Opinion

The Man Who Masters Film and Fashion

The Man Who Masters Film and Fashion

Tom Ford is a world-renowned fashion designer who makes beautiful clothing that dresses the actors, actresses, singers and other notable people we see in the media. His art for designing fashion trends is not his only gift. Over the years, Ford has added film directing and screenwriting to his list of talents. (more…)
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You Are What You Eat

You Are What You Eat

Since living on campus, I find myself eating out frequently. The café just doesn’t do it for me day in and day out. The more I have eaten out, the more I’ve noticed that I feel like it’s my only option whenever it’s time to eat. But spending a few bucks several times a week eventually adds up and takes a chunk out of my bank account. Also, it makes it a lot harder keeping off the freshman fifteen every year. (more…)
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Burn it to Earn it

Burn it to Earn it

Classes, homework, extra-curricular activities and making time for family and friends can keep a student’s schedule pretty full. Making time to exercise may not be a priority during midterms and exams; however, it does serve to benefit the mind and body exponentially and could even boost those test scores. Michigan State University conducted a research that found a connection between exercise and higher GPAs, as reported by Medical Daily. The study even showed that those who had a gym membership were less likely to drop out of college. Joining a gym not only provided students with an opportunity to acquire…
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The Power of Essential Oils

The Power of Essential Oils

If I told you that essential oils could improve your mental and physical health, you would probably think I was some sort of witch doctor or hippie. However, research shows that breathing in essential oils can put you in a better mood or keep you focused. When safely applied to wounds or sore muscles, the oils have healing effects. Essential oils are not the cure for mental and physical problems, but they can effectively relieve some of the symptoms. (more…)
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And the Emmy Goes to…

And the Emmy Goes to…

On Sept. 18, the biggest stars from television came together to attend the 68th Emmy Awards. It was a night full of snubs, surprises and moving speeches. The event was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, who made fun of the celebrities there and also used humor to bring attention to diversity in Hollywood. There are five categories that members of the Television Academy vote on—drama, limited series, comedy, reality and variety. Actors, actresses, directors, writers and even shows as a whole go up against each other in these to see who will come out on top. (more…)
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Colonial Pipeline Breach

Colonial Pipeline Breach

A recent leak in the Colonial Pipeline, a major source of fuel that runs through Alabama, is impacting a large portion of the Southeast economically since it was first reported in early September. The situation first came to public attention when the breach in the line was reported on Sept. 9 by a CP employee who noticed a strong smell of fuel according to what the company reported. (more…)
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Let’s Taco ‘Bout It

Let’s Taco ‘Bout It

What were you doing on Saturday, June 18? You could find me at Taco Libre. You’ve never heard of it? That’s because Taco Libre is the state of Alabama’s first ever taco festival! Do I even have to say anything else? For someone like me who has an unimaginable love for food, this is huge. (more…)
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Ron Crumpton’s Challenge

Ron Crumpton’s Challenge

“If our next senator does anything aimed at helping the people of Alabama, it will be more than Senator Shelby has done,” said Ron Crumpton, who easily won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Crumpton will be facing five-term Sen. Richard Shelby in the general election this fall. (more…)
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What Are Your Plans?

What Are Your Plans?

Many times in my life I have felt degraded because of my age, but currently I actually feel stereotyped. Some would say there is a specific phase in life to pursue a degree, marry and have children. Finishing up my fourth year in college, I am constantly being interrogated. What is your plan after college? Do you have a ring on your finger yet? Nearing college graduation, these are commonly-asked questions I can’t answer. As if finishing school is not stressful enough, I deal with the pressure of needing to answer these questions when asked. (more…)
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Fun-filled Saturdays on a Budget

Fun-filled Saturdays on a Budget

Are you ever looking for fun, inexpensive ways to spend your weekend? If your wallet looks anything like mine, you are often in need of fun on a budget. For the affordable price of one dollar, you can spend the second Saturday of every month listening to a live performance and watching fireworks on the Riverfront. These events are creatively called “Second Saturdays”—that’s when they take place, from April to August-- and have been immensely popular since their debut in 2013. Second Saturdays have been free of charge until last year, when the city of Montgomery decided to charge a…
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The Wizard of Glow

The Wizard of Glow

As the sun’s rays faded on the grounds of the Garrett Coliseum, the ultraviolet light bulbs flickered into existence and brought life to the mounds of foam being shot 20 feet into the air and onto an ecstatic and gyrating audience. Speakers on a nearby stage pumped out rhythmic pulses that seemed to send shockwaves through the crowd. Just to the side, vendors peddled their themed merchandise at elevated prices beneath white pop-up canopies. This was no ordinary 5K. It was a “Foam Glow 5k,” an event that seemed to focus more on the theatrics of glowing foam than on…
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What’s the Deal with Kratom?

What’s the Deal with Kratom?

Have you noticed the increasing number of options there are at gas stations around Montgomery of what is typically branded as “5-Hour Energy shots?”  You can now find products like Viva Zen, K Chill and Vita Lize that are packaged in the same bottle with different labels at almost any convenience store throughout the city.  The ingredient in these products that has them flying off the shelves and creating controversy is Mitragynine Speciosa, which is found in the Kratom plant.  Kratom grows naturally in Southeast Asia and is a part of the coffee family.  It has been used in traditional…
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Prisoner of Words

Prisoner of Words

When you think of the things you take for granted, what do you think of? Do you think of technology, clothing or a safe place to sleep at night? What about the ability to read this article? Illiteracy has been putting people at a disadvantage since the beginning of recorded history. If you think illiteracy ended with the abolition of slavery or that problems like illiteracy do not exist in America you are wrong.  Thirty-two million adults, 14 percent of the population, are illiterate, according to the 2014 U.S. Department of Education and National Institute of Literacy-data. As cliché as…
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See Ya Later, Stress

See Ya Later, Stress

‘Tis the season for panic attacks, phone calls to mom at 3 a.m. and staying up so late we have no idea what day it is. Finals week is among us and as always, it means business. As we are all starting the assignments we should have begun months ago, there are many ways we can keep from falling apart. “Stress is a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc.,” Merriam Webster defines. Symptoms for stress are both mental and physical, including insomnia, muscle tension, headaches and hostility. (more…)
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Cloverdale Spring Concert Series

Cloverdale Spring Concert Series

The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the pollen is creating a yellow tint on the cars, tables, and art statues around campus; it is safe to say that spring has sprung. With more hours of daylight and warm, breezy evenings, the 10th Annual Spring Concert Series hosted by the Cloverdale-Idlewild Neighborhood Association provides the perfect activity for Sunday evenings. (more…)
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Misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo

Misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo

There is much joy in planning your family beach trip for Memorial Day weekend, but we can’t forget Cinco de Mayo. This wonderful holiday is sometimes overlooked and many of us may not really know the reason behind this celebration. Most would say it’s the one day a year to get sick on Mexican food, but many often confuse it as Mexico’s Independence Day, which is Sept. 16. On this day in 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo took charge in the village church of Dolores where he eventually overthrew the Spanish oppression. Only the city of Puebla really makes a considerable…
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Trump Wins New York Primary Election

Trump Wins New York Primary Election

After several weeks of negative results, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump scored the most decisive victory of this campaign cycle. His massive win in Tuesday’s Republican presidential primary in New York was quite a comeback after he suffered back to back defeats in Colorado and Wyoming. Trump got 89 delegates out of the 95 available. Trump’s juggernaut had staled with massive negative publicity over some of the statements he had made regarding abortion. His victory in New York though has jump started his movement towards the Republican National Convention in Ohio. Although it is still doubtful whether or not Trump…
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STDs: The Invisible Killer

STDs: The Invisible Killer

We all know Montgomery to be home to a rich history in the civil rights movement, Chris’s World Famous Hot Dogs, and people that took the world by storm such as Nat King Cole, Hank Williams Sr., Zelda Fitzgerald and the infamous Doe B. However, what most of us don’t know is that Montgomery has earned the title of home to something far less reputable. Since 2013, Montgomery has been labeled the most sexually diseased city in America. The fourth largest city in Alabama ranks far higher in reported cases of STDS - 4,388 as of the 2013 data - …
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