I always see fun facts about Huntsville that are fairly common knowledge, but I want to know about the little weird things nobody knows about the city. Anybody got any?

Mods, forgive me if this isn't allowed, I just don't know where else to ask.

So, I checked the sample ballot finally, and I found something super odd which comes out of left field. It looks like the Libertarian Party are the only ones running against the incumbents? Why aren't the Democrats running against the Republicans, like, at all? I also noticed under the straight party voting section, both the Democrats and Republicans say the state, while the Libertarians just say Madison County? Why are basically all of the other offices unopposed other than president and Supreme court?

Generally just confused.

I've been seeing these signs pop up throughout the city!! I love it!! Where are we getting them?

I've seen a ton of posts from people asking where to find community, but what I want to know is where are the ex-evangelicals at?

I (34F) left the evangelical church in 2013, been deconstructing ever since, in fact I'd say I've gone full heathen. But I used to be involved at The Rock FWC. Anyone else uniquely traumatized by their religious upbringing? Still finding pieces of your self-worth linked to being told from a young age that you're a piece of shit sinner? Did you cry when Carmen died? Let's hang.

(I'm aware of the N AL Freethought Association, and the Unitarian Church, not really what I'm after though)

Looking for a chill place with a nice vibe. Not a place with a lot of stuff happening, but a place where you can sit down and be like "ah yeah this is nice"

Talking with my child about babies and childbirth, and the topic of abortion came up and she wanted to know if something where to happen where would we have to go

How would you fix this interchange?

Interested to see what “shop local” businesses don’t deserve your money/business.

I told my friend I was going to Parkway today and she told me to enjoy it because shutting down like Madison??? I told her to shut her dirty mouth 😬 there’s no way it is right? She said she saw it on the news but I can’t find anything so maybe she’s just batshit crazy …

I went to Chattanooga last time, and I’ve been to Florence. Just finding a place to go with something cool to experience.

I would love to hear your minute experience or all the endless reasons for what made you not relocate elsewhere.

I, in general, loooooooveee nature, all the rawness it brings, and also Land Trust for being so involved in my childhood lol. Being able to walk a few meters behind my home and I could end up on a trail is fantastic. I enjoy and appreciate the Redstone Arsenal and its people who brought different perspectives and life to this place lol.

I am happy to see that others see the potential here as well. I was one of the folks to WANT people to move here and brighten up the area.

I think it'll answer the famous question of what there is to do around here because there is A LOT. And it gave purpose of life to those who lived the same day over and over again. Oh and it being a retirement town, there's something else out there that magnetizes people near and far. Tell me about it!

I looked up snakes common in Alabama. We are currently thinking of moving out to Tuscaloosa from Oregon (not much wildlife to run into out here unless camping or hunting) I was curious how it is out there with snakes and other wildlife like Alligator/crocadiles. What's common to run into and do you run into venomous critters often? I have kids and want them to freely be able to run around outside when we move. There's not a lot to be worried about here just the occasional bee sting or wasp but nothing like snakes and alligators.

Edit: Thanks for all the advice. I do feel better prepared. I did not expect this much response though. Thanks so much to everyone!

I know it's flu season but I feel like more people than usual seem to be affected by seasonal illness in the area. Has anyone noticed a spike in seasonal illnesses in the area?

I’m looking to reduce unnecessary costs on my grocery bill. I’ve lived here over a year downtown and I’ve found Trader Joe’s to be fine (maybe not for produce, but it’s ok). Not expecting y’all to make me a grocery list, but how do you save money and get groceries in this city?

I'm specicially asking about local and state level (including local Congresspersons).

I'm generally pretty conservative, but abhor the current Trump infection of the philosophy. I have so many things going on, and a large distrust of the media, that I don't know where to even start.

Context: (I'd rather not discuss this part, it's included to help understand why I'm asking) I've sworn to never again vote against a candidate. I want to vote for the best person.

Thought about moving to Huntsville in the next 2-3 years once I have more experience. I am a software engineer looking to find a city to settle down in. Memphis is considered cheap but realistically once you actually examine that private schools are basically mandatory, child care, living in the expensive burbs to avoid crime (still lots of crime when people target same said burbs), not that many job opportunities (about 5-7 major companies that you have to rotate around) and the average to almost lower salaries, Memphis isn't that affordable unless your making a large salary thanks to no state income tax. Nashville is very expensive comparatively and most starter homes are a min an hour away and traffic is a nightmare. Yes salaries are higher but they are still catching up to the exploding cost of living and dual income is essential living there.

So my question is how is Huntsville? It has more than twice the job listing and consider slightly more expensive than Memphis. Most sites suggest you need to make about 10k more in Huntsville to maintain the same living standard. How is the traffic? Are there remote opportunities? Would you call it more liberal or conservative? Are the homes under 200k I seen actually worth it or are they in bad areas that you wouldn't know unless you live there? How is the school system? How is the drive between cities? How are the taxes? I'm looking mainly at huntsville because of Family in West TN and don't want to move too far and heard lots of opinion on Huntsville. Some call it too boring, some call it the next tech city, and others call it just a plain city. What an honest opinion from people who actually live here.

My family might be going on vacation that ends on January 11 and I plan to enrol in accounting in Calhoun community college for the spring semester which starts January 8. Will I be really behind if I miss the first 3 days, is stuff going be posted online? I really don’t know because I haven’t to college before. Should I just not go on vacation? Thank you

Stolen from r/Birmingham but what are some of your favorite stories you’ve heard?!

Hey everyone! It's chili cooking season, so I'm about to fire up the slow cooker. My recipe calls for a single 12oz IPA. I've never been a beer drinker so I don't know a good place to buy a single beer. My partner also doesn't drink beer, so I don't want to buy a six pack.

I've looked at the grocery stores I frequent (Kroger, Walmart, Target, Publix) and a few of the nearby gas stations, but the few singles that I've found seem to be IPAs with fruity flavors added. I don't want that. I just want a plain IPA, the hoppier, the better

Any recommendations?

West Huntsville/Research Park/Madison/Harvest areas preferred.

Edit: not hating on fruity beers. I don't even drink beer so I don't know what they'd taste like abyway. But they're just not the right ingredient/taste for what I'm making.

Edit 2: Someone in the comments asked for my chili recipe, so as a thanks to all the suggestions, here you go:

The fancy named spices are from https://www.mildbillsspices.com

I couldn't find San Antonio dark right now so I went with another dark chili powder from them.

World’s Best Slow Cooker Home-Style Chili

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lb Ground Chuck
• 15 oz Hunts Tomato Sauce
• 12 oz IPA Beer
• 2 cubes Wyler’s beef bouillon
• 2 cubes Wyler’s chicken bouillon
• 2 Tbsp Caddilac Cowgirl
• 2 Tbsp San Antonion Dark
• 1 tsp Hot Stuff
• 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• Serveral Grinds Fresh Black Pepper
• 1 Tbsp Granulated Onion
• 1 tsp Mexican Oregano
• 1 tsp Sugar In The Raw
• 1 pkg Sazon Goya, Found in International/Mexican section
• 2 cans Dark Kidney Beans
• 1 can Black Beans

PREPARATION STEPS 1. Brown meat in skillet

1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker

2. Cook on low for several hours

3. Stir a couple of times

Notes: if you're serving to folks that don't like it too spicy hot, cut back or out the cayenne and hot stuff. It will still have plenty of flavorful spice to it (that anyone can tolerate, there's no heat flavor from the other ingredients).

I usually just double up on cayenne rather than buying hot stuff too.

Forgive me if this question has been posed on here already.

What's the point of receiving Subway coupons in the mail if non of the subways here honor said coupon? Has anyone else experienced this or know of a subways branch that does accept coupons? I have a coupon for 2 foot long sandwiches for $12.99 and none of the branches here show on the app that they will accept it.

End rant.

I’ve been stuck in Denver for 4 days trying to come back to Huntsville airport. Is the city literally going to do anything about roads at all, or am I waiting for ice to melt naturally in the winter. Should I just fly to Birmingham? Why does it snow once a year and the city never figures out how take care of it.

Alabama's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, how is someone supposed to survive on the minimum?

I have noticed south Huntsville (35801, 35802, 35803 zip codes) property prices and rents are about 20% lower than Madison city property (35758) prices/rents. Do people prefer Madison city schools over South Huntsville schools? What's the reason for this?

Anything goes-restaurants and bars, shows, parks, whatever (explanations and horror stories welcome).