Global Village Gifts

By Rachael Wabel

The spirit of helping others abounds during the holiday season, but a shop in Logan allows community members to help year round. Global Village Gifts, located off 100 East in Logan, is a shop that sells handcrafted items from all over the world to help those in struggling countries.

Global Village sells items made by women from across the world including Asia, South America and Africa. The store works to promote fair trade by taking the items made by women, selling them in the shop and returning the money to the women and their families. The store relies on volunteers to keep prices and middleman costs low.

Mabel Draper, a student at Utah State University, volunteered at the shop after discovering them during “Taste of Logan”, an activity held during freshman Connections Week.

“I mostly walked about the store, familiarizing myself with their merchandise. Where it was from, what it’s made of,” Draper said. “I also worked at the desk as a cashier. I basically manned the store.”

Global Village is flexible with volunteers, allowing them to choose when they would like to help, but ask that those who do help try to recruit other volunteers.

Kaitlyn Nef, a sophomore at the University of Utah, volunteered when she was 12 after seeing her mother and older sister work in the shop.

“Since I was only 12 when I volunteered, I was not allowed to work the register or handle any money,” Nef said. “I walked around and helped answer customer questions. I was also in charge of the music, which was a big deal for me.”

Because volunteers are not paid for their time, many see it as a way of giving back.

“The best part was knowing I was helping in an honestly good cause,” Draper said. “It amazes me what people are capable of doing, even when they have limited resources.”

“At the time, I would’ve said the best part was playing with the musical instruments and toys. Looking back my answer is different,” Nef said. “I love knowing that because I convinced that teenager to buy something, a woman in a Third World country was able to buy some food or send her daughter to school. I was helping people.”

For more information about Global Village and volunteering opportunities please visit http://www.globalvillagegifts.org/

Finals Week Fashion

By Rachael Wabel

With numerous yawns and study-induced comas, finals week is drawing near, leaving some wondering what is acceptable to wear to the class-ending tests.

Utah State University does not have a dress code, leaving the options for final test attire almost limitless. 

Some feel dressing up in skirts or shirts and ties helps them do better and appear more professional to instructors.

“I always dress up,” USU senior Jake Wright said. “It helps me do better. I’m more focused.”

After late study sessions, comfort is a must for some students. Some say wearing pajama pants or sweats to take exams helps lessen test anxiety.

The USU academic resource center defines test anxiety as a worry or fear about taking a test that can affect academic performance. For those suffering from test anxiety, the amount of tests given during finals week can aggravate the disorder.

“PJ pants all the way for finals week. Being comfortable cuts down on my test anxiety,” said Tiffany Swenson, a sophomore at USU.

“Sweats,” Weber State University student Candalynne Roskelley said of her finals wardrobe. “Of course I just wear sweats in general.”

While USU does not require a certain standard of dress for students, schools like Brigham Young University and BYU-Idaho implement the Honor Code that prohibits certain types of clothing. The Honor Code states that women’s clothing should not be revealing or form fitting, while men must be clean-shaven and groomed as well. Those in violation are turned away and must remedy the problem before they are allowed to test.

Many students see finals as a big event, but others including many freshman who have never experienced a college final, see the days as normal class sessions.

“I’ve never taken them,” USU freshman Vanessa Miller said. “I’ll probably just wear jeans and a top like any other school day.”

Is Pinterest the New Obsession?

By Rachael Wabel

With virtual pinboards and limitless craft and home ideas, Pinterest is spreading across the nation. For some it is a place to find fun and easy craft ideas. For others it’s a great way to waste time.

The site boosts boards where users can “pin” items including crafts, pictures and sayings into different boards for the sake of organization. Some have boards specifically for home items, while others use the site to find cute and funny pictures. The abounding amount of ideas and projects has even made the site a favorite of brides-to-be.

“I look through other people’s boards and see so many ideas for my wedding,” Utah State University freshman Karli Adams said. “I can’t wait to get married so I can use them.”

Most joining Pinterest have done so after receiving invites or recommendations from friends and family. 

Markie Meredith, a senior at Syracuse High, joined Pinterest after seeing pillows her older sister had made from the site.

“She started making pillows and telling me about these different ideas and I asked her where she was finding all this stuff and she showed me Pinterest,” Meredith said.

Meredith and her sister turned the things found on the site into a bonding night, she said. They spend every Thursday night making things found on Pinterest, including scarves and a magnetic make-up board.

The crafts on the site are focused on being simple and things that can be made with materials that may already be at home. While most of the crafts are meant to be easy, not all turn out like they are supposed to.

“I tried to make a ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ figure. Epic Fail,” Chelsea Grimes said of a failed project found on the site. “I couldn’t really get the separate pieces to stick together. Then when I finally did, I tried baking it like the paper the clay came with said to, but it just melted.”

Although Pinterest boosts many good ideas, some see it as a waste of time.

“It’s a bunch of ridiculous housewives surfing the internet with nothing else to do,” USU student Rylie Gordon said. “I think it’s stupid.”

Like many other networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, some feel Pinterest is an addiction.

“It’s addicting. You get on and you just can’t stop,” Adams said.

Sometimes the urge to spend a few more minutes searching the site can delay class.

"One of my professors admitted that we're starting class late because she wants to spend more time on Pinterest," University of Utah student Megan McFarland tweeted. "Haha."

Staying Warm in Logan

By Rachael Wabel

For many Utah State University students experiencing their first winter in Logan, the frigid chill can be a shock. With temperatures that often drop to single digits, students have become creative in their efforts to stay warm.

“I’m from Vegas,” USU freshman Jordan Matthews said. “It’s freezing here, but thankfully I can layer.”

Layering has been a part of fashion for decades, with some shirts sewn together to create the look. Students often take advantage of the trend in order to cover more skin and add extra protection from the harsh winter weather.

“I have a lot of T-shirts that I love, but wearing them in winter isn’t the smartest thing,” said Brynn Reed, a sophomore at USU. “I went and bought a bunch of long-sleeved shirts and put them under my favorite T-shirts.”

Layering the upper body isn’t always enough to fight the winter chill. Tights and nylons have long been associated with church or business offices. But as temperatures drop, more women are pulling stockings from the back of their sock drawers and adding them to their winter wardrobe.

“One word for you. Leggings,” USU sophomore Emily Olsen said. “You put them on under your jeans and they keep you really warm. Plus, they suck everything in and make you skinnier, and who doesn’t want to feel skinnier?”

No matter how many layers and coats students wear, sometimes the cold is inescapable.

“I’ve been here for a while so I’m kinda used to it,” USU senior Jonathan Moore said. “Sometimes, no 

matter what you wear, it gets too cold to even breathe.”

Procrastinating Christmas

By Rachael Wabel

Black Friday and the weekend after Thanksgiving is normally when people start shopping for Christmas gifts, but some wait until the last minute to even think about what to give their friends and family.

Stores including Walmart and Target put countdown calendars near the front entrances to remind shoppers how many days they have left to complete their holiday shopping. Despite the constant reminders, some insist that the holiday season is so busy that shopping gets put off until the last minute.

“December is crazy,” Utah State University junior Jake Hansen said. “There’s always concerts, Christmas parties and work goes crazy. I’m lucky if I get my shopping done before Christmas Eve.”

Holiday films and television advertisements often make men seem like the only shopping procrastinators, but women too, admit to putting off finding gifts.

“I admit I wait until the weekend before Christmas,” said Lisa Morgan, a sophomore at USU. “I go home and finally have a car. It’s much easier than trying to cart a bunch of presents on the bus.”

While some procrastinate shopping, others manage to purchase or make all of their gifts before Thanksgiving.

“I’ve had all my gifts bought since the end of October,” Weber State University student Julie Chambers said. “I found good deals and wanted to make sure I got them before they were gone.”

Although many stores have been picked over and not many gift choices remain in the days just before Christmas, waiting has some advantages as well.

“If I wait until the end, I don’t have to make many decisions,” Morgan said. “There’s usually only one or two things left on everybody’s lists, and that’s what I get them.”

Black Friday Fights

By Rachael Wabel

Black eyes, a bloody nose and even a little bit of pepper spray—all part of the Black Friday shopping experience.

Past years have brought arguments over Nintendo Wii gaming systems and even Care Bear stuffed animals. Some Black Friday shoppers will do almost anything to get the items topping their family’s Christmas lists. Sometimes the desire to make Christmas perfect leads people to become violent.

“I remember the year Care Bears were the big thing,” MaryAnne Wilson said. “A fight broke out over one and this lady punched another woman in the nose so she could take the bear from her hands.”

In anticipation of large crowds and possible problems, a Walmart in Las Vegas, Nev. stationed store employees around in-demand items including Wii Video games and discounted waffle irons. The police were also brought in to handle any major problems and manage crowd control.

As soon as the sale began at 10 p.m. eager shoppers rushed to grab wanted items, leaving some injured in the process. Shouts from anxious shoppers diving for $3 waffle irons could be heard across the store.

“I’m glad I’m not over there,” Linda Barker said as the shouts echoed to where she stood, picking out pajama pants.

Wii video games, marked down to $10 and $20, were also a fight-worthy item. Before the sell started, the crowd around the box holding the games resembled a mosh pit.  Shoppers were pushed as people tried to grab games. Police officers watched the scene, ready to intervene if things got too rough. After the tussle the cardboard box holding the games was completely flattened.

One woman in a Porter Ranch, Calif. Walmart, took extreme measures to get what she wanted. In a Youtube video that quickly circulated around the internet, a mob around a box full of video games is shown. Several of the people push backward, complaining of being hit by pepper spray a woman was using to make sure no one came to close and took the games she had grabbed. The video can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-K7xDHAfdA&feature=related

Not all Black Friday squabbles were over in-demand items. At a Logan Walmart, an employee was called to the vacuum cleaner display to break up a fight between two elderly women over a vacuum.

While fist-fights and confrontations kept some shoppers away, others were unfazed by the altercations.

“It’s just part of it,” Susan Shephard said. “You just have to remember that a toy is not worth blood. More will be put out later.”

The pepper spray video can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-K7xDHAfdA&feature=related

(K. Mason)

Black Friday Not Worth It For Some

By Rachael Wabel

Retailers hope Black Friday will boost sale revenues, but a growing number of shoppers have decided to skip the lines and purchase their gifts after the rush.

A glance through the Thanksgiving Day newspaper ads revealed that while some items, including Blue-ray DVD players and large screen televisions were discounted, many items remained close their normal prices.

“I don’t see the point in getting up early to buy something I can get in a few days for the same price,” father of two, Joe Thompson said.

Long lines and over-populated stores are not uncommon on Black Friday. The large crowds have deterred some shoppers from taking part in the Black Friday tradition.

“I don’t want my butt grabbed by no stranger,” Tonya Jordan said. “I’ll do my shopping when there’s less people there.”

For many, Thanksgiving is centered on spending time with family and friends. Leaving home to join a growing line before the pumpkin pie has been served isn’t how some want to spend their Thanksgiving.

“My family is coming from out of town for the weekend,” Haley Webster said. “There’s no way I’m leaving them just to go shopping. I have a whole month to shop.”

Instead of stopping at the stores, many people boycotting Black Friday plan to see movies or spend time outside.

“We’ll go sledding if we can find snow, if not we’ll probably go see ‘Arthur’s Christmas’. It looks like something my kids would like,” Thompson said.

K.Mason) 

Black Friday Hopes to Bring Out Shoppers

By Rachael Wabel

Despite the struggling economy, many shoppers ventured out on Black Friday morning – or even earlier -- to find the best deal on wanted Christmas items.

“I really want a new TV,” shopper Allison Humphry said. “I’ll be at Walmart at nine Thanksgiving night to get it.”

Like many other stores, Walmart held two sales. One consisting of clothing and toys started at 10 p.m. while electronic items were discounted at midnight. Among the big items on sale were televisions, Blue-ray players and video games.

“I need a new DVD player and Walmart has one on sale for like $50 bucks,” Shane Wallace said. “For a Blue-ray, you can’t beat that.”

Best Buy opened its doors at midnight while the Toys R Us sale started at 10 pm. Employees were asked to arrive at work at least an hour before the sales started to prepare for the crowds, which didn’t thrill everyone.

“It’s Thanksgiving and I want to spend time with my family,” Walmart employee Tyler Jones said. “But it was kind of a must-do thing. I need a job.”

Not everyone hitting the stores is going for the deals. Anne Spencer and her two daughters consider the late-night shopping a bonding experience.

“We’ve been doing this since the youngest turned 13,” Spencer said. “It’s not really about the items on sale; it’s about spending time with my girls.”

(O’Sullivan)

Snow Shorts

By Rachael Wabel

Christmas music streams from every radio station, carrot-nosed snowmen stand in various front yards around the block and children squeal in delight during a snowball war. The crisp air lingers, announcing of the presence of winter. A man walks out of his house with ski coat buttoned up passed his chin and a woolen beanie tucked down over his ears. He appears warm, expect for his legs. Draped around his lower half is a pair of thin silver basketball shorts.

Even during the winter months, some people choose to wear the summer attire. Men seem to sport the trend more than women, claiming shorts are simply more comfortable.

“I just hate pants,” said Jacob Jukes, a shorts fanatic. “They’re too restrictive.”

In addition to the freedom shorts provide, some men wear the summer clothing for comfort.

“Long pants pull at my leg hair,” Utah State University sophomore Logan Johnson said. “Have you ever had that happen? It hurts.”

Many stores including Walmart and Target discount summer attire by the end of August and pull shorts along with other warm weather favorites completely from the sales floor around the beginning of October. 

“I buy a bunch of new shorts when they’re cheap,” Jukes said. “I wear them all year, no matter what.”

Not everyone see’s the logic of wearing shorts in the snow.

“When guys wear shorts in the middle of the winter, it makes me wonder just how smart they are,” USU sophomore Kellice Bradley said. “I mean, do they really want to get sick?”

Not all guys follow the summer-in-the-winter trend, citing the cold as a deterrent.

“I like to be able to feel my legs when I get to class,” USU senior Loren Smith said. 

(K. Blesch)

Flip-Flops A Winter Favorite For Some

By Rachael Wabel

The bright sun reflected blindingly against the foot of snow blanketing the ground. People everywhere were wrapped up in heavy coats, scarves and hats in hopes of keeping the winter chill out. The clip-clap of flip-flops against the pavement echoed through the brisk December air, shattering the chilled silence.

Despite the cool weather, many people continue to wear flip-flops year round. Some cite comfort and convenience as reasons for sporting the sandals in the winter, while others have become accustom to the freedom the footwear provides.

“I wear mine everywhere,” said Carrie Maas, a mother of two and flip-flop fan. “They are convenient and match my outfit.”

The fact that the shoes do not have to be tied makes flip-flops an easy option for some.

“I get up with barely enough time to get to work. Rather than bother with socks and tying my shoes, I throw on my flippy floppies as I am walking out the door,” Logan resident Brady Hull said.

Cindy Howell, a Santa Cruz, Calif., native said growing up in a beach town made her accustomed to wearing sandals and flip-flops.

“I was always used to not wearing shoes,” Howell said. “My feet get too hot and I hate that.”

However, not everyone agrees with wearing flip-flops in the snow.

“You couldn’t pay me to wear anything but boots during the winter, especially in Logan,” Utah State University junior Katie Ferris said. 

(K. Blesch)

To Ugg or Not to Ugg?

By Rachael Wabel

Boots seem to be a staple winter clothing item, especially for those living in chilly northern Utah. But not all boots are the same. Uggs, and their competitor knock-offs, have become a necessary item in most women’s closets.

According to the Ugg company website, the boots were designed for Australian surfers as a way to keep their feet warm and dry between surf sessions. The boots, made of sheep skin and fleece, came to the United States in 1978 and found a place in fashion. The boots began as unisex footwear, but upon American introduction, they became associated with women’s winter wear.

“I love mine,” Jordan Allen, a Utah State University freshman, said. “They were totally worth the money.”

Boots from the Ugg Austrilia brand run anywhere between $150 and $200 depending on the style.

Other shoe designers such as Airwalk and Bear Paw have created similar boots, but at a fraction of the price. At Payless Shoe Source the Airwalk sheep skin boots cost shoppers between $40 and $45.

“I bought mine at Payless,” Megan Vaughn, a USU sophomore, said. “They look just like Uggs, but I didn’t pay that much.”

The Ugg trend doesn’t seem to be ending. Logan Payless employee Stephanie Crandall said the boots are the best-selling item especially since the warm shoes come in children and women sizes.

“They’re our biggest hit,” Crandall said. “They aren’t dying off anytime soon.”

Not everyone is a fan of the warm footwear.

“I personally think they’re ugly,” USU sophomore Jessica Meyer said. “I wouldn’t wear them. Ever.”

 (L. Rios)

H&M Comes to Utah

By Rachael Wabel

Fashionista’s across Northern Utah are rejoicing. H&M is coming to Utah. The fashion retailer is opening a new location in the Fashion Place Mall in Murray on Friday, Nov. 11. The opening marks the first Utah location for the worldwide company.

The retailer, which is located next to the Apple store, will open at noon. The mall will open at 4 a.m. to allow shoppers to line up outside H&M. Brooke Whitehead, a spokesperson for the mall, said that the store will have many opening day events including giveaways.

H&M, a Swedish based company, specializes in designer quality clothing for men, women and children with prices starting at $10 according to the store’s website. The retailer has worked with designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney and Jimmy Choo to create lines specifically for H&M.

Versace is the latest designer to collaborate with the company. The Versace collection will be supplied in 35 locations of the franchise, including the Fashion Place Mall.

“Being able to find cute clothes and not have to worry about spending too much is really nice,” said Ashley Bray, a frequent shopper. “I definitely plan on visiting.”

The styles aren’t the only thing exciting shoppers. Before the Fashion Place location, the closet H&M to Utah was located in Las Vegas.

“I’m super excited,” said Megan Murphey, a college student and self-proclaimed fashionista. “I love the one in Vegas, but this is so much closer.”

Not everyone is eager to shop at the new store.           

“I’ll probably go check it out, but I’ll probably still end up shopping at Walmart,” Krista Starker said.

(S. O'Sullivan)

The Five Finger Discount

By Rae Marie

Since the beginning of October, the Logan City Police Department has logged 22 cases of shoplifting.

“It’s really been almost one case a day,” Logan City police officer, Lt. Rod Peterson said.

Items have been taken from a variety of stores including Wal-Mart and Kohl’s, Peterson said. In most cases, store security detained the person and retrieved the stolen item before calling the police to handle the legal matters. 

In Utah, shoplifting is considered a Class B misdemeanor, punishable with up to six months in jail and a $1000 fine. The monetary value of the stolen item is considered when charging a shoplifter.

Apparel stores are not the only targets for shoplifting. Furniture stores like RC Willey have experienced theft. Video games and small electronics are the most common item taken from the franchise, but larger items have been stolen as well.

“We have a big problem with people purchasing things with bad checks,” RC Willey manager Eddie Martinez said. “They buy the item with a bounced check and then try to go out and re-sell it.”

Shoplifting wasn’t about filling a need, but something Derek Pundt, a former shoplifter, did for excitement.

“It’s not that you need what you’re stealing, it’s the rush of it. Every time I shoplifted I had money,” Pundt said.

While theft is a year-round occurrence, stores report more problems during busier shopping times.  

“When it’s busy, you can’t watch everyone,” Ross Dress for Less associate Megan Piper said. “It’d be easy for someone to take something and not be noticed.”

Small items are not the only things taken when employees are distracted.

“Someone tried to steal a couch once,” Martinez said. “We had an open warehouse sale and while I was helping another customer, two guys tried to haul the couch out. When I yelled at them, they dropped it and ran away.”

Edited by D. Quire

Welcome and Hello

Logan's cold. It's so cold sometimes fashion is sacrificed for warmth. But it doesn't always have to be that way. This blog, which is a school project for now, is dedicated to discovering ways to stay nice 'n toasty, while rocking seriously cute style, all done in news article style. Stay tuned for sizzling fashion sure to come. 

Stay warm and fabulous,

**Rae Marie