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DATELINE:
Issue 6 DOWNTOWN
Volume 55
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Paris Attacks QEP?
Out for Education Holiday Healthfair
Bullet Train Dallas Ordinance
Caesar Review UH Debate Cancelled
Winter Celebrations Legend of Krampus
Nutcracker Ballet Magical Winter Lights
Train Writing Pet-a-Pet
Art Crawl Peanuts
Journalism Mizzou Battle
Marijuana Laws Got MLKMN?
cover image courtesy of aniscarwallpaper.com
2 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Darci McFerran
MANAGING EDITOR
Joshua Burgman
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Kara Moore
Terrance Turner
STAFF REPORTERS
Jason J. Rivas
Elisa Gonzalez
Miguel Nunez
Karen Reyes
Christina Movaghar
Christopher Joseph
Casey Black
www.datelinedowntown.com
COPY EDITOR
Lydia Jackson
ADVISOR
Dr. Anthony Chiaviello
datelinedowntownhtx@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/DatelineDowntown
713.221.8569
SUBMISSION POLICY
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the editor from any member of the UH system.
Submissions should be no more than 300 words,
include the author’s full name, phone number
or email address, and affi liation with the
University, including classifi cation and major. www.twitter.com/datelinedowntown
Anonymous submissions will not be published.
Deliver submissions to room S-260, email them
to datelinedowntownhtx@gmail.com or fax
them to (713) 221 8569. Letters to the editor
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become property of
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Dateline Downtown is the official student-
produced newspaper of University of Houston-
Downtown. Editorials, cartoons, columns and
letters are the opinions of individual students
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of
other individual student writers, editors, advisors
of the University of Houston-Downtown, its
administration or students.
3
Editor’s
Desk
An Attack on Paris, An Attack on Freedom
by Darci McFerran
“One’s life has value so long as one attributes
value to the life of others, by means of love,
friendship, indignation and compassion.” So goes
a quote from the writings of Simone de Beauvoir,
French philosopher, political activist, and social
theorist. Those words were most likely written in
Paris, many years before ISIS targeted the “City
of Lights,” and written by a woman who had seen
her beloved home endure the relentless assault of
evil in much the same way by the Nazi occupation.
On Friday, November 13th, 2015, many Parisians
were enjoying their evening with friends or family
People rally for Freedom in the Paris streets~image courtesy of abcnews.go.com as the weekend began, just celebrating freedom:
not worried about potential dangers lurking in the
shadows, at their heels, waiting to change their lives forever. Around 9:20pm, a series of terrorist
attacks struck near the Stade de France in Saint-Denise, followed by mass shootings at five locations,
including the Bataclan Theatre.
In total, 160 lives were lost, and 395 others were injured—staggering statistics that reminded
many Americans of the terrorist attacks that struck our own country not long ago, on September
11th, 2001. The Paris attacks were not the only recent atrocities committed by ISIS—just the most
high profile. Daesh, as ISIS is also known, has attacked Lebanon, Beirut, Russia, Bangladesh and, of
course, Syria. ISIS is the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria; they are a Wahhabi/Salafi jihadist militant
group. They pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda in 2004 following the American invasion of Iraq and aimed
to claim control over Muslims worldwide. In fact, they have executed ground attacks against the
government and rebel forces in Syria, exploiting the turmoil caused by the Syrian Civil War. The power
vacuum created by US troop withdrawal from the region coupled with efficient use of social media for
recruitment has allowed the group to grow stronger over time.
Prior to the attacks in Paris, many countries worldwide were organized to help relieve those
displaced by the ongoing war in Syria. They were individually agreeing to take in thousands, if not tens
of thousands, of Syrian refugees. However, since the discovery that one of the individuals responsible
for the carnage in Paris gained entry with a Syrian passport, many countries have begun to back-pedal
because of fear of the terrorist organization. Worried that by taking in refugees they would be vulnerable
to similar attacks, several EU nations have retracted their promise to assist millions of people fleeing
to the region. Meanwhile the heart-wrenching images of the displaced continue to haunt the news and
Internet.
Perhaps the detachment comes from seeing these horrors only on a screen that allows people
to distance themselves from the reality, but these are human beings that are dying. Many arguments
have surfaced against allowing the victims entry into stable countries that can offer assistance; nothing
can change the reality that we are talking about real people. America, for instance, has a rigorous
immigration process even for refugees, but this does little to calm the fears of its citizens. Are we at
risk? Absolutely! Every day we wake up is another opportunity for terrorists to destroy our freedom
and way of life. It has little to do with whether we decide to assist the Syrian refugees, though.
There isn’t one group among us, apart from Native Americans, that can say they do not have
roots firmly planted in immigration. While the reasons vary from person to person, they all have one
common binding factor. They needed a better opportunity than the one they had at home. America was
founded on the idea that anyone could build a better life here, regardless of background. In fact, it is
carved into one of the most visible symbols of our freedom, the Statue of Liberty. “Give me your tired,
your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door,” the Statue of
Liberty proclaims from Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
Isn’t this the America that our ancestors
dreamed of? Shouldn’t it be our primary goal to
maintain that ideal with integrity? It takes a
powerful reason to motivate someone to board their
small child onto an inflatable raft and brave the
dangers of the open ocean on a prayer that they will
make it alive to someplace that will welcome them.
If we allow our fear to guide our decisions, then we
allow the terrorists to win. This is our opportunity
to show the world that America is still the great
country we claim it to be. Let us lift our lamps to
those in need, show the terrorists that we are not People rally for Freedom in the Paris streets~image courtesy of abcnews.go.com
afraid and fight back in the name of freedom.
4
Local
Whatbyis
University of Houston - Downtown is preparing
to launch a program that aims to enhance student
learning by integrating “community engagement”
the QEP?
Joshua Burgman
making and reflect upon political, cultural, social, and
economic understanding of regional, national, or global
community issues.” Plainly, it will prepare students
with classroom work. Set to begin with the Fall 2016 to participate and compete in a global job market
& freshmen class, the Quality Enhancement Plan or QEP, and community; something that is paramount to the
“is an initiative that will enhance student learning,” success of the 21st century student.
Campus according to the school’s website. The plan is part of While education is still considered the
gateway to a successful career, today’s employers
News the process that reaffirms the school’s accreditation
through the Southern Association of Colleges and seek experience in real world settings along with a
Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). solid education. Providing opportunities for students
In 2014, a committee was formed to select to engage in the community will give them the
QEP topics that were to be presented to University experience, and will help build appealing portfolios for
President, Dr. William Flores. In December of that year, the future.
the QEP Topic Selection Committee presented a report Through direct contact with the surrounding
to the President. From that, he chose a plan that would community, and classroom reflection of that contact,
become known as “Academic Achievement through students will earn a designation of an “Engaged
Community Engagement (ACE+).” The plan parallels Scholar,” and receive recognition. Although the QEP is
the activities the University has already been engaged an initiative for the first two years of the baccalaureate
in. degree, the long term vision is to extend the
According to UHD’s website, it will “[foster] a classification beyond the two years. Receiving such a
culture of inquiry wherein students explore societal classification is meant to ensure the future success of
questions and problems, connecting their academic job acquisition upon graduating. It also allows students
work with real-world situations.” It will help prepare to become more engaged as citizens.
students to critically and ethically analyze community
issues. If the plan succeeds it will serve to enhance
the overall experience and quality of education of the
students at UHD.
During the first two years of completing a
baccalaureate degree, students will encounter courses
that encompass community engagement at three
levels, Awareness, Integration and Involvement.
The “Awareness” level involves students discussing
societal issues as they relate to their classroom
learning. At the “Integration” level, students will
interact with the primary source by either going on
field trips or listening to invited community speakers.
The “Involvement” level of community engagement
encompasses “hands-on” activities with a community
partner. Successfully completing courses at the
different levels will ultimately allow students to
Quality Enhancement Program @ UHD
“utilize critical thinking, exercise ethical decision-
UHD’s Health Fair, aby Terrence
Guide to Holiday Feasting
Turner
At the Nov. 18th Health Fair, held in A300, there was a personal parties. Patterned events, like annual Thanksgiving
flurry of activity: booths from at least 20 different organizations or Christmas dinners at home, contribute to it as well. “We eat
were set up in order to communicate with students and enrich with our eyes first,” Ramirez said, “So if a meal looks great,
their mental and physical well-being. Some of them were we’re probably going to indulge a little bit more.” Large portions
well-known: the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the Houston of food, along with big plates and serving utensils, are also
Food Bank, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Others were less dangerous. And the constant presence of food naturally causes
immediately recognizable: the TORCH Lifestyle brand offered people to go overboard. Ramirez cited a study in which workers
an indoor tent with health-conscious snacks, while a Brawny ate 50% less candy when the dish of sweets was out of sight, as
employee taught visitors how to ride hoverboards. opposed to on their desks.
Across the hall in the Cullen Auditorium, there was How can these pitfalls be avoided? Ramirez proposed
a series of four seminars on issues such as procrastination, four tips to help. First, the “MyPlate” method: make sure that
depression, and even suicide prevention. One of them, held at your plate is always composed of ½ vegetables, ¼ carbohydrates,
noon, was on a topic all too relevant to the upcoming winter and ¼ lean protein. Secondly, “Fuel the Tank:” don’t skip
break: healthy eating. Travis Ramirez, a registered dietician, breakfast, and have high-protein, high-carb snacks before a
advised the audience about how to avoid overindulging during holiday party. Next, sit further away from the buffet tables at a
the holiday season. restaurant—or even sit with your back to them. Finally, monitor
Ramirez asked the audience what the average holiday alcohol consumption—it adds 7 calories per gram or per sip, so
weight gain was. Was it ten pounds, we wondered? Could it be as alternate each drink with water or sugar-free tea.
high as fifteen? The surprising answer was 1-2 pounds, Ramirez Further aid was provided with an illustrated packet
said. But he cautioned that over the course of thirty years, such on portion control. The suggested limit for each meal was 700
an uptick could take a person from slightly overweight to full- calories for men and 500 for women. Food items can be chosen
out obese. accordingly. Stuffing should be ½ cup (about the size of an ice
Ramirez emphasized healthy substitutions to minimize cream scoop) for 180 calories. Turkey, as with most meats,
fat and caloric intake. Some were surprising, like swapping the should be roughly the size of a deck of cards – a 132 calorie
brown sugar in sweet potatoes with orange or pineapple juice. serving. An amount of sweet/mashed potatoes about the size of
But his handout gave a less radical option: if a recipe called for ¼ a tennis ball, cut in half, accounts for 145 calories. If one uses
cup of sugar, use 1/8 cup of Splenda brown sugar instead. When butter or margarine, it
making garlic mashed potatoes, the printout suggested, replace should be a 36 calorie
the recipe’s two tablespoons of fat-free margarine with four teaspoon, about the size
tablespoons of canola oil. To avoid resistance from family over of a rolling die. Even if
this kind of alteration, Ramirez advocated secrecy: “Don’t let one isn’t in the mood for
your family members know what you did to it,” he advised. weighing or measuring
Next, he revealed that there are six steps to overeating, food, the tips given above
or “mindless eating:” people, parties, patterns, presentation, can make for both an
portions and proximity. Pressure from family or friends enjoyable and healthy
can aid overeating, as can the onslaught of workplace and holiday season.
Out for Educationby Kara
Gala Moore
and Scholarship
Out for Education is a Houston local
LGBT scholarship organization that annually
hosts events, and awards thousands of dollars
is hard to believe that a protection for LGBT
citizens could be stopped by the resistance
and fear mongering of the religious opposition.
5
Local
to LGBT college students in the Houston area. Still, people were focused on enjoying the night &
This year it hosted a “Moulin Rouge” themed and raising money for the students that were
gala at the Audi Central building. The gala is the future of the city, a future that is going to Campus
the organization’s biggest fundraising party of hopefully be brighter than the present.
the year, where the proceeds from the tickets Out for Education gives “endowed”
News
and the silent auction go towards funding the scholarships to the students of Houston. The
education of LGBT students. idea of an "endowed" scholarship is that if
The gala, which happened on November the foundation has $100,000, then they can
6th, was a fun and fancy affair among the award $4,000 in scholarships every year. It’s
gorgeous cars of the Audi showroom. Mostly, a type of scholarship meant to last, to continue
party-goers were appropriately dressed in funding student education for a long time. The
corsets and top hats, fitting the ritzy “Moulin “John Danielson Endowed Scholarship” is the
Rouge” theme. The open bar kept people scholarship listed on their website.
drinking, laughing, and bidding away at special To apply for the Out for Education
cigars. Members of the Out for Education scholarship, you must be at least 17 (but no
committee, local supporters, and scholarship older than 25) and attending, or planning on
winners/hopefuls attended the night for attending, a Houston-area college. You must
the purpose of networking and just plain have a 2.75 GPA and identify with the LGBT
enjoyment. community. Your award will be given to you
Of course, it was a night tinged with a based on your accomplishments and financial
slight sadness; the event happened shortly need. It does require an essay or an official
after the vote on HERO, which did not pass. transcript. Then, if you are chosen, you will
People seemed to be avoiding the subject of the receive a personal interview with the people
recent loss and just trying to enjoy the night on the scholarship board to hear your personal
despite the disappointment in the city they story and why you need the scholarship to
call home. When it was discussed, a feeling further your education. The deadline for the
of somberness was felt by everyone. In the scholarship is currently February 29th, 2016,
city with a lesbian mayor and one of the most so start applying soon!
successful LGBT scholarships in America, it
images
by
Ignacio
Hernandez
~Attendees
at the
Out for
Education
Gala Event
6
Local
High-Speed Train’s Downtown-to-Downtown Connection Spiked
by Jason J. Rivas
A few issues ago, Dateline Downtown provided
an expansive account of the projected bullet train
Before this setback, though, funding for the
project had been progressing. As first reported, the
that would connect Houston to Dallas. After years TCR received a $75 million private investment to
& of fundraising, environmental studies, and public complete necessary studies for the first sector of
support/resistance, the contentious rail line seemed the rail line. In October, TCR reached a $130 million
Campus like it was set for smooth sailing across the waves agreement with Archer Western Construction and
News of the Texas plains. But a new federal study has
temporarily curtailed plans to connect the hearts
Ferrovial Agroman U.S. Corporation to design about
30% of the railways. Working together as “Dallas
of both cities together; all the while, investors and to Houston Contractors,” the firm hopes to secure
support grow. future business deals with TCR by successfully
The Federal Railroad Administration had completing their tasks at hand. Success could also
previously conducted environmental studies that lead to the firm earning additional contracts to
allowed for the $10 billion venture to circumvent construct the entire 240-mile rail network.
Montgomery County, keep most of the rail lines Moreover, Vice President Joe Biden recently
suspended above ground (to provide ample space threw his support behind the rail lines. As senator
for locals who graze and farm), and maintain the of Delaware, Biden logged millions of miles and
estimated time between Houston and Dallas at 90 thousands of hours riding trains to and from
minutes. However, on November 6th, the FRA issued Washington D.C., over his four decades in office.
a new study that stated the environmental impact Appearing in Houston and Dallas this month
and costs were too great to warrant a station-to- alongside each city’s mayor, the Vice President
station stop within downtown Houston. There were stressed the importance of revamping the nation’s
only two possible routes for the lines to reach the ailing infrastructure, and threw his support for
financial district. Each involved a cross through TCR’s endeavors. Biden was followed by the Japanese
either the Heights Boulevard Esplanade, the firm, Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment
neighborhood of Cotton Grove, or four city parks. Corporation for Transport and Urban Development
Each site proved to be too problematic and costly (JOIN), who made a $40 million investment into the
for the FRA to green-light a rail line through it. The endeavor. It’s also worth noting that an anonymous
Texas Central Railway, the private firm steering the source told the Nikkei Asian Review that an
project, expressed disappointment over the report additional $4 billion would be raised for the Texas
but was not shocked by the ruling. While there project in Japan, although TCR has stated they do
are various not know where the Review attained
supporters who their source or information.
hold out hope It remains to be seen where the
for a downtown Dallas-Houston railway will station
station, there their hubs, but that factor seems not
are also plans to have affected private investment
to find a site or political support for the
along the endeavor. The project hopes to begin
northwest part construction soon and be opened to
of town to serve the public in 2021.
as the main
image courtesy of On Earth Magazine
Houston hub.
Internet Archives: Man Sexually Harassed on Video Goes Viral
by Christopher Joseph
A viral video has made its them,” said University of Houston- videos shows that no one, or very
way across various social media Downtown student Mark Knight. few people, come to the man’s
sites. The video in question is The video has sparked a aid. Some will simply question
surveillance footage from a corner huge debate that has some people the man’s sexuality and why he
store in Washington D.C., where split down the middle. Some claim is disproving of being groped by a
two females were at the register that the man was not sexually woman.
and a man was behind them, on assaulted, believing that, as a man, “Men are told they need
the phone. Suddenly one of the he would have enjoyed the sexual to be tough and not emotional,
women began “twerking” on the advances from the pair; others feel and they’re taught that women
man behind her, and the second differently. University of Houston can’t harm them because they’re
woman started to grab the man student Andrea Rubio said, “The weaker, when in reality, that’s not
near his crotch while trying to girls were in the wrong. It doesn’t always the case. And while it’s
get him off of his phone. He was matter that it’s a girl doing it to a common knowledge that women
clearly backing away from the guy; it’s still harassment, and it’s get sexually harassed often, men
two women, but one of them wrong.” don’t tend to step forward and
continued rubbing on him while There are dozens of videos admit that it’s happened to them
he was waiting in line. Warrants similar to this one, where a woman as often as women,” said Rubio.
have been issued for their arrests, is assaulted by men on the streets So far only one of the women in
and charges of third-degree or even catcalled by strange men the video has been arrested and is
sexual abuse filed, on the two as they walk. However, there are facing jail time for her actions. “It’s
perpetrators. “I believe these versions of those same videos not OK. No one should be forced
girls are in the wrong. However, I which show sexual harassment, into doing anything with anyone
do not feel like the police should but with a male being harassed without some form of consent,”
necessarily be searching for instead. The outcome of those said Knight.
Dallas ProtectsbyLGBTQ
Kara Moore
Employees
After the defeat of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), the entire country condemned the
city for its perceived anti-LGBT beliefs. Major politicians, along with SNL and several other nighttime talk
7
Local
shows, acknowledged the failing of HERO and ridiculed the anti-HERO campaign, making a true mockery of
Houston on a national level. Also following the defeat, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) &
said it will review host cities based on their LGBT non-discrimination laws. Now, Dallas has put language
directly into its city charter that protects LGBTQ+ employees from discrimination, even though the language
Campus
already existed in their equal opportunity employment policies.
The extension of protections to the Dallas City Charter won with an overwhelming vote to include the
News
language, unlike Houston, where HERO failed by a 61% majority. It not only added LGBTQ+ protections to the
charter, but also included “color, age, marital status, genetic characteristics, national original, disability and
military or veteran status,” similar to what HERO would have done for Houston. Of course, this vote comes
with its own controversy: amidst this LGBTQ+ win, Dallas is experiencing a rise in hate crimes within known
gay communities.
The city’s “gayborhood,” Oak Lawn, has seen 12 anti-gay hate crimes in the past three months. Most
of them have been violent and most of these gay men were robbed in the assault; all of them were walking
alone at night. Rally for Change, a local organization in Dallas, stated that the victims were often beaten with
weapons like bats and box-cutters, while homophobic language
was used during the assaults. Only after the most recent victim,
Geoffrey Hubbard, had his skull bashed-in, did the police add
around a half-a-dozen more officers to patrol the area. There are
still no leads on suspects for any of the dozen assaults.
Despite the obvious acceptance of LGBTQ+ people within
the Dallas community and the extension of protections into
the city charter, Dallas still faces the fear and hatred some of
its citizens feel towards the LGBTQ+ community. Dallas may be
working towards a solution. Still, even in the most accepting
cities in Texas, homophobia can always be found.
Red Flags Stop Republican Debate at UH Main
by Miguel Nunez
After the third Republican Telemundo, they will no longer be Cruz went on to say that the
presidential debate on CNBC, a part of it. Priebus sent a letter Democratic debate was far
which aired Wednesday October to Andrew Lack—the chairman different, they were not, according
28th, GOP contenders have of NBC—stating that, “The CNBC to Cruz, asked the same kinds
decided that, after what they felt network is one of your media of questions, “The contrast with
were horrible questions asked properties and its handling of the the Democratic debate, where
by the moderators, they are debate was conducted in bad faith. every fawning question from
canceling the debates that were We understand that NBC does not the media was ‘which of you is
to be held at the University of exercise full editorial control over more handsome and wise?’” Ted
Houston. CNBC’s journalistic approach. Cruz was just one among many
Originally there was to However, the network is an arm Republican candidates who was
be a Republican debate at UH on of your organization, and we need frustrated with the questions they
February 26th, but after what to ensure there is not a repeat got from the CNBC moderators.
happened in the third debate, performance.” For future debates, the RNC
things have changed. According The letter went on to say and the Republican candidates
to the Republican presidential that a new partnership had been have already set up demands
candidates, the questions asked made with Conservative media that will have to be met before
by the moderators, were “gotcha” outlet National Review. This, of anymore debates can happen.
questions. Reince Priebus, course, is likely something NBC Unfortunately for University of
the current chairman of the does not want considering that, Houston, it seems they will no
Republican National Committee when the debate was going on, longer be part of those deals. That
(RNC) had this to say about the about 14 million people tuned in to could possibly change, but the way
third debate, “while debates are CNBC to view it. things are occurring now, that
meant to include tough questions Some Republican seems unlikely.
and contrast candidates’ visions candidates like Ted Cruz were so
and policies for the future of outraged at the perceived
America, CNBC’s moderators bad questions by the
engaged in a series of ‘gotcha’ moderators that while on
questions, petty and mean- stage, after being asked
spirited in tone, and designed to about the debt ceiling deal
embarrass our candidates.” in congress, he went off
The agreement to bring and said, “you know, let
the Republican debate here to me say something at the
UH was between the RNC and outset. The questions that
NBC and also in partnership with have been asked so far
Telemundo. Fortunately, the RNC in this debate illustrate
is still having a debate on that day, why the American people
but unfortunately for NBC and don’t trust the media.”
8
Holiday
Winter Celebrations
Amidst the blue screens of electronics and
by Darci McFerran
onslaught of advertising that rule every aspect of our
lives, how do we retain the true meaning of the holidays?
a party were more readily available. In fact, the winter
festivities became so celebrated that religious officials
considering banning the holiday! Can you imagine
In America, Christmas was the predominant December Christmas being banned? Fortunately, according to
Center celebration. However, as the “melting pot” of the world, History.com, many of the more respectable traditions,
we have accumulated an endless array of cultures that such as decorating a tree, preparing for Santa Claus, and
have contributed their individual celebrations to the honoring religious rites, integrated into the celebration
calendar. So, to generalize, we say “Happy Holidays.” I and the holiday spirit prevailed.
can almost see your eyes rolling already, but is it really There are many different stories in the history
that bad? Although non-specific, it is a middle ground of our varied winter celebrations, but they all have one
that allows everyone to connect during this festive time thing in common: the spirit of the season. We all feel just
of year, despite differences in beliefs, traditions, and a little bit happier and kinder. It unites us despite our
cultures. differences and opens the door for everyday miracles to
I can’t help but think that anything that allows happen. It is almost as if magic really is in the air and
people to connect, even if only for a moment, is a good anything is possible. That feeling isn’t based on a party
thing. The ability to easily participate in an almost or a religion; it comes from our humanity, and instills a
miraculous feeling of universal good bond that is universal in a world that
will during such a tumultuous era constantly divides us. Consumerism
of terrorism, war, and civil unrest is has saturated the American version
rare and should be cherished as the so much that we have to stop and
miracle it is. Regardless of what you look a little closer for it, but it is still
celebrate, an omnipotent spirit of there. Present in the everyday acts
compassion and humanity seems to of kindness that happen around us.
wash over the mortals of earth and So, yes, I will say Happy Holidays
allow miracles to touch us all. to you. Not because I don’t respect
Historically, much of the Christmas, but because I respect
winter celebrations revolved around that we all have differences. But
the pagan recognition of the winter it’s also because I look forward to
solstice and the worst of winter being the opportunity to share a moment
nearly over. As if celebrating the with every one of the people I meet,
return of warm sunny days wasn’t despite our differences.
enough, our ancestors often had
more meat, harvest, and even wine
during this time, so the ingredients of
The Legend ofby Christopher
Gruss von Krampus
Joseph
Christmas time has crept bag then drags them to the fiery pit through the streets scaring little
upon us once again; everywhere below. children. Krampuslauf has been
you go you will run into something The origin of Krampus extremely popular in certain parts
festive. Everyone is gearing up for comes from an ancient European of Europe and has begun making its
the arrival of Christmas cheer and practice of mummification during way over to parts of the U.S.
the positive vibes that accompany it. the winter solstice. Villagers across Here in the states, the fear
And who else to bring the Christmas Europe would dress up as animals, of Krampus is not as big as it is in
spirit other than jolly old Saint wild-men and mythic figures to Europe. Not many people know who
Nicolas, more commonly known as parade and perform in humorous Krampus is and the holiday cartoons
Santa Claus. Santa Claus is not only plays. This ancient guising and don’t seem to make any mention of
known to bring Christmas spirit, masking tradition is the primary who he is, opting to go for coal in the
but he also brings toys to all the source of modern Halloween with stocking for the naughty children.
good little boys and girls. However, its costumes, trick-or-treat and However, Krampus has been
for the bad children he supposedly pagan symbolism. The most common featured in American media from
brings them a lump of coal in their figures in the folk rituals were Old time to time. Krampus appeared on
Christmas stocking, but that is not Man Winter and the Horned Goat- The Colbert Report, and also made
true at all. While it is true the good Man, or more commonly known an appearance on FOX’s American
children are put on the nice list today as Saint Nick/Santa Claus and Dad. A horror/comedy movie has
and the bad children are put on the Krampus/Devil. been slated to be released December
naughty list, children who are on The tale of Krampus is 4th, about the tale of Krampus,
the naughty list are not visited by celebrated on Krampusnacht, which where a dysfunctional family comes
Santa at all, no they are visited by takes place before December 6th together for the holidays and a
Krampus. (St. Nicolas day). On this day, people young, unruly child awakes the
On the eve of St. Nicolas partake in Krampuslauf (Krampus ancient wrath of Krampus, as he
day, those children who have been Run). This is where the party-goers terrorizes the family. The film stars
naughty will be visited by none dress as devils, witches, and all Adam Scott (Parks and Rec) and
other than the Christmas Devil sorts of demonic creatures and run David Koechner (Anchorman: The
himself, Krampus. Legend of Ron Burgundy)
Krampus is the evil and is directed by Michael
counterpart of Father Dougherty.
Christmas, but instead Like John Fredrick
of bringing joy filled Coots sang in his hit song,
with toys, Krampus Santa Claus is Comin’ to
brings his instruments Town, “He knows when
of punishment to punish you are sleeping, he
the naughty children. knows when you’re awake,
Krampus will whip he knows when you’ve
them with switches and been bad or good so be
rusty chains before he good for goodness sake!”
stuffs the children in his
Final Season of The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet
by Christina Movaghar
December 27th, 2015, marks the end of a 29-year
tradition in Houston Texas. The Houston Ballet is saying
goodbye to Ben Stephenson’s version of The Nutcracker,
of The Houston Ballet in 2003. “Everything is going to be
new,” says Ms. Cedeno, the performance will have “brand
new sets, costumes and lighting” that will engage the
9
Holiday
and transitioning into a completely new version of the audience, and create a rejuvenated love for the esteemed
much beloved performance. Dateline-Downtown had ballet. “The tradition [of The Nutcracker] must keep Center
the opportunity to speak with Kimberly Cedeno, PR going,” Cedeno says, and it is time for “something fresh
associate for the Houston Ballet, to learn more about the and new.”
change. Until then, those who are interested in seeing
Since 1987, the Houston Ballet has performed the ballet for the first or millionth time, are welcome
Stephenson’s choreography for The Nutcracker, and to purchase tickets for the final 34 performances of
over 1,000,000 people have attended the performances the Ben-Stephenson-choreographed version of The
since then. Audience members adore this holiday ballet Nutcracker.
because it keeps Christmas magic alive in our city. Don’t miss out on the ballet that has become a tradition
Dancers from all around the world are featured in the in our beloved city. It is always sad to see something
production, and Ms. Cedeno shared that “the dancers much-adored end, but the memory of Stephenson’s
[picked to perform] love dancing in The Nutcracker” production will continue to dance in our hearts for many
because it gives them the opportunity to play a years to come. Performances begin on November 27th
character, and connect with the audience, especially and the final dance is December 27th 2015. For more
young children. It is a Christmas tradition for many, information please visit their website at, Houstonballet.
because the production is truly a testament to a child’s org/TheNutcracker.
imagination. Children at least three-years of age have
always been invited to join their parents to take in the
wonder of The Nutcracker. Costumes, lighting, and
choreography have been a glorious success
for several years in Houston, and many are
sad to see Stephenson’s adaptation of the
classic production go. However, in 2016 the
Houston Ballet will introduce a new version
of The Nutcracker, and is confident that
audiences, young and old, will love the new
spin on the performance.
The new version of The Nutcracker
will be choreographed by Stanton Welch, the acclaimed
Australian choreographer who became Artistic Director
Magical byWinter Lights
Karen Reyes
Discovery Green has the honor of exhibiting
the 4,500 colorful radiant frosted glass spheres art
installation, Field of Light, by the English artist Bruce X-mas Light Events Around Hoston
Munro.
Are you thinking of what to do while waiting for Christmas day to
Munro is best known for large-scale art come? The City of Houston welcomes you to be a part of its many
installations, such as the Field of Light, which was first Christmas events. One of the main features our city presents to the
created in 2004 at the field behind his family home in public is the adornment of Christmas lights, but not just ordinary
lights—artistic creations and beautiful scenes that light the city’s streets
Wiltshire, England. Munro’s inspiration was drawn from throughout the holidays. Here are some events you must visit.
a journey through the Red Desert in Central Australia. It
Houston Zoo Lights
was first exhibited in the V&A Museum in 2004 and has The Zoo Lights features more than two million lights in the shapes
now been exhibited in various places around the world. of monkeys, birds, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, etc.; the Zoo comes
The 4,500 frosted glass spheres are connected by alive in a brilliant display of imagination and creativity. Children are
encouraged to display their artistic skills as they decorate gingerbread
18 miles of colorful fiber optics. The Field of Lights waits cookies. Children are also welcome to ride the Wildlife Carousel,
until the hours of darkness to bloom into movements of which has been ornamented for this special holiday. The Zoo will
bright colors across the field as the night passes. Visitors offer a variety of holiday sweets, such as funnel cakes, kettle corn, hot
chocolate and much more! The Zoo lights will be on display from Nov.
to the installation have the opportunity to take pictures 20th to Jan. 9th.
with their families with this beautiful and spectacular art.
Sam Houston Race Park’s Magical Winter Lights
Discovery Green welcomes visitors to experience Named the largest holiday light festival in the nation, the Sam Houston
Field of Light while enjoying free performances by Race Park presents Magical Winter Lights. From Nov. 20th to Jan.
Houston artists. The lists of performances from Nov. 27th 10th, the grounds of the race park will be divided into seven light
themes: Magical, Europe, Asia, Australia, Dinosaur Land, Americas,
to March 18th are available on their website. The free art and Houston. The holiday lights attraction also includes replicas of
installation is now on display until Feb. 21st, 2016, and it global architectural landmarks such as, the Taj Mahal, the Temple of
is illuminated from 3–11p.m along the Brown Promenade Heaven, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, Egyptian pyramids and the Sydney
Opera House. There are also established food vendors specializing in
path. The perfect time to view the art is at dusk. Take this international cuisine. Wait, there is more! The festival will also include
opportunity to visit this international and admirable art cultural performances and artistry from around the world.
work. Moody Gardens’ Festival of Lights
Our friendly coast invites you to be part of the 14th annual Moody
Gardens’ Festival of Lights from Nov. 14th to Jan. 10th. The holiday
tradition includes more than 1 million lights with 100 sound-enhanced
animated light displays and live entertainment. The festival will also
feature an outdoor skating rink, an ice slide, train ride, holiday films,
holiday buffet, and Santa will be present to take pictures with children
throughout the night.
10
Art in
European Train Writing: an Exhibition in Houston
Art never dies here in
Houston. No matter where you go
or what day of the week it is, there
always seems to be some kind of art
by Miguel Nunez
to some of the artists, is a necessary
component of what they do. By its
very nature, the artwork they create
is temporary since what they do is
them on the floor because he wanted
the walls to be free from any hanging
object. It was part of the artwork
he implied. The pieces consisted of
the City event going on around the city. What often not requested. So, when all’s what he said was abstract art. He
a wonderful city! said and done, they then take a painted images on plastic, saying of
On November 13th and 14th, photograph of what they did as a way the material that when painted on he
at 912 St. Charles Street there was to prove to other artists and the rest could no longer easily change what
free admission to an event where of the world what has been created on was on it. This, he said added an
European artists were showcasing their canvas. element that he wanted. There was no
their artwork for all of Houston to There were at least 25 artists, going back he had said and the idea
see. The artwork consisted of creative all from Europe, exhibiting their of working on plastic material was
and wonderful images on trains. artwork, which totaled to about something that he was attracted to
Which some would call “vandalism,” 200 photographs. They were also considering the fact that all around us
of course, but to the artists showing films about the culture and we are surrounded by plastic. It was
themselves, their work is more than the hidden methods of these artists. part of his plastic era series. This was
just vandalism. It is a representation Some of the pictures of the artworks just some artwork from one of the
of their creativity, their courage, and came from places like Amsterdam, artists. There was far more to look at.
their skill of not being caught. They Barcelona, Budapest and Bucharest. Leaving the Train writing
call themselves “writers,” but do not It was a strange thing to see pictures event would leave anyone, as it did
think they write stories on trains, or of some of these artists while in the with me, with a better understanding
great poems. What they do is what act of drawing on the boxcars. It was of the motivation, the danger and
any artist would do: they create like I was seeing something I should the skill it takes to use boxcars as
visual images that stir the heart, the not have been seeing. It made the canvasses for art. All over Europe
imagination, and the soul. experience all the more vivid when I this is still happening, and from
If you have ever been driving had the opportunity to talk to one of what I learned at the exhibit, such
down a long highway and had to stop the artists there at the event. endeavors for creating amazing art
at a rail track, you might have seen His name is Zoltán Kárpáti will continue to keep occurring, and I,
as the train came passing through, and he had some of his artwork on for one, am beyond glad about that.
pictures painted on the sides of the display. They were paintings lying
boxcars. If you have seen right on the floor. He said he wanted
such a thing, then you have
had the privilege of seeing
what train writing is. Artists
all around the world go
into areas that they are not
typically allowed to go into,
they find their train—their
canvas—and begin to create
a masterpiece. Sometimes
they may even bring one
or two friends to serve as
a lookout. After all, often
times what they are doing
is illegal, which, according
Pet - a- Pet to Reduce Finals Stress
by Kara Moore
Finals season is upon us; it’s the time for cram
sessions, all-nighters and intense projects or essays.
Everything that must be done for the semester is crammed
into the last few weeks, filling your brain with a million
different facts to memorize, and a million and one different
things to study. It’s a tough couple of weeks, but if you can
get through it, then you will be rewarded—not just with
good grades, but with kittens.
The UHD Animal Rescue Club is still a relatively new club
that has been taking the campus by storm. It’s a volunteer-
based organization that works closely with shelters in
Houston to help with Houston’s high homeless animal
population. For the past month, they have set up drop
boxes around campus, requesting towels, food, newspapers
and anything else that can be donated to help out your
local shelters. After finals, on December 14th between
10am and 3pm, they will be bringing adorable, adoptable
kittens to campus so people can unwind and de-stress from
the long grueling week. These angels will be from local
shelters and foster homes, which will hopefully encourage
people to take one of the kittens home after they spend
some time with them. The idea is to encourage adoption
through interaction and to give students the break they
deserve after working so hard to get through the last bit of
the semester.
Be on the lookout for this event, Gators, because it
promises to be the purr-fect solution for your finals stress.For the past 23 years,
Houston’s downtown has been
Houston 2015 by Miguel Nunez
which contained more than a
healthy amount of skulls and
your friends was Last Concert
Cafe on Nance Street. Here at this
11
Art in
home to an annual Art Crawl mannequins painted with vibrant wonderful Mexican restaurant the City
event, where groups of artists colors. I had the pleasure of there was music, food, drinks, and
open up their studios and let the having a conversation with him a few vendors selling jewelry.
people go inside and see how about his artwork and it was quite There was a girl sitting out
the magic happens. It is here interesting. I asked him what his in the cold behind a colorful hippy
that people can see the artwork, art was all about. He was quick to painted bus with an old school
meet the artists and even listen respond with a smile and a slight typewriter, a Webster I believe,
to some live music. This year, flicker of his eyes from behind not only selling poems that she
over 150 artists participated and his glasses, stating that it was would type on the spot with her
opened their studios. The studios about the fear of death, and how typewriter, but also letting you
themselves were located close he wanted people to realize that name the price for each poem.
to each other so the people who death should never be viewed as a Name your price, name your
wanted to see the artwork would, negative, depressing thing. He was topic for your poem, and bang!
for the most part, not have to drive excited to ask me why I thought You would hear her click-clacking
around Houston. Having an event death was a bad thing for myself. away with her typewriter. In less
like this where art from so many The conversation went on from than three minutes she would
varying artists is located so close there. I noticed, as we spoke, that hand you a small piece of notebook
to one another, is a dream come throughout his artwork, there paper and you could read her on-
true for any art fan. were a few lines and quotes from the-spot poem about any topic you
Some of the places involved people throughout history and decided on.
with this year’s Art Crawl included from philosophical and religious Overall the yearly art crawl event
UHD (with its newly renovated texts. was everything you would expect
O’Kane Gallery), Houston Studios, One line that stood out for from Houston’s great art scene.
and Mother Dog Studios; each me, and is a good representation of There was music, people, drinks,
located across from one another what the other quotes were trying art, people writing poetry for you,
on Walnut St., not too far from to get to, was: “Rendering help to and more art. There were even
UHD. Some of the artists that had others is the function of all human some people doing body painting,
their artwork displayed at Mother beings.” This is a Jainism teaching and others selling healthy
Dog Studios were artists such as and a founding principle in the alternatives for energy drinks.
Kelly Alison, whose artwork has religion that originates from India. If you missed out on Art
been shown in the Shanghai Art I would say the Crawl Houston this year, do not
Museum. Artists such as Yousef conversation ended well. It left me worry. This event has been going
Balat, who describes himself as with more questions than answers, on for the past 23 years. It is not
an “imagist,” and who stated on but questioning artists about their going anywhere. So relax and get
his website that he is “exploring artwork was not the only thing to excited about next year’s art crawl
the historical gamut of visual do at Art-Crawl-Houston 2015. event right here in downtown
storytelling, from the nuances There were many other Houston.
of portraiture to the grandiose things to do. Such as taking a
epic of history and mythology break from all the walking that
painting.” you would have undoubtedly done
Solomon Kane was another throughout the day. One such
artist that had his, rather place where you could have sat
nightmarish, artwork displayed, down, relaxed, and talked among12
Gator
65 Years Later, We
It has been 65 years since
Charles M. Schulz created Charlie
Brown and the rest of the Peanuts
Still Love “Peanuts”
by Christopher Joseph
gang. It seems like at this point in time,
It housed his first published comic
strip, Lil’ Folks. Many of the Peanuts
characters come from this strip, such
as a dog named Rover (who became
popular overseas as well, to the point
that fashion designers were making
outfits for both a plush Snoopy doll and
Snoopy’s French sister, Belle.
Eye Charlie Brown and Snoopy are more
recognizable than ever. Ever since I was
Snoopy) and a character named Charlie
Brown. After three years of publication,
On December 14th, 1999,
Charles Schulz officially retired from
a kid growing up in the ‘90s, there was the St. Paul Pioneer Press dropped the writing Peanuts, after writing 17,897
always something that had to do with Schulz comic strip, but that didn’t stop strips. In 2000, Schulz passed away
Charlie Brown. I remember when my him. just one day before his final strip was
teachers would roll out that black TV In the late 1950s, Schulz approached released. He left behind a massive
and pop in a Peanuts movie to correlate The United Feature Syndicate legacy, inspiring a new generation
with a certain lesson or to teach about Newspaper Enterprise Association. of cartoonists like the creator of the
a certain holiday. Charlie Brown was The Association accepted Lil’ Folks, popular Calvin n’ Hobbes strip, Bill
widely popular around my elementary but changes had to be made. Schulz’s’ Watterson. “In countless ways, Schulz
school—it seemed like everyone had comic strip name was a little too close blazed the wild trail that most every
a yellow shirt with a black stripe on to that of other syndicated strips, so the cartoonist since has followed,” said
it. Charlie Brown has maintained his Association decided to rename Schulz’s Watterson. In 2002, the Charles Schulz
popularity for so long that one of his comic strip to Peanuts. On October 2nd, Museum and Research Center opened,
biggest specials, A Charlie Brown 1950, the very first Peanuts strip was housing many of the original Peanuts
Christmas, has been shown every year published. Two years later, soon after strips and tributes to Schulz from other
for the past five decades. Peanuts started gaining popularity, artists.
Charles M. Schulz was born on Schulz got his first licensed book, titled On this 65th anniversary
November 26th, 1922, in Minneapolis, “Peanuts.” The constant popularity year, we celebrate one of the greatest
Minnesota. After Charles was born, from Schultz’s comic strip landed him cartoonists of all time. One way that
his uncle gave him the nickname a bunch of brand deals with the likes we can show our thanks is by seeing
“Sparky,” after the horse “Spark of Kodak and Hallmark. In 1964, the the new Peanuts movie that celebrates
Plug” from the Barney Google comic National Cartoonist Society named the wonderful work of Schulz. The
strip. During his youth, Charles’ love Schulz “Outstanding Cartoonist of the 50th anniversary broadcast of “Charlie
for comic strips grew when he would Year.” Schulz had already received the Brown Christmas” will air on November
spend every Sunday morning with his award in 1955, making him the first 30th and again on Christmas Eve. It will
father reading the “funnies.” Charles cartoonist ever to get that award twice. be broadcast as a two-hour block that
was fascinated with strips like Skippy, In 1965, Peanuts made its will be padded with a new special, “It’s
Mickey Mouse, and Popeye. From that mark on television history: the Emmy- your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown.”
point on, he knew what he wanted to winning “Charlie Brown Christmas The special will be hosted by Kristen
do: be a cartoonist. In 1937, he showed Special” was first aired
artistic talent when he drew his family and watched in over fifteen
dog, Spike. Schulz then sent the picture million households. The
of Spike to the nationally syndicated success of the Christmas
newspaper Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Special led to a theatrical
That was a profound moment in his feature entitled, “A Boy
life because later, as a senior in high Named Charlie Brown.” The
school, he completed a correspondence overwhelming success of the
cartoon course with the Federal Peanuts didn’t stop there, as
School of Applied Cartooning (now Art Charlie Brown and the gang
Instruction School). landed on Broadway with
In 1943, Schulz was drafted their own musical: “You’re a
into the US Army. After he returned Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
from the war in 1945, he was Charlie Brown returned
determined to fulfill his dream and to television in the 1980s
become a cartoonist. His big break as with the hit television show
a cartoonist came in 1947, when he “The Charlie Brown and
had a job working for the local town’s Snoopy Show.” Peanuts
newspaper, the St. Paul Pioneer Press. became overwhelmingly
Why Journalism Matters
by Terrence Turner
On Nov. 18th, the Center for Public Service and the UHD Social thing, which I’m sure many of you are familiar with,” Falkenberg
Work Program co-sponsored an event in its “Speaker Series,” fea said to the audience. “And in hindsight, maybe she was right,
turing remarks by Houston Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg. because I had to win the Pulitzer to pay off my college debt—at
The speech came just seven months after a major coup by the the age of 36!”
writer. On April 20th, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize (the The story that won her the prize came after she landed a job
literary equivalent of an Oscar) for her column on the abuses with the Associated Press’ Dallas bureau in 2001 and the Chron
in Texas’ “pick-a-pal” grand jury system. It is the first time the icle’s Austin bureau in 2005. In 2007, an editor talked her into
Chronicle has been recognized for such a prize. moving to Houston for a columnist position. There, she uncov
In a wide-ranging address, Falkenberg reflected on the rich ered the story of Alfred Dewayne Brown, convicted and placed
personal history that has brought her to this point in her career. on death row in 2005 for the 2003 murder of police officer
She spoke of growing up in a small town of Seguin, TX, armed Charles R. Clark. According to Falkenberg’s column, no physical
with little in the way of information resources. “I love to write. evidence tied Brown to the crime, and he claimed he had been
All my life, I loved to write, but there weren’t many books. What with his girlfriend at her apartment. There was evidence sup
we did have was a set of 1968 World Book encyclopedias,” she porting this alibi—a phone record documenting a call he made to
told the crowd. When there was a question her father couldn’t his girlfriend Ericka Dockery’s workplace—but the evidence was
answer, he would consult the encyclopedias, and the process of never introduced at trial. At least not until a detective, cleaning
looking for answers inspired the young out his garage in 2012, found the phone record and handed it
Falkenberg: “It made me think that maybe there is an answer out over.
there for everything, and it validated my curiosity and inspired In late 2014, “an appellate court threw out Brown’s conviction,”
me, I guess, to go look for those answers.” Falkenberg wrote in her column, “because the DA’s office with-
She explored those answers further at the University of Texas, held key evidence at trial that supports Brown’s contention that
where she majored in journalism. Falkenberg described her he was home the night of the robbery. No physical evidence ever
mother’s reaction when she informed her of the plans to attend tied Brown to the crime. Nearly every witness who [identified]
college: “She looked at me and she said, ‘Why? You’re so smart.’ him has recanted.” (continued on page 13)
In her defense, I had already had a few things published in the lo
cal paper. There was a time when journalists didn’t have to have
college degrees, and I could just avoid this whole school debtYou can also read
