Vol. 94, No. 22 1 section, 10 pages
FRIDAY
November 4, 2005
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Sneak preview
On track to win
FilmFest opens Friday night, and ArtsFriday takes a look at this year’s entries, page 7
The men’s cross country team is highly favored to win its regional championship, page 10
Restoration movement Buildings and businesses such as the Paramount Theatre and Frontier Texas! have been part of a 15-year effort to restore downtown Abilene By TIFFANY TAYLOR Features Editor
As a 3-year-old, Robert Holiday remembers attending shows at The Paramount Theatre. Abi lene had other theatres, but this was the most beautiful and lavish. And a whole night’s entertainment cost only 9 cents. Built during the depression, the theatre was made to be magical for those who lived a different life. “They would build a theatre and then, for a little while, they could be in a palace,” Holiday said. The theatre became his second home. Forty-six years later, Holiday was part of the government preservation league that intervened when the owner scheduled to destroy The Paramount. Once the historical building was saved, the preservation
league found someone to restore it to its current state. The restoration served as a catalyst, Holiday said, for the movement to revitalize downtown Abilene, which, by the early 1990s, had also lost the interest of the public. Beginning in the early ’90s, various
downtown Abilene in the ’90s can be traced back to World War II. Soldiers came home, and an economic boom ensued that left America too rich, too fast and too impatient for the downtown mentality. McCaleb, now vice president of the univer-
ty and purpose that no strip mall will never have. He wanted to keep a center of town that draws the community and creates consistency for visitors. Many who have worked hard to make downtown viable feel the same way. “I like a little charm in life. You can go to the mall or strip mall, but that’s not charm,” said Tom Rigsby, president of the Downtown Association. When he entered office as mayor, McCaleb said he remembers boarded up buildings, empty streets and cracked sidewalks. An old scrap metal yard provided a harsh welcome to visitors, who saw the yard first when traveling toward the downtown area. After visiting downtowns in other cities, McCaleb said he knew that Abilene would either have to make a point to save the deteriorating district,
“You want to keep the heart of the city alive and vital and healthy. If the heart of the city starts dying, then the whole city can die.” Dr. Gary McCaleb, vice president of the university and former mayor of Abilene
groups followed the preservation league’s lead and began a restoration process of downtown that continues today.
A Shaky Beginning Former mayor Gary McCaleb, who was elected in 1990 at the same time downtown redevelopment was beginning, said he thinks the condition of
sity, said the Abilene residents replaced downtown with malls and trips to Dallas. A domino effect occurred until the area was empty, and officials discussed tearing down downtown. Resisting the urges to start from scratch, Caleb said he couldn’t bear taking away this alternative to the mall culture because downtown has a beau-
See
DOWNTOWN page 8
School receives record donation n A $10 million endowment fund, the largest scholarship gift given in university history, will provide 50 full-tuition scholarships for the Graduate School of Theology. By EMERALD McGOWAN Student Reporter
Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, announced at 6 p.m. Thursday a $10 million scholarship endowment gift given to the Graduate School of Theology by two former residents of Abilene. “Just think from here until the Lord comes how many thousands of students will benefit from this generous gift,” Money said. The interest earned from the endowment money will establish 50 full-tuition scholarships to graduate ministry students. “This gift will literally change lives,” said Dr. Jack Reese, dean See
GIFT page 8
Student sought for local film role Photos by Anna Carroll and Brian Schmidt
Businesses like the Paramount Theatre, Frontier Texas! and the Grace Museum have helped keep Abilene’s downtown area alive.
Sing Song preparations begin early n Expecting strong interest in the 50th annual Sing Song performance in February, tickets went on sale almost three months earlier than past years. By AARON BALLARD Staff Writer
Sing Song tickets went on sale nearly three months earlier than usual this year in anticipation of a big turnout for the 50th annual show. Typically, Sing Song tickets have not gone on sale until January. This year, however, Kendall Massey,
director of Sing Song for his third year, decided to begin selling tickets during Homecoming weekend. “The 50th show is a big deal,” Massey said. “It’s a milestone year.” In addition to the earlier start, tickets also cost about $2 more than last year. Tickets for the first two performances, Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m., cost $14 for general seating, $16 for premium seating and $18 for prime seating. Most of the about 3,900 seats available for each performance are considered prime seats.
Tickets for the final performance, Saturday at 8 p.m., all cost $20. “Saturday night always has the biggest turnout,” Massey said. “We are trying to do things to increase inMassey terest in the others, but it’s hard. Everyone wants to see who wins.” The early start provides See
TICKETS page 8
n Freshman senators will begin interviewing the nine director applicants for their class Sing Song act this week and hope to select a director by Wednesday. By LAUREN HART Student Reporter
Nine freshmen have applied and will interview for director of the freshman class Sing Song act with freshman class senators. Last week freshmen could begin applying for freshman class Sing Song director by filling out an application, which
was available in the Students’ Association office. SA freshman class senators are assessing the applications and are in the process of determining the best qualified director. “There is a good group of senators to represent the freshman class,” said Spencer Hemphill, freshman accounting and Spanish major from Longview. “This year there is a good opportunity to have a good act to represent the freshman class.” Hemphill created the apSee
SONG page 8
n The independent film calls for a male between the ages of 18 and 25, and those interested can go to the Campus Center on Saturday from 2-5 p.m. for an audition. By DENTON JOSEY Student Reporter
While many people dream of heading to Hollywood to find fame and fortune, students who wish they could be in movies don’t have to go any farther than the McGlothlin Campus Center this Saturday. A film production company will give auditions from 2-5 p.m. in hopes of finding the last member for an independent movie being filmed in Abilene. No experience with acting or movies is necessary, but the role calls for a male between the ages of 18 and 25. Matt Maxwell, junior electronic media major from See
MOVIE page 8
SA debates congressional powers n A bill, tabled until next week, would give Students’ Association executive officers the power to stop legislation before Congress has the opportunity to discuss it. By TIFFANY TAYLOR Features Editor
A bill giving the Students’ Association’s executive officers power to keep items they deem frivolous or unprepared off the docket was put on hold Wednesday, delaying further discussion for a week.
If Congress votes to pass the bill, executive officers can vote, with a two thirds majority, to keep legislation they think serves no purpose from even appearing before Congress, said Smith and Adams halls Rep. Matt Worthington, author of the bill. Worthington said he wrote the bill because he doesn’t think members of Congress have submitted enough substance this semester, bring-
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
ing up items that are difficult to turn into action. “I think that when we do that, we lower the standards,” Worthington said. Executive officers would serve as a type of filter, Worthington said, forcing members of Congress to better prepare legislation and choose more constructive projects. “Giving the power to them is going to challenge us,” Worthington said.
However, the bill sparked a debate because many members of Congress said the contents took powers away from Congress. Junior Sen. Lauren Hart said she couldn’t imagine passing a bill that took away Congress’ right to choose which items were important enough to support. Also opposing the bill, Foster Science Building Rep. Christopher Smith said instead of encouraging Congress to work See
SA page 8
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Mabee Hall Rep. Caleb Archer discusses a bill that would have given Students’ Association executive officers the power to stop legislation before it reached Congress as junior Sen. Casey Bingham waits his turn to speak Wednesday.
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