Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Snowflakes, candy canes and 36,000 LED lights The making of the Chicago Transit Authority’s holiday fleet Ilana Arougheti Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO -- Early in December, “Peppermint the Elf” said, she opened the door of a Chicago Transit Authority bus for a commuter in a suit and tie. The man boarded the bus, awash in red and green light. The poles for standing riders were striped red and white like candy canes, with tinsel wreaths and reindeer all over the walls. The air was heavy with cinnamon and Bing Crosby. The man in the suit sat down on the CTA Holiday Bus, his chair patterned with snowflakes. He accepted a miniature candy cane from Peppermint. Then, she said, he burst into tears, saying that he felt like a kid again. He’s far from the first Chicago commuter to stumble into a surprise winter wonderland on the holiday fleet, an elaborate 32-year tradition employees say brings nostalgic joy to customers. “This bus, if you stay on long enough, it’s so much fun,” said Peppermint, a 21-year Chicago Transit Authority employee. “But you have to have spirit for it.” All of the seasonal characters on the CTA’s holiday fleet are employees of the transit system, but their proper names are kept secret from riders and reporters. The CTA holiday train and bus are returning to seasonal glory after quiet pandemic years, running without passengers in 2020 and without Santa in 2021. Along with North Pole photo ops, holiday fleet riders enjoy seasonal music, candy canes and collectible buttons. “Most of the time, it’s the adults that are happier than the kids,” CTA spokesperson Maddie Kilgannon said. The winter tradition dates back to a 1992 Blue Line run, when an O’Hare employee placed a “Season’s Greetings from the CTA” sign on a train making runs of charity food packages. Santa rode his first holiday train in 1995, with passengers invited aboard the next year. A lone holiday bus joined the party in 2014. The tradition was undeterred when a holiday car derailed while dashing through the Brown Line route in 2003,
forcing more than 100 passengers to evacuate near Sedgwick station. The holiday train also survived threats of cancellation in 2004, as thenCTA President Frank Kruesi worked through deficits in the 2005 operating budget. On the bus, plastic shields protect a snowy model village, complete with tiny train cars. Route signs direct riders toward the North Pole, and blocks of cinnamon make it smell like someone’s baking cookies under the seats. “It takes quite a bit of time to take down, because we restack everything and make sure it comes down in sections,” senior maintenance manager Stephen Wojnicki said. Most train and bus decor is recycled each year, stored in the CTA’s South Shops stockroom, Kilgannon said. Interior lighting, ornaments, custom seat covers, elves’ costumes and rooftop bells are reused, plus Santa’s chair and the padded wood stage where it rests. Lights on top of the bus are also recycled, as are interior and exterior wraps, Wojnicki said. The custom designs are reapplied every year in-house, with a technique usually used for advertisements. Allstate, which has sponsored the fleet almost every year since 2018, foots most of the bill for new items. On the bus side, this included 36,000 new LED lights and a remodeled “toy workshop” section for Santa. The fleet did not have a sponsor in 2020, since riders could not actually board the train. “The sponsorship became available and (CTA employees) were kind of shopping it around,” Allstate chief creative officer David Hernandez said. The insurance giant plans to keep sponsoring the train at least through 2024. Sprint was the fleet’s first sponsor in 2015 as part of a $300,000 deal with the CTA, covering the holiday bus and train operating budget plus an extra day of service. Jewel-Osco also sponsored the train in 2017. CTA personnel remain tight-lipped on how the total cost of the holiday bus and train has evolved since. Allstate also declined to disclose how much it contributes to the train, citing privacy agreements.
Courtesy of Teyte Holcomb
Across party lines
How partisanship has impacted local governments Teyte Holcomb pandemic impacted O’Colly Contributor local governments.
COVID-19 has changed the landscape of how citizens in local governments interact. Much of the research social scientists have conducted has been at the federal level, but there is not much data on how the
pandemic she became more involved with loUnderstanding how cal government to try to COVID-19 impacted fix the issues Kellyville local governments is was facing. essential to understand “I believe there the lasting effects of the was a huge gap opened pandemic. for opportunities or misPlaces such as takes to go unnoticed,” Kellyville have seen McIntosh said. “With no problems with its local public meetings and a government before the lack of communication, pandemic started. there were decisions Rebekah Mcmade that did not serve Intosh, a Kellyville the town of Kellyville to native, said after the its best interest.” See Governments on 6
See Lights on 5
File Photo The OSU Museum of Art’s permanent exhibit includes over 5,000 works.
Museum milestone
OSU Museum of Art to celebrate 10 years Brianna Herrold sary exhibition. “That O’Colly Contributor was kind of the big
Tribune Content Agency Santa Claus with Mia, 10, from left, Maya, 11, and Shakita, 10, on the CTA Holiday Bus at West Jackson Boulevard and South Austin Avenue on Dec. 8, 2023, in Chicago.
and Inspiration” was kept in the Davis’ home precipice, or idea, that as a way to show art to this is something we their friends and family. lack, but we can bring This led artist Leon Nait in and show it in the thaniel Hicks to call it museum.” “a museum in a home.” The OSU Museum The 10th an“Memories and of Art will celebrate niversary exhibition, Inspiration” includes its 10th anniversary in “Memories and Inspira- artworks by renowned January. artists Elizabeth Catlett, Associate Director tion: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection Ernest T. Crichlow, of Museum Collection of African American Gordon Parks, Jacob and Chief Registrar Art,” will come to the Lawrence and more. The Carla Shelton will also OSU Museum of Art in collection also features be celebrating. Hired in May 2024. The collecworks by lesser known 2012, Shelton has been tion includes 67 pieces artists in an effort to with the museum since from the Davis’ personal preserve “a spectrum its beginning. collection. of approaches to the Her role puts her Amassed over the Black image in order to in the center of manpast 35 years, the Davis’ console the psyche and aging the museum’s have forgone other contribute to a more permanent collection luxuries and comforts authentic articulation of and choosing which exhibitions are shown at to surround themselves the self,” according to with authentic African the International Arts the museum. American drawings, and Artists website. “We don’t have a paintings, prints and Not only is there very good representation sculptures. Before the going to be a new exhiof contemporary Black collection started tourbition come 2024, but artists in our collecing in January of 2020, there will also be a new tions,” Shelton said the art of “Memories director. about the 10th anniverSee Museum on 5
Page 2 Wednesday, December 20, 2023
O’Colly
sports OSU should go after big-time portal QBs; rival Big 12 schools may land them Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor
Column Let’s compare some football programs, shall we? Oklahoma State: Coming off a 9-4 regular season, a Big 12 title game appearance, a Power Five conference team for years to come and a pedigree of winning under coach Mike Gundy. Now, do UCF, TCU, Houston, Cal, Tulane and South Carolina check all these boxes? Nope. The Big 12 schools — aside from TCU, which made a national championship last year but still doesn’t have the same winning culture that Gundy does — aren’t at OSU’s level and don’t seem like they will be for the foreseeable future. Cal is ACC-bound. Yawn. Tulane had a great year, but lost its coach and is also in the AAC. Yawn again. South Carolina has the SEC and a rowdy home crowd, but once again, the expectations of wins and losses at the end of the Gamecocks’ schedule are different than the Cowboys’ in an easier conference. What’s the point of this ramble? These schools are going after top quarterbacks in the transfer portal; OSU is not going after these top guys. According to On3, KJ Jefferson (former Arkansas quarterback, one year of eligibility remaining) and Malachi Nelson (former USC quarterback, has four seasons of eligibility renaming and was the top recruit in the 2023 class) are two of the top three quarterbacks remaining in the portal. Big 12 schools are picking up the phone for these guys. Pete Nankos of On3 reports UCF and TCU have made contact with Jefferson, and Houston and TCU have talked to Nelson since he entered the portal. Alan Bowman said himself he’s going to try and obtain another year of eligibility, which is good for him. He’s a nice guy and deserves to extend his football career for as long as possible, if he wants. However, is he the guy? Nope. Especially for a team that, barring All-American Ollie Gordon II’s absence, is returning many key pieces of the offense, it can be a legitimate College Football Playoff team next season in a 12-team postseason. Maybe either Flores or Rangel is the guy in the OSU coaching staff’s eyes, or maybe it is Bowman. But not gauging the interest of these top QBs who are talking with lesser Big 12 programs is an interesting tactic. OSU has used NIL and the portal already. Why stop there? Try and make a big splash. OSU fails to recruit five-star players in traditional recruiting, so go after one in Nelson, who just sat behind the potential No. 1 NFL Draft pick in Caleb Williams. Make the offense even more explosive. OSU may not be big “portal people” as Gundy puts it, but rival conference schools are. If these two guys, among others, continue to land at these schools while the Cowboys try to build young guys up, they can easily get passed by in a conference that is now up for grabs. As Leonardo DiCaprio said in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Pick up the phone and start dialing.” Take his advice, OSU. sports.ed@ocolly.com
File Photo OSU coach Mike Gundy needs to look into adding top portal quarterbacks because other Big 12 schools are going after them.
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Texas A&M Football/Twitter The Texas A&M offensive line allowed 27 sacks in the regular season.
Texas A&M bowl game preview
Aggie O-line didn’t reach preseason expectations Braden Bush Sports Editor
Texas A&M entered the season with a top-10 offensive line, according to PFF. Things didn’t quite pan out that way. The Aggies returned eight offensive linemen with starting experience into the 2023 season, and the offensive front was supposed to be a strength. Heading into OSU’s matchup against Texas A&M in the TaxAct Texas Bowl
in Houston on Dec. 28, the Aggies are a work in progress up front and have lost three linemen to the transfer portal. The Texas A&M offense wasn’t bad, averaging 33.7 points a game, but the offensive line could have made it better. The Aggies allowed 27 sacks this season (2.33 a game − 87th worst in FBS) and surrendering pressure to the quarterback was a problem all season. Against Tennessee in October, Aggies’ quarterback Max Johnson was pressured on 25 of his 39 drop-backs. The nearly 65% rate was the highest for Texas A&M since PFF began tracking the stat in 2014. On the ground, Texas A&M was
serviceable. It averaged 3.9 yards a rush for the season against quality opponents. Chase Bisontis appeared in every regular season game at right tackle for the Aggies and has 12 starts in his career, but he entered the transfer portal on Dec. 6. It is definitely a hit for Texas A&M, but Bisontis allowed a teamhigh four sacks in 2023 and allowed 30 pressures, according to 247Sports – the second-highest total in the SEC. Texas A&M will also be without Jordan Spasojevic-Moko and Remington Strickland in the bowl game, as both entered the portal at the end of November, but neither is expected to be a huge loss. Spasojevic-Moko was a backup who was
suspended indefinitely after being arrested in September, and Strickland was a backup to starting center Bryce Foster. Layden Robinson was the Aggies’ starter at right guard all season, but he declared for the NFL Draft and will not participate in the bowl game. The Aggie O-line will still be a tough matchup for the OSU defensive front, with linemen such as Foster and Trey Zuhn III, who started every game at left tackle. But with draft and portal departures and an underwhelming season, the Texas A&M offensive front isn’t at its top-10 preseason billing. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Page 4 Wednesday, December 20, 2023
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sports
Ethan Scott The Cowboys added their first two portal commitments with safety Kobe Hylton from UTEP and offensive lineman Isaia Glass from Arizona State.
Oklahoma State football 2023 transfer portal tracker
Cowboys add two portal commitments O’Colly Sports Staff
Previous school: UTEP 2023 stats: 54 tackles, 4 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 FR, 10 catches allowed Years of eligibility remaining: 2 IN: Offensive lineman Isaia Glass This story was last updated Dec. Previous school: Arizona State 19, 2023, at 11:48 a.m. 2023 stats: 3 appearances (injury) After one of the oddest football − started every game in 2022, 7 sacks seasons in its history, where OSU in 724 snaps reached the Big 12 Championship Game Years of eligibility remaining: 2 and went 9-4, the offseason — outside Portal Losses of the bowl game — has begun. OUT: Running back Jaden Players will enter the portal, leav- Nixon ing and joining OSU. Here is an up-to2023 stats: 50 carries, 197 yards, date tracker of all the transfer updates. 1 TD; 12 receptions, 123 yards, 1 TD Portal Additions Destination: TBA IN: Safety Kobe Hylton Years of eligibility remaining: 2
OUT: Wide receiver Jaden Bray 2023 stats: 30 receptions, 382 yards, 2 TD Destination: West Virginia Years of eligibility remaining: 2 OUT: Wide receiver Blaine Green 2023 stats: 13 receptions, 102 yards, 0 TD Destination: TBA Years of eligibility remaining: 2 OUT: Quarterback Gunnar Gundy 2023 Stats: 21-34, 202 passing yards, 1 TD Destination: TBA Years of eligibility remaining: 2 OUT: Defensive tackle Ricky
Lolohea 2023 stats: Did not play Destination: Utah State Years of eligibility remaining: 4 OUT: Offensive lineman Viliami Makahununiu 2023 stats: Did not play Destination: TBA OUT: Safety Nick Session 2023 stats: 3 tackles, appeared in 11 games Destination: TBA Years of eligibility remaining: 2 OUT: Safety Lardarius Webb Jr. 2023 stats: Did not play Destination: Tulane Years of eligibility remaining: 2 sports.ed@ocolly.com
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news Lights . . .
we were born and raised in record. Each elf works up Chicago.” to three days a week on the The holiday fleet is one fleet until its last ride — no of many corporate sponsor- overtime necessary. Continued from 1 ship opportunities introOn the holiday bus, duced by the CTA over the a team of 10 elves work years. In 2012, MillerCoors three at a time to hand out The CTA keeps costs sponsored a New Year’s Eve candy canes and wave madly down by keeping holiday campaign where CTA rides through the front window, builds in-house. Wojnicki cost a penny. coaxing smiles from passoversees full-time teams The beverage comersby. Each elf picks their of mechanics, electricians, pany paid $1.3 million for own holiday name. painters, carpenters and up- the sponsorship deal, in Peppermint the Elf has holsters, who maintain CTA exchange for a CTA-wide been working for the CTA buses year-round but focus marketing campaign called for more than two decades on the holiday bus each fall. “Great Beer, Great Reand as an elf for four. This Parallel teams work on the sponsibility” complete with year, she will spend her holiday train in a Skokie rail branded fare cards. birthday on the holiday bus. yard. The 2012 campaign “It is absolutely fantasA safety team also also invited corporations to tic. I actually plan my year checks that decorations don’t sponsor 11 stations on the around the holiday bus,” pose fire hazards or seizure Red, Blue, Green and OrPeppermint said. “Kids, risks, while a CTA employee ange lines. Then-President elderly people, literally grab rides each run as a “manForrest Claypool offered you and hug you and kiss ager” in case of emergency. naming rights to the station you.” “We try to get it up of their choice, and first dibs To those wondering and running as soon as pos- on any advertisements there, why the CTA puts resources sible,” Wojnicki said. “We for a rate increasing 5% into the holiday fleet amid want to create a very cheer- every year. long wait times and ghost ful experience. We want to The transit agency also buses and trains, Kilgannon put our best face on.” considered renaming the said the latter are an effect Some tchotchkes are North/Clybourn station in of staffing crises. The CTA also donated by employees. 2010 during a $3.9 million sees holiday rides and ghost When Santa pokes his head deal with Apple. rides as entirely separate isthrough the roof hatch beBetween Thanksgiving sues, she says. tween stops on the bus, he is and Christmas, the holiday “We can walk and surrounded by dolls, trucks, train rides every line. The chew gum at the same time,” puzzles and games outgrown Yellow Line is always last, Kilgannon said. “We can adby CTA families. as it requires two cars to be dress service challenges and Employees also collect split from the six-piece train. do innovation and construcfood donations. The CTA still doesn’t know tion, and we can run this fun “The smiles, the whether the Yellow Line, bus on top of it all.” happiness, everybody feels which remains shut down Holiday building is it,” Santa told the Tribune. after a train crashed into a built into technicians’ sched“That’s the point of all of snowplow near the Howard ules, Kilgannon said. But this — to bring cheers and station last month, will run when a bus or train ghosts, laughter to people who need the holiday train this year, it’s likely because no driver it. The kids, they go baKilgannon said. signed up to fill that route. nanas.” Planning bus routes is To stabilize shortThe advertisements a little more complicated. staffed routes, the CTA hired which typically rest above Santa and his elves will ride upward of 700 drivers this riders’ heads are replaced on 16 of the CTA’s 128 bus year, CTA Vice President the holiday fleet with chillines by Christmas. Jairo Naranjo said. Hiring dren’s artwork, plus a few Routes are chosen events at community collegplugs for Allstate. geographically, and also by es helped, as did eliminating The sponsorship agree- equipment type, Kilganthe requirement for a comment covers advertising for non said. The holiday bus is mercial drivers’ license. Allstate at train and bus sta- articulated — it bends in the “We’ve met our hiring tions while the holiday fleet middle — which can’t be ac- goal for bus operators for the runs. This year’s digital ads commodated by all garages. year,” Naranjo said. “After change based on the weath- This year, the CTA focused COVID, we have had a lot er, Hernandez said. on bus routes departing from of staffing challenges … it is Allstate also gets some the Chicago, Kedzie and very labor-intensive.” creative oversight as to how 77th street garages. The CTA’s new goal, the train and bus are deco“You have riders Naranjo said, is to have a rated. that are literally waiting at collection of extra drivers on “A lot of the work certain stops just to ride this duty, so that routes can be that’s in there is about our particular bus,” Kilgannon refilled instead of canceled local knowledge,” Hernansaid. “It’s a huge deal for the when drivers drop out. dez said. “Some tips and general public.” And, of course, to give tricks about what you can The same “elves” work Santa some practice before do in and around the city to on the bus all season long, his Christmas Eve route. celebrate the holidays … it’s Kilgannon said. CTA em“It feels cool standing a really fun way for us to ployees are chosen weeks in on the bus,” Santa said. “It remind people that we’re not advance based on their work reminds me of my sleigh.” just a big Fortune 100 brand, news.ed@ocolly.com
Tribune Content Agency Journee Thompson, 4, laughs as Santa Claus asks her what she wants for Christmas outside the CTA Holiday Bus on Dec. 8, 2023.
File Photo Since 2014, the OSU Museum of Art has hosted over 64,000 visitors.
Museum . . . Continued from 1 Vicky Berry currently serves as the director and chief curator for the museum and has for the past 11 years. She was hired a year before the museum officially opened to create and lead the museum team. “I’m really pleased with the museum,” Berry said. “We have a great team, and we make it look effortless because we’re all working together. We’ve done a lot. “The charge that I received from President Hargis was that we needed to create a good reputation, have a national and international reputation and exposure, and also within the region establish the museum.” With the 10th anniversary, the marketing team is rolling out a new vision for the museum. “Most of our advertising will focus on celebrating 10 years of either creativity, community, or life-long learning,” said Marketing Coordinator Casey Idhe. “It’s a look back on the past 10 years, and also a look into the future and next 10 years of the museum.” The new slogan “Celebrating 10 Years of Creativity, Community, and Life-Long Learning” will accompany the anniversary. Along with the new tagline, the team is also updating the museum’s logo, outside banners and other advertising materials. A painting by former faculty member Moh’d Bilbeisi was commissioned by the museum for the anniversary. Bilbeisi works predominantly with watercolor and used the medium to capture a colorful interpretation of the front of the museum building. The
painting has already been used in a few social media posts and is part of a 10th anniversary banner found inside the museum itself. While Bilbeisi no longer works for the museum, he is still employed by OSU in the college of architecture. One initiative the OSU Museum of Art has pushed is accessibility. The museum is free for everyone including faculty, students and the Stillwater community. “I love meeting all the different guests who come into the museum,” said Jessica Easton, a museum associate. “I love speaking with them on all the art pieces. People can come in just in their sweatpants and chill, and we get to talk with them about the art, which is something I really enjoy.” Easton said most people who frequent the museum are community members. “We get a lot of people who stop in just in the middle of their days,” Easton said. “I love all the grandparents and parents who come in with their kids to hang out in the artLAB.” Paige Nguyen is an artist and student pursuing her degree in studio art and art history at OSU. Nguyen said having a free art museum makes it easier to enjoy. “Growing up, I lived next to the OKC museum, and I had to pay,” Nguyen said. “I just never went because I was a teenager, and I didn’t have any money. It would have been nice having a place, a professional art setting, where I could go for free and really just enjoy art.” The OSU Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Every second Saturday of the month at 2 p.m., they host a free, hands-on art activity. For more information regarding the museum, visit its website here. news.ed@ocolly.com
Page 6 Wednesday, December 20, 2023
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Courtesy of Teyte Holcomb
infection rate than other commu- will be the new normal, especially in Governments . . . higher nities that lean more progressive. regard to technology and development
Services caseworker, said that problems with COVID-19 aren’t anything new, but In the town of Kellyville, infection of education. Our local government has instead highlighted weak points in the and death rates deterred the community suffered long before the pandemic, and community. Continued from 1 from organizing and making decisions COVID-19 showed all the weak spots “We seem to have isolated more to help its citizens. we as a community are facing.” from each other and now coming back “I think COVID-19 ruined the Political affiliation isn’t the only together (in the community) seems to be Taking U.S. COVID-19 data, the trust of the people,” McIntosh said. factor impacting these local governmore difficult,” Ola said. state of California was analyzed across “Government officials were caught ments. Places like Kellyville have seen a the state to see how partisanship imnot following ordinances, nobody was A key problem appearing for local great impact because of the pandemic, pacted local COVID-19 infection and certain on what would happen next, we governments is housing, according to an and citizens have made it clear that death rates. In the state of California, were giving money out when we are tril- analysis by the UNC School of Govern- there is still a long way to go before the counties with a higher population rate lions in debt.” ment. Though this analysis primarily town gets back to “normal.” saw higher infection and death rate, but As the pandemic leveled out, local looks at North Carolina local governMcIntosh said her help in the comthose with a republican majority had governments were just starting to get its ments, some issues transfer to Oklamunity drives her. higher infection rates than its democrat- momentum back. homa governments. “I want to be a moving piece of ic counterpart. Dal Archer, a high school teacher Although COVID-19 created cer- my town,” McIntosh said. “I’d like to When comparing this to local in Kellyville, said the pandemic will tain issues in communities, some people see growth and prosperity to our busigovernments in the state of Oklahoma, have lasting impacts. say that it increased some issues that nesses and schools.” those which have a stronger republican “I don’t think we will ever return have always been a problem. majority, primarily rural areas, have a news.ed@ocolly.com to normal,” Archer said. “I think this Earl Ola, a Department of Human
brownsshoefitstillwater browns.stillwater A NEW BIRTH! In January 1957, I was aboard a ship returning to the United States from Japan. Just two months before; I had become a Christian. While on board I talked with the chaplain. I shared with him what had happened to me in Japan; Christ was real to me. He told me “you have been born again.” I had never heard that term before. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again…You must be born again.” (Jn.3:3,7 NIV) Since that time, I have met people from all kinds of backgrounds; social, economic, religious and ethnic, who also have been “born again.” The new birth is always centered on the person of Jesus Christ. It is amazing that these individuals do not have this new relationship with God because of saintly background or a pattern of good works. It stems from a real encounter with the living Christ. They are confronted in some way about
their need for a savior; Christ is presented as God’s answer for forgiveness and a new life. They come to Christ and are changed. The criminal hanging on a cross next to Jesus is so amazing!. (Lu.23:39-43) After all his criminal life, in a moment of complete honesty, he admits he is getting what he deserved. In Jesus, he saw something real and lasting. He simply says to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He turned to Jesus in humility and Christ gave him something eternal. “ Today you will be with me in paradise.” The gospel (good news) is that God will forgive and give eternal life to those who humble themselves, honestly acknowledge their need and turn to Christ. They become a new creation. (2 Co.5:17) It is a free gift! This stumbles some! God gives us what we do not deserve. Don’t stumble! Receive God’s wonderful gift.
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news
Christmas classics
Movies to watch before Monday Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor
With five days to go until Christmas, it’s time to hunker down and get into the holiday spirit. There are many movies to pick from, but not a lot of time left. As the clock ticks closer to a visit from Santa, it’s time to be selective about what movies to watch. Here are my top five favorite Christmas picks: 1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation A family favorite that has been passed down from my parents, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” has slowly risen to the top of my rankings as the years have passed. No matter how many times I watch it, I never get sick of Uncle Eddie making every situation uncomfortable or wincing as the poor neighbors get dragged into the Griswold family Christmas time and time again. The comedic moments never stop. From start to finish, the story keeps the audience laughing at the all-too-relatable plot. 2. Home Alone This is another classic, and one that comes a close second behind Christmas Vacation. Kevin McCallister’s story arc is one that draws me in every time. From his smart-aleck, can-do attitude to the unbelievable fact that he faces the world alone as a 8-year-old, it’s always a movie I look forward to turning on. The non-stop shenanigans keep a child-like spirit alive,
Courtesy of Creative Commons “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” released in 1989, is a must-watch during the holiday season.
which keeps the story entrancing no matter how many times I watch it. 3. Elf There’s just something about seeing Will Ferrell prance around New York City in tights that makes it feel like the holidays. As Buddy the elf is on a quest to find his birth father, he enchants the audience with his blissful ignorance. The Christmas comedy brings some much-needed cheer to the screen. Although it does fell a little cheesy as times, it’s a movie that the entire family can enjoy together. Even the
musical elements add a nice Christmas-y touch to the movie. 4. Christmas with the Kranks When in need of an adult Christmas movie, “Christmas with the Kranks” fits the bill. Following the holiday fallout of being empty nesters, the Kranks take a new take on the season: boycotting Christmas. Although I’ll admit it would seem a little difficult to completely ignore the holiday, the idea isn’t completely farfetched. The hysterics and quality comedic moments throughout the movie make it one that I
always look forward to watching with family. 5. The Grinch I have never been a fan of Jim Carrey’s rendition of Dr. Seuss’ story, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” As a kid, all of the makeup and cinematography that made him into his character was uncomfortable. It’s never a Christmas movie that I willingly turn on. However, the latest version of the story told in “The Grinch” brings a lighthearted touch to the classic. I watched it for the first time with my young cousins last year, and I understood the appeal. The anima-
tion, music and voice actors all turn it into a sweet story that doesn’t leave kids haunted by visions of the Grinch. Honorable Mention: The Polar Express Although I will never understand the appeal of this movie, I have to give credit where credit is due. The animation might be a little unnerving, but this movie gets plenty of play time during the holidays. All of my elementary school holiday parties would not have been the same without “The Polar Express” playing in the background. news.ed@ocolly.com
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The best selection of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main “The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University. Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”
Murphy’s Department Store 815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6 Monday thru Saturday
Cowboy Calendar Wednesday 12/20/2023 Cowboy Basketball: Oklahoma State vs. Wofford Gallagher-Iba Arena @ 7 p.m. https://okstate.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule Custom Charcoal Paintings by Heidi Hoffer Modella Art Gallery @ 3 - 6 p.m. $30 6x9 $40 9x12 https://www.modellagallery.org Day 9: AR Workshop - Mini Wood Trays Em Curators of Craft @ 5:30 p.m. $39 per person $79 per couple https://www.facebook.com/events/337954832304173 Day 9: Movie Night - Christmas Vacation Em Curators of Craft @ 7:30 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/7001146606669799 Louie’s Kids’ Night Louie’s Grill & Bar @ 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/LouiesStillwater Trivia Night College Bar @ 10 p.m. - 12 a.m. Winter Break Camp Stillyarts @ 7:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. Single day: $45 Dec 20-Jan 3: $425 https://www.stillyarts.com Jazz Jam Sessions w/ EM EM Curators of Craft @ 7 - 9 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=85250250020874 7&set=gm.200189259801898 Live Trivia Iron Monk Brewing Company @ 7 - 9 p.m. https://www.ironmonkbeer.com Louie’s Bingo Night Louie’s Grill & Bar @ 8 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/LouiesStillwater Thursday 12/21/2023 Day 10: Christmas Trivia EM Curators of Craft @ 6:30 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/337954832304173 Eat It Up Food Truck & Live Music Iron Monk Brewing Company @ 6 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/ironmonkbrewingco/ Funk N’ Beers College Bar @ 10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Holiday Downtown Santa is Coming Downtown Stillwater @ 6 - 7:30 p.m. Kid’s Night Eskimo Joe’s @ 5 - 9 p.m. w/ $1 Buffy meals Line Dancing Lessons Outlaws @ 7 - 8 p.m. $10 https://www.facebook.com/events/1124559801568120/ National Wrestling Hall Of Fame Dual Classic Gallagher-Iba Arena @ 9 a.m. $15 for Youth | $25 for Adults https://nwhof.org/admin-preview/news/nation-s-topteams-will-compete-in-inaugural-national-wrestling-hallof-fame-dual-classic-on-december-21-22 Sci-Fi Film Club: First Encounters Stillwater Public Library @ 6 - 8 p.m. https://stillwaterok.gov/Library Winter Solstice Art & Wine Walk Modella Art Gallery @ 5 - 9 p.m.
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol
ACROSS 1 Athletic brand that shares its name with a big cat 5 Cold desert in Asia 9 “Shucks!” 13 Asked for proof of age, say 14 Admissions hurdle 15 “Let’s Dance” singer David 16 Like 9-Downs 17 Semester 18 Super cool digs? 19 High price to pay, metaphorically 22 Bell bottoms option 23 Pudge on an infant 27 Eclectic musician Brian 29 Star cluster that resembles a bird of prey 32 Oscar nod, briefly By August Miller 33 Key mistake? 34 “Shucks!” 67 Boo-boo 35 Letting in a draft, 68 Covert convo start maybe 37 Part of the “Law & DOWN Order” franchise, 1 Bread with familiarly tzatziki 39 Blow hard 2 Japanese soup 40 Mediterranean noodle microstate 3 Grandiose 43 One-named Irish delusions singer 4 Really dig 46 Tuna roll topping 5 Have one’s voice 47 Health regimen heard modeled on the 6 Beasts that pulled cuisine of Japan’s covered wagons Ryukyu Islands 7 Avon product? 49 Cease 8 Third No. 1 hit for 50 Screamed, the Black Eyed perhaps Peas 51 “One __ at a 9 Stuffed diner’s time” request 53 Salad dressing 10 Piercing tool brand, and 11 Kia model a feature of 12 Recent prefix 19-, 29-, and 15 “Sorry” singer 47-Across? Justin 58 Guiding belief 20 __ and greet 61 “Out! Out!” 21 Get, as a job 62 Made it 24 “Where do you 63 “Hadestown” see yourself playwright in five years” Mitchell subject 64 Lawsuit basis 25 Brie of 65 Cash for cards “Community” 66 Bend out of shape 26 Heavily inked
Daily Horoscope
Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (12/20/23). Your work attracts benefits this year. Daily diligence realizes domestic dreams. Winter health or physical challenges require adaptation, before a springtime social change phase. Love, creativity, and joy are your summertime guiding stars, before home adjustments prepare for delightful autumn gatherings. You’re growing stronger. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — A surprising personal development inspires action. Despite misgivings, you’re on to something. You’re getting stronger. Consider what’s most important. Polish your public image. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Get organized and make plans behind closed doors. Be meticulous, not picky. Find out which rules apply. Adapt around unexpected changes. Find hidden opportunities. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Barriers could disrupt socializing. Find innovative solutions and new ways to connect. Diversity provides strength. Teamwork is your superpower. Together, you can move mountains. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Handle professional responsibilities. Build and grow from strong basic structures. Get clear on the desired result, before pushing to fulfill it. Discover hidden opportunities. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — A barrier blocks the road. Patient, gentle communication can open doors. Call as soon as you know you’ll be late. Clouds may have silver linings. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Revise plans and budgets for unforeseen expenses. Discuss the situation with financial partners and determine the best course of action. Maintain a philosophical attitude. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Coordinate and collaborate to navigate around an obstacle or challenge. Listen to another’s view. Support each other with love and care. Partnership deepens and grows. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Prioritize your work, health and energy. Temporary confusion stops the action. You can see what needs to be done. Add new methods, technologies and techniques. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Have fun despite unexpected developments. Expect temporary confusion. Enjoy the game without taking expensive risks. Creative projects could make a mess. Release hidden beauty. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Avoid traffic or roadblocks and stick close to home. Keep systems running smoothly. Bake something delicious and share with the crew. Savor family fun. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — You’re especially creative and brilliant. Mold your project into shape. Diplomacy helps you communicate around a misunderstanding. Edit the message for greater reach. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Focus on immediate needs and expenses. Unforeseen events could get expensive. Store your nuts for winter. Eat what you need now. Prioritize practicalities.
12/20/23
Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved
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27 Utterly charm 28 “I swear!” 30 Apple Maps tech 31 Really dug 36 Party bowlful from 53-Across 38 College, to Brits 41 Open-air enclosures for some pets 42 Had to pay 44 Political endorsement
12/20/23
45 Poori flour 48 Lengthens 52 Yosemite peak, familiarly 54 DIY site 55 Tuna roll wrap 56 911 responders: Abbr. 57 Chuck, slangily 58 Cry from a crow 59 Molecule in some vaccines 60 Unit of corn
Level 1 2 3 4
Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle
12/20/23 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk
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