Too old for Halloween?
p. 5
www.TheFamuanOnline.com
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
VOL. 125 ISSUE 17
Rattlers march to make vote count Britney Buchanan Deputy Photo Editor
Florida A&M students and state and local supporters marched more than a mile from FAMU’s Eternal Flame to the Leon County Courthouse for early voting. The crowd chanted “tell me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like,” as they locked arm-inarm. Five days remain to vote early after the Florida Legislature cut the number of days from 14 to eight. John Lewis, D-Ga., a civil rights icon, urged students to take advantage of the days left before leading the rally of hundreds up the windy streets of Adams and Gaines. “I think it’s a deliberate and systematic attempt to many parts of America to make it difficult for people to vote,” Lewis said. “The vote should be easy. We’re not going to let anyone stop us or keep us from voting.” Lewis, who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said
Britney Buchanan/The Famuan
(From left) Youth activist Lucas Melton, Interim President Larry Robinson, John Lewis, D-Ga., SGA President Marissa West and State Rep. Alan Williams led a march to the Leon County Courthouse on Monday.
these “tactics” will not hinder participants from casting their votes early and that it was important for students to learn and educate one another past the classroom so no one will be left behind.
Louis Jean-Baptiste, chief justice of the Student Government Association, who led students’ chants with a bullhorn, said the congressman’s presence at the university showed that our
vote is needed. “A lot of time FAMU goes under-noticed,” JeanBaptiste said. “But this time a congressman came all the way from D.C. and Al Lawson came to say that our vote counts.
Gaines Street haunted house spooks Alvin McBean/The Famuan Terror of Tallahassee, located on Gaines Street, is one of largest haunted house attractions in North Florida. It is open from 8 p.m. to midnight on Halloween and 10 p.m. every other night until Sunday.
Vega Kondrad Correspondent While there is much speculation about haunted houses, Florida A&M students can find one just around the corner. Haunted houses have no specific date of origin. The folklore surrounding their beginning has spawned a common belief that when people die, their spirit moves on to the next life. Sometimes, souls, usually those that suffered from a violent or tragic death or those with unfinished business, are left behind. These souls are believed to be trapped in their homes, hence the name “haunted house.” Because the souls are not able to rest, they typically
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Thursday 72 46
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try to find peace in any way they can. According to lore, they try anything, including using supernatural forces, to deter anyone from inhabiting their environments. Located on 826 W. Gaines St., the Terror of Tallahassee is a local haunted house that opens every October. The facilities span more than 20,000 feet. Terror of Tallahassee is one of the largest haunted houses in Florida and the largest in North Florida. It admits customers in small groups. The haunted house consists of elaborate illusions, special effects and the cast of more than 40 performers. Jackson Gladwin, Tallahassee Community College student, who plays the “mad scientist,” said, “ The
Presidential Search Committee and BOT Meeting The Presidential Search Committee is meeting from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Other committees will meet right after from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Board of Trustees will meet Thursday, November 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom.
fun part is that everything is original. We try to keep it unique. The haunt is always changing every year. It’s never the same experience.” “We go for the heavy scares and we are interactive, while some haunted houses are just exhibits,” said Creative Director Kurt Kuersteiner. “When we say best, I feel like we are putting the other guy down. There are different types of haunts, and we try to create the best horror experience possible. This building is one giant labyrinth, full of twists and turns, and any of its 200 plus corners can conceal your next fright.” Chris Hulsebosch, 19, a second-year history student See HAUNTED p. 3
“A long time ago, I learned that a voteless people is a hopeless people,” he added. “That means the only hope we have is to vote.” See MARCH p. 3
FAMU students shuttled for early voting Karl Etters
Editor-In-Chief
With election season coming to a close in less than a week, Organize for America has taken residence at Florida A&M to give students no reason not to vote. As part of its border state initiative, volunteers from outside of Florida have been dispatched to assist students in following through on what has been a fierce push to register voters. Jennifer Jenkins, a volunteer from Atlanta, said the organization was “impressed with the enthusiasm” of Monday’s march from FAMU to the courthouse to participate in early voting. Jenkins is working on the FAMU neighborhood team, which is offering shuttle rides from campus to the courthouse between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Shuttles leave from McGuinn Hall, but Jenkins said that students can also sign up at McGuinn for individual appointments that fit their schedules better. Jenkins said almost 100 students had been taken to vote Tuesday. Samantha Bernardin, a secondyear See SHUTTLES p. 3
Water, fire, destruction: NYC after superstorm
Fla. scuttles deal to build
NEW YORK (AP) — The massive storm that pummeled the East killed 10 people in New York City and left the nation’s largest city eerily quiet Tuesday, with no running trains, a darkened business district and neighborhoods under water.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is terminating a $20 million contract to build a website intended to help students, parents and teachers master new academic standards going into place.
education website
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The tradition of trick or treating comes from Europe. Called “souling” children and poor people would sing and say prayers for the dead in return for cakes from rich people.
CALENDAR
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
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Classifieds
Announcements October 31 The Women’s Center will be hosting the next Life Class Meeting for females today at 6:30 p.m. in the Embassy Room. The topic of discussion will be “Y.O.L.O” The Politics of Female Health. Please come out and join us as the Guest Speaker from the Health Department speaks on this informative topic! Tell all of your friends, hope to see you there! November 1 The FAMU College of Law and FAMU School of the Environment will host the Third Annual Environmental Law and Justice Symposium from November 1 through November 3 on the Tallahassee main campus. The symposium theme is Climate Change and Global Food Security. The event brings together current and future leaders from environmental, agricultural, public policy and community development arenas from around the world. For all non-food events associated with the symposium, registration is required and is free of charge for the general public, FAMU students, faculty and staff. Registration with meals is $40. Registration for attendees seeking CLE credits is $90 for general attendees; $75 for FAMU alumni and members of the Environmental and Land Use Law Section (ELULS) of the Florida Bar; $20 for non-FAMU students. For a complete schedule of the third annual symposium activities and to register please visit the website at www. law.famu.edu There is a MANDATORY meeting on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Rattler’s Lounge, formally Rattler’s Den. For
more information visit www.famulyaffair. com (Community Service) or email famupaac@gmail.com November 3 Obama: Impact On America, a oneday symposium hosted by Professor Kenneth Jones and the PRodigy Public Relations Firm, will take place Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Journalism Lecture Hall. The symposium will preview four student-produced minidocumentaries that each explores some aspect of the Obama presidency. These documentaries will provide the focus for discussion among a panel of community thought leaders. At 2 p.m., a second panel comprised of campusbased student leaders will expound on the Obama impact from a Millennial perspective. Both panel discussions will be facilitated/moderated by associates in the PRodigy PR Firm. This event is free and open to the general public. For more information contact Professor Kenneth Jones at Kenneth.jones@famu.edu The Rattler 5K Run and Wellness Expo will take place on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the FAMU Recreation Center. Come out to this event sponsored by the Office of Student Health and the FAMU Recreation Center/Wellness Suite and win prizes, raffle contests, t-shirts, giveaways and more. Registration is required to participate in the Rattler 5K Run (go to www.active.com ) and is free for the first 100 FAMU students to register online using the code word RATTLR5K. FAMU faculty and staff may enter the 5K Rattler Run for $10; other students (FSU,
TCC, local high schools) may enter for $10; local community participants may enter for $20. On-site registration will also be available. For more information call Ms. Kimi Walker at 850-599-3777 or contact her at kimi@yahoo.com Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is offering two book scholarships to any FAMU student athlete and any FAMU student at large. Students Interested are asked to send an email to ymagalie@ gmail.com with your name and a summary explaining how you plan to “ignite FAMU’s current culture.” The deadline is Nov. 5.
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In the Wednesday Oct. 24 issue of The Famuan, the story “Collapse leaves student shaken, bruised,” Lorrin Rucker was named as a current member of the Lady Rattlers volleyball team. She is a former player who stopped playing during the 2011 season.
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There has only been one documented case where a child was given poisoned candy on Halloween. In 1974, Ronald Clark O’Bryan killed his 8-year-old son by lacing his Pixie Stix with cyanide in attempts to get his life support money. O’Bryan was executed in 1984.
NEWS
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
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University Health and Safety Day
Free health screenings open to the students, faculty and public Mirasha brown Correspondent The annual University Health and Safety Day will offer an array of free health screenings for students, faculty and the general public on Nov. 6. The health screenings, which will take place in the Hansel E. Tookes Sr. Recreation Center, include substance abuse screenings, stroke screenings and blood glucose screenings. The health fair will feature more than 30 community partners, including multiple units from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Capital Regional Medical Center Last year’s health and safety day served approximately 1,000 people and offered close to 25 different health screenings. Mildred Brickler, faculty chair for the University Health and Safety Day, has worked the event for the past five years. Brickler said everything people need to know to find out their health status will be available. “There’s no logical reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of this opportunity,” Brickler said. “If you’re a student here and you have no insurance, you can
come and get all of your numbers checked.” Renee Mowatt, a Florida A&M student, was the student chair for the University Health and Safety Day last year and worked alongside Brickler. Mowatt helped put the event together by planning and organizing the schedule. She said it is important for African-Americans to be educated about health. “Black people are often left in the dark when it comes to health,” Mowatt said. “We aren’t educated on the issues, or we can’t afford to go to the doctor. This event brings the doctors to us.” Dieldra Clark, a member of the Simply Marvelous women’s flag football team and aspiring personal trainer, said it is very important for students to know their health status. “Health and fitness is a very important part of your life,” Clark said. “Take care of your body while you’re young. It will help you when you’re old.” University Health and Safety Day will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. For more information, call 850-412-5479.
Karl Etters/The Famuan Cardiopulmonary science student Sherra Rainey gives Serena King a complimentary blood pressure reading during a recent health fair. Similar screenings will be available on Tuesday.
Candy: A dentist’s worst nightmare Erickson Joseph Correspondent
Photo Illustration by Alvin McBean
March Students chose to come together in solidarity regardless of missing a class or test to cast their ballot. Third-year finance student Jervin Bienvenue from West Palm Beach skipped his government accounting test because he said the rally was a great opportunity to show the world what FAMU is all about. “This is a legacy we have here at FAMU,” Bienvenue said. “We’re a very politically active student body. In spite of all the stuff that FAMU has been through, this is the biggest indicator of what we still value.” Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor came in support and said the streets and rally served as an outdoor classroom for new student voters. “Being here at the courthouse to vote is not theory, it’s practice,” Proctor
Haunted from Deerfield Beach, said Terror of Tallahassee was surprisingly affordable. “It was traditional where they had you wait in a room,” Hulsebosch said. “Then, they led you down a hallway and left you to wander.” Hulsebosch also said he was surprised by one active part of the display. “One thing that caught me off guard was the live, hissing cockroaches,” Hulsebosch said. “I tried to touch one, and it ran.” A new exhibit, the Hallucination Hangar, is located within the Sunland
The mounds of candy that come with Halloween may brighten the eyes of kids, both big and fun-sized, but the health affects of candy both on the body and the teeth make those charged with keeping people healthy cringe. In 2010, $1.9 billion worth of candy was sold in the U.S., weighing in a 598 million pounds of tooth eating, sugary confection, according to the National Retail Federation. Some in the dentistry field are offering a way to remove candy from American households following the second largest holiday for sweets behind Easter. Drs. Carey and Jones, a pediatric dentistry and orthodontics office in Tallahassee, is combating the negative health effects that come with Halloween. Each year the office offers a candy buy back giving the community the opportunity to sell back some of the candy accumulated over the holiday. Halloween can definitely contribute to the problem of bad dental health, but it is not the only factor. Elena Chatel, a dentistry employee, said eating habits,
said. “Once we move our young people from theory to practice that’s always instructional.” Ursula Ible, campus team leader for Organizing for America and a fifth year environmental science student from Jacksonville, said sharing this experience with officials was inspiring. “It’s about making sure your voice is heard, what matters to you is brought to the table and your issues are being brought to justice at the end of the day,” said Ible, who is voting for the second time since the 2008 elections. Lewis said early voting is a necessary step that can be done with your hands and your feet as students showed by marching to the courthouse. “You can also learn a great deal outside of a classroom,” Lewis said. “People are being educated to the power of our democracy.”
Exhibit. The Hallucination Hangar is based on an experiment by Dr. Greenblade of Sunland Asylum. Greenblade was a dedicated physician who wanted to cure the children of their illnesses. He started to notice that many of his patients were having the same nightmares. He thought the children were just telling the same story from one person to another, but then he noticed that even the children in separate wards were having the same nightmare. He set out to find a cure. Greenblade created an aerosol that could be inhaled by patients, resulting in manifested
not always sweets causes extra trips to the dentist. “It has to do with the diet, not the holidays,” Chantel said. According to HealthyTeeth.org, plaque stays on the enamel of a tooth and eats sugar. This process creates acid that breaks down tooth enamel. According to Dr. Kim Jernigan, president of the Florida Dental Association, simple habits can deter the build up of plaque and cavities. “Simple acts,” Jernigan said, “such as eating candy and/or other sugary substances with meals, avoiding hard and sticky candies, or simply drinking more water, are all examples of how good oral health can be preserved.” The Food and Drug Administration has partnered up with PopCap Games, maker of the popular “Plants vs. Zombies” game, to launch their “Stop Zombie Mouth” campaign. The FDA has released trading cards that can be distributed as an alternative to candy to trick-or-treaters. The cards contain a code that will allow the recipient to download a free copy of the Plants vs. Zombies game.
Britney Buchanan/The Famuan Students arrive at the Leon County Court House ready to stand in line and cast their ballots. Early voting ends Saturday.
visions that attack. Greenblade experimented on himself, using a dosage that was too high. He had a mental breakdown that left him similar to the patients he was trying to help. During his breakdown, he created a formula that modified the aerosol to temporarily allow anyone to see everything that the other mental patients saw in their dreams, for a small period of time, without any permanent damage. Guests will be allowed to enter Hallucination Hangar at no additional costs. Antoinette Jones, 20, a second-year
elementary education student from Miami, said she enjoyed the chance to skip lines. “I was glad that I didn’t have to stand in long lines like you do at other haunted houses,” Jones said. “The makeup and clothing were so convincing. There was no specific path, so I got lost because I couldn’t see.” Terror of Tallahassee is open from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and until midnight tonight. Admission for adults and teens is $15 and $9 for kids 12 and under. VIP passes, which are $25 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under, are offered to bypass lines.
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NEWS
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
In a study done by My Health News Daily, Jolly Ranchers, Pixie Stix and Candy Corn are some of the healthiest candies to consume. Mr. Goodbar, Snickers and Baby Ruth are the unhealthiest.
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Halloween Horror Nights: success or mess?
Horror themes bring fears to life Vega Kondrad Correspondent
Vega Kondrad/The Famuan A Halloween Horror Nights actor evokes the nuances of a zombie to frighten park vistors. Shuttles pharmacy student from Haiti, said she thought the service would push more students to the polls because voting may not be a priority for students. “The shuttle was convenient due to the fact that students could go right after class,” Bernardin said. “I feel like my vote makes a difference.” Jenkins said the shuttle service can only gain more momentum as Election Day approaches. “I think it’s going to grow
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exponentially,” she said. “This was only a trial run.” Organize for America will be at FAMU until Saturday. The group will organize other locations for pickup, including the cafeteria from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. “Every vote counts,” said Barbara Westcott, another volunteer. “The election is not going to win itself.” Correspondent Raché Henderson contributed to this story.
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Walking through Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, the streets are filled with zombies, ghosts and goblins. There are legions of evil ninjas, death reapers, witches, asylum escapees and zombies based on the TV show “The Walking Dead.” Halloween Horror Nights is an annual Halloween event with locations in both Orlando and Hollywood. Silent Hill, Alice Cooper and Penn and Teller are some of the primary themes this year. While the purpose of Halloween Horror Nights is to turn fears into reality, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy without the fear factor. The “permanent” attractions are still available, such as the Men In Black, The Simpsons and Despicable Me rides. There are also various performances, such as the 20 Penny Circus, a magic show with a dark sense of humor. There is also Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, a show that provides a comical satire of many of the public figures in today’s society, which includes a rap battle between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney. While there is construction going on throughout the park, there is no shortage of entertainment or customers. Markus Woods, 25, a fourth-
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year political science student from West Palm Beach, said he thought Halloween Horror Nights was interesting. “My favorite part was the Dead End Haunted House,” Woods said. “I don’t scare easily, but inside the house, there were people hiding in crazy places, and I didn’t know where they were hiding or when they would pop out.” Woods said he has been in the past, but “compared to previous years, it was not as scary, but it still had a fear factor.” LaIke McNeil, 23, a fourth-year English student from Okeechobee, said she had a great time. “I didn’t know that there were zombies and stuff running through the streets,” McNeil said. “When I turned around, this crazy lady was in front of me with a chain saw – definitely unexpected.” McNeil said her friends dragged her to the event, but she is glad she went. “I am not a big fan of haunted houses,” she said. “If I were to go again, I would definitely invest in the express passes. By the time we finished one thing, like two hours passed.” Rashida Robinson, a third-year public relations student from Freeport, Bahamas, was a first-time attendee. “The best part was watching grown men scream like little girls,” Robinson said. “One man ran and left his girlfriend behind.”
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Impact on America
Saturday November 3 Lecture Hall SJGC bldg. Florida A&M University
10:00 a.m. – Noon
PANEL #1: Community Thought Leaders
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. PANEL #2: FAMU Student Leaders
Funding for this event from NBC Universal
free
The next full moon to appear on Halloween will be on October 31, 2020. The last full moon on Halloween was on 2001.
OPINIONS
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
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Cha-ching: Low-budget costumes Ching Bryant Columnist
As a college student, Halloween is my favorite holiday. The idea of becoming another character with no restrictions or care for anyone’s opinion is the best part. I can be as crazy, sexy or cool as I want to be.
W i t h camouflage being a constant t r e n d throughout the seasons, my jungle fever concept is one that anyone can pull off. If you own any camo and animal print, try matching them with a pair of combat boots and a bandana. Collect a couple of pieces of fall foliage and adhere them to the ensemble. Take red lipstick and paint dots on your face to resemble chicken pox, add a thermometer in your mouth and then you’ve got jungle fever.
Remembering that I am in college, being crazy, sexy or cool can come with a price tag. Halloween costumes range from $20 to $100, and with my budget, “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
Fun and quirky, the iron chef costume is one of my favorites. I decided to wear a black velour onepiece jumpsuit that I bought at a thrift store last year. Make a custom chef’s hat out of construction paper. I would hope you own an iron. If not, I’m sure you can borrow a friend’s. Place a common kitchen utensil in one hand and the iron in the other. Complete your costume with the homemade hat and then you are an “iron chef.”
This year, I decided to do it the “Broke & Famous” way and take what I already had to create my costumes:
Galaxy tights have popped up on celebrities and socialites everywhere. If you also decided to take on the trend, this costume is for you. Instead of buying galaxy tights, I purchased thunderstorm tights. Very similar to the galaxy tights, they look like a photograph of the beautiful sight. All you need to purchase is a white (storm) or black (galaxy) bandeau and a bag of cotton balls. Adhere the cotton balls all over the top to mimic a cloud.
Political Takeout
I had to try the “Error 404: Costume Not Found.” Honestly, all you need for this costume is a white T-shirt and a Sharpie marker. This costume pokes fun at those aggravating popups you receive while surfing the Internet. The costume is also sure to have all of your friends laughing at how simple and cool your costume is compared to theirs. Doll up your costume with exaggerated makeup and cute bottoms. I decided to wear a sequin baseball cap and hot shorts.
Leave childish things to children
Karl Etters Editor-in-Chief
Credit: John Darkow, Columbia Daily
When the masks come off
Asjah Nero Correspondent
Gladys Murray Correspondent
The best time to celebrate Halloween is in college. As a child, Halloween is the best night of the year. It is the only night your parents let you stay up late, experience candy galore and let your imagination run wild while being your favorite hero or princess. And you can not forget after you sort through all of your treasure you have to trade those Dots for your friend’s fun size Snickers. The next day when you wake up tired with a stomach ache you realize why your parents only let you stay up late and eat candy once a year, but that doesn’t stop you from counting down the 31 days of October to get right back out there again. Now all that fun you enjoyed at eight years old is ten times better when once you become 18. Instead of the most candy, you want to have the best costume. Instead of being your favorite hero or princess you want be the hot firefighter or the sexy housekeeper with the French accent. Halloween is still your right to be young, wild and free. What college students are too old for is going around knocking on doors asking for candy, and I hope no one 15 and up is still trick-or-treating. Plus, why trick-or-treat when you can party, or experience the scariest haunted house and so much more? College students should enjoy the endless possibilities of celebrating Halloween because one day they will be limited to trick-ortreating withtheir children and maybe a scary movie if they are lucky.
Halloween allows children to rise to the occasion. They dress up in cute costumes and go door-todoor with playmates and parents. As a minor, I always wondered when my peers would stop trick-ortreating. Elementary school passed, then middle school passed and I was expecting everyone to transition into the Halloween parties instead of still seeking candy from residents in wealthy areas. However, my classmates, who were old enough to have a driver’s license, still went trick-or-treating – costumes and all. Halloween Horror Nights has been the talk of the town, as it generally has been every year with me being from Orlando. Seasonal events such as this are what I find to be more age appropriate for people 16 and up. As a sophomore in college, there are peers of mine whom I have overheard organizing plans to go trick-or-treating this year. After a while, it is time to go to the store and buy your own candy, leaving the free treats to those who are not old enough to have a source of income. Halloween has historically been a day of increased crime, including increased kidnappings and drug and alcohol related violence. It is more befitting for young adults to accompany our youth and help keep innocent children safe.
Just imagine, or remember, toilet paper draped across the swaying, moss-covered branches and the fine, earthy smell of freshly thrown eggs hanging in the air. All you can think about is the aching in your side from the unstoppable laughter, yet you are breaking the law at the expense of someone else’s property. Ah, Halloween. Petty vandalism has been a part of Halloween tradition for many years, but it still happens too often when teenage ghouls and goblins take to the streets. David Northway, a spokesman for the Tallahassee Police Department, said it is hard to pinpoint whether childish pranks are vandalism or criminal mischief. He said that toilet papering and egging a house or car is considered criminal mischief, a misdemeanor that could result in an arrest. If no damage is done, Northway said a slap on the wrist is more common. More serious crimes, such as spray painting or destruction, are classified as vandalism. Is it acceptable? In 1794, Henri Grégoire, bishop of Blois, hatched the word “vandalisme” to describe the destruction of artwork following the French Revolution. Earlier, a Germanic tribe, the Vandals, was known for its brutal and wideranging destruction during the second sack
of Rome in 455 CE and carried the moniker “vandalism,” which has come to mean “the malicious defacing or destruction of public or private property.” In the case of the Vandals, it seems as if they destroyed and killed everything in sight. Their namesake is barbaric. In the modern sense where kids get a cheap laugh out of toilet papering a grumpy neighbor’s prize-winning azalea bushes, the extent the pranks go to can be a barometer of the seriousness. I think it varies from case to case. I could never condone destroying someone’s car as a joke, but I may be able to look the other way on an egg-white bath or sticking a sea of plastic forks across a well-manicured lawn. At the most, I – I mean you – would have had to call your parents to come get you if you happened to get caught. At the college level, adolescent Halloween pranks should give way to more intricate plans, but the possibility to end up in handcuffs also increases. When you start paying for things, such as car and rent, and take on the responsibility of being an adult, the prospect of warrantless destruction becomes less shiny and more of a “why am I doing this” question. The key is childish but harmless put-ons. So, as you head to the grocery store and stare down the threedozen egg cartons and half-priced toilet paper – it is as if the store knew you were coming – with the intent of causing a little trouble, just remember that pranking someone you know is way more fun because you get to see the after effects, and damaging someone else’s property for fun is just rude.
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LIFESTYLES
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Ilani Harris Correspondent They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re all together ooky, the FAMU family. As Florida A&M students prepare for Halloween festivities, outlandish costumes and eerie images become a staple for the night. To help kickoff the holiday, local venues are hosting events tailored for those looking to have a good time. “It’s one of the most exciting times of the year,” said Jonathan Haverson, a sales manager at Party City. “During this time, there is always an influx of students that come in buying supplies and costumes for their parties. It’s always fun watching and helping them carry out their plans.” In recent years, Halloween has evolved from child’s play to an adultthemed affair. Lauren Richardson, a senior business administration student from Detroit, feels that Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress promiscuously and no one can say anything about it. Halloween is no longer a holiday for
The top three grossing horror films in the U.S. are: “What Lies Beneath” 2000: $155M “Gremlins” 1984: $148M “The Blair Witch Project” 1999: $141M
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children to beg for candy. Adults are dressing up and going out, too. According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 72 percent of Americans will celebrate Halloween this year, an increase from 53 percent in 2010. Instead of trick-or-treating, students are looking for things to do around Tallahassee that will put them in the Halloween spirit. Terror of Tallahassee, 826 W. Gaines St., one of the most popular haunted houses in the city, is opening Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. until Nov. 3. The haunted house is said to be North Florida’s largest haunted attraction, according to Kurt Kuersteiner, Terror of Tallahassee’s creative director who organizes the event that is open two weeks out of the year. “It’s an amazing Halloween experience,” Kuersteiner said. “Each year, the haunted house gets bigger and more elaborate. We’re over 20,000 square feet inside and out. The house is very popular to FAMU students. They’re actually one of our best clients.” For students who are not going to
the haunted houses, there has been a variety of clubs that are offering costume competitions with themed parties throughout the week. “I went to Fantasy Island 8 at Club LIT last Saturday,” said Jaya McFarland, a first-year business administration student from Atlanta. “If you wanted to see me in costume, you would’ve had to be there. I had a cool time, and it was definitely a Halloween event to remember. ” With a tagline such as “what happens on the island stays on the island,” students are sure to be enticed to attend. Baja’s Beach Club, 2020 W. Pensacola St., is having its Seventh Annual Halloween Block Party at 10 p.m. Club regulars are expecting a great time filled with surprises and laughs. “I love Baja’s,” said Stacy Davis, a senior criminal justice student from Miami. “My costume is picked out, and me and my girlfriends are ready to have a good time.” Hotel Duval, 415 N. Monroe St., will present “Little Black Dress Night Goes Wicked” at Level 8 Lounge at 9:30 p.m. Attendees, 21 and up, can
enjoy cocktails and champagne until close, and event sponsors will concoct creepy cocktails and magic potions throughout the evening. Entry is $10. For students who are not into the club scene and want to enjoy a more relaxed environment, the Tallahassee Museum held its 18th Annual Halloween Howl for all ages to participate in what the museum called “fun and scary activities.” Sunday, the festival featured a carnival, costume contest, not-sospooky trails for kids, a haunted trail and a haunted maze. “Me and my boyfriend had a wonderful time,” said D’Shae Martin, a sophomore English student from Tampa. “We walked the trails and enjoyed the face paintings. It was simply yet incredibly memorable.” With several costume parties to attend at nightclubs such as PotBelly’s, Club LIT, Bajas and others, students will have many of options for Halloween. For students looking for more information about Halloween events in Tallahassee, visit www. visittallahassee.com
Special to The Famuan Finding an event to satisfy your thrills and chills will not be a problem this year. The city will offer numerous activities to cater to people who are celebrating Halloween.
Spooky traditions hold sentimental values Alexandria Henderson Staff Writer Whether it is Halloween night or a regular evening with hopes of frightening fun, Tallahassee can provide a good scare through a variety of local activities. Traditionally, Halloween goers plan to party the night away dressed in costumes. Charles Ruben, a junior chemistry student from Jacksonville, always gets into the spirit of zombies and costumes during this time of year. Ruben described his costume as the horror of all horrors. “It’s definitely the best costume I’ve put together in all my years of celebrating and dressing up for this day,” Ruben said. “I know it’ll be fun, and I can’t wait to show it off to my friends.” Halloween has evolved into a secular, community-based event that many people enjoy. Donald Jones, a pumpkin patch coordinator at Tallahassee Heights United Methodist Church for more than 15 years, believes the season of Halloween is steeped in tradition. “Students, children and everyone else from age zero to 100 love the fun aspect
of Halloween,” Jones said. “It’s an amazing thing to see some kids who came here when they were kids and now come back as adults.” Sherry Hart, a senior business student from Monticello, said she is taking her friends to the historic Monticello Ghost Tour. According to USA Today, paranormal enthusiasts from Big Ben Ghost Trackers estimate that one out of every three homes and businesses in Monticello has been or is currently haunted by spirits, such as abandoned brides and eccentric doctors. “I don’t think any of my friends have had the chance to experience anything like this,” Hart said. “I’m excited and ready to see the look on all of my friends’ faces once we get inside of the tour. I know once we do it this year, we’ll keep doing it again and again.” Keyshaun Simmons, a second-year business student, usually goes out of town and enjoys her Halloween with friends, but since the holiday is during the school week, she plans to do something different. “My friends and I are going to the haunted house on Gaines Street,” Simmons said. “A few of my friends went last year and came out terrified, so I’m super excited to give it a try.” The haunted house on Gaines Street is known as a “top treat” for Tallahassee natives and local students. While many Halloween traditions are based on other events and themes, students such as Christian Jones, a senior English student from Tallahassee, are creating their own traditions. “Every year, my friends and I go to a different party to celebrate Halloween,” Jones said. “But this year, we’re having our own party. Everyone who enters the party will have to bring a canned food or preserve. With the holiday season now here, it’s my way of giving back early instead of waiting for Thanksgiving.”
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At Spirit Halloween stores nationwide, this will be the fifth presidential election where they are tracking who will win the presidential election based on candidates mask sales. Since 1996, the candidate with the most mask sales won the election. Barack Obama leads Mitt Romney 60 percent to 40 percent.
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Wednesday, October 31, 2012
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White wrestles with success Kierra King Correspondent Little is known about the Florida A&M wrestling team, although the team has top-tier talent. Chemistry professor Thomas White coaches the team. His passion for wrestling comes from being a former student athlete. He loves the idea of giving back to the school he attended and giving Rattlers a chance to become better men and women. “I came to FAMU in 2000 and realized there was not a wrestling program here,” White said. “Studentbased programs like this are needed because not everyone wants to play basketball or football.” Brandon De Jesus, a secondyear biology pre-med student from Jacksonville, said White made it easier for him to adapt to college wrestling. “When I came over from high school, he made the transition easy for me to adjust and catch on to things quickly,” De Jesus said. Intramural wrestling is also available to students who attend Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College. Heavyweight Rickey Carter, a second-year physiology student at TCC, said he enjoys commuting to FAMU to wrestle. “I love wrestling,” Carter said. “It’s a great way to stay in shape.” White encourages his students to help with the wrestling team. Not only is White a teacher and wrestling coach, but his family is deeply rooted in the FAMU community and lifestyle. The university is important to White and
his family. “My grandparents were instrumental in building a Baptist student center in town,” White said. “So I have a long history of people that went to FAMU. My love is here, and my passion is education. That’s one thing that I emphasize with my job here.” White is also involved in Teaching Our Youth Science, a tutoring organization based on FAMU’s campus. This organization was created in an effort to help the inner city youth of Tallahassee excel in the areas of science and mathematics. White gives his students the opportunity to participate with the organization for extra credit, but for some students, it goes beyond that. Tatiana Tilus, a fourth-year biology student from Miami, loves to help improve the lives of others. “I have been a part of this organization for a year,” Tilus said. “And I enjoy traveling to Bond Elementary to help students with their science projects.” As White balances his duties of teacher, coach and mentor, he maintains his focus on his involvement in the community. “I just want all students to succeed and put their education first,” White said. The wrestling team had an open mat night on Sept. 28, which was open to the community. People from FSU and TCC participated in the event. The wrestling team’s first meet was Friday at Marion Military Institute. Kierra King/The Famuan Wrestling coach Thomas White balances teaching chemistry, coaching and mentoring. Students from FAMU, FSU and TCC can join the wrestling team.
Hobbled Rattlers prepare to take on Aggies
Alvin McBean/The Famuan The Rattlers take on North Carolina A&T on Saturday after a week of rest. Several players may not start because of injuries.
Marc Betancourt
Correspondent The Rattlers (3-5, 3-2 MEAC) are coming off a bye week. After sustaining several injuries, rest has helped the football team prepare for it’s conference road game against the North Carolina A&T Aggies.
Sophomore quarterback Damien Fleming injured his non-throwing shoulder against South Carolina State University on Oct. 20, but he participated in his first practice Tuesday. The team practiced in shorts and helmets for three days last week, giving players time to nurse their injuries.
Head football coach Joe Taylor thought the rest was beneficial to the team. “The team needed time to heal physically, mentally and emotionally,” Taylor said. Backup quarterback Tyler Bass, a fifth-year business administration student from Atlanta, took snaps with the first team last week and may
start this weekend. Bass said he prepares for every game as if he is going to start. Senior safety John Ojo is out for the season with a foot injury. Several players have been hobbled by injuries, but most of them will return this weekend. The Rattlers’ defensive
backs are confident in their ability to make plays without Ojo in the lineup as they prepare to face Aggie quarterback Lewis Kindle, who has thrown seven interceptions in the last four games. The Rattlers have emphasized special teams all week. Marvin Ross, a fifthyear sociology student from Jacksonville, elaborated on the importance of special teams. “Football is all about field position,” Ross said. “And special teams can put points on the board.” The remaining games are pivotal for the Rattlers, who hope to play for the MEAC Championship. Bethune-Cookman is the only undefeated team in the MEAC. FAMU and B-CU will meet on Nov. 17 in the Florida Blue Florida Classic to end the regular season. FAMU plays North Carolina Central next week, one of the oneloss teams in the conference. FAMU gave Delaware State its one conference loss. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.
Sports Briefs Clothing drive at basketball game There will be a clothing drive prior to the men’s basketball game on Thursday. The clothes that are donated will be given to victims of Hurricane Sandy.
FSU is ready for new season TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Defending Atlantic Coast Conference champions. It’s got a ring to it that Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton hopes to hear often. Although the Seminoles lost a half dozen veteran players from the school’s first ACC titlists, Hamilton believes this year’s club is potentially better than the one that finished 25-10 last season.
Jacksonville Jags struggle JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars are tired of “missing lay-ups.” Dropping nine passes. Giving up a blocked punt that resulted in a touchdown. Fumbling in the red zone. They are all simple plays — lay-ups, as coach Mike Mularkey calls them — that the Jaguars (1-6) need to make to help them turn things around.
Miami Heat recieve rings
MIAMI (AP) — The last time the Boston Celtics played a game that truly counted, they had to endure a Miami Heat celebration. New season, same deal. Only this time, the party will come before tip-off — not after the final horn.