Tupelo, MS Canine Playground

Millions of lucky dogs get adopted each year by loving American families. This year the Jaggers family has welcomed fourteen and counting loving canine companions to their Tupelo, Ms country side home, which sits on seven acres land. As euthanasia increases across the United States, Americans should become aware of the importance of adoption. According to the American Humane Society, in 2008 approximately 3.7 million animals were euthanized. This year Petigree has been strongly advertising the importance of adopting animals through their adoption campaign. Their campaign states that every time you buy Petigree people are making donation for dogs to find loving homes.

As for the Jaggers family they have always have had a soft spot for rescue dogs and giving them a loving home. Although having fourteen dogs may be overwhelming to some, the Jaggers family just considers them another part of the family.

America's driver education program needs overhaul

Getting a license in the United States is relatively easy and inexpensive. Is this a good thing though? Making it easy to be in control of a two ton object that can reach speeds in excess of 100 mph should sound like a bad idea. Yet, in America that's exactly how it is. Due to this more Americans die in traffic fatalities than most other countries.

The average cost of a drivers license in the United States is $30. In countries like Germany the average cost is € 800. The phrase "You get what you pay for" never rang more true. This higher cost covers the expenses necessary to make sure that every person who attains a license in Germany knows how to drive in every major road condition and handle every situation.

Although increasing the cost of the license in America isn't the main goal, in doing so it could help Americans take it more seriously and provide states the funds necessary to make driver education comprehensive enough to be on par with countries such as Germany.

OUCH³: Conspicuous Consumption

Oxford Mississippi's Double Decker Festival is wholesome entertainment the entire family can enjoy. Street vendors selling arts and crafts, lively music, and games for the kids. But as with many facets of life in Oxford, there exists a hidden undercurrent of deviancy and alcohol abuse.

Perhaps no group better demonstrates this then OUCH³. The Oxford University Community Hash House Harriers.

This self-described "drinking club with a running problem" meets once a month and runs along hidden trails anywhere from 2-7 miles. On the way, "hashers" are required to stop at secret checkpoints, chug a beer from a concealed cooler or perfectly-timed "beer wagon", and continue to the next checkpoint. By the end most runners are so exhausted and intoxicated, they might actually think Admiral Ackbar IS Colonel Reb.

According to the Local Voice, Hash Runs date back to the 1930's. While it's unclear exactly how long the Oxford chapter has been at it, the fact that it only costs $10 to get obliterated will probably solidify it's future for a long time.

-BLAKEBUCK

www.BigHotSho.com

The expansion of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, on the campus of the University of Mississippi, is one of the Southeastern Conference's smallest and oldest football facilities. The stadium opened in 1915 as Hemingway Stadium, under the likeness of the late Judge William Hemingway. In October of 1982, Ole Miss added the last name of legendary football coach John Vaught to the Stadium.

The most recent expansion of Vaught-Hemingway took place in 2002, when 10,000 seats were added--giving the stadium the title of Mississippi's largest football facility. The new expansion would complete the stadium bowl in the north end zone.

The stadium's current capacity sits at 60,580--with a record attendance of 62,587 against the University of Alabama in 2009. According to UM Athletic Director Pete Boone, the expansion would place the capacity of Vaught-Hemingway just short of 70,000. Expansion proposals are expected as soon as the beginning of the 2010 collegiate football season. For more information and updates on the possible expansion, visit OleMissSports.com

Click HERE to view the video.

Ole Miss Hosts Trebuchet Competition

A trebuchet is a catapult that works by using the mechanical advantage principle of leverage to propel a projectile much farther and more accurately than other catapults. Trebuchet is a siege engine that was employed in the Middle Ages to smash masonry walls or to lob projectiles over them and into the castle under siege. The counterweight trebuchet first appeared in China as early as the 5^th century BC.

The Ole Miss School of Engineering and the Mississippi Engineering Society recently held the fourth annual gravity-driven trebuchet competition. The event challenges all Mississippi high school and middle school students to design and build their own trebuchet catapults. Judges scored each trebuchet testing accuracy, distance, height and design.

Good Times and Great Music at The Clarksdale Juke Joint Festival

If you consider yourself a fan of blues music, then attending the annual Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi has to be on your bucket list. The three-day long festival, which usually falls at the end of April, is a non-stop party with great live delta blues music playing around the clock. Located in the heart of the Mississippi delta, Clarksdale is known as the birthplace of the blues, and during the Juke Joint festival this music is celebrated in true Mississippi style. Along with the live music, festival attendees have the opportunity to tour the Delta Blues Museum, participate in the 5k run or walk and eat some great southern food. Visitors are guaranteed to leave with a full stomach and a newfound knowledge and appreciation for blues music. For more information on the festival, visit www.jukejointfestival.com or call 662-624-5992

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guCGMBbc-Yw

Ole Miss Exchange Student Adapts to Life in America

Vanessa Petroj came to Ole Miss through an exchange program in her home country Serbia. She arrived in Oxford right before school started in August. Although she came here not knowing a single person, Vanessa has made many friends along the way. She came to The United States to learn more about the American culture and improve her English skills.

Vanessa is a linguistics major and is fluent in three languages and is currently learning her fourth. While Serbian is her native language, she has enjoyed learning English the most. Adjusting to life in the United States was not that difficult for Vanessa. She says the hardest part for her was not knowing anybody when she first got here. Speaking constant English was not a problem for Vanessa because she has classes in English back home. One thing she is still adjusting to is air conditioning. She says back home, the Serbian people keep their houses and buildings about the same temperature it is outside. In America, when it's hot outside, we keep our air conditioners on full blast, and the change from the hot outside to cold inside gives her headaches.

Vanessa lives in Guess Hall with another exchange student from Spain. She is required to have twenty hours of community service for her exchange program. She helped out with the Oxford Film Festival and has been involved in various activities on campus. She will be returning home to Serbia on May 9th, but has plans to return to the United States in the next couple of years.

A Reel Change In Video Rental

Media is an ever changing and evolving field with new and innovative ways of getting information out to the people. Whether it be text messages for breaking news headlines or streaming live tv on mobile devices people have come to expect media to be at their fingertips know matter where they are at. For the video rental industry this very thought has caused some companies loss and others a great gain. For Hollywood Entertainment Corporation, owner of the Hollywood Video and Movie Gallery chains filed for bankruptcy this past February. As much of one-third of the locations between the two will be closed, including the Movie Gallery locations in Oxford. Ironically, while the location on University Ave. liquidates its inventory, the location of Jackson Ave. is doing the same only, the Jackson Ave. location closed as a result of a landlord excuse before the bankruptcy.

Video Rental companies has struggled since the increase in alternative rental options such as Redbox and Netflix. Redbox are a boxed kiosk at many public businesses and allow people to rent a video simply by swiping their credit card. The person is charged as many days as they keep the movie. Netflix, while charging a monthly fee, have affordable plans that allow people to receive movies in the mail and keep them as long as they would like. Netflix also includes an online library for members which allows members to watch movies online or a number of Netflix devices including XBOX 360, Playstation 3 and many different Blu-Ray players. These flexible options have caused many to abandon movie rental stores, who at one time held a virtual monopoly on the video rental industry. Also, companies like GameFly, offer a Netflix type plan for video games instead of movies. While Movie Gallery closes it doors, Blockbuster has attempted to innovate their business model, now offering on demand movies as well as a mail service similar to Netflix. As the Oxford Movie Gallery locations prepare to close their doors like many others across the nation, the future for this industry is uncertain.

Indoor Tanning Linked to Addiction, Anxiety

A new study, which polled more than 400 U.S. college students ages 18 to 25, found that about half of them used indoor tanning beds. The study links tanning with addiction, anxiety, and substance abuse. The researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City found that people who tanned regularly also tended to use alcohol and marijuana. The authors note that repeated UV light exposure may produce results similar to those often cited by substance abusers, like relaxation, increased socialization, and improved moods. The authors wrote, "Treating an underlying mood disorder may be a necessary step in reducing skin cancer risk among those who frequently tan indoors." Amy Fisher, Substance Abuse Services Coordinator at the University Counseling Center at the University of Mississippi said, "We have chemistry in our brains that regulates our moods, regulates cravings, regulates sleep, regulates everything... and you can train your brain to do certain things. If you've trained it to not release the chemicals that make you feel good until you've done this thing, then you get in the habit of doing something in order to get that really good feeling." The authors of the study suggested a short anxiety and depression screening for those who participate in indoor tanning.

AKA is Back at Ole Miss

Since the return of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at the University ofMississippi, these ladies have hit the ground running. Since their April 12th appearance back on campus, these twenty-seven ladies have worked alongside Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, visiting the elderly at Graceland nursing home in Oxford, MS. They have also worked with the men of Kappa Alpha Psi to host a seminar for young African-American males, in which they attempted to influence these men to be positive role models and upstanding citizens. Affectionately known as AKA, these ladies have most recently collaborated with the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in a clean-up on Highway 6 in Oxford. AKA is excited to be back and is gracious for such a warm welcome from students, faculty, and staff. The organization intends to continue working with an array of organizations and to constantly promote service.

For the first time in the history of The University of Mississippi, all of the historically black greek letter organizations, also known as The Divine Nine are represented.

Residents of Oxford, MS Help Out Their Local Humane Society

The Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society is planning on breaking ground for their new facility on May 1, 2010. With the help of the people in Oxford, Mississippi, who attend the events put on by the humane society, they are giving these abandoned or surrendered animals an even better temporary home.

The humane society puts on events such as Yappy Hour, Whiskers and Wine, Paws for art, Barktoberfest, and Strut Your Mutt. OLHS also plans to have a groundbreaking ceremony called Woofstock, where pet owners can come and listen to music and celebrate the opening of the new building.

Although OLHS has just reached the amount they need to get started, they are looking forward to an estimated date of completion in the next eight months to a year. OLHS will also continue to take donations even after they complete their new establishment.

The humane society also has a facebook page. They use facebook to post pictures from the events and let friends know when and how to become a part of their fundraisers.

Lance Lynn's move to Memphis for 2010 season

Rebel baseball fans are excited about former pitcher, Lance Lynn’s return to the local area. Lynn will be pitching for the Memphis Redbirds for the 2010 season. The burly right hander was a favorite among baseball fans for his aggressiveness and competitiveness on the mound, also he became the career and single season strike out record holder during his three years at Ole Miss. Lynn was drafted in the supplemental first round of the 2008 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Since the start of his professional career he has made great strides in the Cardinals organization, at just 22 years old he is one of the top prospects in the program. After an impressive 2009 year, spent mostly in Double A, he was named the minor league Pitcher of The Year for the organization. This season, he will seek success in at the Triple A level and possibly see a call up to the Cardinals late in the season. Although his days since Ole Miss have been filled with success and an exciting future is in front of him, Lynn never takes for granted his college experience and always remembers where he came from.

Born and raised in Brownsburg, Indiana Lynn found out early in life how to overcome obstacles. Growing up, he never thought he would be able to go to college, he was the first member of his family to go. He credits the college experience at Ole Miss for helping him develop into the player and person he is today.

Photos courtesy:

Olemisssports.com

minorleaguebaseball.com

How to Deal with the End of STRESS-mester

The last days of classes are always stressful. Burned out through the semester, Ole Miss students need to stay tuned up before the final exams. The University Counseling Center is well-aware what students are dealing with and offers its professional help.

On the last week of classes the center carries out the stress reduction campaign “Pet-a-Puppy.” The Counseling Center invites students to caress puppies, to get a massage, to blow bubbles, and to get some tips on anxiety busting and good test taking strategies. Besides, the center also organizes prize drawings. The event will be held Monday - Friday, from 11.am to 1 p.m.

The Same Rollback Prices, Different Look

Walmarts nationwide are known for their rollback prices, saving people money, and allowing them to live better. The Walmart in Oxford, MS is no exception. Although the renovations have caused some confusion among shoppers in terms of where products are, the main feedback has been positive.

The renovations are aimed to refresh the look of the store, including lower shelving, more appropriate product placement, and wider set isles with more lighting.

The company, who operates over 3, 000 Walmart stores will still be known for their great customer care, rollback prices, and yes that smiling yellow face that is on every sign (he is not undergoing any makeovers) but Walmart will now see a new look with what stores hope will bring customers great satisfaction while bringing the store up to date.

The renovations come from the Arkansas-based retailer and are a part of a new merchandising plan. For more information on the local renovations call(662) 234-9131

Photos Courtesy of dealarchitect.typepad.com and images.commages.businessweek.com

Ole Miss Students Abusing Adderall

With Finals week quickly approaching students at Ole Miss are doing what they can to prepare themselves for long nights of studying and the minimal sleep that comes with it. During this week many students may feel the pressure to take adderall to help with studying even without a doctor's prescription.

Ole Miss Student Lee Patterson, 22, is a prescribed adderall user and said he is always called by friends and acquaintances in hopes of purchasing the drug from him. Barbara Collier, Director of the on campus Student Health Center said students should be more aware of the dangers of taking this drug without a prescription. Collier said use of the drug can lead to rapid heart rate and possible death if not used correctly.

Currently the University does not provide any programs to inform students of the life threatening dangers of using the drug; however university officials are discussing possible programs for the near future.

Yaya's Frozen Yogurt

YaYa's Frozen Yogurt
"A Healthy Twist on the Square"

YaYa's Frozen Yogurt is a brand new, original addition to the Square in Oxford, Mississippi. YaYa's offers refreshing new options for snacking on the Square, and presents their product in a very unique, stylish and original way. YaYa's is owned and operated by husband and wife, Kevin and Betsy Wilson, their son Scott Wilson, and family friend Bart Smith. Not new to the frozen yogurt business, the family was just hoping for success of this business in Oxford.Their first day of business was on April 20th, 2010. YaYa's has 8 flavor options with more to come, and offers a wide variety of seasonal toppings. Flavors can be mixed as well as toppings, which provides endless possibilities. YaYa's also offers smoothies and will soon have sugar-free and dairy-free options, so there is something at YaYa's for everyone to enjoy. YaYa's is located at 100 Court House Square in Oxford, Mississippi and can be contacted at 662.234.0038.

http://www.yayasyogurt.com/

http://blog.eatingoxford.com/2010/02/20/ya-ya-yogurthood/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oxford-MS/YaYas-Frozen-Yogurt/376602859617

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5114242_frozen-yogurt-history.html

http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Frozen-Yogurt.html

Career Center Helps Seniors On the Job Hunt

New statistics from the U.S. Labor Department show that 16 % of recent college graduates and other young adults still remain jobless. What does this mean for graduating seniors? ... Finding that perfect job may not be as easy as in years past.

According to Amanda Walker, Career Center Recruitng Coordinator, finding a full-time job in this economy, on average, takes nine to twelve months, six months longer than what was expected four years ago. "About 38-40% of surveyed Ole Miss seniors have not yet secured a job thus far," said Walker.

One way students can put their best foot forward to potential employers, is by taking advantage of the services offered by the Career Center. These services include: cover letter and resume critiquing, a job database, internship placement, career coaching, mock-interviews and assesment tests. All of these services are offered to students free of charge, excluding the personal assesment tests.

Walker advises that getting an internship in your desired job field is not just advised now-a-days, but crucial to landing the job you want. "If you haven't had experience with an internship, you're already behind," she said. Most jobs, in fact are never advertised online, but instead sent via-mail straight to college campus career centers, or discovered through networking.

"Don't get frustrated." Walker said, " There are jobs out there... you just have to be patient, and know how to look for them."

To see what the Career Center can do for you, make an appointment today by calling 662-915-7174. And as always, happy job hunting!

What its like to be a Vegetarian at Ole Miss

Whats it like to be a Vegetarian at Ole Miss.

Many students on the Ole Miss campus are Vegetarians. Many

feel limited to meals here on the Ole Miss campus. Such as

Sam Eller,a freshman who lives at the Residential College. She

expresses that her meals there have to just be prepared for her. Her

favorite meal at Ole Miss is spinach tortellini.

Like most students, Sam likes to go out on the town with her friends

and enjoys fine places to eat at. Her favorite place to eat in Oxford is

Old Venice. Although Sam and many other students find it hard to

find good meals in town. Many people around who are vegetarians

have the same problem. However, they want to remain healthy.

Hopefully Oxford will see the impact this has made on students

and increase the supply of Vegetarian meals on campus.

Ole Miss Mission Work

While Ole Miss students, Becca Werner and Emily Moore's friends and family spent their spring break on a sunny beach, they were working hard in Romania to bring the word of God to college students (Emily Moore and Becca Werner are pictured to the left along with the other Ole Miss students on the mission trip).

Werner and Moore, along with ten other Ole Miss students, traveled to Romania to spend a week working with college students, and teaching english to high schoolers. The mission trip was a group effort made by Campus Crusade and RUF (Reformed University Fellowship). For more information on Campus Crusade or RUF visit www.olemisscrusade.org or www.olemiss.ruf.org.

Movie Gallery Stores Closing in Oxford, MS

The local Movie Gallery store in Oxford is having a going out of business sale after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Based in Wilsonville, Ore., the movie and game rental chain is the nation's second-largest video rental company. It operates Movie Gallery, Hollywood Video and Game Crazy stores. At one time, the company had more than 4,500 stores in the United States and Canada. The movie and game rental chain filed for bankruptcy in February, the second time it has done so in three years.

"We are closing these stores because they are not profitable and because funds from liquidating them can help us in moving forward," Movie Gallery said in a statement earlier this year. According to a company press release, it will close 805 "poorly performing" stores this year due to increased competition, such as Redbox and Netflix services, and a reduced number of blockbuster video game releases.

Two Movie Gallery locations in Oxford are closing their doors. The store located at 1929 University Avenue is closing as a result of bankruptcy. However, the store at 1501 Jackson Avenue West is shutting down due to a landlord situation. No details were given about the recent liquidation.

Ole Miss Student Media, An Insider's Perspective

Students working at the Ole Miss Student Media Center are trying to fix a rumored flaw. NewsWatch, one of the five publications, has been seeking out professional help.

The SMC is a place for students to express their creative side and get hands-on experience outside the classroom. The facility provides the opportunity for interested students to work for the Daily Mississippian, Rebel Radio or NewsWatch.

Since the center is completely student-run, mistakes are inevitable. NewsWatch, especially, gets a lot of the flak. The live, 30 minute, broadcast is the only local news station generating news directly to and for Ole Miss, Oxford, and Lafayette County. The show airs on Channel 99 from 5:30 to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Interested viewers can also catch the show online at OMTV. The SMC is housed in a state-of-the-art facility in Bishop Hall.

Amy Wilson: The Space Between Us

Amy Wilson is a contemporary artist from Jersey City, NJ. Her work is currently at the University Museum in Oxford, Mississippi. She came up with the title of her exhibit, The space between us, from a Robyn Hitchcock song that she regularly thinks of. Wilson's inspiration for her artwork is from her personal life and current events that are going on in the world. The voices that are depicted in her artwork are different voices in Wilson's head.

Wilson's work is also currently being featured at the Bravin Lee Programs in New York City. Her exhibit, at the Bravin Lee Programs, is called It takes time to turn space around. Her work has been shown in exhibitions across the world. Her work has been featured in Istanbul at the Pera Museum, Bravin Lee Programs, and Bellwether Gallery in New York City. Exhibitions of her work have been featured at Bellwether, PS1, The Drawing Center, The Warhol Museum, The Grollier Club, and Josee Bienvenue Gallery, PPOW, and other locations.

She also teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Wilson received her BFA from School of Visual Arts ,and her MFA from Yale University. For more information about the exhibit at the University Museum, call 662-915-7073 . The exhibit will be there until June 5, 2010. To learn more about Amy Wilson, visit her website. She also has a blog where she updates her life experiences every so often. On her blog, Wilson shares her thoughts about Ole Miss, and the town of Oxford.

Local Memphis Woman Re-Designs

Martha Nash

Martha Nash went from interiors to exteriors when she started designing handbags. The former interior designer lost her job when the recession hit the Memphis economy. With her home as her studio, Nash took leftover fabric from her days of home and office design and started sewing. Nash prides herself on unique designs using mid-century modern textiles from designers like Alexander Girard and manufacturers like Herman Miller.

Nash appreciates her unique style and considers her bags pieces of art. She combined talents with local Memphis artist Patrick Greene and together they have created what they consider wearable art. Their bags are sold at boutiques across the mid-south.