Aggies to face Georgia Bulldogs ■ Texas A&M’s 6-6
season ends with Independence Bowl T.D. Durham The Battalion The Aggies received an invite Sunday to play in the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl against the University of Georgia Bulldogs on Dec. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La. “I am very proud of our squad,” said A&M Head Coach Mike Sherman. “We have a great group of seniors. This is a very unselfish group that took in the younger players and helped in their development which in turn helped us reach a bowl game.” Georgia finished the 2009 regular season 7-5 overall, with wins over Georgia Tech and Auburn. The Bulldogs are 25-16-3 alltime in bowl games and defeated Michigan State 24-12 in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2009. “To be matched with a storied program like the University of Georgia will present a great challenge to our young squad,” said A&M Director of Athletics Bill Byrne. “I am proud of the way these Aggie players and coaches have fought throughout this season. I am certain the Twelfth Man will be in the stands in Shreveport.” A&M, which has played in the Independence Bowl three times in its existence, has not played against the Bulldogs since a 1980 loss to Georgia, 42-0. A&M however, leads the series between the two teams 3-1. Sherman, who is head coaching in his first NCAA bowl game, said that Georgia will be a good challenge for the Aggies. “I know Georgia is a quality SEC team and they will be well-coached,” Sherman said. “I have never participated in the Independence Bowl, but I am certain it will be a great experience for our program.” A total of 17 seniors will be participating in their final game as Aggies, one of which is defensive back Jordan Pugh. “It’s hard to believe these four years are See Bowl on page 6
thebattali n Christmastime ● monday,
december 7, 2009
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
With bright lights, hot cocoa and live entertainment, the City of College Station has begun spreading the holiday cheer with its 26th annual Christmas in the Park.
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2009 student media
is here
Sam Smith — THE BATTALION
Christmas in the Park Holiday Celebrations lights the way for the coming holiday season. Stephen C. Beachy Central Park is lit from 6-11 p.m.
Katy Ralston | The Battalion
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or College Station residents the Christmas season started before the Thanksgiving turkey had time to get cold. The event began Thanksgiving Day and continues through the month of December with the holiday light display open every night from 6-11 p.m. at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park.
Dec. 4-5 and this coming Friday and Saturday the city will present Christmas in the Park Holiday Celebrations where people can take pictures with Santa, enjoy hayrides, cookies, hot cocoa and live entertainment all at no cost. Parks and Recreation special events supervisor Sheila Walker said the event fits everyone’s budget and has plenty to offer all age groups. “We’ve got something for everyone. We’ve got peaceful holiday ambiance, we’ve got lots of energy, activity, and noise and we’ve got lots for free,” Walker said. “You can sit and watch the entertainment on stage and then go get your free cookies and hot cocoa and then go get in line for your free hayride and just make an evening out of it.” The event started in 1984 from a vision of the City’s forestry superintendent to put up a few
decorations in the then-new Central Park, and from there Christmas in the Park has grown to over one million lights encompassing the entire 47-acre park. All of the displays are handmade by the Parks and Recreation staff. The live entertainment includes local dance studio and choir performances, with Aggies contributing as well. The Texas A&M choral groups Apotheosis, Singing Cadets, and the Femmatas are scheduled to perform, along with the dance group, Aggie Wranglers. “It sounds like a fun way to get into the holiday spirit,” said sophomore petroleum engineering major Jaqueline New. Apotheosis member and booking director Colin Bailie, a senior mechanical engineering See Park on page 7
Bright lights, little city Santa’s Wonderland attracts residents and relatives
Stephen Fogg — THE BATTALION
Chara, a Christian dance company, dances as a part of Songfest Friday in Rudder Auditorium.
Singing sensation Songfest raises money through songs and dance Katy Ralston The Battalion Songfest 2009 “Capture the Classics” captured the traditional Aggie spirit of giving Friday and Saturday night, raising money for the Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center and the Make-A-Wish Foundation in a night of singing and dancing. Winner of Songfest 2009 was the pair Philadelphia Sisters and Kappa Upsilon Chi. Their “Channeling through the Classics” act staged a family stuck inside on a rainy day flipping through television shows and featured iconic dance acts such as the dance from “Dirty Dancing,” America’s Best Dance Crew, Richard Simmons and the finale from “Step Up 2.” The winning organizations each received $2,000 for their own philanthropies, Phoebe’s House and Twin City Missions. “We were so excited, we just went crazy,” said Courtney Hall, a Philadelphia Sister part of the winning act. “We worked See Songfest on page 10
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Luz Moreno-Luzano
Courtesy
Santa’s Wonderland has been open since 1998 displaying more than 1 million lights over a mile long.
The Battalion Many are counting down the days until Christmas and are looking for fun ways to celebrate the holiday spirit. Santa’s Wonderland is College Station’s way of celebrating a family fun Christmas. It is a drive through park displaying a western theme of Christmas. “Santa’s Wonderland is a way to preserve and perpetuate the spirit of Christmas,” said Scott Medlin, Class of 1992, owner and
director of operations. “It’s a place where people can come to lift their spirits.” Guests can take a mile long drive through the Christmas lights. Said to be a “Texas Christmas Experience” and portraying a western theme, visitors can also park and take a hayride or a horse carriage through the park. The staff and Santa Claus participate in the western theme by wearing cowboy hats and boots. See Wonderland on page 7
Giving your pet the perfect gift Vicky Flores The Battalion Has your favorite pet been nice? Well think twice before putting gifts under the tree for your furry friend. Alice Blue-McLendon, a veterinarian in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences said there are holiday treats that are suitable for your pet during the holidays. “The toy must be appropriate for the pet,” Blue-McLendon said, “in other words don’t get a really small toy if you have a Labrador.” Inappropriate toys that are too small or can be easily chewed and swallowed can
lead to blockage in the animal’s stomach or intestine. One particular toy BlueMcLendon opposes is the prepackaged stocking for your pet because it does not allow you to pick the individual gifts that are most fiiting for your pet. The best toys to buy are those with a lot of texture and make noise to keep them entertained. More items to consider when holiday shopping for your best friend is equipment such as new beds, crates, leashes and collars. At any given time you should have at least six toys in the house for an indoor pet to keep them See Pets on page 2
Photo illustration by Nicholas Badger — THE BATTALION
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