Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanksgiving Traditions

With Thanksgiving coming up this Thursday, November 24th, it is a perfect time to take a look at some of the cool traditions around the United States in the past and in the present:

A portrait depicting one the first Thanksgivings
  • Since 1924, in New York City, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held annually every Thanksgiving Day from the Upper West Side of Manhattan to Macy's flagship store in Herald Square, and televised nationally by NBC.
  • Thanksgiving was originally a religious observance for all the members of the community to give thanks to God for a common purpose. Historic reasons for community thanksgivings are: the 1541 thanksgiving mass after the expedition of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado safely crossing the high plains of Texas and finding game, and the 1777 thanksgiving after the victory in the Revolutionary War Battle of Saratoga.
  • In the United States, certain kinds of food are traditionally served at Thanksgiving meals. Firstly, baked or roasted turkey is usually the featured item on any Thanksgiving feast table (so much so that Thanksgiving is sometimes referred to as "Turkey Day"). Stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, various fall vegetables (mainly various kinds of squashes), and pumpkin pie are commonly associated with Thanksgiving dinner. All of these are actually native to the Americas or were introduced as a new food source to the Europeans when they arrived.
  • American football is an important part of many Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States. Professional football games are often held on Thanksgiving Day; until recently, these were the only games played during the week apart from Sunday or Monday night. The National Football League has played games on Thanksgiving every year since its creation; the tradition is referred to as the Thanksgiving Classic. The Detroit Lions have hosted a game every Thanksgiving Day since 1934, with the exception of 1939–1944 (due to World War II).
  • The modern Thanksgiving holiday traces its origins from a 1621 celebration at the Plymouth Plantation, where the Plymouth settlers held a harvest feast after a successful growing season. This was continued in later years, first as an impromptu religious observance, and later as a civil tradition.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

From Upward Bound - Avila University, we wish everybody a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Monday, November 21, 2011

KC P&L Plaza Lights 2011

One of oldest traditions in Kansas City is the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. Below is information about the ceremony. The information is taken from the official Plaza Lighting Ceremony website.

The 82nd Annual KCP&L Plaza Lighting CeremonyThanksgiving Night (November 24, 2011) on the Plaza
5:15pm: Pre-show Performances
6:00 - 7:00pm: KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony
6:50pm: Flip of the switch by “Modern Family’s” Eric Stonestreet

Kansas City native and Emmy Award winning actor Eric Stonestreet, who currently stars as Cameron Tucker on ABC’s comedy series “Modern Family”, will be the honored guest at the Plaza Lighting Ceremony. Teaming up with Eric Thanksgiving evening will be KSHB-TV’s Chief Meteorologist Gary Lezak, along with his dog Stormy, to illuminate thousands of sparkling lights at the 82nd Annual KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony is held on Thursday, November 24th, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on the Country Club Plaza.
The program begins at 6:00 p.m., with the flip of the switch at 6:50 p.m. by Stonestreet. Festivities will take place at the main stage in front of XXI Forever, at Nichols Road and Wyandotte on the Country Club Plaza. Fireworks displays begin immediately after the flip of the switch, above the main stage and atop The InterContinental Hotel. The ceremony wraps up at 7:00 p.m.
Incredible community performances will fill the ceremony from beginning to end. Choirs from KSHB-TV’s “Sounds of The Holiday” will kick-off the entertainment with holiday favorites. The Starlight Theater STARS of Tomorrow will also perform throughout the show. Along with them will be finalists from the KC Superstar singing competition, sponsored by the Jewish Community Center. All songs will be enhanced by the accompaniment of dancers from Jody Phillips Dance Company.
Kansas City Power & Light is pleased to bring such a beloved tradition to Kansas City for the twelfth year. KCP&L employee volunteers will be on hand to assist the Salvation Army Season of Giving. Listen for that familiar sound of jingling bells.
Follow the KCP&L Plaza Lights on Facebook and Twitter all season long to stay connected with Plaza Lighting Ceremony details, holiday trivia, contests and promotions. Facebook.com/KCPLPlazaLights or @KCPLPlazaLights.
KSHB-TV is the new broadcast partner for the lighting ceremony. KSHB-TV will broadcast live from the Plaza starting with the evening newscast at 4:30 p.m., with the full hour-long ceremony shown in its entirety from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

The KCP&L Plaza Lights shine daily from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., Thanksgiving through Sunday, January 15, 2012. All Plaza parking garages will be open and accessible for the lighting event.

Week 12 Announcements

Upward Bound—Avila University
Announcements for EVERYONE
Week 12
Week of November 21, 2011


Important Upcoming Upward Bound Information and Events


Tutoring Reminders
There's no tutoring this week (11/21-11/25) due to the Thanksgiving holiday.


October Stipend
If you didn't attend receive your October stipend at November's Saturday Session, below are dates that you can pick them up. It is very important that you pick up your money as soon as possible. After two weeks, money will be returned to Avila's Business Office.

  • Grandview HS: November 29th tutoring
  • Ruskin HS: December 1st tutoring
  • Non-Target: Arrangements should be made with the Upward Bound office for pick up

Snacks
To help with raising funds for the Upward Bound program snacks will be sold at Saturday Sessions and weekly tutoring.

  • Cheez-It, Pop-Tart, fruit snack, doughnut (Saturday Session only): $1
  • Orange juice, Gatorade, water: $1

Recruiting
If you know any students that are interested in applying for the Upward Bound - Avila University program, they are welcome to apply. Applications can be found here and at the counselors office at Ruskin High School and Grandview High School.


Office Phone: 816.501.2438
Office Fax: 816.501.2437
Email: Upward.Bound@Avila.edu
Website: www.avila.edu/ub
Twitter: @UpwardBoundAU
Facebook: Facebook.com/AvilaUpwardBound
Blog: avilaupwardbound.blogspot.com