Vol 119 | Issue 28
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Publishing since 1913
Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University
Sports editor promises to shave head, pg. 2
KAT Links
For additional content and news updates, visit houstonianonline.com.
Favorite holiday movies, pg. 5
INDEX Viewpoints ...... pg. 2 Special ............... pg. 6 News ................ pg. 3 Special ............... pg. 7 Sports ................ pg. 4 Special ............... pg. 8 A&E ................... pg. 5
Tree draws crowd, good will By Erin Peterson Editor-in-Chief Warm drinks, performances from the SHSU Choral and Orange Pride, and lots of giving filled Wednesday evening’s 91st Annual Tree of Light Ceremony. “It’s very heart-warming for such a cold night,” Kaylee Norvell, sophomore criminal justice major, said. The Department of Student Activities passed out free t-shirts in exchange for canned goods, destined for the Good Shepherd Mission as part of the long-time tradition of raising goods for those less fortunate. As the tree lighting is a longstanding tradition, many students were in attendance years before. “I’ve been coming to this since I was two with my dad, so it’s — See TREE, page 3
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
HOLIDAY CHEER. Maryse Bakouetila (bottom left), junior biology major, places an ornament on the 91st Annual Tree of Light for her organization, Tri Beta, Sam Houston’s biology honors fraternity.
Football readies for second round Spring ‘12 By Zach Birdsong Sports Editor
Coming off a perfect season, the Sam Houston State football team is preparing to play host to Stony Brook in the second round of this year’s Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs on Saturday. Sam Houston (11-0) is coming into the game as the number one overall seed in the playoffs, and is the only unbeaten team in the FCS division. They are currently riding a 13-game winning streak, the longest active streak in all of Division I football. This will be the fifth time in school history that the Kats have made the playoffs. In 2004, the team’s last appearance, they made it into the quarterfinals. Stony Brook (9-3), who made the playoffs for the first time in school history, advanced to the second round after defeating the University of Albany last weekend. In the third quarter of that game, the Seawolves were down 28-10, but they battled and came roaring back, taking a 31-28 lead in the fourth quarter. With under a minute to
File photo
GOING THE DISTANCE. The Bearkat football team is gearing up for the second round of the Football Championship Series playoffs. They will play the State University of New York - Stony Brook Seawolves.
go in the game, Albany had the ball at Stony Brook’s 3-yard line. But the Wolves’ defense stepped up and got an interception, ultimately ending the game.
Against Albany, the team was led by running back Brock Jackolski who finished with 103 yards rushing, and three total touchdowns, including the
last three for the team. Comparing the teams The Bearkat defense will have a tough matchup, as the Wolves possess the number four ranked rushing
offense, averaging 277 yards a game. The Wolves run a twoback system and have two running backs who have each collected over 1,250 yards on the ground. Running back Miguel Maysonet has collected 1,560 yards on the ground and has scored 15 touchdowns. Jackolski has picked up 1,332 yards and scored 15 times. “It’s going to be a tough task,” Bearkats head coach Willie Fritz said. “One of the things they do is outflank you and create extra gaps. So we are going to have to be very sound in making sure that we get unbalanced as well to match them and be able to play those new gaps they created.” “Our secondary guys have to tackle. They are going to get creases and seams and we’ve got to make those gains be 3, 4 or 5 yards rather than 50 yards. Everybody on our team is going to have to be a tackler. That’s going to be very important in this ball game.” Just like the Wolves, Sam Houston also has a strong
— See PLAYOFFS, page 7
payment deadlines delayed
By Stephen Green Associate News Editor University officials have pushed back the payment deadline for the Spring 2012 semester. The Bursars Office released an email to the university community yesterday explaining that monetary reasons caused the pushback. “Based on student financial concerns, SHSU will not drop courses on November 30, 2011 and registration will remain open to all students. The payment deadline for Spring 2012 has been extended to January 13, 2012,” the email said. Students who do not pay their balance by the deadline will have their courses dropped. The Bursars Office did not respond to the Houstonian in time to comment by deadline time.
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Viewpoints
Page 2 Thursday, December 1, 2011
houstonianonline.com/viewpoints
STAFF LISTING Robin Johnson
FACULTY ADVISER 936-294-1499
Erin Peterson EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 936-294-1505
epeterson@houstonianonline.com
Stephen Green ASSOCIATE EDITOR 936-294-1502
epeterson@houstonianonline.com
Karmen C. King VIEWPOINTS EDITOR
kking@houstonianonline.com
Zachary Birdsong SPORTS EDITOR
zbirdsong@houstonianonline.com
George Mattingly A&E EDITOR
gmattingly@houstonianonline.com
Matt Frazier WEB AND MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
mfrazier@houstonianonline.com
McKinzie Brocail SENIOR REPORTER
mbrocail@houstonianonline.com
Jessica Gomez PHOTOGRAPHER
April Sanders COPY EDITOR
Christian Pratt
GRAPHIC COORDINATOR
AD DEADLINES Tuesday’s Issue - Friday 5 p.m. Thursday’s Issue - Tuesday 2 p.m.
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Editor to students: Prove me wrong
Zach Birdsong will shave his head if 14,000 fans come to Saturday’s playoff game against Stony Brook In case you didn’t know, the Bearkat football team is pretty darn good. They are currently number one in the Football Championship Subdivision, received the number one seed in the playoffs, and just capped off a perfect regular season going 11-0. Well, judging from the attendance numbers, students and faculty at this university just don’t care. And not only is that frustrating, it’s embarrassing. During the regular season, there were six home games. In five of those games, less than half the stadium was full, with the Central Arkansas game being the only exception. In our last regular season home game against Northwestern State, the total attendance was just over 6,600. To reiterate my point, Bowers Stadium holds close to 14,000. What if that had been the last regular season home game at Bowers this season? Is that really how you guys would have wanted to send 12 seniors off? I’ve got to say it, Stony Brook fans are way better. While I’ve seen stores around the city with placards stating “Go Kats,” they have signs that read “Beat SHSU.”
Zach Birdsong Sports Editor
Maybe it’s just me, but I love what their fans did. It may be small, but they started the “smack talk.” We need our own signs, even if it is something as small as “Beat Stony Brook.” We need that feeling because right now, I’m not feeling it. But surprise me on Saturday, make me eat my words. I challenge you guys. This is the only time you’ll
Letter to the Editor:
Tech: To use, or not to use
Our House Needs Your Help - In October 2011, SAAFE House responded to more than 250 crisis line calls and sheltered fifty residents in an effort to end domestic violence and sexual assault in Walker County. This fall, SAAFE House was devastated with the loss of $152,000 in funding. This loss of funding significantly cripples our ability to meet the needs of our clients, who are doing their best to escape violent situations. Our mission is to provide free and immediate services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Your contribution helps us to respond to crises no matter if it is 2:00 a.m. or on the weekend. With the immediate response, we begin to help survivors realize they do not have to live in isolation and that abuse is not a normal way to live. You, as individuals and community, have always been incredibly supportive and generous. We are asking for your financial support so that we can maintain the critical services needed in our community. For more information about SAAFE House, please contact us at 936.291.3529 or visit us online at www. saafehouse.org. Respectfully, SAAFE House Board of Directors
I’m sure everyone is familiar with the professors who use PowerPoint presentations to teach their classes, and the ones who don’t. We all have them: the professors who are not up to date with technology enough to know how to utilize it, and the ones who use so much that the class becomes nothing more than regurgitated information. The problem with the professors who don’t use technology in the classroom is that it is not practical at all. We’re in 2011. Technology has become a part of life for our generation of college students and has become a useful tool in and out of the classroom. For professors not to use technology in the classroom is appalling to me. I recently had to do an assignment where the professor did not let us use computers, which made it that much more difficult because our assignment involved lots of statistical data to calculate. What the professor failed to realize was that using Microsoft Excel would have made the assignment way easier on the students’ part, but also would have made her job way less complicated than she made it out to be. Technology is a tool for everyone’s convenience, not
SAAFE House
George Mattingly says some professors under use tech, some use too much
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Paws Up
Meagan Ellsworth PRODUCTION MANAGER
mellsworth@houstonianonline.com
Chrystal Golden
“Paws UP” to KSHU 90.5 The Kat for adding diversity to the holiday music.
COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST cgolden@houstonianonline.com
Today in history: 1824 – United States presidential election, since no candidate received a majority of the total electoral college votes in the election, the United States House of Representatives is given the task of deciding the winner in accordance with the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution. 1864 – In his State of the Union Address President Abraham Lincoln reaffirms the necessity of ending slavery as ordered ten weeks earlier in the Emancipation Proclamation. 1885 – First serving of the soft drink Dr Pepper at a drug store in Waco, Texas (United States). 1952 – The New York Daily News reports the news of Christine Jorgenson, the first notable case of sexual reassignment surgery. 1955 – American Civil Rights Movement: In Montgomery, Alabama, seamstress Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat to a white man and is arrested for violating the city’s racial segregation laws, an incident which leads to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
ever see a journalist excited to issue a retraction statement. It’s playoff time, and this team needs its fans badly. It’s win or go home, so let’s give our team any advantage that we can. After all, this could be the last home game with this Kat squad. I know this team, and they aren’t ready to quit or give up. They want that national championship badly. Let’s use this number one seed to our advantage, just like Texas A&M uses the “12th Man” to their advantage. Let’s make Bowers Stadium loud and electrify the place. I want our fans to be screaming throughout the game making it hard for Stony Brook to hear. I also want our student section and the Kat Krazies to heckle the Seawolves, (keep it friendly though). When our defense is on the field, Stony Brook needs to have a tough time hearing the play call. If you have watched enough college football, you know the crowd can affect the game, and that’s what we need to do on Saturday. Enough talking about it, let’s just do this. Bring your family, friends and stay for the full game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday. See you there.
“Paws UP” to our first football playoff game since 2004.
All comics courtesy Creators.com
Paws Down
to go to waste, especially when students are paying to use computers. The use of technology adds a visual element to curriculum that some students need, versus only having the professor speak in front of the class the entire time. Not only is that boring for students to hear, but it does not help in any way because the students are only being told the information and not really learning how to apply it. On the other hand, there are those professors who use technology way too much. Sometimes it gets to the point where the class lacks hands-on learning that students need and becomes a series of slides, which leaves me wondering what the point of buying textbooks is. While technology is a useful tool, for certain subjects, computers should not replace hands-on learning because students will end up graduating with a degree that can not be supported with real-world experience. Here’s my advice to professors: learn how to merge technology with lecturing. It will not only make your job easier, but you’ll actually keep students engaged in your class. - George is the A&E Editor.
Corrections: In the Nov. 29 story “Student arrested, charged in Raven Village sexual assault,” the photo caption should have read “alleged attacker” instead of “known attacker.” Also, the caption should have credited UPD officials for the information. In the article “Holiday Open House to highlight SAAFE House work,” “Soles for Souls” was incorrectly attributed to SAAFE House. It was a Program Council event.
Letter to the Student Body
Dear Sam Houston Students, Staff and Faculty and Alumni:
“Paws DOWN” to Viewpoints Editor Karmen King for being the staff Grinch.
The Houstonian would not survive were it not for the continued involvement and dedication of the SHSU student body. We welcome all column submissions and letters to the editor. If at any time you feel the need to express an opinion, please do not hesitate to email your thoughts or drop by our office in the Dan Rather communications building. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you as always for your continued support of the Houstonian. Karmen C. King Viewpoints Editor kking@houstonianonline.com
“Paws DOWN” to the Dallas Christian player who gnawed on Konner Tucker’s head in Tuesday night’s game causing him to need stitches.
The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is published semi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a news publication of Sam Houston State University, a member of the Texas State University system, and is produced by students. It is self-supporting and welcomes all advertisers. Those interested in placing ads or classifieds should call 936-294-1495. The Houstonian is a member of the Associated Press and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.
News
Page 3 Thursday, December 1, 2011
houstonianonline.com/news
Coat drive to benefit local charity By McKinzie Brocail Senior Reporter
With the winter season upon us, Sam Houston State University’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) and other student organizations are conducting their third annual coat drive to aid Huntsville’s Good Shepherd Mission. Bearkats are being asked to donate new or gently used coats. They can be dropped off in the Dean of Students’ Office of the Lowman Student Center (suite 215). This is the first year that the IFC has branched out to numerous organizations to try to get as many coats as they can. “We are trying to reach a lot of people to get more coats,” Mariel Kanene, IFC’s philanthropy director and senior political science major, said. “With this many groups this year we are able to have $1000 in prizes for the student organization that brings in the most coats.” The first place organization wins $600, second place wins $300 and third place wins $100. “Last year we collected about 250 coats,” Kanene said. “That’s decent; it
McKinzie Brocail | The Houstonian
COATS FOR A CAUSE. Sam Houston State University’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) and other student organizations are conducting their third annual coat drive to aid Huntsville’s Good Shepherd Mission. For more information on how to donate more to the drive, contact Mariel Kanene at mkanene@shsu.edu.
isn’t bad, but we could potentially collect even more.” The Office of the
President is also rewarding faculty. The department that raises the most coats gets a Christmas party hosted by
the office. The coat drive ends on Dec. 5, so the organization asks that participants bring
Organization selling bracelet to help find missing student By Stephen Green
Associate News Editor
A missing student is getting support from the campus community as the seventh week of his disappearance begins. The SHSU Optimist Club is selling bracelets for $5 to raise money and awareness of the search for Sam Houston State University student Thomas (TJ) Murray. “I started the booth in an effort to spread the word about TJ’s disappearance,” member Colleen Byrd said. “Despite the fact that TJ has been missing for a month, many students had not heard that this had happened.” “I wanted to change that,
and give some support to the family. It’s really all for them. I don’t know TJ, and neither did any of the students who have been working at our booth.” A Facebook page, “Bring TJ Murray Home Safe,” was also setup and shows the reward poster and several pictures of Murray. There is a $5,000 award for information “directly leading” to finding Murray, according to the reward poster. Byrd, and the other members of the Optimist Club, are doing this not only for Murray, but his family as well. “They deserve to have their family member home,” Byrd said. “They deserve closure. Someone
in this world knows exactly where (Murray) is. They need to come forward.” “As Bearkats, we have a responsibility to follow our school motto- A measure of a life is its service. TJ is still a Bearkat and I know that his family and friends appreciate all of the help that fellow SHSU students can give them.” He is described as 5’6” and weighs 140 pounds. Murray has blue eyes and was last seen wearing a red T-shirt with white lettering and shorts. Although police say there are no indications of foul play, his family said it is unusual for Murray not to have contacted them. Anyone with information about Murray should
Bring TJ Murray Home Safe FB Page.
contact Detective Keith Funderbunk of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 936-7605876 Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Dispatch at 936-760-5800 at any time.
in any unused coats on or before that date.. For more information on how to donate more to
the drive, contact Mariel Kanene at mkanene@shsu. edu.
From TREE
charities, such as the Good Shepherd Mission, during the tough holiday times. “We need to increase the number of donations because the holidays are a crucial time for families and food banks,” Brandon Cooper, assistant director of Student Activities, said. The week will culminate with today’s “Shake It Up,” held in the mall area from noon to 2 p.m., and with “Dinner and a Movie on Thursday,” featuring “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” beginning at 7 p.m. at Old Main Hill. Hot chili, hot chocolate and various desserts will be served for students during the movie. “It’s a nice way for students to unwind and relieve stress before finals,” Lori Brooks, Program Council director of public relations and marketing, said. For additional information, visit www. shsu.edu/~org_pc/.
page 1
great to be coming back as a student,” Alex Cia Garza, sociology major, said. A “call for ornaments” saw various organizations come out with an ornament designed to represent them, including many Greek sororities and fraternities. “All the students seem pretty excited tonight,” said Annlyn Whaley, sophomore family consumer science major and member of Zeta Tau Alpha. Some students just went to watch the lighting of the Tree of Light. “I’m here to just enjoy the tree lighting,” said Patrick Cardoza, junior biology major and member of Delta Tau Delta. University President Dana Gibson also took part in the event, lighting the tree and stressing the importance donating to
Sports
Page 4 Thursday, December 1, 2011
Men bounce back with win
houstonianonline.com/sports
twitter.com/HoustonianSport
By Zach Birdsong Sports Editor
It was over just as quickly as it started, as the Bearkat men’s basketball team made quick work of the Dallas Christian Crusaders, winning 82-63 on Tuesday. SHSU improved to 2-5 on the season, and the win ended the team’s previous five-game losing streak. The Kats held the Crusaders scoreless in the first five minutes of the game, and controlled a 14-0 lead after five minutes of play. The Crusaders (3-7), responded with their own 9-2 run, but that was the closest it got all game. Going into halftime, the Kats possessed a 47-26 lead, shooting lights out from the field. The team combined for a first half field goal percentage of 57.1 percent (16-of-28) and 45.5 percent from three-point range (5of-11). The team also shot well from the free-throw line, sinking 10-of-11 for 90.9 percent. “It felt good (shooting the ball well),” said guard Konner Tucker who finished with 20 points in the half. “I
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
SLAMMING IT HOME. Forward Marcus James (20) slamdunks the ball against Dallas Christian in a 82-63 victory on Tuesday.
hadn’t been shooting well, so the past couple of days I’ve been getting to the gym a lot and that paid off tonight. It felt good to hit shots, but I just tried to do whatever I could to help my team win.” It didn’t get much better
for the Crusaders in the second half. The Kats continued their shooting clinic and shot 54.5 percent from the field in the second half (12-of-22), and at the 18:30 mark of the first half, held their largest lead of 27. The Kats shot 56 percent
in their third year they won it,” Hagen said. “Hopefully, our plan is to beat them by a year in both instances.” Cleveland, Ohio, will host the NCAA tournament in 2012, and his team is aware of that goal, but is also taking “one tournament at a time.” His team of three seniors, one junior, two sophomores and one freshman share the same passion and competitive edge that their coach exudes. When asked about the ladies, his eyes beamed and his chest puffed as he talked about what makes each a special contributor to the team. Competitive, humble and hungry are just some of the words the second year coach used to describe the team. “If I could take my three seniors right now, and put them all together, I’d have the perfect player,” Hagen said. “The good thing is,
dynamically as a team, them [the seniors] and the other girls together are a very good synergy, which is positive.” Right now the coach and team are focused on what is in the immediate future: The Track Kat Clash. For the first time, Sam Houston State will host an NCAA bowling tournament in Huntsville at Huntsville Lanes and provide an opportunity for students, faculty and the community as a whole to come out and support their nationally ranked Bearkats. The field of competition will be impressive as well. “We’re going to lock it in at 14 teams,” Hagen said. “Six or seven that are ranked in the top 20, and four, including ourselves, are in the top 10. It should be an interesting field. This house plays tougher than most. It’s gonna be a good tournament. It’s gonna be a
from the field (28-of-50) and 38.9 percent from beyond the arc. Tucker scored just two in the half before getting knocked out the game after colliding with a Crusader player. “He jumped and I jumped
into him and got a foul,” Tucker said. “I guess his tooth got stuck in my head, so it’s pretty nasty now. I’m all right though.” Three other Kat players finished with double figures in scoring. Demarcus Gatlin finished with 14 points
while Marcus James and Aaron Harwell contributed with 10. While the team was thrilled with their shooting performance, the team struggled defensively. The Crusaders finished the game with a field goal percentage of 40.7 percent (22-of-54) and 46.7 percent from three-point territory (7-of-15). “I wasn’t real satisfied with our defense tonight,” head coach Jason Hooten said. “I thought our defensive pressure wasn’t very good. Despite our record, we’re number one in our conference on field goal defense. I know if we continue to be the number one defensive team in our conference, when it comes time we’ll be fine.” The team will play host to Paul Quinn College on Thursday before heading out on the road to face Texas A&M on Dec. 7. Tip-off against Paul Quinn will begin immediately after the women’s basketball game, which is expected to be at 8 p.m. For more information about the team, visit gobearkats.com.
Alley Kats to host top programs during ‘Track Kat Clash’ By Derek Martin
Contributing Reporter
In an office that doubles as a storage facility, Brad Hagen, head coach of the Sam Houston State Bowling team, took some time away from scheduling, recruiting, promoting his team, and more importantly coaching his nationally ranked Bearkats, to talk about the team he has assembled. Having only been at Sam Houston since July 2009, Hagen has already made an impact at the university and served notice to the rest of the NCAA that his ladies are a dominant force. The inaugural year of the program, 2010-2011, saw the Lady Kats make NCAA history by being the only team selected to Nationals in its first year of competition. “Vanderbilt in ’06, they went their second year, and
Jessica Gomez | The Houstonian
LINING UP. Quarterback Brian Bell (11) lines up behind center Travis Watson (73) in the game against rival Stephen F. Austin.
From PLAYOFFS page 1
rushing attack, ranked seventh in the FCS. The Bearkats are led offensively by Walter Payton award finalist and Southland Conference Player of the Year Tim Flanders. In eleven regular season games, Flanders rushed for 1,133 yards on the ground, scoring 20 touchdowns. Flanders is a dual threat and can receive the ball out the backfield, leading the team in receiving yards with 404 and scoring two receiving touchdowns. Wide receiver and Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Richard Sincere will also be an integral part of the Kats offense. Out of the “Wild Bearkat” formation, Sincere has picked up 732
yards on the ground and has scored nine times. As a receiver, Sincere has caught the ball for 394 yards and scored two touchdowns. While both teams have strong offensive sets, they also have dominant defenses. Sam Houston’s defense ranks second in the FCS, allowing just 259 yards per game. Against the run, the defense has stifled teams allowing just 59 yards per game. Against the pass, the Bearkats are just as dominant, allowing just 200 yards per game. Cornerback Daxton Sawnson leads the team in interceptions with seven, tied for the most in school history. Linebacker Darnell Taylor leads the team in tackles with 84 and was named Southland
Conference Defense Player of the Year. The team currently ranks second in the FCS in turnover margin. During the regular season, the Bearkats created 34 turnovers and only turned it over 10 times, giving them a plus 24 margin. Stony Brook’s defense is equally as good, limiting teams to 335 yards per game. Against the run, the team ranks ninth in the country, allowing just 94 yards per game. They are also allowing teams to tally just 241 yards through the air. The Wolves also create mistakes, forcing 30 turnovers this season. The team currently has a plus 17 turnover margin, ranking them fourth in the country. Ticketing information Unlike regular season home games, student entry into the game will not be free. However, students will be able to purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $5 and can pick up the in the mall area. General admission tickets are also still available and can be purchased on gobearkats. com or at the Athletic ticket office inside the Ron Mafrige Field House in front of Bowers Stadium. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.com and kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
good field.” The schedule for the second half of the year does not get any easier for the Bearkats. “Our tournaments by far, not easy,” Hagen said. “If I can do it in the future, our tournament schedule’s gonna get harder every year. That’ll never change.”
Neither will Hagen’s passion, attitude and competitive hunger for his sport, his university and his ladies. He is more than ready for this weekend. “A lot of people are going to be able to see actually how everything works on our side,” Hagen said.
“What they have in their head and what they think, and what actually they’re going to see is two different things. It’ll be fun.” The tournament begins on Friday, and lasts until Sunday. More info can be found on gobearkats.com.
Arts & Entertainment
Page 5 Thursday, December 1, 2011
houstonianonline.com/a-e The Houstonian Staff weighs in on the holiday movies to watch: A Christmas Story “Teeheehee. I love that movie. It still makes me giggle to this day.” –Erin Peterson, EditorIn-Chief A Muppet Christmas Carol “If you like dull, runof-the-mill, Christmas movies. If you like bad singing. If you like terrible characters…this movie isn’t for you.” –Stephen Green, Associate News Editor “I love the Muppets and I love their characters.” –Chelsea Boyd, Advertising Manager A Charlie Christmas
Brown
“The really sadlooking Christmas tree is my favorite.” –Erin Peterson Dr. Suess’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas “The Grinch is my friend because he hates Christmas.” –Karmen King, Viewpoints Editor “Elf” “It makes me bubbly inside.” –Christian Pratt, Graphic Designer Jingle All the Way “I vaguely remember Arnold Schwarzen giving something to someone.” –April Sanders, Copy Editor The Santa Clause “This one is the best of the three movies. I love
Christian Pratt| The Houstonian
the whole world of Santa and all his cool gadgets.” -George Mattingly, Arts & Entertainment Editor Rudolph the RedNose Reindeer “I like everything about Rudolph”
–Chelsea Boyd Frosty the Snowman “It’s a childhood classic and something that we always watch around Christmas time.” –Chelsea Boyd Home Alone
Photo courtesy of the city of Huntsville
EARLY SNOW: Last year, the “Downtown Christmas Fair” drew more than 3,000 people out to enjoy the holiday activities in the Square. This year, the organizers hope to exceed that number.
Christmas Fair to return
Live music, parade, activities to bring holidays to town
By George Mattingly
Arts & Entertainment Editor
By George Mattingly Food, fun and music will take over the downtown square with the holiday spirit on Saturday as the second annual “Downtown Christmas Fair” returns to Huntsville. Among the various of activities there will be arts and crafts, a food court with barbeque and funnel cakes, live music every hour. For children, there will be “Winter in the Park” at Rather park from noon to 5 p.m. with cookie decorating, candle dipping, ornament making, moonwalks, and holiday elves skating around the square beginning at noon, sponsored by the Huntsville Department of Recreation. There will also be a train ride for people of all ages, and snow on the Walker County courthouse lawn, both attractions only $1. Participants will be able to have their picture taken with Santa Claus for $5 with framed picture and photo packages available. All proceeds will go to local charities, including the Boys and Girls Club. The music acts that will perform will feature a variety of groups of all ages including the Huntsville High School jazz band and choir, dancers from the Faye Burns Dance Studio, Primetime Dancers with SHSU professor Cindy Gratz, local singer Bethany Roche and country singer Kathy Ross. The fair began last year as a way to bring the community together during the winter season. “The city and the downtowners wanted to have an events to bring the community together at Christmas time,” Katie McAuliffe, Main Street Coordinator, said. “We try to have community event for each season.” In addition to the activities of the fair, the
community will also be able to take advantage of several holiday deals from local downtown merchants. “It’s a great opportunity to stop and get a unique gift for Christmas and not have to worry about it for the rest of the month,” McAuliffe said. For those who don’t want to shop, SuddenLink will provide a lounge area for attendees to relax while others go shopping. The Lions Club Christmas parade will begin at 6 p.m. and will start near the Estill building, making a stop a stop at the courthouse and
continue down 11th street, ending near Walgreens. “It (the fair) will just put them (the attendees) in the holiday spirit,” McAuliffe said. “It’s a great event for an entire family and there is plenty to choose from. I better not here anyone say they’re bored in Huntsville this weekend.” The event is free to the community and will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m For more information on the “Downtown Christmas Fair” or how to volunteer, contact Katie McAuliffe at 936-294-5920.
“It’s always fun to see people slip on tar, fall on tacks and get shot at.” –Stephen Green “After watching that
movie, I looked around my house looking for ways to boob-trap people, but I just wasn’t as clever.” –April Sanders
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