More Than Just Books

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This is the time of the year when everyone is looking for something special for a family member or a friend. How about trying Books-A-Million? They sell lots of books, but did you know they offer a variety of other things. They have an enormous number of gifts; coffee mugs, games, inspirational items, toys, candles, clothing wear, collectible items, magazines, comic books, and of course lots of books. There is an array of different assortments you are sure to find for that special someone. If you cannot find anything in the store, try checking out their website.

If you do not know what to get, they offer gift cards as well. If you have someone in your life that enjoys reading books, perhaps you could get them a membership card that offers 10% off anything they buy in the store. Get 40% off of Hardback Bestsellers and 20% off of featured items too.

There is a coffee shop within the store called Joe Muggs Coffee. During the holiday season, they are offering several specialty coffees. If you or someone you know loves playing games get together at Book-A-Million for an enjoyable time playing with friends and make new friends. Some customers are already gathering to play the game Magic of the Gathering. If playing games is not your style, you can pick up a book and read it as you decide rather you want to purchase that book while enjoying a cup of coffee. You can use your gift cards and membership card when purchasing a drink or snack as well as using them on their website.

Looking to get a little extra cash for the holiday, Books-A-Million offers buyback books at their store. You can bring up to fifty books at a time of gently used books for cash during certain times. After the new year, they will be buying used DVDs and blue rays too. “If you need any help with buying back books just ask for me the ‘book broker’ and I will get you set up for cashback” a staff member said.  Some books they cannot take are dictionaries, bibles, textbooks, and dated books.

Need to study or have a group or club? Books-A-Million loves to have groups come into their store to gather. “Study groups are usually our regular customers, especially Nursing Majors. Some of our regular customers bring in their own mugs for an added discount.” Tiffany, who works at Joe Muggs Coffee said. Wi-Fi is available for students who need a different environment for studying or writing a paper for class.

Come check out Books-A-Million for that special someone or for yourself. You will find something for everyone on your list. Or maybe just come by and check out what all this store has to offer. You will be surprised by the many things they have in their store.

Membership fee:  $25.00 with any purchase.

Gift Cards:  Starting at $5.00 up to $500.00

Hours of Operation: Mon.-Thurs. 8am-10pm; Fri. – Sat. 8am-12am; Sun. 9am-9pm

Buy Back Book Hours:  Sunday-Thursday 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm.

TXK Entertainment District Now Open

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Good things come to those who wait. The Entertainment District in downtown Texarkana is now officially open. Thanks to the hard work of the Texarkana, Arkansas Planning Commission, it opened to the public on October 16, 2019, beginning with a toast by locals at Hopkins Icehouse.

The district spans across a fourteen-block area of downtown Texarkana. The roads are marked with green stripes to distinguish the boundaries, and signs are posted with hours of operation at the corners of the district. Anyone 21 and over can now walk around outside with an open container of alcohol, as long as it is purchased at a downtown establishment. No underage drinking will be allowed.

The bars and restaurants included in the district include Hopkins Icehouse, Zapata’s, Broadway Sports Bar and Billiards, Verona’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, and The Flying Crow. District hours are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.

This new district is an exciting addition to downtown Texarkana, Arkansas and is expected to draw guests from surrounding areas. The city’s goal is to bring more visitors and businesses to the downtown area.

This is just one more step the city is taking to revitalize downtown Texarkana. “Entertainment Districts have been known to spur economic growth,” says City of Texarkana, Arkansas City Manager Kenny Haskins. “The better businesses do, the better off we will be as a city.”

The ordinance was possible due to a new state law which allows cities with boundaries to designate areas for outdoor alcohol consumption. The city will provide trash cans and daily garbage pick up to keep downtown clean.

The Entertainment District has rules that will be enforced. No open containers can be carried out of liquor stores or taken into vehicles. No open container alcohol may be carried into any business, and no glass open containers are allowed.

Go on down and experience all that downtown Texarkana has to offer. As Adger Smith of the Planning Commission pointed out, “This is the culmination of years of gradual work by the Planning Commission, it’s an evolution.”

Randy Sams’ Fundraisers in Full Swing

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If you frequently browse Eagle Eye, you may have seen an article that I recently posted about the Randy Sams’ Outreach Shelter (RSOS) in Texarkana. If you have not heard of them, they are a non-profit organization that specializes in providing aid to the homeless in our area. They provide shelter, housing, clothing, case management, health appointments, job training/search assistance, life skills classes, life-sustaining medication coverage, and transportation. They have been serving our community selflessly for over two decades, and they need our support. In fact, they need even more support than usual, as they were not awarded a very large grant (175k) that they needed to support their operation. Historically, they have been awarded this grant annually, so this is a significant loss. If you have never given to RSOS, please consider doing so this holiday season. In addition to accepting regular monetary/material donations, RSOS has two exciting fundraisers happening now…

  • RSOS’ Be The Blessing Job Training is a bakery program that employs homeless or formerly homeless people and teaches them commercial kitchen/baking skills. They are currently taking orders for Christmas cookies. Ranging from $15-$20 per dozen, they offer chocolate chip, peanut butter, pecan praline, sugar cookies, or a mixed box. If a box isn’t enough, they also offer a tray of four-dozen cookies for $40. These tasty treats are sure to be a hit at your family gathering or Christmas party! Are you looking for a fun and yummy activity for the family? For $25, you can order Be The Blessing’s Santa Cookie Kit! Each kit comes with two icing bags, two sprinkle cups, and a dozen Santa-shaped sugar cookies that you can decorate yourself. Orders can be placed online now! You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram. By participating in this fundraiser, you are directly supporting local people who are acquiring the skills they need to get a job in the food-service industry. Giving back to the community, and having a delicious snack? It’s a win-win! (I actually ordered some immediately after I submitted this article!)
Wright (L), Brisco (R), and Arnold’s (B) original artwork for Hope for the Homeless TXK.
  • Looking for unique Christmas gift ideas? Look no further! RSOS’ kicked off a new annual art event this year called Hope for the Homeless TXK. The organization asked local artists Taylor Arnold, Nicole Brisco, and Joel Wright to interpret homelessness. Each artist created beautiful and touching original pieces which are being framed and raffled off on December 15th. If you are interested in entering for a chance to win one of these gorgeous creations, you can buy ten entries for $10, thirty entries for $25, or 75 entries $50, although you have the option to purchase as many entries as you wish. In addition to this raffle, prints of the paintings and t-shirts featuring Arnold and Wright’s designs are also for sale. All proceeds from this event go toward the Randy Sams’ Outreach Shelter. This fundraiser is an excellent chance to support both RSOS and our fabulous local artists.

If you would simply like to make a monetary donation, those are also welcome. Donors have the option to make a one time donation, or sign up to give monthly or annually. Besides physical or monetary donations, you can also donate you time. There are many ways to volunteer, such as hosting donation drives for shelter needs, or providing evening meals at the shelter. To volunteer your time or services, you can sign up online.

For more information on the Randy Sams’ Outreach Shelter and its programs, please visit them online or call 903-792-7024. You can also follow them on Facebook, and Twitter.

Stars Send Head Coach Packing

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In an unexpected turn of events, the Dallas Stars have dismissed Head Coach Jim Montgomery (pictured below) according to an article released at  9:30 A.M. Tuesday, December 10. This was Montgomery’s second year coaching in the NHL and many fans are shocked at the sudden dismissal of the former head coach. Assistant Coach Rick Bowness will serve as Interim Head Coach effective immediately. 

(photo from dallasstars.com)

After a live-streamed press conference at 11:00 A.M., the answer to the question “What exactly happened?” is still unclear. General Manager Jim Nill stated that he would not discuss the incident “…out of respect for those involved.” Although the whole situation is still unclear, we know that as of right now there is no timeline on hiring a new coach and the interim staff will remain in place for the rest of the season. 

For more information and updates make sure to follow the Dallas Stars on Twitter and Instagram (@DallasStars on both) and check dallasstars.com for regular updates.

A New Era Is Coming

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Dua Lipa may be, if not, one of the world’s biggest pop stars out right now. Just recently, Dua Lipa has released her brand new hit single, “Don’t Start Now” on Halloween of this year. Ever since Lipa has released this worldwide smash hit, she has been traveling the world everywhere! 

Just within a short span of two-weeks, Lupa has performed Don’t Start Now at the: MTV EMA’s in Spain, ARIA Awards in Australia, AMA’s in Los Angeles, MNet Asian Music Awards in Japan, Hamilton Island Australia, Mumbai India, and the Graham Norton show are just a few to name at the moment.

Dua Lipa is also set to release a brand new album titled, “Future Nostalgia” in 2020. The brand new album will include genres of disco and pop while also incorporating a new version of Dua Lipa as a pop star. Lipa wants to give her fans something as she called it, “Futuristic & Fresh”. She wants to give them something they have never seen or heard before. In other words, she wants to have it where her fans can just get up and dance while also feeling the lyrics at the same time. 

Lipa performing Don’t Start now at the EMA’s

In the meantime, Dua has announced that she will be going on tour in Europe mid 2020. The new tour will showcase her brand new album that she is expected to released in 2020.

If you have not checked out “Don’t Start Now” yet, check out the brand new worldwide sensation or a.k.a., the best song out right now below.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oygrmJFKYZY

A&M-Texarkana in Christmas Parade

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The annual Christmas parade of Texarkana, Texas will take place tonight, December 9th 2019 at 7:00 p.m. It is the 35th year that this parade has taken place in Texarkana.

Tonight the community is in for a treat. Over than 100 entries are supposed to walk the parade with a plethora of excitement to give within the Texarkana community. A&M Texarkana is one of the entries. Texas A&M University-Texarkana plans to walk through the parade with its student ambassadors and other local organizations on the campus as well. In addition to the colorful floats and beautiful Christmas lights. There will be a variety of vendors selling Christmas themed merchandise like balloons, glow sticks, bracelets, and necklaces.

35th Annual “A Twice as Nice Christmas”

The theme this year for the 35th Annual Parade this year is “A Twice as Nice Christmas. This will be a fun event for all ages and you should make your way over to downtown!

Ready! Set! Graduate!

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The time has finally come for students here at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, the moment every first year student has on their minds as soon as they get to college, and that is graduation! 

Graduation this year will be held Friday, December 13, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lois and Cary Patterson Student Center on the campus at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. This will be the third graduation held in the brand new student center on campus. 

In order for the students to graduate, all students applying to graduate must complete the online graduation application through their Web for Students account. Following the application, the graduate is going to be confirmed for their graduation in the upcoming semester. 

The purpose of this commencement is to acknowledge all of our University students who have completed all of their graduation requirements in the time allocated.

Graduation ceremony will be held this Friday December 13, 2019 @6:30 p.m.

Live streaming video of commencement will be available December 13, 2019.

Santa Claus is Coming to Campus

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This past weekend, Texas A&M University-Texarkana hosted their annual Eagle Wonderland in the University Center. The University welcomed many families from the Texarkana community to get ready for Christmas while also participating in various activities to get in the holiday spirit! Activities for the families included stuff a critter, making reindeer food for Santa’s reindeer, writing letters to Santa, and various color activities to get the kids excited for Christmas. In addition to all the activities, families were also given free hot chocolate, free cookies, and free photos with Santa.

The event was held in Eagle Hall in the University Center from 12 noon to 3 p.m. The event was hosted by the Campus Activities Board (CAB) with the help of other organizations, students, and faculty to help volunteer alongside CAB. It was the volunteers that made the event a huge success and it could not have happened without all of the support from Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

Santa at Texas A&M University-Texarkana preparing to get pictures with the kids


Dealing with Depression during the Holidays

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Just recently, Corey Robinson, counselor at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, gave a presentation to campus faculty and staff on “Dealing with Depression During the Holidays.” This presentation went over the stress that the Holidays can cause and how to cope with these problems. 

As we all know, the holidays can cause a plethora of problems to one’s life due to many causes. Problems such as stress, fatigue, isolation, and seasonal affective disorder to name just a few. It was also stated that with the purchasing of gifts and time management amongst the holidays are also factors that causes stress over the holidays.

Counselor Corey Robinson demonstrating skills to cope with Depression during the Holidays

In addition to all of the stress factors, Mr. Robinson demonstrated a few coping strategies to relieve stress over the holidays. Strategies such as taking time to yourself and having an effect time management plan can really be effective to one’s health over the holidays. Due to the last minute Christmas shopping and the pressure of having to buy a plethora of gifts for many individuals, just that itself causes a toll on one’s health.

To help fix this problem, Mr. Robsinon suggested, “Have an effective time schedule. Plan out your events and schedule it”. Mr. Robinson stated this to ensure that our faculty and staff will be efficient and effective during the holidays and that their families are spending time with the best version of themselves.

Bet Big or Go Home!

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It is that time of the year where the first-year students are almost finished completing their first semester in college. For college, it could be a tough time for many and by them getting accommodated to the new college scene and college life, the University had to reward them with amazing prizes if they met the standards.

First Year Experience hosted an event that allowed the freshman to bet on an item of their choosing in an auction style and the student who outbid the other contenders, ended up with a prize. These were no small prizes either on the table for freshman to grab. Some of the prizes included were an: Apple Watch, Apple Air pods, Beats Headphones, a Nintendo Switch, an Echo Speaker, a hammock, gift cards, and more.

  • A&M-Texarkana students at the FYE End of semester event

A&M University-Texarkana provides engaging activities for first-year students in college, building a strong foundation to enhance educational experiences and foster success within the A&M-Texarkana community.  It is important to recognize the significance of each student’s first-year experiences and to support them in reaching their academic and personal goals.