MTSU’s Confucius Institute and the MTSU School of Music will celebrate Chinese New Year with a concert of songs, dances and other lively arts Friday, Feb. 24, in the T. Earl Hinton Music Hall in the Wright Music Building.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., “Celebration of the Year of the Dragon—Murfreesboro Chinese Cultural Performance” also will include calligraphy demonstrations, tai chi, martial arts, Chinese operas and demonstrations of Chinese instruments.

Performers will include students and faculty from MTSU, Vanderbilt University faculty, dancers from the Nashville Dance Troupe and students from the Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra and Homer Pittard Campus School.

This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Confucius Institute at 615-494-8696 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

– Gina K. Logue ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

MTSU will be closed Monday, Jan. 16, for the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.

No classes will be held and no offices will be open on Jan. 16. Classes will be held as scheduled on Saturday, Jan. 14.

University classes will resume and all offices and departments will open on their regular schedule on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

MTSU’s James E. Walker Library will be open regular Friday and Saturday hours on Jan. 13 and 14 (7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and 8 a.m.-5 p.m., respectively). The library will be closed Sunday and Monday and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 17.

The Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center will be closed Saturday through Monday and will reopen at 6 a.m. Tuesday. The Campus Pharmacy also will reopen on Tuesday on its usual 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. schedule.

McCallie Dining Hall and Cyber Café will be the only food venues open on campus for the holiday weekend. McCallie will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday. Cyber Café will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. Jan. 14-15 and from 4:30 p.m. Jan. 16 to 2 a.m. Jan. 17.

The James Union Building will be closed Saturday through Monday. Keathley University Center will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, closed on Sunday and open from 4 until 11 p.m. Monday.

The University also will undergo a campuswide power outage on Jan. 16 to replace a main breaker, limiting access to RaiderNet, PipelineMT and Banner from 6 a.m. until about 9 p.m.

Portions of the campus will be affected by the outage at different times throughout the day.

– Randy Weiler ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

MT baseball hosts event at Murphy Center

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The 39th annual Groundhog Day Luncheon to benefit Blue Raider baseball has been scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 2 beginning at 11:30 a.m. in Murphy Center.

The Middle Tennessee baseball team will host the event, which began in 1975, as a way to kick off the 2012 campaign. The event will have its traditional menu of ham hocks, white beans, tomato salad, green onions, corn bread, chocolate cake and ice cream.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Additionally, a table of 10 can be reserved for $250. Reservations can be made by calling the Blue Raider ticket office at 1-888-YES-MTSU or the BRAA office at (615) 898-2210.

Season and single game tickets are also now on sale through the ticket office at Floyd Stadium. Ticket prices are as follows:
Season Tickets
Family Bleacher Pass: $60 (up to four people for each game)
Single Bleacher Pass: $45
Chairback seats: $45 plus donation requirement (contact the BRAA at 615-898-2210)

Single Game Tickets
Individual (excluding Vanderbilt and Tennessee): $6
Vanderbilt/Tennessee: $8
Group (20+): $4

Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com

Middle Tennessee State University will be closed until Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, University officials said. 

All campus offices and departments will be closed during this time. The closures will include the Cope Administration Building; James E. Walker Library; Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center; Keathley University Center; MT Dining food service facilities; and James Union Building.

MTSU offices will be open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Jan. 3. Spring 2012 classes will begin on Thursday, Jan. 13.

Murphy Center will be open for MT Lady Raiders’ basketball games against Kentucky on Wednesday, Dec. 28 (7 p.m. tipoff) and South Alabama on Saturday, Dec. 31 (noon tipoff) and Blue Raiders’ home games against Florida International on Thursday, Dec. 29 (7 p.m. tipoff) and South Alabama on Dec. 31 (2:30 p.m. tipoff).

Blue Raider baseball will host winter camps Dec. 27-28 for ages 7 through high-school seniors in the renovated Stephen B. Smith Training Facility and Murphy Center auxiliary gym. Call 615-898-2961 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details. — Randy Weiler

— ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Holiday partnership entering its 21st year.

Amber Messick, a local mother of five, claimed that being a recipient of a holiday tree donated by Target was "a great way to lead into a hopeful new year."

The donation came through Target’s Share-A-Tree program. From December 18-22, Target stores across the country will celebrate the season of giving by donating 2,790decorated holiday trees to United Way.

United Way volunteers will distribute the trees—worth an estimated $500,000—to families in need and partners such as shelters, community centers and childcare programs. This is the 21st consecutive year for the holiday partnership.

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties was able to deliver four of the trees to local families in need to make their holiday season a little brighter.

“I am very thankful for the generosity of Target and United Way," said Messick.

As further demonstration of Target’s commitment to partnering with United Way to create opportunities for a better life for all people, Target and its Team Members pledged more than $14.3 million nationally last year through their United Way workplace giving campaign.

“Giving to others, especially those in need, is a part of the holidays at Target,” said President of Target Community Relations and Target Foundation Laysha Ward. “With our partners at United Way, Target is honored to continue the tradition of donating holiday trees to families across the country to enjoy this holiday season.”

Murfreesboro, TN – “Every year, the Child Advocacy Center comes alive with the true spirit of the holiday season,” said Executive Director Sharon De Boer. “After the sponsors delivered the gifts, the Child Advocacy Center looked like Santa’s workshop filled with presents for needy families.”

Families picked up gifts and greeted Santa’s helpers with smiles, hugs, laughter, and tears of joy.

“It is such a great feeling for our staff and volunteers knowing that all these families are going to celebrate a happy Christmas,” said De Boer. “The holidays are a particularly stressful time of year for many of the needy families we serve. We are very grateful to all of the Secret Santa’s who have made children’s Christmas wishes come true this holiday season.”

A retired grandmother could not contain her tears when she picked up the gifts for her four grandchildren she is raising alone on a fixed income.  She told Cannon County Coordinator Susan Lankheet she "never dreamed people could be so generous. I can't wait to see the children's faces when they see all of these presents on Christmas morning.”

One of the fathers picked up the gifts and said to Family Services Coordinator Jennifer Gamble, "I am a single father raising my kids and I am so blessed to be sponsored this year.  I know without the Child Advocacy Center my kids would not have any gifts.  This is helping us so much!"

It warmed the Child Advocacy Center staff’s hearts to know that all of these families had a happy ending to a very difficult year.

When asked why his family chose to sponsor a needy family this holiday season, Jeff Brown from Dempsey, Vantrease, and Follis responded, “Families supported by the Child Advocacy Center have been very deeply hurt.  By sponsoring a family, we hope we can help alleviate some of the hurt and demonstrate that someone cares about them, especially in such difficult circumstances.”

Lori Glaze from State Farm Payment Plan Management Team said that they sponsor needy families every year because, "These families have gone through trying times and if there is a little something we can do to help them out, we believe it's our mission. We believe in being good neighbors of the community and enjoy looking for ways to give back."

De Boer said, “It is the belief of the Child Advocacy Center that children deserve the best, especially in their times of crisis.  We want to thank Jeff and Lori and all of the Secret Santa’s for sharing that belief and making the holidays a joyous season for the families we serve.”

For additional information on ways you can get involved and help child abuse victims contact the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County at 867-9000 or the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at 563-9915.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – There’s still space left for Alive Hospice’s annual Grief During the Holidays seminar on Dec. 1. The free seminar will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 210 N. Spring St. in Murfreesboro. Reservations are required; call 615-907-1677 to RSVP

The holidays can be very difficult for people who have lost loved ones. The Dec. 1 seminar will help make the holiday season manageable with helpful tips and ideas for grieving families.

“One of the things most people experience when they’re grieving is the feeling of isolation,” said Alive Hospice’s Murfreesboro grief counselor, Pam Quaintance. “Walking into a room full of other people who are also grieving helps to take that feeling away.”

Tips offered at this seminar can be used during other times of great significance such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries.

Alive Grief Support Services, the bereavement support program of Alive Hospice, also offers individual grief counseling and support groups throughout the year. Anyone can take advantage of these services, regardless of whether a loved one was served by Alive Hospice.

For more information about Alive Grief Support Services, call 615-907-1677 or visit www.alivehospice.org.

Murfreesboro, TN - Holidays are a particularly stressful time of year for many of the families served by the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, said Executive Director Sharon De Boer.

“Many families are struggling financially and cannot afford to provide Christmas gifts for their children,” De Boer said.

One of the mothers reached out for help this holiday season and said to Family Services Coordinator Jennifer Gamble, “I have been so stressed out about Christmas this year.  My kids made their Santa lists and brought them to me.  I did not think they would have a Christmas this year.”

Gamble matched the family with a church that is helping them this holiday season.

There are many more families that need help this holiday season.  There are four ways that individuals, churches, businesses, and civic groups can get involved during the holidays:

• Sponsor a family with holiday gifts for the children and grocery store gift certificates.
• Sponsor a family with a Wal-Mart or grocery store gift certificates.
• Sponsor the Child Advocacy Center through a special holiday donation.
• Sponsor the Center and provide items that are needed, such as blank DVD’s, easel board paper, markers, juice boxes, bottled water, caffeine-free cokes, and individually wrapped snacks.

Rev. Kristina Brown of First Baptist Church said the members sponsor Child Advocacy Center families.

“First Baptist Church sponsors families each Christmas through the Child Advocacy Center because we feel the CAC does an outstanding job of caring for the children affected by abuse as well as for their families,” Rev. Brown said. “We are so impressed with the level of confidentiality and have complete trust in the staff at the Child Advocacy Center.”

It is not too late to be a Secret Santa and make a child’s Christmas wishes come true this year.

If you would like to sponsor a needy family this holiday season, please contact Gamble at the Rutherford County Child Advocacy Center at 867-9000 or Susan Lankheet at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at 563-9915.

Murfreesboro, TN - The holidays are an exciting time of year and Stones River Mall is brightening the season even more with a calendar full of events. There’s Santa who’s inviting everyone to come and visit – and to join him for breakfast. There are giveaways, previews and surprises, including a North Pole Prize Patrol that will be roaming through the shopping center on busy days and brightening visitors’ experience with a variety of prizes.

Shoppers should check the events below and visit www.stonesrivermall.com/holiday for details.

Now through November 18: Black Friday Red Carpet Treatment

One lucky shopper is going to win the Red Carpet Black Friday sweepstakes and be treated to an amazing VIP shopping experience on Black Friday, November 25. The lucky winner will get a free, up-front parking spot for the day, lunch for two at T.G.I Friday’s, a hair and brow pampering package from Paul Mitchell the School, a gift card to Gamestop, plus gift cards to shop at other select retailers to create a personalized experience based on the winner’s shopping preferences. To enter, shoppers should visit Facebook, “like” Stones River Mall and then click on the Enter to Win tab. Individuals can enter now through Friday, November 18 and the winner will be selected at random on Saturday, November 19.

Saturday, November 19: Santa’s Arrival and Breakfast

The celebrity of the season is headed back to Stones River Mall and he’s inviting everyone to come and join him for breakfast on Saturday, November 19 at 8 a.m. in the Food Court. After Santa makes his grand entrance by fire truck, he and his little visitors will have plenty to do, including baking and decorating cookies, courtesy of The Cookie Store. Each little guest will receive a holiday apron as a gift. In addition to breakfast, there will be North Pole activities and time to visit with Santa, too. Tickets are $10 for each child and $5 for each adult. All of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity. Tickets are available at Stones River Mall Management Office, located near Kay Jewelers. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are limited and required for admission to the event.

Saturday, November 19 through Saturday, December 24, Santa’s in the house

Throughout the holidays, Santa will be receiving guests in his Holiday Studio in the Sears wing. In a bright holiday whirl of red-and-white decorations, he'll be happy to visit with his little fans one-on-one. Professional photographers will be ready to capture the moment as little ones sit on his lap and whisper holiday wishes. Photo packages start at $24.99.

Murfreesboro, TN - Christmas is a time of absolute joy and anticipation for children of all ages.  Families will make memories by creating historic ornaments and touring the gracious Oaklands Mansion during Home School Holiday, an event for children and adults of all ages.  This holiday event is set for Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. in Maney Hall at Oaklands Historic House Museum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The yuletide crafts to be made at Home School Holiday will include Victorian Christmas Spiders.  After making their ornaments, guests are invited to tour the elegant Oaklands Historic House Museum where children will learn Victorian Christmas traditions such as the cobweb room and Saint Nicholas.  Admission is $5.00 per person for both children and adults.

Oaklands Historic House Museum, located at 900 North Maney Avenue in Murfreesboro, Tennessee is a nationally registered historic landmark that reflects a time of prosperity in the Old South, as well as the hardships suffered during the Civil War.   For more information please call (615) 893-0022 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it