It’s October and you know what that means- Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING! Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin spice donuts, pumpkin spice midterms, pumpkin spice college loans- if it exists it will be spiced. Walk through any given Target and you will find an assortment of inappropriately pumpkin-spiced items for sale. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll love it. Autumn is a wonderful time of year. It is a picture of beautiful foliage and colorful sweaters, it is a reprieve from the sweltering New York summers, and most importantly, it is the start of the holiday season! So head down to your local farm for some festive pumpkin picking, pull your scarves out of storage, and head to the Flatbush Starbucks for a PSL!
As we draw closer to November, we also draw closer to Halloween! Growing up, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. Although I’m one to spook easily, I loved the costumes, parties, and stories. Every year I’d watch a series of spooky movies and read creepy tales online leading up to the day itself. In the spirit of the holiday, here is one of my favorite short horror stories from one of my favorite authors, George R. R. Martin. If you’re looking for something more visual, I’ve also included a link to the mass index of the work of the very talented horror manga artist, Junji Ito. Readers beware!
Here are some upcoming events and deadlines to be aware of…
The English Majors are hosting their bi-annual Open Mic event October 29 from 12:30 – 2:00 PM! Come read original poetry and prose or perform original music! Shy? Come listen and enjoy the event! It’s a safe space for a colorful array of talented poets, writers, artists, and performers. Come into the English Majors office in 3416 to sign up!
Location: Woody Tanger Auditorium in the Brooklyn College Library; 12:30 – 2:00 PM
The last day to withdraw from the course with a grade of W is November 5th!
Declaration of Major queue reopens; Majors/minors/concentrations declared starting this date will be effective for Spring 2020.
The Brooklyn College Graduate Open House is being held at the library Wednesday October 23. Considering continuing your education beyond undergrad? Come look at the school’s 70 plus master’s degrees and advanced certificate programs. Come speak with faculty and graduate staff about the possibilities!
Location: Brooklyn College Library 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Tanger Hillel is hosting a Blood Drive on October 24 from 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM! (There’s definitely a joke about vampires in there somewhere.) Donating blood is a wonderful and important thing to do. If you have any questions about the process, I’ve both donated and am helping run the drive so come and ask me all about it! Sign up here or come the day of to help save lives- every donation saves three.
Location: 2901 Campus Road, basement floor (the building on the back of Brooklyn College right next to the new performing arts center); 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Stuck in the Library is hosting it’s very own Spooky Soirée October 24 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM! This is a publication event for it’s bi-annual poetry magazine. The bulk of the event is an Open Mic where students come every semester to perform original work. Lunch will be served and hoodies will be given away! Interested in being published? Submit to the next issue of the magazine (prompts: MTA, myth, 2 AM) with a piece of 800 words or less. The deadline is October 28 11:59 PM!
Location: SUBO, State Lounge (fifth floor); 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Love pumpkins as much as I do? Head over to Pumpkin Point at Governers Island! The space includes a pumpkin patch of over 5,000 pumpkins, crafts and activities for kids including crafts and costume making. Want to participate in the festivities but embarrassed because you’re “too old”? Do what I do- grab your younger cousin and tell your family you’re going so “you can bond.” No one will suspect a thing and you’ll be able to do Halloween themed crafts! The event ends October 27, so hurry over!
Location: Nolan Park at Governers Island; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Don’t scary easy? Test your dauntless at the Bane Haunted House– one of the most terrifying haunted houses in the country. Claustrophobia? Jump scares? Separation anxiety? Clowns??? Come and see what you’re made of up until November 1!
Location: Bane Haunted House 618 W 46th Street; 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM.
Enjoy the start of the holiday season folks and a spooky Halloween to all!
-Sophie Shnaidman
The Junction Journal 