“Downtown Bound” in Downtown Hammond

HAMMOND-  Strawberry Stadium is clearing out and excitement is high, and Downtown Hammond is the place to be.

This year, on Oct. 23, the Downtown Development District is hosting Downtown Bound, also known as Take it to the Tracks, the Southeastern Louisiana University homecoming post-game celebration.

Downtown Hammond awaits Homecoming night. Photo by Ivana Ellis.

“The event is a chance for fans of Southeastern and McNeese State who attended the game to celebrate with friends, grab a bite to eat and catch some great live music at eight different venues, all within walking distance of each other,” said Melissa Griffin, event coordinator of the Hammond Downtown Development District.

For 2010, participating vendors:

• Cate Street Pub will have music by Todd O’Neill performing rock, country and originals from 10 p.m.–2 a.m. Free t-shirts will be available to the first 50 guests who bring in Southeastern Homecoming game ticket stubs.

• Cate Street Seafood Station will have DJ Johnny Five playing 80s, 90s, Top 40 and Dance hits outside the restaurant. Also available will be sushi served inside the restaurant until midnight and 10 percent off any bill with proof of the ticket stub beginning at 9 p.m.

• La Carreta will have music by Guy Parent from 7–10 p.m.

• Mariner’s Inn will be offering one free house beverage with the purchase of an entrée, burger or sandwich.

• PJ’s Coffee will be offering a free drink up-size with a ticket stub.

• Rotolo’s Pizzeria will offer a free appetizer per table.

• Tope la restaurant will have a free appetizer with the purchase of two entrees or by bar only, a buy one well drink or house wine, get one free with the game ticket stub. There also will be live music that night.

• Tutti Frutti will be open late this night with 20 percent off deals to those with the game ticket stub.

Downtown Bound took a few months to organize and should be an exciting experience, according to Griffin.

“We’ve been attending the Southeastern Homecoming planning meetings since about July/August,” Griffin said. “We made contact with the downtown merchants in late August to request for their participation. Promotional items have been in place since the beginning of October.

“This particular Saturday evening will be exceptionally interesting.  There will be music that will suit almost any taste, plus sweet treats and special deals if you bring your ticket stub.  We’re looking forward to a great night to stroll around beautiful Downtown Hammond and the perfect way to celebrate Lions football.”

Griffin is not the only person interested in Homecoming night.

“I do plan on attending the homecoming game, and I plan on going because it’s the climax of homecoming week,” said Nicholas Robert, a junior at Southeastern.

Robert also stated Downtown Bound sounds like something he would be interested in attending because he likes going to the restaurants in downtown Hammond and hearing live music.

Alice Gibson, a health studies instructor, also looks forward to game nights.

 “I am a two-time alumni from SLU and also a current faculty member. I am also an athletic committee member and season ticket holder,” Gibson said.

She was also interested in the restaurant discounts and entertainment that will be taking place downtown. Gibson also mentioned enjoying time spent in downtown Hammond with friends.

During Homecoming week, Oct. 18-23, at Southeastern, the campus will be hosting events all week. Taking place on Homecoming day will be events like “Decorate your tailgate” contest judging at noon and the Homecoming parade at 3 p.m. with entertainment in Friendship Circle beginning at 1:30 p.m. Pre-game activities start at 5:40 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium, where kick-off will take place at 6 p.m. against McNeese State University.

A Path to Saving Lives

“A pro-life group involves itself in political, religious, moral and social issues. Finding the right balance between legitimate free speech and expression without overstepping into preaching and proselytizing can be tricky,” stated Dr. Matt Rossano, advisor of Southeastern Students for Life organization and professor and department head of psychology at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Southeasterns Students for Life saves the ones who cannot speak for themselves just yet.

Members of the Southeastern Students for Life organization stands up for what they believe about life being from the unborn to those on death row. Their goal is to educate others and raise awareness of what is going on in the world around them. The organization also provides resources for pre- and post-abortive parents and for people of those who are being treated unfairly.

“This organization is different from others because we are mainly here to educate our fellow students. We want all students here to realize the true value of human life from conception to natural death,” expressed Christopher Theriot, president of Southeastern Students for Life. “What I like most about this organization is that I can really save lives! It really makes me feel horrible to know humans are dying from abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty, and we do nothing. This organization allows me to do my part in ending these horrible acts. When I noticed that SLU had no pro-life group, I decided to help start one.”

Southeastern Students for Life began three years ago with Theriot being one of the founding members. Since then, the organization has been making the importance of life known on campus by creating displays such as the ‘Cemetery of the Innocent,’ which was recently displayed on the SLU campus on Sept. 29 on the lawn surrounding the Hurricane Katrina memorial fountain.

Southeastern Students For Life flyer posted on a bulletin board on the 2nd floor of D. Vickers Hall at Southeastern Louisiana University. Photo by Ivana Ellis.

‘Cemetery of the Innocent’ is a statement about abortion with a display of small blue and pink flags representing unborn babies aborted each day.

“From day one, I have been impressed with how passionately they believe in their cause, but at the same time how thoughtful, reasonable and compassionate they have been in how they go about presenting their case,” Dr. Rossano said.

Southeastern Students for Life meetings consist of speakers with a few added bonuses. “We do different things at every meeting, from speakers to designing posters, to educating ourselves on pro-life matters, to just plain hanging out and having a good time,” Theriot said. The organization also volunteers at local crisis pregnancy centers.

The meetings for Southeastern Students for Life are held every second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in War Memorial Student Union, Room 223. It is open to all SLU students, faculty and staff. More information about the organization can be found by visiting the following link: Southeastern Students for Life. To contact the organization directly, send an email to southeastern.lions4life@gmail.com or attend a meeting.

Read On: Banned but Not Forgotten

By Ivana Ellis

HAMMOND, La- Sex, witchcraft, talking animals and racial language are thought to be top priority reasons when banning a book. Since 2000, more than 100 books have been challenged to the American Library Association in the United States. Books that are read in schools such as “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White and “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee made the list for The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books (2000-2009) for having talking animals and use of racial language.

"I'm with the banned" button supports Banned Books Week 2010 in Sims Memorial library. Each button was being sold for $1. Photo by Ivana Ellis

Banned Books Week is celebrated nationwide every year during the last week of September since 1982. BBW represents the freedom to read whatever someone wants and the importance of the First Amendment. The freedom to express ideas and access information, even if they may seem inappropriate or against a religion is the platform of BBW.

Beth West, reference and distance learning librarian at Sims Memorial Library on Southeastern Louisiana University campus, said “It’s an awareness thing,” referring to Banned Books week, “It makes people aware of books that have been challenged and banned. All books that have been are classics and there are books still being challenged and banned.” West stated books are usually banned because people feel it’s inappropriate for children to read. Therefore, banned books are most likely removed from the school and its library.

Stated on the ALA website, in a majority of cases the books not banned were due to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to keep the books in the library collections.

Sean Neuerburg, a graduate student in English of Southeastern Louisiana University, participated in Banned Books Week 2010 in the Sims Memorial Library by reading the poem “Howl” by Allen Ginsberg. “It’s so artistic and is made up fundamentally of things that shock,” Neuerburg expressed about “Howl.” Neuerburg also mentioned a myth he has heard about the author Ginsberg, stating that he wrote the entire poem and did not read over it. Ginsberg considered the poem to be done and ready for print.

According to poets.org, not long after “Howl” was published in 1956 by City Lights Bookstore, it was banned for obscenity. However, the poem passed censorship trials and is now one of the most widely read poems of the century.

Traditional "Banned Book" display for Southeastern Louisiana University's library, Sims Memorial. Photo by Ivana Ellis

Along with the poem “Howl”, read by Neuerburg, pages of the books “Charlotte’s Web”, “Harry Potter” and other banned book classics were read at the BBW program in Sims Memorial Library on Sept. 30 by students, teachers and librarians.

In addition to the readings held at Sims Memorial Library, the award-winning radio program Rock School aired a special episode about Banned Books week on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. and will re-air Sunday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. on KSLU. Co-hosts Dr. Joe Burns and Chad P., assisted by librarian Beth West, will feature songs that reference banned books, along with trivia about the works.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

The Power of Listening

By Ivana Ellis

Imagine a place where personality, looks, strength and the past does not matter. This is a place where dealing with troubles and figuring out solutions to them goes hand in hand. Any student, faculty or staff member of Southeastern Louisiana University can have this place of tranquility free of charge.

The University Counseling Center is this place. It provides pampering for the mind. The center is there to help clients better understand themselves and gain control of their environment, relationships and life.

“Everybody has difficulties and worries from time to time,” said Dr. Barbara Hebert, L.P.C.-S, registered play therapist and director of the University Counseling Center since July 2006. “We help people figure out what works best for them. This can lead to making good choices for themselves and creating good coping mechanisms.”

Dr. Barbara Hebert, L.P.C.-S, registered play therapist and director of the University Counseling Center discusses information, services and groups the center offers. Photo By Ivana Ellis

These benefits are offered under confidentiality. “If a parent calls asking if their child went to their counseling session, we offer a ‘not saying they did but not saying they didn’t’ answer, stating to them that we are not allowed to give out that information,” explained Hebert.  However, the UCC is confidential within boundaries of ethical and legal requirements. If a client or someone discussed is in danger of suicide, abuse or a court order is involved, confidentiality becomes an exception.

The UCC offers help for any mental health issue. Depression, anxiety and relationships was stated by Hebert to be the most handled, but she also explained that if a client needs more than what is provided at the UCC, they will refer them to an outside source that will help.

Darlyn Mills, a student at Southeastern Louisiana University, was pleased with her session at the UCC. “You feel a connection with them because they look in your eyes and actually take the time to listen to your concern and give feed back,” expressed Mills. “In the movies, the counselor is sitting there writing on the note pad and asking ‘How do you feel about that’ and not giving eye contact. They weren’t like that.”

Individuals are most often seen at the center, mentioned Hebert, but it is open to couples, families, workshops, consultations and groups as well. To be considered a group, only three people or couples must be interested in being counseled.

Offered group topics are:

• Keeping the Love You Have: A Group for Couples
• Understanding the Female Mind: A Group for Guys
• Loving your Looks: A Body Image Group
• Chill…A Stress Management Group
• The Single Parents Group
• I made it to College, Now What/ A Freshman Transition Group
• In Recovery Group: For those Balancing Sobriety/Clean time with University Life
• Flirting 101
• Non-traditional Student Support Group
• Finding your Inner Social Beast: A Group for Shy People
• Veterans Support Group
• Adult Children of Alcoholics and Addicts
• Mindfulness Group

Aiming towards people afraid to visit the UCC, Hebert said, “We’re nice! People think counseling is for crazy people and that is not true. Everyone has issues and can use support.” Seconding Hebert, Mills said “It’s not as bad as it seems. If you’re afraid of someone knowing you’re going there, it won’t happen because they’re confidential. The only way someone will know is if you tell them.”

The UCC is also on Facebook and Twitter. Search Southeastern Louisiana University Counseling Center (Facebook) and selucc (Twitter). These pages offer inspiring words, videos and updated information on upcoming UCC events around campus.

If interested in getting free mind relieving sessions, the University Counseling Center is open Monday – Friday, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and is located across the street from St. Tammany Hall at 307A Virginia Ave. The center can be contacted by phone or email at 985-549-3894 or slucc@selu.edu. Fax is also available at 985-549-5007.

For after-hour counseling emergencies, as well as on weekends/holidays, contacting the University Police Department at 985-549-2222. The operator will help connect someone in need to the on-call counselor. If a counseling emergency occurs during its open hours, immediate counseling is offered.