The Mane Issue - December 2010

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December 2010

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, December 1 8 a.m. Test Preparation for Ornamental and Turf Pest Control State Permit for Professional Services

Sunday, December 12 2 p.m. Jazz Band Christmas Concert, Burrow Center Recital Hall

Thursday, December 2 7 p.m. WSCC Basketball vs. Bryan College JV (Tenn.)

Monday, December 13 Online and Onsite Registration Ends First day books can be charged on Pell Grant and Direct Loan

Saturday, December 4 2:30 p.m. The Nutcracker 7 p.m. The Nutcracker

Tuesday, December 14 Tuition and Fees Due 5:30 p.m. WSCC Women's Basketball vs. Roane State 7:30 p.m. WSCC Men’s Basketball vs. Roane State

Sunday, December 5 2:30 p.m. The Nutcracker Monday, December 6 5:30 p.m. WSCC Women's Basketball vs. AL Southern Tuesday, December 7 6 p.m. Phlebotomy Info Session 7 p.m. Quartetto Gelato 7 p.m. Community Concert 7 p.m. Journey College Bible Study

Thursday, December 16 Miniterm III (Christmas Interim) Fall Grades Due Online Registration Reopens Friday, December 17 - Wednesday, December 22 Miniterm III (Christmas Interim)

Wednesday, December 8 7:30 a.m. GED Testing 6 p.m. WSCC Basketball at Atlanta Sports Academy

Saturday, December 18 Miniterm III (Christmas Interim) 2 p.m. WSCC Women's Basketball at L.B. Wallace 4 p.m. WSCC Basketball at L.B. Wallace CC

Thursday, December 9 - Wednesday, December 15 FINAL EXAMS

Wednesday, December 22 - Friday, December 31 Christmas Holidays/College Closed

Thursday, December 9 7 p.m. Vivaldi’s "Gloria", BLH Theatre Saturday, December 11 5:30p.m. WSCC Women's Basketball vs. Ga. Perimeter

Spring Classes begin January 10.

The Spring Semester schedule of classes is now online.

For additional dates, please visit www.wallacestate.edu.

Artistic Students Needed Little Black Dress themed fundraiser The Wallace State Alumni Association and Future Foundation are hosting a scholarship fundraising event in February and are searching for students with artistic ability to hand paint glasses to be used for the event. Below is a sample of what we are looking for, but you are free to use artistic license with the project as long as it fits within the “Little Black Dress” theme of the function. We supply the glasses and you supply the creativity and paint! The deadline for the finished products is January 10th and the glasses may be picked up at any time. For each 25 glasses painted a student will receive a $100 scholarship to be used in the campus bookstore for the Spring semester.

The Mane Issue Newspaper Staff STAFF MEMBERS Anna Parrish

Jessica Cagle

Zack Gordon

Evan Hicks

Katie Nelms

Alyssa White

Participation The staff of the Mane Issue needs help! If you have any have any interest in creative writing, Photoshop or Quark programs, advertising, or journalism then we need you for the new semester! Staff meetings are currently held at 3:00pm on Wednesdays in the Graphics Lab Room 219 of the Burrow Center. You may volunteer or register for the class. The course is available in both a one credit hour class and a two credit hour class. The course numbers are 07402 MCM Student Publications (1hr) and 07401 MCM 213 Student Publications (2hrs). No experience is necessary, Everyone is welcome. It is sponsored by the Wallace State Communications and Marketing Department and the Wallace State Art Department.

If you are interested, please contact: Kristen Holmes Ph:256-352-8118, Burrow Center Museum, kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu; Russell Moore, Ph: 256-352-8443, Burrow Center, Room 210, russell.moore@wallacestate.edu; or Adrian Scott, Ph: 256-352-8145, adrian.scott@wallacestate.edu, Burrow Center, Room 219.

Mission It is the mission of the Wallace State newspaper to inform the Wallace State student body of campus news and events.

If you are interested in participating, email a sample of your work to LaDonna.Allen@wallacestate.edu or call her at 256-352-8071 to schedule an appointment to discuss the project. This is a wonderful opportunity for your work to be displayed at a major event so please consider participating.

Submissions and Suggestions If you have a story idea or would like to make a submission to the Wallace State newspaper, please send an e-mail to newspaper@wallacestate.edu. All submissions must include the author’s name and contact information.

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Around Town

December 2010

Open Mic Night By: Katie Nelms Fifteen minutes north of Hanceville, in downtown Cullman, is a quaint little coffee shop that offers people a place to show off their talents.

Bob Keefe opened his shop eight years ago because he wanted to recreate a 1960s California coffee house or at least how he remembered it. Being that he was very interested in music, especially folk he started offering local performers a place to showcase their talent.

Over the years Bob has had people of all ages from 13 to 90 years old. Open mic night has since grown and expanded outside of the county from Birmingham to Huntsville to Florence and everywhere in between. The write up in “Southern Living” probably helped spread the word.

There are musicians, poets, storytellers and even comedians. WSCC student Tim Childers recently performed his comedic take on Cullman’s quirks and his former job at Walt Disney World. There is always a variety in music including but not limited to: Christian, bluegrass, covers and folk. More and more singer-songwriters have been taking the stage.

Open mic night is the first and third Monday of every month from 7:00-9:00. The first 12 performers to sign up are guaranteed to perform two or three songs; whoever comes late may sign up but may not be able to perform. To guarantee a spot be there by 6:30 p.m. It is asked that your performance be family-friendly, no off color or profanity.

Pictured left: The Wallace State Jazz Band performing for residents of local nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Pictured right: Jordan Ratliff sings “Everything” by Michael Buble.

Things to do in Hanceville By: Jessica Cagle I have lived in Hanceville for 11 years and not only have I heard many people complain that there is nothing to do in Hanceville, but I have done the same myself until just recently. Even though Hanceville is not a big city, it has a surprisingly vast array of things to do that cater to many interests.

If you’re into music, particularly singing, you may want to try Wanna Be’s Karaoke- it started out on Arkadelphia Road (where Video Express used to be), but has recently moved outside of Hanceville on Highway 91 S, near the interstate. It is open Thursday-Sunday from 6:00 PM until everyone gets tired and ready to go home. Admission is only $3 on Thursday and Sunday, $5 on Friday and Saturday.

Maybe you’re more interested in sports than music; if so, Wallace State’s ten-

nis courts are free to use and even open on the weekend. If you’re feeling really adventurous, try out the free skateboard park at CW Day Hanceville Park and Recreation (which is also home of the Hanceville swimming pool); it has more to offer the serious skateboarder than just a slab of concrete.

Maybe food is your passion. Besides a number of fast food restaurants, Hanceville has enough regular restaurants to satisfy most appetites and budgets: Luna’s BBQ, Lupe’s Mexican Restaurant, the new Crazy Buffet, and Huddle House. One of my favorite places to go is to the Hanceville Drug Company because it features an old timey malt shop with spinning stools at the bar and prices even a college student can afford (you can’t beat 3 scoops for $2); open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For the religious or those just appre-

ciative of great beauty, a visit to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament is a must. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM and Sunday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There is also a gift shop open each day from 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM. If you’re interested in Art, Wallace State is home of the The Evelyn Burrow Museum, which houses a $9.5 million art collection, that was donated by Evelyn Burrow. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. My favorite place to go in Hanceville is SAWE Wrestling on Friday nights from 8:00 PM until 11:00 PM (people enjoy arriving early to hang out before the wrestling starts), located on Highway 31 next to Crosshaven Church. Admission is $5.

I bet that you didn’t know there was actually so much to do in Hanceville-I know I didn’t.

Activities

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December 2010

Freshman/Faculty Luncheon By: Russell Moore Wallace State hosted its final Freshman/Faculty Luncheon of the fall semester at the Student Center on Tuesday and those present were serenaded with Christmas music, performed by the Wallace State Jazz Band.

The Freshman/Faculty Luncheon is part of Wallace State’s First-Year Initiative. It allows Wallace State students and faculty to get to know each other outside of the classroom and grow more comfortable together in a relaxed setting.

The monthly lunches take place in the Wallace State Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Most participants enjoy lunch from Woody’s Grill during the event.

The lunches have been extremely beneficial to Wallace State freshman Brittany Scott.

“I’m new to this school, new to the Cullman area and I wanted to meet new people. This group has been so nice, so

Several Students attending the luncheon

welcoming and such a relief,” said Scott, 27, who recently moved to Cullman County from Atlanta. “It’s comforting when you see these people around campus because they are going to take the time to stop and ask you how your morning is or how you are doing.”

Recent sponsors of the lunch included the Wallace State English Department in October and the Computer Science Department in November.

The first lunch of the spring semester is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011.

The Freshman/Faculty Luncheon was formed by the First Year Gateway Initiative team at Wallace State, which was comprised of faculty and staff members who were dedicated to improve the first-year experience of students at WSCC through academic support and interaction, engagement with students and improving overall satisfaction, retention and grade point averages.

Left: Jonithon Deaver, Trombone; Right: Katelynn Briscoe, Trumpet

Lady Lions coast past Alabama Southern in home opener

Freshmen Faculty Luncheon Dates for Spring 2011: Wednesday, January 5, 2011 to be hosted by the Social Sciences department Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Wednesday, March 2, 2011 Tuesday, April 5, 2011

From left to right: Hannah Knight, Blake Van Winkle, Jake Curtis, and Jonithon Deaver

Need advice? Ask The Mane Issue By: Anna Parrish If you are a student and seeking advice in any way feel free to contact The Mane Issue.

We will be starting an advice column in our January issue. All you have to do is submit your question to us at newspaper@wallacestate.edu using a fake name and look for the advice in the next paper.

We look forward to being able to help you to the best of out ability with any situation you are struggling with.

Fun Wallace State Facts Wallace State’s women’s basketball team made a splash in its home debut. Three women finished with double figures and a stellar defensive effort in the first half propelled the Lady Lions to a 79-64 victory at Tom Drake Coliseum Monday night.

After playing its first eight games in three different states, Wallace State (6-3) finally enjoyed a game on its home court.

“We were glad to play on our court for a change. Our defense in the first half was the difference,” said Wallace State coach Larry Slater. “We’ve got to continue to get better.”

Wallace State’s defense limited Alabama Southern to only 20 percent shooting from the field in the first half and 37 percent in the game.

Tacouya Allen paced Wallace State with her first career double-double, pouring in 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Nisha Walker scored a teamhigh 18 points and Bailee Robinson contributed 14.

Wallace State charged out to a 24-4 advantage in the first half and pushed the lead to 37-19 at the break. Alabama Southern never got within 15 points in the second half.

Zadous Pollard and Natalie Kelley each added seven points to Wallace State’s attack, while Kendra Jones and Brooklyn Warren had six points apiece.

Nakiya Smith led Alabama Southern with a game-high 24 points.

Wallace State resumes home action Saturday, hosting Georgia Perimeter at 2 p.m.

For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.wallacestate.edu

By Jessica Cagle Have you ever wondered if there is more to Wallace State than meets the eye?

I have, so I did some research into its history and found some very interesting things I think people will enjoy knowing.

Wallace State was founded in 1966 and named after Alabama Governor George C. Wallace.

Wallace State started out with only four buildings and those original buildings are now the General Studies building, the Banquet Hall, the Harlan G. Allen Math Building and the Electronics/Drafting Building.

While the Student Center was not one of the earliest buildings, it has been the home of Woody’s Grill since Feb. 6, 1980 when Woody Brooks, now 72 years old, began cooking for the staff and students of Wallace State.

For those of you who cannot imagine the Student Center without Woody’s Grill, you can rest assured that Woody has no

intentions of retiring any time soon.

Researching Wallace State made me curious about alumni who went on to become famous people, so I dug in a little deeper and found some names you might recognize: ABC 33/40’s Jason Simpson, Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook, PGA golfer Brett Wetterich, NASA Rocket Scientist Mary Hovater, Miss Alabama 2004 Shannon Camper Gryska, Atlanta Braves’ pitcher Craig Kimbrel and Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland.

Wallace State Community College is continuously growing and evolving, becoming a better college with each growing year.

With everything offered by Wallace State, including more than 50 majors, the odds are good that some of you reading this article will be included among future famous alumni.

Every student should be proud to say “I attend Wallace State,” when asked where they go to college.

I know I am.

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Student Art

Local Artist Profile: Devon Basinger Influences: Music, Comics Mane Issue: ”How long have you been involved in art?”

Devon: “My entire life [laughs].”

MI: “Where do you draw inspiration?”

DB: “I draw most of my inspiration from games, comics, and music.”

DB: “As of now my favorite is acrylic.

Although I can’t forget all of my old school graphite drawings filling up old spiral bound notebooks.”

MI: “Anything in art that you find particularly difficult?”

DB: “Its all difficult to an extent. I can never truly make something look the way it does in my head.”

MI: “Does music, politics, or culture influence your art at all?”

MI: “A lot of your art is comic based.

How have your favorite comics influenced you?”

DB: “Politics and culture not so much.

Music, on the other hand, can sometimes impact it. If you know the music I listen to and then see my art you instantly understand.”

DB: “Yeah, the guy that has influenced me the most over the years has been Todd McFarlane and his Spawn series.

That has influenced the style and nature of work a lot.”

MI: “What is your major at WSCC and can you describe what you do and what you like about it?”

MI: “Are you currently working on any new projects aside from the ones for school?”

DB: “Visual Communications. And I do art [laughs].”

DB: “Mainly just acrylic paintings and I’m also working on my graphic novel.”

MI: “Do you or have you ever done any freelance work?”

MI: “Do you believe local art can have a positive impact on the community?”

DB: “Yes. There have been occasions where someone wants something drawn or painted for his or her kid, but nothing more than that really. I’m hoping to change that soon so keep an eye out for my stuff.”

DB: “I believe it can, but in this particular area, people aren’t as open minded about it as I would like.”

MI: “What is your favorite medium?”

Interview by: Zack Gordon

December 2010

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Campus News

December 2010

Future Foundation Scholarships By: Zack Gordon FMI-Medical Scholarship Established to provide financial assistance for students accepted into the Machine Tool Technology Degree Program combined with the Computer Numeric Control Certificate Program.

Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrate financial need, GPA of 3.0 or higher, preference given to applicants residing in the Madison, AL area. Awarded the fall semester for $1250 for up to six semesters. Contingent upon academic excellence and attendance. One per academic year.

Here is a list of scholarships availible by the Future Foundation, their eligibility criteria, and how many are available per year.

Angela Joy Tidwell Respiratory Therapy Scholarship Established in memory of Wallace State respiratory therapy graduate, Angela Joy Tidwell Eligibility criteria: demonstrate financial need, second year majoring in respiratory therapy, preference given to Tidwell family member. Awarded during the fall semester for up to $1000 dependent upon available funds. Non renewable, 1 per academic year.

B. Don Hale Endowed Scholarship Established in memory of B. Don Hale, State Senator from Cullman County.

Additional Documentation Required: Letter of recommendation regarding applicant’s leadership qualities or positions of leadership held. Separate essay on citizenship and leadership.

Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrate financial need. Preference given to previous students of West Point High School. GPA 2.5.

Awarded the fall semester for one academic year. Amount covers up to $1250 per semester dependent upon available funds. Renewable Spring semester if a GPA of 2.5 or higher is maintained. Awarded for one academic year.

Bagwell Family Scholarship Established by Tommy and Chantal Bagwell to provide scholarships to students attending community colleges within close proximity of their family business locations.

Eligibility criteria: demonstrate financial need, be enrolled in a technical program, give back to the college through service or monetary contributions during their lifetime. GPA 2.5. Awarded the fall semester for one academic school year. $1250 per semester, contingent upon academic excellence. 4 per academic school year.

Birmingham Fasteners Scholarship Established for the express purpose of providing scholarships to students with preference given to Birmingham Fastener, Inc. employees, their dependents and relatives, and friends of Birmingham Fasteners, Inc. Eligibility criteria: Demonstrate financial need, GPA of 2.5 or higher, preference to Birmingham Fasteners employees. Awarded the fall semester for up to $1250 for four semesters dependent on available funds. Contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA. 2 per academic year.

Bonita Thompson Keith Respiratory Therapy Scholarship Established in memory of Bonita Thompson Keith to provide financial assistance to respiratory therapy students.

Eligibility criteria: Demonstrate financial need, second year student majoring in respiratory therapy, GPA of 3.0 or higher, ACT of 18 or higher. Awarded fall semester for $1000 dollars dependent on available funds. Non renewable, one per academic year.

Cullman-Jefferson Gas Scholarship Established for one academic and one athletic scholarship to be awarded annually.

Additional Documentation required: customer bill stub or copy of statement.

Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrate financial need, must exhibit outstanding academic credentials, leadership/community service, preference given to Cullman-Jefferson Gas customers. Must maintain a 2.5 GPA or greater.

Awarded during fall semester for up to two academic years. Amount covers up to $1250 dollars. Two per academic year.

Deb Buettner Endowed Scholarship Established by Edgar J. Austin in memory of Deb Buettner.

Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrate financial need, female, business major, demonstrate community service involvement. Awarded fall semester for one academic school year for up to $1250. Spring semester contingent upon academic excellence. One per academic year.

Dennis H. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Established to Provide scholarships for degree seeking students enrolled in a technical or business program.

Eligibility Criteria: Resident of Cullman County with a GPA 3.0 or higher.

Awarded during the fall semester. Amount covers up to $1250 per semester dependent on available funds. Contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 or higher. One per academic year.

Future Foundation Dual Enrollment Open to high school students enrolled in dual enrollment courses. Demonstrate financial need, GPA of 2.5 or higher, must be enrolled in an Alabama accredited secondary school. Awarded each semester, covers one class per semester. Contingent upon academic excellence and reapplication each semester.

Future Foundation General Scholarship Open to incoming freshmen currently enrolled at Wallace State Eligibility Criteria: demonstrate financial need, GPA of 2.5 or higher. Awarded each semester for up to $1000. Contingent upon academic excellence. Must reapply each semester.

Future Foundation Specialist Scholarship Open to currently enrolled Wallace State students.

Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrate financial need, open to second year Wallace students, requires a minimum of 8 service hours to the foundation office per week, GPA 2.5. Awarded fall semester for one academic year for up to $1000. Contingent upon academic excellence. One per academic year.

James D. Bagwell Scholarship Established to assist students in transfer programs articulating to a four year college.

Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrate financial need, GPA of 2.5 or higher, second year student. Awarded the fall semester for up to $2000. Contingent upon academic excellence. One per academic year.

Kateah Pinkard Memorial Scholarship Established in memory of Kateah Pinkard to provide financial assistance to Sonography students.

Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrate financial need, GPA of 3.0 or higher, second year student. Awarded the fall semester and the amount varies. Non renewable.

REHAU, Inc. Scholarship Established to provide financial assistance to technical students or those pursuing AS engineering degrees.

Additional Documentation Required: letter of recommendation regarding leadership qualities.

Eligibility Criteria: demonstrate financial need, be enrolled in technical degree or Pre-Engineering AS program, and demonstrate leadership qualities. ACT score of 21 or higher. GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference to children of REHAU employees.

Awarded during the fall semester.

Amount covers $1250 per semester.

Contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 or higher. One per academic year.

Richard Bunis Memorial Scholarship Established by the Family of Richard Bunis to provide financial assistance to students enrolled at Wallace State Community College with preference given to dislocated/displaced workers.

Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrate financial need, GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Awarded the fall semester for up to $1250. Contingent upon academic excellence.

One per academic year.

Richard Coretti Aviation Scholarship Established by Richard Newman and the Caretti family in memory of Richrd Caretti.

Eligibility Criteria: demonstrate financial need, ACT score of 20 or higher, be enrolled in the AAS Flight Technology program, and maintain a third class medical certificate. Awarded in the fall semester for “in air” flight training only for $500 dependent upon available funds. Non renewable. Two per academic year.

WSCC Sonography Club Scholarhip Established and Funded by WSCC Sonography students for summer tuition assistance. Additional Documentation: letter of recommendation Eligibility Criteria: Demonstrate financial need, GPA of 3.75 or higher on all sonography coursework, an “A” on clinical evaluations, demonstrate leadership and/or community service. Awarded the summer semester only for up to $500. Non renewable. Two per summer semester.

To apply for any of these scholarships or for more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu/alumni-giving; contact the Wallace State Future Foundation at 256-3528144, or email suzanne.harbin@wallacestate.edu. The Future Foundation office is one of the offices located on the second floor, outside the WSCC Coliseum.

Holiday Season Special

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The Montgomery Ballet’s Gone are the days when one dressed up to go out to a movie or play. Only the most formal of events still demand a special choice of attire and that’s simply a shame as special garments can truly set the mood for a spectacular occasion. So, it was to my immense delight that I found the Montgomery Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” to be one of the most elegant, lavish events that Wallace State has seen in quite some time. Haynes Theatre was the venue for the production which ran December 4th and 5th and while many students attended, several of Wallace State’s best were even part of the production.

Among the students participating were Jordan Ratliff, former Miss Wallace State and a member of the cast for Wallace State’s musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” Paige Harbison, Miss Wallace State of 2011, Jacob Neal, Katrina Austin, Corey Burks, Daniel Bussey, Zach Buse, and Taylor Carpenter.

While the audience was nicely attired, their raiment could not outshine those of the cast who, in full costume, greeted the audience as they entered. That may not seem too outlandish but considering their wonderful outfits, which were complimented by the hall’s decorations, and the fact that every time someone entered the building a flood of icy air washed over the performers, I was impressed. Young adults were somewhat sparse in the audience as the majority of attendees were older individuals or parents with children, which is not noteworthy at present but will become more important after the review of the performance itself and it was quite the performance.

If there was any one thing that made the Montgomery Ballet’s production standout, it was the cast’s nearly universally superb technique. There were moments where a synchronized movement’s timing was slightly off or where a lift wasn’t finished properly, and even one glaring error where a young ballerina was never en pointe throughout an entire dance but these weaknesses were specks on the spotlight of “The Nutcracker’s” brilliant work. So many dancers excelled that it’s difficult to give each their due- Ian Morris, Joseph and Laura Villalobos, Molly Wagner, and Patrick Wilson all turned out impressive performances. Yet even among so many talented dancers, it was Morris’s aerial acrobatics and jovial effulgence that shined out as the highlight of the evening. Only Carl Backman’s hilarious physical gesturing as the gigantic Mother Ginger was able to equally capture the audience’s attention.

December 2010

The Nutcracker

Up until midway through the first act, it was difficult to tear one’s eyes away from the ladies’ gorgeous dresses, which were handled by Lynn Rohrman, and the intricately executed backdrops and set pieces which were the work of Seay Earehart. Rohrman’s dresses had many of the girls in attendance grabbing onto to their own skirts and pretending to twirl around in a long gown, just as the ballerinas they’d seen had. Because of the generous financial support from the production’s many sponsors and the National Endowment for the Arts, “The Nutcracker” had the budget it needed to make the ballet truly come alive for its audience.

If there were any major weaknesses in “The Nutcracker,” they came from the occasionally spotty special effects used and the handling of the plot in the second act. Rohrman’s ball gowns and the other costumes likely consumed a large portion of the budget but nonetheless, the cannon used in the first act felt weak when it failed to produce any visible evidence of its firing even though the sound effect-only explosion was comedically intended, and the snow machines used in the second act were not only noisy but unnecessary due to the presence of fog machines. Tchaikovsky’s music in the second act of “The Nutcracker” includes several famous scores, including he “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” and this music tends to produce dancing of equivalent merit, which was the case in this production. However, while the ballet’s dancing, effects, and costumes soared to new heights in the second act, the plot, which is naturally weak in the final leg of the play, simply vanished out of sight like the Nutcracker prince did from Clara’s side.

Despite a few minor shortcomings, the Montgomery Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” was great fun, masterfully danced and dressed, and a highlight of the holiday season in Cullman. Anyone looking for a mesmerizing, rousing, and exciting outing should be on the lookout for their next production and keep an eye on the ballet’s young rising stars.

Yet, I cannot fail to add a final note to this review, for while I have finished reviewing the production, I’m afraid the audience needs to be critiqued as well, so as to remind any future patrons of a ballet of proper theatre etiquette.

“The Nutcracker” is a time honored, traditional Christmas season ballet and if it were rated for the box office, it would come away with a G rating and a minor note about cartoon violence. But just be-

cause the Nutcracker is never lewd, crude, or overly violent does not mean that it is appropriate for all ages. Many young ladies and increasingly young men as well, are inspired by the beautiful performances they see at the ballet and that is a wonderful and moving thing. What is considerably less moving and not at all wonderful is bringing those same children to the theater two or three years too early, when they are not interested in the performance, are unable to remain in their seat quietly, and need to go to the bathroom frequently. These are not bad children.

There’s likely no such thing as a bad child, only a bored one or, just as common, one with poor parents.

The fact that no babysitter was available should not be the concern of surrounding audience members. If a child misbehaves, is told to stop, and does not do so… repeatedly, it is the parents’ responsibility to remove the child from the theater even if it means that they themselves cannot see the remainder of the performance. For the insouciant, useless parent of a misbehaving child is the only thing more irksome than the child. Parents must judge for themselves when their child is ready to go to an event like a ballet, for no two children are the same, but if a child is not ready, then that simply means that one’s plans for the night must shift accordingly, not proceed forward regardless of circumstance. Finally, during the performance, the use of cell phones is not appropriate, even as lighting implements, nor is repeated whispering, and if one goes to the bathroom, even if no ushers guard the door or refuse audience members reentry, it is one’s own duty to wait outside the theater or in the corner until the end of the act and here is why. I try to be a patient, understanding person and I adore children, l simply love them, but if I’m trying to review a ballet, I do not want one child standing at the balcony blocking my view, no matter how cute she may be and how captivated she is by the dancers, especially while two other children talk and hit their seats while their parents either smile at their antics or ineffectively tell them to stop, and an entire family leaves the row in front of me during the closing minutes of the first act to go the bathroom en masse, only to return at the exact moment of the grand finale of the act, blocking my view perfectly.

The rule of thumb is simply this, while attending a formal event, act formally or do not attend.

Review ByEvan Thomas Hicks

Taylor Carpenter, Chestin Riley, and Jordan Ratliff strike a pose during the first act.

What Does Christmas Mean To You?

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Katye Thrash Age: 20 Major: Elementary Education “Christmas means spending time with my family, relaxing at home, and hanging out with my great friends. I love giving presents to friends and family and making them happy.

Christmas is the perfect time to show the people I love how much they mean to me. I also love Christmas Eve Mass with my church family. It’s the best mass all year.

Christmas is the best time of the year.”

Jessica Watson Age: 21 Major: Health Information Technologies “To me, Christmas means spending time with family, friends, and people I love the most. I love giving presents to people; but also getting some in return is fun. I also love all of the celebration stuff that we do at church to celebrate the life of an AWESOME God, who in return gave us all life and a reason to live!

Merry Christmas=)

Chelsea Thompson Age: 19 Major: Visual Communications “Um.....CANDY! Oh, and family traditions:]”

December 2010

Andre Young Age: 26 Major: Business Managment & Supervision “Christmas means a lot to me. It’s one of the few times out of the year that the family comes together and celebrate love, peace, and happiness ”

Bradley Shelton Age: 19 Major: Visual Communications “Getting to watch The Christmas Story Marathon on TBS.”

Brandon Harrod Age: 18 Major: Visual Communications “Christmas means life to me.”

A Little About The Mane Issue Staff

Anna Parrish Age: 19 Major: Visual Communications

Alyssa White Age: 18 Major: Elementary Education

Zack Gordon Age: 21 Major: Music

Evan Hicks Age: 20 Major: English

This could be You!

Katie Nelms Age: 20 Major: General Studies

Jessica Cagle Age: 19 Major: Visual Communications