Articles written by Kate Winford

Campus is now open to the public for viewing.

Since June 25, the Office of Communications and Marketing has been operating various Web cameras around campus for the public to view.

Mike Clardy, manager of News and Web Services in the OCM, oversees the Web cam project.

He said some of the cameras have been in place for more than 10 years.

“We have expanded our project because of the huge popularity of Web cameras today,” Clardy said.

At www.ocm.auburn.edu/webcams, 10 cameras provide live feeds to viewers.

The cameras show images of popular sites on campus, like Samford Hall, Jordan-Hare Stadium and Toomer’s Corner.

The Web cams are separate from the security cameras operated by the Department of Public Safety and Security.

Clardy said the feeds are not recorded and are strictly used as a marketing technique.

He said the project has gotten a big response because of its recent relaunch.

It has gotten 154,000 total hits, averaging at least 12,000 hits on home football game days.

TigerTown: in the process of adding a Kohl’s and a Bed Bath & Beyond to its store lineup. Lindsey Davidson / PHOTO EDITOR

TigerTown, the largest retail center in east Alabama, is in the process of adding more stores. The construction of Kohl’s has been under way since early spring of this year and is set to open before this Christmas season. Kohl’s offers such things as apparel, shoes, accessories, small electronics and bedding. It specializes in offering nationally branded products at locally competitive prices.  

Bed Bath & Beyond has recently announced its newest location in TigerTown, which will be between Kohl’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The store, which offers household goods and home furnishings, will open in late October or early November, according to Mayor of Opelika, Gary Fuller.

“It looks like they’re making great progress,” Fuller said.

Two other additions to TigerTown will include a Marriott Fairfield, expected to be open by Oct. 1, followed by a Marriott Courtyard. The shopping center, located at the intersection of Interstate 85 and Highway 280, is developed by Newton Oldacre McDonald and is almost one million square feet with all of its new growth.

According to the 2008 Kids Count Data Book rankings released a few weeks ago, Alabama ranks 47th out of the 50 states for child well-being. In the past seven reports, the state has been ranked 48th five times.

Although these statistics do not sound promising, the well-being of Alabama’s children is improving. The state consistently has a low ranking because it is not improving as fast as other states.

Despite America’s disheartening economic situation, Opelika’s job market continues to be promising for east Alabama.

Mando America Corporation, an automotive parts manufacturer that has its North American headquarters in Opelika, has recently announced it will make a $25 million investment in a new building.

Its location will be across from its current site in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park, totaling 400,000 square feet, which is 75,000 square feet larger than its original facility.

Some grocery store bargains: have been exposed as manipulative marketing techniques. Buying in bulk is common for students on a budget, but to get the most for you money be sure to check the unit price of the product. Using coupons is another way to overspend without realizing the ou

Students sometimes find themselves buying too much of a product just because of a so-called great deal.

They are not alone. Many of the grocery store bargains students may get sucked into are nothing more than manipulative marketing techniques.

“I usually end up buying in bulk,” said Mikkel Watts, a senior in civil engineering. “It seems like it’s cheaper, but if you add it up, you end up not saving that much.”

Buying in bulk has become more popular in recent years, especially with Auburn’s recent Sam’s Club addition.

Shoppers go to warehouse-type stores hoping to stock up on great deals, but they sometimes do not think about how long their food will actually last or if they truly are getting a bargain for their money.

This goes for grocery store deals, too, like soft drinks, meat, bread and multiple other household staples.

One way to make sure you are getting the most for your money is checking the unit price of the product, located above the price on the shelf tag of the item.

Think before you ink: A tattoo that is visible, like the one shown above, can be deemed unprofessional in the workplace. Lindsey Davidson / PHOTO EDITOR

To be inked or not to be inked? That is the question for college students who struggle with the decision to get a tattoo.

Factors like aging, permanency and concealability usually affect their choices, but students must especially think about their future careers before getting a tattoo.

A recent Texas State University study of 18 to 24-year-olds found that 16 percent had tattoos or body piercings, but were critical of co-workers with visible body art, saying they would rather not work in a business environment with them.

Tattoos on the face, neck, hands or anywhere else that cannot be concealed have been deemed as “job-stoppers.” They’re typically acknowledged as unwelcome in a professional environment, but do they really keep young people from landing the jobs they’ve worked so hard for?

The answer depends mostly on graduates’ prospective fields. Professional industries like health care that deal primarily with people are less likely to tolerate visible tattoos, while jobs that focus on creativity have more leniency.

Looking for something different to do in Auburn this summer?

Support local performing art by attending a play at Telfair Peet Theatre.

“The Complete History of America (Abridged)” was held this past weekend June 18-22, as one of two Summerstage 2008 productions.

“The Complete History of America (Abridged)” was written by Adam Long, Austin Tichenor and Reed Martin and directed by Auburn University Theatre assistant professor Chris Qualls.

Tomatoes: have disappeared from many grocery stores' shelves, in response to the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak that has infected more than 200 people in 23 states. Lindsey Davidson / PHOTO EDITOR

“Tomato, tomahto.”

It doesn’t matter how you say it. Just don’t eat it.

An ongoing Salmonella outbreak in tomatoes across 23 states has caused over 200 people to be infected since April.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a nationwide warning June 7 to refrain from consuming raw red Roma, red plum or red round tomatoes, unless their point of origin comes from states not associated with the outbreak.

Tomatoes not involved with the outbreak include cherry, grape and those sold with the vine still attached.

According to the Centers for Disease Control Web site, 25 people were hospitalized, and one elderly man died. However, his Salmonella infection has not officially been attributed to his death, but may have helped cause it.

The CDC has identified this particular outbreak as Salmonella Saintpaul, which is the sixth most common strain that affects humans in the U.S.

Alabama Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks announced that as of June 9, Alabama-grown tomatoes were placed on the FDA’s “safe to eat” list.

“The tomatoes that have caused the problem of Salmonella have been put on the market for the last few weeks,” Sparks said. “We just started picking our tomatoes this week in Alabama, so if our tomatoes have not been out in the marketplace, then they can’t be a part of the problem.”

Watch out Auburn baseball team, because in about seven or eight years, you’re going to have some major competition.

The Dixie Youth baseball program held its playoff games at the Bo Cavin Fields in the Duck Samford Sports Complex, June 4-5.

Two age groups participated, including the 9-10 year old AAA Minor League and the 11-12 year old Major League.

The Rays, who beat the Indians 10-5 on Wednesday, were one of four teams that competed for a chance to play in the championship game the following day.

The Auburn men’s golf team competed in the 2008 NCAA Championship in West Lafayette, Ind. at Purdue’s Birck Boilermaker Complex May 28-31.

The team came within one stroke of making the final cut. The championship began with 30 teams, then cut the low 15 after three rounds.

UCLA won the tournament with a score of 42 over par.

“We went there with high hopes and expectations,” senior Jay Moseley said.

Auburn finished the season ranked 16th in the nation.

Senior Steven Groover led the Tigers with a three round total of 12 over, while seniors Patton Kizzire and Gordon Strother carded a 13 over. Senior Jay Moseley ended with a 16 over, and junior Glenn Northcutt shot a 19 over.