During this pandemic the city of Texarkana has chosen to only shelter in place in Bowie county until April 13th. While the shelter in place is in order in our city, many businesses in our city are still in operation or have been deemed as essential to the community.
Some places in town I feel are very important and need to remain open during this time of the pandemic are our parks and recreation areas and country clubs. I feel all of these places need to remain as essential businesses in our city. Both Northridge and Texarkana Country Clubs are remaining open during this pandemic. But during this time they are strongly enforcing social distancing regulations.
It is essential for people to be able to be outdoors during this pandemic. Not very many people can spend days on being forced inside. People in our city still need to be able to get exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our parks in Texarkana are remaining open, but it is encouraged to not use the playgrounds due to their not being disinfected as often as they may need to be during this time. Places such as these are staying open to help encourage our city to be outdoors during this pandemic.
What can I do outdoors during this pandemic?
Go for a walk
Have a picnic
Do outdoors activities (golf, soccer, football etc.)
The Competitive Gaming Association (CGA) at Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) is having its largest tournament. On April 4-5th, gamers from all over Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas will gather to face off in tournament style combat.
CGA members train relentlessly to make sure their skills put TAMUT on the gaming map and draw gamers and students from near and far. Founded by Gerven Pennington late of 2019, CGA has been at TAMUT not even a year yet and they have already hosted a successful tournament drawing in a crowd of over 60 not including nearly 30 players.
Tournaments are a new concept to the university that should add more productive activities to student life on and off campus.Tournaments include games such as Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Tekken 7, Rocket League, Apex Legends, and many more. These games are just the tip of the gaming iceberg that this organization is working towards to get rolling into this tournament. The near future holds games that are played in the largest tournaments in the world, such as, League of Legends, CS:GO, and Modern Warfare. We hope to see all gamers alike to gather April 4-5th at TAMUT for an epic gaming tournament.
More fire keeps coming down on the Houston Astros. Their cheating scandal has been the hot take of the fall, but with spring training getting started, people don’t intend on slowing down the onslaught of comments towards coaches and players.
Other players around the league have made their comments known, saying the players deserve “beatdowns” and for their 2017 title to be stripped away. Of the scandal information known, the banging of the trash can is especially popular now with fans who wish to troll the team. Last week during an Astros batting practice, a fan drug a large trash bin behind the home plate fence and banged on it during every pitch thrown. The team used a trash can in the dugout to signal to hitters what pitch was coming. The number of hits on the can would tell the hitter what pitch was coming.
With opening day coming on March 26th, the Astros will see if they can focus on the year to come or if their past will continue to run with them.
Eagles Baseball opened up its season two weekends ago against Evangel. Winning the series 3-1, Jaylen Prince was named Red River Conference Player of the week. He hit an outstanding .455 batting average with a double and five RBIs.
The following weekend, our Eagles hosted Friends University for another four-game series. Again winning this series 3-1, Kealen Martin came up big with a grand slam home run to set up a 6-3 win. “They brought in a new pitcher during my at bat, so with him coming in, I went in looking for a fastball and didn’t miss.” said Kealen.
This Tuesday, our men traveled up to Lyon College, ranked 21st in the nation in NAIA, for a midweek exhibition. Using an array of players to get work in, our Eagles fell in a nail biter 8-6.
This weekend, our baseball team travels up to Point Lookout, MO to face off against College of the Ozarks. With baseball all over the place, feel free to come out to support or college athletes. The schedule is posted on the TAMUT website under Athletics. You will not be disappointed.
As the winter break approaches many people have their sights set on Christmas but I decided to get a head start on New Years’ Eve and try to figure out what my resolution would be. During this time of year it is hard not to think about classes, finals and, honestly, what I could have done better as a student so I decided to run with that.
Here are some tips I found on how to be a better and more successful student.
Set Realistic and Achievable Goals
Set both short-term and long-term goals
Set goals from the very beginning will help keep you motivated and focused
Make sure that your goals are realistic is important in ensuring that you do not set yourself up for unnecessary frustrations
Focus on Time Management
Procrastination is many people’s worst enemy so staying on top of due dates is a great way to keep yourself from slipping into that habit
Stick to a schedule. If you want to make sure you have time for your social life as well as your studies, try and spread out your workload so you don’t feel overwhelmed with trying to do all your homework in one night
Remember that you don’t have to wait until the due date to submit your assignments, you can work on them ahead of time and get them out of the way so you don’t have to worry about them later
Take Care of Yourself
Make sure you get an adequate amount of sleep is important to make sure your brain can take in all of the new information you will be learning in class
When you are well rested you can pay attention in class more easily than when you can hardly keep your eyes open
Going to class sometimes feels like the most laborious task of all time; if you are well rested it’s less likely to seem that way
Although these are just a few tips on being a better student, I’m sure that once you apply them, you will definitely see a difference. If you would like to see more ideas on how to be a better student, click here.
The Holiday season is upon us once again. Christmas parties, tree lighting ceremonies, Santa Meet-n-Greets, festivals, craft fairs, fantastic light displays, and other festivities abound. These activities are treasured traditions for many. Whether we do them with family, friends, or coworkers, traditions can be a wonderful thing. They are a great way to make memories, and bring people closer together. However, it can be nice to step outside of tradition and try something new. If you and yours are looking for something new this year, look no further! This weekend, TexRep will bring Greater Tuna back to Texarkana for A Tuna Christmas.
Michael Cooper (L) and Christopher Polson (R) in TexRep’s 2011 production of Greater Tuna.
(Photo taken from TexRep’s online production archives)
Greater Tuna is the first play in a series of four comedies by Jason Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard. One of the things that make these plays so humorous is that the entire cast of twenty characters, of all ages and genders, are played by just two men. Michael Cooper and Christopher Polson starred in the Texarkana Repertory Company‘s production ofGreater Tunain 2011. These masters of costume quick-changes will once again take us back to Tuna, Texas to reprise their roles and introduce new characters in A Tuna Christmas. Much like Texarkana, there is always something going on in Tuna. The big to-do is the town’s annual Christmas Yard Display Contest. The contest soon comes under attack from the “Christmas Phantom”, a vandal who is out to shake up the competition. This and various other hilarious subplots make this a show a real knee-slapper.
In addition to playing over twenty-four roles, Cooper and Polson also double as TexRep’s artistic director and set designer (respectively). This show is incredibly challenging for many reasons, but if anyone can handle it, this dynamic duo can. However, they aren’t tackling this monster alone. It truly takes a village to put on a production like this, and a village they have! A crew of nine assist the pair in lightning-quick costume changes, moving set pieces, running lights, operating the soundboard, and wrangling the six different Christmas trees used in the show. In addition to its impressive role-to-cast-size ratio, this show is also unique in that the crew gets to bow at curtain call with the actors, which is only fitting since it would be impossible without them. As previously mentioned, one of the things that lend to this play’s crazy energy is the outrageous number (and short duration) of costume changes. While each crew members serves multiple purposes, the bulk of their work is helping the actors change their costumes. Cooper says that, while he isn’t sure exactly how many changes there are, he is certain it is upwards of fifty. Each actor plays twelve roles apiece, he explained, which makes some of the costume changes almost instant. In fact, there are some scenes that require an actor to exit as one character and then immediately reenter as completely different character. There are also multiple scenes in which one of the actors plays a single role, while the other plays as many as five characters over the course of a single scene. Naturally, some changes are more difficult than others. Cooper says that some of the most difficult changes to pull off are the female characters. “[They] tend to have more pieces, from wigs to shoes to garments to underwear,” he continued, “It’s all an adventure.”
In a typical season, which runs from May to February, TexRep does four full plays and a Drama Camp Showcase. A Tuna Christmas is a bonus show that was added outside of the regular season as a special fundraiser for TexRep. It is also special in that the production staff (those who design and direct the show) are donating their services for free. One might wonder why Cooper and Polson would ever subject themselves to this insanity again, but the answer is simple — Everyone enjoys it. When asked why this particular show was chosen for this slot, Cooper said, “Chris and I did Greater Tuna some years ago and it was received very well. People have mentioned that they would enjoy seeing it, or something of its ilk, again.” He added that the show is both fun and season-relevant. If you have never seen Greater Tuna, don’t worry! All characters are introduced or reintroduced, so you’ll feel right at home. If you have seen it, you’ll be delighted to know that — according to Cooper —A Tuna Christmas is even funnier than the first one.
If you’re still struggling to find a present for everyone on your list, the gift of laughter is one-size-fits-all (and they won’t want to return it). Whether you are returning to Tuna or visiting for the first time, this wild ride is a trip you won’t soon forget! Y’all come on out, and join the Texarkana Repertory Company for their production of A Tuna Christmas, ya hear?
Performances of A Tuna Christmas will be:
Thursday, December 12
7:30 p.m
Friday, December 13
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 14
2:00 p.m. / 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 15
2:00 p.m. / 7:30 p.m.
(The theatre doors will open thirty minutes prior to showtime.)
If you are interested in supporting your local theatre, please consider a sponsorship, a membership, or simply attending a show. If you are interested in supporting TexRep in a more hands-on capacity, they are always looking for extra hands, whether it be auditioning/performing, ushering for performances, working backstage/in the booth, or helping with set construction.
For information, or questions, please visit TexRep online. You can also connect with them on Facebook, or follow them on Instagram.
As set designer Chris Polson always says, “See you at the theatre!”
It is crazy how times have changed. Marijuana growers used to have to hide their crops from authorities but now, many are able to not only grow it in plain sight, but also sell it in plain sight. Technically, medical marijuana dispensaries are a breach of federal law, but thanks to legalization of medical marijuana in a number of states, they are spreading across the U.S. in order to help those in need. Marijuana has now become one of the new wonder drugs for many ailments.
Marijuana dispensaries are popping up all over the United States, including Texarkana. A medical marijuana dispensary is a location permitted to legally sell medical marijuana to medically qualified patients for medicinal purposes only. In order to become a customer at a dispensary, a person needs to first consult their doctor who can inform them about what conditions may be treated with cannabis. If the doctor feels they are a candidate, he or she will write them a prescription. The doctor or a pharmacist can help a patient find a nearby dispensary.
There are also directories available on the Internet, listed by state. The medical marijuana dispensary currently open in Texarkana is Bloom Medicinals Cannabis Dispensary located at 410 Realtor Avenue. Red River Remedy Medical Marijuana Dispensary is set to open this month at 4423 East Broad Street.
“I have received mixed reactions about the new medical marijuana dispensaries,” said Texarkana, Arkansas City Manager Kenny Haskins. “If we roll out a plan and make sure we police it in a way that is efficient and effective, I think the community and those who are detractors will eventually evolve.” The city will require the two dispensaries to pay an annual permit of $11,000 to operate.
It is not easy to become a dispensary owner. One must follow the proper paperwork and procedures in order to become licensed by regional authorities. Just remember, medical marijuana dispensaries sell marijuana for medicinal purposes only. Recreational dispensaries will not be around any time soon.
Texas A&M University- Texarkana evolves to better serve its student body. TAMUT added both The Patterson Student Center and Business Administration & Student Services building last spring to match the growing student population and their needs. However, opening a new building is not the only way to aid students in their scholastic journey. The university’s I.T. system engineers brought a Digital Backpack (an online portal) to our campus which allows students, faculty, and staff to access multiple applications.
This new platform will continue to evolve; adding new applications as IT works to better equip our campus, such as Office 365, NBCLearn, and DocuSign. Click here for the full list of pending applications. App ideas are accepted via email to digitalbackpack@tamut.edu.
Applications that are currently available on the Digital Backpack:
Blackboard
AceMail
EagleSync
EagleTech
iSITE
Library Lab
Software.tamu.edu
Robert Leitgeb is a part of TAMUT’s IT department and was able to share a little about the project: “The Digital Backpack is really part of a significantly larger technology implementation. You do not see it, but IT is working to improve your experience here. For example, you may have seen changes in certain computer labs around campus- this was part of the project, too.” Leitgeb explained the process of building such a program: IT worked with several business partners like VMWare and Dell for over a year to create a package suitable for our campus. Leitgeb said, “Other schools may have Digital Backpack, but what you see here at TAMUT is our unique technical experience.”
This backpack will make students, faculty, and staff’s lives a little easier. Users can access their backpack anywhere they have an internet connection; allowing more freedom in their schedule. This Digital Backpack is just another example of how TAMUT works to improve student’s educational journey, sometimes it’s a new building, and sometimes it’s a streamlined online learning experience.
Texarkana has many things to offer in the form of outdoor living. For the avid outdoorsman, look no further than Bringle Lake in Texarkana, TX. Outdoor activities at Bringle Lake include trail running, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, and cooking out.
The park is divided into three different areas, Bringle Lake Park West, East, and the Wilderness Area. Bringle Lake is located on University Drive across from Texas A&M University-Texarkana. This is an ideal location for college students looking for some relaxation. Bringle Lake Park West and East have fishing piers that are ideal for any fisherman. They also have playgrounds and pavilions overlooking the lake which are perfect for a family cookout, with barbeque grills located in the park. Parking is also free, and pets are welcome.
The Wilderness Area includes 144 acres of nature. There is a 10-foot-wide wilderness bike/walk trail that begins at Bringle Lake East and runs to the Waterworks Spillway. “The 6-mile loop around Bringle Lake is surrounded by woods with a few views of the lake,” commented Nick Duke on the All Trails website. “The trail is well-maintained.”
Bringle Lake trails are ranked #50 in the state rankings with an average trail rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, according to Trailforks.com. Bringle Lake Trail is ranked #8 of 20 things to do in Texarkana, according to Trip Advisor. For those who prefer the water, bring your fishing boat or kayak. I have fished at Bringle Lake and have caught several big bass. It is definitely a must-try spot. Kayaks are welcome on the lake for a relaxing paddle through the calm water.
Bringle Lake is maintained by the Texarkana, Texas Parks and Recreation department. If anyone has any questions or comments regarding Bringle Lake, they welcome any feedback on the Bringle Lake Facebook page or at 903-798-3978. They are always striving to make Bringle Lake a place that everyone can enjoy.
For anyone looking for something to do, or see, in Texarkana, take time to visit the Perot Theatre at 3rd and Main Street in downtown Texarkana.
The building has been a permanent fixture in the downtown area since 1924, when it was the Saenger Theatre. It was fully restored in 1979-1980 by the City of Texarkana with the help of H. Ross Perot and his sister, Bette.
The Perot Foundation took care of most of the restoration costs in memory of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Ross Perot. The theatre was named in their honor by the City of Texarkana, Texas city council for their generous contributions. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
They have several different events taking place this holiday season. On December 15, they will host the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra Christmas. It is a traditional holiday concert for the whole family. The Perot will also bring back the Holiday Traditions Festival for the second year. It will be a day of fun with food trucks, vendors, crafts, refreshments, Santa, snow, and festive movies including The Grinch and The Santa Clause.
The Perot Theatre has something for everyone. The Perot Theatre recently announced its 2020 series of events to the public. The Perot Theatre Series has been offering shows that are nationally and internationally well-known for 37 years.
Shows coming to the Perot next year include Menopause the Musical, Potted Potter, and The Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. The Perot Theatre has 4.5 stars out of 5 on TripAdvisor based in 85 reviews. Make this a priority when making future plans. You will not be disappointed.
