THE FINAL FOUR

By Jenna Randle

Provo residents were sad to see Big Al's Texas BBQ leave their University Ave. location in August, but can expect the restaurant to thrive in their new Sandy location.

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Blaire Watanabe and her husband did not have the funds for a summer internship in California on a college budget. But thanks to a complete stranger’s garage apartment and a few trusting travelers, they lived in California for under $30 per day.

The emerging sharing economy, led by companies like the on-demand taxi app Lyft and rent-a-home Airbnb, provides a platform for people to rent their spare rooms, castles, cars, toys and even Mongolian yurts to strangers with the same ease as booking a room at Marriott.

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Unique double-feature storefront brings natural therapy and a perfect date night to Provo.

The Soap Factory and Nature’s Fusion is the combination business and store owned by David Peterson.  Nature’s Fusion only sells essential oils, while The Soap Factory allows patrons to create their own bar of soap with all-natural ingredients.

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The bustle of downtown city life settles in the center, where two giant metal slides lay for playing children.

Thirty-seven children filled the sunken plaza Saturday night, as parents sat enjoying the safe atmosphere for their kids to play in.

Downtown Omaha Slides

OMAHA — The bustle of downtown city life settles in the center, where two giant metal slides lay for playing children.

Thirty-seven children filled the sunken plaza Saturday night, as parents sat enjoying the safe atmosphere for their kids to play in.

"We first came here right and a half years ago, and we'll continue coming to infinity and beyond," said Ohama resident Derek Neeley.

The park is 22 steps below the main downtown buildings, making it a little bowl tucked away from hectic downtown buzz.

Children bring wax paper and cardboard boxes to make the slides go faster, bringing all ages together to race.

The park was originally formed to keep the homeless away from the downtown area. Omaha City lit the area 15 years ago and dug down 27 feet, creating the crater-like haven.

Instead of a home for the homeless, the area serves and a family-friendly way to enjoy the city.

"It's always really crowded, and it's a lot of fun," Neeley said.

Cyber Monday deals get stretched, crimping sales

By Jenna Randle

(AP) — Cyber Monday deals are being stretched out this holiday season, crimping sales on Cyber Monday itself.

"I didn't go cyber Monday shopping this year, I don't think I really will," said BYU student Jessica Ransom.

Retailers like Target and Amazon offer cyber deals all through November, turning "Cyber Monday" into cyber weeks and even cyber months. Because of these elongated online sales, estimates for online shopping were lower than expected.

"I do a lot of online shopping," said BYU student Kaylie Rawe, "But I didn't do the whole cyber Monday thing this year because I can always find sales."

IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark reported that online sales rose 8.5 person compared to 2013. That still makes it the busiest U.S. online shopping day of the year so far - a title the date has held since 2010. But it was less stellar growth than last year's Cyber Monday, when online sales jumped more than 20 percent.

Don't forget to wash behind your ears

By: Jenna Randle 

Unique double-feature storefront brings natural therapy and a perfect date night to Provo.

The Soap Factory and Nature’s Fusion is the combination business and store owned by David Peterson.  Nature’s Fusion only sells essential oils, while The Soap Factory allows patrons to create their own bar of soap with all-natural ingredients.

“We offer a cheaper, more transparent essential oil company," Peterson said. "We want our customers to not only know what they are buying, but why." 

After creating the essential oil based soap with mix-ins, base colors and scents, patrons only have to wait an hour for their soap to harden. They can then paint it, wrap it and even buy a chocolate.

The factory has more than 300 silicon soap molds, 100 essential oils and 50 scented mix-ins to choose from, including unique natural elements like Dead Sea salt and Himalayan salt.

The company began when Peterson’s littler sister, Jessica was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2007. Peterson immediately researched natural therapies, and became frustrated with the thousands of dollars spent on natural remedies.

"I was so bugged, especially when I realized that none of the nature remedies were actually helping her," Peterson said, "But I did see that these remedies really can help. If you use the correctly, and with all-natural substances." 

Owners hope the shop will bring all ages of patrons. From families to date nights there are countless opportunities for everyone to have fun.

The company is completing family owned and operated. The only employees at the store are Peterson’s two younger brothers, CJ and Matt.

"It's fun to support my brother and my family," said Matt Peterson, "it makes it more of just a family outing, instead of work." 

The store is located at the base of Alpine Village apartments at 1394 N. Freedom Blvd. They are currently the only open storefront below the apartment complex.

The Grand Opening starts Wednesday, Nov. 19 and runs through Nov. 22. All studio fees, normally $5 per person, are cut in half for the event, and 15 mL Nature’s Fusion peppermint oil is free with any purchase.

Veterans Day inspires students

Veterans day 2014 did not only inspire veterans and their families, but also students across campus who gathered to show their appreciation.

Patriotism week, sponsored by BYUSA and Y-serve, included a flag ceremony, a booth to write letters to servicemen and women, and a flag painted with student's handprints. 

"It's about all those men and women everywhere who keep us free so that we can be here, at BYU, a private, religious institution," said the Student Advisory Council's Vice President Sean Armous.

Some students, like senior Katie Nielson, took a moment to think about how grateful they our for their freedom and the men who made that possible. "We know you did that, and you did that for us. And that's really cool," she said. 

And what it would've looked like...

CHIPOTLE IS MY LYYFE

First, watch this: 

Then you'll understand my husband's relationship with Chipotle: 

Sundance "lifts" off with spooks this Halloween

Sundance "lifts" off with spooks this Halloween
by Jenna Randle

Sundance Halloween Lift Rides are back again with more spooks, games and free ski passes than ever before.

Sundance opened their Halloween Haunted Lift Rides for the third time on Oct. 20, adding to the family friendly atmosphere with diving for pumpkins, pumpkin bowling and corn holes.

 "This year we are doing the games at the bottom, making it a hot spot. So participants can ride the lift and enjoy lots of activities at the same time," said Tereasa McIntyre, supervisor of the Haunted lifts.

The Haunted Lift Ride is made of three "stops," each with a little spook. The ride is appropriate for all ages, and keeps all the haunts family-friendly. It is filled with haunt scenes, including a plane crash and a zombie grave yard.

Twenty-two employees dress up each night as mummies, zombies and angry lumberjacks. These employees are not only in it for the spirit of Halloween, but each are paid with a free season Sundance ski pass.

 "I would do it again even if we didn't get a free ski pass. It's a lot of fun working here; good people, good environment." said actor Lucy Taylor.