Eco-friendly fall activities to do with friends

Lisi Ludwig/File

Fall has arrived, and it is in full swing. The usual return to pumpkin spiced lattes can certainly be seen and sweater weather is the perfect opportunity to rock cozy layered outfits. While I personally find slight annoyance in the shorter days and colder nights, there is a lot to look forward to. The autumn holidays are here: Halloween and Thanksgiving. And the season lends itself to many fun activities to do with friends and family. This year, try out these fall activities that are both fun and environmentally conscious to keep both you and the Earth happy.

Visit a pumpkin patch or apple orchard

Looking for a day-trip activity? Gather your friends and find a local apple orchard or pumpkin patch that practices eco-friendly agricultural practices. Choosing to buy locally forgoes the hefty carbon footprint associated with overseas transport or semitruck travel. There are many great farms to pick from in the Bay Area and surrounding area but here are a few great picks: Arata’s Pumpkin Farm is a local farm and pumpkin patch located in Half Moon Bay that is San Mateo County’s oldest sustainable pumpkin farm and Apple-a-Day is a family-run apple orchard located in Sebastopol that is also committed to using environmentally friendly methods. At your local farm, you can carefully pick fresh apples to be made into apple pie or homemade apple cider and personally choose your pumpkin for carving. It’s also possible to then reuse your jack-o-lantern for making a pumpkin pie but make sure to save the seeds for roasting! 

Thrift fall clothes and donate/recycle summer clothes

The days are getting colder and it’s time to pull out the hoodies and jeans. The most environmentally-friendly option is to upcycle and customize what’s already in your closet. However, if you are truly in need of a new jacket, the thrift store is the perfect place to make a second-hand purchase. While you are looking for that new jacket, this is also the perfect opportunity to find something suitable for your Halloween costume. Unneeded summer clothes can also be donated to the local Goodwill and those unsuitable for donation centers can be taken to a textile recycling center. 

Head outside for a hike 

The air is crisp and the outdoors are calling. No gas or emissions are needed, only the power of your legs to guide you. While the summer sun is always welcome, it can also be a thorn in your side when hiking steep, winding trails. Hiking during the fall brings many benefits: The trails will be less crowded, the temperature is perfect for exercising and the scenery is new and refreshing. Head over toward the Marina to visit the McLaughlin Eastshore State Park for a calming walk along the shoreline or head towards the hills to visit Tilden Regional Park for breath-taking views of the forested hills surrounding Berkeley. And no matter the season, always make sure to leave no trace!

Just stay home

Forget the heater and grab a throw blanket to stay warm. Sometimes staying inside is the most eco-friendly way to spend a fall afternoon, especially if rain is pouring outside. This is the perfect opportunity to turn the jack-o-lantern into pumpkin pie and stay warm with a hot glass of apple cider from the apple orchard. Bundle up under some blankets and gather around the TV with friends to binge that one TV show you have all meant to get around to.

In any case, this list of eco-friendly fall activities is only the beginning of the endless possibilities out there. I hope this will help kick-start your fall to make the most of this special season. But if midterms prove to be too time-consuming this time around, remember there’s always next year!

Contact Adrian Fontao at afontao@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

Podcast editor Abbey Martichenko and podcast staff member Claire Fogarty recap last week’s biggest news, a&e, opinion and sports stories. This is the first of our new recap segment, so be sure to check back next week! Music by Tim Taj via Pixabay. 

The post Welcome to Weekly Recaps appeared first on Daily Trojan.

The Gophers bye week gave them some early energy against the Cornhuskers, and they led all game, ultimately leaving victorious 30-23.

“That was truly culture over skill,” head coach P.J. Fleck said. “Whatever anyone wants to say about us, our culture, feel free, we have been called everything in the book.”

The Minnesota defense was aggressive to open the game, and after forcing Nebraska into an opening drive three-and-out, Minnesota’s offense was ready to take the field.

An opening offensive drive that saw six Gophers’ passes and seven runs, was capped off by redshirt-sophomore quarterback Cole Kramer’s first career pass going for a touchdown to tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford.

Nebraska’s offense would respond with a methodical drive resulting in a 50-yard field goal, shortening the Minnesota lead to 7-3.

Tanner Morgan and the Gophers’ offense would pick up right where they left off. A beautiful 28-yard touchdown pass to Mike Brown-Stephens extended the lead to 14-3.

After a pair of disappointing drives for both teams, the Cornhuskers’ offense put together their best drive of the game. Freshman running back Rahmir Johnson found the end zone for Nebraska’s first touchdown of the day. After missing the extra point the Gophers lead would be 14-9.

Redshirt-senior wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell capped off an explosive first half for himself and the Gophers’ offense with a spectacular seven-yard touchdown grab in the back corner of the end zone.

The duo of Autman-Bell and Morgan was effective early and often, resulting in the 6-foot-1-inch wide receiver reeling in nine catches for 100 yards in the first half alone.

“Everybody wrote him [Morgan] off,” said Fleck. “He’s gutsy, he’s gritty, he’s been through a lot in his life and the more you’ve been through the better you’re from me, because you know what you’re going to get.”

Out of the locker room, it was not as smooth for the Gophers. Tanner Morgan’s program-best 16 straight completion streak was ended by an interception. Nebraska failed to take advantage with a punt, but on Morgan’s next pass it would fall in the hands of the Cornhuskers once again.

Nebraska found the end for the first points of the second half on the second touchdown of the day from Johnson.

After punting the ball back to the Cornhuskers, a crucial Nebraska fourth and goal from Minnesota’s one-yard line shortly after got stuffed by the Gophers’ defensive line, as they completely regained momentum.

“We had to go down there and bull up,” said senior linebacker Jack Gibbens. “That was an awesome play.”

The Gophers’ offense failed to get going with four straight punts, but after pinning Nebraska deep in its own territory another big play from the Gophers’ defensive line resulted in a safety giving Minnesota a 23-16 lead.

Redshirt-junior running back Bryce Williams broke free for a 56-yard touchdown on the following drive, virtually sealing the game for the Gophers.

“When it came down to who I trusted, and who has done it, 21 [Williams],” Fleck said.

A tale of two halves was the story for Minnesota. After a dominant showing from the passing game in the first half, big plays from the defensive line proved crucial in the Gophers coming out on top.

Minnesota will face off against Maryland next week at home on Saturday, Oct. 23.

All you’ll need to make these easy meals will be a fridge and a few ingredients and a hungry stomach. | File Photo/

Whether you live on campus with a full-blown kitchen, or just have a microwave, toaster and fridge, here are a few quick and easy recipes to make when you’re in a pinch. 

Chocolate mug cake

If you’re craving something sweet but don’t have the time, or skill level, to bake a cake, try a mug cake.

All you need is all-purpose flour, white sugar, cacao powder, milk, oil and vanilla extract.  Combine all your ingredients in a microwave-safe mug, and microwave for one to two minutes, or until the center of the cake is cooked through.

You can also top with chocolate chips and frosting for an easy-to-make dessert.  For more details, check out a recipe from AllRecipes.

Mug pizza

Many people have tried making mug desserts at some point during lockdown, but you’ve probably never heard of a mug pizza.  Turns out it’s delicious and super easy to prepare, making it the perfect dorm meal when you’re craving fast food.

To make it, you will need all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, milk, olive oil, pizza sauce, cheese and your toppings of choice.  First, combine all your dry ingredients in a mug, then mix in milk and oil to make the dough.  Lastly, spread your pizza sauce across the surface of the batter, add cheese/toppings, then microwave for one minute.

For exact measurements, try following this one minute mug pizza recipe by Spice Bangla.

Sandwiches

There’s not much to be said here, everyone loves a good sandwich. They are versatile, easy to make and easy to eat, making it the perfect lunch for a busy day on campus.

Try switching up your sandwiches by adding new cheeses, sauces or using different types of bread.  Some ideas for when you have a little more time include a chicken pesto panini, and an egg sandwich with avocado.

Upgraded ramen meals

You can try stepping up your usual instant ramen noodles by adding some new toppings that you probably already have in your fridge.

First, you can try adding different proteins such as a boiled egg, chicken, or tofu.  If you don’t have meat on hand, be sure to add some veggies such as mushrooms and green onion.  You also can’t go wrong with adding some sriracha, chili garlic, or soy sauce to add more flavor to the broth.

Oatmeal

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to cereal, try making your own oatmeal.  It’s easy to meal prep, and very customizable.

Overnight oats are another great option if you don’t have much preparation time in the morning.  Simply combine rolled oats with milk, chia seeds and your sweetener of choice and leave in the fridge overnight.

When you wake up, be sure to top with either fruit, chocolate chips, or peanut butter to add more flavor. 

Quesadillas

If you have access to a stove in your apartment or dorm, a quesadilla is a great dinner.  

Simply heat a flour tortilla on a pan and top with cheese, veggies, meat or any other toppings of  choice.  Then lower the heat, cover the pan and allow the cheese to melt.  Once melted, fold the quesadilla in half and flip until both sides are golden brown.

Microwave Mac and Cheese

If you’re staying away from store-bought boxed macaroni and cheese and would like an easy alternative, try homemade mac and cheese in the microwave.

First, you will need to combine your mac and cheese with water and microwave until the noodles are tender.  Next, add in milk, corn starch, shredded cheese and salt & pepper.  Also feel free to add in any meat or vegetables at this point.

You will be left with a warm, cheesy dish made in only a few minutes.  This is perfect for any day you’re looking to avoid spending much time in the kitchen.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Easy meals to make in your dorm” was originally posted on The Cougar

(Creative Commons / U.S. Embassy Jerusalem)

“Are any of us actually Jewish?” my friend asked, putting down her wine glass and glancing around the table. Packed like sardines into Emory’s Chabad tent, all ten of us laughed, noting that only two of us had even a drop of Jewish blood. 

Even then, my friend and I weren’t Jewish enough to justify going to Shabbat dinner at the Orthodox Chabad house. When fellow Chabad attendees ask me if I’m Jewish, I respond, “barely.” I grew up attending Passover Seders at my aunt’s house and celebrating Hanukkah at home, but beyond that, I can’t speak for Judaism. Before coming to Emory, I was more Jewish in tradition than in practice. Judaism represented community and family and home; not God or repentance or worship. Yet, my friends and I return every Friday to load up our plates with noodles and listen to the rabbi speak on God and repentance. We drink wine and stay respectfully quiet as the rest of the attendees sing in prayer. We chat with the rabbi’s children as we wait for the restroom. At Emory, I’m more Jewish than I’ve ever been before.

Before this year, I wouldn’t have set foot in a Chabad house; I disagree with many of Chabad’s principles. My half-Jewish, “two holidays a year” upbringing is a far cry from Orthodox. But still, I find it immeasurably valuable to attend Shabbat dinner at Emory Chabad. Familiarizing yourself with  — and learning how to mindfully disagree with — different cultures is a vital part of growing up. And while attending a Jewish event as a non-Jewish (or barely Jewish) person can be read as appropriative, approaching the experience with inquisitiveness and respect — which means not treating the event as a means to get free food and drinks — can prevent appropriation. 

Chabad is, for context, an Orthodox Jewish movement that, unlike other Hasidic groups, embraces modern technology. It interacts with the world beyond its cloistered religious community with active chapters at many universities. Emory’s Chabad house advertises itself as “a place where every Jew is family,” but this hasn’t gone without scrutiny. For instance, Chabad follows practices like modesty and gender-separated prayer, which many argue is oppressive to women. It also preaches an extreme literal belief in the Torah, which means that what’s written in the holy book is the word of God and is incontestably true. Chabad is additionally criticized for subscribing to the prejudiced view that a Jewish soul is more sacred than a non-Jewish soul. The organization also supports Israel and the Israeli Defence Forces, which have been tied to militarism, brutality, and dispossession. As a history major in the College who understands the importance of protecting human rights, I am at odds with a few of Chabad’s fundamental principles. 

Yet despite the clash between my personal morals and the ideology of Chabad, I have never felt uncomfortable at Emory Chabad. The dinners have been nothing but inclusive, thought-provoking and fun. Exposing myself to a different culture, meeting new people and spending an evening connecting deeper with the tradition in which I was raised are all deeply worthwhile parts of Shabbat dinner. Even without internalizing the preachings of the rabbi and praying or singing along with the rest of the group, there are still lessons to be learned from such an experience. 

College, and college programs like Chabad, are about surrounding yourself with people who come from unfamiliar circumstances and hold different views. I came to Emory not only to gain a degree and a wealth of knowledge about my field of interest, but also to become a more informed person about cultures unlike my own. What better way to familiarize myself with another culture than to submerge myself in weekly religious festivities? By sitting in the Shabbat sukkah and sharing a meal with Emory’s most observant Jewish community members, we gain key insights that help us understand an exclusive religion. Judaism doesn’t proselytize, after all. The only way to be Jewish is to be born to a Jewish mother or to convert under Jewish law. Emory Chabad’s inclusivity and generosity isn’t meant to convert non-Jewish students, it’s a way to teach the greater student body about a misunderstood cultural tradition. And while it can very easily sound unethical –– or bordering on cultural appropriation –– for non-Jews to attend a religious event that offers free food and wine, I genuinely believe that most Chabad attendees are well intentioned. There are easier ways of getting food and drinks than hiking all the way to Emory Village, after all, and sitting through two hours of prayer and song is a weird way to pregame. My non-Jewish friends attend Chabad to make friends and learn something about another faith. So perhaps, through spaces like Chabad, bridges can be built between cultures. Only then will religiously-motivated conflicts be resolved.

So while I don’t entirely agree with the Orthodox ground on which Chabad was built, I appreciate the public forum Emory Chabad offers for students to engage with Judaism. I like that it allows me to interact with the Emory community over a delicious, family-style meal. When I’m homesick for my dad’s cooking and longing for the childhood excitement that accompanied the High Holidays at home, Chabad fills a void. As my time at Emory carries on, I want to continue engaging in other cultural traditions that broaden my worldview, so that I can emerge from college as a holistically educated individual. School doesn’t end when you leave the classroom, after all. Anybody who considers themselves a student of the liberal arts should consider doing the same. 

Sophia Peyser (25C) is from Manhattan, NY.

The post Chabad is valuable, even for non-Jews appeared first on The Emory Wheel.

That dark night: Cal scares No. 9 Oregon but comes up short

Al Sermano, KLC Photos/Courtesy

No. 9 Oregon and the Ducks’ student section dressed for a funeral Friday night — presumably Cal’s funeral. Head coach Mario Cristobal’s team, dressed in all-black uniforms, and the blacked-out student section assumed that it would be an effortless affair. Instead, Ducks fans watched with bated breath as Cal came within 2 yards of escaping its fate, a 24-17 loss that brought the Bears’ record to 1-5.

Somewhat fittingly, on fourth-and-2 with two seconds left in the game, Oregon’s disguised blitz ruined the Bears’ last effort to punch the ball into the end zone and tie the game at 24. Former Cal and current Oregon defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter, with some help from the Ducks’ defensive line, had kept the Bears’ offense off balance for most of the night before Cal’s final drive of the game. When it mattered most, the Oregon defense got to Chase Garbers quickly and forced a wayward throw from the fifth-year quarterback.

In the postgame press conference, when asked if he would have attempted a 2-point conversion had Cal found pay dirt on the final play, head coach Justin Wilcox snapped.

“What does it matter,” Wilcox said. “I hate to be short, sorry. I’m just saying, it doesn’t matter anymore. The game’s over. We didn’t get it done.”

He’s right — it’s a moot point. But his tone revealed an urgency and stress that was palpable on Cal’s final drive. It felt as if the Bears’ season hinged on the final play. It was a chance to change course completely and start their season anew.

But Cal simply could not finish. Holding penalties set the team back on multiple drives toward the end of the game. Then, on second-and-7 with one minute left in the fourth quarter, Garbers threw the ball well over the head of a wide-open Kekoa Crawford in the right corner of the end zone. Garbers’ heroic pitch pass to Crawford on fourth-and-4 at the Oregon 8-yard line kept Cal alive, but ultimately the Bears’ execution on passing plays was not good enough.

“It wasn’t a matter of not fighting,” Wilcox said. “We were very competitive, ran to the ball, gave great effort. We responded to some adverse situations.”

Oregon was simply marginally better than Cal in nearly all facets of the game. Oregon defensive end and projected first-round NFL draft pick Kayvon Thibodeaux had to sit out the first half after being ejected for a targeting penalty in the second half of the Ducks’ upset loss to Stanford two weeks ago. Cal’s offense should have been aggressive in his absence but failed to capitalize on the opportunity, earning just 124 total yards in the first half.

While Cal sophomore running back Damien Moore and the running game looked reliable in the first quarter, Garbers and the passing game could not find a rhythm. Garbers had just 72 yards through the air on 10-15 passing in the first half and had trouble escaping pressure.

The Bears’ defense, on the other hand, exceeded expectations, limiting the Ducks to 10 points and forcing two fumbles in the first half. Cal’s second forced fumble in the final minute of the first half prevented Oregon from kicking a short field goal and going up 13-7 heading into the locker room. Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon’s scheme frustrated Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown Jr., whose wayward passes were punctuated by intermittent jeers from the Oregon fans. The boos that echoed through a packed Autzen Stadium came and went throughout the first half and then reached a crescendo after Cal forced a punt tied at 10 midway through the third quarter.

A QB dive on third-and-1 at the end of the third quarter kept Cal’s 80-yard drive alive and set up Garbers’ go-ahead touchdown pass to tight end Gavin Reinwald. Brown, who has struggled to pass the football all season, then channeled his inner Justin Herbert on the ensuing drive: His perfectly placed pass found a leaping Jaylon Redd in double coverage for his first touchdown of the game.

Four plays later, Oregon’s defense forced a punt, and the Ducks’ offense struck again. Brown used his legs for his one rushing touchdown of the game, knocking over the right pylon as he lept for the goal line and sent Eugene into a frenzy.

As mentioned previously, Cal’s ensuing wild 18-play drive to end the game ended in heartbreak for Wilcox’s side. Unfortunately, coming close to beating a top 10 team on the road doesn’t count for much in the world of college football, where all that matters are notches in the win column. But at the very least, the Bears did not go gently into that dark night. They finally proved that they are at least capable of fighting to the death, a win in and of itself for everyone involved with the Cal program.

William Cooke covers football. Contact him at wcooke@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

Cars lined up on Cedar Avenue honked at two people vandalizing the Imam Shafi’e mosque on Sept. 8 in broad daylight.

“I asked them, ‘Why are you spray painting the mosque?’ and they ran and threw the spray paint can,” neighbor Mohammed Abdi said. “I followed them and saw their car … Once I caught his license plate, he started covering his face, went in his car and drove away.”

The vandals appeared during the 7 p.m. daily prayer, which often is the busiest time at the mosque, according to community leader Abdirizak Bihi.

“They know that what they’re doing is wrong … and this one on Cedar Avenue was very daring,” Bihi said. “[It was] during the daytime, their faces were scary, they were intentional. We didn’t figure out what [the graffiti] stood for.”

As the anniversary of 9/11 approached, residents found graffiti on the walls of either Imam Shafi’e or Darul Quba mosques on almost a “daily basis,” Bihi said. Imam Shafi’e speaker Abdalaziz Mohamed said they have experienced a spike in vandalism during the weeks prior to Sept. 11, but leaders did not track how many times the buildings were defaced.

The American Civil Liberties Union tracked nationwide anti-mosque activity from 2005 to May 2021, finding 10 incidents in Minnesota since 2012. In November 2019, a vandal shattered a glass door of Salaam mosque in northeast Minneapolis, which is the most recent incident logged by the ACLU as anti-mosque activity.

Minneapolis Ward Six Council Member Jamal Osman said he spoke with mosque leaders and neighbors after the incident, though he said the graffiti did not contain any hateful or discriminatory messages.

“It’s not Islamophobia, it’s not targeted because of religious reasons,” Osman said. “These tags are any other problem Minneapolis has. They were not specifically targeting this neighborhood because it has a mosque.”

Imam Shafi’e speaker Mohamed said he is unsure if the incident was motivated by bias, but said other residents see it as a threat.

Impact on businesses

KJ Starr is the interim executive director of West Bank Business Association (WBBA) and her husband owns The Wienery. She said vandalism became more frequent during the protests following the murder of George Floyd in the summer of 2020.

Starr said she believes that people found it easier to vandalize businesses when they closed due to the pandemic lockdown. Now that neighborhood businesses are back open, she said WBBA is able to work harder to prevent vandalism, though it is still more prominent than it was before the pandemic.

The Red Sea owner Russom Solomon said he also noticed more vandalism and graffiti within the last two years. He said that he put a mirror on the outside of his building to deter people from painting it.

“You have to have security watching your building to prevent this, it’s gotten so bad,” Solomon said. “It’s really sad.”

Starr said the cost of recovery depends on the extent of the damage. She said most graffiti can be painted over, but if a vandal uses acid-based paint, “you can’t do anything about that.”

She said recovering a building after windows or other parts have been destroyed is more expensive, but WBBA often helps businesses cover the costs. Either way, Solomon said dealing with vandalism is “a headache.”

“If you want to restore the original look of something, it requires a lot of money, a lot of effort, a lot of time,” Solomon said.

Painting solutions

After the daytime vandalism of Imam Shafi’e, Osman said mosque leaders told him they were open to putting art on the targeted wall of the building to prevent future graffiti.

Starr said painting a mural on a bare wall typically dissuades people from defacing it, as some nearby buildings have done. She said WBBA used the Minneapolis Facade Improvement grant to fund art in Cedar-Riverside following the vandalism in 2020, and this grant could be used to help the mosques.

However, Bihi said if vandals targeted the mosques purposefully, putting art on the wall might only draw unwanted attention. There are not currently any signs that identify the building as a mosque, and the presence of Islamic art could eliminate the mosque’s anonymity to people who do not live in the neighborhood.

For businesses, the University of Minnesota provides money through the Good Neighbor Fund that Starr calls “security art.” House of Balls artist Allen Christian said he will paint art on large aluminum sheets that cover and protect business windows as security screens.

“It’s about creating a safe space for these businesses, using material that does that but also allows light in, allows a sense of playfulness and allows the uniqueness of the business to come through,” Christian said.

Christian said he plans to focus on the project this winter, and his first client will be the Mediterranean Deli on Cedar Avenue. He said he expects each interested business’ screens to take about one month to create.

“If something bad happens to this community, it doesn’t really divide us, it actually brings us together,” Bihi said. “No matter what people do or say to threaten this community, we have neighbors who will have our back, and that’s something priceless.”

The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment announced Friday a new mask mandate for all public spaces. The mandate will begin Oct. 20 at noon, according to the press release. The mandate requires face coverings in indoor public spaces for all people aged three years or older. The order does not list any requirements […]

Diego De Jesus

Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo will be hosting its Haunted Campground Spooktacular to celebrate the Halloween season on Oct. 30. 

This is the first time Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo has hosted this event, and the Events Department plans on making it an annual event. 

Spooktacular will begin at 4 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. The event will feature a slew of activities at the price of $10 at the Rocky Road entrance only, near the Tom Davis and Piedmont Aerospace Lab and the Sun ‘n Fun Campgrounds. 

Kerrie Baiz, the Marketing Manager who assists in providing content at events Sun ‘n Fun, described the purpose of Spooktacular. 

“This event is meant to be a safe, and fun way to be able to participate in the Halloween trick or treating, and spooky trails, and other fun Halloween activities that occur during this holiday’s season,” Baiz said. “This is an opportunity to celebrate Halloween, camp-o-ween style! SUN ‘n FUN has a campground and this event is going to be able to shed light on our SUN ‘n FUN campgrounds.”

Rebecca Fortier, the Events Manager at Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, expanded upon some of the activities available for attendees. 

“We’ll have a spooky trail in our wooded area. It’ll be decorated. In our skylight hanger, we’ll have our exhibition of horror. Also, a contest where campers who decorate their camper the best will win,” Fortier said. 

One of the last activities is making s’mores at the firepit in the dark, along with trick or treating in the campground, where guests can bring their candy cauldrons. 

Fortier answered the question of masks and social distancing due to COVID-19 and the nature of the event. 

“Everything is outside, in an open area. We still encourage social distancing and when we can’t, we recommend masks,” Fortier said. 

Baiz said that COVID-19 guidelines would remain in place with attendees encouraged to wear masks when not possible to social distance. These are the same policies from last year’s Sun n’ Fun after returning in 2020. At the moment, the attendee number is unknown, according to Baiz. 

The post Sun ‘n Fun hosts new Halloween event appeared first on The Southern Newspaper.

Homecoming is a decades-long tradition at UH. | File photo

The entire week of Oct. 18 will mark Homecoming, a decades-long tradition at UH. 

With pep rallies, games, a concert as well as tons of arts and crafts, students can expect a week full of celebration over the six days that mark Homecoming.

“The board has been preparing for Homecoming by putting our full effort into planning these events,” said chair of the Homecoming Board Alex Reyes. “We have been working night and day in the office and around campus to ensure that these events are as fun as possible.”

Here’s a look into what students can expect from Homecoming Week 2021:

Monday, Oct. 18

The Kick-off Pep Rally is an annual Homecoming tradition. The event is hosted along with the Residence Halls Association and will feature free food, members of the UH Football Team, the Spirit of Houston, as well as the school mascots, Shasta and Sasha.

The event will also be when the Homecoming Board announces the Homecoming Court for this year. From the selected court the Homecoming King and Queen will be decided at Saturday’s football game. 

Start off your week with the pep rally from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Student Center Plaza.

Tuesday, Oct. 19

Also in the Student Center Plaza, the Metropolitan Volunteer Program will host a “Canstruction” competition from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Spirit teams will be tasked with building a food can sculpture in the span of an hour. Students and bystanders can grab snacks and watch the teams compete.

Later that evening, “Strut Your Stuff” in the Student Center Houston Room at 7 p.m. will feature a variety of skits and dances by student organizations. 

Wednesday, Oct. 20

Back out in the Student Center plaza, “Tie Dye with Homecoming” will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All supplies to dye shirts will be provided as well as free pancakes. Students will be able to watch pancake artists make art with the batter as well on Wednesday.

Later that evening for “Bed Races”, watch Spirit Teams decorate beds and then race near TDECU Stadium. This will be alongside free food truck grubs and tons of activities. 

Thursday, Oct. 21

Nearing the end of the week, Thursday morning will feature many inflatables in the Student Center North lawn. There will be a few other games from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Wrap up the day with the annual Student Program Board Homecoming Concert featuring a to-be-announced opener and headliner. 

Friday, Oct. 22

Kick-off the weekend with Rock the Campus at the Student Center Plaza from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This will be a volunteer event with MYP, cleaning up campus and doing some outdoor activities. Afterward, students will be provided pizza and a free T-shirt. 

Stop by the Homecoming Carnival and Haunted House from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Lynn Eusan Park. The carnival will feature classic booth games and spooky house tours. 

Saturday, Oct. 23

The Homecoming game against East Carolina University will be just as electric as all Cougar football games. The UH Cougars will play at TDECU Stadium at 3 p.m.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“What to expect for Homecoming Week 2021” was originally posted on The Cougar