BLACK f RIDAY:

by Jes Spriggs staff writer

Imagine this. A toy store manager arrives at the Mall of America at 4:30 a.m. to hand out numbers for the hottest toys currently on the market. When the numbers run out that means the toy is sold out. What other day could provoke such a craze among ordinarily well-mannered adults? Besides Christmas Eve, that day woulp be black Friday. Black Friday is traditionally the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year the mayhem will begin on Nov. 3. Black Friday was labeled as such because on that particular day retailers generate enough revenue to put their ledgers "into the black." The day also, of course, kicks off the stressful holiday season. For those who procrastinate in their gift purchasing, this may be the first day of many in their month long credit "maxing" frenzy. The fortunate one's who begin their shopping earlier in the year may be afforded the luxury of relaxing all day eating turkey sandwiches.

The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that retailers earn one quarter of their total sales for the year in the five weeks before Christmas. This year, the National Retail Federation in Washington expects shoppers to spend 183 billion dollars on general merchandise, apparel and furniture.

With the enormous crowds, the greedy customers, and the overall madness, security is tighter and more precautions then ever during the holiday season. Specta Guard LLC is a security company that provides personnel and equipment to 60 shopping centers between New Hampshire and North Carolina. Security makes themselves aware of people who are walking as if they are shopping together but are not really talking to one another. They also look for customers who are walking too close behind others or who are walking too close behind people through the revolving doors, as well as those with shopping bags lined with aluminum foil, which enables them to get safely through lines.

As the rush begins on Nov. 3, so do the sales. Locally you can find many at the nearby King of Prussia Mall, which is the largest shopping center on the East coast. With 8 de- partment stores, 365 shops, and 59 restaurants and eateries, security will be extra tight throughout the entirety of the premises. Macy's will be having many discounts given the fact that this year marks the 75th annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Shoppers can look forward to 25 percent off all Ralph Lauren men's clothes, 25 percent off all Joe Boxer underwear and all men's and women's coats. Gap women's, men's and children's lines are selling sweaters starting at $39.50, and giving a portion of the proceeds from all purchases to the Make-A-Wishfoundation in the spirit of giving.

What is always a season of joy and human awareness, this year there is more of a need then ever to recognize the significance of our fellow man. Sadly, people may fear making the trip to the malls on Black Friday due to the recent attacks of terrorism upon our nation and it is under speculation what results the day may bring. Whether the stores bring in major money as usual or less then expected, it will undoubtedly be interesting.

Jenine J. lkeler

by JUIc.Hindman features

editor

She jumped off a 75-foot cliff in Negri}, Jamaica, is addicted to anything vanilla and has had an internship with the highest rated local newscast in America.

At 5' 1" Jenine J. Ikeler might be short in size, but towers in experience. Ikeler, a senior English/communications major, had a mission last spring and that mission was to find an internship. Not only did she find what she was looking for, but also an experience that she would never forget.

Ikeler landed herself an intern~ ship at Channel 16 'The News Station." Channel 16 is the number one station in Scranton, where she is from. It is an ABC affiliate and is owned by the New York Times. Channel 16 is the 51st largest marlcetout of over 200 markets in the country and it covers 22 counties.

"I was really thrust into this environment," Ikeler said. "I wrote stories for the reporters to read on air, chose sound bites for the producers and interviewed people while choosing an angle for reports. Basically, I did everything from researching to producing."

When a student applies for an internship at WNEP they have the choice of working in news, weather or sports. As a news intern Ikeler worked 40 hours a week at WNEP ""'.ithoutpay. "I met a lot of people. I had the privilege of meeting former governor Tom Ridge, the recently appointed head of Homeland Security and different anchors from the area. I also rode in the Sky Cam helicopter and talked with people from CNN.Dn.tbe.telephooe." -~-~

An intern can expect to rotate their bi-weekly schedules during the week and on the weekends. It was a hard decision for Ikeler whether or not to take the internship because she knew that she would have absolutely no money for the entire summer. When asked how she managed Ikeler said, "I relied on the financial support of my mother ~d had really good friends that paid for all of my cover charges and drinks."

The reporters at WNEP explained to her that this is a profession that you need to love in order to do. It is a very stressful work environment that inhibits a person from starting a family or in some cases, relationships. It also can make it difficult to establish a social life because of the crazy hours and the fact that every two thought that I wanted to have a career in broadcast journalism, however after spending 12 weeks in a hectic news environment I decided that I wanted to go into public relations. After taking a public relations class with Melissa Reich, public relations professor, this semester, I am sure that is what I want to do."

Even though Ikeler realized that she does not want to pursue a career in broadcast journalism she looks at this in a positive light.

"I could have never learned all of that in the classroom. Reading about it in a book, or hearing about it in a lecture is completely different than the actual hands-on experience that you gain," said Ikeler. "I was not paid by the hour, but the education that I have acquired through this experience was priceless."