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Leaves have peaked...winter's upon us
Ric Beard
Reporter

These scenes from around town are testimony to the beauty of the season. (Photos by Richard Thomas)

If you've taken any pictures of the great outdoors in Boone lately, chances are they've come out with a brilliant combination of reds, yellows, greens and oranges from the overpowering presence of the changing leaves.

It is difficult to imagine that anywhere else in the world could be more beautiful than Boone at this time of year. It is amazing how nature can make changes on a regular cycle to bring beauty to the world.

During the fall, the green pigment in plants (chlorophyll) degrades. This allows the xanthophyll carotenes (other pigments that chlorophyll dominates in the spring and fall) to show their true colors.

When the changes begin to actually occur in leaves is hard to determine. According to Bryan Brown of the Biology Department, "The change varies from year to year. [Chlorophyll] can degrade at any time in October, but exactly when is dependent upon the weather."

Brown said that a particularly wet summer can, and will, cause the leaves to change at a different time than a dry summer.

No matter when the leaves decide to change, it certainly makes for beautiful scenery every year.

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New art director adds spice ot Catherine J. Smith Gallery
Sara Lewinter
Staff Writer

Hank Foreman, Director of the Catherine J. Smith Gallery

With a constant focus on strengthening the art world, alumnus Hank Foreman directs the Catherine J. Smith Gallery.

After completing his undergraduate studies and earning a post secondary art education degree at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mr. Foreman created "a better place for art" in his own hometown.

In Belhaven, North Carolina, a town with approximately 2300 people, he directed a fine arts and crafts gallery called "EEii's Little Korners of the World." He also started the Crab and Fine Arts Festival, which is now in its fifth year.

While going to graduate school at Appalachian State University, Mr. Foreman worked as a graduate assistant in the Catherine J. Smith Gallery. He is now teaching a class at Watauga College and Appalachian State, and is the Acting Director of the Catherine J. Smith Gallery.

The Catherine J. Smith Gallery is located in Farthing Auditorium. The facility is two floors, allowing two different exhibits to be displayed at the same time. The gallery "is a place where people can visit, enjoy the exhibits, and feel comfortable and welcome," says Foreman.

The gallery is already booking shows for the year 2000. The resident sculpturing program is in its eleventh year, drawing sculptors to Appalachian State from across the United States.

"Hank brings to his position a fresh outlook on incorporating the visual arts into the cultural scene of both the university and surrounding community," says Perry Mixter, director of the Office of Cultural Affairs.

Last spring, Foreman combined his efforts with artist Liza Smith to create the exhibit entitled, "Ladies and Gender Men." He also curated a show, "Views From Ground Level," which brought national and international attention to Appalachian State.

"Do I like the artwork or not? When this happens, we miss the opportunity to ponder other more important questions about art - questions such as 'Why is the work important?' 'What does this work mean to me? To the world?' We need to create an environment where people can be exposed to art, and ponder some of these questions for themselves," says Foreman.

On Nov. 8, national artists will display 56 of their works that are computer based and from digital imaging.

"Day of the Dead Alters," a show which honors the dead and celebrates their lives, is on display this week. Different organizations and departments of the university are represented in the show.

"Hank brings a spirit of positive energy and enthusiasm for the visual arts which enables him to inspire this same interest and enthusiasm in others," says Mixter.

In Foreman's own words, "Don't wait to go to the gallery with your class or the gallery to be an assignment." Take it upon yourself to seize the advantage of a golden opportunity.

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Beware...the ghosts, souls, and goblins are coming
Del Holson
Staff Writer

Halloween is rapidly approaching. It is the night when all of the evil creatures walk the earth to cause mischief and mayhem. It is a holiday that has been celebrated throughout the years by children and adults alike. Yet, where did the idea of Halloween originate?

The origins of Halloween can be found in the ancient Celtic harvest festival, which is also called the Samhain.

The name Halloween comes from "All Hallows Eve." The holiday was born in the fires of pre-Christian new year's festivals and the tradition was continued by the Celtic people of England, Ireland and Scotland.

People believed that the evil spirits of the dead roamed the earth. So to protect themselves they offered treats and dressed up to frighten bad spirits away.

Costumes were originally skeletons and ghosts, representing the walking dead. Then witches and goblins became popular costumes when the holiday became influenced by Christianity. By dressing up, people were, in essence, mocking the dead.

Other Halloween traditions originated from the Irish. They brought certain traditions to America, such as bobbing for apples and carving and lighting jack-o'-lanterns, in the 1840s.

Some colonial families celebrated Halloween with parties where they played games, went on hay-rides and did exciting things like pull taffy.

In today's world, Halloween is celebrated in a different manner. Kids still dress up in costumes and go trick or treating, but there are many dangers with the holiday.

Kids must be aware of people poisoning candy and parents have to watch out for vandalism. Smashing pumpkins and egging cars and houses have always been popular with teenagers.

Halloween can be a nightmare for some people, but that's the point. So beware on Halloween, because all sorts of crazies could be out there, such as ghosts, ghouls and the people leaving the "Rocky Horror Picture Show." They are all a part of the creatures that inhabit "All Hallow's Eve."

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Garden of Sirens on compilation
Jeremy Ball
Staff Writer

A local band may be proving that more than just Boone's weather is similar to Seattle. The alternative sounds of Garden of Sirens, which have become familiar to many area music lovers, have been chosen to appear on a compilation album that will be presented to major record labels all over the country.

Rodell Records Inc. is the company compiling the disc, called Sounds from the Underground. This company asks prospective clients to send in tapes, from which they select a small handful of bands to appear on a album that they send to major record labels and investors.

Jason K. Ward, a senior from Greensboro and the band's drummer, says that they were one of only twenty bands selected to appear on the CD out of 13 thousand applicants.

Their selection could be a major boost to their career. Rodell Records has already sent six country artists to the Country Hall of Fame.

Although the CD will not be available for sale, the band has an album of its own, "12 Magic Windows", coming out in mid November. It will be for sale at Grapevine Music or through their agent, Kara Nash.

Ward says that although the band's music could be described as alternative, most of what they play is original. So, you're not going to hear a rehashing of Green Day. He says that what distinguishes them from other rising alternative bands is that they are "really good."

The band recently added a new member, Chris Maulden, as their bass player. The other members include Greame Wright and Chad Wilder, who alternate on guitar and vocals.

Since the band originally got together in 1995, it has traveled over much of the state. Recently, it appeared at Somewhere Else Tavern in Greensboro, the Democratic Rally at Appalachian and at Pfeiffer College. On Nov. 13, it will be in Chapel Hill.

Ward says that although they feel really fortunate to have been surrounded by so many fans and musicians, they have had to travel a lot because "there's just no place to play in Boone".

They are doing all they can to appear in the area, though. They will be at the Klondike on Nov. 9 and there will be a CD release party either the last weekend in November or the first weekend in December to celebrate 12 Magic Windows. At either show, Ward says that you can expect a lot of high energy music.

It appears that Garden of Sirens may be one of Boone's most promising bands. Ward says that he is happy with the direction that the band is going. "We're right where we want to be," he says. "We're not going too fast, but we're not stagnant either". With a new CD and the attention of the country's top record labels, this band is anything but stagnant. 

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Street Sounds fill Farthing Today

Tonight the vocal quintet Street Sounds will fill Farthing Auditorium with some of the finest acappella music in the country. With a ticket price of a mere $5, students really can't afford to miss this outstanding show.

The vocal quintet was formed in 1989 by Artistic Director Louise Robinson who also founded a long running vocal group called Sweet Honey In the Rock. They have a selfÐtitled cd out which has many original adaptations of traditional compositions such as, "This Little Light of Mine." Completely original tracks on the disc include, "Change" which was inspired by the Rodney King incident.

Street Sounds combines several musical styles to form an often amazing blend of harmony which carries a message of social responsibility and harmony. Some of the styles they explore are African chants, jazz, gospel, R&B, and rap.

On the cd liner notes, it says that Street Sounds, "honors the voice as the first instrument and the breath as the first and last sound we make as human beings." It is evident that they do so in such a way as to use their voices to spread their message of celebration of culture, honoring of ancestors and inspiration to their diverse audiences.

This group appeals to many sects of society with their diversity of musical styles and varying messages.

Tickets will be available at the Farthing Auditorium Box Office tonight. Doors will open at 7 p.m. For more information call the Box Office at 262-4046 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

-Vanessa Urruela, Editor-in-Chief

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