The Vol. 95, No. 18
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Neighborhood festival
The G.V. Daniels Recreation Center will play host to a Fall Festival Tuesday for neighborhood children, page 4
Friday freebie
The Campus Activities Board will show ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ on Friday for free with a student ID, page 3
Out for an evening ride The Night Riders cycling group will ride bikes Tuesday in costume for Halloween, page 3
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OPTIMIST
1 section, 8 pages
FRIDAY
October 27, 2006
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www.acuoptimist.com
Abilene’s spooks, haunts and thrills Local church provides Halloween option
Area children to trick-or-treat at ACU
n Hillcrest Church of Christ will offer Abilene families a different approach to trick-or-treating with “trunk” or treating in the church parking lot on Wednesday.
n Local children from three organizations can go trick-ortreating on campus Tuesday at Morris Residence Hall and University Park Apartments.
By LAUREN SUTTON Opinion Editor
By JOHNNY BAUTISTA
ARTS
Local legend
Harold’s Pit Barbecue garners a review in Jordan Swim’s three-part Meat Abilene series, page 5
Student Reporter
See
Mystical movie
A star-studded cast conjures thrills in ‘The Prestige,’ a film about a magician’s tricks-gonewrong, page 5
SPORTS
Hillcrest Church of Christ is providing families in Abilene with an alternative to the Halloween tradition of trick or treating. Instead, the church will “trunk” or treat. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, members of Hillcrest Church of
Children from Wildcat Kids, Treadaway Kids and Taylor Elementary can participate in a Halloween event sponsored by University Park Apartments and Morris Residence Hall. From 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, children can trick-or-treat through some of the rooms at UP and Morris Hall. Chris Windsor, resident director of UP, said the children will be able to walk around the complex to look at decorations and to get candy. The rooms with the best decorations will win a prize. Windsor expects a great turnout for the event. “The event has always been
UP page 7
See
ANNA CARROLL FILE PHOTO
Erin Anderson, senior nursing major from Cairo, Egypt, gives candy to Eva Straughn, 4, at University Park Apartments during last year’s trick-or-treating for local children.
Businesses offers scary, safe events for town n Businesses in Abilene allow people to experience the holiday through watching scary movies at theaters or by helping children’s carnivals in town. By BRANDON COOKS Student Reporter
The Paramount Theater will show its yearly scary movie feature The Changeling starring George C. Scott. The film
will be shown at 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Tuesday. Barry Smoot, artistic director of the Paramount, said he expects about 500 people to watch the Halloween presentation. “We’ve been showing this movie for years now, so it has become somewhat of a tradition,” Smoot said. Smoot said he wouldn’t be surprised if the expected number of people exceeded the Par-
amount’s predictions. “On a day like Halloween you can never tell how many will come out,” he said. “A lot of times we get close to 1,200 people, so I would imagine the attendance of The Changeling has potential to go beyond 500.” Although the Paramount may draw quite a number of students to its event, some students have chosen to use their
Halloween night for different purposes. Joshua Jackson, sophomore youth and family ministry major from Wichita, Kan., said he plans to help the carnival in the Mall of Abilene this year. “I plan on spending my Halloween night at the mall’s carnival because it’s a more positive way to spend my time,” See
MOVIES page 7
TREAT page 7
Students to wear costumes in Halls n Students in Residence Halls can dress up for Halloween this year, receive candy and participate in holiday parties sponsored by the RA’s. By LAUREN SUTTON Opinion Editor
Neighborhood children aren’t the only ones dressing in costumes for Halloween this year. Residence halls like Nelson and McDonald Hall will sponsor holiday parties for resiSee
HALLS page 7
Balancing student lifestyles SA tables Bean Sprout resolution Fresh start
The women’s basketball team begins its season on Nov. 17 at Incarnate Word in Austin, page 8
ONLINE
Spirits Island
The men of Frater Sodalis will finish their weekend hauntings at Spirits Island this weekend, view it at: www.acuoptimist.com
n College students often can’t balance a healthy lifestyle and busy schedule, so health professionals on campus offer suggestions to help.
n Two Congress representatives presented a resolution to support the installation of a microphone in the Bean Sprout for when orders are complete.
By ATSUMI SHIBATA Page Designer
College students lead busy lives. Some of them stay up late to study, and others want to spend time with their friends. Having a balanced lifestyle is a key to a healthy life. However, many college students have trouble practicing balanced living because of busyness or, perhaps, laziness. And some don’t realize it could harm them both physically and mentally. Dr. Nicki Rippee, chair of the Exercise Science and Health Department, said being away from home is one thing making it difficult for students to have a balanced lifestyle. “They aren’t used to having a freedom of choices,” she said. Dr. Tony Rector, director of the ACU medical clinic, said various sicknesses can be traced to poor sleep, poor nutrition and lack of exercise. Having seven to nine hours of sleep, well-bal-
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
laci adkins STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Zach Smith junior communication major from San Antonio, works out during the cross training class Thursday morning. anced meals without skipping and 30 minute-long exercise three days a week: these are basics that anyone can do for a healthy life. And poor performance of these basics can increase the risk of infections, obesity and a lack of energy. Rector said many of his patients have problems in their lifestyles, and these problems affect not only current conditions but also cause deadly illness in the future. A few examples of possible
long-term diseases are heart attacks, obesity and cancer. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S., and cancer No. 2. These two diseases have a strong connection with tobacco use and obesity, according to the Institute of Medicine. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco is the second major cause of See
LIFESTYLE page 7
The Students’ Association considered a resolution to support the installation of a microphone in the Bean Sprout for announcing orders Wednesday. The resolution, written by Katherine Lee Young, University Park representative and junior families studies major from Dallas, and Kyle Pickens, Foster Science Building representative and sophomore biology major from Garland, was postponed until Wednesday to allow time to poll students. Brandon Smith, junior political science major from Keller, called for a division after both sides had presented their argument. The informal vote found SA split almost evenly, with 14 supporting, 16 opposing
Abilene Christian University
and 12 abstaining. Smith said SA should take an “active part of seeking student opinion,” and he said he thought the student body needed to be polled. Pickens said before writing the resolution, he and Young spoke with Andre Allen and five Bean Sprout employees, all in support of the resolution. The resolution calls for support from SA—not money. “This is not something SA has to finance,” Young said. Opponents of the resolution said orders are often not heard because students aren’t listening. Tyler Cosgrove, treasurer and senior management and finance major from Amarillo, voiced concern for noise issues a microphone would create in offices surrounding the Bean Sprout. Cosgrove also suggested tabling the resolution until any changes with the new See
SA page 7
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Friday, October 27, 2006
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Calendar & Events Friday
4 to 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. to midnight Spirits Haunted Island Frater Sodalis presents a haunted tour at Fort Phantom Lake. Honors Students’ Association Masquerade will take place at Joe Allen’s. Cover charge is $10.
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Saturday
4 to 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. to midnight Spirits Haunted Island. 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Discover Abilene - A Day of Missional Prayer starts at the Hilton Room, continues throughout Abilene and ends with a dinner back in the Hilton Room.
Fundraiser strikes gold with bowling for kids n Bowling For Kids Sake, an annual fundraiser, seeks to raise $75,000 in its fifth annual event. It will take place Nov. 4 at Abilene Bowling Lanes. By COURTNEE HEMBREE STUDENT REPORTER
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Abilene needs help with its Fifth Annual Bowling for Kids Sake fundraiser. Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for students, faculty and staff from ACU, McMurry and Hardin Simmons universities to join and help raise money to match kids and mentors. This year’s goal is $75,000; to date it has raised $62,000 with a Community Bowl for Kids’ Sake last March and Dyess Air Force Base Bowl for Kids’ Sake in August, said Jennifer Walker, Bowl for Kids Sake coordinator. Teams of professors, staff, social clubs, church groups and friends just getting to-
gether to have some fun are bowling from 4 to 6 p.m., 7 to 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight if enough interest is generated on Nov. 4 at Abilene Bowling Lanes, Walker said. Teams consist of four to six people with each person raising $50 to participate. Those who play will receive a free Bowl for Kids Sake T-shirt, two free games and shoe rental. Currently teams have signed up from Frater Sodalis, Alpha Kai Omega, GATA, Ko Jo Kai, and Sigma Theta Chi. Becca Cawyer, senior speech pathology major from Rowlett and coordinator for GATA’s bowling teams, said, “We’re just excited to take this time to hang out with other organizations and help support Big Brother Big Sister.” Those still wanting to play need to contact Jennifer Walker by phone at 677-7839 or e-mail at jennifer.walker@ bbbs.org by Monday. E-mail Hembree at: cch04b@acu.edu
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Monday
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lottery tickets for Spring Break Campaigns are available in the Campus Center ticket booth through Thursday. Registration for sophomores begins.
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Tuesday
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Information Fair for Spring Break Campaigns in the Campus Center. 4 to 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. to midnight Spirits Haunted Island.
Announcements What do Tupac Shakur, Lauryn Hill and Kanye West have to do with Jesus? Come find out Thursday evenings. “Jesus and the Hip-Hop Prophets” will take place at 8:30 p.m. in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building Room 128. For more information, contact Matt Worthington at mrw03b@acu.edu. Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver lunch to those in need. This is a great way to serve in the Abilene community and you can get credit if your delivery time conflicts with Chapel. For more information, stop by the Volunteer Center in the Bean Sprout. Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) meet Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in COBA Room 315 for those who are interested in sharpening business skills, entrepreneurial and leadership skills and want to be of service to the community. The FilmFest Lab is now open. It is located in the Mabee Library Auditorium, which is by the old entrance to Brown Library. Hours are Monday to Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight; and Saturday, noon to midnight. Hours will be extended as demand merits. The lab is open to anyone interested in gain-
ing knowledge about video editing or in need of video resources. For more information, contact Matt Maxwell at mam02j@acu.edu. Habitat for Humanity will bring an ice skating rink to Abilene for the holidays. Volunteers are needed to work the front gate, ice skate rentals and concessions. Also, anyone who would like to help build a house front with a fence to be used as the entrance, contact organizers. The ice skating rink will be open from Nov. 17 to Jan. 13. For more information, contact Karen Mendoza at 201-0250. Girl Scout Troop #1550 needs young women who want to make a difference in young girls’ lives through Girl Scouting. The girls are from underprivileged homes, and they need positive Christian influences in their lives. Meetings are every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This program will end in May. For more information, please contact Diltzie Andrews at 673-6379. The Honors Student’s Association Masquerade will take place at Joe Allen’s on Friday. Cover charge is $10. Everyone attending is invited to wear Western attire.
Credited Chapels remaining:
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About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at jdj03e@acu.edu.
To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
ACU Police Tip of the Week Help ACUPD be able to track and recover stolen property. Always keep a record of serial numbers, brand name and descriptions of valuable property such as cameras, computers and other valuables.
Corrections In the Oct. 25 issue, the article concerning Spring Break Campaigns has the following corrections:
Sign-ups for the campaigns begin on Monday and there is no “Seek and Follow” campaign, nor has there been since 2004.
Volunteer Opportunities AWAKE 3:18, an organization supporting AIDS awareness, has its first meeting on Monday at 8 p.m. in Barret Residence Hall. The Salvation Army needs volunteers to interview clients for Christmas assistance, verify proper documentation and determine qualification. Until Nov. 10, volunteers are needed Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Salvation Army is located at 1226 Butternut St. For more information, contact Cecilia Barahona at 677-1408. Lee Elementary needs volunteers to play Scrabble with third, fourth and fifth graders every Thursday from 3:15 to 4 p.m. in the cafeteria. For more information, contact Jennifer Clapp or Andy Blessing at 671-4895. Junior League of Abilene Christmas Carousel needs volunteers to help with the Christmas Carousel Style Show. The main task will be entertaining children models and helping them get dressed. The show is Nov. 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Abilene Civic Center. For more information, contact Holly Cowan at 823-3791. Abilene Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers for their annual Mall-o-ween. Volunteers will be manning doors and small game booths. There will be some set-up and clean-up, but it is incorporated into the time frame. Tuesday, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Mall of Abilene Customer Service Desk. For more information, contact Shannon Wake at 670-0489.
FilmFest needs volunteers to help with the editing lab, located in the Mabee Library Auditorium. The volunteer does not have to have experience with film editing. The lab is open Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight and on Saturday from noon to midnight. FilmFest also needs someone to help with the budget to keep track of funds and donations. The premiere for FilmFest is Nov. 3, and ushers are needed as well as people to run the ticket booth. For more information e-mail filmfest@acu.edu. G. V. Daniels Recreation Center will have its annual Fall Festival on Tuesday from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. and volunteers are needed to help run the booths, give out candy and clean up afterward. If you can help, contact the Volunteer Center in the Bean Sprout. Wesley Court needs volunteers to work in their gift shop and assist with inventory. Volunteers are needed Nov. 1, Monday through Friday, anytime from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two hour shifts would be very helpful. For more information, contact Susan Conwell at 437-1184. Ortiz Elementary needs volunteers for their Fall Festival. Volunteers would work the booths and give prizes to the children. For more information, contact Angela Rodriquez at 673-8794. Volunteers are needed to work on the Habitat for Humanity House that was started during Lectureship. The days volunteers are needed are Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and Dec. 1, 2, 8, and 9. For more information, contact Missy Jones at 281-796-6692.
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, October 27, 2006
Page 3
Night Riders gear up for Halloween ride UP residents meet for n Night Riders will set out on its second annual Halloween ride Tuesday. Several guests from other cities and states will attend to join the group. By ATSUMI SHIBATA Page Designer
Night Riders won’t simply ride bicycles Tuesday night. Each member of the group will be decked out in Halloween costumes, riding Huffys, Schwinns, tandems and unicycles. Night Riders is an oncampus student group that rides in the moonlight each Tuesday night. They meet at UP Apartments at 9:30 p.m., ride around campus, and then go in to the neighborhood, downtown or anywhere in Abilene they want to go. The group is not exclusive; anyone can join, said Daniel Wheeler, graduate student from
Van and cofounding member of Night Riders. “It’s like a freedom of bike riding,” Wheeler said. About 35 to 40 people usually show up, and since its conception last fall, about 130 people have joined. Last year’s Halloween
stops during their Halloween ride to enjoy some food and snacks provided by University Park and some neighbors. People from several different states and six unicyclists from a unicycle club in Fort Worth that Bell belongs to will participate the
“It’s like a freedom of bike riding.” Daniel Wheeler, graduate student from Van
gathered 85 people, the largest Night Riders gathering thus far. Aaron Bell, senior communication major from Van and co-founder of the group, dressed up like a bank robber and crafted the back of his bike into a police car to look like he was being chased. They will make extra
Halloween ride as well. Three members of Night Riders—Bell, Wheeler and Bryce Doty, graduate student from Midland—agreed the bike club is different from some other student organizations on campus. “There is no rule. We just like to ride bikes,” Wheeler said. “That’s what brings us together, and that’s what is
State Bird sings
cool about it.” Wheeler said he wants to emphasize Night Riders is not about popularity or formal membership. “We are not exclusivist,” Wheeler said. He said Night Riders welcomes new people each week, and it is a good place to meet new friends. New chapters of Night Riders have developed at University of North Texas and Baylor University because of ACU’s chapter. Bell said he will begin a new chapter at his graduate school of choice after he graduates from the university. Doty said Night Riders gives him an escape from reality and demands. “It’s so nice to have a place where I don’t have to think about those,” he said. “That’s why I keep going.”
Monday Night Football n Residents of University Park Apartments meet to watch Monday Night Football, and about 40 people appeared to enjoy the game and pizza in its first gathering. By ALLEN WILLIAMS Student Reporter
University Park Apartments residents gathered to “get ready for some football” at the complex’s clubhouse Oct. 16. The group started meeting, and about 40 people showed up during the night and 20 people stayed through the first half. UP’s clubhouse offers a big screen TV, several couches and many chairs. The first Monday night the group met, the UP staff treated football
watchers to pizza. “We can’t buy pizza every week, but we do plan on having some sort of snack every week,” Windsor said. The second week the event took place, not many students came. A lack of participation on the second week put the event on hold. Another Monday Night Football gathering will take place, but a date has not been set. Planners will have a large Super Bowl party. “UP had quite a large Super Bowl party last year; about 100 students attended,” Windsor said.
E-mail Williams at: optimist@acu.edu
E-mail Shibata at: axs03d@acu.edu
CAB to show ‘Pirates 2’ Friday n The Campus Activities Board will show ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ on Friday in Cullen, and admission is free with a student ID card. By BLESSED MATAI Student Reporter
KATIE GAGER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
State Bird, indie band from Ohio, performs in the Bean Sprout on Monday evening. Streets of Simon Lee and I Married My High School Sweetheart also played.
After a stop at Hollywood, pirates are coming to campus, and they will arrive in the form of a free showing of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest Friday. The Campus Activities Board chose the film because of its popularity. Grossing $135,634,554 its opening weekend and $421,060,364 overall, the film was No. 1 for
three weeks, according to moviesonline.com. “This event will be successful because a lot of people like it and it is a popular movie,” said Hannah Anderson, CAB intern and sophomore elementary education major from Waco. CAB will offer $.50 drinks and $.25 popcorn, and the event is free with a student ID. “[The film] is not out on DVD yet, and this is a big box office movie.” said Erika Goldman, freshman elementary education major from Lakewood, Colo. That’s why our expectations are
higher for this movie.” The last movie shown was Nacho Libre, and “it was successful for us because 300 students showed up and we sold candy and drinks for a dollar,” Anderson said. Superman Returns will be shown Nov. 10.
Prices of tickets and food n Tickets: $3, free with student ID n Drinks: $ .50 n Popcorn: $ .25
E-mail Matai at: optimist@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Wednesday, October 27, 2006
Students to cram semester into weeks Rec Center offers n The History and English departments will take students on a Maymester Study Abroad program to Oxford for a twoand-a-half week term. By ASHLEY ROBINSON Student Reporter
The Study Abroad program will compact a semester’s worth of traveling and cross-cultural learning into one intense two-anda-half week session. “Studying abroad is normally intense, with planned curriculum and excursions, but it will be particularly tough during this short term,” said Kevin Kehl, executive director of the Center for International and Intercultural Education.” Each semester, select students travel to various locations throughout the world to enhance and implement their classroom knowledge while getting hands on experience in the real world. “Students have a growing understanding of why it is important to have a significant cross-cultural academic experience,” Kehl said. “The world in which they will be working, living and serving is one that requires them to have a clear understanding of the world through some real-life experience.” Oxford and Latin America are the two main locations to which ACU students travel each semester. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the English or history programs offered in Oxford during Maymester 2007. The Maymester term will run from May 13 - 31. Mayme-
ster professors will be Dr. Cole Bennett and Dr. Tracy Shilcutt. Cole Bennett, assistant professor of English and Writing Center director, will teach English 446/540: “Modern American Expatriate Writers.” Kehl Bennett taught in the Study Abroad Program in Oxford last spring, where he presented a paper at a conference in Pamplona, Spain. “During that visit I realized I was in the city where Ernest Hemingway had fallen in love with bullfighting and had written much of The Sun Also Rises,” Bennett said. “And so I began developing an upper-level English course on American Expatriate Writers that I could bring to Oxford, Spain and Paris, cities where much of the expatriates wrote during the Modernist period.” Bennett went to the International Studies office with his course idea and upon approval, the plans were set in motion. “It turns out that Maymester is an ideal time to offer such a class,” Bennett said. Bennett did not study abroad as a student, but said, “I feel I missed out on quite a bit. This is one of the reasons I encourage students to participate now.” Students will also take two trips to further expand their education and abroad experience. “We will travel once
to Paris to see where the black American expatriate writers hung out and wrote near the Left Bank, and then finish our trip with a five-day excursion to northern Spain,” Bennett said. “Our goal there is to trace some of Hemingway’s inspirations for his writing.” Tracy Shilcutt, assistant professor of history, will teach History 440: “Monarchs, Mayhem and Money,” which highlights the British Empire and the role of industrialization. “The History of Modern Britain is an upper level history course that spans the years 1603 to the present. We will trace the course of British social, economic and political development,” Shilcutt said. Students will have the opportunity to visit London, Winchester and Bristol while learning. “The social dynamics of class division comes to life as we engage in the crosscentury drama of Warwick Castle,” Shilcutt said. “A visit to Bath will allow the student to engage the architectural beauty of this Georgian town.” This will be Shilcutt’s second time to teach the British history course in England. She first taught the course in 2003. “The best place to study British history is in Great Britain, so this Maymester course will allow for an immersion into the setting unlike that of what might be offered in a classroom in Abilene,” Shilcutt said. Ten students are enrolled to attend the Maymester Study Abroad session, but there is room
for 36 students total. Lauren Graham, Study Abroad coordinator in the Center for International and Intercultural Education, is in charge of recruiting students for the Study Abroad program. “We already have some students signed up, but there is still space,” Graham said. Graham, who is also an ACU graduate, studied abroad in Latin America during her sophomore year. She also did her student teaching in Latin America in 2005. “I love it, and I really miss it,” Graham said. “Every time I smell diesel it reminds me of Montevideo because I used to ride the city bus to work everyday.” Graham encourages students to take advantage of this experience, and study abroad for a semester. “Find a student that has been there before and take them to lunch; they will tell you about it,” Graham said. Students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, at least 30 credit hours and in good standing are eligible to apply. Financial aid can be applied to the help cover the costs. The deadline to apply for the Maymester session is Jan. 12. For more information about the Study Abroad Program, contact the Center for International and Intercultural Education in Hardin Administration Building Room 124, or visit www.acu.edu/academics/studyabroad.html.
E-mail Robinson at: optimist@acu.edu
trick-or-treat change n The G.V.. Daniels Recreation Center Fall Festival will be Tuesday and kids will have an alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating with games and candy. By PATRICK YGNACIO Student Reporter
Some local residents can look forward to a harvest this Halloween—a harvest of family and community. The G.V. Daniels Recreation Center, located on North 8th Street, will host its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 31, giving children in the community an alternative to door-to-door trickor-treating. The event will feature an air castle and game booths for kids, said Justin Whiteley, recreation specialist at the center. Food and candy will be available to everyone attending. Adults who want to participate will be able to contribute to a potluck type cakewalk. The festival will be from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Terrence Crisp, coordinator for the G.V. Daniels Recreation Center, said he wants this event to serve as a reminder to the community that the recreation center is there to serve community kids and families. The center also hosts a daily after school program throughout the school year which provides indoor and outdoor sports, arts and crafts as well as tutoring services. The after-school program runs from 3 to 6 p.m. and is open to kids ages 6 to 13. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the week, the center provides recreational services for se-
nior citizens. Crisp will be a general chaperone and supervisor for the Fall Festival this year. He said he hopes the festival will promote a “sense of togetherness” through the community. “The most rewarding thing is seeing the kids have fun in a safe environment and seeing them enjoy time with their family and friends,” Crisp said. Justin Whiteley has organized the Fall Festival for three years. Last year’s festival garnered about 500 attendees throughout the evening, Whiteley said. He has brought together various members from the community to plan the event but is looking for 10 to 20 volunteers to help with activities and clean up. Whitely said he has received positive feedback from past volunteers and that the activities have allowed them to fully engage the overall social aspect of the event. A group of local teens assembled by Whiteley is also involved in organizing the Fall Festival. Whiteley said the Fall Festival is important because it gives kids a place to have fun and helps protect them from those dangers they might encounter while walking the neighborhood. He said events the Fall Festival gives participants and guests an opportunity to become involved in their community and a chance to “be a part of something positive.” E-mail Ygnacio at: optimist@acu.edu
Elementary school needs helpers n Students can volunteer to help Ortiz Elementary School by dressing in a costume Saturday at the school’s Fall Festival fundraiser for the Ortiz PTA. By MEGAN LOWE Student Reporter
ACU students will have the opportunity to dress up in costumes and help children celebrate Halloween at Ortiz Elementary School’s Fall Festival. The Fall Festival will be Saturday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The Fall Festival is serving as a fundraiser for the Ortiz PTA. “We will use the money raised to do things throughout the year to give the money back to the students at Ortiz,” said Angela Rodriguez, junior elementary education major from Abilene and member of the PTA at Ortiz where her daughter attends school.
Volunteers are needed to assist with different booths for the kids to participate in. Booths include the fishing reel and football toss. An air castle will also be set up for the kids. Volunteers will also hand out prizes to the children that win games and pick up trash. They will also help at the concession stands where nachos, hotdogs, pickles and soft drinks will all be sold. “I had seen the different clubs around campus doing service projects and thought they might be able to help with our festival. I then started researching the volunteer center at ACU,” said Rodriguez. Most students at Ortiz Elementary come from lowincome families. “The children will see the college students having fun and reaching out to their surrounding commu-
nity and it may help them make the decision down the road to go to college somewhere, maybe even ACU,” said Rodriguez. Student’s gain more than just hours when volunteering for service opportunities. “Among other things they gain the opportunity to live out the call to be Jesus’ hands and feet to the world and to love our neighbors as ourselves. At these kind of events they also have a lot of fun,” said Nancy Coburn, director of the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. Students interested in volunteering for the Ortiz fall festival can contact Angela Rodriguez at 6738794. All other service opportunities can be found at the service office in the campus center. E-mail Lowe at: optimist@acu.edu
October 27, 2006
Page 5
Meat! Abilene: a Harold-age of barbecue n Jordan Swim’s journey into Abilene’s finest barbecue joints comes to a finish at Harold’s Barbecue Pit, located on 1305 Walnut St. By JORDAN SWIM
Contributing Writer
Harold’s Barbecue Pit is the spirit of life. It is a place where slow is still the way, where people are connected around food that is warm and filling; guests sit together at communal tables; they have to touch each other and acknowledge each other; diverse groups sit and feast together; men and women in business attire sit next to farmers in sun-faded overalls, who sit next to students sporting designer faded jeans, who sit next to burly construction workers, who sit next to ladies with constructed faces. All of these wonderful people sharing in one spirit: Harold’s Pit Barbecue. Harold’s has served up famous brisket sandwiches, seasoned French fries, fried hot water corn bread, collard greens, pork ribs, Friday-only savory chicken, moist turkey breast, scrumptious sausage, spicy homemade sauce, down home fixings, “damn hot rel-
EMILY SMITH STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Harold Christian, owner of Harold’s Barbecue Pit, prepares a meal for customers Thursday. ish” and that homemade blackberry, peach, and strawberry cobbler since 1957. If you have not participated in life at Harold’s, you do not
know what you’re missing. When you crawl through the small barred door from the desolate, gravel parking lot, you are not just entering
a restaurant for lunch—you are entering into another world. This world is bustling with life. The air and the atmosphere knock you back when you walk in. The air is so thick of that sweet smoke that your mouth begins to salivate. You notice the crooked pictures on the wall, the thank you notes from the Abilene High School football team and the vintage menus from the ‘50s and ‘60s when you could get a barbecue plate for only $1.25. This place has got character. The only thing standing between you and your “Q basket” is the line that, most days, stretches out the door. Make sure to not get anxious in line; talk to the people around you, use your imagination and imagine how little this restaurant has changed in the past 49 years. Prepare yourself to taste the tradition of Harold’s. In line, you must decide what you want to order. There are meat combination plates with your choice of sides: sandwiches chopped on the famous wood chopping block, and, of course, the “Q basket.” The basket consists of a chopped bris-
ket sandwich with special sauce and two sides—French fries and collard greens— for $4.25 or $4.60, depending on which size you get. What a deal! I recommend adding a few pieces of fried jalapeño corn bread on the side and a cup of that warm strawberry cobbler. This is Abilene barbecue. If you find yourself at Harold’s on a busy Friday or Saturday, you might hear deep, booming notes rise above the room. “His eyes are on the sparrow,” Harold’s singing lifts the spirit. He not only entertains, he restores; you can see the history in his eyes, the welcome in his smile. This is more than a restaurant: this is an experience. During the past month, I have given notice to four of Abilene’s fine barbecue joints, especially those close to the Hill. This small survey is in no way meant to be exhaustive, it is only meant to arouse a hunger in students for the slow-cooked meat of this town. The resolve is get out there and eat what this town has to offer! Bon Appetit! E-mail Swim at: optimist@acu.edu
‘The Prestige’ casts lasting spell on audience n Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale take on the roles of competing magicians who started off as friends but became bitter rivals after a trick went awry. By COLE WILLIAMS Cartoonist
Magic. It confounds us, entertains us and makes us question the world around us. A simple sleight-of-hand and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Such is the case with The Prestige, director Christopher Nolan’s (Memento, Batman Begins) latest entertaining, mindboggling thriller. Set at the end of the 19th century, The Prestige centers on the bitter rivalry between two stage magicians: the elegant showman Angier (Jackman) and brooding artiste Borden (Bale). In the film’s first five
minutes, Angier is killed by a trick gone wrong. Borden is blamed and sentenced to death. From here, the movie tells how the two men met and grew to hate each other, how Angier sought to copy Borden’s greatest feat, and how the two men’s desires ended up destroying the lives of those close to them. A heap of talented actors breathes class and life into the film. Bale is solid and Jackman brings energy to every scene he’s in. The top notch supporting cast—Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Piper Perabo, Andy Serkis and rock legend David Bowie as legendary scientist Nikola Tesla—create real, sympathetic characters that keep the viewer invested in the story. However, the standout among the already amazing supporting players is Rebecca Hall as Borden’s wife,
Sarah, a woman tortured by her husband’s tendency to seemingly love magic more than her every other day. While the movie may be studded with a superb cast, the true star of the movie is the storytelling. Nolan’s simple yet beautiful direction twists and turns through multiple times in the characters’ lives as the story and mysteries of the movie hide, reveal and redouble on themselves. The setting— ripe for long, boring period-piece drama—is instead treated like any modern day tale; it clips along at a nice pace and doesn’t bog down in any details of the time. The craftsmanship of the movie is equally excellent. Carefully framed yet natural and fluid direction, moody and atmospheric music, and sound design brings palpability to the magicians’ mechanisms that ground
the film in its own captivating world. Especially worth mentioning is the sound of the machine built by Tesla; when it turns on, it builds tension like a perfectly orchestrated soundtrack, and the noise it makes on release is pure excitement and fear. However, great as it is, don’t expect a traditional, black and white movie-going experience. Neither Angier nor Borden fit in the roles of the hero or the villain. Rather, they are both cold, deeply flawed protagonists who seek to destroy each other’s lives out of the most common frailties of jealousy and revenge. The film’s unusual timeline will also require patience and observation; not boring and prolonged, rather it is energetic, fast paced and detailed. But the movie rewards those who put their
minds into it, revealing a unique experience that not only astounds you the first time, it makes a second viewing a new experience, something few films accomplish. However, the film’s often disturbing themes will also stay with you long after viewing, whether you want them to or not. Few movies manage the class, craftsmanship, impact and re-watchability as The Prestige. Like the magic acts performed in it, it is perfectly executed, amazes you with what it accomplishes and keeps you guessing up until and beyond the ending. Few movies this year have been this good, and few will stay with you as long as this one will.
E-mail Williams at: cww03b@acu.edu
Restaurants in abilene Some of Abilene’s steakhouses, Italian, Mexican, Asian restaurants with addresses and phone number. n Lytle Land & Cattle Company: 1150 E.S. 11th 677-1925 n Fazoli’s Italian Restaurant: 4066 S. Danville 692-3804 n Olive Garden: 3210 S. Clack 691-0388 n Abuelo’s: 4782 S. 14th 692-4776 n Little Panda: 1035 N. Judge Ely Blvd. 670-9393 n Chili’s Grill & Bar: 1702 State Highway 351 672-1424
Box office stats Newly released movies and gross rates for Oct. 20-22. Total gross in parenthesis. n The Prestige: $14,801,808 ($14,801,808) n The Departed: $13,462,256 ($76,935,185) n Flags of Our Fathers: $10,245,190 ($10,245,190) n Open Season: $8,162,729 ($69,765,034) n Flicka: $7,703,551 ($7,703,551)
iN THE tHEATERS Movies opening Friday: n Babel, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garcia Bernal. The lives of an American couple, a rebellious Japanese teenager, a Mexican nanny and two Morrocan boys interweave as an accident connects them without their knowledge. n Catch a Fire, starring Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna. In 1980 South Africa, an oil refinery worker, Patrick Chamusso, comes under suspicion and is arrested for sabotage. After released from jail he starts a revolution against the company he used to work for. n Conversations with God, starring Henry Czerny, Ingrid Boulting, Bruce Page. The true story of Neale Walsch, author of the internationally acclaimed book series Conversations with God, and his journey to become a spiritual messenger.
Page 6 The issue:
Halloween has a long history that has become an integral part of American culture as well as other cultures across the world.
Our view:
Halloween is an opportunity to enjoy the fall season and relive part of your childhood.
The solution:
Learn the history of this holiday so you can fully appreciate its significance.
October 27, 2006
Halloween celebrates tradition and community Halloween is more than 2,000 years old. Founded by the Celts in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, the holiday was celebrated Oct. 31 to bring in the new year. The Celts believed Oct. 31 was a gateway into the cold winter, a time associated with death and sickness, and when the ghosts of the dead returned to earth, the boundary between the dead and the living was blurred. The holiday has evolved considerably since its conception. By the 800s, the Pope
adapted the expensive way to Halloween’s rich history—sometimes pagan, ancient holibuild community sometimes not— has made the holiday into an day into a reimportant, community-building part of our culture during Halloween. ligious event, Giving treats to and many other cultures around the world. attempting to the neighborhood put a religious children not only light on Oct. 31. celebrated by some. gave them a chance to get to Nov. 1 was designated All By the 1920s and 1930s in know the youngsters, but it Saints’ Day (also called All-hal- the United States and England, also limited vandalism. lows Eve in Middle English), a Halloween was a secular holiHalloween’s rich history— time to honor saints and mar- day again. Festivals, feasts and sometimes pagan, sometimes tyrs, and the evening before parades were incorporated not—has made the holiday was when a variation of trick- into the communities, and the into an important, commuor-treating was born. Children holiday was aimed at building nity-building part of our culwere urged to walk neighbor- community and celebrating the ture and many other cultures hoods, knocking on doors and past. Trick-or-treating, as we around the world. We have receiving prayers, food and know it today, was conceived many great memories of past ale from the neighbors. This when people in these commu- Halloweens. version of Halloween is still nities decided to begin an inIt’s when the leaves change
Lebensgefahrens
Alex York
The pirate and princess compete for candy Darkness fell on the town outside and dead autumn leaves in hues of orange, red and pale yellow fluttered to the ground as a west wind slowly picked up and porch lights flickered on. A n x i ou s l y Mallory clothes Schlabach were pulled Face the out of closFacts ets and make-up was carefully applied while mom watched in the bathroom mirror, surveying the princess dolled up for the evening. Two plastic, neon-orange, pumpkin-shaped buckets sat near the sliding glass back door, next to the pole that had been chewed on too many times by the new black Labrador puppy that followed the little boy dressed as a pirate around the small living room on the second floor. Children congregated outside the back door next to the homemade wooden tree swing, which aimlessly clanked into the crooked tree trunk as the wind picked up even more. It was Halloween night and I, the pretty princess, looked in the mirror once more before waltzing down the back porch steps to join my neighborhood friends,
Up and down the block we raced, dodging across the empty street, knocking on doors with and without porch lights on, cheerfully singing, “Trick or Treat.” while my pesky brother, the pirate, ran ahead. I remember the night well; it was the night of the princess-pirate dance for candy. Growing up, my brother, John, and I have always been competitive. He is only 17 months younger than me, so we butted heads more often than bulls. This is a familiar tale to those with siblings because each one knows what it is like to have the doting younger sibling always at your side, waiting for you to play with them, provoke them— anything but ignore them. Such was the tale tonight. I had my princess dress on hours before dusk arrived, anxious to show off the sheer pink dress my mom had made the week before. The dress was trimmed in gold and long with big, puffy sleeves. I had taken the time to carefully brush my oh-so-curly hair into waves like all the princesses in cartoons and put on the final touch: a gold barrette with matching pink taffeta, flowing from my hair to the bottom of my back. Meanwhile, the pirate ran around the living room
while Abby, the puppy, playfully nipped at his heels as he shrieked with glee and swung the shiny plastic sword through the air at invisible pirates. Sneaking up on me as I headed towards my carefully polished pumpkin bucket, the pirate sliced his sword through the air snagging my barrette and crown with it. Instantly there was war. Mom quickly silenced our angry cries, readjusted the material and shooed us both out the door and into the night where we quickly raced up and down the sidewalk, anxious to gather the best candy on the block before the other arrived. Away we went, the pirate’s black pants blending into the shadows so only the white T-shirt, red sash and portion of his face not covered by a patch showed; my jeweled princess heels clattering on the sidewalk in a shuffle and click pattern as I struggled to keep them on and beat the pirate to the next house. Soon the block split with the pirate racing off into the night while I, grasping the fallen crown, crossed the street, caught up with neighborhood friends, while
watching for the pirate out of the corner of my eye. Up and down the block we raced, dodging across the empty street, knocking on doors with and without porch lights on, cheerfully singing, “Trick or Treat.” When we reached the top of the hill, the limit set by our parents, we took off, heading towards home, cutting through back yards through secret paths and created every summer, through the yard, where the man with the mean Dalmatian refused to mow, and down the hill, crashing into the back of our house and narrowly avoiding the tree swing blowing wildly. Out of breath, with reddened cheeks and windtossed hair, the pirate and I squeezed into the kitchen, anxious to count our candy and see who won. Laughter filled the room as we began to re-tell the evening dance from house to house, while each one swiped a piece of candy or two while the other one animatedly spoke. Outside, the wind blew and the dead autumn leaves crunched as children returned home with buckets filled with candy, and one by one porch lights died. It was the night of the dance of a princess and pirate; a night with my brother I won’t forget. E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu
attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
Respect in Chapel only a pipe dream Webster’s New World After all, Chapel was Collegiate Dictionary: no grand secret. We all Fourth Edition defines “pipe knew what we were getdream” as “a fantastic idea, ting into when we decidvain hope ed to come here. or plan.” At the same time, the T h e y Chapel administration is gocould have ing to have to realize soonadded, “re- er or later that there is no spect in way for them to have their ACU Cha- cake and eat it, too. Should pel.” they be able to count on rePerhaps I spect? In a perfect world, A Ripple should back yes, they should. in the Pond up. On But anyone reading Jeremy Wednesday, this already knows we Pond Dean Bar- live in a world that is far nard closed from perfect. Chapel with a plea to the Dean Barnard referred student body to respect to the university as a “famthose who present in Cha- ily.” I know many students pel. He made reference to who would beg to differ the number of students who with the use of the word. either talk with their friends The community here is during Chapel, text mes- just not that close. sage back and forth, leave In many ways, ACU is their cell phones turned on high school all over again. and/or move closer to the The same drama, the same card reader in backbiting, Chapel’s wanthe same gosing minutes. sip and the Then we’ll hit a As he stood weekend, and by same disreon stage, I spect that we the time we all was struck by saw in those come back, the an odd feeldays seems to noise and disreing. When I have followed reflected later, us to Abilene. spect in Chapel I realized what Until we will come right it was. combat these along with us. Déjà vu. things and Since I have until we can been attending actually create school here, this has hap- the kind of “family” Dean pened multiple times. If Barnard and so many others history is to be any guide, would like to see become we know exactly what will a reality, students respecthappen next. For the next ing each other in a mandathree or four days, students tory Chapel will never be will be a little more respect- anything more than a pipe ful in Chapel. dream. Then we’ll hit a weekend, This can be accomand by the time we all come plished, but it will not be back the noise and disre- through the pleas of a spect in Chapel will come few distant men standing right along with us. on a stage speaking to us I think it’s time somebody through microphones. pointed out a very simple yet It will come when the stuseemingly ignored truth. As dents, and yes, even the faclong as Chapel attendance ulty and administration of at ACU is mandatory, there this university learn to see will be a large percentage of past themselves and their the student body that will own perceptions of why abhor Chapel and refuse to people act the way they do. be respectful during it. It will come when the Don’t misunderstand me. entire body of ACU learns I am not by any means con- to stop talking and start doning such behavior. The listening. vast majority of the student body is made up of adults, and by this point in our lives, we should be able to sit quietly for half an hour E-mail Pond at: jlp04b@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu whether we want to or not.
Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal
color; it’s when the air becomes crisp; it’s when hundreds of children are allowed to walk the streets and are greeted with tightly wrapped Snickers bars or rattling candy corn by former trick-or-treaters. Halloween gives us an opportunity to celebrate the changes in weather, the youth that we once possessed good, old-fashioned tradition and an uncommon taste of community. And some people don’t like this holiday?
Editorial and Management Board Mallory Schlabach
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Friday, October 27, 2006
Page 7
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Lifestyle: Campus heath professionals offer advice Continued from page 1
death in the world, and about 5 million deaths are related to tobacco. Obesity has important relationships with mental disorders and possibly to the initiation of smoking as a method of weight control in adolescents, according to the American Obesity Association. Eating disorders are a serious problem among female students. The best-known disorders are bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues are the symptoms of these disorders. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating, according to the Web site. An-
orexia nervosa is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Eating disorders can cause serious illness like osteoporosis, heart disease, mood disorder and sleeping difficulty, and they are potentially life threatening. About 80 percent of bulimia nervosa patients and 90 to 95 percent of anorexia nervosa patients are women, and 5 to 20 percent of anorexia patients die. Margaret Davis, counselor and member of Eating Attitudes and Self-Esteem, a campus support group for people struggling with eating disorders, said media often have a strong influence on physical appearance. Davis said 75 percent of women feel worse about their looks after reading fashion magazines, and many eating disorder patients are not necessarily overweight. An unbalanced lifestyle can also cause mental problems. “Irregular lifestyle causes a
chaos in our lives,” said Steve Rowlands, director of the Counseling Center. It increases stress, anxiety and reduces motivation. Having a good lifestyle helps students have strength to perform, balance out moods and store information. When the balance is collapsing, a person tends to be irritable, which can cause problems in relationships with others. “If you are not eating well, you are not feeding your brain, either,” Rowland said. “And your brain is a part of your body—a very important part of your body.” Rector said students need to learn how to manage their time more effectively to have a balanced lifestyle. Even if students think they are too busy to jog for 30 minutes, cook a healthier meal at home or sleep seven hours every day, they can do these kinds of things if they try. The best example, Rector said, is students who are in love.
You have been very busy this semester, taking 17 hours and working 20 hours a week. You skip a breakfast, go to the Campus Center to eat pizza for lunch and maybe a hamburger and Coke for a dinner. You go to bed around 3 a.m. almost every night and wake up at 7 a.m. to go to a class. You always tell your roommate, “I have no life this semester.” One day, you fall in love with someone. Your schedule doesn’t change, but now you try to afford a few hours to meet this person. “Now you are spending all that time you didn’t think you had with somebody you are in love with,” he said. “How does it happen? The answer is the person is very important to you, so you make time for that.” And the same effort needs to be made to have a healthy lifestyle. Professionals suggest tips to maintain a balanced lifestyle. First, sleep six to seven hours regularly. Try to go to bed and
get up at a regular time every day. Rector said napping needs to be limited because it could mess up one’s regular schedule. A short nap is sometimes helpful, though, for those who lack sleeping hours because of all-nighters. Second, monitor food habits. Students tend to have fast food or a soft drink, but Rector said he recommends never eating that kind of food. Make one or two changes at a time, and don’t dramatically overhaul eating habits at once. Third, become physically active. Choose something you’re most likely to enjoy and find a company so you can exercise together. Rippee said the jogging track is an easy and safe way to start enhancing physical activity. Also, making a commitment with others or create a visible reminder. Exercising is good for physical wellness, but it also helps to release stress. Finally, realize problems in
your lifestyle. If you see or feel something is wrong, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Friends, family or faculty members— find someone you feel comfortable talking to. Many students probably don’t think about illness or death seriously enough to change their lifestyle immediately; however, Rector said making these changes now is beneficial. “It will be easier to live a healthy life as a 40-yearold if you are already doing that as a 20-year-old.” “That’s a process of learning,” Dr. Rector said. “I think it is too much for a 19-year-old to be able to master that and do that perfectly when they first start school here.” Life is full of choices—choices that affect the present and future. Rector advises one last thing: choose well and live well.
E-mail Shibata at: axs03d@acu.edu
SA: Microphone considered for Sprout Halls: Students give candy to kids
Continued from page 1
soda machines in the Bean Sprout are made. He said the machines will help stop congestion that occurs around the soda bar and may help reduce noise. Valerie Hanneken, junior integrated marketing com-
munication major from Garland and class senator, said students should not have to listen for their orders. “I think the point is to eat meals with your friends,” she said. Pickens said he and Young will print polls to distribute in buildings around campus
this week. The SA Five Year Plan was distributed at the meeting as well and will be discussed at the next meeting. The plan covers fiscal year 2006 to 2011 and summarizes SA’s goals for improving student life. Also at the meeting, Tim
Thyne, freshman management and communication major from Naperville, Ill., was elected as an off-campus representative with 41 votes supporting and two abstaining.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Treat: Church distributes candy, connects Continued from page 1 Christ will fill the church parking lot with decorated cars loaded with candy, set up a Halloween carnival in the gym and spend an evening playing games and distributing candy to neighborhood children for their annual Trunk Party. Hillcrest began hosting its Trunk Party nine years ago when they heard about a new approach to trick-or-treating from a church in California. The idea is to fill car trunks
with large amounts of Halloween candy and position these cars in a circle. Children travel from car to car as opposed to going from house to house. In addition to passing out candy, the Hillcrest youth group is organizing a carnival for people attending the Trunk Party. Children play games and parents can enjoy the newly instated coffee corner. The Trunk Party is one of Hillcrest’s three bridge events that seek to connect the church to the community.
“From our standpoint, it’s an important ministry for us to meet people in the neighborhood,” said Terry Brown, preacher at the church. “We want people to know that we are friendly and that we don’t bite.” For the past several weeks, Hillcrest set up trash bins around the church for members to fill with bags of candy. People can also sign up to use their cars for the party or help work a carnival booth. “Most people can donate a
bag of candy; it’s easy to help out in one way or another,” Edgar said. “The challenge is finding a creative way to have more contact with neighborhood families more than one time a year,” Brown said. “You can’t be pushy, but we want to let them know that we are concerned about them. We hope that we are saying that by having this event.”
E-mail the Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu
Movies: Local theater to show horror film Continued from page 1 Jackson said. He also said this will be a way to keep kids safe and away from the Halloween horrors and tragedies which may occur. Marvin Bien-Aime, senior exercise science major from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., said he will spend Halloween evening watching Saw 3, which comes
out Friday. “The last two movies of the saga were pretty good, so it just seems perfect to watch the final installment on Halloween night with my friends,” BienAime said. He said he doesn’t put too much emphasis on Halloween, but because one of the “most anticipated” movies of the year is coming out on Hallow-
een, he’ll just have fun at the movie. Shingie Mangwiro, senior accounting major from Zimbabwe, said she’ll be involved in her routine of working. “I don’t really make a big deal out of Halloween because to me it has no significance,” Mangwiro said. She said even if she didn’t have to work on Halloween she wouldn’t do any-
UP: Costumes, candy, fun offered Continued from page 1 successful; a lot of kids come, so I’m expecting the same for this year,” Windsor said. Angela Bearden, resident director of Morris, said she is looking forward to being a part of this event with UP and the kids who will attend. “I’m excited to see how it’s going to turn out. I think it’s great that we will get to reach out to the kids in the community,” Bearden said. After the kids finish trick-or-
treating, the party will continue to go on for all ACU students. Students, faculty and staff are invited to a Halloween party in the UP clubhouse where snacks, music and contests will take place. “We’re going to have some good contests,” Windsor said. “There’s going to be a pumpkincarving contest, a pumpkin-eating contest and whatever else we can think of. At other universities, Halloween is a huge holiday, so I just think it will be a lot of fun to be a kid again
and enjoy Halloween.” At 9 p.m., there will also be an old-fashioned scary movie playing to end the night. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Bearden said. “We’re going to have fun with the kids and then we’ll also be able to have fun with our residents. I’m excited to see all the costumes that the students and kids will be wearing.”
E-mail Bautista at: optimist@acu.edu
thing special anyway. “I would probably just be at home on the couch reading my Bible,” Mangwiro said. Admission for the movie at the Paramount is $5 for adults and $4 for students, senior citizens 60 years old and up, military personnel, and children.
E-mail Cooks at: optimist@acu.edu
Continued from page 1 dence Monday and Tuesday evening, along with hallway trick-or-treating for Wildcat and Treadaway Kids this weekend. Beginning at 7 p.m. Monday evening, the women of Nelson Hall will participate in a harvest cook-out and pumpkin carving contest on the resident hall’s new patio area if the weather permits. Kelly Sargent, residence director for Nelson Hall, is working with the rest of her staff— assistant director and resident’s assistants—to help the function run smoothly. Sargent said even though the events take a lot of planning, they’re always worth it. “I love getting to do fun stuff with the women of Nelson; it builds great community and offers a stress-relief from the hectic schedule of midterms and papers,” Sargent said. McDonald Hall will host a party for its residence and their friends on Halloween night in the lobby and dorm director’s apartment starting at 10 p.m. Katherine Gould, residence director for McDonald Hall, is one of the four staff members in charge of McDonald’s events. Apple bobbing, Mad Libs, a cake walk and dance-off are many activities planned for Tuesday night, Gould said, who’s been McDonald’s residence director for two years. “This year’s events will be
much more interactive and fun,” Gould said. “Great prizes will be awarded for the most creative, scariest, funniest, worst and best all-around costumes.” The women of McDonald hall will also be visiting Cedar Creek Pumpkin Patch Saturday evening to pick out pumpkins to carve and bake. The two dormitories participated in Trick-or-Treat for Wildcat and Treadaway Kids in past years, and this year’s residents have the choice of dressing up and handing out candy once again this Sunday at 6 p.m. “We will be participating in helping [the kids] enjoy a safe alternative,” Gould said. The children will walk up and down the dormitories hallways, knocking on student’s doors. Other resident halls on campus, like McKinzie first year men, don’t have any plans for Halloween this year, said Andy Zimmerman, McKinzie Hall residence director. Both directors, Gould and Sargent, are looking forward to hosting this fall’s Halloween activities for their residents and visiting trick-or-treaters. “These events will be a lot of fun,” Gould said. “It will hopefully get people to be creative and involved.” Tuesday evening, along with hallway trick-or-treating for Wildcat and Treadaway Kids this weekend. E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu
Friday, October 27, 2006
ScoreBoard Standings FOOTBALL
Team
Div. 3-0 3-0 3-1 2-2 1-2 0-3 0-4
ACU Tarleton WTAM-U MSU Angelo TAMU-K ENMU
Team
Overall 7-0 4-3 7-1 6-2 2-5 3-5 1-6
VOLLEYBALL Div. 9-0 7-2 5-4 3-6 1-7 1-7
WTAM ACU Tarelton St. TAMK-U ENMU Angelo St.
Overall 27-3 17-9 12-13 15-22 6-23 3-20
Scores Thursday VOLLEYBALL West Texas A&M
Upcoming Saturday FOOTBALL ACU vs. Tarleton State, 2 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL ACU vs. Eastern New Mexico, 11 a.m.
n Home games listed in Italics
Online
SportsFriday
Wildcats prepare for LSC tie breaker n The nationally ranked football team will play Tarleton State on Saturday. The game will decide who is first in the LSC South. By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Editor
After handing powerhouse West Texas A&M a 49-33 surprise, the 70 Wildcats are three wins away from a 10-0 season and are tied for first place in Conference. But one of three obstacles in the way of the Wildcats’ unblemished season is the experienced defense of Tarleton State. “A good defense like Tarleton State will squash you,” head coach Chris Thomsen said. ACU will put its No. 14 national ranking and perfect record on the line against unranked Tarleton State in a Lone Star Conference South Division first place deciding game on Saturday. In addition to determining first place in the LSC South, the game against Tarleton State has great weight on regional rankings. ACU moved up one spot to fourth in the Southwest region after beating West Texas and is one of six LSC teams ranked in the top 12. Tarleton State moved four spots to seventh. Although Tarleton is absent from the national polls and is 4-3 this season, they are 3-0 in conference play and have won their last four games in a row. The Tarleton Texans’ fourth-straight win was a 48-0 blowout over Eastern New Mexico on Oct. 21. Tarleton held ENMU to only 79 yards of total offense, the lowest of any LSC team all year, and climbed to the top of conference defensive rankings after the shutout victory. One of the biggest contributors to
brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Wide receiver Jarale Badon evades a defender during the Wildcats 49-33 win over nationally ranked West Texas A&M. Badon leads the Wildcats with 37 catches for 544 yards and one touchdown.
Football the Texans’ blowout victory was linebacker Eric Smith. Smith is the LSC Defensive Player of the Week for the third week in a row and the fourth time this season. “They are very disciplined,” Thomsen said. “We need to make plays and execute against them.” ACU had no problem executing against Tarleton State the last time the two met. The Wildcats surprised the
former nationally ranked Tarleton State with an 18-7 victory. This season the roles have reversed, as ACU is ranked and Tarleton is looking to continue its momentum in conference play. “It’s always a heated rivalry,” wide receiver John Brock said. “They will be ready for us.” Brock caught four catches for 160 yards and three touchdowns against West Texas and was the main target in quarterback Billy Malone’s six-touchdown performance.
Hood named LSC Coach of the Year
n Head cross country coach Derek Hood was named Lone Star Conference Men’s Coach of the Year after leading the Wildcats to their 16th and sixth straight LSC Championships in a row. ACU swept the competition in Stephenville on Oct. 21 in Hood’s second year at the helm.
Cross Country team earns numerous LSC honors
n Nicodemus Naimadu led the list of ACU runners that made all-conference after winning the Lone Star Conference Championships in Stephenville. In addition to Naimadu, Serge Gasore, Philip Bergen, Julius Nyango and Laurent Ngirakamaro all received all-conference honors. The five ACU male runners finished in the top six of the meet. n Loice Cheboi, Olha Kryv’yak and Venessa Whittle all earned all-conference honors after finishing in the top 10 at the LSC Championships. Cheboi finished first in Stephenville while Kryv’yak posted a third place finish and Venessa Whittle finished tenth. The win is the women’s teams’ sixth-consecutive championship. n The top 10 runners in the men’s and women’s meets are awarded conference honors.
Malone, who tied the ACU and LSC record for touchdowns thrown in a game, already has almost 1900 yards and has thrown 16 touchdowns in seven games. Malone is ranked eight in the nation for total offense and ninth for passing efficiency. Malone will lead the undefeated Wildcats against the Texans Saturday at Shotwell Stadium at 2 p.m.
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
ACU falls to unbeaten West Texas A&M
Senior wide receiver John Brock shares his thoughts on the upcoming Lone Star Conference South Division first place deciding game. Brock caught four catches for 160 yards and three touchdowns in the Wildcats 49-33 win over nationally ranked West Texas A&M on Oct. 19. View it at: www.acuoptimist.com
Briefs
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brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Middle blockers Krystine Cethoute and Lauren Leone block a shot during the Wildcats 3-1 loss to West Texas A&M on Thursday. ACU only two losses in conference play came against West Texas.
n The ACU Wildcat volleyball team lost its second game of the regular season to unbeaten West Texas A&M on Thursday. The Wildcats are second in Conference. By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Editor
The Wildcat volleyball team lost in four games to
Volleyball undefeated West Texas A&M on Thursday, after a back and forth match between the top two teams in the conference. “I feel like we need to use this as a learning experience,” head coach Kellen Mock said.
With the loss, ACU falls to 7-2 in conference play with one remaining regular season game against Eastern New Mexico on Saturday. The loss is ACU’s second to West Texas this season and snapped ACU’s seven match winning streak during the second half of the season. Although the Wildcats
were unable to win, Mock is optimistic about the positives she saw in her team throughout the game. “If you compare tonight to when we played them the first time, we have improved ten-fold,” Mock said. Outside hitter Erin Curry agrees with Mock and is positive about the Wildcats final regular season match. “We will work out all the kinks,” Curry said. “[West Texas] is a good team and good teams never go down easy.” Despite jumping to an early 9-5 lead and beating the Lady Buffs to 20 points, the Wildcats dropped the first game 26-30. West Texas came back from a 1620 deficit and scored four straight points to win the first game. The Wildcats failed to bounce back from the West Texas game-one comeback early in the second game, as West Texas jumped to an initial 1-7 lead. The Lady Buffs kept their momentum going throughout the game and pulled ahead by two games with a 10-point game two victory. The Lady Buffs led consistently throughout the game and finished 3020.
ACU returned the favor and denied West Texas a three game sweep with a 30-23 win in the third game. The Wildcats’ led by 10 points two times in the game and a Nicole Killebrew kill squashed a late Lady Buff comeback. Despite coming back from a five-point deficit twice, the Wildcats failed to continue their comeback in game four as West Texas finished off the match with a 30-28 win. Outside hitter Abbie Lowry led the Wildcats in kills with 18, while Curry followed close behind with 13. Nicole Killebrew and Krystine Cethoute both led with five blocks and Malia Plumlee recorded a team high 24 digs. Killebrew and Plumlee, both seniors were also honored before the game for their careers and devotion to the program. The Wildcats final match before the Lone Star Conference Tournament will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Moody Coliseum against Eastern New Mexico University.
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
Chemistry key to team success n The ACU women’s basketball team will rely on a mix of veteran and new players for the upcoming season. By CHRIS HANSEN Sports Writer
Six returning players and six new players, including five freshmen, are preparing for women’s basketball season. The young team doesn’t have a single player with more than two years of experience in the ACU basketball program. The new players give the Wildcats a fresh start after a disappointing 2005-2006 season. Last year, the team missed the playoffs after going 6-8 and losing a coin flip against Texas Women’s University. This year, head coach Shawna Lavender has reason to be optimistic with a new recruiting class of freshmen and six returning players, including captain Alex Guiton, who earned second team all-LSC last year. “I think we had a great recruiting class,” Lavender said. “I feel great
Women’s basketball about the incoming class and the core group we have coming back. They have done a great job.” The junior forward Guiton said the team has “by far the best recruiting class and as a core the best returnees coming back.” Lavender is trying to get the freshman to adjust to the aggressiveness of the college game and said she has already seen improvement in this area. “I don’t think I’ve ever played with a group that has been this young,” Guiton said. Despite the youth of the team, Guiton said the young team shouldn’t be underestimated. The young players and returning players are willing to learn, Lavender said. “The new girls are catching on very well,” Lavender said. “They are smart about the game … they are very teachable and very coachable.” This year’s team will rely on pressure offense and pressure defense along with good team chemistry,
Lavender said. “To me, team chemistry is the biggest factor in how successful you are,” she said. “I feel like our team chemistry this year is already a lot better. That is going to make a big difference for us this year.” The players are spending more time together off the court and it is transferring onto the court, Guiton said. Senior post player Amanda Ferrell, a newcomer to the basketball team but no stranger to ACU athletics, is using her fifth year of eligibility to play basketball after playing volleyball for the previous four. “I’m so glad she came out for the team. I think she brings a lot of encouragement and she is pretty laid back and she works really hard every day,” said Audrey Maxwell, sophomore center from Abilene. The team starts the season Nov. 17 against Incarnate Word at the St. Edward’s Classic.
E-mail Hansen at: optimist@acu.edu
brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Center Audrey Maxwell goes to the basket during the first day of practice on Oct. 15. Maxwell is one of six returning starters from last season.