The Battalion - January 16, 2020

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2020 STUDENT MEDIA

TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUS In an email from Daniel Pugh, vice president for Student Affairs, the new rules regarding the use of tobacco products were outlined for the students and faculty of Texas A&M. These rules apply to all nicotine products, smokeless or otherwise, and encourage tobacco users to find help and improve their health by quitting the banned products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, vaping and all products containing nicotine.

PUBLICATION NOTICE This is the first paper produced by The Battalion’s Spring 2020 editorial staff. The Battalion will continue to be printed weekly on Thursdays. Follow thebatt.com and The Battalion’s social media feeds for online-only news and other content.

President Young applied for highranking position in Colorado Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION

New rules for VeoRide users include now being required to lock bikes in racks and a smaller geofence.

New rules for riders A&M Transportation Services, VeoRide bike share program implement new guidelines following contract renewal

By Alyssa Gafford-Gaby @AGaffordGaby

T

he VeoRide bike share program at Texas A&M has implemented new rules for the upcoming semester to ensure a cleaner and safer campus.

Effective immediately, riders must lock VeoRide bikes to a rack after use. The company revised the geofence where riders may

travel to only include campus, Park West and University Gardens. Violations of these rules will result in fines up to $75 and an account suspension for the rider, which prohibits the rider from utilizing the bike share program on campus for an extended period.

By the start of the semester, an estimated 1,500 VeoRide bikes will be on campus, with more to be added following updates and new regulations.

While parameter extensions cannot be guaranteed because some apartment complexes lack enough bike racks, students should reach out to their property manager and have them set up a meeting with VeoRide by emailing hello@veoride.com.

VeoRide Regional Manager Joe Brummer, Class of 1989, said these new rules will help keep the campus clean. VeoRide

is considering implementing new transportation options at A&M, such as scooters, if riders follow and respect the new rules, according to Brummer.

“We have the goal of bringing sit-down scooters and stand-up scooters, but we aren’t going to do that until [students] take care of the property that we have,” Brummer said.

“One thing that students can do is treat the bikes like they would treat their own private bike and use the program as intended.”

Political science junior Nicholas Shoumaker said he rides his personal bike on campus and is worried about parking availability.

“VeoRide is a good system, but they take up a lot of rack space, which makes parking my bike difficult,” said Shoumaker. “I understand the need for bike share, but hope VEORIDE ON PG. 2

By Julia Potts @juliaapotts The Texas Tribune recently published an article naming multiple presidents of Texas universities who had applied for an upper-level position at the University of Colorado System.

Among this list of applicants was Texas A&M President Michael K. Young.

The identities of the applicants on this list were meant to remain confidential, according to the Texas Tribune. However, an anonymous source leaked this to the Colorado Independent, and the lawyer of the Board of Regents for the University of Colorado System later confirmed the names on the list of interviewees.

The Texas A&M Board of Regents announced last spring Young’s five-year contract as president of the university would not be renewed. This contract stated he would remain at A&M through Spring 2020 with a pay of $1 million per year. The University of Colorado System Board of Regents only chose 11 of the 160 initial applicants for in-person interviews, including Young, according to the Texas Tribune article.

Amy Smith, senior vice president chief marketing and communications officer, said Young’s application to the University of Colorado was very ordinary.

“It’s not uncommon for presidents of universities with his experience to be contacted by search firms,” Smith said. “I know that he loves Texas A&M University and loves working here.”

PROVIDED

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

The grand opening for I Heart Mac & Cheese at Jones Crossing is planned for Jan. 29 at 11 a.m.

Aggieland says cheese Macaroni and cheese restaurant oozes its way into College Station

By Hollis Mills @sillohsllim Following a minor delay involving infrastructure, I Heart Mac & Cheese at Jones Crossing will host its grand opening on Jan. 29 at 11 a.m.

This month’s grand opening will be the first of two I Heart Mac & Cheese establishments to break ground in College Station.

The Florida-based cheesy pasta venue made news last May when the company signed a franchise agreement to develop 11 locations throughout Texas with Fidelity Enterprises LLC as a part of a larger nationwide expansion.

TJ Doyel, I Heart Mac & Cheese franchi-

see, is one of four owners of Fidelity Enterprises LLC, a company that purchases franchise rights for multiple markets across the state. As a 10-year resident of Bryan-College Station, Doyel said bringing the noodle chain to the community is as exciting as it is peculiar.

“Our company chose to invest in I Heart Mac & Cheese [because] we just really like the business model and think it’s a really unique concept,” Doyle said. “We think the concept of I Heart Mac & Cheese really fits a college market, and we think it will be a great addition to the area.”

The venue has been described as “a grown-up approach” to the tried-and-true childhood favorite, offering customizable macaroni and cheese bowls alongside other combinations of the classic noodle dish.

In addition to the traditional dairy-based options, I Heart Mac and Cheese also offers

Third-year veterinary science students Jamie Foster and Alyssa Felton raise awareness for Aggies Fostering Hope during First Friday.

Finding the missing links

Aggies study, discuss relationship between animal, domestic violence

“lifestyle choices.” These items can replace the noodle base with sides such as quinoa, broccoli or cauliflower bowls, as well as gluten-free pasta. Including healthy alternatives on the menu transforms the I Heart Mac & Cheese concept from a snack time gimmick and into a standalone meal, Doyel said.

“The great thing about this [restaurant] is that it kind of caters to any taste,” Doyle said. “We have vegan and we have vegetarian options. It doesn’t have to be on a base of noodles. We have other options as well.”

Doyel said any of the restaurant’s signature dishes are worth taking note of, especially his personal favorite menu item, The Cuban, a bowl that includes mojo marinated pulled pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles.

“The head chef [Michael Blum] for the corporate side of the company is incredibly creative and has come up with some really

A new cooperative between students and faculty of Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine is educating the community on the connection between domestic violence and pet abuse.

Aggies Fostering Hope has three goals: foster animals who are victims of abuse in domestic violence situations, teach veterinary professionals about the link between domestic violence and pet abuse, and educate the general public through community outreach to raise overall awareness of this issue.

The organization’s outreach chair Alyssa Felton, a third-year veterinary medicine

MAC & CHEESE ON PG. 2

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After three years of drought, Australian bushfires continue to burn and have effects on homes and wildlife throughout the continent.

Former students weigh in on impacts of tragic bushfires

By Myranda Campanella @MyrandaCampane1 The Australian bushfire season occurs annually during the driest and hottest parts of the year, leading to fires throughout the country. However, the current season, which began in the fall, is one of the worst in recent history.

More than 150 wildfires continue to burn across Australia in its third year of drought. The fires have charred more than 12 million acres of land across the country, destroying over 2,000 homes, and have killed at least 24 people, according to ABC News. These fires may continue unless Australia receives sufficient, heavy rainfall.

Almost half a billion animals have been affected by the fires, including Australia’s native koala and kangaroo species, according to CNN. Some species face permanent extinction since the fires affect entire wildlife populations.

The Sydney Former Student Club has about 20 to 30 Aggies living in the Sydney, Australia, area who have been keeping in touch to discuss ways to help the Australian farming communities. Ronda Fethers, Class of 1994, who has lived in Sydney for 20 years and said

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student, said the organization teaches students about the scientific connection between pet abuse and domestic violence.

“Eighty-five percent of women entering shelters reported their partner had threatened, injured or killed a family pet,” Felton said. “They stay in the situation because the one positive relationship they have is with that animal, and if they left that animal, they know something bad would happen to it.”

The vet school fosters the animals while Aggies Fostering Hope works to connect the pets’ owners with them through social workers and Phoebe’s Home, a shelter for female victims of domestic violence based in Bryan-College Station. Women can visit their pets in a secure environment at the vet school, and anonymity is kept to ensure the victims’ security. The animal’s medical assistance is taken care of by various donors.

VEORIDE CONTINUED the university will respond with more parking spaces.”

Transportation Services already considered Shoumaker’s concerns.

A&M Bike Share Coordinator Byron

MAC & CHEESE CONTINUED fun options that have given a neat twist on mac and cheese,” Doyle said.

“When I flew out to Florida to try the food, it was crazy. They handed you the pepperoni pizza mac and cheese, one of the kid’s meal items — it’s also an adult meal item — but you taste it,

she has never seen anything like this on such a large scale.

“I think this is the most catastrophic thing I’ve ever been exposed to,” Fethers said. “The devastation has just been on an incredible scale. Just hundreds and hundreds of miles of land that have been burned.”

Fethers’ daughter’s grandparents live in Eden, Australia, and were forced to evacuate their house at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11 as the fire came directly up from the South Victorian border. After spending three days at a country club two towns away, the couple was able to return home where they found their house entirely covered in soot but still standing. Fethers said they expect to evacuate from their home again within the next few days.

“I have no communication when it happens,” Fethers said. “You can’t check on them, and they often don’t have battery backups on their phones.”

The fires have severely damaged major infrastructure across Australia. Several towns with populations between 30,000 and 50,000 no longer have electricity or other means of communication. Fuel stations have emptied in some rural communities, leaving people stranded and unable to escape the fire when it comes.

Land, crops and livestock have been severely damaged by the fires. Fethers

said many farms are unable to get feed for their livestock. Farmers are often forced to dump their cattle’s milk onto the ground. With a lack of feed and the polluted air, cattle are becoming too exhausted to move to a safer place.

“My daughter and I had pulled over to this small-town fuel station, and you could hear these ‘pops’ in the background,” Fethers said. “The man at the fuel pump next to me said it was gunshots from farmers killing their livestock humanely so they wouldn’t be burned to death.”

Leslie Miller, Class of 1996, has been volunteering with the nonprofit organization BlazeAid, which helps farmers by repairing fences burned by the fires.

The organization has been running for 11 years and has set up 10 camps around Australia for volunteer work, Miller said.

“It’s a huge help for the farmers, and it’s a morale boost as well,” Miller said.

“The farmers were incredibly hospitable ... and you just realized what they’re facing.”

Anyone 18 and older can volunteer for BlazeAid, and the Sydney Former Student Club urges any and all Aggies who want to help to donate their time or money to nonprofit organizations like BlazeAid, RuralAid and The Mulloon Institute.

The idea for Aggies Fostering Hope was formed last year between Hunter Greer, a fourth-year veterinary science student, and Dr. Karen Cornell, the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Melodie Raese and Jamie Foster, third-year veterinary science students, took Greer and Cornell’s idea further while taking a community outreach elective course offered by the college.

Raese and Foster developed a plan to help those in domestic violence situations while also educating veterinary professionals.

“Vets are the first who see potential situations where a dog keeps coming in with problems, or they have a client that jumps from vet to vet,” Felton said.

“When veterinarians can identify and address pet abuse is possibly happening in a home, they can make available opportunities for clients because most of the time the victim is who is bringing the pet into the vet.”

The organization created brochures to give to visiting veterinary professionals that include several Texas-based

resources for those experiencing domestic violence. The idea is for vets to take these brochures back to their clinics to make these resources available to clients who may be exhibiting signs of pet abuse or domestic violence.

Felton said raising awareness and donations for this issue is something close to her heart because it offers victims the opportunity to start over.

“I would never leave my dog behind somewhere, and I can just imagine how hard that can be on someone else,” Felton said. “Being able to help an animal and the person who loves them to start a better life, that’s what a vet really means to me: helping the animal and their person.”

The College of Veterinary Medicine is always accepting donations for the fostered animals. Aggies Fostering Hope encourages everyone to learn more about the link between pet abuse and domestic violence, and asks the campus community to spread awareness of this issue by liking their Facebook page.

Prestridge said they added 500 parking spots for both personal and VeoRide bikes, and more spots will be added during the spring semester.

“Bike share actually helps create more bike parking,” said Prestridge. “If all the people who use VeoRides were to bring their own bikes on campus,

rather than using bike share, we’d be well over 2,000 bikes on campus, and that would be a big parking problem.”

For more information on the VeoRide bike share program and its updated rules at A&M, visit transport.tamu. edu/bikeshare.

and it tastes just like pepperoni pizza.”

In his former occupations on the corporate side of companies such as Raising Canes and Chipotle, Doyle said what matters most to him has and will remain his love for good food, and even better people.

“I want to be able to be a part of this community, I think it’s really important,” Doyle said. “In my previous

experience in restaurants, the most rewarding part is being able to give back to the community with fundraisers and supporting events, so I think that’s what I’m most excited for. Being the one that’s able to control that, dictate the terms that we do that and be able to just support as much as we can in the community.”

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OPINION

The Battalion | 1.16.20

FILE

Even though the end of fall means the end of football, there are still a range of activities happening around campus from arts to sports and more.

A fresh start at Texas A&M Opinion writer Sean Thomas welcomes Aggies back to campus, offers advice Sean Thomas

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@seann_thomas

inter break has come and gone, and although the winds of winter continue to send a chill down our spines, the spring semester has arrived. Ready or not, Texas A&M is back in session, and in the next four months, our lives will have changed forever.

Throughout my time as a student, I have always viewed the spring semester as an opportunity for a fresh start. It begins with the dawning of a new year and is typically a time when people seem more conscious of their good and bad decisions. As the semester moves along, we will either grow with the flowers

or wilt with the weeds. Our outcomes depend on the choices we make, and I hope only the best for all of you.

Although Kellen Mond and Co. won’t be suiting up this semester — as tough as that may be for many of you — we still have a variety of other sporting events to attend. Maybe take some time to check out the 12th ranked Texas Aggie women’s basketball team, led by Chennedy Carter. Perhaps you prefer baseball, softball or tennis as your sport of choice.

Whichever sport you choose, A&M’s premier athletic programs will be on full display this spring.

If sports don’t pique your interest, worry not, because A&M offers plenty for students to do to get involved on campus. There is a TEDxTAMU event and a groovy art symposium in March, as well as seminars for every interest and

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choice of major throughout the semester.

Of course, you could always pursue your other interests and join one of the hundreds of student groups on campus.

A bit of advice from me: engaging with your peers is what the college experience at A&M is all about. Grades are vital to your success, but don’t burn yourself out. Find some time for yourself, and keep an open mind to trying new things. The Aggie Network only grows when we engage with one another. Life isn’t always about what you know; often it’s about whom you know.

There will be times when events test you beyond your mental fortitude, but there are resources available for all of your needs. If you find yourself struggling with a class, then refer to the Academic Success Center. If you find yourself in need of counseling, make

your way to the offices of Counseling and Psychological Services.

Whether you are a new student, a returning student, a professor or an employee of A&M, welcome back to the most magnificent university in Texas, and for that matter, the world! The stronger you start, the easier it will be to maintain your success as the semester moves along. Some of you may have already circled Spring Break on your calendars, while others may be taking the semester one day at a time. Regardless, I hope all of you are as excited as I am for the start of the new semester. May your exams be a breeze, and may your essays write themselves.

Sean Thomas is a English junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

ARTSCRITICISM

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The Battalion | 1.16.20

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“Personal Shopper,” “Everybody Wants Some!!” and “Faces Places” are included in Arts Criticism Editor Cole Fowler’s favorite films of the decade.

Fowler’s favorite films of 2010s Arts criticism editor reflects on defining movies of past decade Cole Fowler

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@thecolefowler

hile much of the American cinema scene in the 2010s was filled with comic book movies breaking box office records and Disney’s monopolistic tendencies slowly turning its overwhelming monetary success into a tight control on blockbuster films, a boom among independent films took place in the shadows.

Over the last 10 years and into the new decade, award shows continuously refused to represent

Samantha Mahler, Editor-in-Chief Hannah Falcon, Managing Editor Sanna Bhai, News Editor Julia Potts, Asst. News Editor Brady Stone, Asst. News Editor Hannah Underwood, Sports Editor Jackson King, Asst. Sports Editor Hollis Mills, Life & Arts Editor Rebecca Morris, Asst. Life & Arts Editor Engagement Editor, Lexi Ellis

Jane Turchi, Special Sections Editor Meredith Seaver, Photo Chief Kaylee Cogbill, Asst. Photo Chief Henry Mureithi, Opinion Editor Cole Fowler, Arts Criticism Keagan Miller, Asst. Arts Criticism Robert Castro, Multimedia Editor Vatsal Modgil, Asst. MM Editor Cori Eckert, Page Designer

the growing diversity in the film industry by leaving out worthy performances and films from women and artists of color. Yet, this lack of diversity evolved incredibly quickly through independent films and gave voices never before heard in the United States.

Accessibility to these arthouse films greatly improved over the decade as major international film festivals and small distributors realized this lack of diversity and greatly improved upon making sure these voices are heard. The mainstream American film industry still has much to improve in their current ideology, but great lengths were made within the independent

“Somewhere” (2010)

“Carol” (2015)

“Certified Copy” (2010)

“Certain Women” (2015)

“We Need to Talk About

“Everybody Wants Some!!” (2016) “American Honey” (2016)

Kevin” (2011)

THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2020 spring semester (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of StudentAffairs.Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com.

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“The Master” (2012)

“Personal Shopper” (2016)

“Spring Breakers” (2012)

“Moonlight” (2016)

“To the Wonder” (2012)

“The Florida Project” (2017)

“Before Midnight” (2013)

“Faces Places” (2017)

“The Strange Color of Your Body’s

“Lady Bird” (2017) “Twin Peaks: The Return” (2017)

Tears” (2013)

Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

and foreign scene.

The decade was an intriguing collection of new voices, but films from master directors such as Agnès Varda, Chantal Akerman, JeanLuc Goddard, Paul Thomas Anderson and David Lynch displayed an interesting combination of new and old guard filmmaking.

Choosing an array of the decade’s best films is more than a difficult task — it’s nearly impossible to choose a selection which truly captures the new era that has been ushered in. Here is a list of some of my personal favorites that defined cinema in the 2010s:

“The Image Book” (2018)

“No Home Movie” (2015)

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The Battalion | 1.16.20

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Defensive line Bobby Brown III blocks Cowboy offensive lineman Ry Schneider. The Aggie defense totaled four sacks against the Cowboys in the Texas Bowl.

24-21 Takeaways from Texas Bowl

1

Big plays put A&M down early On both of Oklahoma State’s scoring drives in the first quarter, the Texas A&M defense allowed four plays of over 10 yards. A 57-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Braydon Johnson set up the Cowboys’ second score of the game, a nine-yard rush by senior quarterback Dru Brown, to extend Oklahoma State’s lead to 14-0. The Aggies seemed to ease their woes in the second quarter, as they held on to Oklahoma State for two plays of over 10 yards to prevent another score before halftime. “[With] the way the last game of the season started for us, our team could have said, ‘Oh, my God, here we go again,’ and didn’t,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said. “We’re going to fix this. We’re going to handle it. We’re going to keep our poise and went back to fundamentals. They went right back to fundamentals.

That’s what gets you back on track. Go back to what you’re taught to do each and every play, one play at a time.”

2

Defensive effort answers Cowboys’ early offensive outburst Despite Oklahoma State’s early lead, the A&M defense stifled the Cowboys for much of the game from that point forward. Oklahoma State managed only 36 yards in the second quarter, less than a fourth of their first quarter total. The Aggies’ defensive stand continued into the third quarter as the Cowboys garnered only 16 yards. “[With] the defense playing really good in the first half and holding them to low numbers, we were able to come out in the second half on offense and play to the best of our ability and make a lot of big plays when we needed to,” junior quarterback Kellen Mond said.

3

Mond makes up for subpar first half With 10:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, Mond took off on a 67-yard run to give the Aggies their first lead of the night. At halftime, Mond was 8-of-11 for 35 yards. He went 5-of-8 following the intermission, for 60 yards to finish the game with 95 yards and a touchdown through the air. However, more impressive than his passing performance was his rushing, which earned him the title of MVP of the Texas Bowl. Mond led the Aggies on the ground for the fourth time this season, accumulating 117 yards on 12 carries.

“I almost got tackled from behind, but thank God I didn’t,” Mond said.

By Hannah Underwood @hannahbunderwoo

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Quarterback Kellen Mond was awarded a cowboy hat in addition to his Texas Bowl MVP trophy. The Texas Bowl victory was head coach Jimbo Fisher’s 100th win.

Mond leads Aggies in comeback win over Cowboys Texas A&M played Oklahoma State in Texas Bowl at ‘Kyle Field South’

By Sanna Bhai @BhaiSanna Texas A&M’s postseason matchup against a former Big 12 opponent began with a slow start for the Aggies.

The Aggies opened the Texas Bowl against No. 25 Oklahoma State with a possession that ended in a fumble by junior quarterback Kellen Mond. However, A&M’s defensive effort prevented a score by the Cowboys, leaving the game scoreless for eight minutes.

Oklahoma State sophomore wide receiver Braydon Johnson opened scoring with a 42yard rushing touchdown. Six minutes later, sophomore quarterback Dru Brown rushed for a nine-yard touchdown to widen the lead to 14-0.

“We had some good schemes, gave ourselves a chance, and we played good defense until we got beat up a little bit at the end of the game on the option play, on the red-zone option play,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said.

The saga of fumbles continued into the second quarter with another fumble by Mond on the five-yard line.

With just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter, freshman running back Isaiah Spiller temporarily soothed the Aggies’ woes with a one-yard rushing touchdown.

The defense struggled at the start of the game, allowing 163 yards in the first quarter, but improved to allow only 50 yards over the second and third quarters. The defense also had four total sacks in the game, with sophomore defensive lineman Tyree Johnson notching two.

Johnson said his success was a result of him shifting his focus mid-season from achieving

personal goals to playing for the team.

“Things are always good when you plan, but this is not about me, it is about the team — doing my job for the team,” Johnson said.

“I just shifted my focus in the middle of the season. I just started focusing more on what I gotta do to make the team win and be the best I can be for that.”

Despite the slow start, the Aggies came back to win 24-21, their first win under A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher when trailing at halftime.

Fisher’s focus in practice is establishing mental toughness in his team, which he said helped them to win over the Cowboys.

“I think we teach conceptually, but we think we have intelligent kids who listen and want to play hard,” Fisher said. “I think it also goes back to that we practice hard and we are a 60-minute team. I don’t think we back off, we get stronger in the second half, and we are able to make those adjustments with the mental execution and mental toughness that

we have to have.”

In the first possession of the second half for the Aggies, Mond completed a 10-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon, tying the game.

Mond overcame his early struggles with a 67-yard rushing touchdown that earned him MVP of the game and gave the Aggies their first lead of the night.

With the win, A&M ends its season with an 8-5 record. Fisher said the win puts the team in a good spot heading into the offseason.

“You’ve got to want to be there,” Fisher said. “You’ve got to be so hungry you’re willing to work, run over them and kick anybody out of there you’ve got to. It takes a special mindset. It takes a special ingredient. At the end of the day, the talent’s out, and it gets down to one thing: grit. Hopefully, they see the level at which you’ve got to be at and we need to be at. We’re going to get there.”

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Come in by Jan. 22 for a VIP ticket to an exclusive shopping pre-party.

2410 Texas Ave in College Station   @UptownCollegeStation

www.uptowncheapskatecollegestation.com