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VOL. 49, NO. X / XXX, 2011
‘The Night Circus’ Enchants
Making Strides
TNC, from page 11 trons, were attired in black, white and red to fit the theme. Erin Morgenstern mingled with the guests, gave a reading from the book, answered questions and signed books. There were palm readings and tarot fortune telling, jugglers and acrobats, a silent auction of red reveur scarves and the joyous sound of book lovers discussing the brilliance of “The Night Circus.” It was a night that recalled to mind the Midnight Dinners of the financial backer of Les Cirque des Rêves, Chandresh Lefèvre; it was a night of revelry and entertainment; it was a night to remember. All throughout downtown Fairhope, music filled the night air, and people took to the streets in anticipation of the Grand Festival of the Arts to take place on the fol-
lowing morning. The white tents, though not striped with black as those in the book, lent the town a sense of mystery that Les Cirque des Rêves has upon the populations it visits in “The Night Circus.” The twinkling stars looked down and the future of art and music and laughter could be seen clearly in them, shining brightly across the world’s stage for all to see. Like the circus, like Erin Morgenstern and all who believe in the beauty of language and art, the future is something worth dreaming about, if only for the pleasure of the experience. And then with the last lines of the book, “You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream.”
THE EXTRA STUFF BAILEY HAMMOND JagLife Editor
Homecoming Lowdown
October Tunes on Campus On Monday and Tuesday nights, Oct. 11 and 12 respectively, the USA Concert Choir and University Chorale Fall Concert will be held at the Recital Hall of Laidlaw Performing Arts Building. The show will start at 7:30 p.m. both nights and is directed by Dr. Laura Moore. The seasonal music will include selections from Lauridsen, Vaughan Williams, Gesualdo and other composers, including a group of four songs with texts from Shakespeare plays. Other songs will be included as well, so expect the unexpected. Tickets for the performances will only be sold at the door, so be sure to arrive early if you want a seat. General audience members pay $8, USA students, faculty and staff, senior citizens and youth under 18 pay $5.
Monday Wear Red Day, Book Drive in the SGA Office (ASC 1363) 10:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. Tuesday Wear Blue Day, Junk the Jungle (Traffic Circle) 7:00-9:00 p.m. Wednesday Wear White Day Thursday Wear “Your Organiza on’s Colors” Day, Pep Rally (Moulton Bell Tower) 7:00 p.m. Friday ”Show Your Spots” Day, Homecoming Parade (South Drive) 6:00 pm, Magician Adam Trent (Mitchell Center) 8:00 p.m. Saturday Jags vs. UT-Mar n Homecoming Football Game (Ladd-Pebbles Stadium) at 2:30 p.m.
want to keep that going. That’s what this is all about.” Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Making Strides walks around the country brought in over 800,000 people in 2010, according to the Making Strides website (main.acsevents.org). Visit the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of South Alabama walk’s Facebook page for more information on how you can help.
The Biology Student Association and the Biology Graduate Student Organization are holding bake sales in the Humanities Courtyard on Tuesday, Oct. 25 and Wednesday, Oct. 26 to raise awareness as well.
Ultimate Balancing Act MOM, from page 12 I’m always tired,” Johnson said. Other than the emotional struggle, parents have to worry about childcare. Until a child is school-aged, finding a daycare can be very challenging. Many of the good childcare providers charge extremely high rates. According to a poll on parentsincollege. com, 47.8 percent of those surveyed said childcare costs were hardest to manage. The next closest expense was tuition, which only 13.4 percent struggle with. The other 38.8 percent was made up of textbook costs, healthcare and legal issues. For parents in need of assistance in paying for childcare while attending school, www.in.gov offers information about the Childcare Development Fund. Finding good childcare is also difficult. Universities across the U.S. are realizing that more and more entering students have children and are beginning to offer on-campus childcare facilities. According to the Department of Education’s website, over 900 universities are now offering these facilities, including several schools in Alabama, such as Bish-
op State Community College, University of Alabama and Troy State University. The University of South Alabama does not currently have a childcare program. Information on childcare availability in any city can be found at www.childcarefinder.org, a website that provides a list of accredited childcare providers across the U.S. No one can give you the right answer about going back to school. You must make up your own mind, and it’s not easy. Every time your child looks at you and says, “Everyone else’s moms came to the class Christmas party,” and begins to cry when he asks why you weren’t there, your heart will break and you’ll want to give up the college dream. But hang in there because the biggest reward will come for both you and your child when you walk across the stage and receive your diploma. Your child will be proud of the struggle you went through because it was a struggle for them as well. It will be well worth the sacrifice when your child wants to go to college “just like mommy did.”
Hey.
Hey, you.
Yeah, you.
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