Features

ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas

December 5, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Staff Writer Isabella Mezzaroba

(At the bottom of the article, you can find the schedule of movies)

It’s that time of year, again. The season some, who love baking cookies and spending hours in Macy’s, wait months for. The season for those who cringe at the sound of jingle bells, dread. It’s Christmas time and not only are our homes, families and stomachs gearing up for it, but our television schedules as well.

During the month of December, thousands tune into ABC family to watch the famed ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas. We all have our favorites, classics we’ve been watching for years. Opinions as to which ones to watch and which to avoid differ as you speak to various people.

SLAmedia’s staff writer’s have seen enough Christmas movies to know which ones to watch and which aren’t worth the time you could spend baking gingerbread men.

“A Year Without a Santa Claus, that one’s really good.” Sophomore Staff Writer Zoe Schwingel-Sauer recommends.

“I just watch the claymation ones, like Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, to laugh at them. They used to scare me a lot.” Sophomore Staff Writer Claudia Bonitatibus said.

25 Days of Christmas, ironically enough, does not just feature Christmas movies. Disney films such as Toy Story and the Little Mermaid will also be shown in the month of December.

“Christmas Story and Home Alone are good” Sophomore Staff Writer Desmond O’Donovan pointed out.

“Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” Senior Staff Writer Dejah Harley said. “I watch it every year.”

Elf, most of SLAmedia’s writers agree, is a classic. “It’s just so funny!” Others, however, have other things to say.

“While I like Will ferrell, I think the movie is loud, obnoxious and kind of annoying,” Sophomore Staff Writer Soledad Alfaro-Allah added to the ever growing debate.

I, myself to weigh in on the debate, can’t stand Elf or most Christmas movies for that matter. My opinion, however is not the be all and end all. Tune into ABC Family yourself and make the decision. I know I will be, unwillingly of course.

Feelings Behind Thanksgiving

November 27, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Claudia Bonitatibus

The early colonists of America used to offer thanks for various reasons. When there was a great event such as a military victory or a great rain and subsequent harvest following a long drought, they would take a day or more to give thanks. A thanksgiving was a religious day when people would thank God for his blessings.

Sophomore Jiwon Choi describes how Thanksgiving is perceived differently in America today. “I think it’s more of a tradition and a family gathering. I know that in the past they celebrated Thanksgiving as a day to give thanks to God. However, I think that people nowadays just use it as an excuse to meet up with their relatives.”

Thanksgiving is much more than just the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag sitting down to a feast, but since that is what is directly associated with Thanksgiving these days, many people have a sour feeling about the holiday. These people feel that Thanksgiving is just another holiday like Columbus Day – a day that celebrates the conquest of America and the massacre of Native Americans.

“I feel the same way about it as I feel about Columbus Day, it is pretty much in celebration of the destruction of a people, more or less, so I personally don’t like it at all,” said Sophomore Soledad Alfaro-Allah.

Another criticism of today’s observance of the holiday is that Thanksgiving has been trivialized. It has been turned into just another extension of the Christmas holiday season, especially because of the commercial focus of Black Friday, a day that has become just as important to many as the feast day itself. This is a recent development. During The Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the date of Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to the fourth in order to start the Christmas holiday sales earlier in hopes of boosting the economy.

“Since Black Friday is directly after Thanksgiving, I feel like people are more concerned about sales or reduced prices than Thanksgiving Day itself,” said Jiwon Choi.

In America it is hard not to be caught up in the commercialism or the historical mythology, or even the athletic boosterism of game day (yet another criticism of Thanksgiving), but it is always worthwhile to remember the spirit that sets this day apart – just as the early settlers realized, there is a lot to be thankful for in our everyday lives. Let’s not forget this.

“Skate” at the Piazza

November 26, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Upon reading about the skating rink set to open on November 30th at The Piazza at Schmit’s I was happy that I had a new venue to skate in the upcoming months, maybe even take a few dates to the rink as well. My joy was short lived as I found out the next day on Twitter that the rink will be artificial ice–essentially a 5,000 square foot cutting board as an Inquirer reporter said. Granted–I’ve never skated on an artificial rink, but I’m not looking forward to it either. I want to be freezing cold on that ice, I want to get frostbite on my hands when I fall and I want my jeans to get soaked when I lay on the ice for too long. I don’t see how

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any of that is possible with plastic ice. In the rink’s defense, admission is five bucks even with one dollar skate rentals. In addition to the rink, the 20,000 square foot courtyard will, in it’s usual fashion, also simultaneously hold festival style vendors and musicians.

I’m keeping my hopes up that the rink to be finished winter 2014 in Dilworth Plaza will be a good one.

Christmas Music: Love it or hate it?

November 25, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

By Melissa Alvarez

As of Saturday morning, B101 started their infamous Christmas music that will now be playing all the way to December 25th. SLA Media wants to know, do you love it or hate it? And when is it socially acceptable to start playing it on the radio, if at all?

Freshman Lewis Ford, “It’s okay. I’m just not a Christmasy person.” When is it socially acceptable to start playing it on the radio? “After thanksgiving.”

Sophomore Taylor Washington “I love Christmas music! It feels like family time. You can get up and dance and be happy!” When is it socially acceptable to start playing it on the radio? “The week of Thanksgiving.”

Sophomore Sattera Mark “I love Christmas music because it makes me happy.” When is it socially acceptable to start playing it on the radio? “They should play it on Thanksgiving day.”

Junior Adam Feliciano “I love Christmas Music. I think because it reminds me of the joy and the happiness and the family gatherings.” When is it socially acceptable to start playing it on the radio? “On Thanksgiving day.”

Senior Jovan Lewis “I enjoy christmas music.” Why? “I don’t know, it’s just that time of the year. I don’t hate christmas music, I find it kind of enjoyable.” When is it socially acceptable to start playing it on the radio? “A week before Thanksgiving up until New Years.”

So what do you think about Christmas music? Add your opinion in the comment box below!

Hallway Fashion-Avery Monroe

November 25, 2013 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Exactly what are you wearing today, and do you know where each item is from?
I am wearing a black skirt and leggings and boots and a cardigan. I don’t know where all of it’s from, but I know where some of it is from. The cardigan is from Urban Outfitters, my shoes are from DSW.

What are some of your favorite places to shop, or what are your favorite brands? Why?
I like Urban Outfitters, and I like Forever 21. Because they have nice clothes.

What does fashion mean to you?
I don’t know……

Do you consider yourself fashionable?
Sometimes. Some days I come looking like a slob but I think I look nice sometimes.

How long does it usually take for you to pick out the outfit that you’re going to wear for the day and what’s your thought process as you pick out these clothes?
About half an hour and then my thought process, I don’t know… I just pick out stuff i think looks good.

Who/What do you get your fashion inspiration from?
When I read magazines and stuff, and I look at the pictures.

If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life what would it be?
Sweatpants, and a hoodie.

What’s your 1 dream outfit?
I would go to free people and get an outfit, but I don’t know what specifically.

Interview By: Kenyatta Bundy Jr