm LUCINDA WILLIAMS @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm FILTER @ Exit/In, Nashville, TN, 6:30pm
MAY 9
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm
CYNDI LAUPER @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm SCORPIONS @ Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
MAY 10
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm PENTATONIX @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 8pm FLOETRY @ Saturn, Birmingham, AL, 8pm
MAY 11
TRIVIA @ Truelove’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm DEFTONES @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
SMOKE ON THE WATER FESTIVAL @ McFarland Park, Florence, AL, 10 am SHOALS GUN & KNIFE EXPO @ North Alabama State Fair, Muscle Shoals, AL, 9am UNA COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM @ Flowers Hall, Florence, AL, 10am & 2pm SAVAGES @ Exit/In, Nashville, TN, 9pm PAUL SIMON @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm JOYWAVE @ WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, AL, 8pm
MAY 15
SHOALS GUN & KNIFE EXPO @ North Alabama State Fair, Muscle Shoals, AL, 4pm PAUL SIMON @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
MAY 16
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm
MAY 17
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm MAGIC MAN W/ THE GRISWOLDS AND PANAMA WEDDING @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
MAY 2016
AT THE DRIVE-IN @ Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN, 8pm SPEEDY ORTIZ & HOP ALONG @ Exit/In, Nashville, TN, 9pm
MAY 18
TRIVIA @ Truelove’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm RIHANNA & TRAVIS SCOTT @ Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, 7:30pm SILVERSUN PICKUPS & FOALS @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm HALF MOON RUN @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 8pm MAYER HAWTHORNE @ Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN, 8pm
MAY 19
CALENDAR 21
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TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm
CAGE THE ELEPHANT @ Ascend Amphitheater, Nashville, TN, 7pm
MAY 20
UNA FRONT PORCH STORYTELLING FESTIVAL @ University of North Alabama, Florence, AL, 10 am POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm MIIKE SNOW @ Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN, 8pm ROUGE WAVE @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 9pm THE JOSH ABBOTT BAND @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, 9pm THE NICE GUYS @ Your local theater NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING @ Your local theatre ANGRY BIRDS @ Your local theater
MAY 21
UNA FRONT PORCH STORYTELLING FESTIVAL @ University of North Alabama, Florence, AL, 10 am
ARTS ALIVE @ Wilson Park, Florence, AL, 9 am YEASAYER @ Exit/In, Nashville, TN, 9pm
MAY 25
BILLIARDS @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm TRIVIA NIGHT @ Odette, Florence, AL, 8pm
TRIVIA @ Truelove’s Pizza and Grits, Columbia, TN, 6:30pm POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm WAFFLE HOUSE WEDNESDAY @ 1104 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN, 10pm BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE W/ ASKING ALEXANDRIA @ War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 8pm THE NEIGHBORHOOD @ Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN, 8pm JAMEY JOHNSON @ Iron City, Birmingham, AL, 8pm
MAY 24
MAY 26
MAY 22
ARTS ALIVE @ Wilson Park, Florence, AL, 10 am MIRANDA SINGS @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7pm JMSN @ Exit/In, Nashville, TN, 9pm
MAY 23
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm DAVE MATTHEWS BAND @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Birmingham, AL, 7pm SON LUX @ Exit/In, Nashville, TN, 9pm BOYCE AVENUE @ Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, TN, 7pm
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm KARAOKE @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 8pm JIMMY BUFFETT @ Ascend Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN, 8pm DAMIEN JURADO @ Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN, 8pm LARRY CALTON @ The Franklin Theatre, Franklin, TN, 8pm
IF YOU HAVE ANY EVENTS YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, EMAIL CALENDAR@GETSETMAG.COM
MAY 27
POKER NIGHT @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 7pm I LOVE THE 90’S @ Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm LIVE MUSIC @ Dolan’s Deli and Bar, Spring Hill, TN, 9:30pm X-MEN: APOCALYPSE @ Your local theater ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS @ Your local theater
MAY 28
LORRIE MORGAN @ The Franklin Theatre, Franklin, TN, 8pm
MAY 30
MEMORIAL DAY
MAY 31
TRIVIA NIGHT @ La Fuente, Columbia, TN, 7pm MUDCRUTCH W/ THE SHELTERS @ Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN, 7:30pm
22 SPECIAL FEATURE
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A quarter of annual flower sales fall on Mother’s Day.
MAY 2016
White carnations are for mothers that have passed.
MISSED MOTHER’S DAY? SIGNATURE MOM GIFTS FOR THE FORGETFUL SOUL It’s time for Mother’s Day, again. And, if you were not aware, your mother needs honoring... immensely. In fact, it might be said that, of all the people in your life, your mother needs honoring the most. But maybe, just maybe, when you were called upon, when you were needed, you were nowhere to be found. You forgot this oh-so-important day of days. Or maybe you remembered it, but bought her a card and dust buster last year and don’t want a repeat of the horrors that followed. Well, consider this article a shortcut, a cheat guide, to “making it up to her” for the 100th time.
A TATTOO FOR YOU AND THE THINGS I PUT YOU THROUGH.
CHOCOLATES:
Someone needs to drop you off in a desert. Seriously. These are never OK for Mother’s Day. If you’re even thinking about gift certificates, your mother should’ve given you one before school when you were a wee lad. Instead of food. (There is only one exception to this.
Yes, it might actually kill you to do some work around the house. I understand this, but if you survive it will be worth it and it won’t cost you a dime. Cleaning the house for your mother can be an awe-inspiring moment for your mother that maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for her baby yet. Remove alarm clocks from your parents’ bedroom. Take the phones off the hook (if they still have a landline - no, I’m not explaining what that is). Silence the siblings by bribery or force. The end goal? Let the woman sleep in, and when she finally wakes, well-rested but panicked from waking after the sun has risen, have a hot cup of java and a not-so-awkward hug waiting on her.
They’re cute and, actually, surprisingly acceptable. But make sure the arrangement is original, and for the love of Odin’s beard don’t get them at a gas station or grocery market. Go to an actual florist and spend actual money. Oh, and if you show up with these after already missing Mother’s Day, the arrangements better take up your entire Prius you little scamp.
GIFT CERTIFICATES:
A CLEAN HOUSE:
SLEEPING IN:
FLOWERS:
Though chocolate is virtually always OK, this is one of those few times where you’d best steer clear. Unless it’s part of the flower arrangement combo. Then, kudos.
skills of the acorn-pelting carpetbomber-of-a-squirrel next door, then I suppose you’ll have to think outside of the box. This, as well as the two below, will go a long way toward making up for missing Mother’s Day.
Tap into your creative well, and come up with original “gift certificates” that can be cashed in for hassle-free days, hugs, etc.)
BOTOX/MAKEOVERS:
Okay, a day at the spa is not the worst thing in the world, but it is a far cry from purchasing your mother something that says, “Sorry, Ma, but you’re aging quite poorly. I’m embarrassed for Dad.” Do not ever, EVER, purchase your mother something that reminds her that she’s a day over 29. Don’t be that guy.
HOUSEHOLD GOODS:
If you buy your mother a dust buster or vacuum cleaner for Mother’s Day Krampus will find you this Christmas. ‘Nuff said.
In fact, let’s just go ahead and say it: the woman doesn’t need a party. What she needs is a break. Give your mother a break from being a mother on Mother’s Day. For once, just one day out of the year, let her relax and stop being a “mom” for a few measly hours. You and the rest of the family take care of things for her. Give her the remote control she hasn’t seen in years because of your father. Prop her feet up. Because what’s the biggest gift you can give the lady who sacrificed her life raising you? The knowledge that she’s loved, given through time and relaxation.
BREAKFAST IN BED:
Now you’re thinking. If you can actually cook a decent breakfast without poisoning your mother, this will be an absolutely epic Mother’s Day moment. If you cannot, recruit your father. If you and your father collectively possess the cooking
STORY BY JONATHAN FOSTER
MAY 2016
SPECIAL FEATURE 23
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24 SPOTLIGHT
SAY CHEESE!
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SET READERS IN ACTION
MAY 2016
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY, ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN, AND JACKSON TOWNSEND
DAVID RAMIREZ WITH BELLE ADAIR THE MANE ROOM, APRIL 7, PHOTOS BY COURTNEY TULLY
CULLEN STEWART, JOHN CARTWRIGHT, KIMI SAMSON, AND BEN TANNER
BELLE ADAIR
JONATHAN OLIPHANT WITH BELLE ADAIR
MAY 2016
SPOTLIGHT 25
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DEREK CONNER AND BEN MCNEAL
SHANNA MITCHELL, REESE MITCHELL, AND DAVID SMITH
DAVID RAMIREZ
MATT PETTIE AND DAYMON JOLLEY
EARTH DAY 2016 SHEFFIELD, AL, APRIL 9, PHOTOS BY ALEXANDRIA CHRISMAN
ALYSSA GIBSON, TARYN DERSHEM, AND RACHEL MILWEE
CALLIE AND GABRIEL FIELDS AND ALYSSA GIBSON
SHELLEY AND EVEY DAWSON
26 SPOTLIGHT
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MAY 2016
PIPER AND AMELIA AKERS WITH HENNA GYPSY
SARA DAVIS
LAURA MARTIN WITH SINGING RIVER SOAPS
STEVE TRASH
SUSANN ELSASS
MAY 2016
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SAILOUR, BAND OF LOVERS, THE SUN. THE MOON. THE END. THEATRE, APRIL 12, PHOTOS BY JACKSON TOWNSEND
SPOTLIGHT 27
28 HEALTH
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You can park 15 bicycles in a one-car parking space.
MAY 2016
UPS was founded by 2 teens with one bike and $100.
SPOKETACULAR CYCLING adventure, making boredom an obscure relic.
3. SAFETY FIRST!
Get good gear. This doesn’t mean a bicycle has to be expensive or even new, but it is important for a cyclist to have reliable equipment. Every cyclist will need these things: helmet, pump, basic toolkit and a water bottle.
4. LEARN BASIC MAINTENANCE.
Flat tires are a common occurrence for cyclists, and, while annoying at first, eventually become a quickfix that’s as second-nature as riding a bike. Experts recommend practicing changing tires at home rather than frustrated on the side of a trail. Before embarking, a cyclist should perform a routine checklist to make sure every piece of equipment is working properly: wheels, chain, brakes, all of which can be maintained with minimal tools and training.
YOU AREN’T GOING TO BURN ANY CALORIES LYING AROUND.
BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO CYCLING FOR EXERCISE As we get older, eating healthy and exercising regularly become more important. I know. Every day, adulthood seems more and more like a synonym for doing things I don’t want to do. But, exercise doesn’t have to be one of those. Riding a bicycle is not just a fun way to stay fit and fight disease. Choosing to ride a bike instead of driving a car for short-distance trips saves money on gas and is good for the environment.
Because it’s fun to be out in the sun, admiring the predictable randomness of nature, wind whipping at our ears, cyclists are more likely to finish their exercise in a better mood than the average gym rat. And the nostalgic feeling of coasting down a hill, relaxing, hands free, leaned back, confident in the laws of physics, is a feeling that beckons cyclists to frequent their vehicle and their routine. The production of serotonin, the chemical in our brain that creates happiness, is positively related to duration spent in sunlight. Exercise produces serotonin, too, and aerobic exercise, like cycling, is proven to produce higher levels of serotonin than other forms. Cycling is a low-impact exercise, causing less compressive strain than running or even walking. Cycling can be an easy exercise with low stress — perfect for beginners and people who are recovering or rehabilitating — or a fast-paced, demanding workout. Riding bikes builds muscle, stamina, aerobic
fitness and strengthens the cardiovascular system. Advanced cyclists agree that the most effective way for a beginner to exercise is by performing sets, or repetitions, of low-intensity and high-intensity intervals. Following expert tips like these can ensure a cyclist’s safety and efficiency.
1. DO SETS.
As a cyclist progresses, he or she will increase the number of sets done in one session. This is set that can be used by both beginners and advanced cyclists: two minutes hard, two minutes easy, one minute hard, one minute easy, 30 seconds hard, 30 seconds easy, 15 seconds hard, five minutes easy.
5. RIDE IN A PACK.
Riding with a group of friends is a great way to learn to keep a good, steady pace. Plus, time flies when you’re having fun, there’s safety in numbers, two heads are better than one and all that jazz. The most important things for any beginning cyclist to remember are to be safe and have fun. The benefits to cycling are seemingly endless, and the most difficult thing for a beginner is to start something new. Humans are creatures of habit, but, once our feet find comfort on the pedals, all kinds of adventures become apparent and setting out on them becomes easier and easier.
2. EXPLORE.
Many people go to the same gym or the same trail every day. One of the great benefits to bicycling is it can be done almost anywhere: the woods, neighborhoods, parks, sidewalks, etc. By exploring new areas, cyclists feed the desire for
STORY BY WESLEY HOPKINS
MAY 2016
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HEALTH 29
30 FREESTYLE
FREESTYLE
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ONE FINAL THOUGHT
ADIOS, PEGASUS.
MAY 2016
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FREESTYLE 31