A planning meeting for the Costa Rica Eco-Tour 2011 will be held Sunday Nov. 1st at 3:00 PM in the Brewer Center.

Call (843) 870-4216 for more information.

For Date Night: Last Chance Harvey (December 26)

 For Girls Night Out: New Moon (November 20)

 For the Boys:  Armored (December 4) 

 For a Big Group: Old Dogs (November 25)

 Kid’s Movie (That College Kids Really Like): Where the Wild Things Are (October 16)

 Horror Flick:  The Fourth Kind (November 6)  

 Sci-Fi:  2012 (November 13)

 Novel Based: The Road (November 25)

 Remake: Sherlock Holmes (December 25)

 Biography: Amelia (October 23)

Charleston Southern University is looking for the coolest dorm room on campus. The coolest looking dorm will win over $200 in prizes includin g t-shirts, gift cards and more.

You can vote NOW for one of our five finalists. Visit CharlestonSouthern.edu/dorm to view the photos and vote.

CSU students will then V*O*T*E for your favorite dorm room online!

The winner will be announced October 30th.

 By Megan Bruner

1.   Habitat for Humanity

     Habitat for Humanity helps those in need by building houses for families.  It can be a one-time project or a semester-long endeavor. You can get involved by contacting Melissa Bell at CSU at mbell@csuniv.edu.

2. Charleston Animal Shelter (SPCA)

     This volunteer opportunity is perhaps the most fun of all! Their volunteer tasks include playing with kittens, walking dogs, and feeding the animals.  Check out their wWeb site at www.charlestonanimalsociety.org.

3. Goodwill

     Goodwill needs volunteers to help with mock interviewing, food drives, and other community events.  If you’re crunched for time, you can always help out by going through your old clothes and donating things that don’t fit, or that you don’t wear to their drop-off locations.  Find out more about their volunteer opportunities at this link: http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about/howweoperate/volunteer

4. Crisis Ministries

     Crisis Ministries strives to provide shelter and food for the poor in downtown Charleston, as well as present the gospel message of hope and love.  You can fill out a volunteer application as well as register for an orientation by logging on to http://www.charlestonhomeless.org/.

5. My Sister’s House

     My Sister’s House provides emergency shelter and help-line to women who are victims of domestic violence.  They especially need volunteers who can speak both English and Spanish to act as translators.  Find out more at http://www.mysistershouse.org/.

6. The American Cancer Society

     The American Cancer Society hosts several events and programs that benefit those suffering from cancer.  You can find out how to volunteer in the Charleston area by visiting http://www.cancer.org/docroot/EMP/EMP_2_Volunteers.asp?sitearea=EMP&level=1.

7. Trident Literacy Association

     Did you know that at least 15 percent of people in the tri-county area are illiterate? The Trident Literacy Association recruits volunteers to help adults learn to read and write so they may apply for jobs and lead a more rewarding life.  For more information, check out http://www.tridentlit.org/volunteer.htm.

8. Ronald McDonald House

     The Ronald McDonald House provides housing for families with critically ill children who have been hospitalized.  Their house is located very close to MUSC, and they are always in need of volunteers.  You can fill out a volunteer form at http://www.lovebuilds.org/Volunteer.asp.

9. Meals on Wheels Summerville

     The Summerville base location of Meals on Wheels is always in need of helpers to assist in packaging meals in the kitchen.  You must be 18 to volunteer and participate in a short orientation.  You can find out more about how to get involved at www.dycon.com/svillemeals.

10. Boys and Girls Clubs (Trident Area)

     The Boys and Girls clubs provide opportunities for mentoring young people.  Volunteer tasks include homework help, substance abuse prevention, as well as just having fun playing sports or doing other activities with the kids. You can sign up to be a mentor at www.bgclubta.org.

By Franny Garrett

CSU student, Tina De Carvalho, was honored by the Alliance Française of Charleston as the French student of the year at Charleston Southern for last year. De Carvalho is a senior minoring in French and is also a member of the CSU Women’s Basketball team. Marie-Laure Arnaud, the president of the Alliance Française of Charleston, association presented her with many prizes including a certificate, a t-shirt and a French flag.

The photos featured below include Tina De Carvalho with Marie-Laure Arnaud and another photo with Dr. Luton, French Professor.

By Franny Garrett

Saturday, September 26, CSU future teachers participated in The Lowcountry Heartwalk. The event began downtown Charleston in front of the South Carolina Aquarium. The Future Teachers Society rose over $500 to donate to the American Heart Association. This money goes towards the education and advocacy so Americans can live longer, healthier lives. Since more than 910,000 Americans die every year from heart disease and stroke, it is important to educate people in what they can do to prevent these diseases. This year, the AHA raised $370,781 and donations are still coming in. The goal for this year was $575,000.

When asked, “Why did you participate in the Lowcountry Heartwalk?” Katie Bowman, junior, stated, “I participated in the heart walk to represent FTS. We also wanted to support Dr. Putman who is a survivor of two heart surgery.” Many students enjoyed participating in the heart walk and look forward to it next year.

Pictured below are CSU Future Teachers with Dr. Cynthia Putman, a heart disease survivor and organizer for the university’s group.

For more information go to the Low Country Heart Walk website: http://www.startlowcountrysc.org/.

 By Christine Johnson     

Banned Book Week, celebrated during the last week of September, is a way of celebrating our freedom of speech and expression.  Our First Amendment gives us the right to speak our minds and express our values.  Banning books encroaches on that right.

 So why are books banned or challenged?  Books can be challenged by the government with the intention of protecting people.  Often, it is the government’s way of protecting children from ideas or content they do not feel is appropriate for children to read.  Some of the books are banned for foul language.  Others, such as The Scarlet Letter, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Moby Dick were banned because their content conflicted with the values of the community.  Others, like A Wrinkle in Time were banned because they did not conform to the community’s religious beliefs.  Books that have content that can be considered racially offensive such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain¸ and Little House in the Big Wood by Laura Ingalls Wilder, have been banned.   

 So why are these books still available to us in libraries if they have been challenged?  The Library Bill of Rights states that “Parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources.” 

 Books of all content and genre are important to education because reading helps stretch the mind.  It helps us learn about people and cultures we cannot necessarily experience in real life.  It is important that all books be available for everybody to experience.  It is a right that our Constitution gives us and it should be protected.

By Megan Bruner

So, it’s college, right? And everyone is short on cash.  It’s always good to have some inexpensive things to do to fill your weekend!

1.  Go play at Azalea Park in Summerville.

     Yes, so it is a little childish, but who doesn’t secretly still love swings and playgrounds? Plus there are tennis courts, plenty of room for frisbee, and tons of grass for the perfect picnic!

2. Visit the Angel Oak on John’s Island

     Located on John’s Island, the Angel Oak is more than 1,400 years old! Plus it is a cool place for awesome Facebook pictures!

3. Go to the Beach

     Isle of Palms is only about a half hour away.  You can pile all 10 of your friends in your VW Beetle and hit the road. The beach is the best place to spend your Saturday, and it doesn’t cost a thing (well..except gas money to get there)!

4.  Have a Movie Night in the Lounge

     Invite all your friends, pop popcorn, and watch movies that you already have in your collection.  It is a perfect, cozy night in with your PJs!

5.  Play Taboo

     Chances are, someone in the dorm has Taboo. It is an awesome group game and makes a fun study break!

6. Walk the Bridge

     Park downtown and walk the Cooper River Bridge.  It is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning and get in some needed exercise.

7. Swing on the Swings at Waterfront Park

     This romantic spot makes a wonderful date night.  Grab dinner on campus (for the supremely romantic “caf date”) then head downtown to the park.  A lot of times, dolphins show off their skills along the water at Waterfront.  You’ll only have to pay for parking, which shouldn’t be more than a couple dollars.

8.  Go to a Football Game and Get a Snack

     CSU football games (and any other games) are free with your CSU ID.  In addition to this, there is usually a coupon for Wendy’s or Dunkin Doughnuts on the back of the ticket!

9. Go Ice Skating

     Every Wednesday night from 7-9 is ladies night at the Carolina Ice Palace.  Ladies over the age of 18 get in free and receive a free skate rental! Sorry guys, it’ll cost you about six dollars.

10.  Go to the Movies on Ladson Road

     The Cinemark on Ladson Road features new-release movies at a discounted rate.  If you catch a matinee, the ticked cost is only $2.75.  You can’t rent anything at Blockbuster for less than that!