BOND's Social Injustice Forum Brings Campus Closer Together

By: Rio Deshawn Smith

One group is using turmoil in America to unite Montevallo students closer together.

The group known as the B.O.N.D. (Beauty of Natural Decisions) hosted a forum entitled Social Injustice in Farmer Hall. 

The BOND's 7 Student's Forum

Using a panel that consisted of 7 panelists from students across the campus including one white member, the forum touched on sensitive subjects such the deaths of unarmed African-Americans Eric Garner, Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin at the hands of law-enforcement officers among others.

The panelists consisted of Jacob Guyton, Charmella Williams, Xavier Scruggs, Quincy Hall, Artemus Hill, Abbey NcNeely and Diamond Lyles.

B.O.N.D member Lakeiya Conner was pleased with the work the forum had done. 

"We had a full panel tonight and I appreciate them for coming out," said Conner, who also served as a judge responsible of asking the panel questions. "They had some very interesting point of views."

While the topics were controversial, the tones of the panelists remained conversational, enlightening over the 60 audience members in attendance.  B.O.N.D President Alexandria Cottrell was pleased with the turn-out, with the diversity in particular.

Panelist Diamond Lyles

"We had people from all ethnicities present today," said Cottrell. "We really didn't want it to be all of one race present. We wanted it to reach multiple races." 

The diversity of the crowd certainly pleased Charmella Williams. 

"I was so happy that white people were here," said Williams. "It gives me some type of hope."

Jacob Guyton says that this forum can be the start of something bigger. 

"I think it could definitely have a snowball effect, said Guyton.  "I think the more we have these forums, the better the turnout."

The B.O.N.D. next social forum, "A Guy's Point of View" will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015. On April 21, the B.O.N.D.  will hold the discussion "Team Dark-Skin Versus Team Light-Skin."

Gas Prices On The Rise

By, Wilbert Scott

       Weather you  own a  lawn service, cab service, motorcycle or a vehicle for personal travel you probably have noticed the recent price increase at the pump. That's right, unless you've been out of touch with society's transportation you are probably wondering how high and for how long will these prices continue to rise.
      
       It seems  like it was yesterday that  everyone was enjoying the low gasoline prices. Most driver's drove care free from one destination to another. Vacation and holiday travel  was without caution, as splurging for petro was without thought to travel around town.

       Since 2012 to 2015 gasoline prices have rotated from the upper 3.93 regular gas price range to todays 2.40 average price range, according to on line source Gas Buddy.Com- www.gasbuddy.com.

       After months of falling gas prices, here comes the monkey wrench in the gas game. But gas prices have been great until now. An online source Consumerism, published an article by, Stephen Moore on 10/24 2014. Moore stated,  "America has become in the last several years an energy producing powerhouse." So what is the problem with keeping the prices at the present low?

       Although there has been the recent death of Saudi Arabia's  King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. USATODAY on line  reporter, Gary Strauss said, " King Abdulla's death isn't likely to slow the flow of oil from world's biggest oil exporters." These type of  world changes and U.S Shale production increases leave the  gas consumer's in question.

        So why are gasoline prices on the rise? No one seems to have the answer to that fluctuating question. What about the gas in the reserves? What's up with OPEC? These questions have continued without an explanatory,  satisfying answer to the people. So for now, American's  must  accept and pay increasing gasoline prices.

       

 

         

UM Students Prepare for Local Convention

Story by Hannah Rish

Halloween is still months away, but several UM students are using their creativity to make some very impressive costumes for an upcoming convention for anime, or Japanese animation. This month marks the seventh annual Kami-Con, where students and other people from all walks of life, will get together to make friends, see special guests and simply have a good time, all while dressed as their favorite characters.

The Home page of the Kami-Con website

Students have been preparing for this event for months, making and styling their own costumes, props and hairpieces. One such hairpiece, made by student Farrah Harper, took her over three to five hours in three afternoons to make.

The con will also feature several guests, including famous anime voice actors, musicians, cosplay veterans and Internet celebrities Team Four Star and The Nostalgia Critic.

While the guests can be really exciting, what con goers enjoy the most is reconnecting with friends. Harper says, "One thing I love most about Kami-Con is that it's a really central convention and you can have convention friends from different states or all over the state really. So getting to see everybody is probably the most exciting thing."

So what kind of advice should be given to new con goers? Student Holly Gothart warns "Organization is key because you will lose everything." Harper also highly recommends going, "It's a small enough convention that you don't have to worry about the hassle of big conventions and it's thirty minutes away...what more could you ask for?"

Kami-Con will be held from February 27th to March 1st at the BJCC. For more information and to register, visit http://kamicon.net/   

Behind the blender: the story of Eclipse Coffee's milkshakes

By Reed Strength

Patrons of Eclipse Coffee and Books on Main Street often experience the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the soft brush of scurrying cats and loud, but tantalizingly familiar sound of milkshakes in blenders.

The creamy concoctions were introduced when Eclipse first opened its doors back in 2002. Owner Cheryl Patton knew that she wanted fellow coffee shop owner Greg Martin's milkshake recipe to make a dessert debut at Eclipse.

Martin's recipe called for seven whole scoops of ice cream. According to Patton, this ensures that each shake is extra thick and creamy, as most other shops blend with half ice. Martin also insisted on using Monin brand flavor syrups, a high quality ingredient.

The recipe blended well with classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla. As the years went by, eventually Eclipse employees began to put their own ideas into the decadent drinks.

Eclipse Coffee and Books has been serving
a variety of coffees, sandwiches and milkshakes since 2002.

Two of these experiments involved putting an entire piece of pecan pie or cheesecake into the blender. along with the ice cream and milk. The results produced the Pecan Pie and Cheesecake Milkshakes, two signature staples on Eclipse's menu.

Customers also have the option of a Chocolate Peanut Butter shake and the extremely caffeinated espresso made All-Nighter.


Over the years, Eclipse's shakes have become a small hit within the Montevallo community.

According to Patton, it's possible for the coffee shop to go through five-and-a-half gallons of ice cream in two weeks to meet demand.

The attention resulted in a sweet reward in 2010, when Eclipse won The Birmingham News Reader's Poll for "Best Milkshake."

Eclipse worker Christien Sullivan estimates that employees make over 50 milkshakes a day.

Despite the hard work that goes in to preparation, Sullivan encourages craving customers to order them.

"It all takes time...it's the nature of a restaurant," said Sullivan.

 Eclipse is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to midnight Thursday to Friday and 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays.

Milkshakes are served all day and night, though may be temporarily unavailable due to an event or performance.

Balancing Act

by Britney Williams



Madison singing the Gold Song

The struggle of College Night has come to an end and Madison Imbusch has finally found the time to catch up on her studies and get some much needed rest.

Imbusch found out she was Gold Side leader early last semester around the time of her birthday. "I screamed at the top of my lungs," said Imbusch.

Imbusch mentioned she knew it would be a difficult job but she said she was ready to take on the task. Imbusch spoke with previous leaders and they helped guide her along the way with the help of a rule book for College Night.

She managed to make as many appearances for each practice as she could but time was not on her side. She managed to make it to one ultimate Frisbee practice, she said she was happy with the outcome.

Whenever she felt tired she said it was like, "Oh I can' t do this. I can't get up." This is how most students feel without the extra load of being a College Night leader, however she persevered and made it until the end.

photo courtesy of Hannah Jane Sizemore

 

It may have been a hard pill to swallow but she managed to get most of her school work done.

It is her senior year and she said this was the best college night by far. She even mentioned that being a part of the show her sophomore year really gave her the courage to want to be on cabinet and eventually be her to want to be a leader.

When it was revealed that Gold Side won Palmer Auditorium was filled with cheer and sadness. "I fell to my knees," said Imbusch.

Talks About Sustainability

By Umar Nadir

In an effort to reshape current initiatives, to further promote and improve sustainable green practices and to reset UM’s focus on best business practices campus-wide students, faculty and staff engaged one another town hall-style on Jan. 22, 2015.

Comer Hall Auditorium

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Susan Caplow provided the opening remarks for the day’s agenda as UM attendees began to ingather.

The focus of this session emphasized several key components in an effort to insure we at the University of Montevallo are maintaining a pro-active approach that reinforces an excellent green initiative here on campus.

Some of the key things covered in the discussion and during various breakout sessions are as follows:   Green funds, The Organic Garden, Food Waste at Chartwells,  Recycling and Energy Consumption

 

Sorting Recyclables

Overall, the key take-away from the town hall session centered on the need to further coordinate efforts among students, faculty, staff members and the multitude of clubs and organizations present on campus.

 

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Susan Caplow said, “I’d like to include more opportunities within the Environmental Studies classes to get involved with the real life sustainability issues here on campus.  So we are definitely moving in that direction.”

 

Students interested in immediate involvement with sustainability on campus can join the UM Environmental Club which meets every Tuesday at 3:30 in the front foyer of Arthur Fort Harman Hall.  Or they may contact the Physical Plant at 205-665-6170.

 

Trivia Night in Farmer

UPC Hosts Black History Trivia

by: Madison Imbusch

        UPC held a trivia night in honor of black history month.  On Thursday evening, students gathered in Farmer Hall to compete in a multiple choice black history trivia game.  They logged onto Kahoot.it on their smartphones in order to connect to the game.  The questions came on the big screens in Farmer, but students had to answer on their phones. 

            The person to answer the most questions right in the shortest amount of time wins the game. Several rounds of trivia went on for about an hour.  The reward for each winner was monetary, but the amount varied.  At the end, one girl shrieked with glee when she won $100.  Jacob Gordon, UPC coordinator, said, “The reaction we got at the end when she won the $100 was pretty nice.  She got up and screamed, and she was shaking her friend and threw her off to go get the money.”

            Students seemed to enjoy Moe’s food and complementary music as they learned more about the important people and laws in black history.  Whether leaving with money in their pockets or not, students did live with a knowledge of black history.

        For more information on UPC events, you can visit Montevallo's website,   http://www.montevallo.edu/campus-life/um-life/university-program-council/. 

The Future of E-textbooks

By: Mary Kate McCarrick

Textbooks are things that are most commonly associated with education. They can be big, heavy, and expensive. However, today’s students have the ability to choose between a traditional text book and it newest contender, the e-book.

Technology is an ongoing frontier. New advances are being made every day, and e-books are becoming a common tool in classrooms. Some educators, like Dr. Susan Culpepper, are choosing to use only e-books in their classrooms, leaving the traditional textbook behind.  “I’ve been using them about a year. I hope for students that it’s more accessible [than hardback textbooks] so wherever they are they can read, and so that would help them understand the material better.”

Student using an e-book on a tablet

There are many ways that students can access e-books, whether it be through a tablet, laptop, or smartphone. Taryn Woodget, an elementary education major at the University of Montevallo, says e-books are more convenient than the traditional textbook. “When you need to like pack lightly for something, and you don’t have all the room in your bags it’s just… I don’t know; easy and on-the-go [and] more convenient.”

 E-books also come with features that make it more like a hard copy text book. It has options for highlighting, making notes on the side, bookmarking, and many other things.

Taryn Woodget thinks that e-books will pose some stiff competition for traditional books in the future. “I just think the actual textbook itself will eventually be gone, and everything will be electronic. Nothing like it is now with [having] both electronic copy and hard copy.”

The e-textbook may be here to stay.

                

Gas Prices Not a Concern For UM Students

by Zach Miller

There is always similarities and differences in every community but one thing seems to remain consistent in most: most people drive, therefore they have to fill up at the pump at least once a week. Thankfully for them, gas prices have fallen to lows not seen since 2009 according to USA Today. 

Gas prices started to drop in December and remained low throughout most of January but now they are climbing back up. This causes consternation for some University of Montevallo students like Joseph Foster. "Well, it's kind of a bummer," Foster says. "Nobody wants to pay more for anything but I mean it's gotta happen; rise and fall".

Since most students at the University reside on campus, they fill up here in Montevallo. One popular spot is the Marathon station right by the University on Main Building. But not everyone likes to fill up at the Marathon or other Montevallo stations. 

Student Kevin Britt says he likes to fill up here in Montevallo as little as possible. "Last I was home, it was actually 20 to 30 cents cheaper in Montgomery," he says. "I usually try to get enough here to get me home."

"The gas stations down here are kind of sketchy," says Aaron Story. "They use really antiquated technology and they are like dingy and don't work so I don't go around here".

No matter where you go to get gas these days it seems like the prices are starting a trend towards going back up. It seems like a good thing never lasts but one thing will remain the same. You need a car to get around and if you have a car you will need gas. So no matter what the price, most will just have to pay it.

Oh what a relief, UPC hosts Relaxation Station

By Kiera Hood

On February 11th the University Program Council or UPC took to Anna Irvin to help students relax and release some stress. The Relaxation Station featured different areas that helped to soothe students' bodies.

UPC's "Event Today" sign outside of Anna Irvin

UPC director, Kristen Bowen was excited to welcome students and find out what they needed help with. She guided students to the specific areas of the relaxation station, and explained how one student experienced back issues from leaning over studying. With the help of the spinal exercises, she was able to receive some much needed help.

Although many students passed by and glanced at the event happening, after seeing their peers kicking back, they joined in. Many students were relieved to know that UPC believes in helping     students take a load off from their busy schedules.

UPC is always hosting events such as these, and love to serve students with free things. Some of the events that UPC hosts include Midnight Breakfast, Stuff a Friend, and Cokes and Strokes.

Students laid back enjoying a massage

To stay updated on upcoming UPC events like these, be sure to check your broadcast email every Friday. .

Vaping on the Bricks

By Matthew Lord

Students at the University of Montevallo are really warming to the trend of using electronic cigarettes. Most people use them to try and quit smoking tobacco cigarettes, because you can choose your level of nicotine and gradually lower it over time. Some are in it for the "modding," where they add different elements to their e-cig to make it unique and specialized for them. In addition, the "e-liquids" available for use in e-cigs come in many different flavors, so there is something for everyone in the world of e-cigs. I went around the Montevallo campus and to the local vape shop to speak to both users and nonusers alike, and all around the message was clear: "It's better than cigarettes." 

Benjamin Smith, a e-cig user, used them to stop smoking cigarettes. He has been vaping for almost a year. Although some have confused his e-cig vapor for cigarette smoke, he uses their misunderstanding to inform others about e-cigs. He is not alone in this love for e-cigs, either. Nathan, an employee at Victory Vapors, says that at least 30%-40% of his customers are students at the university.

Andreanna Hatcher enjoys the freedom e-cigs give her in comparison to smoking. The ability to use it inside and the fact that it does not make her clothes smell are just two reasons as to why she chooses vaping over smoking.

All around, I could not find anyone who would admit that e-cigs are worse than cigarettes on our campus, although I am sure there are some that have eluded me at this time. 

For more information about e-cigs, or if you want to look in to getting one for yourself to help you quit smoking, you can visit the local vape shop, Victory Vapors, located next to Sweet Ink Tattoo and across from the Marathon gas station in town. Or, you could take a trip over to CASAA and browse for some information there.

Fine Wine and Fine People

By: Candice Crutchfield

 Eclipse Coffee and Books is a unique place. They host beer tastings, trivia nights, poetry slams, and concerts. The wine tasting is an event that Cheryl Patton, the owner of Eclipse, loves to host. It is a more relaxing event and probably her favorite, she says.

Eclipse has been in business for 12 and ½ years, Patton says. For the last 8 years Eclipse has been hosting wine tastings by Sundown Wines, located in Arab (AY-RAB), AL. Jerrie Patterson is the sales representative for the company. The first time Patterson came to Eclipse as a representative was because she was filling in for someone else. “Now I do the wine events almost exclusively,” she says. Patterson loves the people of Montevallo. “It’s a great venue,” she says.

Many of the customers attend the wine tasting regularly. Phil Hurst, the owner of Blue Frog art gallery, is one of those people. “We enjoy different wines,” Hurst says. Hurst and his wife even carry wines with them in their motor home when they travel.

Another frequent customer and wine taster is Alesha Dawson. The wine tastings are different every time, she says. Dawson loves the porch life of Eclipse. “I’m here most of the time in general,” says Dawson. She even takes care of the Eclipse cats when the owner leaves town.

6 unique wines Starting with bubbly and ending with dark

Patterson arranges all the wine in a specific order to bring out the best of each flavor. “It’s a magic trick I do,” she says. From bubbly, to dry, to dark, Patterson has them all.

The only thing missing was sweet, but these wine tasters did not mind. Many of the customers even had a beer or two. Patterson, herself, had a PBR.

Patton and Patterson are not just business acquaintances. “Cheryl and I have an incredible friendship,” Patterson says.

City of Jasper Animal Shelter leaves a mighty-big paw print on community

By: Austin Crafton



When I started thinking about what I wanted to cover for my first story - I wanted to shine a light on an organization that brought a great deal of joy into my own home. The City of Jasper Animal Shelter may be small by some standards, but the people that work there and the animals they adopt out have big hearts.

Just in September my mom and I brought home Max from the shelter.  The workers there couldn't tell us exactly how old he was or his breed, but we knew he was a great fit for our home. Five months later, he's spoiled rotten and sneaks in naps on the sofa whenever my back is turned.

If it's puppies you want - Jasper Animal Shelter has them regularly. But it is the older dogs that have been misplaced out of a home like our Max that touch my heart.

When I went down to see Shelter Director Debra Nicks, she brought to my attention that the shelter now has a regularly-updated Facebook page. Through the page, Debra has been able to connect with not only the Jasper and Walker County communities, but adopters from other areas - As far off as Canada. Debra told me the story of a retired Marine from up north who sent his buddy who lived in the south after a special dog that caught his eye.

Out of all the stories Debra told me, one really caught me off guard. "I can't retell this one without crying she warned me."  Through the Facebook page just a week ago, she was able to reconnect a dog and her family after being separated for three years. 

Sure, being a pet owner can be a challenge. But anything worthwhile is. Adopting from your local shelter not only helps your community, but hopefully fills your home with joy.

For more information on City of Jasper Animal Shelter visit: Facebook.com/JasperAnimalShelter 

UM Students Talk about the Real Valentine's Day

By: Alyse Hartdegen 

What is becoming one of the most expensive holidays in history will be celebrated on Saturday, February 14. Valentine’s Day merchandise has taken over stores such as Dollar General and Lucky’s Foodland since early January.

Many would say that Valentine’s Day has become a consumer holiday, and nothing more, but some UM students beg to differ.

“I think it’s awesome,” commented Nikki Johnson. “People are so guarded walking around with their little fronts on. This is like the one day everyone can be like ‘okay, I’m a softy,’ and get away with it…”

Although merchandise went on sale sooner than a month before the holiday, Ansley Bittle, an employee at Dollar General and a student at the University, did not think it was too early.

Valentine's Day merchandise has been
on sale at Lucky's and Dollar General
since early to mid-January. 

“I think we should all plan ahead a little more,” said Bittle. “We have all these people come in the day before Valentine’s Day getting all their stuff.”

Student Xavier Lewrence thought the early sales gave shoppers the time to truly surprise that special someone.

According to PR Newswire, Valentine’s Day sales are expected to reach 18.9 million dollars this year, with the average person spending almost 90 dollars on their significant other.

The average person is expected to spend
almost $90 on their partner this year. 

RAs Host Pretzels for Rachel Pigott

by: Hannah Bell

On Jan. 29, resident’s assistants Aliyah Davis and Krista Metzler hosted a community service program they called Pretzels for Rachel Pigott.

Davis and Metzler prepared homemade soft pretzel dough and invited students to Main Hall to shape and bake their own pretzels. Students in attendance were asked to make a donation in remembrance of Rachel Pigott.

Students made donations to the Rachel Grace Pigott Scholarship Fund

Pigott was a resident on Davis’ floor of Hanson Hall. She was also a member of Delta Gamma Women’s Fraternity and the Montevallo Cross Country team.

Pigott was killed in a car accident on Sept. 1, 2014. Her family has since created a scholarship fund in her honor. Davis and Metzler are sending the donations from their program to the Rachel Grace Pigott Scholarship Fund in preparation for the Rachel’s Run 5K.

Members of Delta Gamma said the event gave them an opportunity to remember their happy times with Pigott. “It’s nice that we can still have these events and we can still look forward to talking about Rachel more in a good way,” Christen Oswald said.

Rachel's Run will be Feb. 21

Rachel’s Run will be held at the Wharf in Orange Beach on Feb. 21. Anyone interested in participating may register online by Feb. 20. Registration and donations may also be made the day of the run.

UM art professor features landscape paintings at exhibition

By Connor Bucy

UM adjunct art professor Amy Feger showed her versatility as an artist Sunday, Feb. 1 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham. Though students may know her for her printmaking expertise, she drew upon her years of painting experience for the work she featured at her show.

Titled “New Landscapes,” the exhibition featured Feger’s recent landscape paintings which are inspired by both real and virtual exploration of Shelby County.   

Feger was first inspired to create the body of work when she happened upon a canyon being carved into the southern edge of Shelby County by multiple mining companies. She collected images of the landscape on foot and turned to the Internet to learn more about the landscape. Utilizing Google Earth, Feger was able to capture the essence of locations not accessible to the public.

Feger's work combines digital and physical exploration.

“I became a virtual hiker capturing images of a landscape that is only accessible to the public eye through the Internet,” says Feger. “From these virtual experiences I composed a series of paintings.”

Her paintings feature a smooth blend swirling blues contrasted sharply against the rocky outcrops of the canyon. Each piece captures the essence of a virtual space representing a physical place and examines an anomaly or exposes a limitation of the digital representation while simultaneously celebrating the wonders of the physical landscape.

Feger’s “New Landscapes” exhibit will be on display until April 26.