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(08/29/12 4:00pm)
Freshmen from the record-breaking class of 2016 filled Heritage Hall and the University Center arena on Monday, Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. for Bear Fair, an important and exciting part of Bear Beginnings. Freshmen were able to meet people from various on-campus organizations and sign up to be involved in clubs that highlight their interests.
Local businesses such as William Alexander Salon and Rumor Boutique also had booths set up.
Some of the student organizations present included Common Ground, Mercer University College Republicans, Baptist Collegiate Ministry and Animercer, among other Greek, religious and student-lead organizations.
Freshmen received free shirts, cups, food etc. from many of the 135 booths, who hoped to find new recruits for their respective organizations.
Mercer Theatre attracted students with cookies, and the Mac-Town Breakers took turns showcasing their break dancing skills, bringing many onlookers and passersby to their table.
The Dulcimer handed out copies of their magazine, and Michelle Meredith said Bear Fair had been very successful for Mercer’s literary magazine. The Dulcimer had many new sign-ups and even ran out of flyers to hand out.
Meredith said she was excited for the upcoming year and the many new changes The Dulcimer will experience. They are planning more events, and are beginning an online blog and will utilize social media to showcase more of Mercer’s creative talent.
Freshman Molly Curley described Bear Fair as overwhelming, but enjoyed the experience. Curley said the many people she met were friendly and fun, especially those at her favorite table: the Society of Collegiate Journalists.
Payton Usher, a recruit for Mercer’s new football program, had not been at Bear Fair long, but like Curley, said the event was overwhelming. Usher expressed interest in intramural sports.
Bear Bikes had a booth set up, and student Chase Williams represented the organization. Williams said he was excited about the interest in the relatively new program, which began last year. There were several names on the sigh-up list, but Williams said he had received even more emails from students expressing interest.
Bear Bikes has 38 bikes available for students, all of which have been rented for this semester. An exciting first for the program, said Williams.
After Bear Fair, all students were invited to Porter Patch for “Ice Cream with the Underwoods.”
(08/15/12 4:01pm)
Mercer students are known for their extracurricular involvement. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing can leave students feeling over-committed and stressed out. Time management is an important asset to master in college, so homework can get done while still leaving time for organizations/clubs and socializing.
Remember these tips when college life seems overwhelming.
The first and most important thing to remember is that even though you may want to join five different organizations or clubs, it probably isn’t a good idea. Remember why you are in college: to get an education, not to be president of every club on campus.
Pick a couple organizations to invest time in. Not only will it reduce stress, but you will also be able to get more deeply involved in those few clubs rather than being semi-involved in 7.
As far as academics go, procrastinating is your worst enemy. It is important to stay on top of assignments. Class syllabi are a great way to do this.
Read over the syllabus for each class. If your professor has provided you with a schedule outlining what assignments are expected in class, look at it carefully. Refer to this schedule often, noting which assignments are due immediately and which assignments are due later.
Writing assignments down in a planner or on a calendar will help you visualize when each one is due. It is also an easy way to stay organized and keep track of assignments.
Your syllabus schedule will also help show how quickly you will be learning material. In a class where you struggle, it may be a good idea to look over the next section of lessons before that class. Familiarizing yourself with the content makes it easier to absorb, and gives you more time to focus on homework rather than relearning what was taught in class.
When it’s time to study, creating your own schedule will help you stay on task. Decide which assignments are most important, and tackle those first.
Study your material for a set time, then move onto the next thing. Avoid cramming sessions and all-nighters. These typically do more harm than good.
Remember to take a break and reward yourself. If you have studied and worked hard all afternoon, go out with friends that night, read a book or just watch TV.
However, studying for ten minutes and then spending 30 minutes on Facebook does not count as a break. It will just leave you more distracted and unmotivated.
Find a study space free of distractions and use it. If your roommate always has friends over, your room may not be the best place to study. The library is a perfect, quiet place to study. Many students use the old co-op in the student center as a spot for group study sessions. And if it isn’t too hot, studying outside can make homework seem a little more fun.
Figure out what works for you and stick to it. If you need music to study, create a playlist to keep you motivated. If working in a group leads to distractions, try and study on your own.
Above all, remember that you still need sleep. Getting rest every night is important for staying healthy and on task. It will also keep you from falling asleep while doing an assignment!
(08/15/12 4:01pm)
Freshman hear many rumors--true and untrue--about college life. One of the more infamous rumors is about the dreaded “Freshman 15”: gaining weight during the first year of college. While 15 pounds may be an arbitrary number, many freshman find themselves a few pounds heavier by the end of their spring semester. Fortunately, there are some decisions freshman can make that can easily prevent weight gain, and Mercer offers great workout programs for students of all ages to take advantage of.
With newfound freedoms and independence, many freshman find themselves drinking a lot during their first year. A study at Ohio State University found that the main cause of weight gain during college is heavy alcohol consumption. For example, 12 ounces of beer has an average of over 100 calories--even light beer. A shot of vodka also can have over 100 calories.
It may be fun to party hard now, but it won’t seem so fun a few pounds later. If you are serious about staying in shape during college, heavy drinking shouldn’t be part of your routine.
Many students believe the main cause of weight gain is the cafeteria food. The cafeteria (Caf) offers buffet-style dining every day, with carbonated beverages and soft serve ice cream readily available. Making a conscious decision every day to eat healthily will help keep extra weight at bay.
It is common sense, but it bears repeating: Try to avoid unhealthy food in the Caf.
However, the Caf is much less of a danger compared to Chik-fil-A’s greasy and calorie-filled fried chicken. Chik-fil-A milkshakes from the University Center every week probably contribute more to weight gain than Caf food. Sweets and desserts aren’t bad every once in a while, but buying peach milkshakes every week is a bit excessive (even if they are delicious).
Another culprit of the freshman 15 is what some college students call “fourthmeal.” That is, late-night trips to Waffle House, Steak n’ Shake or other 24-hour eateries. You may love a good waffle at midnight, but eating late, right before sleeping, contributes to weight gain.
If you are staying up late to study, try drinking water if you feel hungry. When our bodies are hungry, it sometimes means we aren’t drinking enough water. Or, keep healthy snacks on hand to curb your hunger.
Being healthy in college isn’t just about what you do or don’t eat. Regular exercise helps burn calories and fat. Mercer’s University Center (UC) has a weight room available to all students who are dedicated to staying fit.
If you have trouble keeping a regular schedule, Mercer has a variety of group workouts available. There are cardio classes, body sculpting classes, kick boxing classes, Zumba classes and more. To see the fitness schedule, visit the UC’s website.
Mercer also has many opportunities to play intramural sports such as volleyball, flag football, soccer and softball. Getting involved in an intramural team is another way to stay fit and avoid the freshman 15. Information about intramurals can be found on Mercer’s website.
Student organizations that involve athletics, such as Mercer Cycling, Mercer Swim Cluwb and Mercer Wrestling, among others, offer more ways to burn calories. Sports aren’t the only way to stay in shape, though. The Ballroom Dancing Club is a great way to have fun while working out. Check out Mercer’s student affairs website for a list of student organizations.
Make a schedule, and stick to it. If you are consistent with your exercise and eating habits, you will never have to worry about the freshman 15.
(08/15/12 4:00pm)
Dorm life is defined by small spaces. Rooms are small, and must be shared with someone else. Freshmen aren’t used to sharing a space, and learning how not to spread out and take over an entire room is hard. Organization is an essential habit for the college student.
Not knowing what to look for can make organization difficult. Keeping a few things in mind while shopping and decorating will make the process much easier.
Containers are your best friend. It is a good idea to keep most things in boxes or drawers. Bins that lock together are great for storage. They can be stored under the bed, in a closet or in an unused corner. Bins can be used to store text books, toiletries, extra cleaning supplies etc. Other good tools are drawer storage carts. They typically have clear drawers and roll on wheels. These are good for clothes that won’t fit in the dresser, and stack well in a closet.
Find multiple purposes for one object. If there is room for a book case, put it by the bed to serve as a bed-side table. Use the book case for text books or leisure books, and put a lamp and an alarm clock on the top. A book case is a great place for storage bins that store school supplies. When looking for decorations or storage, try to think of more than one way to use an item.
Make the most of the space you have. In a small space, think of vertical rather than horizontal organization. Bunking beds is always a good idea. Or try lofting beds for storage underneath. Girls with many shoes would do well to buy a hanging shoe organizer. Some fit over doors and others hang in the closet. Push it to the back to make room for clothes as well. Over-the-door hooks are great for coats and jackets that are too bulky for the closet.
Use the desk. A desk can be used for more than studying. Buy small drawers and stack them on your desk. They will hold pencils, pens, highlighters etc. A lamp that doubles as a pencil and pen holder is a good multipurpose tool.
You don’t need everything. Ladies, especially, don’t need five pairs of heels. Are you really going to walk across campus in your painful pumps? During summer and spring, leave heavy winter coats and boots at home. During winter and fall, leave shorts and tank tops at home. Think practically about what will fit and what won’t. Your huge stereo system may be cool, but it won’t fit in your dorm room.
The bathroom is storage space, too. If you have your own bathroom, take advantage of the extra storage space! Buy a shelving unit to fit over or next to the toilet to make room for cleaning supplies and shower items. Shelves with suction cups will stick in the shower and hold shampoo, soap etc. If you have a community bathroom, buy a small carrier or basket to hold everything you need for your shower. Put it in one place, and simply carry the whole basket down the hall when you shower.
You can prepare for dorm living all you want, but the best way to learn the ins and outs of living in a small space is just to jump right in. Figure out what works and doesn’t work for the space you occupy, and modify organization techniques to fit your lifestyle.
(04/25/12 7:04pm)
Under the direction of Head Cheerleading Coach, Nicky Bruno, Mercer Cheer took fourth in the 32nd NCA and NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona, Fla. during Apr 11-15.
This National Competition is the largest College Cheer and Dance Championship in the world. According to the competition’s press release, “Over 5,000 student athletes, and thousands of spectators, come together each year for the spectacular competition of technical skills, showmanship, game day abilities, and outstanding teamwork!”
In order to qualify for nationals, Mercer Cheer hosted a three-day NCA Cheer Camp. At the end of the third day, Mercer Cheer was evaluated during two closed performances by representatives of the NCA coaching staff. One performance consisted of game-day material, and the second involved an abbreviated competition routine that included stunts, tumbling, and a high energy dance routine. The NCA coaches used scoring standards from the NCA competition to determine whether or not Mercer Cheer met the qualifications for nationals.
Upon finding out that Mercer Cheer received a bid to nationals, Bruno commented, “We were very excited to receive a bid to the 2012 NCA College Nationals again this year. Competing at this prestigious event, last year, was an honor and we are all eager to take the stage for a second time.”
Preparation for the competition started in October with the development of their routine. Jessica Carrier, a Junior member of Mercer Cheer said, “we practiced every week for about six days out of the week, sometimes even twice a day. These practices were usually about two and a half to four hours long.” Nicky Bruno, in a recent interview stated, “Our cheerleaders are every bit as dedicated to being the best representatives for Mercer athletics as is any sports team. They have high expectations for themselves and are proud to wear the Orange and Black, whether cheering at a game or in competitions like the NCA event.”
Once in Daytona for the competition, Carrier recalls the atmosphere as being “‘fierce,’ everyone is on point and sizing up the competition everywhere the go. As soon as you step off that bus, people are looking and talking about if you are a team to beat or not.”
Mercer Cheer competed with 10 other schools in their division. Carrier says, “we could have gotten 3rd, possibly even 2nd if we had done the routine to our full potential.”
After coming off such a great season, Mercer Cheer is aiming for an even better season. When asked what she thought next year would look like, Carrier said, “I’m going back for the rings! I have been [to the NCA event] twice now and received 4th place. I’m ready to work even harder to get that 1st place trophy!”
Under Head Coach Nicky Bruno, a successful season is sure to be had. The Cheerleaders as a whole look up to their coach - a former Louisville Cheerleader. According to Carrier, “to a cheerleader, that basically means she is a cheer god and we are so lucky to have her as our coach.” Carrier added, “[Bruno] is always pushing us to achieve what our goals are, not hers. She would do anything in her power to make sure this group of 20 people make it to where they want to go.”
(04/11/12 7:48pm)
Every Wednesday beginning in April and lasting through September, the Mulberry Street Farmer’s market is open from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in downtown Macon. April 4 marked the grand re-opening of the market, and it was also the market’s first anniversary.
Several tents were set up in Mulberry Street Park between First and Second Streets, where the local farmers sold their goods, and live music played as people shopped for fresh produce.
Chris Kiker manned the check-out tent. The Mulberry Street Farmer’s Market began as a partnership between the city of Macon, Community Health Works and Macon Roots, Kiker explained. Last September, Community Health Works (CHW) took over.
CHW partners with Wholesome Wave Georgia, an organization that works to increase access to locally grown food in Georgia. CHW runs the credit/debit Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) machine, and Wholesome Wave doubles EBT dollars using private funds so those with food stamps can afford fresh, local food.
“A year later we’re [CHW] running the market fiscally and also we manage the market. ... It’s been really successful. We’re here to promote local, small to medium-size farmers and what they’re doing and to promote health and wellness and fresh food for everybody,” said Kiker.
During the summer, Kiker said the market has around 20 vendors, 10 of which are farmers. The market also features dairy and meat producers. Kiker said, “Really anything, your main staples that you would need from a grocery store you can buy at the market.”
There was a need for a farmer’s market from the local farmers’ point of view, said Kiker, as a lot of the farmers are too small to sell products to grocery stores. Farmer’s markets benefit the economy by keeping money local, “and it’s great for the city as well,” said Kiker. “It creates a sense of community.”
The farmer’s market also brings attention to downtown, and is beneficial not only at a consumer level but also at the city and government levels. Last year, the market was so successful that it lasted through the winter. Kiker said the market averages about 300 customers weekly with roughly three to four thousand dollars in sales.
Naomi Davis with Davis Farms came to the market from Roberta, Ga. Davis sold lettuces, herbs and plants at the farmer’s market. This is the second year Davis Farms has participated in the Mulberry Street Market, and it is currently the only farmer’s market they participate in.
“This is my theory for 2012: If you want to be on a diet, forget about Atkins, forget about low carbs. Come to the market and eat seasonal food. You’ll feel better and you will lose weight,” said Davis.
Produce was not the only item available at the market. Alyssa Romero was selling baked goods, jellies and jams along with greens, herbs and flowers. Romero’s farm is in Milledgeville, Ga. and she participates in a market in Milledgeville along with the Mulberry Street Market. Romero said. “I think it’s a really good program, and I like what they do with the food stamps a lot, too.”
Leland Walker with Roasted Cafe and Lounge was also at the market selling iced coffee and iced hibiscus tea. Walker said they usually sell whole-bean coffee and loose-leaf tea, as well.
Roasted roasts their organic coffee beans themselves. “We do what they call fair trade with our beans. They pick it, and then they send to us, and then we roast it at a location 30 minutes north,” said Walker.
Roasted participated in the winter portion of the Mulberry Street Market, and is now moving forward with the summer portion along with the other vendors.
(04/11/12 7:14pm)
Hundreds of Maconites attended Second Sunday Brunch, which was moved to the first Sunday due to Easter, in Washington Park on Sunday, April 1. After a concert by Jubee and the Morning After the crowd turned their attention to the fourth annual Magnolia Street Soapbox Derby.
A record number of 23 teams participated in the race. Some of the teams included Middle Georgia Derby Demons, a local roller derby team; Team Georgia Kayak; Mercer Law; and American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a team comprised of Mercer engineering majors.
Before the practice round at 3:00 p.m., Street Percussion Entertainment marched and danced down Magnolia Street, which was lined with hay bales marking the race lane.
Around 60 volunteers helped make the derby possible, and a local Boy Scout troop set up all the hay bales.
Some of the derby cars featured an ambulance with fully functioning lights and sirens, a car with trailing parachutes, a radioactive banana and a Winnebago. Team Wiggle’s Winnebago won best in show, along with a cash prize of $100 and a $100 gift certificate.
First place was awarded to Team Bearfoot, who earned a time of 11.0 seconds. Georgia Kayak came in second with a time of 11.20 seconds, and barely beat Ace Bloodhound Home Inspection who came in third with 11.22 seconds.
AG Graffix’s derby car was pink, and took about one week to build. The team put in around 55 to 60 hours of building, said team member Al Gray. AG Graffix did “a lot of metal work, a lot of sheet metal work. ... We got a wooden floor, we got wheelchair wheels, custom paint. ... Small stereo system put in by Mobile Audio Video Solutions. Pretty much it,” said Gray.
The Middle Georgia Derby Demons built their car out of an old wine rack and steel beams, said driver Esther Lee-Altman. The roller derby team spent around 20 to 30 hours total building the roller-skate-themed car. Lee-Altman said, “I’m really proud of these girls because we all were able to pull together and get it built, get it tested, get it decorated.”
The Derby Demons started about one year ago, and the soapbox derby was a great way for them to get noticed and attract sponsors, fans, and recruits. “It shows that we’re obviously a bunch of kick-ass girls who can build stuff like this, and also on the rink we can skate,” said Lee-Altman.
The Derby Demons skate at Bibb Skate Arena, and they always welcome new skaters.
Mercer students Rob Machen, Joshua Abarra and Adam Blair submitted a Mercer-themed derby car as part of their senior design project for engineering. The team designed and built the car over a period of about two months.
“We actually stress tested metals, we did some practice runs, did computer modeling, lots of stuff,” Machen said. The students wrote over 100 pages of reports for the project, which will be looked over and graded by several professors. Machen added, “We have to have drawings, design works, proof of concept, test runs, things like that.”
The students were given a budget to work with, but the American Society of Mechanical Engineers also helped with the budget. Their car clocked in at 11.60 seconds, and while they did not win, Machen, Abarra and Blair all enjoyed the experience.
(03/28/12 8:06pm)
While most students enjoyed a relaxing spring break at home or at the beach, a group of eight students opted to stay on campus during break in order to perform service projects around Macon.
This “Alternative Spring Break” was Garret McDowell’s senior service project, and for four days his group worked mostly with Habitat for Humanity in order to reach out to the community.
The idea came to McDowell after he went to a service-learning conference called Gulf-South Summit.
While at the conference, he met students from Clemson University, where there is an alternative spring break program.
Rather than leaving for break, these students stayed on campus doing community service.
“I kind of got the idea it would be great for Macon,” said McDowell, saying that it would be a great way to get students involved in the Macon community.
One of the projects the students worked on was at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Holt Avenue, which sells donated home improvement supplies at low prices.
The ReStore is currently converting an old plumbing supply room into a conference room where banquets and events can take place, and where volunteer groups can gather.
“We scraped up tile, we tore down insulation and ceiling tiles, we took out all the dry wall and the insulation out of that, and then we swept it all up and left that place pretty clean,” said junior Brittani Howell, who decided to join the group a couple weeks before spring break.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the students worked at a house on Roy Avenue. They painted and completed mostly cosmetic work to prepare the house for a new family.
The group of eight students also made and delivered care packages for the Rainbow Center, an HIV/AIDS relief program.
Each night, the students met for dinner and a debriefing, where they discussed the day’s projects.
The students talked about what worked and what did not work, so as to make future alternative spring breaks even more successful.
In the future, McDowell hopes to do community service projects Monday through Friday of spring break, and leave the weekends open for free time. McDowell also plans to establish a committee within Local Engagement Against Poverty (LEAP) which will oversee the Alternative Spring Break Program.
About the projects, McDowell said, “We definitely did a few new projects which will help kind of open LEAP’s doors even more.”
Use of the trolley system is also an aspiration for future alternative spring breaks, and McDowell wants more of Macon to be involved.
If alternative spring break occurs every year, it will expand what LEAP does for the community.
“Since we’re making it longer...we’ll have a day that is not meant for service. It will be more like a fun day,” added McDowell.
The goal of a service-oriented spring break is to get students involved in service projects, and to get students involved in Macon itself.
McDowell hopes that an alternative spring break program will lessen the disconnect between Mercerians and Macon.
McDowell was very pleased at how successful the inaugural year was. There were no major problems, and what problems there were will be easily corrected in years to come.
“I hope it does become a tradition,” said Howell, who thinks a program such as alternative spring break is a good way for students to get involved and meet students from other universities who come to Macon for service projects.
“It was just a fun opportunity,” Howell said.
(03/28/12 8:00pm)
Over 100,000 books were on sale during the weekend of March 15 at the Macon Centreplex as part of the Friends of the Library Old Book Sale. People from all over the country came to the 44th annual sale, whose proceeds go to support Macon and Bibb County libraries. Admission and parking was free.
According to their website, Friends of the Library began with 12 members in 1966. Since then, they have been able to donate over one million dollars to the Macon-Bibb County libraries.
The first Old Book Sale raised $1,600 and took place in 1968 at the Westgate Mall, said Friends of the Library President Andy Newton. This year, however, the Friends were able to raise over $90,000.
In recent years past, the sale took place at Central City Park. The move to the Centreplex was due to the condemnation of one of the park’s buildings.
Newton said Friends of the Library currently have about 400 members, 40 of whom work diligently all year in order to organize the sale. “During the Sale, we utilize almost 200 volunteers,” said Newton.
Mary McDonell, a Friends of the Library board member, said the Friends do not keep track of how many people attend the sale. “Many of our patrons will be here three and four times,” said McDonell, explaining that this makes keeping track of numbers difficult.
Individuals donated books by dropping them off at Washington Memorial Library and other Bibb County library branches. The Friends collected books all year in anticipation of the Sale.
Friends volunteer Lydia Sutherland said her mother donated around 500 books from her personal library.
There were books of almost every genre at the sale. Some of the 75 categories included old and quaint, children’s books, religion, text books, art, foreign language, romance and literature.
Mercer student John Maddox attended the sale on March 16. “I got a bartender’s book, I got an introduction to American poetry, introduction to great books and a book about John Lennon,” Maddox said.
Maddox said the sale had a lot to offer, with a diverse selection that was well organized.
On Wednesday before the sale began, the Friends held a Preview Party where members could purchase books before the crowds came. Book buyers also came to the preview, said McDonell, but everyone was limited as to the number of books they could buy.
Most of the books cost between 50 cents and $10. Biochemistry major Bentley Hudgins bought a handbook on physics and chemistry.
“It was priceless. It was six bucks. That thing is worth 100 something bucks,” said Hudgins.
The best part about the sale, according to Hudgins, was the selection of old antique books not easily found at a normal bookstore.
Books were not the only thing on sale at the Centreplex. There was also a large selection of CDs and movies.
Proceeds from past Old Book Sales have gone toward new books, furniture, large print books, books on tape and the preservation of old and rare documents, according to the Friends of the Library website. Proceeds over the last five years have also helped provide puppet theaters, puppets, books and more for local libraries’ children’s sections.
Friends of the Library also donate money and books directly to local libraries, and is involved in developing programs designed to promote reading.
(03/14/12 8:24pm)
Mercer University’s chapter of Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) works to promote student media on campus by bringing together students from all different media outlets such as The Cluster, Mercer99, The Dulcimer and Mercer Radio. SCJ meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in CTA room 103.
The goal of SCJ is to make the student body more aware of media on campus, and to make different media organizations aware of each other.
Anyone interested in journalism can be a member of Mercer’s SCJ chapter. Membership in the national chapter transfers to the Society for Professional Journalists upon graduation.
SCJ is a national organization comprised of multiple chapters, and Mercer’s chapter began in 2007.
Liz Bibb, SCJ president and Mercer senior, was inducted during her sophomore year. She was the treasurer her junior year.
Once SCJ has this year’s induction ceremony, the organization will have approximately 20 members.
“We had a lot of seniors graduate last year,” said Bibb, and there are many seniors graduating this year.
Bibb said that traditionally, SCJ has been run by The Cluster, a fact SCJ has been working to change. As of right now, all four members of SCJ’s executive board are Cluster editors.
“I’m president, Kaleigh Manson is vice president, Ashley Mann is our secretary, and Brittany Dant is our treasurer,” said Bibb.
Bibb is editor-in-chief of The Cluster, Manson is news editor, Mann is copy editor and Dant is opinions editor.
SCJ has reached out mostly to Mercer99 since Bibb has been at Mercer.
The biggest project SCJ attempted was to acquire a collaborative journalism center for student media. The building would house all the student media outlets under one roof.
While the plans fell through, Bibb admired the way all four organizations worked together to achieve one goal.
Last year, SCJ went to Central High School and talked to students about news writing. They helped a journalism class put their school paper together and gave them layout and story writing tips.
The big project this year is the Biennial National Convention to be held right here on Mercer’s campus March 8th through 10th. Students from SCJ chapters at many other universities around the country will be attending.
Speakers such as Jami Gaudet, who deals with media relations for Macon Police, some faculty members, and someone from the Washington Media Institute will speak on a broad range of media topics.
There will also be tours of the Telegraph, the Allman Brothers Museum and a showing of the movie “All the President’s Men” on Porter Patch.
“We’re really lucky because the national president of Society for Collegiate Journalists is coming to talk to us,” said Bibb.
“The Cluster has been around a lot longer than Mercer99 and Mercer Radio, so I think it’s just more established. The administration is more aware of it. But Mercer99 especially is coming into its own,” said Bibb, and she hopes that after she graduates SCJ can become a more inclusive organization.
(03/14/12 8:06pm)
Four Mercer students recently traveled to the U.N. headquarters in New York and the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 21 through 24 as part of a cultural diplomacy conference through the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy.
The Academy for Cultural Diplomacy is part of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD), an organization which supports and raises awareness for “international and interregional human interaction,” according to their website. The Academy is the academic department through which the ICD raises awareness.
Jennifer Lada, Emily Stephens, Laurel McCormack, and Phillip York attended the International Conference on Cultural Diplomacy and the U.N.
Lada, a senior international affairs major at Mercer, said that the theme of the conference was “Cultural Diplomacy & Soft Power in an Interdependent World: The Opportunities for Global Governance.” It was the first conference on this topic out of a series of three.
According to the Academy’s website, the goal of the conference was “to reflect on the role of the United Nations within the international system, on global governance as a whole in terms of key international issues and on how Cultural Diplomacy takes place.”
The students attended many lectures and panels on a broad variety of topics.
The four students also attended social events designed to familiarize participants with each other and with the lecturers.
Some of the lecturers included the Bulgarian ambassador for the United States, the U.N. representative of Japan, the U.N representative of Bosnia Herzegovina, and the director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
“We attended so many lectures that it would be difficult to summarize what I have learned,” said Lada. Some topics of discussion were the future of international law, cultural diplomacy as a tool for peace, and the future of the United Nations.
The International Affairs department helped fund the trip, as the conference pertained to the students’ fields of study. Lada said that the students from Mercer were probably the youngest participants.
Most of the attendees were professionals, and there were some students at the conference. Many people worked with governments, non-profit organizations and professors.
Participants came from all over the world. “Afghanistan, Pakistan, England, Canada, Greece, Germany, Netherlands are some of the countries I remember,” Lada said. “Most people flew to the U.S. just for the conference.”
(02/22/12 9:23pm)
The “Macon Miracle,” a new 174 step plan proposed by school board superintendant, Romain Dallemand, will change the face of public schools in Bibb County. Dallemand introduced the plan to the community and boards members on Feb. 3 and has since grown into a highly debated issue amongst local residents. A few steps in the Macon Miracle include teaching Mandarin Chinese to all students K-12, instituting year-round school with longer school days and changing middle school to include fourth through seventh grades.This comes as an answer to some staggering numbers in student performance. According to the Bibb County Board of Education’s website, during the 2010-2011 school year, approximately 500 students were expelled, 703 dropped out of school and the ninth grade cohort graduation rate was less than 50 percent.The Macon Miracle is supposed to address these problems. Many parents are concerned about the plan, while others support it. Dr. Eric Spears, Director of International Education at Mercer, who spoke with the Cluster as a concerned parent and Bibb County resident, said that the main issue in the beginning was communication.“I think I need more information as a parent. I need more clarity,” said Spears.One such communication problem was the belief that teachers would be laid off. In a blog post, however, Bibb County Superintendent Romain Dallemand said that layoffs were not part of the Macon Miracle.“Because there are staffing needs each year when schools are closed we would be able to adjust staffing levels through attrition – a gradual process made possible as staff retire or leave the District for one reason or another,” said the blog. This process of attrition will simply not fill vacant spots teachers leave behind as they retire, or leave Bibb County Schools.“It’s a huge plan, and there are parts of it that I think are good, and there are parts that I don’t know that I have a grounded opinion (on) yet,” said Spears, who has two elementary school children at the magnet school Alexander II.As a parent of a daughter in third grade, Spears said he can’t imagine her being ready to go into middle school next year. That part of the plan concerns him most.“I’ve learned this week that Alex II as a school will not change,” said Spears, explaining that more successful schools may not face the radical change awaiting other schools.“That having been said, I’m still a Bibb County resident. I want to see the community rise together,” Spears said.Spears is also in favor of the teaching of Mandarin in schools, so long as it is not at the expense of other important languages such as Spanish. He also approves of longer school days and a modified calendar, but there is still a need for more information.“What’s happening now is that communication is occurring,” said Spears, mentioning Dallemand’s blog and a meeting the principal at Alexander II held for parents.An event on Friday, Feb. 10 at the Macon Coliseum was designed more as an inspirational speech, said Spears, who went to the event hoping to learn more information about the Macon Miracle.“I feel more informed than when I first read (about the Macon Miracle),” Spears said. The meeting with the principal of Alexander II, his own research and even the event on Feb. 10 combined to help him feel more informed. “There’s a social justice issue here,” said Spears, “I want every kid to have a great education.”The numbers from the 2010-2011 school year were disturbing to Spears, and reform is needed, he said. “We have so much potential here. I think collectively a plan will fall into place that works well.”
(02/22/12 9:21pm)
In November, Bibb County voted on a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) which would contribute money towards improving many Macon departments. One of the more recent discussions of money distribution was centered on the local animal shelter. Three million dollars is expected to go toward the building of a new animal shelter. The current shelter is located right next to the city dump. On Feb. 9 Macon City Hall held a discussion session to allow residents to present ideas on the spending for the shelter. Over the course of the meeting, 50 ideas were brought forward. The Telegraph’s reported on the proposed suggestions which included rooftop solar panels, equipment for taking pictures and videos of abused animals for court cases, adequate plumbing, getting more volunteers involved, etc.Making the animal shelter a no-kill shelter seemed to be a top priority along. Many added that the shelter needed to be able to take in a high-volume of animals while minimizing costs to spay or neuter animals which can deter potential adopters due to added costs. Neither a timeline or location for the new animal shelter was discussed, but in July, the city of Macon will hand over all duties and responsibility of the shelter to Bibb County. SPLOST money will also be used for the Tubman African American Museum, the Macon Centreplex, public safety equipment, rebuilding Fort Hawkins and revitalizing Second Street, reported the Macon Telegraph.The radio system used by Macon and Bibb County emergency workers will also be updated with the SPLOST money.Money will also be given to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in an effort to keep it in Macon.The Parks and Recreation department has asked for money to go toward air conditioner repairs at several city facilities, according to the Macon Telegraph. The air conditioner units were damaged by copper thieves.The council approved spending $55,000 dollars in back pay to Public Works stated Director Richard Powell, who was fired by the mayor and then reinstated. The Telegraph reported that the money is for the “nearly nine-month span he was off.”
(02/08/12 11:02pm)
The Mercer Opera performed Mozart’s Idomeneo beginning Thursday, Feb. 2, and lasting until Saturday Feb. 4 at Neva Langly Fickling Hall in the McCorkle Music Building.Dr. Richard Kosowski directed Idomeneo, which was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s first major operatic success.Dr. Richard Young conducted the live quartet from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and Dr. Carol Goff played piano.A slightly modern take on Idomeneo blended ancient Greek culture and religion with 1930s style and politics.The set was simple and innovative. A projector depicted much of the scenery.Auditions for Idomeneo were held this past August and the cast had been rehearsing since early September. The cast members were required to memorize their lines and music and prepare themselves for the show.Kosowski said it was important for the cast to “learn what their particular role was in telling the story.”Presented in three acts, Idomeneo resembles the story of Jephtha from the Bible’s book of Judges.After Idomeneo conquered the city of Troy, he got caught in a storm as punishment from the god Neptune. In order to survive, Idomeneo promised to sacrifice the first person he sees after returning home.Unfortunately, the first person he saw was his son. For the rest of the opera, Idomeneo tried to find a way around this sacrifice while still maintaining his place as King of Crete.There was also a bit of romance, as Ilia, princess of Troy, fell in love with Idamante, Idomeneo’s son. The princess of Argos, Electra, however, had her sights on the throne and she tried to force Idamante to fall in love with her.Christopher Rosborough played the main character, Idomeneo. Ilia and Idamante were double casted and Electra was portrayed by Tiara Walker.Other roles included Arbace, played by Phillip Davis, and the god Neptune, voiced by Ryan Kirkonnell.Many students made up the chorus and citizens of Crete.Kosowski said that the story was originally a French Baroque opera presented in five acts. The 25 year-old Mozart and his librettist reduced the opera to three acts and changed the ending.“The music writing is very experimental for the time ... You don’t find its equal until the mid-19th century,” Kosowski said.There are no speaking lines in operas, so the cast had to practice for many hours. It takes years of vocal training to prepare the voice for such a performance.“A good bit of what you hear is thanks to God, because they’ve been blessed with beautiful voices,” said Kosowski.Participation in the opera was open to all students, and even members of the community.Idomeneo was Mercer Opera’s second of three productions. In October, Mercer Opera performed the children’s opera A Muskrat Lullaby. In April they will be co-producing A Little Night Music with the Mercer Players.Kosowski was most excited about “how the students have grown through the process.” They took a difficult piece of music and brought it to life for the audience, he added.
(02/08/12 9:48pm)
Sex trafficking is one of the greatest issues facing Macon. The city’s location at the junction of major interstates, and the large number of massage parlors per capita makes it a regional hub for the sex trafficking business.
It is for this reason that Quadworks sponsored “Sex Trafficking in Middle Georgia,” a lecture with David Cooke, Senior Assistant District Attorney for the Houston Judicial Circuit. On Wednesday evening Jan. 25, Cooke spoke to students about the issue of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).
Cooke defined CSEC as “sexual abuse of a child for money or really anything else of value.”
Victims of CSEC are usually runaways, and the average age is 12 to 14. In the U.S. there are approximately 1.6 million runaways per year, and one out of every three of these runaways will be recruited by a pimp within 48 hours.
The average life expectancy for victims of CSEC is seven years. Homicide is the main cause of death.
In Georgia alone, 300 to 500 girls are exploited per year, and 47 percent of men in Georgia are willing to pay for sex with a child after being warned three times that they are underage.
Cooke said that the majority of the 47 percent comes from the Atlanta suburbs. “Alpharetta-Roswell area is the worst,” said Cooke.
According to Cooke, Pimps are turning increasingly to the internet in order to advertise their prostitutes.
The official website for the Sex Trafficking Opposition Project (S.T.O.P.), www.stopsexslavery.org states that Macon is home to over 20 massage parlors and spas, “most of which offer a ‘second menu’ of services ranging from masturbation for hire to sexual intercourse.”
S.T.O.P. began right here at Mercer in one of Dr. Andrew Silver’s First-Year Seminar classes. Students in Dr. Silver’s class teamed up with students from the Women and Gender Studies Department and Baptist Collegiate Ministry and worked with “media, political leaders, congregations, community groups and schools” in order to raise awareness on campus and in the community.
Dr. Mary Alice Morgan and Dr. Silver are the faculty members who helped found S.T.O.P.
In their Take Back the Skies campaign, Morgan said they noticed that there were around 21 massage parlor billboards on I-75. S.T.O.P. lobbied to remove the billboards, and eventually some companies did comply.
Morgan explained that there are several “red flags” which can indicate that an area is probably a sex trafficking hub: proximity to airports, proximity to military bases, intersection of interstates and high rates of commercial sex business.
All of these “red flags” apply to Macon.
Atlanta is an international hub for sex trafficking due in large part to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “Particularly for children,” said Cooke.
Atlanta is also the home of the “Players Ball,” an annual pimp convention.
Many times, victims of sex trafficking are women from other countries who were promised jobs in America.
Chase Williams, who helped coordinate “Sex Trafficking in Middle Georgia,” hopes to do more awareness-raising activities next semester.
To learn more, visit www.stopsexslavery.org or visit the Middle Georgia Allegiance to End Regional Trafficking at www.mgalert.org.
(01/25/12 11:41pm)
On Thursday, Jan. 26, the Mercer Singers attended the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA).
Directed by Dr. Stanley L. Roberts, the choir is made up of 40 auditioned Mercer students, and they have approximately 30 performances per year.
The Mercer Singers have made four recordings.
Dr. Roberts has been a choral director for about 30 years, beginning when he started directing church choirs as a Mercer student at age 20.
Roberts has directed the Mercer Singers specifically for 15 years, and they have attended and sang at GMEA several times, beginning in 1999.
GMEA is made up of around 4,000 music educators, according to their website, and they can range anywhere between elementary school to high school, general music to band and piano.
However, on March 1, Mercer singers will be singing at ACDA, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), for the very first time.
“ACDA is very elite in that there are so many choirs,” said Roberts, explaining that ACDA, unlike GMEA, is made up only of choral conductors, usually for high school and college.
“We will be one of six university choirs out of 10 states that have been invited to sing for this,” reported Roberts.
The two conventions are showcases, and the Mercer Singers, among other choirs, have a concert time in which they perform a 25 minute program.
To go to both GMEA and ACDA, the Mercer Singers had to submit an audition to be invited.
ACDA, being more prestigious, requires that three years of recordings be sent in order to receive an invitation.
“You have to prove a level of musical excellence and stability that is very consistent,” Roberts added.
For GMEA, it is only required that you send a recording of the current year. Roberts sent audition tapes in May of last year.
“The ACDA is a very high honor,” said Roberts, who has submitted for Mercer Singers several times and has never been selected before now.
“It’s an acknowledgement by other college directors that this group is really one of the tops in the southeast.”
The Mercer Singers have participated in many other prestigious avenues before. They perform annually with the Macon Symphony Orchestra, where Dr. Roberts is a guest conductor.
The Mercer Singers have also had six international tours since 2000, singing in around 12 countries.
The Mercer Singers have sung at many famous cathedrals including St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, and St. Paul’s in London. They have also recorded three CDs.
On March 23, the Mercer Singers will perform a noon-day concert called “The Blue and the Grey - Music of the Civil War Soldier” in conjunction with Jack Tarver Library’s celebration of the 150th anniversary of the commencement of the Civil War.
Next fall will be “A Grand Mercer Christmas” which is a recording that will be a PBS special where the Mercer Singers will collaborate with the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings.
“We have a couple of concerts during the year that we always love to have folks to come and be a part of,” said Roberts.
For more information on the Mercer Singers and a calendar of concerts, visit http://www2.mercer.edu/Music/mercersingers.htm.
(01/25/12 9:35pm)
Merriam-Webster defines a mentor as “a trusted counselor or guide,” and during the month of January, which is National Mentoring Month, special attention was given to the act of counseling and guiding children through mentoring.
Nationalmentoringmonth.org is the official website for National Mentoring Month, which just experienced its 11th anniversary. NMM was created in 2002 by Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR-The National Mentoring Partnership.
The purpose of National Mentoring Month is to “focus on the need for mentors,” according to NMM’s website. Goals for achieving this include recruiting new mentors, and encouraging organizations to engage the public, thereby promoting the growth of mentoring and mentoring awareness.
NMM has gained the support of President Obama, members of Congress and celebrities such as Maya Angelou, Clint Eastwood, Usher and many more.
There are many ways to get involved in mentoring here in Macon. Downtown Macon is home to the non-profit organization the Mentors Project. The Executive Director of the Mentors Project, June O’Neal, said, “The Mentors Project’s goal is to reduce the Drop Out Rate and improve the Graduation rate, as we prepare students for post secondary education.”
A popular program among Mercerians such as Laurel Duvall and her roommate, Audrey Overton, is Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Duvall met Shenelle, the young girl she mentors, through her FYS-X tutoring program, and at Bear Fair, Laurel saw a Big Brothers Big Sisters table, where students could get more information about mentoring.
“Since the tutoring is only your freshman year, I wouldn’t have seen Shenelle anymore, so this was like a way to see her,” explained Duvall. However, she became more interested in the program when Overton heard about it.
Overton’s “little sister’s” name is Haley, and she was originally the “little sister” of Overton’s FYS-X Peer Advisor, Maggie McCampbell. But when McCampbell went to graduate school, she wanted someone to continue working with Haley. “I decided to take over, and that’s how I met Haley,” said Overton.
In the first year of mentoring, mentors are required to spend a certain number of hours per month with their “little” in order to get to know them. “As you start to get to know the other person, it becomes a lot easier to just sit down and actually talk to them,” said Duvall.
Shenelle is very talkative, according to Duvall, and she is beginning to open up more, so they do not always have to do things now. Shenelle and Duvall are able to just sit and have conversations as if they were actually sisters.
“Laurel and I are both the community based [mentoring] which just means we’re not in the classroom with them. We don’t do as much school work,” Overton explained. They can just hang out and be together.
The community based mentoring does demand more hours, cautioned Overton, and Duvall emphasized that mentoring can be hard and demanding. “There are ups and downs, I think,” confessed Duvall, explaining that Shenelle has her good days and bad days. But overall, both Duvall and Overton agreed that it is rewarding, and they each love their “little sister.”
“The hardest part is seeing the circumstances that these girls are in,” said Overton. These children can have social struggles and family struggles, and they can live in poor locations.
“It’s wonderful that you can take these girls out of the life they do live in, even if it is for just a few hours every week. You do see them change,” Duvall said. Recommending that despite the time commitment, others should mentor.
It doesn’t take much to make a little child happy, but it is important to have the heart for it, Overton remarked.
If you would like to get involved with mentoring, you can visit georgiamentoring.org to find programs available in the Macon area. According to Duvall and Overton, it is a great opportunity for college students, and Big Brothers Big Sisters especially makes the process easy by coming to campus to conduct interviews, etc.
Many other Mercerians mentor, and just because it is no longer National Mentoring Month, doesn’t mean you can’t get involved!
(12/07/11 10:56pm)
On Nov. 30, a very unique play performed by the Mercer Players opened at the Back Door Theatre.
“Ye Gods,” ran though Dec. 3. and Mercer student, Kyle Shook not only wrote, but also directed the play, which was a series of seven small vignettes, or mini plays. Opening night was a sell out show, and the cast and crew impressed the audience.
“I couldn’t have been more pleased,” said Shook, saying that the feeling of producing an original play was “really excellent.”
“Ye Gods” was a culmination of Shook’s three years at Mercer so far, and the idea for the script came from a combination of his interests and education, such as philosophy, religion and gender studies. It was a fun and creative process, Shook said, and he asked for advice all along the way.
“I couldn’t have done it without the cast,” he said, and everyone offered ideas on how to make the show the best it could be. Shook was very pleased about opening night, saying that everything in his control was accounted for. The only nerves present were those that always accompany performing. But the cast did great, and the audience was good, added Shook.
“Ye Gods” covered everything from Greek and Roman mythology, to nuns, Adam and Eve, and Zombies.
At auditions, Shook said that it was hard to choose a cast because there was just so much talent. Some people fit into roles very quickly, while others were harder to place. Overall, the cast was extremely well suited, and everyone did a great job, said Shook.
“Ye Gods” featured corpses, the lottery, gun shots, Cupid being attacked with mace and gods at mortal restaurants.
Some of the actors included Daniel Larson as Zeus, John Farrington and Alicia Landrum as Adam and Eve and Suzanne Stroup as Lucifer.
The play itself was started towards the beginning of Shook’s first semester as a sophomore and was finished spring of last year, during Shook’s junior year.
However, he began thinking of the idea his freshman year and the entire process took about two years from beginning to end.
“There were always difficulties,” said Shook, “I’m not a director, I’ve only ever directed one other play. But everything came together very well. I love to write plays,” said Shook.
According to Shook, the stage is a wonderful medium through with to convey public expression and social change, adding that he would love to write plays in the future.
If you missed all of the amazing talent in “Ye Gods,” be sure to attend “The Colored Museum” at the Back Door Theatre next semester, Feb. 16-26.
Also next semester, the Mercer Players will be performing “A Little Night Music,” by Stephen Sondheim and Hough Wheeler, at the Grand Opera House April 13-15.
(12/07/11 10:52pm)
The faculty and staff here at Mercer have the opportunity to participate in “Healthy U,” an exercise and wellness program that was developed a couple of years ago. The faculty is encouraged to participate in activities in order to earn points, which they can turn into days off of work or dollars off of their insurance. The activities include exercise, stress management, check-ups at the doctor, and nutrition choices. Once a month, they have stress breaks, where the faculty and staff can get together and learn ways to manage stress, said Rachel May, who is in charge of the stress breaks. On Nov. 7, there was a yoga class at which faculty could receive seven points, and on Nov. 17 there was a meditation class worth seven points as well.
During the meditation exercise, there were two recordings, each ten minutes long, and the faculty was encouraged to think positive thoughts and be free of thought, resting and releasing stress. Afterward, they had a discussion as to effective ways of meditating individually or as a group. They talked about things such as getting motivated to release stress and relax, the benefits of relaxing and taking breaks, and the ease of meditating alone. This activity drew around 15 to 20 people, but Lunch and Learns, where the faculty can get a free lunch while listening to a speaker, usually draw more of a crowd, said May. About 40 to 50 faculty members usually attend, May added. At the Lunch and Learns people such as doctors and psychologists come and discuss stress management or give presentations about the importance of being healthy.
The Stress Break that occurred on Nov. 17 helped the staff and faculty learn and discuss the negative impacts of stress, and how relaxation is a more effective way of dealing with high stress levels. The group gathered in the Bear Rock Cafe, and the quiet, dim room provided a good atmosphere for relaxing. The small group also helped. Though the meditation recordings were played on a laptop, the group discussed how simple breathing exercises could be done throughout the day to relieve stress. While the Stress Break itself lasted about 45 minutes, May and the faculty stressed that relaxation exercises don’t have to last very long.
With finals and school work in general, it is important for students to manage stress as well. Breathing exercises are a great way to relax and relieve stress. The Counseling and Psychological Services is a great stress relieving resource. They are located right behind MEP, but if you can’t visit them, they also have online resources to help with stress management.
Visit studentaffairs.mercer.edu/counseling and click on “Online Resources” towards the bottom of the page. There, one can find a link to a website with many relaxation recordings. They cover topics such as breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation and more. Each recording is about 10 minutes long, so it won’t take up much time. It is important during stressful times to take a break and relax, not only for your mental health, but also for your physical health.
(11/17/11 12:47am)
The Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences has many fun, cool exhibits for children and adults alike. They feature art exhibits, a planetarium, a nature trail and right now, there is a beautiful Christmas tree exhibit. However, the section of the museum that draws more people than anything else is the mini-zoo and live animal show. The mini-zoo is a permanent exhibit that includes over 70 different animals: reptiles, birds, mammals and bugs of all kinds. At 3 p.m. on weekdays, and 1 p.m. on Sundays, zoo curator Sharron Wilhelm brings out all different kinds of animals for children and their families to see and pet. It’s like a tradition, explained Wilhelm, grandparents who brought their children now bring their grandchildren to the mini-zoo.
Their most popular animal is Georgia, the Moluccan Cockatoo. Georgia has beautiful light pink feathers, and she is quite the diva, said Wilhelm. “It’s always ‘hi Georgia,’ ‘bye Georgia.’ It’s always about her.” Georgia, who is as smart as a three-year-old child, is six years old herself, though Cockatoos are known to live 75 to 85 years. She was sold from the local pet smart, Wilhelm said, and changed owners three different times before she was donated to the museum. Wilhelm and her assistants often take Georgia on outreach events to schools, festivals and nursing homes in order to educate people on animal care. “It’s always important to research the animal before you buy it,” Wilhelm stressed to the children and parents who came to the demonstration. Often, it is harder to care for them than it seems.
This was the case with Daisy, the beautiful, yellow Albino Burmese Python that the mini-zoo features. She was a pet until she became too big to care for and was donated to the museum. Though she is about 11 feet long and 65 pounds right now, pythons are known to grow up to 20 feet long and weigh 200 pounds.
Other animals at the museum include Mater (full name To Mater Sandwich) the opossum, cringe-worthy hissing cockroaches and cute Tamarin Monkeys (my personal favorite). Of course, there are many other animals on display, but these are ones that I got to meet and which stood out to me. All of the animals get fresh food and water daily, and cages that often get dirty (such as the birds) get cleaned daily. Other habitats are cleaned as needed. The animal show is currently recreating their Adopt an Animal program. When it is up and running again, people will be able to sponsor animals, and all of the proceeds go toward feed and upkeep for the animals. Not only individuals can participate, it is a great program for schools and classrooms as well, said Wilhelm.
Right now, the museum is in the process of building a new digital planetarium, which will open in February of 2012. And next summer, a dinosaur exhibit will be featured. The Museum of Arts and Sciences is located at 4182 Forsyth Road, and admissions is just $8 for adults. Go and stop by, it isn’t just for kids!