A few days before Thanksgiving, the University received the best news it could have gotten from the Commission of Presidential Debates. Not only was the University chosen to host a presidential debate, but the final presidential debate of 2008, the debate that will push undecided voters over the edge.

December 7Mahalo Happy Hour Mahalo Spa and Natural Organic Cafe927 Franklin Ave Garden City4 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.$35Call (516) 922-3494 December 11Holiday Spectacular The Dix Hills Center for the Performing Arts305 North Service Road7:30 p.m.$10.00Call (631) 378-2000 December 13Winter Solstice CelebrationThe Smithtown Public LibraryMain Street7 p.

Do you know where the word "Yankee" comes from? It's a combination of two common Dutch names, Jan and Kees. When the Dutch first colonized New York (then called New Amsterdam), the people of the Netherlands referred to the settlers as Jan-Kees and hence the term Yankee came into existence.

Barring a losing streak of epic proportions, coach Ian Clugston and the mens' ice hockey team needs to start making reservations for Albany. Convincing wins this past weekend over Gettysberg, Loyola, and Indiana of Pennsylvania that produced a whopping 25 goals have the Pride set up to surpass their original goal of simply making the regional tournament.

Construction progress for the residence hall that will house graduate students could lead to the sale of the Twin Oaks residence hall on Hempstead Turnpike. The University is holding discussions with potential buyers for the site, said Melissa Connolly, vice president of University Relations.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Den Chants Oh my dearest Hofstra faithful. I love your enthusiasm and energy every time out at the Mack, but can we get a little more creative with our chanting? Now, let me state for the record, that I believe we should curse - to an extent, and when merited - and pick on an opposing player.

45 High, a band from New York City, fronted by Pete Giambalvo, a University graduate, will be playing a benefit concert on Dec. 15 at Arlene's Grocery. Giambalvo graduated in 1994 with a degree in drama; however, he is now "really focusing on being a rock star," he said.

There is much talk these days in the media world about the word "convergence." At its core, convergence means two or more things coming together as one. In journalism, convergence is just that-the mass fusion of various media merging into one collective whole: text, video, photos, audio and the Web all-in-one.

Welcome theatergoers to "Walmartopia," where environmentalists and union workers are shunned and the American Dream is represented by consumerism. Satirizing big businesses is a brilliant idea for a musical, and director Daniel Goldstein along with Wendy Seyb (choreography), August Eriksmoen (music direction/orchestrations and arrangements) and Catherine Capellaro and Andy Rohn (book, music and lyrics) make "Walmartopia" into just that: a brilliant musical.

When students returned to campus this past September, they were not only greeted by change in the Student Center's main café, but they also discovered that the convenient coffee nook, Burlap's, had been replaced. While removing Burlap's, a check-point pivotal to many students' morning treks to class, may seem upsetting, students can rest easy that Pura Vida is there to make their morning even better.

Plenty of criticism has been given to my recent crowning of Derek Anderson as the NFL's Most Valuable Player. So, I figured with all of this publicity, it's time to prognosticate further, and predict each one of the league's award winners. Remember, not only will each one of these predictions be correct; they come with a full guarantee.

In case you haven't heard (or were born right...now) Cinderella does exist in the magical world of college hoops. I'm not sure if anyone understands this rediscovered truth more than Hofstra head coach Tom Pecora. Entering his seventh season as the sideline general at mid-major Hofstra University, Pecora isn't hoping for successful seasons anymore; he's expecting them.