The Lasso - News

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Saturday, December 15, 2007

Archives: November 15

TWU student lend a Helping Hand this holiday season and ways to help your community this year

Monique Bird, News Editor

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Family, food, presents, and a little time off from school—there is so much to be thankful for this holiday season. While often the focus of the holidays can be on the self, family, and friends, some campus organizations are leading the way to give to others. November marks National Hunger and Homeless Month and TWU’s Helping Hands has sponsored several events to promote awareness of and prompt giving to hunger and homeless prevention causes.

This month, Helping Hands has donated food items to the local Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, had its Executive Board campout at the Free Speech areas as homeless victims, and has sponsored a homeless/hunger zone for participants to learn about hunger in the United States. In addition, Helping Hands hosted one of its biggest events of the year—the Hunger Banquet.

The Hunger Banquet was held this year on Tuesday, Nov. 13 in the Student Union. But do not let the name fool you—the focus of the banquet was not on eating a great meal, but rather providing attendees with an opportunity to experience world hunger and discuss the issues surrounding world hunger.

According to Helping Hands Special Events Co-Chair, Sheena Pascual, Helping Hands has sponsored the banquet for eight years in order to

“raise awareness of world poverty and the distribution of food among social classes.”

For admission, banquet attendees were required to bring either canned food items (for donation to the Salvation Army of Denton) or bring one dollar (for donation to OxFam). At the event, attendees were given colored tickets that divided them into three hypothetical social classes—lower, middle, and upper. The class level determined all levels of participation for attendees.

The banquet started with group discussions in which participants experienced scenarios based on their class. For some participants, these scenarios altered the remaining hunger experience they would have during the banquet.
Some attendees experienced situations in which they were able to improve their situation in life and climb up the social class; others were less fortunate and experienced ordeals in which their social class declined.

The Hunger Banquet continued the role-play by offering different meals to the guests, depending on the participant’s social class. Those with a red, lower class ticket sat on the floor and were fed rice with no eating utensils. Some of these persons opted to “starve” rather than eat a meal consisting only of rice and water.

The middle class experience was a step above—those in this blue ticket group sat at a table, enjoyed eating with utensils, were able to choose between water and tea, and had a menu that included beans. The upper class experienced the very best in fine dining. Participants with this green ticket had everything the middle class enjoyed and also had the added luxuries of salad and cheesecake on their banquet menu. Aramark sponsored the food.

The final portion of the banquet provided attendees a time for reflection. Many upper and middle class attendees noted the discomfort they felt for those in a lower class. During the dining, some people even offered help by relinquishing their eating utensils to someone else or by sharing food. The reflection also provided participants with the opportunity to discuss ways to combat stereotypes that exist because of one’s social class and ways to combat hunger in the world.

According to Pascual, “These events help fulfill one goal of Helping Hands, which is to raise awareness of certain social issues in the world among students. The TWU community can benefit because these events help booster a sort of ‘morale’ on campus.”

She adds,“Much of what we hope that the banquet participants will gain is an awareness of the disparities among social classes and the hardships other people in the world encounter. We want them to be able to understand more about world poverty and poverty here in the United States.”

According to the National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive (NALC), an estimated 38 million people face hunger every day in America, including more than 9 million children. In hosting such events, Helping Hands helps combat this issue and simultaneously achieves its mission of encouraging student volunteerism and promoting active citizenship through various community service projects.

Awareness events, such as the ones sponsored by Helping Hands, cannot become a success without the aid of volunteers and persons contributing to its efforts. Pascual noted that many people came back to Helping Hands events simply to donate food items. It is little steps like returning to donate items that make a big difference in the lives of others. For more information or to get involved with Helping Hands, contact Candi Westbrook at cwestbrook@twu.edu or (940) 898-3593.

If you missed out on the Helping Hands events this month, it’s not too late to offer assistance to those in need. According to the Salvation Army Web site,

“Lack of adequate income prevents many families from providing Christmas gifts for their children and from putting a nutritious meal on the table on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. While it may not be readily apparent, this heartbreaking scenario is played out in the lives of tens of thousands of low-income families in Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis and Tarrant Counties.”

Start a clothing, toy, or food drive on your residence hall floor, or individually donate clothes, furniture and household items to service organizations like the Salvation Army. In addition to providing others with affordable items, revenue generated from the sale of these items is the only source of funding for the Army’s residential substance abuse program and allows program participants work therapy for those attempting to break away from chemical and alcohol abuse.

You can donate a shiny, new toy to Toys for Tots, which runs each year from Oct. 1- Dec. 1. To find a drop off location or information on you how can participate, visit the Toys for Tots Web site at http://www.toysfortots.org/.

Volunteer at the local food bank. According to America’s Second Harvest, the nations second largest hunger relief organization,

“More than 65 percent of food pantries and 70 percent of soup kitchens rely entirely on volunteers and have no paid staff.”

By donating to or volunteering with organizations like The Salvation Army, you can provide critical aid to families not only during the holiday season, but all year-round. For the latest information on how you can help within the Dallas-Fort Worth Salvation Army, visit their Web site at http://www.salvationarmydfw.org/. The Houston site is http://www.salvationarmyhouston.org/.

Participate in church service functions. Many church and/or religious organization sponsor events this time of year. Find out what your religious community is doing this year.

Purchase products and attend events that help others. Many businesses host drives at their locations. While you are out and about, simply drop off an item at established toy, food, or other drive site. Also, contact your favorite stores and companies to see how they are helping your community this year.

In the words of Barbara Bush, “Some people give time, some give money, others give their skills and connections. Some literally give their life’s blood. But everyone has something to give.” Open your heart to the many ways that you can give.

Libba Bray draws a crowd

Ellen Chenoweth, Contributing Writer

The 17th Annual Joyce Thompson Memorial Lecture took place in the MCL Auditorium on Nov. 6, 2007. There was a house literally full of supporters to pay honor to both Joyce Thompson and the featured speaker, Libba Bray. Sherilyn Bird, Director of Libraries at TWU, welcomed the crowd, many of whom were clutching books to be signed.

Dr. Phyllis Bridges of the English department gave a moving tribute to Dr. Thompson so that even those of us who did not know her in life were able to get a sense of her character. Bridges also recognized various special groups and guests in the audience, including Eva Poole, head of the Denton Public Library system, and anyone who had been a teacher of Libba Bray, as well as her mother. Dr. Glenda Simmons’ introduction of Bray included an excerpt from one of her novels.

Bray delivered an entertaining and powerful discussion of her work. The title was “I’m Trying to Tell You, but You’re Not Listening: What it Means to Write for the Teen Audience,” but the lecture covered various topics and was applicable to anyone who has ever been a teenager, or enjoyed a book.

Bray expressed her belief that our society does not value teens—that “we hope their teen-ness will go away, like a bad rash,” and that they are given responsibility, but no authority. She set out to write them the good books that they deserve, without dishing out propaganda or a public service announcement.

She told personal stories, and named all of her unrequited crushes from her days in Denton schools, some of whom were in the audience. She described her “Lindsay Lohan period” after she was in an accident that broke every bone in her face, and how she was rescued by the gift of a journal from a friend.

Bray shared a memorable anecdote involving the father of one of her son’s pre-school classmates. The point she made with the story was that it seems as if writing porn is more socially acceptable than writing for teens. But after keeping the audience rolling in laughter for the majority of the presentation, Bray closed with a poignant meditation on the power of books, saying that they are “thin strands of humanity” that bring us together.

The final book in Bray’s trilogy, The Sweet Far Thing, comes out on December 26, so you have a few weeks to read the first two if you have not enjoyed them yet!

Cat walk your way to a better marketing career

Monique Bird, News Editor

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, the TWU Association of Marketing Professionals (AMP) will host the “Cat Walk Your Way to the Career” Symposium from 9:30—11:00 a.m. in the Multi-classroom Laboratory auditorium, room 101. The symposium is designed for anyone who may be interested in entering the marketing field or any business professional (or aspiring professional) who would like to increase their marketing skills and build connections with marketing professionals. Businesses that will send representatives include Neiman Marcus, Del Monte, Sally Beauty Supplies, and Slexi Compras. These representatives will be on hand to discuss the businesses they work for and some of the secrets to a successful marketing career.

Students from all majors are encouraged to attend, and anyone from the community can attend the free event; registration is not required. Rosemarie DeMars, Executive Vice President for AMP, states, “The AMP symposium is great for students and community members to network with leading business professional in some of today’s top industries.” For more information about the symposium, contact Rosemarie DeMars at (940) 898—2121 or amp-twu@hotmail.com.

Important updates from this region and around the globe

Christina Truelove, Staff Writer

Close to Home

For the Grand Re-opening of his presidential library, former President George H. W. Bush surprised onlookers with a skydive. The former president is now 83 years old and just had hip replacement surgery in January. This is his sixth jump, the first one taken in 1944 when he was shot down over a Pacific island. He plans to take his next jump in 2009 to celebrate his 85th birthday.

Throughout the Nation

58,000 gallons of oil spilled into the San Francisco Bay Thursday when a container ship struck the Bay Bridge. It is suspected that most of that oil will never be retrieved and will eventually be absorbed into the ecosystem, reported authorities. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency on Friday and made available additional state personnel, funding, and equipment for the clean-up.

Around the World

The latest Chinese recall was announced to be the Aqua Dots sold in the United States and Bindeez sold in Australia. These popular toys were coated with the toxic chemical 1,4-butanediol which simulates the “date-rape” drug gamma hydroxyl butyrate. The reason for the recalls centers around the fact that the factories are feeling market pressure to cut costs. What the toys were supposed to have used was the non-toxic 1,5-penanediol, but it sells for four times as much. To reclaim the reputation of China as a major toy exporter, they are taking measures such as increasing inspections, punishing companies and launch a public campaign to boost quality.

Student regent search: TWU looks to appoint a new regent

Amy Romenesko, Staff Writer

The selection process for the 2008-2009 Student Regent just recently began here at Texas Woman’s University. Students can now download an application online at www.twu.edu/student-regent.asp. Whoever appointed will serve as TWU’s third Student Regent since 2005 when “Gov. Perry signed legislation providing that each public university’s board of regents shall include one student member,” as stated on the TWU web site. It also explains that this honor is “the highest university leadership position a student can be appointed to while enrolled in Texas public higher education.”

“I decided to apply because I had the desire to represent the students, and to be the student voice that the Board of Regents could depend on to make well-informed decisions,” said Christianne Kellett, this year’s Student Regent.

Kellett’s term will end on May 31, 2008. Therefore, the term of the next student regent will begin on June 1, 2008 and end the following May 31 of 2009. This student will represent the student body during the meetings of the Texas Woman’s University’s Board of Regents. These meetings are held at least four times a year. So far, the first meeting scheduled for the 2008-2009 year is planned for Friday, June 6, 2008 at the Dallas Presbyterian campus. The second will be at the Denton campus on Friday, August 22, 2008, and the third is scheduled for Friday, November 7, 2008 at the Houston campus. The date of the fourth meeting, due to occur sometime in February of 2009, has not yet been arranged.

At the meetings of the Board of Regents, the Student Regent basically has the same responsibilities as the other board members. However, the Student Regent cannot vote, second a motion, or be regarded when determining a quorum. According to the TWU web site, he or she “represents the interests of the students, the University, and the State of Texas.” To be eligible to apply for this position, the student must be an enrolled undergraduate or graduate student at Texas Woman’s and keep up a GPA of at least 2.5. It helps to be involved in the campus and the community, and to have good communication skills and references.

After the applications are all turned in, the candidates will be interviewed. After that, five candidates will be chosen and sent to the chancellor. Of the five, the chancellor will select two or more candidates to send to the Governor of Texas. Finally, the Governor will decide on the new Student Regent for Texas Woman’s University. Once appointed by the governor, the Student Regent will attend orientation. In addition, he or she will undergo training beforehand.

Anyone who is interested in applying for the position of TWU’s Student Regent should be sure to turn in their application by 5:00 p.m. on November 20th at the Center for Student Development in the Student Union. Late applications will not be accepted. Also, there is no need to turn in letters of recommendations with your application. For more information, call 940-898-3633 or e-mail ckellett@twu.edu on the Denton campus.

IWH's program helps students assess Fat, Facts, and Fiction

Monique Bird, News Editor

On Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, in ACT 301 at 6:00 p.m., the TWU Institute for Women’s Health (IWH) will host the Premiere Lecture and grand opening of the Exercise and Sports Nutrition Clinic. The clinic’s Wellness and Sport Evaluation Program is designed to provide health-related and sports performance-related education, resources, and individual assessments of lifestyle-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

The Power of a Healthy Woman Premiere Lecture is the first in a series. Denton Mayor Perry McNeill will be present and will declare Nov. 8 Power of a Healthy Woman Day in Denton. In addition, keynote speaker Dr. Charlotte Sanborn, Chair of the Kinesiology Department, will present “The Fat, Facts, and Fiction of Exercise.” The grand opening will conclude with a reception and tour of the new clinic facility and demonstrations of the clinic’s services and equipment. Over 500 local health care professionals have been invited to this invitation-only grand opening.

The clinic will officially open to the public on Nov. 13 and is located in the Human Development Building, room 011.

The program will focus on providing health, fitness, and sports assessments through services including flexibility assessments, nutrition evaluations, and weight management programs. Through its services, the clinic will help the TWU and Denton community combat common health concerns. According to Dr. Nancy DiMarco, Director of the IWH, “The newest report from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) shows that thirty-one states now have reported increases in obesity and Texas ranks twelve among the most obese states. We want to make a difference in people’s lives here at TWU and the clinic is a way to start.” She adds that often physicians will diagnose a patient’s lifestyle-related ailments, but may not provide resources as to what the next steps should be. DiMarco hopes that the clinic can bridge this gap and help people gain knowledge about how their lifestyles affect health and understand how they can make positive changes in their lives.

The services will be free to TWU students; reduced rates will be available for TWU faculty and staff and students from the University of North Texas and North Central Texas College; regular prices will apply for all other users. The revenue generated from the program will help to fund the program and student research and travel within IWH.

Time commitment by clinic users will depend on the services selected. For example, the weight management program will last twelve to fifteen weeks and will include an initial assessment, goal setting, weekly meetings, and follow-ups to ensure that participants see progress and permanent weight change. On the other hand, most assessments and services, such as the muscular endurance test, can be completed in one day.

Staffers for the clinic will include professionals within the kinesiology, dietetics, and exercise and sports nutrition fields. In addition, master’s students in exercise and sports nutrition will gain hands-on experience and training as they earn practicum hours and perform a community service.

The premiere lecture and reception are being sponsored by the TWU Institute for Women’s Health and the TWU Leadership Institute.

Those interested in the services of the clinic may call (940) 898-2799 for further information or to make an appointment.

Hazards of the holiday ham (and more)

Tips to keep your holiday memorable, not miserable

Monique Bird, News Editor

The holidays are a joyous time—well, usually. People generally have fond memories of their favorite holidays; however, sometimes things occur that can put a damper on your festive mood. This holiday season, watch out for common holiday mishaps to keep you and your loved ones safe.

For the whole family

Practice fire safety. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), over 11,000 fires requiring a fire department response occur during the period from late November to early January. Many fires occur during the holiday season, and many of these can be prevented.

Have a fire extinguisher on hand and have an annual chimney inspection conducted. Do not leave burning fires unattended. Only use proper burning materials in the fireplace (other materials may burn too quickly); and do not put lit candles or lit decorations near curtains, ornaments, or other locations that could easily catch fire.

Pick the right tree. Fires are more devastating for residential structures where the tree or other decoration is the ignition point of the fire. Decorative trees naturally dry out. According to the USFA,

“In reaction to winter’s cold weather, most people turn up the heat in their homes which dries Christmas trees even more. Coupled with faulty wiring or lit candles, a Christmas tree provides sufficient fuel to ignite a serious fire.”

If you are purchasing a natural tree, check it for freshness and moisture. Trees should be green, branches should not break easily, the bottom should be sticky, and it should not lose a lot of needles when tapped on the ground. If you are purchasing an artificial tree, buy one that is fire resistant. Whatever type of tree you buy, keep it away from high-traffic areas, fireplaces, and heaters. Also, make sure the tree is stable and cannot easily fall over.

Turn off the lights and check wires. Worn out wires with loose connections can easily catch fire. Check the cords on old decorative lights well. When in doubt, throw it out. Replace older home wiring with new wires that meet today’s technical demands. Avoid multi-plug adaptors - these can overheat. Do not overload electrical outlets. Turn off all lights, lit items, appliances, and space heaters when you leave the house or go to sleep.

Choose your holiday decorations carefully. Mistletoe and holiday berries are poisonous if swallowed. Keep them away from children and pets. Be sure that your holiday plants do not contain cocoa mulch—it’s deadly for cats. In addition, other plants may be toxic to the family.

If you are not sure, speak with your health care provider or pet’s veterinarian or keep the plant out of reach of the animal. Be careful with the ornaments. They can be a choking hazard for children and pets. Anyone can cut themselves broken ornaments.

Slow down while driving. Hectic holiday schedules often cause hectic holiday driving. The combination of speed and poor weather can be deadly. Remember to drive carefully if you are doing last minute shopping. Keep children properly restrained.

Keep important numbers handy. Keep emergency room, health care provider, pediatrician, veterinarian, and poison control numbers where they are easily accessible. Contact these people if you have a specific safety question.

For the children

Keep an eye on children. Kids sometimes forget the “usual” rules during the holidays. They may play with things that they would normally not, climb where they should not, or emulate adult behavior such as lighting candles. Coupled with a lack of supervision due to hectic holiday schedules, children are at an increased risk for danger.

Talk to your kids about safety, but more importantly watch out for them. Do not leave children unsupervised in rooms with fireplaces, lit candles, wood burning stoves, or portable heaters. Do not let children sit too close to these items either. When visiting other homes do not leave your child unsupervised and keep your eye out for holiday dangers (especially in homes without children, where the owner may not consider these hazards).

Give your kids the proper gifts. According to the National Network for Child Care,

“The holiday season finds over 150,000 different kinds of toys for sale in approximately one million stores. Despite the efforts of manufacturers, retailers, safety inspectors, and others, it is impossible to examine every toy. But it is possible for parents and other relatives to check every new toy they buy and every old toy around the house for possible hazards.”

Follow the age guidelines and choose gifts that are age and ability appropriate. Read the label and instructions for important safety information. Do not give toys with sharp edges or electronic toys with heating parts to children under age eight.

Each year, about 25,000 children are treated for injuries caused by BB guns and pellet guns. Beware of toys that shoot objects into the air—the propelled object can cause eye injuries. Also, make sure you are up-to-date and knowledgeable about toy recalls. Remember, that sometimes recalls occur after you have bought the product. You can find the latest toy recall and additional toy safety information by visiting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Product Commission Web site at www.cpsp.gov.

Watch out for choking hazards. For children under age three, buy toys that are larger than their mouth, so that the toy cannot become a choking hazard. Throw away all wrapping paper and gift packaging material so that it does not become a hazard for a child. Batteries are a chocking hazard for small children, and toxic if swallowed—keep them away from children. With so much food available, it is easy for a child to grab a food item that the parents would not approve of. Watch out for peanuts, caramel popcorn, and other items that can be a choking hazard.

For the pets

Don’t give pets food they do not normally eat. Sharing that Thanksgiving turkey or chicken with grandma might be nice, but do not give it to the dog. The bones in these meats are brittle, can splinter easily, and can cause serious internal damage to the pet.

New foods can also upset the diet of your pet and cause unnecessary abdominal pain. For example, chocolate can be harmful to animals because of the theobromine and the caffeine it contains. Be careful that guests do not inadvertently give these items to your pet as well. Feed your pet before the guests arrive so that the pet will not beg and steal food.

Secure the garbage. Dispose of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper properly. Pets may lick these items to get the leftover food. But if the animal accidentally swallows these items, the result is often unwanted internal obstruction. Also secure garbage properly so that pets cannot get into it for the leftover food.

Watch out for pets when cooking the holiday ham. All of that extra cooking may entice pets to enter the kitchen. Keep an eye out for pets to ensure that they do not burn themselves on open ovens or tip over hot containers. Fumes released from non-stick cookware or oven-cleaning can also harm pet birds.

Keep your pet at home and away from guests at holiday functions. Pets can become stressed or get lost during festive functions. If an event is at your home, remember to keep the doors closed so that pets cannot wander off. You may even want to keep them in a separate room with the door closed so that they cannot get lost or become over-stressed by all of the guests. Keeping them separated will also ensure that they will have time to rest. Also, guests may be scared of the animal or have an allergic reaction.

Curiosity killed the cat—so do not over-decorate the Christmas tree. Animals are often enticed by the pretty lights, wrapped presents, and shiny ornaments. Spray-on snow is often toxic to cats. To be safe, keep the tree in a room away from pet access.

The list of potential holiday hazards may be extensive; however, the effort in securing the safety of family, friends, and yourself is well worth the time.

Eliminate the holiday travel hassel

Allison Sheardy, Editor -in- Chief

Busy, crowded airports, delays due to wintry weather, traffic that does not move—ah yes, the joys of holiday travel. The holiday season can be stressful enough without piling on the anxiety of travel. Luckily, there are several ways to make traveling during this busy season less of a hassle.

Pack lightly: Not only will this save space—and your arms—it will make maneuvering around the airport, bus station, and so on much easier. Do not forget: If you are traveling somewhere for Christmas, you will probably need to save space for gifts. You can avoid this extra worry by shipping packages to your destination ahead of time. Finally, some airlines have additional baggage restrictions during the holiday travel season—make sure to check with the airline before doing your final packing.

Avoid crowds: Do not plan to travel on the days directly preceding and following the holiday. Try to travel at least two days, if not more, ahead of the crowd. Although it may be a pain, try to book early morning or late night flights to avoid peak hours at the airports. Also, if possible, have a friend drive you to the airport, or take public transportation. This saves valuable time and money.

Be safe: Do not forget to leave your house behind in safety. Put lights on timers to give the illusion that someone is home, and have mail held while you will be away. Make sure to securely lock all doors and windows as well.

Holiday travel may seem overwhelming, but with careful planning and organization, it can be stress-free, allowing you to enjoy your trip all the more.

Holidays away from home

Christina Truelove, Staff Writer

Wondering where you can go this year to have that good ole Thanksgiving dinner, just like your mom made at home? We have several options for you. Quite a few restaurants are going to be open this Thanksgiving, and many want to celebrate the holiday with you.

The Wildwood Inn – 2602 Lillian Miller Parkway, Denton, Teas—(866) 840-0713—http://www.denton-wildwoodinn.com

Lubys – 2440 South I35, Denton, Texas—(940) 891-0838

Golden Corral – 1724 South Loop 288, Denton, Texas—(940) 383-9793

Boston Market – 1570 W. Main St, Lewisville, Texas—(972) 436-8199

If you need any more ideas, check with local churches or even your favorite restaurants. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by who will be open to give you the Thanksgiving meal of your dreams and leave you so stuffed that you cannot move.

What goes best with a full tummy? Sitting at home and relaxing with a DVD. Try out these holiday movies.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

Garfield: Holiday Celebrations (1981)

Pieces of April (2003)

Home for the Holidays (1995)

What’s Cooking? (2000)

Have a great Thanksgiving, whether you are on campus or across the country. Enjoy the food, friends, and family that this wonderful holiday brings together.

The history of Thanksgiving

Amy Romenesko, Staff Writer

Thanksgiving, as we know, has become a day of food, family, friends and fun. But in addition to that, it has a rich history which many may not be entirely familiar. Most American Thanksgiving traditions include the basic turkey, sides, football, and so on. Each has its own story behind it.

We all were taught in elementary school about the first Thanksgiving. It was celebrated between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans to give thanks for having a successful year in the New World. A year earlier, they had moved from England to Holland, and then to America.

During their first winter, many difficulties arose. Once it warmed up in the spring, the Plymouth pilgrims befriended two Native Americans named Samoset and Squanto who taught them the best ways to get food from the wilderness.

By Autumn, they had harvested enough food to survive the winter, had built shelter, and formed an alliance with the local Natives. It was these accomplishments that called them together for a feast of celebration—the first Thanksgiving. It was not until 1863 that Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln.

When we think of Thanksgiving, most of us think of plenty of food. From turkey to pumpkin pie, the feast has become a tradition carried on through the years. However, both the turkey and pumpkin pie were most likely not present at the first Thanksgiving feast.

Corn, though, was a popular food item. Other foods that were present at their banquet included biscuits, butter, and pudding. For meat, they probably ate duck or wild fowl.

Competing in football games became a tradition in 1876. On Thanksgiving Day of that year, the American Intercollegiate Football Association held the first football championship. However, the first NFL Thanksgiving game wasn’t played until 1934. The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924. Three years later, the first giant balloons appeared in the parade.

No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, there is most likely a whole history behind your traditions. Personally, my favorite tradition is coming together with friends and family. It is a reminder of how the Pilgrims came together with the Natives in order to share good times and good food. We all have our own things to be thankful for. Whether it’s the food, family, or fun, we can be thankful for Thanksgiving.

Mothers of "Jena 6" reveal only time will tell:

An interview with Melissa Bell and Toni Jones

Scarlett Pope, Opinion Editor

This weekend I was invited to go to Stanford University for a national conference on a new group I plan to start up next year called “Face AIDS.” As much as I would like to tell you all about the group, the travel itself is where our story begins. As luck would have it, I ended up on the same plane as two of the mothers of the young men who make up the “Jena 6.” I scrambled for a pencil and paper, shut my Anatomy book, and began my spontaneous interview.

Melissa Bell, the mother of Mychal Bell, was sitting in the aisle. She looked visibly tired. Next to her was Tina Jones, the mother of Bryant Purvis, who pleaded “not guilty” on Nov. 7th to reduced charges of second-degree aggravated battery and conspiracy. Jones sat in the middle seat, often closing her tired eyes between questions.

Their sons received national attention for being members of the “Jena 6,” who beat a white student after a string of incidents that stemmed from the hanging of a noose outside Jena High School. The white student who was beaten, Justin Barker, received non-life threatening injuries and went to a school event later that same evening.

Purvis and Bell were originally charged with attempted second-degree murder, which sparked national outrage because the incident was essentially seen as school yard fight. That outrage culminated on September 20, 2007 when 20,000 demonstrators marched through Jena in protest of the injustice they perceived from the severity of the charges.

Most of the demonstrators were black. Last month, I wrote an article on a TWU senior, Tamara Neal, who went to protest. The case and protest has brought up the question of racial discrimination in this country, and it’s larger manifestations into our society.

I shook my head as I said to the two mothers of the Jena 6, “It was just a school yard fight?” Then Toni said to me with a smile “It’s been a year and we still don’t know why.”

Q: What is the situation of Mychal and Bryant’s case right now?

Melissa Bell: “Right now, were going through a lot of appeals…”

Q: “...And how are [the appeals] going?

Melissa Bell: “It’s going slow” she laughed, and so did Jones.

Q: What is your reaction to the surge of noose incidents that have recently been in the news?

Melissa Bell: “They are just copy cats; they are just trying to draw attention. What happened in Jena was a real statement of hate, and these others are just trying to get attention.”

Q: What was your reaction to the immense protest that shut down Jena, Louisiana?

Melissa Bell: “It was great, we loved it. With everything that’s going on in everyone else’s life, that means a lot. It means people are still willing to care about things other than themselves, and that they cared about Mychal.”

“A 2007 civil rights march, now that’s something right there” Bell added in a satisfactory tone.

I persisted with more questions about their reaction to the protest, and Bell replied:

“You know we were just regular people before all of this, we didn’t mean for all of this to change us—but it has.”

Bell then changed the subject to her son’s reactions,

“The kids aren’t all that excited because at the end of the day they are worried about spending time in jail. Maybe one day we’ll appreciate it, you know—being part of the Jena 6, but at the end of the day these boys are looking at going to prison.”

“It’s been a long stressful year for us, but try being one of the Jena 6; they don’t know where their lives are going to be in the next couple of years,” Jones said.

Q: What brings the both of you to California today?

Toni Jones: We are going to meet with representatives and different lawyers to measure the pros and cons of the case and listen to the solutions they come up with.” Bell and Jones then point out their lawyer across the aisle.

Q: Are your lawyers doing this pro-bono?

Jones says “no” as she softly shakes her head. I am a tad surprised to hear it, and before I can ask why, Bell jumps in:

“Well, we are thankful for all the supporters that have been donating money for us to this. Before, it was a problem. But after all the attention, we have been getting a lot of support. The protest did that for us”

I then began to tell Tamara’s story of how she brought back a piece of Jena with her into her everyday life. Bell’s response was nothing but warm and happy, “Six kids have changed a lot of people’s lives, and I’m glad people are able to see life in a different perspective because of it.”

Q: What are Bryant’s hopes and dreams? What does he plan to do after the case?

Toni Jones smiles and replies, “Before all of this he wanted to play professional basketball. You know, my brother plays pro-football [Jason Hatcher, #97 of the Dallas Cowboys] and he’s always been an inspiration to both of them [Bryant and Mychal]. Of course, all that’s on hold right now.” Bryant Purvis’s trial is set for March 2008, and if convicted of the charges he could be sentenced up to twenty-two years in prison.

The same question was posed to Bell.

Melissa Bell: “Before all of this Mychal wanted to play pro-football, and Jason has always been an inspiration to him like Tina said”

Q: “How can we, the average citizens, continue to help you with your cause?

Toni Jones: “Keep the stories of them out there. Come down anytime you want and support us, because we have to keep on.”

Melissa Bell added: “Most of all, pray for us.”

Q: Do you think that past US racial discrimination has anything to do with the Jena 6 case?

Melissa Bell: “Yes, I do. Me, personally, I think people are trying to get back to the way things used to be. Right now there are no laws to protect the kids from nooses. There’s nothing we can do about it. So that’s as far as they can get to how things used to be.

Q: Has the community in Jena reached out to either of you at all since this happened?

Melissa Bell: “No they haven’t helped at all. That’s why we reached out to the outside world”

Q: Do you think justice will be served in Mychal’s case?

Melissa Bell: “It’s going to be served soon; we’ll make sure of it.”

The same question to Bryant Purvis’s mother yielded a different answer:

“It’s hard to say, but at the same time, we are going to keep on fighting and hoping and praying. We could be fighting this thing for three or five years,” Jones said.

The wait for justice for Mychal, Bryant, and the other four Jena 6 members has been going on for over a year. Time will tell, but our nation can learn from this. If we are aware of what’s going on around us we can learn from our present as we have from our past—even though historians would say we haven’t yet learned nearly enough from our past.

You've never had a class like this:

Hunger 101 will open your eyes

Monique Bird, News Editor

We hear the statistics, and we recognize the problem. But often the only way to truly begin to understand poverty and its affects on food needs is to live that life. Although not an exact representation of hunger, the North Texas Food Bank has an interactive program known as Hunger 101 that allows Web site visitors to virtually become an individual struggling to overcome obstacles to gain enough food. Through it, you can read the background of four needy people and select who you want to “be.” As that person, you will experience the real life demands that people struggle with every day to feed themselves and their families.

Curious about the program, I decided to take the interactive challenge. I became Bryan Jenkins, a 38 year old man struggling to feed his family of four on $15.00 for the week, while simultaneously meeting the 51,800 caloric needs for the week. I started my experience at the supermarket and was up for a rude awakening. Despite my best attempts at different combinations, on Jenkins’ limited budget, I could only afford one carton of milk, four boxes of rice, and five boxes of black beans. Just fitting the milk in my budget was difficult enough, and I could not afford any fruits, vegetables, or meat. I was still short by 64% of my dietary needs (33,360 calories) and did not even have one penny leftover (let’s hope there are no sales taxes at the checkout line).

I then went to try to receive food assistance through the virtual United States Department of Agriculture. At the food stamp office, I had to endure a complex and lengthy process that included (but was not limited to) taking a number and waiting (I was number 86), filling out an eight page application, and submitting a fingerprint. In addition, I had to go to the office during the time that most people are at work (the Texas Department of Human Resources is only open Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Even more disconcerting for me as Jenkins was the approximate 30 days it would take to have my application approved. In the end, I lost a day of work (and that subsequent paycheck) and was deemed ineligible to receive food stamps because my income was too high.

As Jenkins, I then went to visit the local food kitchen – but it was closed. While food kitchens are great resources for those they help, many of these services have specific distribution times. For those that cannot or do not make it on time, they will have to just make do.

If an apple a day is what keeps the doctor away, Jenkins’ family is off to a rough start. For many families, this is a regular reality. According to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), Texas leads the nation with the highest percentage of families who are “‘food insecure.’” According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “food insecurity is defined as a family being uncertain of having or being unable to acquire enough food for all household members because they have insufficient money and other resources for food.” The number of people needing assistance is growing. From 1999 – 2004, the national hunger rate grew five times faster than the growth of the national population. Lost jobs, family emergencies, and health care expenses all contribute to the lack of resources these families must deal with each day. While you do not know all of these people, many of them are your neighbors, family members and co-workers – even if you have yet to realize it. You can help by hosting a food drive, donating, volunteering, and advocating. To see Hunger 101 on the NTFB 101, visit http://www.ntxfoodbank.org/.

These girls are absolutely amazing - both on and off the field

Amanda Smith, Sports Editor

Senior defender and soccer team captain Sue Cribbes was selected as a member of the Lone Star Conference Women’s Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team. Cribbes scored the goal that tied TWU with Texas A&M-Commerce 1-1 in the tournament quarterfinals.

Senior soccer midfielder Romy Luna was chosen to be part of the Daktronics All-Region team. Luna is the first person from TWU to ever receive this honor from Daktronics, making this her 3rd postseason honor.
Sophomore volleyball setter Jessica Crow, junior right-side Sharon Shaffner, and junior middle-blocker Kandis Schroeder were all selected as members of the Lone Star Conference All-Academic Team. Junior outside-hitter Katie King and sophomore middle-blocker Danielle Pegues were both proudly placed on the Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Kandis Schroeder, Jessica Crow, Katie King, along with senior defensive specialist Heather Marcus received Lone Star Conference Volleyball All-Conference Awards. Schroeder was placed on the LSC first-team, King on second-team, and Crow and Marcus received honorable mention.

Schroeder and Crow were also dubbed members of the 2007 ESPN the Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District VI College Division Volleyball Team. In order to be chosen for this honor, athletes must have a GPA of 3.20 or higher and be a second-year starter of key substitute.

Schroeder was chosen to be part of the LSC Volleyball Championship All-Tournament Team. This is her 4th postseason honor.

What's new at TWU

Amanda Smith, Sports Editor

Friday, November 16

5:30 p.m. TWU Basketball vs. Missouri Western, at the Emporia State Tournament, Emporia, Kansas. This match-up with the Griffons, who are ranked #17 in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll, will be the 2007-08 regular season opener for the Pioneers’ basketball squad.

Saturday, November 17

7:30 p.m. TWU Basketball at Emporia State, at the Emporia State Tournament, Emporia, Kansas. This game should be another formidable challenge for the Pioneers as the Lady Hornets are ranked third in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll.

Basketball beats themselves up!

Amanda Smith, Sports Editor

The TWU Pioneer basketball team suffered a sad loss to the Oklahoma Flyers 85-79. The girls shot 37.8 percent from the field, 23.5 percent from 3-point range, and 13 of the 22 free-throws attempted.

“We’re not going to win too many games if we shoot like that,” says TWU head coach Beth Jillson. “We had tons of good looks at the basket, especially in the paint. But, we didn’t finish. In order for us to be successful, we’ve got to shoot much better than we did today.”

Sophomore Jessica Durr had the highest number of points scored with 18 points. The Pioneers start off their regular season this weekend at the Emporia State University Tournament. The girls play Friday November 16th at 5:30 p.m. against Missouri Western University and Saturday November 17th at against Emporia State at 7:30 p.m. Good luck girls!

Simons and Dyer take TWU to a whole new Wonderland

Luis Rendon, Entertainment Editor

Redbud Theater was packed all last weekend with patrons abuzz with wonder and excitement, waiting for the curtains to part on the highly anticipated Lake Simons and John Dyer adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.

“Are they really using puppets?” “Is that man going to really play all of those instruments?” “What would it be like?” “Can they really pull this off?” I have to admit, all of these questions were floating around my head while I anxiously awaited the large shower-like curtains covering the stage to be pulled back.

I feared this new adaptation of Lewis Carrol’s classic dark, quasi-children’s story would be a very campy and cheesy romp through Wonderland with puppets. To be completely blunt, I feared that I might have to endure an hour and a half of an ‘Alice meets the gang of Sesame Street’ type of scenario. Instead of Elmo and the Mad Hatter getting cozy though, I was oh-so-pleasantly surprised and elated when Alice (portrayed by the fresh faced beauty Brandianne Kramer) and her troupe of puppeted pals (handled and maneuvered by a group of truly talented actors) go through Carroll’s familiar story of wackiness and shenanigans with a light hearted and easygoing dreaminess – which is actually spot-on since Alice is dreaming throughout the play.

The dreaminess of the show can, for the most part, be attributed by John Dyer and his otherworldly musical abilities. Providing most of the sound effects, all of the music, and most narration and dialogue for the puppets, Dyer showcased not only his own talents, but brought out the best in the entire cast.

Commendations must be sent out to the entire technical crew because the technical work of the entire performance was spot-on with mood setting lights, a simple yet satisfying set design, and of course, intricate puppets oozing character and emotion. Properties artisan, Audrey Lewis, managed to complete a daunting task by finding pieces and props eerily accurate to the theme and mood of the play. Costume designer William Walker also did a great job in not only costuming Alice, but also the ensemble managing the puppets. Rather than being a distraction to the play, the costumes were incorporated very well and enhanced the audience’s experience.

Sometimes I would get lost in some of the story telling, and it was, at times, difficult to understand all of the symbolism, but with colors, pictures, and movements that looked so pretty, it was almost like I was too hypnotized by the cast to not even care. Bravo to the cast and crew of Alice in Wonderland, you have proved me wrong – you can take a classic children’s story and turn it into a play with puppets and music and movement and still make it entertaining. The Queen of Hearts would be proud.

The Writer's Guild of America on Strike -

The facts and why you should care

Luis Rendon, Entertainment Editor

On November 5th at 12:01 am, the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA)—comprised of about 12,000 movie and television writers—went on strike against Hollywood producers, who are represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

The feud that sparked the strike between the writers and producers has been going on for over twenty years and is filled with so much political jargon and confusing information that it is hardly worth describing.

The strike, however, affects everyone. That includes you, the audience. Here are the basic facts you should know.

§ Twenty years ago writers agreed to lower compensation rates on VHS sales to help the fledgling industry grow, with the understanding that the rate would be raised later. Fast forward to today—writers still only get four cents of royalties for every VHS and DVD that is sold.

§ The main striking point for writers is how much they should be paid when their shows are sold or downloaded on the internet.

§ Expect to see a lot of reruns in the coming months. Every late night show, including Conan O’ Brian, Jay Leno, and David Letterman, has already reverted to reruns. Work has stopped on CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother”, “The Big Bang Theory”, and “Two and Half Men.” FOX’s “’Til Death” has also come to a screeching halt.

§ Most prime time series that aren’t taped in front of live audiences have six to eight new episodes ready for airing this season. So if the strike ends by January you can expect a relatively uninterrupted prime time schedule.

§ If the strike lasts longer, get ready for new reality shows that don’t need writers. And don’t hold your breath for new scripted shows.

§ The last WGA strike was in 1988 and it lasted 22 weeks. It cost the industry approximately $500 million.

Networks have declined to comment on how they will cope with their writers on strike, but actors have had no problem voicing their opinions. America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Steve Carrell, Jay Leno, and Tina Fey have all been seen amongst the throngs of writers picketing.

Because of the strike many other less famous Hollywood folk (set designers, make up artists, electricians, costumers etc.) are now out of jobs. Here’s to hoping for a quick settlement between the writers and producers, and new episodes of our favorite television shows come January.