Light Up UCF Returns With Charitable Family Fun

Posted on November 25, 2013 by jlyzniak

The annual Light Up UCF event, located outside of the CFE Arena, has returned again for its sixth year. This event runs for 50 days, this year from November 15, 2013 until January 5, 2014. This weekend, I volunteered for the Knight Run at Light Up UCF. A Charity 5k was added to the list of events over the 50-day span, supporting Second Harvest Food Bank and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals with UCF’s Knight-Thon. Families wore their most creative holiday costumes while they ran throughout campus at night.

Similar to last year, Carl Black of Orlando is one of the Light Up’s biggest sponsors. Since the Arena is now owned by CFE, they too are now big sponsors of the event. This event is open to the public, but to be a part of the fun, families have to purchase tickets at the box office at the arena or Ticketmaster. One or more nights a season, the Student Government Association (SGA) sponsors a free Student Knight for UCF Students.

This year, there is live entertainment, a Ferris wheel, Dance Dance Revolution, Ice Skating, and many more rides for students and families to enjoy. The prices for tickets are separate for ice skating, carnival rides and photos with Santa. Per the name of the event, there is a holiday light show that is synchronized to music, which is centered in front of the arena, free for everyone to watch throughout the evenings. Movie screenings are also available as part of the Holiday Film Festival. Some of our favorite holiday classics, such as Fred Clause, are shown on a blow-up big screen on the Towers basketball courts. New additions this year include falling “snow” every evening and cocoa at the new Dunkin Donuts. I recommend this outdoor winter wonderland right here at UCF in sunny Florida.

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Animal Safety in Movies has Become a Problem

Posted on November 25, 2013 by jacquelynne bernstein

Films are made to capture the imagination of the audience, and to tell a compelling story. In many films, the starring cast is not made up entirely of humans; animals have played a large role in the film business since the beginning of film. Whether the movie is about an animal or simply includes animals in a scene, the use of animals in film has a long standing tradition. Of course, one of the main concerns while shooting a film is safety for the cast and crew, and this has normally been especially true for animals.

Films containing animals normally have a disclaimer at the beginning or end ensuring the audience that no animals were hurt in the production of the film. This has been controlled by the American Humane Society since the beginning. They have been the ones that monitor scenes with animals and inspect to make sure the animals are treated humanely and kept alive. There is new evidence, however, that the AHA has not always reported animal abuse or mistreatment. During some more recent films, events involving animals have gotten media attention at times due to the danger the animal was put in. These films, however, stlll received the stamp of approval from the AHA. How is this possible? In some cases, animals have died while being used to produce a film.

The AHA has fallen into the habit or ignoring the rules they themselves set. With more attention being drawn to the safety of the animals in our films, one hopes that the AHA will get back to its original purpose.

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Celebrating The Holidays at Light Up UCF, an Event That Contains Music, Lights, Ice And a Lot of Fun For The Whole Family

Posted on November 25, 2013 by gloria vargas

This time of the year is a wonderful time to enjoy the holidays and have fun with family and friends. A great opportunity for this can be found at UCF’s Light Up UCF event, which lasts 50 days and is filled with music, lights and ice. The event has many attractions, such as an ice rink pavilion, artic glide, ferris wheel sponsored by Federal Credit union, a fun spot community stage, a holiday light show, and a holiday film festival sponsored by Sea World. There is even a Santa workshop and a charity 5K at this wonderful event.

The activities often attract many families, who like to take this time to enjoy the holidays. Even though it does not snow in Central Florida, the ice skating rink is a great activity to enjoy the wintertime. Skating on ice is available for the whole family. This activity is great for any age group, as they have fun on an ice rink that changes color. Not only are there many activities, but there are also different stands with delicious food and fun games, which include raffle spinning wheels where you can win fun prices.

The event lasts from November 15th until January 5th. Family friendly movies are being shown on different nights. Some of the events are completely free, such as the film festival and the light show. Other attractions are as low as 5 per person. It is a different and nice way to celebrate the holidays.

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Social Media Fraud: Fake Accounts Boost Popularity on Twitter

Posted on November 25, 2013 by alice_moskola

Thriving celebrities of today rely heavily on the number of views they receive on social networking sites. The more followers or “likes” a post or page has, the more attention is instantly drawn to it. Large amounts of followers tends to draw in curious individuals. We ask ourselves, if something is liked by thousands of people, why don’t I like it too? We take it upon ourselves to stay connected to the hottest topics and trending information. However, what if these “likes” are all simulated? Is it fair when actual involvement becomes a fake popularity contest?

Recently, a Twitter fraud has been uncovered and rapper Dave Murell may not be as popular as he appears. In order to gain publicity and acknowledgement by the public eye, Murell pays to have individuals purchase thousands of twitter accounts. The fake user then follows Murrell’s account and boosts his profile’s popularity. This plan could potentially work but the true fans are being misled. Although they may enjoy his music, some may simply be attempting to follow the crowd.

Many of today’s celebrities have their fame completely built around social media. They work hard and obtain the following that they deserve. Twitter was not created to bring false popularity upon individuals. Twitter promotes freedom of human expression, not fake and multiplied expression. Abusing social media in this manner is unjust and the option of buying out thousands of accounts defeats Twitters intended purpose. Thinking freely is a gift that we all are able to benefit from. Though it is our choice to pinpoint what we enjoy, we may be improperly led in an otherwise untraveled direction. Hardworking and talented individuals get the short end of the stick when usurers cheat the system.

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UCF Creates a Winter Wonderland on Campus

Posted on November 25, 2013 by ashley riordan

Winter wonderland in Orlando has returned! Light Up UCF has been running for six years and is located on the UCF campus outside of the CFE Arena in Knights Plaza. The event, presented by Carl Black of Orlando and the CFE Federal Credit Union will run for 50 days, from November 15 through January 5.

For the first time ever SGA will host two Student Knights. The first was November 14, and the second will be November 25th. Free Dunkin’ Donuts tumblers were given away to the first 500 students at the first Student Knight, and 250 will be given out at the second event.

This year’s attractions include ice-skating, a slide, horse-drawn carriage rides and a ferris wheel. There will also be free food, giveaways, games, music and live entertainment. Movie screenings will be held as part of the Holiday Film Festival. A Charity 5k has also been added to the list of events over the 50-day span. The 5k will support Second Harvest Food Bank and UCF’s Knight-thon. To promote the spirit participants are encouraged to wear their most creative holiday costume.

Light Up UCF is free for all UCF students. For the public, tickets are available for purchase at the CFE Arena Box Office now until the event is over. Prices are as follows:

Ice Skating: $12.00
Carnival Rides: $4.25 – $6.50
Photos with Santa: $12.00 – $25.00

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Sports Journalists Losing Jobs Due to Retired Athletes

Posted on November 25, 2013 by rachelfoster89

There use to be a trend in the journalism community. You pay your dues a low rate, unpopular journalist doing the scrub stories. Eventually, you get your big break and maybe scoot up a couple spots. Hopefully at the end of this process you can become a renowned Stuart Scott of sorts and be featured on ESPN as a lead anchor. This is a sports journalist’s dream. But something has changed as of late and it is angering aspiring sports broadcasters and journalists.

After retiring from the sports world many coaches and players are beginning to sharpen there speaking skills and moving to the broadcast world. All one has to do is watch a morning, evening or night sports broadcast and see that at least fifty percent or more of the broadcasters are retired coaches or players.

Networks such as ESPN and FOX are training these athletes to conduct themselves in a broadcast safe manor in order to put them on these shows. Not only does this attract a higher audience due to the athlete’s solid popularity but also it allows the audience to see a report from a different perspective. But this is hurting the broadcast industry for people who go to school to do exactly what these athletes get to do in only a months training. Looking at it from the outside in =, I feel sorry for these men and women who dedicate their lives to a profession only to have it snatched away by a retired athletes who’s already reached their goals and aspirations. I think it is not only unfair but also unprofessional for these athletes to be announcing and broadcasting on a subject they know about but with little to no experience in how to say it.

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American Music Awards: Rihanna receives Icon Award, and Performs her song Diamonds.

Posted on November 25, 2013 by ash6128ucf

Since her debut to the world back in 2005 Rihanna has had a hit in the top 10 charts every year since then.  Rihanna is an artist that is untouchable when it comes to making music.  Just recently Rihanna had her 25th Hot 100 Top 10 Hit from her new song The Monster with Eminem.   During last night American Music Award Rihanna was honored for her music.

Rihanna who is only 25 years old took home what might’ve been the vaguest of all awards at Sunday’s Night American Music Awards: the Icon Award was presented to the pop singer by her mother. The Icon Award was to honor the pop star for providing the soundtrack to our 21st century years and lives.

Rihanna mother Monica Fenty said “I know the journey and your career has not always been an easy one. But tonight I applaud and admire you for being strong and so positive and so humble and so focused.

Rihanna’s performance of “Diamonds” during which the 25 year-old dominated the stage with and orchestra reminded people of a young Grace Jones.

The pop star was powerfully reclaiming the lines about being beautiful in the sky, and making them sound more inevitable then before.

What will be next for Rihanna to conquer? Will Rihanna ever go wrong when it comes to making music? Whether you like what she does on social media Rihanna has been an artist that has changed the music industry. We will wait and see to what Rihanna will bring to us with her next album. There is no denying the talent and sex appeal that she brings through her music.

 

 

 

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SeaWorld fights to be allowed back in the water with killer whales

Posted on November 25, 2013 by bhecker

The killer whale shows at SeaWorld parks have always been a controversial topic. For years, animal rights groups have argued that the killer whales, along with most of the other animals in captivity at SeaWorld, should not be kept in captivity and made to perform. For a long time, these complaints fell on deaf ears. SeaWorld kept their killer whale shows and millions of park-goers flocked to see the performances.

This changed in 2010, after the death of SeaWorld employee Dawn Brancheau. One of the largest killer whales at SeaWorld Orlando dragged Brancheau into the water. She was subsequently killed due to drowning and blunt force trauma. After this tragedy, SeaWorld was fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and was no longer allowed to have killer whale trainers in the water with the animals.

SeaWorld has been trying ever since to get that decision overturned. Now, SeaWorld is at an appeals court hearing attempting to get things back to the way they were. SeaWorld’s attorney has likened the situation to the NFL, saying that government restriction of close contact with the orcas would be like saying no more tackling in professional football. An attorney for the U.S. Labor Department present at the hearing argued that no matter how many safety precautions SeaWorld took, killer whales are still predatory animals.

Now, the three judges who heard the case will have to make a decision. This will most likely come to light in a few months. In the meantime, SeaWorld will continue with their killer whale shows, minus the orca-trainer interaction.

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Search Warrant Unconvers Several Weapons In The Home of George Zimmerman

Posted on November 25, 2013 by loganperatla

Just last week George Zimmerman was arrested for allegedly pointing a shotgun in his girlfriend’s face. While police were unable to find any weapons in the home upon his arrest, this was not the case when they searched the home again recently. Authorities say they found five weapons, including an AR-15, and more than 100 rounds of ammunition. According to the search warrant, police also found three handguns, a 12-gauge shotgun, a rifle, three handgun holsters, as well as a pocket knife. Despite these recent findings, Zimmerman is out on bail and has entered a plea of not guilty. The judge however, did put these conditions on the bail that was set for him: Zimmerman cannot go to two Florida addresses, he cannot have contact with the accuser, Samantha Scheibe, he cannot possess weapons, he must wear a monitoring device, and he cannot travel outside Florida. George Zimmerman’s wife, Shellie Zimmerman, is also be questioned by reporters for her thoughts on her husband’s actions. She told Katie Couric that she now questions his innocence concerning the Trayvon Martin case, and does believe he is a ticking time bomb. She also hopes he gets the help he needs, and that he doesn’t end up hurting anyone else.

Many reporters are comparing George Zimmerman’s behavior to that of OJ Simpson. Even though he has gotten away with what many like to call “murder,” he still refuses to lay low and be the “model citizen” that one of the jurors in the Trayvon Martin case claimed he would be once the case was over. It is clear that this man does need help, and that he needs to be reprimanded. I often wonder how the jurors of the Trayvon Martin case feel now about the decision they made to let this man be free because he is proving to be a danger not only to himself but the rest of the public as well. It is my prayer that this man is stopped before another tragic incident has the chance to occur again.

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Family Guy Shocks Fans With Death of Brian

Posted on November 25, 2013 by v.king

Last night we lost one of America’s favorite singing, drinking, intellectual, bad book writing talking dogs Brian Griffin. After eleven and a half years of being on the show, creator Seth Macfarlane decided it was time to kill off a key character in the hit animated show “Family Guy”. The episode ended with his death and with a new dog voiced my a character in the Sopranos. Apparently this dog will take Brian’s place. Fans were shocked and appalled at the unexpected death of the dog and petitions and hate mail has already been in circulation to the shows creators.

A lot of fans were totally upset about the death of such an iconic character but I think it is great. Family Guy is such a fast paced show. By fast paced I mean it is able to stay relevant to current pop culture topics and satire them the way no other show can. Granted it is sad to see Brian go, I’m sure its not the last time he will make an appearance on the show.

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