Muncie gets ready for the holiday season!

Have you seen Downtown Muncie lately?? 

Well, the FUN-see city is getting ready for Christmas!

Image Source 

Here are some of the holiday events you can take a part in this season. Check 'em out!

Holiday Bazaar (Benefit)
Time: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location: Bruner's Family Restaurant

Holiday Bazaar Bruner's Family Restaurant 2200 W. Kilgore Ave. Muncie, IN 

Saturday Dec. 1, 2012from 5pm to 8pm 

Refreshments and Door Prizes 

Grab your girlfriends and come do some Christmas Shopping. 

Kiwanis Christmas Tree Sale - Muncie (Sale)
Time: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Location: Next to Muncie  Fieldhouse at the corner of Wysor and High St.

Help support local children and youth by purchasing a fresh cut Christmas tree from the Kiwanis Club of Muncie, located next to the Fieldhouse on the corner of Wysor and High St. Trees ready for purchase include Scotch pine, White pine, Douglas fir and Fraser fir ranging in size from table-top to 15 feet. Come out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season daily starting Nov. 23 from 10am – 8pm. All proceed from the trees go back to community based projects for children.

Winter Wonderland (Family Fun)
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Muncie Children's Museum

Santa has lost his sleigh and needs our help. MCM is recruiting elves to help with the search which begins in MCM's Winter Wonderland. Families will take a fun-filled adventure through fifteen rooms and hallways that depict various holiday stories and themes. Come share the magic of the season and help us find Santa's sleigh. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sundays 1pm to 5pm. Admission is $5 for non-members and $4 for MCM members.

Minnetrista Enchanted Luminary Walk

The Enchanted Luminaria Walk is a 

"Must-do" event 

here in the Fun-See Muncie 

city! 

The word "Luminaria" refers to a lamp that is displayed during festivals. And the word "enchanted" means to have a magical quality or essence.

Traditionally these lanterns were made of paper bags filled about 1/4 full of sand in the bottom with a candle placed in the sand. However, that is a dangerous design, so with the arrival of plastic, today's luminarias tend to be made from old milk cartons.

At the Minnetrista festival, these lanterns line the walks all through the grounds creating an "enchanted" atmosphere that warms the heart with nostalgic feelings. That is the perfect setting for experiencing an old-fashioned American Christmas. The Ball Family homes are open during this event and they are all dressed up with Christmas decorations. It is quite an impressive sight! Visitors can stroll along the grounds, ride a horse-drawn carriage, tour the homes, and visit the shops.

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There will also be live music, outdoor fires and kettle corn! (Kettle corn is old-fashioned popcorn. It has a unique flavor and is somewhat sweeter than regular popcorn.)

Picture Source

This year's Enchanted Luminary Walk will take place on Friday November 30 and Saturday December 1 from 6-9 pm. And it is free!

I highly recommend this event - it is indeed enchanting, and it is a beautiful night that perfectly sets your heart ready for the good feelings and good memories of the Christmas season. In addition, this is a great time to see inside the Ball Family homes and get a glimpse of how life used to be right here in Muncie Indiana at another time in history.

NOTE: Be sure to dress warmly because you will be outside in the cold and wind!

Some Nights

Some nights, I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights, I call it a draw
Some nights, I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights, I wish they'd just fall off



But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don't know anymore...
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa oh oh
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa oh oh

This is it, boys, this is war - what are we waiting for?
Why don't we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype - save that for the black and white
I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked, but here they come again to jack my style

And that's alright; I found a martyr in my bed tonight
She stops my bones from wondering just who I am, who I am, who I am
Oh, who am I? mmm... mmm...

Well, some nights, I wish that this all would end
Cause I could use some friends for a change
And some nights, I'm scared you'll forget me again
Some nights, I always win, I always win...

But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for, oh
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don't know... (come on)

So this is it? I sold my soul for this?
Washed my hands of that for this?
I miss my mom and dad for this?

(Come on)

No. When I see stars, when I see, when I see stars, that's all they are
When I hear songs, they sound like this one, so come on
Oh, come on. Oh, come on, OH COME ON!



Well, that is it guys, that is all - five minutes in and I'm bored again
Ten years of this, I'm not sure if anybody understands
This one is not for the folks at home; Sorry to leave, mom, I had to go
Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun?

My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she call "love"
When I look into my nephew's eyes...
Man, you wouldn't believe the most amazing things that can come from...
Some terrible {lies|nights}...ahhh...

Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh oh
Oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa, oh oh

The other night, you wouldn't believe the dream I just had about you and me
I called you up, but we'd both agree
It's for the best you didn't listen
It's for the best we get our distance... oh...
It's for the best you didn't listen
It's for the best we get our distance... oh...

Black Friday!!

With bellies full of Turkey and Dressing, 

pies and cakes, 

we now turn our attention to 

BLACK FRIDAY!

Black Friday is the kick-off starting point for the Holiday Shopping Season. Why did I write that in capitol letters? Because the Holiday Shopping Season is kind of a big deal - and it is kind of its own entity, so I feel it deserves the respect of a proper noun.

The holiday season includes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, with Christmas as the biggest gift-giving holiday, especially when you add in other holidays around this same time such as Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.

The term "Black Friday" refers to the idea that retails make a profit from all their sales, so their accounting records should be "in the black", meaning that they make a profit. The opposite of being "in the black" is to be "in the red", meaning that the business took a loss in sales. On Black Friday, the sales are so irresistible that people buy and buy and buy, thus resulting in happy retailers recording their sales IN THE BLACK!

OK - so that's the background. More specifically, Black Friday is a crazy time of shopping in the US. Nearly every store or business that sells literally anything has wild sales to attract customers. And the sales are very specific. For example, the first 50 or 100 (or whatever number a retailer chooses) to get in the doors after they open will receive special offers. Another example is that you can only get a super cheap price until a specified time - (usually before noon on Friday). And part of the craze is simply being a part of all the excitement.

Mob Mentality, if you will. People just love to be a part of all the commotion and excitement!

In fact, it is only 7pm as I write this, and as I drove home from my family Thanksgiving gathering, I passed Best Buy where people are lined up around the building waiting for them to open.

Best Buy's special Black Friday hours, by the way, begin at midnight tonight. People who go out this early to get the best deals often make a party out of the whole thing - they play music, dance, eat snacks, talk with each other, etc. Its fun just to go out and see this other part of American culture.

I personally don't like the bully ways of some of the people or all the crowds, but I do like to watch them, so for me, it isn't so much about the cheap prices, but more about getting a kick out of seeing people get loony!

Muncie Mall also opens at midnight tonight and some places will be open all night long. If you opt to sleep tonight, you can still get in on some of the fun if you get up early - like 6am or so. I highly recommend everyone to experience Black Friday at least once in their lifetime.

Check it out and then let me know about your experience!

Have fun and be careful!

Thanksgiving: Family Traditions

In the USA, people celebrate the Thanksgiving in many different ways, but the overwhelming theme of these celebrations is family. Families get together on this day and spend time eating, playing games, watching TV, hiking, napping, telling stories, etc. In this post I'm going to share with you some typical traditions and tell

Travel - Lots of people travel on this holiday - they drive or fly to visit extended family members far away

Feast - Eating is a big part of Thanksgiving, and some foods are known as the "Thanksgiving meal". The Turkey is the most famous, but many families may also eat fried chicken and/or ham. Common foods include mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, stuffing (a bread-based mixture that is baked inside the turkey), corn casserole, salads, bread and rolls, various appetizers, and lots of deserts including apple pie, pumpkin pie, and spice cakes.

Watch TV - Football games and the traditional Macy's Day Parade run in the background of most Thanksgiving celebrations. People lounge around the TV and often end up taking naps to sleep off the effects of overeating.

Break the Wishbone - The Y-shaped bone of the turkey's breast is shared between two people who each take one side in their hands and then, on the count of three, they pull it apart. The person who get's the larger piece is said to have his/her wishes come true on that day.

Verbalize Thanks - As the family gathers around the table, people may take turns speaking out loud a list of things for which they are grateful.

Get Ready for Christmas - Many families choose not to buy many gifts at Christmas time, but instead buy only one gift for one person. To make it even and fair, family members will exchange names to decide who each one will buy a gift for. So Thanksgiving day is the time to draw names and make this choice. Another thing people often do either on Thanksgiving day or the next day, is to decorate the house for Christmas. Doing it together as a family makes the big job more fun.

Serve a Thanksgiving Meal - Instead of cooking and eating at home, some families will go to a local homeless shelter or food center and work to cook and serve food to people who are in need.

Make Crafts - Tables are filled with crafting supplies and people may spend the afternoon making crafts that can then be used as Christmas decorations. They might also work on a puzzle or play board games.

Prepare for BLACK FRIDAY - Check back tomorrow for information about this crazy part of the American Thanksgiving!

What is Thanksgiving?

Hello Readers! 

This is the week of Thanksgiving!

Most of you probably know that Thanksgiving is an American holiday - and that it is a time for families to get together and eat a big meal and think about all the things they are thankful for in their lives. You are right!

But there is more. So in this post, I'd like to tell you a little more about Thanksgiving - when, where, and how it started, and what many Americans do to celebrate this holiday.

Today's post will be the background and history of Thanksgiving. 

Tomorrow will be information about today's Thanksgiving celebrations. 

Then be sure to check back on the day of Thanksgiving to find out about BLACK FRIDAY!

OK - Here is the beginning:

1620 - The first ship, named the Mayflower, arrived in America from England. It was full of people who left their homeland because they were not free there to worship their God the way they believed they should. The were called "Separatists" because they wanted to separate from the Church of England. The name we know best for them, however, is Pilgrim.

Image Source: Pilgrim Hall Museum  

The Pilgrims struggled their first winter in North America because they were not familiar with the land and the kinds of crops they could grow and because the winter was so cold. Many of them died.

Image Source: The Pilgrims

The following spring, the nearby Wampanoag Indians helped the Pilgrims to plant crops that would they could harvest and eat the next winter. The Indians also helped them prepare for the winter by teaching them how to use the resources of the land such as animals for food and warmth.

Image Source: Props to the Pilgrims

This offer of knowledge and skills from the Wampanoag Indians to the Pilgrims was greatly appreciated. The next fall when the Pilgrims harvested their crops, they invited the Indians to share in their feast. During this now famous "First Thanksgiving", the Pilgrims thanked their neighbors and new friends for their generosity and they thanked their God for freedom, health, family, and friends.













Image Source: Smithsonian 

This idea of expressing Thanks for friends and family and sharing our blessings with others is at the heart of the American Thanksgiving Holiday.

For The Beauty of the Earth

This is the week of THANKSGIVING!

Therefore, it is appropriate for today's Monday's Music Pick to be a 

Hymn of Thanksgiving:

For the Beauty of the Earth

I grew up with this song, so it has many good memories for me - 

it sums up our sentiment of thanksgiving 

as we end the beautiful fall season 

and move first into the season of holidays 

and then into the season of cold and dark. 

I'll be posting more information about the 

Thanksgiving Holiday 

this week, so check back! 

In the meantime, let this song 

fill your hearts with 

reflection and gratitude. 

Say HEY! I LOVE U!

Hey, I love you!

by

Michael Franti and Spearhead

This week's Monday Music Pick is a cheerful, sunny kind of song - it's been in my head all weekend, thanks to my office mate, Lizz, who was singing it all day on Friday.

I hope you enjoy the song and that it lifts you out of this cold, windy, rainy Monday!

This one goes out to you and yours, worldwide

I say, hey, I be gone todayBut I be back around the waySeems like everywhere I goThe more I see, the less I knowBut I know one thing that I love you, baby girlI love you, I love you, I love you

I've been a lot of places all around the wayI've seen a lot of joy, and I've seen a lot of painBut I don't want to write a love song for the worldI just want to write a song about a boy and a girl

Junkies on the corner, always calling my nameAnd the kids on the corner playing ghetto gamesWhen I saw you getting down, girl, I hoped it was youAnd when I looked into your eyes, I knew it was true

I say, hey, I be gone todayBut I be back around the waySeems like everywhere I goThe more I see, the less I knowBut I know one thing that I love you, baby girlI love you, I love you, I love you

Now I'm not a highly metaphysical manBut I know when the stars are aligned you canBump into a person in the middle of the roadLook into their eyes, and you suddenly know

Rocking in the dance hall, moving with youDancing in the night in the middle of JuneMy momma told me don't lose you'Cause the best luck I had was you

I say, hey, I be gone todayBut I be back around the wayIt seems like everywhere I goThe more I see, the less I knowBut I know one thing that I love you, baby girlI love you, I love you, I love you

And I say, rocking in the dance, hall moving with youI say, hey momma, hey momma, close to youRocking in the dance hall, moving with youI say, hey, trippa, trippa, got to shoot

Rocking in the dance hall, moving with youI say, hey momma, close to youRocking in the dance hall, moving with youI say, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma, hey mommaHey momma, hey momma, hey momma, hey momma

My momma told me don't lose you'Cause the best luck I had was youAnd I know one thing that I love you

I say, hey, I be gone todayBut I'll be back around the wayIt seems like everywhere I goThe more I see, the less I know

I say, hey, I be gone todayBut I'll be back around the wayIt seems like everywhere I goThe more I see, the less I knowBut I know one thing that I love you, baby girlI love you, I love you, I love you

I love you, I love you, I love youI love you, I love you, I love youI love you, I love you, I love you

Rocking in the dance hall, moving with youI say, hey papa, hey papa, hey momma, hey mommaRocking in the dance hall, moving with youCome on, hey papa, hey papa, come to shoot(Hey mama, hey mama)

Ball State University Campus Weeks

Sponsored by the Federal Republic of Germany, 

the German program at Ball State University is organizing this year’s 

“Think Transatlantic Campus Weeks” 

November 7-13th, 2012. 

This campaign seeks to promote dialogue among students about

“The United States and Germany in the 21st Century”.

By attending guest lectures and participating in competitions and discussion rounds, 

learners will explore the current state and future role of the German-American partnership. 

The “Think Transatlantic Campus Weeks” aims at bringing together 

students and faculty from different departments for an interdisciplinary exchange of

knowledge for future transatlantic success.

“What brings Europeans and Americans closer together and keeps them close is a common basis for shared values, is a common idea of the individual and his inviolable dignity, is a common understanding of freedom and responsibility.”

– Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel Campus Weeks November 7 - 13, 2012

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To find out more about Think Transatlantic at BSU:

Visit the German Info Center:

Join us on facebook:

Follow us on Twitter: 

Contact Dr. Nicola Schmerbeck: nschmerbeck@bsu.edu

Japanese students visiting Muncie Central HS Today!!

The March 11 Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Disaster

A Community Presentation by Twelve Students from

Ushiku High School in Ibaraki Prefecture

November 8, 2012    7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Muncie Central High School Auditorium

Open to the Public & Free Admission

At the conclusion of the program refreshments will be served and you will have the opportunity to visit with these students.

Parking and entrance on the north side of Muncie Central at 801 N. Walnut Street.

For more information please contact Allen Kidd: Tel: 747-5260  akidd@muncie.k12.in.us

The Kizuna “Bonds” Project is sponsored by the Japan Foundation and administered by the Laurasian Institute.  It provided the funding to bring the Ushiku students to America and also sponsored a June, 2012 study trip to Japan for nine students from Muncie Central and Southside.

              

            

             

Indian Grocery Store Comes to Muncie!

Food Diversity. 

Yes, even here in Muncie, Indiana, 

we have a small but steadily growing availability of diverse food choices.

 This past summer the India Market opened up just off of McGalliard on N. Walnut Street (about a block south of Aldi’s).

Husband and wife team, Kaur and Jang Singh, opened India Market to meet customers’ needs to buy both raw and packaged ingredients to cook Indian foods. You can find the special spices and seasonings required for Indian cuisine at Indian Market that you cannot find in regular grocery stores. The store is small and therefore limited in what they can offer, but as a new business, they intend to increase their inventory based on customer’s needs.

It is important to support this new venture because we want to keep diverse businesses here in Muncie and continue to encourage new businesses to join the market place. So even if India Market does not currently stock everything you want, please buy what they do have instead of waiting to go to Indianapolis to stock up on all your ethnic food supplies. 

Be sure to tell the Singhs what products you hope they will carry in the future. 

What: India Market

Location: 2204 N. Walnut Street, Muncie, IN

A Call to Prayer

The Orthodox Christian Fellowship chapter 

of Ball State University presents a seminar on Byzantine Music

Byzantine Chant: East, West, Universal; Past, Present, and Future  

When: Wed. 7 Nov. 

Where: Cardinal Hall C - Pittenger Student Center, Ball State University

What Time: 7:00 p.m. 

Presented by: Richard Barrett 

Byzantine chant is a living tradition of sacred music with a continuous practice going back to the fourth century AD and roots extending to the earliest years of Christianity. It shares a heritage with Western music, and is the common musical language for Orthodox Christians in Greece, Asia Minor,Lebanon, Syria, Jerusalem, Egypt, Romania, and parts of Russia. As it is introduced as the music of worship for Anglophone Orthodox Christians, the differences between Byzantine chant and what we think of as "Western music" will be considered, as will what they have in common.  In addition, discussion will include how both traditions reflect a common musical inheritance from Greco-Roman antiquity, and what the future holds for this musical tradition as it continues to be employed in Orthodox worship in many languages and around the world.

Mr. Barrett holds a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and a Master of Arts in Ancient History from Indiana University.  He is currently completing a doctorate under the direction of Edward J. Watts, with a focus on civic devotions to the Mother of God in the Late Antique Roman world. He has been cantor and choir director at All SaintsOrthodox Church in Bloomington, Indiana since 2005 

Afghan Week!

What a wonderful opportunity to meet our fellow BSU colleagues from Afghanistan 

at the many activities taking place this week during

 "Afghan Week"! 

The week begins with a fundraising dinner on Tuesday, 

November 6 in Cardinal Hall. 

Taste authentic Afghan food 

and enjoy traditional dancing with live music. 

There will also be a fashion show on the opening night's agenda. 

DETAILS:

Dinner Tuesday 11/6 @ 6pm @ Cardinal Hall 

• Includes a fashion show, music, and dancing

Presentation 11/7 @ 3pm @Yuhas Room, Student Center

Afghan Women's Program 11/8 @Christian Campus House @ 6:30 pm

• Speakers include Bibi Bahrami, Julie Lebo, Marilyn Weaver

Movie Night 11/9 @ Multipurpose Room, Student Center: The Kite Runner

NOTE: All events include free Afghan food and promise to be interesting, informative, entertaining and a great way to meet new friends!

International Festival!

Tomorrow is going to be an amazing event!
Every year Ball State hosts I-Fest - the International Festival
where all our international students showcase highlights from their home countries.

It's called the AMAZING TASTE - GLOBAL FESTIVAL 
because for a mere $7.75 (adult price) you can get tickets for food -
and I mean a LOT of food from countries around the world.

You can also enjoy the event without eating the food 

because there are sooooooo many things going on! 

Here is a list of just a FEW of the events:

Afghan Dances 

Peack Pickers Bluegrass Band

Combo Adobo Salsa Band

Bagpipes 

Belly Dancers

Martial Arts 

Global Fashion Show

In fact, there are so many things going on that you will not 

be able to see it all - 

I'm telling you, it's AMAZING! 

It's one of the best events at Ball State and here in Muncie. 

So no matter how busy you are, 

find time to at least stop by and check it out.

I'll see you there!

Here are the details:

When: Thursday, November 1

Time: 4-8 pm

Where: Ball State Student Center

Top Ten Halloween Songs

I missed "Monday's Music Pick" this week, so I'm posting today a list of the 

TOP TEN HALLOWEEN SONGS (as chosen by Billboard magazine). 

Go directly to the Billboard link for the complete list - 

I'm just giving you MY top pick, (which is actually their #2). 

It's Monster Mash, by Bobby Morris.

I was working in the lab late one night 

When my eyes beheld an eerie sight 

For my monster from his slab began to rise 

And suddenly to my surprise 

He did the mash 

He did the monster mash 

The monster mash 

It was a graveyard smash 

He did the mash 

It caught on in a flash 

He did the mash 

He did the monster mash 

From my laboratory in the castle east 

To the master bedroom where the vampires feast 

The ghouls all came from their humble abodes 

To get a jolt from my electrodes 

They did the mash 

They did the monster mash 

The monster mash 

It was a graveyard smash 

They did the mash 

It caught on in a flash 

They did the mash 

They did the monster mash 

The zombies were having fun 

The party had just begun 

The guests included Wolf Man 

Dracula and his son 

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds 

Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds 

The coffin-bangers were about to arrive 

With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five" 

They played the mash 

They played the monster mash 

The monster mash 

It was a graveyard smash 

They played the mash 

It caught on in a flash 

They played the mash 

They played the monster mash 

Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring 

Seems he was troubled by just one thing 

He opened the lid and shook his fist 

And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?" 

It's now the mash 

It's now the monster mash 

The monster mash 

And it's a graveyard smash 

It's now the mash 

It's caught on in a flash 

It's now the mash 

It's now the monster mash 

Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band 

And my monster mash is the hit of the land 

For you, the living, this mash was meant too 

When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you 

Then you can mash 

Then you can monster mash 

The monster mash 

And do my graveyard smash 

Then you can mash 

You'll catch on in a flash 

Then you can mash 

Then you can monster mash 

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