About the Show
CTC This Week brings you a quick roundup of events, activities, important dates, and opportunities happening across the Central Texas College campus.
Join Desiree Bates from KNCT 91.3 FM and Elissa Faaloua from the Mayborn Science Theater every Saturday as they help you figure out what’s happening at CTC—and what you might want to put on your calendar.
Listen to the latest Episode
Events Mentioned in This Episode
Campus events and reminders featured in the October 17, 2026, episode of CTC This Week.
Tuesday, October 20
Research Ready Workshop: APA Basics
Noon–1 p.m. | Hobby Memorial Library, Room 209
Librarian Margaret will lead a workshop on APA formatting and citations. Bring your questions about preparing your paper and citing your sources.
Patio Café: Pacific Northwest Cuisine
Noon–1:30 p.m. | Roy J. Smith Student Center
Enjoy Pacific Northwest flavors at the American Regional Cuisine Lunch Patio. The café is across from the Anderson Campus Center. Walk-ins are welcome; no reservations are required.
Thursday, October 22
Patio Café: Pacific Northwest Cuisine
Noon–1:30 p.m. | Roy J. Smith Student Center
The Pacific Northwest menu continues with another lunch service. Walk-ins are welcome; no reservations are required.
CTC Fall Variety Show: Oh My Gourd, That’s Talent
October 22–24 | LBJ Fine Arts Center
Opening night is Thursday! Choose from four performances:
- Thursday, October 22: 7 p.m.
- Friday, October 23: 7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 24: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are $10 at CentralTexasTickets.com.
Friday, October 23
CTC Mental Health Conference
7:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m. | Anderson Campus Center, second floor
Hosted by CTC’s Human Services program, the conference features speakers, workshops, exhibitors, and resources for professionals in counseling, social work, family therapy, and community health.
For registration information, see the conference flyer or email human.services@ctcd.edu.
International Cuisine Evening Patio: Indian Cuisine
5–7 p.m. | Roy J. Smith Student Center
Enjoy an evening featuring Indian cuisine. Reservations are required. Call 254-526-1515 to reserve your seat.
Fall Festival Weekend: October 23–24
CTC Fall Carnival and Haunted House
Friday and Saturday | 6–11 p.m. | Mayborn Science Theater
Everyone is welcome! Enjoy carnival activities and haunted house thrills while supporting CTC student clubs and organizations.
Haunted house admission is $7 per person. Food and carnival games require tickets, with prices varying by item or activity.
For general carnival questions, call Student Life at 254-526-1258.
Free Trunk-or-Treat — Friday Only
Friday, October 23 | 6–8 p.m.
Mayborn Science Theater parking lot
Bring the family for free Trunk-or-Treat on Friday evening. The haunted house continues both nights, but Trunk-or-Treat takes place Friday only.
CTC departments can sign up to decorate a vehicle and hand out candy. Store-bought candy donations are also welcome.
Festival Shows at the Mayborn
Enjoy special laser shows and movies throughout festival weekend. Theater tickets are separate from carnival and haunted house admission.
Friday, October 23
- 5 p.m. — Fright Light
- 6 p.m. — Halloween Spooktacular
- 7 p.m. — Laser Halloween — LD version
Parental advisory. - 8 p.m. — Hocus Pocus (1993)
Saturday, October 24 — Evening Shows
- 6 p.m. — Fright Light
- 7 p.m. — Laser Halloween — LFI version
- 8 p.m. — HalloScream
Parental advisory. - 9:30 p.m. — The Skeleton Key (2005)
Festival Theater Ticket Prices
- One show: $7 per person
- Two shows: $10 per person
- Three shows: $15 per person
- Four shows: $20 per person
Watch two or more festival shows for $5 per show, per person. Children ages 3 and under are free for these special events. ASTC pass benefits do not apply during Fall Festival events.
The regular Saturday daytime lineup begins at 11 a.m., with separate daytime admission of $7 for adults and $6 for children ages 3–11.
Visit starsatnight.org for the complete theater schedule and ticket details.
Help Us End This Party Early!
KNCT’s Fall Pledge Drive begins October 19.
Our goal is $35,000, and every early contribution brings us closer before the on-air drive begins. Giving early can help shorten the campaign, with fewer fundraising interruptions and more of your favorite Simply Beautiful Music.
Contribute at KNCT.org or call 877-533-5628. Thank you for supporting KNCT!
The Mayborn’s Schedule
Meet Elissa Faaloua & Desiree Bates
Long before we shared a microphone, Elissa and I met as graphic design students at Central Texas College. We barely knew each other then and rarely spoke. I was shy and usually kept to my corner of the classroom. That changed when an internship brought me to the Mayborn Science Theater, where Elissa was already working.
We quickly became friends, and Elissa later recommended me for a position at the Mayborn. There, I designed graphics and assisted with planetarium shows. Today, I serve as KNCT’s News and Public Affairs Operator. A formal title for what I jokingly call “professional button pushing.” Along with operating the soundboard for programs such as Sunday Gathering, I manage KNCT’s social media presence.
Elissa brings years of Mayborn history to the microphone. She has been there long enough to remember film projectors, dark rooms, and climbing ladders to prepare a show. A wife, mother of three, longtime dog mom, crystal enthusiast, and natural people person, Elissa has a gift for making everyone feel welcome and remembered.
We are friends, former coworkers, occasional gym partners, and part of each other’s support system. That friendship is precisely why I asked Elissa to join me for CTC This Week.
Our guiding philosophy is simple: “Smile—they can hear it.” After all, it is always better to sound a little corny than a lot boring.
More from the CTC Campus: Eagle Talk
Get to know the people, programs, and opportunities that make Central Texas College special. Hosted by Mariceli Santiago, Director of Student Services, Eagle Talk features conversations with CTC faculty and staff about their departments, campus initiatives, student resources, and upcoming events.