American Music Awards winners

Shauna Hines
News and Features Editor

Artist of the Year:

Taylor Swift

Rihanna

Bruno Mars

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Justin Timberlake

New Artist of the Year:

Ariana Grande

Florida Georgia Line

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Phillip Phillips

Imagine Dragons

Single of the Year:

“Cruise”- Florida Georgia Line, featuring Nelly

“Thrift Shop”- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring Wanz

“Blurred Lines”- Robin Thicke, featuring Pharrell and T.I.

Service dog imposters cause problems

Shauna Hines
News and Features Editor

People are passing pet dogs off as service animals to get them into grocery stores, restaurants, and on planes. This deception is creating a problem for those who actually need trained service dogs to act as their ears, eyes, and arms.

Many people require specially trained animals due to various disabilities. Because service dogs are permitted into otherwise off-limit areas, there has been an increase in the number of people passing off their pets as service animals. This has become confusing to business owners because ADA law states that a business owner can only ask, “Is that a service dog?” and “What is it trained to do?” These violators hurt those the laws are designed to protect because individuals who actually require service animals are facing increased questioning and discrimination.

"Ghan Wild"

Natalia Ghan
Staff Writer

 All porcupines float in water.                                                       

Cows see all- they have nearly 360 degree panoramic vision.

A newborn kangaroo is so small it could fit in a teaspoon.   

Living dolphins always have at least one eye open- even while sleeping.

Sea otters hold each other's paws when they sleep so they won't drift apart.

A new theory of evolution? A cat's brain is biologically more similar to a human brain than it is to a dog's.

In ancient Egypt, family members would mourn the traumatic death of their cat by shaving off their eyebrows.

Cows have best friends.
 

Artwork by junior Maya Horton.

Ask Apex: History vs. Pop Culture

Emily Nguyen
Staff Writer

Everybody has heard of famous historical figures like Thomas Jefferson and Anne Frank, but how many people can identify them? For this week’s poll, I asked students and staff to identify pictures of historical figures and popular celebrities.

Out of seventy-five people, 73% identified Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, commonly known as Kate Middleton, and 72% knew Neil Patrick Harris, an actor best known for portraying Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother.

Meanwhile, only 15% could identify Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, and 17% knew Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

How would you fare?

Thanksgiving traditions prevail

Casey Nash
Arts and Entertainment Editor

A festive cornucopia decorates the table.

About four hundred years ago, the King of England wouldn’t allow his people to worship God in their own way and he demanded that everyone go to the same type of church and worship the same way. In the year 1620, the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth. They landed in the winter time and struggled to stay alive during the long and cold months. Luckily, they had some assistance and instruction from the Natives and. The Pilgrims learned how to fish and hunt as well as gather and harvest, living off the land.  During the first year, the Pilgrims had a particularly good harvest; they decided that they should have a feast to celebrate their good fortune. They invited their Native

Costco coming to Apex

Adam Mancini
Staff Writer

Apex Town Council members voted 4-1 on Tuesday night to rezone a 35-acre plot of land along U.S. Highway 64 from a residential area to a commercial area, paving the path for the first Costco discount warehouse in western Wake County. Costco is known for its low prices and wide variety of stock items. 

Hanukkah celebration coincides with Thanksgiving

Michael Lyday
Staff Writer

What do Adam Sandler, Jack Black, and Paul Rudd all have in common during the holiday season? Like millions of others of the Jewish faith, they celebrate Hanukkah, the eight day “festival of lights.”

The holiday celebrates an ancient miracle. In the 100s B.C., the Jewish rebel group known as the Maccabees defeated their oppressive Greek overlords. However, in the process the Jewish temple was destroyed and the oil needed to light the temple’s menorah, which ceremoniously burned all night every night, was in short supply. One flask of oil was discovered and though it was only enough to last for one night, it miraculously burned for eight, the time required to produce more oil.

Black Friday sales begin early

Sarah Kebea  
Staff Writer

The most talked about event leading up to Black Friday, November 29, is the controversy with some major stores starting their in-store sales on Thanksgiving Day.  Macys, Target, and Kohls will start their Black Friday sales Thursday at 8 p.m.  Best Buy and Walmart beat them all, opening their doors at an early 6 p.m., before you’ve had a chance to have a second helping! 

Before hitting the bargains, make sure to do your research!  The most anticipated products of Black Friday 2013 are Apple Products, including iPhones and iPads.  Walmart, Target, and Best Buy are just a few major stores offering deals on Apple Products.  Other products high in demand include the Kindle Fire (Staples is offering the tablet for $79) and Dr. Dre Beats Solo headphones (Walmart is offering the headphones for $114.95 and Target at $119). 

If you don’t get around to shopping on Friday, Cyber Monday, December 2, gives you a chance to catch up on all the deals of Black Friday, but online.  Amazon is currently having their Countdown to Black Friday Deals Week.  Every day of the countdown, Amazon offers “lightning deals” along with a Deal of the Day and a Bonus Deal of the Day.  Amazon has said to have increased their minimum order amount for free shipping for Black Friday.  Now in order to receive free shipping, your Amazon order needs to be at least $35.00, a ten dollar increase from last year’s minimum of $25.00. 

Get your holiday lists ready, and enjoy the deals!