Question of the Week: Who will win the Super Bowl?

This year’s Super Bowl is a rematch of the 2008 NFL competition between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. For our Question of the Week video, Lipscomb students weighed in on who they think will win the big game on Sunday, Feb. 5. Tune in to NBC at 5:30 p.m. (CST) for televised coverage of the event. Please upgrade your browser  ...

Local Eats: Provence Breads and Café

   Ooh La La! French cuisine in Nashville? I must be dreaming! But my eyes are open! Provence Cafe and Bakery has captured the essence of a typical French cafe.  Provence Breads and Cafe is nestled in the heart of Hillsboro Village. Tucked between whimsical fascinations such as BookManBookWoman and Pangea, you will find an intimate cafe that will transport you to a place where brie and baguettes are king. Provence is the perfect place for a quick snack, yummy lunch date or even some dessert. I popped in a week ago and helped myself to Provence’s exquisite sampling of the french classic Eggs Benedict. I give it rave reviews. It was an excellent presentation of eggs cooked to perfection, topped with a succulent Hollandaise sauce to finish. The meal ended on a note much like it would in Paris with a sweet and crisp macaroon. (A light baked confection much like a margarine type cookie). It was, as the French say, “un manger parfait!” Next time you are craving a taste of authentic French fare, check out Provence and have a bit of Paris right here in the heart of Nashville. Bon appétit! Provence Breads & Cafe in Historic Hillsboro Village 1705 21st Avenue South Nashville, TN  37212 Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Free parking & second entrance located behind the building. 615-386-0363     Fax:...

[Editorial] President urges congress to get to work

After a day of school when I was younger, I would rush to my grandmother’s house for a bowl of chocolate ice cream. I would sit with her and play dominos for an hour, watch cartoons and try to recreate the moves I saw on Power Rangers every Saturday morning. I would pretend that I had no homework, no spelling tests, no grade sheets and no baths. The dream always ended. My mother would arrive and take me home to the reality of third-grade responsibility and icky vegetables. Regardless of how much I wanted to pretend that life was just like another day at grandmothers, I was always wrong. At some point I had to get to work. And now, Mommy has finally arrived to pick up Congress from grandma’s house. At first, the State of the Union address seemed to be nothing more than a campaign speech in a thousand dollar suit with a bow on top. Under the title “An America Built To Last”, the President unveiled a vision that included insourcing and creating new manufacturing jobs, providing workers with new skills, an increase in American energy production, and stressed a “renewal of American values”. He touted his success in eliminating bin Laden, ending the war in Iraq, cutting deficit spending, reviving the automotive industry and reforming the bureaucracy. He also dodged and sidestepped ‘third-rail’ political issues such as Social Security and Medicare, entitlement programs and debt reduction. While the speech might have been an election year surge, President Obama was not afraid to try to take on and challenge the political status quo. The President chose...

[Editorial] The Comeback Kid: Newt Gingrich and the South Carolina Primary

This past weekend, Republican presidential nominee Newt Gingrich surprised the nation with a staggering win in the South Carolina primary. Gaining about 40% of the overall vote, the conservative former Speaker of the House managed to pull ahead of frontrunner Mitt Romney to win the state’s election. If anything, Gingrich needed the win. With Romney claiming New Hampshire and barely losing out on Iowa –Rick Santorum recently had the race called in his favor- , Gingrich needed a strong showing in SC to reassert himself in the race. Who knew that a major controversy would help lead to Gingrich’s eventual win. Shortly before the first southern primary, Newt Gingrich’s second ex-wife, Marianne Gingrich, came forward during an interview with ABC News, revealing startling claims about the former Speaker’s past. Ms. Gingrich accused Newt of desiring an “open marriage” during their time together in the midst of an affair. We have already seen scandal destroy the campaign of one presidential hopeful. If history was to repeat itself, a storm was brewing for the Gingrich campaign. This time, history decided to be original. Just before the polls opened in South Carolina, the Republican nominee hopefuls held a final debate. The opening question came from the hot topic of the night – the “open marriage” interview. The moderator asked Gingrich if he wished to comment on the issue. Newt gave a stern reply. “No, but I will.” The crowd erupted into a standing ovation. Gingrich continued. “I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this country, harder to attract decent people to...

In defense of George Lucas: A fanboy’s reaction to his semi-retirement

At the age of six, I was a Star Wars kid. During the dog days of my early youth, the epic story of Luke Skywalker’s quest to defeat the Empire captivated me more than any other silly children’s entertainment. I proudly owned the original films on VHS. I collected a large group of action figures from the Star Wars universe – even those random aliens that only appeared in a frame or two during the cantina scene of A New Hope. I even saw The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi during their theatrical re-releases. So, obviously, May 19th, 1999 meant more to me than my birthday, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, or any other organized holiday that warrants a sort of reward or present. On this fateful day, writer/director George Lucas unveiled the first new Star Wars film in sixteen years. Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace changed my six year old world like nothing ever had. The spectacle, the action, the peril – everything collided to create a gigantic supernova of wonder and amazement. All those years of persistent enjoyment had paid off immensely. A few years passed, two more prequels made their way to the screen, and I couldn’t have been happier. Shift to this past week. George Lucas announced his retirement from the big budget film industry on the heels of his newest production, Red Tails. Lucas says he wishes to switch his focus onto smaller, more personal projects. “I’m moving away from the business, from the company, from all this kind of stuff.” Lucas said in the statement. No one can argue that Lucas,...

[Editorial] Mascot name change necessary, student says

The first in a series, Lumination asks Lipscomb students what their thoughts are about the mascot change. This will be an ongoing series until the decision is made final. The following is written by senior American Studies major Grant Winter. We are Lipscomb.  This has been our university’s mantra ever since L. Randolph Lowry became president.  It is a phrase that could be heard every time he spoke, coupled with the latest statistics or rankings for a little school bragging rights.  While I soon grew tired of the continual usage, one thing about the phrase provided solace.  It did not include the name of our mascot, Bisons. Don’t get me wrong.  I have as much school spirit as the next.  There is nothing I enjoy more than heckling an opposing player to the point of frustration.  Yet, every time I hear “Bisons” in a cheer, I cringe. There is a reason that every time I type the word “Bisons,” a little red squiggly line appears underneath.  Our beloved mascot is a falsehood.  A fantasy.  It doesn’t exist.  It belongs only in an imaginary land with deers, gooses and mouses. I know there are many who are holding on for dear life to the consonant in question. There have been arguments of tradition.  I call it more of a bad habit. Some think that it will cost too much money to rebrand everything on campus.  Look around.  “Bisons” is not displayed many places.  It would seem the athletic department has long been ashamed of the name. Others say “Bison” sounds weird or that keeping the current spelling sets us apart. ...