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BUZZSAW Surrounded by Reality October 2013

News & Views

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Buzzsaw presents...

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

EDITORS’ COMMENT

The Local Issue

“Local” movements across the country have driven peo-­ ple to get back to their roots, slow things down and learn a little about their communities. By paying attention to the world on a micro rather than a macro scale, we start to understand why we do the things we do and how to change things for the better. From bumper stickers alone, we already know that Ithaca is “gorges,” “cold,” ”liberal,” “hilly,” “fences,” and “gangsta” — or, if you prefer, “10 square miles surround-­ ed by reality.” Don’t get us wrong, those are some pretty accurate descriptions. Still, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to dig a little deeper into the city that has become our second home. Beyond numerous accolades for being an awesome place to live, work and retire, Ithaca provides a support-­ ive and fun environment for people of all interests, even including League of Legends (More Than Just A Game, page 16). The city’s socially conscious and eco-­friendly culture plays a major role in shaping the lifestyles and priorities of many residents, and even shapes smaller de-­ tails like local fashion trends (Within The Local Fabric, page 30.) The newest addition to Ithaca’s counter-­culture night-­ life, the Mystic Water Kava Bar, brings an ancient Polyne-­ sian tea to The Commons, and bills it as a social stimu-­ lant and an alternative to alcohol (SeeSaw). Ithaca has also been recognized as a safe space for LGBTQ residents with a unique range of services in a uniquely decentralized fashion. (A community disjointed, page 21) But diversity is not always the equivalent of harmony. Local residents voice their concerns with the Ithaca Police 'HSDUWPHQW DIWHU DQ RIÀFHU VKRW DQG NLOOHG 6KDZQ *UHHQ-­ wood. (Cultivating Conversations About Race, page. 20) The city of Ithaca has greater depth than that of the PLGGOH ÀQJHU ODNH 7KLV LVVXH EULQJV WR OLJKW DOO WKDW ,WKD-­ ca has to offer: the good, the bad, the gorges, the ugly. <3 the Edz

BUZZSAW News & Views Upfront Ministry of Cool Prose & Cons Sawdust Design Art Website Seesaw

Production

Adviser Founders

David Andersen Meagan McGinnes Timothy Bidon Karen Muller Robert S. Hummell Rachel Maus Chelsea Hartman Evan Spitzer Kanoa Ichihara Kayla Reopelle Kaley Belval

Jodi Silverstein John Jacobson Adam Linden Jeff Cohen Abby Bertumen Kelly Burdick Bryan Chambala Sam Costello Thom Denick Cole Louison James Sigman

Buzzsaw is published with support from Generation Progress / Center for American Progress (online at CampusProgress.org). Buzzsaw is also funded by the Ithaca College Student Government Association and the Park School of Communications. Our Press is our press. (Binghamton, NY) Buzzsaw uses student-generated art and photography and royalty-free images. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editorial staff or of Ithaca College. Feedback and contributions should be sent to buzzsawmag@gmail.com. Front & back cover by Evan Spitzer; Photography by Sam Mason Table of Contents, Center spread, Upfront divider, Ministry of Cool divider, Prose & Cons divider, Sawdust divider by Evan Spitzer

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Write Us Our magazine exists to inspire thoughtful debate and open up the channels through which information is shared. Your comments and feedback are all a part of this process. Reach the editors by email at: buzzsawmag@gmail.com

Table of Contents Seesaw .........................................................5 Print media is dead, check out multimedia on the web.

News & Views .................................................6 Current events, local news & quasi-­educated opinions.

Upfront .......................................................15 Selected dis-­education of the month.

Ministry.of.Cool ........................................28 N Bews UZZSAW & Views

Arts, entertainment and other things cooler than us.

Prose & Cons ............................................36 6KRUW ÀFWLRQ SHUVRQDO HVVD\ DQG RWKHU DVVRUWHG OLHV

Sawdust .......................................................42 Threatening the magazine’s credibility since 1856.

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dear readers,

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t all started in 1999. A group of like-minded friends – Abby Bertumen, Kelly Burdick, Bryan Chambala, Sam Costello, Thom Denick, Cole Louison and James Sigman – decided to publish a paper that expressed alternative ideas, viewpoints and cultures of college students nationally. The paper was aptly named Buzzsaw Haircut, which was taken from the Mojo Nixon song “Hamlet Chicken Plant Disaster.” Since then Buzzsaw has dropped the “Haircut,” but still maintains the same values of being an independent, alternative magazine whose goal is to publish original creative journalism, commentary and satire that works to deconstruct society, pop culture, politics, college life and dominant Western beliefs. Independence is at the core of what Buzzsaw stands for. Too often the mainstream media is beholden to corporate interests, producing lukewarm coverage of issues without asking critical questions and fostering healthy dialogue. Buzzsaw is beholden to no one but our readers, and we aim to offer content that provokes ideas that would otherwise never be discussed. Over the years, the magazine’s “alternative” description has given us the reputation of being the “hipster maga^MRI ² FYX [I JIIP XLMW HI½RMXMSR MW TYXXMRK YW MR XSS WQEPP SJ E FS\ MX HSIWR´X GETXYVI XLI IWWIRGI SJ [LEX &Y^^E[ really is and what it is trying to be. We do cover obscure bands and we do have an edgier tone. However, we are GSZIVMRK XLIWI WYFNIGXW XS ½PP E KET MR XLIMV GSZIVEKI F] QEMRWXVIEQ QIHME WSQIXLMRK [I XLMRO MW RSX SRP] GSSP but vital to our campus community. We’ve decided it’s time for Buzzsaw to reassert its identity to all who may read it. Rather than being written off as the “hipster” mag, we want Buzzsaw to be recognized for the collection of creative, independent voices that it was originally founded to be. We want our peers to know that Buzzsaw is here and willing to go in-depth on hard hitting issues, as well as to give our peers a space to put their creative works. Our goal for the year is to continue promoting the true identity of Buzzsaw. We hope to do this by:

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

Holding power accountable in all its forms. Opening the channels through which information is shared. Covering silences in the college’s dialogue. 'VIEXMRK E WTEGI JSV GVIEXMZMX] XS ¾SYVMWL ERH PSSO KSSH HSMRK MX Inspire thoughtful debate regarding issues relevant to our campus and culture. Providing a safe, supportive atmosphere for artists of all experience levels. Being the best reporters, writers, creators we can be. We are looking forward to a new school year of kicking journalistic ass and giving voice to the voiceless. We hope you are too. <3 the edz Buzzsaw magazine is written, produced, and distributed by Ithaca College students. There are six issues printed a year – three each semester – and an online edition. Our funding comes from the Ithaca College Student Government Association and Campus Progress. Our adviser is Jeff Cohen, founding director of the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College and associate professor of the journalism department of the Park School of Communication.

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KAVA BAR

The newest addition to Ithaca’s nightlife is the Mystic Water Kava Bar, located across from Lot 10 in The Commons. The root of the kava plant is made into a tea used as a social stimulant, muscle relaxant, and focusing agent. Some Seesaw members took a trip down to the bar to learn about and try the drink.

VARIETY IS KEY

A curious little audio experiment documenting where the wonderful people of Ithaca prefer to dine in town. Jack Simons uses electronic music and bodily sounds to alter the listener’s perspective on otherwise common conversations.

FREEING HER SPEECH Sonali Samarasinghe, 2012-2014 Ithaca City of Asylum writer in residence, was a Sri Lankan journalist forced to leave her country after her husband, the editor-in-chief of a prominent Sri Lankan newspaper, was assassinated by the government. She read an excerpt from her new book at “Voices of Freedom.”

Brendan Davis tours the city of Ithaca by bike, viewing the streets as a gallery. He explores the connection street art has to the city through every neighborhood, with both commissioned and extralegal art.

www.buzzsawmag.org/seesaw/

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News & Views

SIDEWALK GALLERY

ITHACA THEN

buzzcuts

“

“

In 1997, UTNE Reader named Ithaca the ‘Most Enlightened Town in America’ ” – EMILY MCNEILL, “CROSSING THE CASCADILLA,” BUZZSAW HAIRCUT MARCH 2007

The idea of Starbucks in Ithaca… why not just have a vegan slaughterhouse? It’s ridiculous — a corporate entity living in Ithaca.” – JOSEPH PRISCO, ITHACA RESIDENT AND GIMME! COFFEE CUSTOMER, BUZZSAW HAIRCUT MARCH 2007

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Now people come from all over — probably like a 6 county radius — to work at Cornell and Ithaca College. They are big employers, so they help in that way.” – PETE MEYERS, CO-FOUNDER AND COORDINATOR OF TOMPKINS COUNTY WORKERS CENTER, BUZZSAW HAIRCUT MARCH 2007

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

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1YWMG VIHI½RIH XLI W]QFSPMWQ behind tattoos. James [Spiers, founder of Model Citizen Tattoo,] called this the ‘Tattoo Renaissance,’ when people would come into tattoo parlors looking to get identically inked with whatever the biggest new rock star had.” – JULIA PERGOLINI, “IT MEANS, LIKE, HOPE OR SOMETHING,” BUZZSAW HAIRCUT OCTOBER 2007

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Though an average of only 6 students are forced to leave Ithaca College each year, many more struggle to keep up with high tuition costs and a future devoted to paying back enormous student loans.” – ZACK DINERSTEIN, “TUITION TRIALS,” BUZZSAW HAIRCUT SEPTEMBER 2005

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ITHACA NOW In 2013, Ithaca-Cortland, NY was named the # combined statistical area in the country in collective intelligence. – LUMOSITY.COM

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Ithaca has Starbucks stores on East Seneca Street, on College Avenue, and at the Target on Catherwood Road. – STARBUCKS.COM

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Much of [Ithaca’s] optimism comes from a reciprocal relationship with two institutions — Cornell University and, to a lesser degree, Ithaca College — which have poured

hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy

Ithaca has 7 tattoo shops. – YELLOWPAGES.COM

and created thousands of jobs for everyone from professors to landscapers, and also fostered new companies. Ithaca and its home county, Tompkins, regularly post the lowest unemployment rate in the state.” – NYTIMES.COM

News & Views

Since 2005, undergraduate tuition (minus room and board) has risen 52% from $25,194 to $38,400. – ITHACA.EDU

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Changing the Conversation ,S[ XS LIPT ½KLX VETI GYPXYVI ERH WPYXWLEQMRK

By Alexis Farabaugh

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lut. Whore. Skank. These are just some of the derogatory words you’ve probably heard used to-­ wards women when they have sex or engage in any kind of sexual activ-­ ity. According to Urban Dictionary, a website that allows anyone to publish WKHLU RZQ GHĂ€QLWLRQV DQG WKHQ UDWH WKHP ´VOXWÂľ LV GHĂ€QHG DV ´D ZRPDQ with the morals of a man.â€? After read-­ LQJ WKDW LW LV GLIĂ€FXOW IRU RQH WR DV-­ sume that our nation is past any gen-­ der inequality issues. Slut-­shaming and rape culture are becoming more prominent than ever, and thanks to Title IX and other campaigns like the Vagina Monologues and the V-­Day movement, along with the assistance of the Advocacy Center, help is of-­ fered, though surely not as widely as it should be. What is title IX?

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

With the beginning of a new aca-­ demic year, a campaign titled “Know Your IXâ€? set out to abolish these is-­ sues from continuing or strengthen-­ ing within one’s educational rights. The “IXâ€? refers to the Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, which requires schools to ensure the safety of their students from sexual violence and other types of harassment while also providing them with jobs and housing. Since the “Know Your IXâ€? cam-­ paign has been brought about in Ithaca (and more services have been created), the Advocacy Center has received more reports of sexual vio-­ lence and partner-­intimacy issues this year than they had last year. This

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shows that the more help that is pro-­ vided, the more victims will be willing to speak up and use these services to recover. They have even been work-­

students or faculty come forward.�

Campaigns like Know Your IX and V-Day encourage women XS FI GSR½HIRX ERH MRHITIRdent, but living in a society with a slut-shaming culture QEOIW MX TEVXMGYPEVP] HMJ½GYPX for one to stay strong and be true to oneself. ing directly with Ithaca College. Kristi Taylor, adult community educator of the Advocacy Center, states, “We have been in communications with campus personnel to make sure that we have a good understanding about what the new investigation procedures are if

What are the Vagina Monologues? Rebecca Billings, a senior at IC, has been taking action into her own hands by becoming involved with various activities and alliances that spread awareness about these is-­

sues. Billings became a part of The Vagina Monologues in February of 2012 because of her passion for gen-­ der equality. The Vagina Monologues (supported by the Advocacy Center) is a play that is seen around the world, every year near Valentine’s Day, en-­ compassing random women of all dif-­ ferent types to talk about their sex-­ uality and sexual experiences, and provide them and the viewers with a safe space to express oneself. “The play gives a voice to something that’s rarely talked about,â€? Billings said. Interested? You can catch the play being shown here at IC or at Cor-­ nell University. Because the play is shown dur-­ ing the Valentine’s Day holiday, Eve Ensler, the author of The Va-­ gina Monologues, created the V-­Day movement. This activist movement SURGXFHV ODUJH VFDOH EHQHĂ€WV LQFOXG-­ LQJ JDWKHULQJV Ă€OPV DQG FDPSDLJQV to spread awareness. It is clear that movements like these help, but un-­ fortunately, sexual violence and ha-­ rassment awareness is only now be-­ coming a less-­taboo topic, still leaving some women to deal with those who remain uninformed and biased. How does slut-shaming and rape culture relate?

How can an Ithaca College student help? 1. Get educated — the basis of help-­ ing is knowing what you can do for others (or yourself). You can partici-­ pate in OSEMA’s new program, Bring-­ ing in the Bystander, to learn how to be a good bystander when dealing with intimate partner/sexual violence and helping a survivor recover after-­ wards. Also, visit the “Know Your IXâ€? campaign website to understand your ULJKWV DQG Ă€QG RXW ZKDW ,WKDFD &RO-­ lege’s policies are, so you know who to go to when someone is in need. 2. Attend The Advocacy center’s events — Joining in on the Three-­ Legged Half K, a fundraiser being held on October 19th, would be a great start. At 11:00 AM at Cass Park, can VXSSRUW WKHP Ă€QDQFLDOO\ DQG VSUHDG awareness to all of these issues. “Likeâ€? the Advocacy Center of Tomp-­ NLQV &RXQW\ WR Ă€QG RXW KRZ \RX FDQ register and stay updated with up-­ coming events. 3. Donate — whether it’s a fraction of your money or time, the Advocacy Center always welcomes any kind of goods. Simply by dropping off your old cell phones or volunteering as a hotline advocate, education intern or at their special events, survivors can be helped and get one step closer to recovery. _______________________________ Alexis Farabaugh is a freshman writ-­ ing major who will wear whatever she wants for Halloween, and you can deal with it. Email her at afaraba1@ ithaca.edu.

Slut-shaming & Rape Culture by Kaley Belvel Slut shaming: a phenomenon in which women are ridiculed for disobeying the societal standards of sexual conduct set for them. Current examples of this action can be seen in the following: Halloween: Every year, women’s Halloween costumes become smaller and more sexualized. Along with the shrinking hemlines come a stream of insults, victim blaming, and judgment. Women are devalued and discriminated against based on the amount of clothing they are (or are not) wearing. Miley Cyrus: When Miley Cyrus recently performed at the MTV VMAs, there was a nonstop discussion of how ÂąVEYRGL]² LIV SYX½X ERH EGXMSRW [IVI There was little discussion of the racist implications of her performance due to the uproar over how she should (or should not) act. Rape Culture: a society that delegitimizes victims of sexual assault and blames them for their attacks. It does not adequately deal with acts of sexual violence and often excuses the actions of the attackers. Below are some popular examples that were popularized in mainstream media: Steubenville, OH--Last year, a 16-yearold girl was raped by two high school football players. When the case went public, the girl was blamed for the assault due to the fact that she was intoxicated at a party when it occurred. Her attackers were heralded as “nice boysâ€? who didn’t do anything wrong, whereas she was considered a “bitchâ€? who wanted to ruin their lives for no reason. Billings, MT--In 2007, a 14-year-old girl was raped by her high school teacher, a then-48-year-old man. In 2010, the girl committed suicide but her attacker was only given 30 days in prison. The judge who presided over the case defended the perpetrated that the girl seemed “older than her chronological ageâ€? and “as much in control of the situation as was the defendant.â€?

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News & Views

Campaigns like Know Your IX and V-­Day encourage women to be con-­ Ă€GHQW DQG LQGHSHQGHQW EXW OLYLQJ LQ a society with a slut-­shaming culture PDNHV LW SDUWLFXODUO\ GLIĂ€FXOW IRU RQH to stay strong and be true to oneself. Slut-­shaming is the act of express-­ ing negative comments and feelings towards a woman for her sexual acts, or even sometimes just by being open or comfortable with her body. Look-­ ing back to the beginning of this ar-­ ticle with the derogatory names, it’s clear that they are all used towards women. Think about it. Remember the last time a man was ridiculed for his sexual acts. What was he called? “Man-­whore?â€? “Man-­slut?â€? Was he even ridiculed at all? The word “manâ€? is literally just added onto the deroga-­ tory word. In fact, the word “whoreâ€? is technically genderless, but because a majority of our society is so caught up in the idea that women who exploit themselves are less pure or feminine, some gender-­neutral terms are be-­ coming one-­sided. Similarly, rape culture is accusing the victim involved in the sex crime or assault, and believing that the vic-­

tim was “asking for it.â€? This includes teaching women not to dress inappro-­ priately, instead of teaching men not to assume she wants to have sex if she is dressed a certain way. Anoth-­ er example is teaching younger girls not to send “nudesâ€? instead of teach-­ ing guys not to ask for them. Multiple suicide cases are derived from women and young girls having poor self-­es-­ teem due to harassment and societal expectations. If slut-­shaming is still prevalent, many women will have a chance to continue feeling that they deserved any kind of sexual violence that happened to them.

Cracking Down 4YFPMG 7EJIX] MRGVIEWIW MXW TVIWIRGI By Marisa Wherry

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he beginning of every school year at Ithaca College ush-­ ers in a new, wide-­eyed freshman class, apprehension of the impending cold weather, Cor -­ taca t-­shirt sales...and increased public safety surveillance at the circle and garden apartments. “At the beginning of every school year we have enhanced presence in certain places, the circles, the gardens...one year it was Emer -­ son, another year it was at the towers, those are the places we try

ments. “Last year public safety probably gained in size by about a quarter,” she said, “and so they had a huge increased presence in the circles, which is good for us because we don’t want people to think that circles is the place to go for parties...but I definitely think they increased their presence this year.” Junior Taylor Macdonald stated, “there seem to be a lot more people getting in trouble this year than previous years, it’s more the peo-­

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

Due to public safety’s increased presence, a small group of friends gathering at the apartments is becoming more common than the ragers that sometimes occurred on IC’s campus, pushing students towards off-campus house parties and into the territory of the Tompkins County Sheriff. to concentrate on at the very be-­ ginning of the year to try to calm things down at the beginning so people know: okay, these are the limits that we can get by with,” said IC Public Safety Deputy Chief David Dray. The apartments, especially the circles, have been known to throw the occasional rager, and Public Safety responds when notified by a Residential Advisor or people in the surrounding neighborhoods. This year, however, public safety seems to be cracking down espe-­ cially hard on on-­campus parties, specifically at the circle apart-­ ments. Senior Tiara Kanney has worked as an RA for three years, but this will be her first at the circle apart-­

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ple that live in the house that get in trouble rather than the people attending the parties.” College students often brush off their university’s warnings related to partying, but IC students are beginning to consider the serious consequences of throwing on cam-­ pus parties. If written up by an RA, RD, or public safety, a college student can face written warn-­ ings, disciplinary probation and community service, among other things. But the weightier reper -­ cussions include suspension, ex-­ pulsion and removal from housing. Due to public safety’s increased presence, a small group of friends gathering at the apartments is becoming more common than the ragers that sometimes occurred

on IC’s campus, pushing students towards off-­campus house parties and into the territory of the Tomp-­ kins County Sheriff. “I do think that public safety should prefer parties on campus than off campus — wouldn’t they rather us be on campus in walking distance from home than far away and getting an unreliable ride home?” said Macdonald, voicing an opinion that a lot of students seem to have. If public safety were to loosen up, they would fear losing control of the students and increasing the risk of safety issues, but students are hassled by trying to find a re-­ liable ride home or climbing up Ithaca’s cruel hills in the already chilly night time temperatures. “I attended college, I know its been awhile, but I went to Ohio State. So I know how it is to be a college student and I try to take that into consideration. Part of the college experience, if you would, is trying new things, whether that’s the alcohol for the first time or whatever, so we try take that into consideration because we know that’s part of becoming an adult” said Dray. So the age-­old tap dance be-­ tween citizens and authority be-­ gins again. How strict can public safety be without facing outright disregard for safety measures and how far can students go without getting in trouble? While students may be annoyed with public safe-­ ty’s crack down of campus policy, at least University Taxi is happy with their recent influx of cash. _________________________________ Marisa Wherry is a freshman cul-­ ture and communication major whose Gatorade bottle is really full of...Gatorade. Email her at mwher-­ ry1@ithaca.edu.

One Man’s Plate is Another Man’s Trea-'´W JSSH [EWXI TVSFPIQ By Faith Meckley

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halls, I don’t know what times we’d be able to get into the din-­ ing hall, whether the Red Cross would be open for delivery,” Strouse said. She also said the club needs 21 regular members, seven for each dining hall, to successfully expand. Even if SWIFT covered all three

cies and equipment for the dining halls to achieve these means. To help solve food waste and high college costs, a cheaper meal plan could be designed for students from low-­income back-­ grounds, allowing them to obtain a few free meals each week. These meals would be comprised of food

Roughly 1/3 of food produced for human consumption is wasted globally. On a more local level, the average American wastes between 209 and 254 pounds of food annually, while in 2010, 17.2 million American households struggled to feed everyone in the family. halls, there are other eateries at IC to consider, like La Vincita. Collaboration between students, college administration, and din-­ ing hall staff is needed to elimi-­ nate excessive disposal of edible food. Students need to be aware of portion control and eat every-­ thing on their plates. The din-­ ing hall staff needs to be more conscious of how they cook and serve food. Also, more innova-­ tive methods of food reuse should be implemented. Terrace Dining composts their bread heels, when instead they could be saved to make breadcrumbs. If the food is still edible, it should be pre-­ served meal-­to-­meal, day-­to-­day, so it can be eaten. The college ad-­ ministration should be involved with this issue and provide poli-­

that would otherwise be thrown out, wasting the money the col-­ lege spent on it. There would probably have to be after -­hour times where students could pick up the food. Food waste is a serious prob-­ lem, and with awareness and ac-­ tion, it can be solved at the col-­ lege. Students: eat everything on your plates, consider joining SWIFT, staple this page onto a dining hall comment card. If IC wants to consider itself sustain-­ able, food waste has got to stop. ________________________________ Faith Meckley is a freshman journalism major who’s hungry for sustainability. Email her at fmeckle1@ithaca.edu.

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News & Views

n a world where enough calo-­ ries are produced to feed ev-­ eryone, we have obesity and starvation. Why? Roughly 1/3 of food produced for human con-­ sumption is wasted globally. On a more local level, the average American wastes between 209 and 254 pounds of food annually, while in 2010, 17.2 million Amer -­ ican households struggled to feed everyone in the family. Food waste has a big impact on the environment. We put ample resources into producing food, especially meat, and we expend fossil fuels to transport it. When we waste food, we’re wasting more than just calories. I was drawn to Ithaca Col-­ lege for its environmental con-­ scientiousness, but I’ve quickly realized how far it is from sus-­ tainable. One action needed to achieve its green goals is to ad-­ dress food waste. Marissa Fortman, a sophomore student manager at Campus Cen-­ ter Dining, told me about waste at her workplace. “At the end of each [meal], if there are any extras they get com-­ posted…which means there could be a whole pan of oatmeal, and then if that doesn’t get eaten by the time we’re closing breakfast, it just gets dumped,” Fortman said. “And then things like pizza, pasta, again, anything that’s in the hot lines, when the shifts are done…they get dumped.” Fort-­ man said she’s long wanted to confront her bosses about this, and she’s not the only employee who is bothered. Stop Wasting Ithaca’s Food To-­ day, a student organization, ad-­ dresses this problem. Every Fri-­ day they meet at Towers Dining to package leftover food and de-­ liver it to the local American Red Cross. While SWIFT has the right idea, the club is limited because it can only rescue food from one dining hall on one day of the week, which barely scratches the sur face. Megan Strouse, senior president of SWIFT, wants to ex-­ pand the club’s reach, but said there are obstacles. “If we moved into other dining

After Hernandez

;LEX XS I\TIGX JVSQ GSPPIKI EXLPIXIW By Kimberly Capehart

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

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hese days it seems like scan-­ dals and sports go hand in hand. In the past several years, the insti-­ tution of American college football has seen iconic players, the likes of Reg-­ gie Bush, Lawrence Phillips, and most recently, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, involved in scandals that made national head-­ lines. Prior to the 2006 NFL Draft, cur-­ rent Detroit Lions’ running back, Reggie Bush, was accused of alleg-­ edly accepting nearly $300,000 in gifts from a sports agent without re-­ payment during his college career at the University of Southern California. Though he denied the charge and ELG IRU FRQĂ€GHQWLDO DUELWUDWLRQ %XVK stood trial in April 2010 where it was discovered that he and his family had accepted countless gifts. The charge meant that Bush had knowingly com-­ promised his integrity as an amateur player at USC. The university was pe-­ nalized for a “lack of institutional con-­ trol.â€? The penalty ultimately resulted in the forfeiture 14 victories, in which Bush played during the 2004-­2005 season, including the Trojans’ 2005 Orange Bowl championship title, the loss of 30 scholarships, and a ban from bowl games for two subsequent years following the trial. Bush, him-­ self, had to relinquish his title as the 2005 winner of the Heisman trophy. Lawrence Phillips started his college career at the University of Nebraska in 1993 where he proved himself to be a promising player. During his ju-­ nior year, Phillips had established his reputation as an outstanding running back and was in contention for the Heisman trophy when he was arrest-­ ed for assaulting his then-­girlfriend. Head coach Tom Osborne suspended Phillips from the team, but refused to kick him off, insisting that the struc-­ tured nature of the football program was what he needed. In an even more shocking turn of events, Osborne re-­ instated Phillips later that season, even naming him a starting player in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl. Phillips went on to play one season in the NFL for the St. Louis Rams; he was released

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in 1997 for insubordination. Phillips was arrested again in 2005 for as-­ saulting his then-­girlfriend, driving his car into 3 teenagers, and 7 counts of assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently serving a 31-­year sentence. The most recent scandal to hit the NFL involves Aaron Hernandez, the former New England tight end. Her-­ nandez entered the NFL as the young-­ est player in the 2010 draft, forgoing his senior year season with University of Florida. He played 3 seasons with the Gators and eventually received the John Mackey award, given annu-­ ally to the best tight end in the coun-­ WU\ GXULQJ KLV MXQLRU \HDU DQG Ă€QDO season. However, Hernandez had a notori-­ ous history of violence and drug abuse in college. In 2007, he was involved in D EDU Ă€JKW LQ *DLQHVYLOOH ZKLFK HV-­ calated to the point that he punched an employee in the head, rupturing his eardrum. In lieu of appearing in front of a judge, Hernandez received deferred prosecution. His violent history encompasses PRUH WKDQ MXVW EDU Ă€JKWV ,Q Hernandez was investigated in rela-­ tion to a double homicide case in Bos-­ ton. In June 2013, Hernandez was once again investigated in relation to a shooting incident in Miami; a friend of his alleged that Hernandez had shot him while the two were driving togeth-­ er. Just days after being charged with the allegation that he shot his friend, Aaron Hernandez was arrested in his home in North Attleboro, Massachu-­ setts in connection with an ongoing murder investigation of Odin Lloyd, another friend of Hernandez’s. As soon as news of Hernandez’s arrest broke, the Patriots responded (a mere 90 minutes after the news broke), deciding to release the tight end from the team. They issued a press release stating: “A young man was murdered last week and we extend our sympathies to the family and friends who mourn his loss. Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing that one of our players was arrested as a result of this investigation. We real-­ ize that law enforcement investiga-­

tions into this matter are ongoing. We support their efforts and respect the process. At this time, we believe this transaction is simply the right thing to do.â€? Though the Patriots made a respon-­ sible decision to release Hernandez, UXPRUV TXLFNO\ EHJDQ WR Ă RDW DURXQG suggesting that head coach, Bill Belichick, might have known that his tight end’s life was in danger. Evidently, it may have been known that Hernandez was engaged in gang-­ DIĂ€OLDWHG DFWLYLWLHV %HOLFKLFN PD\ RU may not have known that his star tight end had begun using the drug PCP, and as a result, was paranoid to the point that he began to carry a gun with him wherever he went. The notion that a head coach or the overseeing organization may have known about compromising behavior is a recurrent theme in the respec-­ tive scandals involving Reggie Bush, Lawrence Phillips, and Aaron Her-­ nandez. Is this merely a coincidence or does it reveal something sinister about the nature of organizations to protect their players even in the face of scandal? Do cases like the ones mentioned justify behavioral issues and the like for younger athletes? In a society where athletes are constantly surrounded by various investigations DQG VFDQGDOV ZKDW NLQG RI RQ Ă€HOG DQG RII Ă€HOG EHKDYLRU FDQ ZH UHDOLVWL-­ cally expect from our college athletes? Though scandals seem so pervasive in the world of sports, college athletes should still hold themselves to the highest standards of behavior both on DQG RII WKH Ă€HOG Ben Mendelson, student assistant coach of the Ithaca College Bombers football team, said, “There’s a saying: ‘You’re always wearing your jersey when you’re an athlete.’ It means that you should always be representing yourself as a student of a particular school and as an athlete of a particu-­ lar program.â€? In fact, there are a number of rules in place to assure that college athletes are representing their team and their school in a positive way. Players are bound by rules of their team, rules of their school, and even more broadly,

by the rules of the NCAA, the National Collegiate Athletic Association. For the most part, all three of these organiza-­ tions have very similar rules, such as the necessity to resist drug usage and abstain from alcohol usage during WKHLU VSRUW¡V VHDVRQ WKRXJK VSHFLĂ€F rules may vary from school to school, and even from team to team. Though the rules are in place, it’s ultimately up to coaches to make sure

nandez was repeatedly engaged in XQIDYRUDEOH RII Ă€HOG EHKDYLRU 6WRQH¡V statement proves especially poignant. “The leniency of the NFL allows for the behavior to continue,â€? Stone said. “It’s not something that is touched upon at an early stage and it allows for players to develop attitude prob-­ lems and behavioral problems.â€? Though coaches and organizations may sometime be willing to ignore

Though the rules are in place, it’s ultimately up to coaches to make sure that college athletes are behaving in an appropriate manner. players’ behavioral issues, athletes should still pride themselves on act-­ ing responsibly. Bush, Phillips and Aaron Hernan-­ dez may have acted irresponsibly off WKH SOD\LQJ Ă€HOG ZKLOH WKH\ ZHUH LQ FRO-­ lege (and, for Phillips and Hernandez, even while they were playing profes-­ sionally in the NFL), but, ultimately, WKHLU LUUHVSRQVLEOH RII Ă€HOG EHKDYLRU ZDV VHWWOHG RII RI WKH Ă€HOG “[Hernandez] got in trouble with the law, it wasn’t like he broke one team rule and was dismissed,â€? said Men-­ delson. “His problems stemmed from something that began before he was in college.â€? In a similar vein, Stone said, “it should be a wake-­up call [to college athletes] that regardless of how good you are and how much you mean to your team and maybe even how much effort and hard work you put into bet-­ tering your skill set or your game, that it doesn’t matter. If you do something wrong, if you do something to that degree, then you will not be protect-­

13

News & Views

that college athletes are behaving in an appropriate manner. Sophomore varsity basketball play-­ er Kristen Gowdy said, “Our coach [Dan Raymond] is very on top of what we’re doing. He knows what we’re up to, and if we get in trouble he’s not just going to turn a blind eye to it.â€? Unfortunately, not all coaches are as diligent in monitoring their ath-­ letes’ behavior. In higher levels of competition, such as Division 1 or Di-­ vision 2 college-­level athletics, some coaches are purportedly even willing to turn a blind eye to unfavorable off-­ Ă€HOG EHKDYLRU LQ RUGHU WR DFFRPPR-­ date talented athletes who don’t nec-­ essarily have the best behavior. Ian Stone, a writer/intern at Fan-­ tasyBuzzer, a site dedicated to deliv-­ ering fantasy football news, said, “the coaches and the rules [in various lev-­ els of play] are more [or less] lenient toward allowing for second chances DIWHU XQIDYRUDEOH RII Ă€HOG GHFLVLRQV Âľ Considering the possibility that Belichick, may have known that Her-­

ed for it. The corrective action will be taken to make sure that you are not involved [with the behavior and/or the sport] any more.â€? While Hernandez did behave irre-­ VSRQVLEO\ RII RI WKH Ă€HOG KLV UHFNOHVV behavior eventually caught up to him. Even though Belichick, who may or may not have known about the ath-­ lete’s notorious history and activity with gangs and drug abuse, did not incriminate his player, the law clear-­ O\ KDG WKH Ă€QDO VD\ RQ QRW RQO\ KLV future, but his ability to play profes-­ sional sports. The Patriots took appropriate ac-­ tion in releasing their tight end from the team as soon as he was taken into custody. Should the Patriots have proceeded any other way, it might have sent a message to college ath-­ letes that professional sports teams are tolerant of not only unfavorable, EXW LOOHJDO RII Ă€HOG EHKDYLRU Though league and team rules may not always be enforced by organiza-­ tions or coaches, this does not change the expectations that college athletes should have for themselves. If players choose not to hold themselves to the highest standards of behavior both on DQG RII RI WKH SOD\LQJ Ă€HOG WKH ODZ ZLOO ultimately intervene, as in the case of Hernandez. “Even if you succeed in athletics at the professional level, you could still not be a nice person or have [had] problems in the past‌and that won’t let you succeed in life necessarily,â€? concluded Gowdy. ____________________________________ Kimberly Capehart is a sophomore documentary studies and production major. Email her at kcapeha1@ithaca. edu.

Going Digital

'SVRIPP PEYRGLIW SRPMRI WTSVXW GLERRIP

By Meagan McGinnes and Alyssa Frey

C

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

ornell University premiered its online athletics channel on the new Ivy League Digital Network at the Cornell v. Bucknell homecom-­ ing football game on Saturday, Sept. 21 in the hopes of attracting a larger fan base. The university announced the cre-­ ation of its channel on the network in July along with the other seven Ivy League colleges. The league’s network is a collaboration with NeuLion, an online television service that provides both live and on-­demand program-­ ming. Because NeuLion does not provide staff, Cornell hired students through the department of athletic commu-­ nications to work for the network as videographers and assistants to the executive staff of the university’s digi-­ tal media, the average game having EHWZHHQ ÀYH WR VHYHQ VWXGHQW ZRUNHUV getting paid through the athletic com-­ PXQLFDWLRQV RIÀFH Marissa Lucey, a senior Cornell urban planning student, kept track of the scoreboard for the network’s RQOLQH VHUYHU GXULQJ WKH ÀUVW IRRWEDOO game. “I thought it would be cool because I really like sports,” Lucey said. “It gives you a knowledge of graphics and a lot

of different components to work with.” The network will al-­ low people, especially alumni, to reconnect with Cornell said Jere-­ my Hartigan, director of university athletic com-­ munications. “We hope that it will create even greater af-­ ÀQLW\ >IRU &RUQHOO IURP alumni] because it will make it easier to be able to follow their favorite sports teams, to learn more about the student athletes and the coaches, the stories of athletics, the traditions of athletics,” Hartigan said. “There is really no downside to what we are going to be doing.” All Cornell athletics will be behind a pay wall for right now, Hartigan said. A day pass is $9.95, a month’s pass is $10.95, a four-­month pass is $34.95 and a yearlong pass is $89.95. This network will increase the alumni audience for all university sports, es-­ pecially Big Red football, said John Lukach, director of multimedia, pro-­ ductions and web communications for the university’s department of ath-­ letics.

Photos by Meagan McGinnes

14

´, GHÀQLWHO\ WKLQN LW LV JRLQJ WR SXOO this heavy alumni audience–they want to watch the football games,” Lukach said. “Either they live far away or they can’t make it to the games and they want to watch it.” Doug Pratt ‘84, who serves on the Cornell Football Association Board of Directors, said he plans to buy a sub-­ scription this week. “People that don’t get a chance to go get back from games can get plugged in from wherever they are,” Pratt said. “Cornell grads are all over the world and they still have an interest in sports teams and what is going on.” Hartigan said the department of athletic communications hopes to eliminate the pay wall in the future. “We’d like to make it like a television network on the Internet,” Hartigan said. “[We want] to offer these games live [for] no charge to get as many eye-­ balls on the game as possible because we want to showcase our athletes and our coaches and our facilities, and our great tradition of the Ivy League.” Press conferences and interviews with athletes and coaches will be available to view on the new network for free, Hartigan said. So far, only a few hundred people have purchased subscriptions to Cor-­ nell’s channel on the network, but the university expects more purchases in the upcoming weeks. ____________________________________ Meagan McGinnes and Alyssa Frey are senior journalism majors who kind of know sports now. Email them at mmcginn1@ithaca.edu and afrey2@ ithaca.edu.

Upfront

UPFRONT. UPFRONT. UPFRON

15

More Than Just a Game Cornell joins League of Legends By Robert Rivera

E

players last year, but after contacting the team’s former leader and organiz-­ ing the local scene, he was able to re-­ vive the team. Bao says “I took it upon myself to try and gather team members to-­ gether and reform the Ivy LoL team because I had always wanted to join some sort of amateur [or] professional WHDPÂŤ , Ă€JXUHG LW ZRXOG EH D JRRG experience for me as a freshman to both meet new upperclassmen and gain some sort of skill.â€? Cornell University’s team has com-­ peted in the “Ivy Lolâ€? tournament for three years now, placing third over-­ DOO LQ WKH Ă€UVW WRXUQDPHQW :KLOH WKH players on the team have changed because of members graduating, the current Cornell team was able to take the eigth seed in their divi-­

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

ight students at Cornell Uni-­ versity are representing their school at a collegiate tourna-­ ment for the popular video game “League of Legendsâ€? after qualifying for the tournament on Sept. 22. “League of Legendsâ€? is a multiplayer online battle arena video game devel-­ oped and published by Riot Games. 3OD\HUV IRUP LQWR WZR WHDPV RI Ă€YH champions and battle each other while stationed at opposing sides of a map near a building called a nexus.A QH[XV LV GHVWUR\HG E\ Ă€JKWLQJ DQG taking down a series of turrets placed along a path to each base until they reach the nexus. A match is won when either team’s nexus is destroyed. This past July, Riot Games was able to bring a level of professionalism to their game when the U.S. Visa Bu-­ reau recognized “Leagueâ€? as a legiti-­ mate sport. This allowed international players to obtatin work visas to com-­ pete in the World Finals held in Los Angeles at the Staples Center Friday Oct. 4. Collegiate play, however, has been heavily advertised by Riot Games. The big collegiate tournament, known as “Ivy Lolâ€? began Sept. 20 with repre-­ sentative colleges across the country. Cornell University is one of those represented schools, but Cornell’s team was not always competitive for the collegiate tournament. Brian “At-­ rodexâ€? Bao said that the team was in ruins after the graduation of three

Photos by Robert Rivera

16

sion and is eager to face their next opponent in the upcoming weeks. But Bao and teammates cannot al-­ ways participate in games, so less ex-­ SHULHQFHG SOD\HUV PXVW Ă€OO LQ IRU KLP This is managed by substitutes on the team who, according to teammate Chris “Slowreactorâ€? Song, “are more skilled than me. However, due to time constraints, they cannot fully commit to the team, and are only active on the team as subs.â€? Tony “PurpleRooâ€? Xia of Cornell’s team and Bao both agree that the chance to go pro is both highly lucra-­ tive and enticing. “Two or three years of getting your name out as a professional League player in a growing game is more YDOXDEOH WKDQ Ă€QLVKLQJ FROOHJH Âľ VDLG Xia. “College will always be there; [but] this is a once in a lifetime oppor-­ tunity,â€? he said. This is because professional players like Marcus “Dyrusâ€? Hill reported an annual income of over $67,000. Con-­ tracts’, streaming their practice matches via “Twitchâ€? and sponsor-­ ships through various computer com-­ panies make the bulk of pro players income. With less than a week before the World Finals for “League,â€? open league is streaming now at Ivy Lol and will continue until November 16. ____________________________________ Robert Rivera is a senior journalism major who thinks his articles and cartoons for Buzzsaw are legendary. Email him at rrivera1@ithaca.edu.

Good Eats

Local food movements generate ethical food and build community

By Amanda Hutchinson

A

tracted local students, as well as a few from outside New York State. Downtown, GreenStar has been working to get the community to-­ gether and talking about aspects of the food system as a whole, such as workers’ rights, poverty and self-­reli-­ ance, rather than the individual prod-­ ucts. Gary Fine, a long-­time member of GreenStar’s council, said that while the Ithaca co-­op and events like the annual Food Justice Summit don’t focus on teaching people about top-­ ics such as food justice and sover-­ eignty, their goal is to team up with and support local organizations and partnerships that do in order to build - Gary Fine, member of GreenStar’s council a stronger system both locally and ex-­ ternally. “It’s all about how you take con-­ products found in restaurants and “locally raised meat made easyâ€? be-­ trol of the food system, create jobs stores around the city. These ubiq-­ cause people who may not have the that are sustainable and pay a livable uitous institutions and practices, in storage space for a quarter of a cow’s wage, and do it all in the community addition to its central location in the worth of meat can team up with other so the money stays in the community Finger Lakes, have made local food a individuals and families to purchase UDWKHU WKDQ Ă RZLQJ RXW Âľ )LQH VDLG “GreenStar Community Projects was major part of Ithaca’s identity. While the meat and divide it accordingly. created to address these bigger social In addition to matters of practical-­ the products vary, the goal of build-­ ing community and raising aware-­ ity, LeRoux also said that communal issues and keep a conversation going ness about the food system is evident freezers, CSAs, and similar program-­ that has been going for years.â€? Green said that while there isn’t as ming emphasize the importance of so-­ throughout the city. Local food movements have many cial interactions over food, an aspect much collaboration between organiza-­ faces around Ithaca, and each brings that is important to the organization tions as there should be, Groundswell people and local food together in a dif-­ as well. Consumers will often see the is beginning to work more directly ferent way. The primary focus in the same people each week, converse, with Ithaca Community Harvest and region is on fruits and vegetables: and share recipes for cuts of meat the Crop Mob. “We’re all part of a network,â€? Green GreenStar and Wegmans both feature they may not be familiar with. “All said. “I would say that there’s prob-­ that socialization over the food sup-­ produce and baked goods from local farms, and Healthy Food for All helps ply is a great thing, and we’re creating ably not as much coordination and subsidize community subsidized ag-­ and opportunity for people to do that collaboration as there really should be in the local food system, but we’re riculture shares from nine farms for once again,â€?LeRoux said. Before the food gets to the consum-­ also doing our individual pieces of the low-­income families. Despite the emphasis on plants, er, however, farmers have to cultivate work that we hardly have time to sit meat programming is thriving as well. it, and Ithaca food culture starts with down and strategize together.â€? While local food movements in gen-­ A new community initiative starting farmer education. The Groundswell in Ithaca in November is the Finger Center for Local Food and Farming, eral are expanding to serve a larger Lakes Meat Project and Meat Suite an initiative of EcoVillage at Ithaca consumer base – Wegmans often car-­ from the Cornell Cooperative Exten-­ run by Joanna Green, teaches col-­ ries lettuce from Binghamton farm-­ sion, in which consumers buy meat laborative courses in sustainable ag-­ ers, and many locally based CSAs directly from farmers in seven coun-­ riculture for beginning farmers using deliver to Endicott and Syracuse – ties and store it in communal freez-­ a local network of farmers for peer-­to-­ Ithaca remains the hub for local food, and food culture remains engrained ers. Matt LeRoux, agriculture mar-­ peer learning. “We usually have a lot of Wednesday in the city’s identity. keting specialist for the Tompkins County branch, said the idea came evening workshops, and we run them _____________________________________ out of a 3-­year economic analysis, in 5 to 8 p.m. for people who have jobs Amanda Hutchinson is a junior jour-­ which the freezer trade was both the RU VFKRRO RU ZKDWHYHU DQG WKH\ FDQ Ă€W nalism major who likes her collabora-­ PRVW HIĂ€FLHQW DQG WKH PRVW SURĂ€WDEOH them into their schedule,â€? Green said. tive communities with a side of brus-­ A summer practicum held at Tomp-­ sels sprouts. Email her at ahutchi2@ option for farmers. “Meat Suite serves both the con-­ kins Cortland Community College at-­ ithaca.edu s a city that claims to have more restaurants per capita than New York City, Ithaca is steeped in food culture from the des-­ ignation of Apple Fest and the Farm-­ ers Market as rites of passage by sea-­ soned Ithacans to the variety of local

sumer and the farmer by getting the two of them together,â€? LeRoux said. Because of high demand in Ithaca, WKH Ă€UVW IW2 freezer will be installed downtown in November. The second will be installed in Corning in Decem-­ ber. LeRoux labels the Meat Project as

“It’s all about how you take control of the food system, create jobs that are sustainable and pay a livable wage, and do it all in the community so the money WXE]W MR XLI GSQQYRMX] VEXLIV XLER žS[MRK SYX ²

Upfront

17

Rochon Say What?

De-coding Rochon’s letters and IC’s budgetary plans

By Max Ocean

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

R

emember when it seemed like the whole campus was ticked off about that media policy last year, coupled with the bureau-­ cratic snub by the administration in their hiring of a very costly con-­ sulting company without announc-­ ing it for months? While much of that seems to have died down now, the results of the Huron Consulting Group’s recommendations are now being implemented, and the presi-­ dent’s plan to achieve the college’s “under 3/over 3” goal will be further solidified in the coming academic year. While some small changes were put into effect over the sum-­ mer, many more are to come and in some cases how they’re rolled out is still to be determined. Ithaca College President Tom Ro-­ chon sent an email to students on August 28 alerting them to some of the changes that were implement-­ ed over the summer. The letter briefly men-­ tioned the different tweaks, but didn’t delve into what they really meant, or what the on-­ going pro-­ cess is going to be. So how open has the president been in dis-­ cussing the changes, and where is the college go-­ ing from here? If you

didn’t pay much attention last year, forgot, or are new to IC, here’s a re-­ view of the main changes that were implemented and those that were not taken up due to resistance from the campus community or other reasons: The recommendations for a $10 flat fee for a visit to the health cen-­ ter weren’t implemented, and nei-­ ther was the sliding fee for student parking permits. According to Pro-­ vost Marisa Kelly, the recommen-­ dation to charge staff for “parking was going to be this year and got delayed until next year.” Due to the larger-­than-­expected freshman class it was an “easy kind of trade off” for the college to make after fac-­ ulty had expressed displeasure at that prospect. The Rochester Center for the

physical therapy program will be re-­ located to the IC campus, although many of the details for this still have to be ironed out. According to Kelly, who also co-­ chaired the Institutional Effective-­ ness and Budget Committee last year, the main cost-­savings for the college this year have come from im-­ plementing new operational strate-­ gies. By buying larger quantities of supplies that the college needs reg-­ ularly, they were able to save money and renegotiate the deals they al-­ ready had. Why is the college doing all of this? Where did all these budgetary problems come from? It’s a basic problem if looked at in the right way. Tuition increases have been over four percent most recent years, and the college wants to lower that while maintaining employee compensation and not slashing individual departments or budgets. Unless the president and all the other administration officials volunteer a huge pay cut, the college “must annu-­ ally find some combination of alternative revenue or expen-­ diture savings in the amount of approximately $1.5 mil-­ lion,” as Rochon’s letter put it. The president has set a plan to achieve what he’s coined the col-­ lege’s “under 3/ over 3”

Image by Lizzie Cox

18

goal. The “under 3” refers to yearly tu-­ ition increases and the college’s “commitment to reduce the annual rate of tuition, room and board cost increases to ap-­

proximately the rate of inflation.” The “over 3” refers to keeping em-­ ployee compensation at or above 3 percent to ensure that the college continues to attract quality faculty. Warren Schlesinger, associate professor and chair of the account-­ ing department said that “the presi-­

way.” Still, the college has plans to build a movement analysis lab and a cadaver lab on campus (the two most fundamental components of the PT program that don’t exist on campus), and the president and provost believe the quality of the

(The College) “must annually ½RH WSQI GSQFMREXMSR of alternative revenue or expenditure savings in the amount of approximately QMPPMSR ² - President Rochon in a college-wide email program can be replicated on IC’s campus. As with other recommen-­ dations, the specifics haven’t been announced yet. Dominick Recckio, a sophomore Communication Man-­ agement and Design major, and Vice President of Communication for the SGA, said he’s heard from physi-­ cal therapy students that there is concern whether students will still be able to work on cadavers two or three at a time, or will be in large groups, or watching professors do it, and that he has yet to hear a re-­ sponse from the administration in regard to that. Overall, Recckio believes the col-­ lege listened to last year’s stu-­ dent demands, and is looking to approach the coming year with a disciplined yet open mind. “We’re gonna listen ... and see where the

19

Upfront

dent and the provost have certainly made an effort to have listening ses-­ sions and dialogue with the faculty and the students.” Schlesinger has served on the faculty council for a number of years, and says the col-­ lege is undergoing far more change at a faster pace than any time be-­ fore in his 31 years here. The move of the physical therapy program’s Rochester Center has been one of the most controversial actions taken in response to the recommendations, as many PT stu-­ dents and professors feel that their experience will be vastly different and inferior. Kelly said she understands why it’s controversial, especially be-­ cause it’s “the only recommenda-­ tion that really had educational consequences to it in a very direct

college is headed,” he said. “Before we tackle specific issues, we want people to believe in what SGA can do.” Recckio is also optimistic about the SGA’s ability to engage the stu-­ dent body in new ways this year. He wants to use interactive polls and face-­to-­face contact more than tra-­ ditional email or Facebook connec-­ tions. The normally low turnout for online polls on these issues “proves there’s something about the cam-­ pus culture that needs to be fixed,” Recckio said. The reality of the situation is that college education as a whole is undergoing massive transforma-­ tion, and the college must operate within the scope of larger trends. The changes for IC are the “college’s response to trying to reign in the the cost of higher education,” Kelly said. Schlesinger said that the college “should be sensitive to the fact that some people may lose their jobs.” He added that “looking at some of these things does make sense, but it’s disruptive.” But those “disruptions” irritate the college’s students and faculty; inconvenience is a hard thing to bear when you don’t experience the benefits. And so far, the benefits are not tangible––and most of them won’t be for some time. Students should know that when their voices are united and backed by campus media, the administra-­ tion seems to listen––as in the case of the repeal of the media policy (which campus media had an ob-­ vious stake in.) It’s up to students to make sure their voices are heard and ensure that the changes benefit the student experience, not just the college’s bottom line. __________________________________ Max Ocean is a junior journalism major who adores translating bu-­ reaucratic jargon. Email him at mocean1@ithaca.edu.

Cultivating Conversations about Race Working Group advocates against past police violence

By Alexa Salvato

T

hree years ago, 29-­year-­old Ithaca resident Shawn M. Greenwood was fatally shot by Sergeant Bryan Bangs of the Ithaca Police Department on Feb. 23, 2010. According to the District Attorney’s report presented in July 2010, “Sgt. Bangs was part of a multi-­agency search warrant detail attempting to

three,â€? James Ricks, SGWG member, wrote in a piece entitled We Have Questions: The Shawn Greenwood Case. “Police have a long history of justifying the abuse and killing the marginalized in our society.â€? According to Williamson, diver-­ sity training is a major focus of IPD &KLHI %DUEHU ´(DFK RIĂ€FHU KHUH JRHV

“Police have a long history of justifying the abuse and killing the marKMREPM^IH MR SYV WSGMIX] ²

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

- James Rick, SGSW member, We Have Questions: The Shawn Greenwood Case

secure Mr. Greenwood for purposes of searching him pursuant to a warrant issued by a city Court Judge on Feb 17, 2010. Mr. Greenwood was shot DIWHU VWULNLQJ D 'U\GHQ SROLFH RIĂ€FHU with his vehicle while attempting to evade the search warrant detail.â€? Al-­ though EMTs arrived immediately af-­ ter the incident, Greenwood could not be resuscitated after being shot. The larger Ithaca community was angry. Many expressed that it was an action of police racism; Bangs is white and Greenwood was an African-­Amer-­ ican. Was this incident symbolic of po-­ lice racism in the Ithaca community? And if so, has anything changed since then? “We disagree that Bryan Bangs act-­ ed on race, but we respect the other viewpoints,â€? Jamie Williamson, public LQIRUPDWLRQ RIĂ€FHU IRU WKH ,WKDFD 3R-­ lice Department, said. The Shawn Greenwood Working Group (SGWG), an activist group that has been created in Greenwood’s hon-­ or to educate the Ithaca community about racism, is the primary propo-­ nent for that “other viewpoint.â€? “Usually, and disproportionately, WKH ÂśMXVWLĂ€DEO\¡ NLOOHG DUH EODFN EURZQ or poor, or some combination of these

20

through training to treat people fairly, respectfully and equallyâ€? in regards to all facets of their identities. If an IPD RIĂ€FHU VHHV UDFLVW DFWLYLW\ RFFXUULQJ inside or outside of the department, “he will act immediately and appro-­ priately.â€? 6*:* PHPEHUV VWLOO Ă€QG WKDW training to be lacking. “That diver-­ sity training is very helpful,â€? Shawn Greenwood Working Group member Clare Grady said. “All that we do is helpful, but we should understand that it’s systemic. Learning how to be more conscious of how you act towards different people still doesn’t even address the double standard and policies that the police are asked to enforce.â€? Williamson did not deny that racism still exists in the Ithaca community, VWDWLQJ WKDW KH DQG RWKHU RIĂ€FHUV GR notice racism while on the job: “White against black does exist here, unfor-­ tunate as it is. Racism is something that exists here in Ithaca despite our efforts in the police department and in City Hall.â€? What could the IPD do, then, to be seen in a more positive light by the working group? Grady said that may not be possible. “I seek the abolition of prisons and polices. I think that is

a really good and challenging quest — it means I have to live as if we are the solution,â€? she said. Because of this re-­ jection of the concept of police, Grady said, “it’s not like I’m trying to make a better police force.â€? The SGWG’s goal lies in eliminating the police completely; therefore, the working group and IPD do have some irreconcilable differences. Both the IPD and the SGWG recog-­ nize the negativity of racism in Ithaca and beyond. Williamson said, “It’s unfortunate that racism exists in our society. It’s absolute insanity that it exists in our society — that a person would base their decisions on their preferences of race or anything like that.â€? To the working group, this insan-­ ity isn’t as much of a mystery; they provide an explanation. “I don’t like to single it out to any one person being racist,â€? Grady said. “I think that white people living in this culture have the racism of the culture and it takes a lot of vigilance to not accept that double standard as it plays out in our daily lives.â€? )RU WKDW UHDVRQ WKH 6*:* Ă€QGV educating the community on these issues to be vital. The group holds teach-­ins about events of civil rights on both local and national issues for free in the Ithaca community, featur-­ ing faculty from IC and Cornell and activists in the community. One IC student, Kayla Young, is also a part of the working group. Events like these have the ability to teach people about the history behind the senseless prejudice they experi-­ ence every day. Racial tension is not going to disap-­ pear anytime soon. Yet with concerted efforts from a united community to increase consciousness and respect others, progress toward social change could be on the way. ____________________________________ Alexa Salvato is a freshman journal-­ ism major. Email her at asalvat1@ ithaca.edu.

A Community Disjointed? Looking at where LGBTQ services in Ithaca intersect

By John Jacobson

A

of the underlying interconnectedness EHWZHHQ WKH /*%74 IRFXVHV ZLWKLQ Ithaca. Luca Maurer, the director of ,&¡V /*%74 FHQWHU VDLG WKLV DZDUH-­ ness is partly due to the size of the college. “I think that Ithaca is small enough that all you need to know is one of our names or one of our contacts, and we can help a person out,â€? Maurer said. “No, we’re not interconnected, but we’re small enough that all you need to know is one name. We’re all about supporting each other.â€? Cornell’s policy is much the same with its own set of groups on campus. Cornell, due to its size, has several more /*%74 EDVHG groups than Ithaca Col-­ lege, includ-­ ing an LG-­ %74 6WXGHQW Union and the Transgen-­ der Advocacy Committee. Cornell helps sponsor a t r a n s g e n -­ der support group with IC, as well as Out for Health Image by Kyle Brassil Ithaca. 7KH FLW\ EUDQFK RI WKH ORFDO /*%74 community is just as diverse in its RIIHULQJV 7KHUH LV DQ /*%74 ERZO-­ ing league, two local potluck groups, D ERRN JURXS D JURXS IRU /*%74 VH-­ nior citizens and more. Ithaca does QRW KDYH DQ /*%74 FHQWHU PDNLQJ DOO of these services decentralized despite being readily available to those who need them. A notable program is Out for Health, a branch of Planned Parent-­ KRRG WKDW LV H[FOXVLYHO\ IRU /*%74 health services. Out for Health makes UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV IRU /*%74 IULHQGO\ healthcare providers, runs two LG-­ %74 \RXWK JURXSV DQG HYHQ SURYLGHV a space for transgender persons to get their needed hormones without WUDYHOLQJ Âł VRPHWKLQJ WKDW EHQHĂ€WV DOO WKUHH VHJPHQWV RI WKH /*%74 FRP-­

munities in Ithaca according to Devon Ritz, an employee at Out for Health. “The purpose is to provide a safe and inclusive LGBT health guideline,â€? Ritz said. “We make it our job to also be able to network with people in oth-­ HU PHGLFDO Ă€HOGV Âľ While Ithaca is a broad community, WKH ODFN RI D FRPPXQLW\ /*%74 FHQWHU makes the availability of other broad programs like Out for Health hard to Ă€QG HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ GHDOLQJ ZLWK DQ environment that already believes it-­ self to be without problems. “Work-­ ing in the community, everything is D OLWWOH ELW PRUH VSUHDG RXW DQG Ă€QG-­ ing that community can be hard for folks,â€? Ritz said. “Everyone thinks that it’s a certain way, so it doesn’t necessarily need to be talked about, but in both forms it always needs to be talked about, always needs to be included.â€? There seems to be a general con-­ sensus that, connected or not, the /*%74 FRPPXQLWLHV XVH HDFK RWKHU as supplemental resources. “We try to be interconnected, but sometimes it’s just natural for colleges to be separate from the community,â€? states Devon. $V DQ /*%74 SHUVRQ , Ă€QG WKHUH is something enlightening about be-­ ing a new member of a community that doesn’t want to segregate itself to one central location with one set of programs. Ithaca is small enough to make most people aware of available services and its attitudes are liberal HQRXJK WR DOORZ /*%74 SHRSOH WR FRQ-­ gregate in these local groupings with-­ out fear of persecution. It’s a combi-­ nation of qualities that gives Ithaca an DGYDQWDJH ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR LWV /*%74 population. It may not have direct connections between the three sepa-­ rate communities, yet each of them is willing to live in a loyal symbiosis with each other out of solidarity that is as inspiring as it is unconventional. ____________________________________ John Jacobson is a freshman Integrat-­ ed Marketing Communications major ZKR LV DOUHDG\ Ă XVWHUHG ZLWK DOO ,WKD-­ ca has to offer to the LGBTQ communi-­ ty. Email him at jjacobs1@ithaca.edu.

21

Upfront

nyone new to the Ithaca area ZKR LGHQWLĂ€HV RQ WKH /*%74 spectrum would be impressed by the area’s general acceptance. The publicity surrounding Ithaca’s stand-­ LQJ DV DQ /*%74 IULHQGO\ FLW\ LV EXLOW off of years of longstanding work. LG-­ %74 VWXGHQWV DQG ORFDOV KDYH ZRUNHG to build a place that is known to be more accepting than the average, small American city. Together this community has forged a more broad social vision than any singular college /*%74 JURXS FRXOG KDYH RQ LWV RZQ ,WKDFD¡V ODUJH /*%74 FRPPXQLW\ does have a downside, and it’s not a p r o b -­ l e m t h a t people t r a d i -­ tionally associ-­ ate with m i -­ nority groups: there are so m a n y r e -­ sources but no central-­ i z e d w a y to ac-­ FHVV WKHP ,WKDFD¡V /*%74 FRPPX-­ nity may be large, but its loose setup makes it appear to be three sepa-­ UDWH IDFWLRQV UDWKHU WKDQ RQH XQLĂ€HG whole. It can be divided into three sections: Ithaca College, Cornell Uni-­ versity and the city of Ithaca. ,&¡V /*%74 FHQWHU KDV PRUH SUR-­ gramming than one would expect from a college that’s approximately Ă€YH RU VL[ WLPHV VPDOOHU WKDQ LWV ORFDO competitor. It promotes several LG-­ %74 VWXGHQW RUJDQL]DWLRQV LQFOXGLQJ Prism, Spectrum, Created Equal and Athlete Ally. The organizations deal with anything from general personal issues to broader social activism is-­ sues. Going farther to bring social aware-­ ness is what makes the center excep-­ tional, and what starts to give an idea

This Land is Your Land SHARE farm allows for Cayuga nation to return home By Taylor Barker

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

Photo provided by Wikimedia

“

Birdie, it’s time to come gas the Ithaca area. York in order to make this history home,” Brooke Hansen, as-­ In 1779, during the revolution-­ of destruction widely known. sociate professor and chair ary war, George Washington tasked Hansen also co-­founded SHARE, of the anthropology department, Maj. Gen. John Sullivan with a which bought the 70-­acre organic said to Huron Clan, Cayuga Nation campaign for the the “total de-­ farm in 2001. To pay off the mort-­ Mother Birdie Hill in 2005. It was struction and devestation” of the gage of the farm the organization the first time the Cayuga people Six Nations. The soldiers burned fundraised for four years by selling would have the opportunity to live crops, destroyed homes and fol-­ vegetables at the Ithaca Farmer’s on and own their ancestral land in lowed a scorched earth campaign Market, handing out pamphlets over 200 years due to the work of throughout what is now Pennsylva-­ and reaching out to anyone they the Strengthening Haudenosaunee-­ nia and central New York. The Ca-­ could for donations. Hansen and American Relations Through Edu-­ yugas, as well as other members of Jack Rossen, professor of anthro-­ cation organization. The first thing Birdie did when she arrived at the SHARE farm was plant the “three sisters,” corn, beans and squash in traditional mounds. As she was planting the seeds, tears streamed down her face and into the mounds, and volun-­ teers asked her if she was okay. “She [Birdie] said, ‘Yes, I am fine, but this is the first time in 200 years that Cayuga hands have pushed corn into Mother Earth,’” Hansen said. Before the SHARE farm was established, Dan Hill, Jack Rossen, and Brooke Hansen work at the SHARE farm booth at the 2013 Apple Harthe Cayugas were the vest Festival. Hansen and Rossen were two of the people who contributed to purchasing the land only members of the for the SHARE farm. Haudenosaunee Con-­ federacy not to own Photo by Evan Spitzer their own land. The five other member tribes, Mohawk, the Haudenosaunee Native Ameri-­ pology, even followed musician Oneida, Tuscarora, Seneca and cans, were dispersed from their an-­ Dave Matthews to the Bahamas to try and reach out to him for dona-­ Onondaga, own land in New York, cestral lands. The Treaty of Canandaigua was tions. Unfortunately their efforts Canada, Oklahoma and Wiscon-­ sin, even though all five nations’ signed in 1794 between the sa-­ were thwarted by a strong tropical ancestral roots are in Western New chems of the Six Nations of the Iro-­ cyclone. Even with their fundraising ef-­ York. The other nations own thou-­ quois Confederacy and Cl. Timothy sands of acres of land, opposed to Pickering, who was representing forts, they were unable to raise the Cayugas’ 70 acres. As of 1995 President Washington to give the the $250,000 goal, so they reached there were only 448 Cayugas liv-­ Cayugas 64,000 acres of their land out to Clan Chief Sidney Hill of the ing in New York out of the 16,754 back. However, New York state did Onondaga tribe for the remaining members of the Haudenosaunee not recognize the treaty, and the funds. When the farm was com-­ pletely paid for, ownership was Confederacy. Information collected land was never returned. Hansen helped develop the transferred to the Cayuga Nation of after 1995 could not be found. This process of the Cayugas com-­ Central New York Native Ameri-­ New York. According to Hansen, SHARE’s ing home started when Birdie told can Consortium to develop Native Hansen that people should learn American studies programs in col-­ fundraising process evoked nega-­ about what happened to the Cayu-­ leges throughout central of New tive emotions throughout the Itha-­

22

ca area from people that did not want the Cayugas in the communi-­ ty, Hansen said. Racism and dis-­

gether, establish relationships, and learn about the communities and the environment, Hansen said.

±=IW - EQ ½RI FYX XLMW MW XLI ½VWX XMQI MR ]IEVW that Cayuga hands have pushed corn into Mother Earth.” - Birdie Hill, Huron Clan, Cayuga Nation Mother

“There is a lot of interaction… I learned that you don’t know who is on the other side of the table,” Hill said. “Someone over there may be someone who can make a decision that will affect a thousand people, two thousand people.” On Oct. 5 the Cayugas helped with the First Peoples’ Festival at Dewitt Park in Ithaca, which of-­ fered traditional Native American food, arts and crafts, children’s ac-­ tivities and performances. One of the performances was by Hill who played the flute. The Cayugas also normally host a Thanksgiving din-­ ner on the farm in November for students that can not go home for the holiday, Hill said. Junior Matthew Brooks was ex-­ posed to the SHARE farm through Hansen’s medical anthropology class last Spring. His interest was sparked, and he chose to partici-­ pate in a service learning class where he went to the farm to help. A couple activities he participated in included planting raspberries and digging up tree stumps. “Being there, they’re just always so inviting,” Brooks said. “You know they’re always willing and happy to talk to you about their history and their culture and everything like that. They’re just a great people to be around.”

23

Upfront

crimination were present through-­ out the area and many hate-­signs sprung up throughout Ithaca and along Cayuga Lake, including two billboard-­size signs on either side of the farm. To combat the racism and the Upstate Citizens for Equal-­ ity Native American hate group, members of SHARE invited commu-­ nity members to the farm to share with them their culture and estab-­ lish relationships with them. Han-­ sen said once people met the Cayu-­ gas the members of UCE changed their attitudes. After learning from them and interacting with them, the UCE members did not under -­ stand why they had been discrimi-­ nating against the Cayugas. “There are changes, but its grad-­ ual,” said Rossen. “You may not see it year to year, but over the course of 15 years we can definitely see the changes in the way people’s at-­ titudes are.” In 2005, Dan Hill was the first Cayuga tribe member to move onto the farm and he is still its care-­ taker. He holds work-­days during important times of the year. Volun-­ teers come from the community, as well as colleges, including Ithaca College, Wells College, SUNY-­Cort-­ land, the Finger Lakes Institute and Cornell University. The idea is to have allies and natives work to-­

Brooks also participated in an initiative that began in part be-­ cause of the SHARE farm: The Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign is an ongoing effort to promote peace, friendship and a sustain-­ able future for the Six Nations. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Two Row Wampum treaty, the campaign organized a month of events. The festivities started with a paddle from Stewart Park in Itha-­ ca up Cayuga Lake to the SHARE Farm where there was a picnic. The paddling continued at Onondaga Lake Park to Albany and finally New York City to attend the Unit-­ ed Nations on Aug. 9 where people from Holland met the paddlers. The campaign involved Cayugas, Onon-­ dagas, Unity Riders from Canada and Europeans. Brooks said the campaign was a “transformative experience.” The Two Row Wampum campaign is about creating relationships be-­ tween the Native Americans and other community members and es-­ tablishing a better understanding of the culture. The campaign was made possible by the first initiative with Birdie wanting education and understanding, which led to estab-­ lishing the SHARE farm and the events that have followed. The SHARE farm is unique in the Ithaca community because many other Native American communi-­ ties are established on reserva-­ tions, land allocated by the govern-­ ment, or have had long established communities. The SHARE farm is new in the scope of the Cayuga’s history, but its significance in their history connects back 200 years and will leave a lasting impact on the Cayuga community, as well as the Ithaca community. “The SHARE farm was a symbolic coalescing point for many of these other initiatives to take place,” Hansen said. _________________________________ Taylor Barker is a sophomore jour-­ nalism major who loves sharing farms, not cookies. Email her at tbarker2@ithaca.edu

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

Through Local Eyes

24

Ithaca residents comment on the collegiate community

O

n a cloudy Saturday, I grabbed the TCAT to the Commons with a plan to interview as many full-time Ithaca residents as possible. My questions ranged from perspectives on the differences between Cornell and Ithaca College students to the role that students play in the greater Ithaca community. I felt prepared, excited and ready to mingle with the locals. Upfront

25

, DSSURDFKHG P\ Ă€UVW LQGLYLGXDO a middle-­aged man with an impres-­ sive mustache. I had hardly opened my notebook and posed a question before he kindly said, “I don’t have a whole lot to say on this matter, but have a good one!â€? and sauntered away. Maybe the next one would be a little more informative, right? Wrong. A combination of “no thanksâ€? and “I’m visiting from Syracuseâ€? and yes-­or-­no answers were passed my way as I interviewed individual after individual. Two hours later, I was an exhausted, disappointing excuse for a student journalist, sitting in the Crows Nest, sipping on one of those iced coffees where they use morsels of frozen coffee instead of ice cubes. From the drags of my notes I extract-­ ed the following information:

1

No one can tell the differ-­ ence between Cornell stu-­ dents and IC students unless school sweatshirts are visible.

2

No one can tell the differ-­ ence between the college populations and local young adults.

Students are valuable to the community primarily be-­ cause they keep the bars and restaurants in busi-­ ness and provide high-­ quality arts and culture op-­ portunities for the Ithaca population.

3

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

4

Drunk students are an-­ noying litterers (a.k.a na-­ ture criminals).

Alright, so this doesn’t look all WKDW Ă DWWHULQJ EXW SHUKDSV LW¡V QRW as bad as it seems. Although many of us would like to think we give off different vibes from our Ivy League counterparts, at the end of the day it’s likely that we all appear to be part RI WKH VDPH XQLĂ€HG PDVV RI %LUNHQ-­ stock-­clad, twenty-­somethings that Ă RRG 7RPNLQV &RXQW\ DQG HYDFXDWH just as quickly when temperature ex-­ tremes spike. And hey, we get credit for stimulating the economy! That’s more than the U.S. government FDQ VD\ ULJKW QRZ $QG Ă€QDOO\ VWRS

26

throwing your PBR cans in residential bushes. That six-­pack is worth thirty cents at Wegman’s and Mother Na-­ ture shouldn’t suffer because of your choices for weekend recreation. Don’t want to be “that kidâ€? that the Ithaca community scoffs about on Sunday morning? Here are some easy ways to contribute to our temporary home in a positive manner.

1 Take part in community events outside of the major festivals. We all love a good Apple Fest, but there’s so much more going on! Check out one of downtown’s First Friday Gallery Nights or lace up for one of the Cornell Plantations Run-­ ning Tours that take place on alter-­ nating Fridays.

2 If you’re not doing it already, support local businesses. This one is pretty simple and offers some awesome opportunities. Spend the evening at one Ithaca’s many bars or restaurants, buy your clothes from one of the awesome shops on The Commons, or support our local arti-­ sans and farmers at Ithaca’s multi-­ season farmer’s market.

3 'LIGO SYX žMIVW ERH XV] SYX WSQIthing new! Come on, you know you read all of those posters and notices on the wall while you are waiting in line for your coffee, so take down a date or number and get involved in something hap-­ pening independently within Tomp-­ kins County! Everything from astrol-­ ogy, bow making classes, or even yoga workshops are happening right un-­ der our noses. Take advantage of an opportunity to learn a new skill and meet some great people outside of our campus community.

4 Be respectful of the awesome folks who live here year-round. I think that, overall, we’re pretty good at this. Just remember to mind those P’s and Q’s, to humor The Com-­ mons magician when he asks you “which hand is holding the coin?â€? and to keep your disposables off the ground. ____________________________________ Katelyn Harrop is a sophomore jour-­ nalism major who just wants you to swallow your pride and realize you’re not that different from a Cornell kid. Email her at kharrop1@ithaca.edu.

...it’s likely that we all appear to be part of the same, uni½IH QEWW SJ &MVOIRWXSGO GPEH twenty-somethings...

Upfront

Image by Francesca Toscano

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OL. MINISTRYofCOOL. MI

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

A New Take On Nightlife

Kava culture takes root in downtown Ithaca By Carolyn Hartley

W

opposed to sloppy, uninhibited, drunken regret. “Kava enhances your focus…not in the sense of being a stimulant but in a sense that there’s clarity there” said Paul Galgoczy. “You can have a lot of Kava to drink and its never going to make you act like an idiot – you’re not going to lose your inhibitions.” In this way, Kava helps foster genuine and meaningful interaction and conversation with others. Psychotherapist David Schwartz, a bar regular, said that he notices the lift in conversation that Kava provides. “You get the kind of relaxation affect that makes for more interpersonal bonding,” said Schwartz. The Galgoczys originally got involved with Mystic Water through Judi’s brother Avigdor Weber, who was inspired to open his own bar after working in a Kava bar in southern )ORULGD :HEHU RSHQHG WKH ÀUVW 0\VWLF Water Kava Bar in Hollywood Fla. and eventually extended the business to two more locations. Judi said that the expansion of the bar was more focused on incorporating the family as opposed to choosing VSHFLÀF JHRJUDSKLF ORFDWLRQV “The dynamic became about bringing the family together, which brought him to Ithaca to open the store with me,” said Judi. However, before agreeing to open the store the Galgoczys had some concerns about the safety of kava. While the tea is regulated in the United States as an herbal supplement, a number of other countries classify kava as a banned substance. According to Paul, the ban is linked to allegations of liver toxicity. Before jumping on board with Weber, the two had some considerations to take into account. “It needed to be something that I felt safe serving, selling, for my family, and to be around my children,” said Judi Galgoczy. Paul said certain methods of consumption may not be as safe.

Photo by Kaley Belvel

Kava can be administered in tea bag form, through a tinksher, and by pill supplement. He said he would stray away from the pill. “If you purchase the supplement pill, what you’re getting is an extraction of the active ingredient in a highly concentrated and processed form, mixed with chemicals,” said Paul. “Any history of liver issues with Kava…was tied to the supplement form. Paul urges that the bar’s preparation of kava is safe because it is closest to the traditional raw preparation which has been consumed for thousands of years without complication. Once the duo got behind the idea, they set forth to build the Ithaca business. This past August, Mysic Water Kava Bar and Yoga Studio opened its doors and has since gained community support. Lannessa Shantaya, owner of The Yoga School on The Commons said that Mystic :DWHU ÀOOHG D JDS WKDW WKH DUHD ZDV missing. “I think they are trying to present a conscious nighttime alternative, which is something I always felt like we needed in Ithaca,” said Shantaya. “I like going out, I like going dancing, but I’m not a big fan of being around a lot of incoherent drunken people…in this space [Mystic Water] we’re letting loose but taking care of ourselves at the same time.” ____________________________________ Carolyn Hartley is a junior IMC major who celebrates Tea Tuesday instead of Thirsty Thursday. Email her at chartle1@ithaca.edu.

Ministry of Cool

hile the city of Ithaca attracts a wide array of quirky businesses and shops, most of its nightlife is much like what could be found in any small city: bars packed with boisterous locals, clubs full of college kids blowing off steam, and pizza joints catering to crowds with late-­night carb cravings. However, the opening of a new business just off The Commons has thrown a new nightlife option into the mix. Mystic Water Kava Bar and Yoga Studio is a self-­ proclaimed “alternative” to Ithaca’s usual nightlife. Rather than the pandemonium of the typical bar and club scene, those who visit Mystic Water partake in the tranquil but social culture of Kava tea. Kava is a plant grown primarily in the Polynesian islands, where it has been brewed as a tea for centuries because of its psychoactive and muscle-­relaxant properties. According to Judi Galgoczy, who owns and operates the bar along with her husband Paul, Kava still has cultural roots for the Polynesian people, but the drink has also been adopted by other cultures as a social alternative to alcohol. While the tea is used to create a social atmosphere similar to that of traditional bars, Paul Galgoczy explains that the experience of drinking kava is far different from that of consuming alcohol. “It is very much the opposite of alcohol,” said Galgoczy. “Kava is a physical relaxant. You get a relief of stress and anxiety, which is the number one reason to drink it. Unlike any other substance that relaxes you physically, it doesn’t dull your mind or cloud your judgment.” Judi Galgoczy explains that though the Polynesian islands are separated by water, and though their cultures developed separately, most of them utilized Kava as some sort of cultural tradition. Leaders, businessmen and citizens alike have consumed the root’s tea as part of routine or ceremony for thousands of years. The bar’s peaceful atmosphere aligns with its goal to create a different kind of nightlife experience: WR ÀOO HYHQLQJV ZLWK PHDQLQJIXO conversation and ease of mind as

29

Within The Local Fabric

Style meets social conscience on The Commons By Sara Elwell

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

I

t’s amazing to think that Manhattan and Ithaca are both in the state of New York, yet have completely different cultures. 1HZ <RUN &LW\ LV IDPRXV IRU Ă€QH dining, huge Broadway productions, celebrities, night life, and, last but not least, its fashion. Far from the Ă DVK\ DQG JODPRURXV 1HZ <RUN Fashion Week lies the humble and happy city of Ithaca, complete with Birkenstocks, thrift-­shop sweaters and oversized beanies. But the crunchy-­granola vibe isn’t a lack of style; it’s a presence of conscience. The distinct Ithacan ORRN LV GHĂ€QHG E\ YDOXHV RI environmental sustainability and social responsibility. It’s the product of caring more about a shirt being made in fair-­trade conditions than if it made the cover of Vogue. Ithaca’s fashion isn’t particularly high-­end, dressy or runway-­trendy. Instead, the look is low-­key and earthy, much like the lifestyles of many of the town’s inhabitants. This style showcases the causes that Ithacans hold close to their hearts, such as eco-­consciousness and a commitment to locally-­produced goods. The fashion of Ithaca is more WKDQ MXVW KHPS SRQFKRV Ă RZLQJ GUHVVHV DQG EXON\ VFDUYHV LW UHĂ HFWV a popular lifestyle that is relevant to college students and locals alike. As a major college town, one aspect of Ithaca that is hard to overlook is the number of young people in the area. The town’s median age is 26, and that population is composed mainly of college students for more than half the year. However, Ithaca’s spirit of eco-­consciousness and activism is evident in the style of both permanent residents and college kids. A combination of vintage shops, sustainable designers and shoppers who care about their clothing’s impact on the world around them has helped to develop a distinct local style based on more than just the latest runway trends. One of the forces helping to shape Ithaca’s street style is Olivia Royale, designer and owner of The Art and Found, a sustainable clothing store on The Commons. Royale, who also

30

runs two sites on Etsy (one for knit goods, the other for clothing), founded the shop when she won Downtown Ithaca’s “Race for the Space� contest, where her business pitch successfully

afford, and recycled [material] is the HDVLHVW WKLQJ WR ÀQG DQG WDNH DSDUW and it’s pretty cheap. What I learned is that it makes something more one of a kind so that the customer gets

“I can’t deny that the local population is eclectic and interesting, and because of this, the locals understand vintage clothing. Ithaca has a stable population of people who share the same values, which allows them to understand and truly appreciate vintage.â€? - Lucy Carey, owner of Petrune won over the minds of bankers, landlords and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance with her idea for an environmentally sustainable clothing store, which opened in September of 2012. Selecting organic products whenever possible is another eco-­ friendly behavior popular among Ithacans. The movement started with food, but the organic lifestyle doesn’t just pertain to eating anymore. Local clothing shops on The Commons have an emphasis on natural, organic clothing, and the trend has taken off. Organic crops are grown without the use of toxic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, and when used in clothing, this process is believed to make the material healthier for both your skin and for the earth. “Recycled material is usually my Ă€UVW FKRLFHÂľ 5R\DOH VDLG ´, VD\ RND\ what am I going to use to make this out of? Do I want to recycle something? Do I want to go and buy the material from 6HZ *UHHQ ZKLFK LV D ORFDO QRQSURĂ€W supply store? Do I want to look up organic fabric online? Most of these decisions are based on what I can

something that no one else is going to have anyways, and I really like that.â€? Aside from selling clothes and art, Royale also hosts workshops so that people in the community can learn how to make their own sustainable clothing at home. “It gets us [The Art and Found] out there,â€? she explains. ´,W¡V UHDOO\ KDUG LQ \RXU Ă€UVW Ă€YH \HDUV for people to know you exist, so by having that educational component or some social element to it, it allows people to come and see what you’re all about, but not always have to be in a shopping mentality.â€? She has vendors who sell their artwork or fashion in her store, as well as staff and tons of people around the world. In addition, VKH DOVR KDV JRRGV PDGH E\ QRQSURĂ€WV to help them raise funds. Royale deals in fair trade and uses fair wages so that everyone is being paid properly for their craft. Although Ithaca’s eco-­fashion scene is becoming popular, there are many problems it faces in continuing to grow and gain momentum. Recently, JUHHQZDVKLQJ KDV LQĂ€OWUDWHG WKH fashion industry. “Greenwashingâ€? is a marketing gimmick where companies

deceptively use green marketing in order to be seen as environmentally conscious, but the company lacks VXIĂ€FLHQW HYLGHQFH WR SURYH VR Examples of greenwashing tactics include changing labels on products to evoke a more natural product, or million-­dollar ad campaigns to promote high-­polluting companies as eco-­friendly. Greenwashing has come to Ithaca’s fashion scene as well. Royale has experienced this both personally and within her business. “I recently had a baby and they say buy the organic formula, and as a mom I look at both labels but I see that they’re written exactly the same, the organic formula is a marketing technique.â€? Other local shops on The Commons post skepticism regarding their true adherence to social and environmental responsibility. “10,000 Villages presents themselves as a little fair wage store, but they’re actually a huge corporation. There’s a lot of question as to if their people are being paid fair wages, or if they are buying outright in third world countries and selling them in the US,â€? Royale points out. The two stores are just several storefronts apart on The Commons, a key part of Ithaca’s downtown area that provides the perfect place for the small business owner to really get to know his or her customers. Stores enjoy serving a community of “regularsâ€? and customers enjoy getting to know the people and stories behind the stores that they do business with. Also nearby is Petrune, a store that sells vintage and vintage-­inspired clothing. The store’s owners moved to Ithaca from New York City about ten years ago and take a big-­city approach to cultivating an eclectic selection, as store manager Lucy Carey (an Ithaca College graduate herself) described, Petrune’s vintage and vintage-­inspired look is a popular

one amongst Ithacans. “Being an Ithacan myself, I can’t deny that the local population is eclectic and interesting, and because of this, the locals understand vintage clothing. Ithaca has a stable population of people who share the same values, which allows them to understand and truly appreciate vintage.â€? In recent years, shopping at thrift, vintage and consignment shops has become increasingly popular, both IRU WKH SUDFWLFH¡V VXVWDLQDEOH EHQHĂ€WV and the unique, treasure-­hunting experience of searching for the perfect vintage piece. Thrift stores don’t just let us save money; they also save the environment. According to the +XIĂ€QJWRQ 3RVW LW WDNHV JDOORQV of water to make a single cotton t-­shirt. When asked what makes selling vintage so much more successful here in Ithaca, rather than in other cities, Carey responded, “I really think it’s the students. The students and young SHRSOH DUH GHĂ€QLWHO\ D GULYLQJ IRUFH LQ what makes Petrune so successful. They want to take risks, and they want to have fun in clothes, and there’s a lot of fun with vintage clothes. We love them dearly, and we see a lot of students who come in who have never shopped in vintage that come to really love our store.â€? That close-­knit relationship was a major part of why the owners of Petrune were inspired to begin selling vintage clothing. “Petrune’s owners found a lot of SOHDVXUH LQ Ă€QGLQJ YLQWDJH FORWKLQJ and the customer interactions that take place-­-­ both selling vintage clothing and how the customer wears these vintage pieces-­-­ is a beautiful thing. Vintage boutiques are about fun, and having a pleasant shopping experience, and that’s what we strive for,â€? said Carey. However, this culture of eco-­friendly

and fair-­trade fashion also faces FKDOOHQJHV WKHUH¡V FRQVWDQW FRQĂ LFW between what is morally right and ZKDW LV Ă€QDQFLDOO\ PRUH HIĂ€FLHQW )DLU trade, living wages, US-­made products and organic fabrics cost much more than outsourcing to a third-­world country, but the products in third world countries are often assembled by children working in deplorable factories for a fraction of the cost. “When you’re an independent designer or small business owner, you don’t have a lot of money to invest into your product. There’s also a lot of competition in fashion. There’s 8UEDQ 2XWĂ€WWHUV WKDW FDQ PDNH things in a third world country, and sell it easily because they have tons of magazines with their products in it, and the average buyer will shop there. The most common thing I hear in my store every day is ‘Where is Urban 2XWĂ€WWHUV"¡ ,W¡V GHĂ€QLWHO\ KDUG WR compete against corporations in the fashion world,â€? said Royale. In general, fashion is always traveling into uncharted territory, and if one thing is true about Ithacan style, it’s that standing out is embraced here. Eco-­fashion is on the rise, and Ithaca has provided a hot spot for those trends to grow. Ithaca’s rich culture, including its environmental and social responsibility and its young and vibrant culture, has shaped the way the locals dress. While the streets of Ithaca don’t look a thing like New York Fashion Week , the mentality behind the town’s unique style goes beyond “looking good,â€? and reinforces the idea that we should feel good about the sources and stories behind the clothing we wear. ____________________________________ Sara Elwell is a freshman CMD major who’s on the hunt for the perfect pair of Birkenstock stilettos. Email her at selwell1@ithaca.edu.

Ministry of Cool

31

RAW SAW

AM

FROM THE

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

Album Review

32

With four LPs already under their belt, AM PDUNV WKH Ă€IWK DOEXP UHOHDVH RI %ULWLVK DOW rock band Arctic Monkeys. After a lukewarm reception of their previous release, Suck It and See, the band has emerged with a new approach, which becomes evident even from WKH RSHQLQJ ULIIV RI WKH YHU\ Ă€UVW WUDFN ´'R , Wanna Know.â€? The song is grungy and sultry, with a slow, steady drumbeat and seductive vocals. Lead singer Alex Turner croons, “‘Cause there’s this tune I found that makes me think of you somehow/ and I play it on repeat/Until I fall asleep/Spilling drinks on my settee.â€? With such a strong start, the rest of the album had a lot to live up to-­-­ and it did. “Arabellaâ€? is an undeniable highlight, with its vibrant rhythm and lively melody, proving that Turner’s playful lyrical style remains unchanged: “It’s much less picturesque without her catching the light/The horizon tries but it’s just not as kind on the eyes.â€? However, while he still incorporates the usual clever rhymes, vivid imagery and shrewd metaphors into his lyrics, gone are the songs about parties, pub-­hopping and getting in Ă€JKWV ZLWK ERXQFHUV ,QVWHDG AM explores coping with heartbreak, yearning for the past and the uncertainty and reservations that come with the prospect of a new relationship. Other standout tracks include “No.1 Party Anthem,â€? which sounds like it should have been part of the 2011 Submarine EP Turner worked on, due to a slow, rustic melody. Other tracks showcase the band’s newer musical LQĂ XHQFHV DQG D ZLOOLQJQHVV WR DGYHQWXUH away from their all-­rock-­all-­the-­time sound: “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? a

single off of the album, is rooted in a riveting hip-­hop beat. The up-­tempo track “Firesideâ€? toys with a haunting reverb. The soulful, sexy “Knee Socks,â€? captures so much vivacity and allure that I almost thought it was going to jump right out of my speakers and buy me a drink. AM also has a notable hip-­hop and R&B feel; Turner noted in NME, a musical reviewing website that Aaliyah and Outkast ZHUH ELJ LQĂ XHQFHV 7KH DOEXP marks the Ă€UVW WLPH WKH EDQG KDV HPSOR\HG XVH RI D GUXP PDFKLQH VSHFLĂ€FDOO\ RQ WKH ODVW WUDFN “I Wanna Be Yours.â€? AM also carries with it a distinct jazziness in certain spots– probably due to the addition of a piano, which is most evident in the melodic tenth track of the album, “Snap Out of It.â€? Of course, with Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age lending his vocals to two tracks on the album (“One for the Roadâ€? and “Knee Socksâ€?), the band has maintained the a heavy, gritty rock vibe that their oldest fans know them for. In all respects, AM gives off an aura of sophistication and marks an impressive maturation in Arctic Monkeys’ sound. Unlike Suck It and See, all members of the band were in the studio at the same time for the production of the album, which absolutely FRQWULEXWHV WR D PRUH XQLĂ€HG DQG FRKHVLYH sound. With the release of AM, Arctic Monkeys have proved themselves to be even more serious players in the realm of alternative rock. The stylistic experimentation on AM was a risky move, but one that has undoubtedly resulted in something spectacular. -­ Kathryn Paquet

The Bones of What You Believe Moving Mountains

Album Review

Album Review

6FRWWLVK V\QWK EDQG &KYUFKHV·V ÀUVW studio album, The Bones of What You Believe, LV DQ HQHUJHWLF EXEEO\ DGYHQWXUH ÀOOHG with 80’s-­style beats that give the album a futuristic vibe. The compressed bass drum, a technique usually used in dance music, bounces along while shimmering synths and vocals drone over it and come together in a waterfall of sound. The overall effect is an album that sounds like it could be a close relative of The Naked and Famous’s Passive Me, Aggressive You. Mayberry’s vocals are soft, childish, and just the right range to smoothly blend right into the synths. It’s the kind of voice that resembles the high-­ pitched sting of a toy piano, yet it manages to remain pleasant and poppy, no matter how long you leave the album on repeat. The album’s opener, “The Mother We Share,” immediately invites listeners to shoulder roll shyly in a Flashdance boatneck sweater. Mayberry’s hopeful vocals sing of a shared burden and wisdom of hardships to come, using her voice as just another instrument. Layered ohs are panned in such a way that they chase each other through the melody, blending with the other themes. “Recover” plays off of this same vibe, adding pixilated echoes and a megaphone sound to the mix.

“Under the Tide” and “You Caught the Light” both feature lead vocals by Doherty. Other than Doherty’s participation in both songs, they’re quite different. “Under the Tide” is much lighter and happier than the theme of the lyrics. “You Caught the Light” takes things and slows them down to a much more tranquil pace, gliding like ÁXWWHULQJ VQRZÁDNHV 7KH VRQJ GLHV GRZQ until eventually it’s simply the beat, a glacier-­paced drone, and Doherty’s voice. Along the same lines is “Tether.” A cave-­like atmosphere is set with the echo of the vocals and a period of sounds similar to water dripping from stalactites. The background is full of muted chants and electric charged beats. The track list leads from a racing pop beat to a slower, serene murmur and back again. Between the different synths used, the variance in vocals, and the blending of both elements, Chvrches created a miniature repertoire of sounds, jumbling WKHP XS LQ D ZD\ WKDW PDSV RXW D ÁRZLQJ fourty-­eight minutes of playful, spirited techno beats accented with a cascade of synths and timid vocals.

Over the course of their discography, the only consistent thing about Moving Mountains’ sound has been their nature of inconsistency from album to album—and it comes as little surprise that the band’s self-­titled release sounds nothing like its predecessors. Moving Mountains moves away from the post-­hardcore vocal style seen in Waves, and into a more melodic indie-­rock sound. Gregory Dunn’s grungy voice has become soft and breathy, and the music feels lighter overall, but that isn’t to say that it is any less powerful than previous releases. What it lacks in heavy, energetic moments, it makes up for it in a beautiful combination of soothing instrumentation and powerful lyrics. The album opens with the slow, simple beat of “Swing Set.” Mixing layers of acoustic and electric guitar along with Dunn’s airy vocals, this opening track is contrasted against the next track, “Burn Pile,” and its energetic chorus. “Hands” displays the band’s impressive command of this new, softer style, managing to be incredibly moving in its simplicity. “Seasonal” opens with a riff from new guitarist Josh Kirby. This fast-­paced tune incorporates a solo from Kirby and an abrupt crashing ending. “Eastern Leaves” then brings it back down with repetitive acoustic strumming, and slow breathy vocals. High-­pitched bells add the perfect touch to the lonely and somber feel of the piece. The song seems to be a good summary

of the whole album, as it later meshes more intense instrumental and vocal moments with the slow and simple. “Hudson” then returns with a wave of crashing guitar and drums. Fast paced and eerie in places, this song may appease fans who preferred the heavier sounds of MovMou’s previous albums. “Apsides” wraps up the album. It is solemn and drawn out, but its slight build-­ups and incorporation of new bell-­like guitar sounds completes the album. Moving Mountains is an experimental band, but what keeps their experiments successful is their honest approach, and this album is no exception. It’s different, but it’s simple and intimate. There is no struggle in accepting that this is a natural progression of their sound. It remains to be seen whether or not this album is just another step in the band’s development or if Moving Mountains’ experimental progression ends here. With the band’s recent announcement of an ´LQGHÀQLWH KLDWXVµ RQ LWV ZHEVLWH ´7KHVH will likely be the last Moving Mountains shows for the foreseeable future… We’re all planning to pursue other artistic endeavors and look forward to sharing those with you.”) the members of Moving Mountains have opened new doors for more unpredictable and experimental reincarnations of their sound than ever before. -­ Rachel Doane

-­Lisa Laffend

Ministry of Cool

33

Blue Jasmine The Spectacular Now

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

Film Review

Film Review

34

Woody Allen’s most recent drama, Blue Jasmine, is ninety-­eight minutes of pure hysteria, with only a few glimmers of Allen’s VLJQDWXUH FRPHGLF Ă DUH -DVPLQH D IRUPHU couture-­wearing, Manhattan-­residing socialite, is hit hard with deeply unfortunate circumstances. Her womanizing husband Hal, played by Alec Baldwin, was caught in WKH Ă€QDQFLDO VFKHPHV WKDW SURYLGHG WKHLU extravagant lifestyle, and Jasmine is left penniless, homeless and alone. Jasmine journeys to San Francisco to live with her sister Ginger, who is played by Sally Hawkins, DQG KHUH -DVPLQH JHWV KHU Ă€UVW WDVWH RI EOXH collar living. Allen conveys Jasmine’s interpersonal struggles in a blunt fashion, which makes the Ă€OP VR HIIHFWLYH 7KHUH LV QR WUXH UHVROXWLRQ QR WUXH FDWKDUVLV PDNLQJ WKH Ă€OP GLIĂ€FXOW to digest at the end. Despite all of this, Blue Jasmine has a strangely comical and quirky SUHVHQFH WKDW LV VR IDPLOLDU WR $OOHQ¡V Ă€OPV She is unfamiliar with technology, menial work, and interactions outside of high-­class society. What she does know, however, is how to dress, speak, and woo a man with her classic charm and endearing demeanor, contrived as it may be. Blue Jasmine is a realistic portrayal of a woman preoccupied with false perceptions of her life, which creates an out-­of-­body viewing H[SHULHQFH -DVPLQH QHYHU HVFDSHV KHU Ă€[HG state of panic long enough to meaningfully H[SHULHQFH DQ\ RWKHU HPRWLRQV 7KH Ă€OP LV primarily concerned with brokenness and the helpless deterioration of an individual’s

mental health. Because of this, Blue Jasmine is realistic, intimately relatable, and pathetically heartbreaking. Allen has explored this archetype of the EURNHQ ZRPDQ LQ SUHYLRXV Ă€OPV VXFK DV Vicky Christina Barcelona, Melinda and Melinda, and Husbands and Wives, but Jasmine is perhaps the rawest of his characters thus far. Blanchett’s performance in Blue Jasmine is a tour de force, dizzying in its ability to explore and provide a wide range of human emotions. Blanchett portrays Jasmine as she gulps down wine bottles and prescription medication, perspires through her designer clothes, and suffers from several nervous breakdowns. One familiar with Tennessee Williams might notice that Blue Jasmine is a loose spinoff of his play A Streetcar Named Desire. The storylines run parallel to one another in that they both depict a struggling female protagonist—made delusional by alcoholism and the dissipation of a once grandeur lifestyle—who sets out to live with a distant sister while attempting to reconstruct her life and social status. 'HVSLWH -DVPLQH¡V DPDOJDPDWLRQ RI Ă DZV the presentation of her character is remarkably sympathetic. Jasmine’s actions embody the way that we cope with mental illness, with loss, DQG KRZ ZH WHOO RXUVHOYHV OLHV LQ VRPH Ă DLOLQJ DWWHPSW WR DPHOLRUDWH GLIĂ€FXOW VLWXDWLRQV $V D whole, Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine is brilliant, disturbing, and tragic, but it is Blanchett’s performance that truly sets it apart.

The Spectacular Now, directed by James Ponsoldt, captures senior-­year-­of-­high-­ school nostalgia in a way that sounds like a FODVVLF ¡V FRPLQJ RI DJH Ă€OP EXW FDUULHV a lot more depth.Starring Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley, the story shows the crazy side of high school-­-­ the parties, the rebellion, and the idea that real life is very far away-­-­ along with all the drama of falling in love, growing up, and the challenges of OHDYLQJ KRPH IRU WKH Ă€UVW WLPH Cool-­dude Sutter Keely (Teller), a budding DOFRKROLF ZKR DOZD\V KDV D Ă DVN RQ KLP lives-­-­ and parties-­-­ in the moment, but changes his perspective when he wakes up hungover on the front lawn of the quiet, sci-­ Ă€ JHHN $LPHH )LQLFN\ :RRGOH\ $Q XQOLNHO\ romance buds as they help each other deal with their issues, including an alcoholic father, a needy mother who doesn’t want her kid leaving home, and a burning desire to stay in the present. The two main characters might resemble typical high school stereotypes, but they both deal with realistic issues in such a way that goes against high school clichĂŠs. This movie is not what it’s presented to be, and contains several unexpected twists. Perhaps predictably, Sutter gets Aimee out of her comfort zone by going with her to

football games and hanging out with more friends, and Aimee helps Sutter out of his constant partying and disregard for success. But both of the main characters have dark sides, and both mature over the course of WKH Ă€OP $ JHQXLQH URPDQWLF VH[ VFHQH between Sutter and Aimee also helps tie the characters’ bond deeper. The story line is unlike any other with unexpected plot twists, and fans are pleased at how well it followed the original book, written by Tim Tharp. Teller is a new face on the cinema scene, and he portrayed Sutter in a fantastic way, making viewers hate him one minute and love him the next. His happy-­go-­lucky attitude shifts into something more sensible, which gives his character more depth. Many will recognize Shailene Woodley from The Descendents and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Her aura of maturity at such a young age makes her perfect for the role of Aimee. Their connection is undeniable, making them a couple you want to root for. The ‘popular guy falling for the nerd’ love story platform that the story is based on expands into a heart-­wrenching tale of facing reality. The Spectacular Now is a wonderful coming of age movie to laugh at, cry through, and learn from. -­ Jacqueline Matza

-­ Kaitlyn Folkes

Sex on the Beach By Anonymous

M

RI KLV VRQJV EXW Ă€JXUHG ´:K\ WKH KHOO not?â€? It was a concert on the beach and my remaining beach days of that summer were numbered. My friend and I were sitting by the bar when two guys approached us. They were both very friendly and considerably older. I played it cool and allowed the shorter guy to talk me up. He said he was from out of town, so out of habit, I suggested we leave the concert and go to the beach. Allow me to preface this: this particular summer had been one full of bucket list check-­offs. I jumped at any and every opportunity to do something new and scandalous. In this case, that meant that when this cute older guy followed me onto the beach, I showed him a little bit of “local hospitality.â€? I’ll be honest, it was cool, but it was no Hollywood movie scene. Let’s be realistic for a moment. Sand is not pavement and sand is not grass. Sand has a nasty habit of sticking onto any piece of skin that it contacts. Any piece of skin. So, when the making-­ out starting getting hot and heavy, you can guarantee we remained standing, DQG ZKHQ KH GLG Ă€QDOO\ VXJJHVW ZH OD\ down, you sure as hell know I stayed on top. Sex on the beach is not like the drink suggests. It’s more like what you do after you’ve had several of those drinks and you’re feeling about ready to take your clothes off and a beach conveniently happens to be

right next to you. Perhaps if I hadn’t been so eager to live out my own version of MTV’s The Buried Life that summer, I would have planned this out better. Maybe I wouldn’t have had sex on the beach with that 27-­year-­old gym teacher from God Knows Where, New Jersey. I probably would’ve done it with someone whose last name I actually NQHZ $OVR , PRVW GHĂ€QLWHO\ ZRXOG have gone to a private, secluded beach and brought along a giant towel or two. The whole experience, I must admit, was both thrilling and satisfying in an extremely trashy way. There weren’t any people on the beach in our area, and although there were people strolling the boardwalk and inside the concert hall, I’m almost positive that no one saw us. However, if they had, I sort of hope they would’ve applauded this random act of spontaneity. Having experienced the fantasy of sex on the beach, I must say I now think it’s probably best left as just that: a fantasy. Honestly, the idea of moonlit passion and the rhythm of the crashing waves sounds much better than the gritty reality of getting sand in all the wrong places and the chills from cold ocean air blowing up and down your bac. After that experience, VH[ LQ WKH EHGURRP GHĂ€QLWHO\ VRXQGV more enjoyable than sex on the beach—but I suppose the drink name wouldn’t have the same ring to it.

Ministry of Cool

aybe you picture two shots of vodka, a shot of peach schnapps, some cranberry juice and a little orange juice. Maybe you picture a sunset or a full moon and the waves crashing rhythmically on the shore. You picture heat, lust and passion, and then you put it on your bucket list, because you insist that one day you must accomplish your fantasy of having sex on the beach. Living in a beach town, this is one item on our bucket lists that’s pretty easy to check off. From the moment we all started getting our licenses, boys would pick us up, we would drive around talking and listening to music like any other teenagers. The difference is that our drives always took us east, in the direction of the beach. When Mom said ‘no boys in your room’, we went to the beach. When parties were lame, we went to the beach. When we wanted to impress out-­of-­towners, we went to the beach. However, it wasn’t until my nineteenth summer that I actually accomplished that bucket-­list deed. The summer was winding down. It was the end of August and I was leaving for school within the week. The night was warm, but a cool breeze blew from the ocean. I was at the concert hall on the boardwalk with my friend who had been dragging me to shows all summer. That night, it was Citizen Cope. I knew maybe two

35

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

ONS. PROSE&CONS. PROSE

36

Outside the Cinema By Christian Cassidy-Amstutz

So you stand, Stillness against the darkened sky, Drawing in the street’s passing eyes. Does it cross your mind 4IVLETW SRI HE] XS ½RH ]SYVWIPJ Stuck in some exposure? Your stillness aiding your existence %W ]SYV IHKIW JVE] And colors dull? But remaining ever cherished )ZIR EJXIV LEZMRK FIIR TEGOIH E[E] A memento whose worn corners, Flapped, dog-eared, and creased, Still command memory. ;MTMRK GPIER HYWX] HIXEMPW ERH SFWGYVMXMIW 0SRK EKS PSWX FYX JSYRH MR ]SY

Prose & Cons

8LI JERW EVI VSEVMRK % WIITMRK FVIEXL SJ GSPH ERH LSX 0MKLXW ¾MGOIVMRK EFSZI YW (YPP] GPMGOMRK EX XLI IHKI SJ SYV JERXEWMIW As I stand here, hands in my pockets, 0SSOMRK EX ]SY MQQIVWMRK Q]WIPJ -R XLI GLMPPIH EMV SJ XLI IZIRMRK As you try to elongate the moment. 8LI WIGSRHW SJ XLI YRMZIVWI 8LEX XMGOMRK SJ XLI [SVPH Determine that still you shall not remain. =SY WLYHHIV RMKLX´W GSSP IQFVEGI Dancing across you, and look up to me. 3YV I]IW QIIXMRK JSV E QSQIRX Yours questioning mine, mine lost, Seeking to convey, some way, how your heat ,EW FYVRIH E[E] IZIRMRK´W GLMPP That moment passes too. =SY XYVR - JSPPS[ &SXL SJ YW E[EVI 3J XLI WMHI[EPO FIRIEXL SYV JIIX

37

Swim By Gabriella Jorio

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

-X [EW LSX MR XLEX HEVO VSSQ EW LSX EW XLI FPE^MRK WYR XLEX [IEZIW MXWIPJ YRHIVRIEXL Q] WOMR WS XLEX MX KPS[W PMOI XLI XVERWPYGIRX NIPP]½WL - WII SRGI MR E[LMPI MR XLI GPIEV [EXIVW SJ XLI SGIER &YX XLMW VSSQ [EW QSVI JEQMPMEV XLER XLSWI NIPP]½WL - JIPX - LEH XVEZIPIH FEGO MR XMQI XS XLI WEQI WTSX [I [IVI PEWX WYQQIV WMXXMRK SR XLI FPEGO WTIEOIV XLEX ZMFVEXIH XLVSYKL SYV [LSPI FSHMIW QSZMRK XS XLI FIEX SJ ER IPIGXVSRMG WSRK - HSR´X ORS[ XLI REQI SJ %RH - [ERXIH XS WXE] MR XLEX QSQIRX FIGEYWI - ORI[ XLEX XSQSVVS[ [SYPH FI HMJJIVIRX - ORI[ XLEX XSQSVVS[ [LIR - WE[ LMQ - [SYPH GPSWI Q] I]IW ERH XLMRO SJ XLEX RMKLX [LIR [I HERGIH in the dark room and kissed under the starlit sky, the sky that covers us EX RMKLX WS [I GER´X WII ER]XLMRK ERH MX WLSYPH FI LSVVMJ]MRK FYX MX MWR´X %RH - [SYPH XLMRO SJ LS[ GLMPHMWL [I EP[E]W EGXIH ;I RIIHIH E TIVWSR XS QEOI YW JIIP [LSPI E OMWW XLEX [SYPH NYWXMJ] SYV VIEWSR JSV LEZMRK PMTW [EMWXW XLEX [IVI QIERX XS FI LIPH ERH XMGOPIH ERH TMRGLIH XIIXL XS WQMPI ERH XS PMGO [LIR [I PEYKLIH FIX[IIR OMWWIW RIGOW XS KVEF SRXS [LIR [I HMHR´X ORS[ [LEX IPWI XS XSYGL ;I PSZIH EPP GSVRIVW SJ IEGL SXLIV ½PPMRK IEGL WS XLEX XLI] GSYPH FI YWIH &YX - GSYPHR´X XLMRO XLMW GPIEVP] XLEX RMKLX MR XLI HEVO VSSQ [LIR [I [IVI GVS[HIH F] RISR PMKLXW ERH WQSOI ERH GMKEVIXXIW ERH XLI PEYKLXIV SJ ½ZI KMVPW WXYQFPMRK HS[R XLI GSFFPIWXSRIH WXVIIXW XLEX SZIVPSSO XLI FPEGO VMZIV [EXIV 7SQIXMQIW - [SRHIV [LEX MX [SYPH JIIP PMOI XS JEPP HS[R ;SYPH - HMI EW WSSR EW - LMX XLI [EXIV# Or perhaps I would die on my way down, hitting a sharp rock or a tree. 3V QE]FI - [SYPHR´X HMI ERH - [SYPH ¾SEX HS[R XLI VMZIV XS XLI ]IPPS[ FVMHKI - EP[E]W HVMZI SZIV [LIVI - GER WII WQEPP FVS[R FS]W FEXLMRK MR XLI JVIWL [EXIV WYVVSYRHIH F] GYVMSYW PYVOMRK EPPMKEXSVW XLEX LMHI FIRIEXL XLI WYVJEGI 3XLIV XMQIW [LIR - [EPO HS[R XLI GSFFPIWXSRIH WXVIIXW - XLMRO SJ KIXXMRK QEVVMIH [MXL IZIV]SRI - PSZI ERH [I´PP XEPO EFSYX SYV memories here at 3 a.m. when we danced and laughed and cried and lived FIGEYWI XLEX´W EPP [I ORI[ ;I ORI[ XLEX [I RIIHIH XS PMZI XS FVIEXLI ERH FVIEXLI XS PMZI FYX XLEX XLI] [IVI FSXL ZIV] HMJJIVIRX ERH MX [EW LEVHIV XS PMZI XLER XS FVIEXLI ERH WSQIXMQIW [I [SYPH WMX SR XLI WXITW SJ XLI GLYVGL ERH GV] FIGEYWI PMZMRK [EW WS LEVH ERH XLIR MX [EW LEVH XS FVIEXLI [LMPI [I [IVI WSFFMRK [LMPI XIEVW WXVIEQIH HS[R SYV JEGIW MRXS our mouths and we were choking.

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The Picture By Christina Amen

- WXERH SR XLI IHKI SJ ER MWPERH XLEX MW RSX Q] S[R +VI] [EXIV QIIXW KVI] WO] ERH XSKIXLIV XLI] [EHI XS[EVH Q] TEPQW ±2SFSH] WIIQW VIEP YRXMP XLI] EVI MR RIIH SJ E PMXXPI WEZMRK ² [LMWXPIW XLI [MRH [LMTTMRK LEMV MR ORSXW EVSYRH Q] RIGO -J - GSYPH LSPH Q] FVIEXL -´H WPIIT [LIVI WIE QIIXW QSYRXEMR´W GVIWX 7IEKYPPW WMRK WSRKW MR XLI WO] WEH WSRKW SJ GEPPMRK ERH WIEVGLMRK JSV ±[L] ² 1] QSQ XLVII XLSYWERH QMPIW XS XLI [IWX WMXW MR LIV GLEMV JIIX YRHIV LIV HIWO GV]MRK LIV LERHW GPEWTIH XS LIV GLIWX FIGEYWI WLI JSYRH XLI ¾E[ MR XLI GPSGO XLEX GLEWIW MXWIPJ ,I [EXGLIW QI YRHVIWW 7XST - EQ E FYMPHIV ;EPPW FYMPX YT [EPPW FVSYKLX HS[R &S] WMXXMRK MR XLI GLEMV PSSOMRK QI SZIV PMOI WSQI OMRH SJ PSWX ERH JSYRH WMJXMRK XLVSYKL VSYKL TMIGIW LI´H FIIR XSS JEV E[E] XS WII -´Q E PMXIVEXYVI KMVP GSYRX XLI GLEVEGXIVW MR QI 6MWI ERH JEPP 7XERHMRK SR XLMW MWPERH - WII MX EPP ° XMHIW WIRX SYX F] XLI G]GPMRK QSSR ERH FEVI GLIWXW PMJXMRK ERH HVSTTMRK FIRIEXL QSVRMRK´W WYR HERGI 3YV GLMPHVIR´W JVII PIKW OMGOMRK JVEKMPI FSHMIW MRXS XLI WO] ° KVERHJEXLIVW KMZMRK SRI TYWL EX E XMQI 7SQIFSH] MW [EZMRK JEV E[E] [MPH EVQW MR E JYV] ±,IPPS SYX XLIVI ² - WE] 0SSOMRK KPEWW VI¾IGXMSR SJ XLI WIE ° XLEX TIVWSR [EZMRK MW QI -´Q RSX [EZMRK -´Q WMROMRK XEOMRK SR [EXIV [LEX [EW - XLMROMRK# - [ERXIH XS FI VIEP - [ERX XS FI LYQER WXST REQMRK IQSXMSRW ]SY LEZIR´X FIIR JIIPMRK - WXERH SR XLMW MWPERH SRI XLSYWERH JIIX EFSZI GPSYHW MR Q] IEVW VYWL SYX XLVSYKL Q] PYRKW 8LI XLMR EXQSWTLIVI XIEGLIW E PIWWSR [LMWXPMRK ±WIPJ TVIWIVZMRK ² RIZIV WTIEOMRK FYX EP[E]W ]IEVRMRK JSV XLI S\]KIR XS RSX FI WS WTEVWI JSV XLI YRWIRX PIXXIVW XS FI WMKRIH ERH WLMTTIH XLI PEWX RYQFIV HMEPIH ERH XLI GEPP VIGIMZIH JSV XLI TERMG MR QI XS PIX XLMRKW FI JSV XLMW LSPI XS WIX QI KSH HEQR JVII 6MWI ERH JEPP ERH VIWIX

Prose & Cons

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Somewhere in Middle America By Jodi Silberstein These places sing loud In the good weather. 8LI JEGIW EVI TVSYH In the good weather. *EVQIVW OIIT HMVX MR XLIMV ½RKIVREMPW 8IPP QI RS WSVV] XEPIW - [ERX E WXSV] LSRIWX ERH JEMV It was morning when the sun rose – That’s as honest as I go. ,IEX VSWI JVSQ XLI FPEGO XEV 8S XLI WSPIW SJ LIV JIIX 7LI´W LSPHMRK LIV XLYQF SYX For passing cars to see. -J ]SY WE[ LIV [SYPH ]SY WXST# 3V LEW GEYXMSR ERH JIEV Clouded your thoughts? 8IPP QI RS WSVV] XEPIW - [ERX E WXSV] LSRIWX ERH JEMV It was the truck driver Waiting on a miracle ;MXL XLI %QIVMGER ¾EK ;EZMRK JVSQ XLI VIEV ZMI[ ;LS WXSTTIH XS XEOI GEVI SJ LIV Hallelujah And it’s a pleasure to meet ya 0ERH SJ XLI JVII ,SQI SJ XLI FVEZI Our heroes come home To work minimum wage.

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

,MW VIWYQI WE]W FSQF HVSTTIV 7S RS[ LI´W EX ;EP 1EVX Working as a truck driver. 7LI´PP QEOI MX XS XLI GMX] NYWX ½RI Trade in the white church For those neon signs 0EH] 0MFIVX] TEWWIH XLI XIWX SJ XMQI %RH FMK HVIEQW EVI RIZIV E GVMQI &YX [MXL LIV FEGO EKEMRWX XLI STIR EMV I can’t promise this story ends ,SRIWX ERH JEMV

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Velvet Haze By Gillian Wenzel

4SVGIPEMR JVMIRHWLMTW ;I EVI MRJERXMPI MR E ZIPZIX WYRVMWI Sticky in the morning light Tonight the moon shines Constellations outside We play connect the dots You to me in the heavy air… ;MXL WSJX KMKKPIW Q] ZIPZIX TIR ORMXW Rows and whipstitches, -R XLI GSQJSVXEFPI KVIIRLSYWI That sweetens the Empire State. 8LI UYEVXIV XLEX HEFFPIW FIX[IIR FMVXL ERH H]MRK 8LI GPSXL TEMRXIH KVIIR FIJSVI EQFIV The cold air stings my lungs to inspiration Velvet moments merge. 8MI H]I JSSXWXITW GVSWW XMQI XS Q] GEWLQIVI GVSWW[SVHW 8LI KVEWW FIRHW MR XLI ZIPZIX LIEVXWXVMRKW ,]FVMH EMV [E\IW ERH [ERIW Formed as honey hearts. 8LMW GEVIWW SJ IEVXL Calm. Collected. cool, Touch. Touché. Translucent.

Prose & Cons

8LMGOIRW MR XLI VIEPMX] SJ LIEVX 3YV JSSXWXITW QSZI 8LI FEPPIX JSPHW SJ ]SYV I]IW :IPZIX JEFVMG SJ XMQI VMTTPIW 8LMW MRRSGIRX OMWW SJ [MRH Brightens my autumnal heart With earnest air turning chilled… 3TIR KPEWW YWLIVW ]SY MR I look out upon the teenage asphalt &VIEXLMRK MR FPYI I run the sheets around us Lost in the cotton caress =SYV EYWXIVI WOMR MW FSYRH XS XLI WYR 7SJX MR XLI SRI [E] VSEH The heavy decadence sings Velvet air only runs downstream 2SXLMRK XS XLI WMPOIRIH MRO SJ ]SYV WOMR© 2SXLMRK XS XLEX ZIPZIXIIR LE^IH RMKLX

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DUST. SAWDUST. SAWDU

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

The Great Grocery Scare

War wages between Wegmans and Greenstar shoppers By Caitlin Vetere

T

his battle is one to go down in history, a story that will be passed down from generation to generation. This is the battle between Wegmans and Greenstar. 5RRWGXVW DQG 5DLQH 7UHHĂ RZHU Ithaca locals, are vehement fans of their local Greenstar. “We only shop at Greenstar because it supplies us the gifts of raw food that mother nature supplies to us.â€? 6D\V 5RRWGXVW 7UHHĂ RZHU +LV EHDUG is braided and is long enough to throw over his shoulder like a scarf. “Greenstar’s wonderful food is a great supplement to add to our diet of pure sunlight.â€? Added Raine, “Our son Lonewolf just loves their organic, raw kale-­broccoli-­sprout smoothies.â€? 7KH 7UHHĂ RZHU IDPLO\ LV GXWLIXOO\ devoted to their favorite Greenstar grocery store, as it is the only grocery store that they visit that does not escort them off the premises on sight. Says Rootdust, “We have tried Whole Foods, but they claim we were ‘harassing’ the employees for asking them if their kale was grown in soil that was made of composted organic material or store-­bought manure. We left in anger.â€? I n

environment-­friendly, cruelty-­free, baby-­safe eggs in the local Ithaca Wegman’s, so I drove to another one, and wouldn’t you know, they had them!â€? Laramie drove an hour to Syracuse using a quarter-­tank of JDV WR Ă€QG WKHVH HQYLURQPHQW IULHQGO\ eggs. Laramie thinks that Wegman’s destroys the competition in comparison to other grocery stores. “Greenstar is full of communists. Plain and simple. Communists who think their energy comes from the sun. I mean, really, the sun? The sun does not provide energy to living things. Wegman’s is for red-­ blooded Americans who care about their country and Earth. Oh, and also single mothers. They love single mothers. I’m pretty sure they’ve had a press conference on how much they love single mothers.â€? Evidence of this press conference has not been found. 6HYHUDO ZHHNV DJR WKH 7UHHĂ RZHUV and Ms. Laramie were brought together in a focus group, to see what consumers want out of their grocery stores. Gwen Laramie physically DVVDXOWHG 5DLQH 7UHHĂ RZHU ZKHQ 0UV 7UHHĂ RZHU RIIHUHG KHU DQ RUJDQLF bean sprout plant from Greenstar to bring back to her children. “I ripped a few of her dredlocks out. Those dirty communists deserve LW +RZ GDUH VKH WU\ WR SRLVRQ P\ children with those Greenstar toxins? No real red-­blooded American would be caught dead at a Greenstar. Anyway, I’ve still got it.â€? Laramie ERDVWHG Ă H[LQJ 7KH 7UHHĂ RZHUV ZHUH DV HQUDJHG DV people who get energy from sunlight can get. “She threw off our energy. It will take months of meditation to realign our HQHUJLHV Âľ 5DLQH 7UHHĂ RZHU VREEHG Rootdust was dancing through his tears behind a bike rack the entire time. ____________________________________ Caitlin Vetere is a sophomore TV-­R major who gets all of her food from Campus Center dumpsters. Email her at cvetere1@ithaca.edu.

Sawdust

truth, they were forcibly removed by police authorities. Their picture remains on the wall today, warning the store employees to ask them to leave if they ever enter. 7KH 7UHHĂ RZHUV DOVR WRXW WKH ORFDO Ă DYRU RI WKH VWRUH “We grew onions in our backyard garden, using compost from the stems and roots of vegetables we bought at Greenstar.â€? Rootdust informed proudly, “After the onions were grown, we sold them to Greenstar.â€? 7KH 7UHHĂ RZHUV ODWHU ERXJKW WKH same onions a week later at the same Greenstar. When asked about Wegman’s, WKH 7UHHĂ RZHUV ZHUH LPPHGLDWHO\ disgusted. “We don’t shop anywhere that has a pharmacy.â€? Said Rain with disgust, “We don’t believe in ‘Western’ medicine. It harms our internal energies and clouds the mind.â€? Their son has caught measles four times. Gwen Laramie, self-­described loving PRWKHU RI Ă€YH GRJV D IRXU \HDU ROG daughter Kayleeyanna-­Maye, and one sulking teenage son Brayedonne Jaimmes, is an avid Wegman’s shopper. “I’m a gold-­star member on 3 different mothering blogs. I’m an expert on child-­rearing, I mean, isn’t it obvious? Kayleeyanna-­ Maye is just darling.â€? Brayedonne Jaimmes is nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she doesn’t even have a son. “Anyway, Wegman’s is the best choice for children’s food. I will ONLY feed Kayleeyanna-­Maye food from Wegman’s. If I fed her food from Greenstar, her growth will be stunted. Or worse, she would become a communist!â€? Laramie also talks about how much she adores Wegman’s variety. “Even ZKHQ , GRQ¡W Ă€QG ZKDW I am looking for, another Wegman’s will have it. I once FRXOGQ¡W Ă€QG RUJDQLF

Image by Georgie Morley

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Rocking Chairs in the House Tonight

Local resident anticipates the return of students every year By Chris Thomas

F

all is a time of year that many tend to dread in Ithaca. Youngsters on their way to school say goodbye to long days spent in the sun, while adults dread the eventual return of college students. Except for one man that is. Stan Gurtz’s eighty-­sixth birthday occurred one month ago, yet he still considers himself young at heart. Living in a small ranch house located RQ +XGVRQ 6WUHHW KH FRQVWDQWO\ Ă€QGV himself at various collegiate parties FRPH DXWXPQ +H KDV OLYHG LQ ,WKDFD ever since being just shy of graduating in 1949. Gurtz was excused from Ithaca College when he brought a cow to the WKLUWHHQWK Ă RRU RI WKH RQFH 0LGGOH Tower (located between East and West Tower). The tower was promptly deconstructed during the process of UHPRYLQJ WKH FRZ IURP WKH WRS Ă RRU via crane. Gurtz constantly reminds students that he is the reason there are only two towers constructed at the

top of the campus. +H HYHQWXDOO\ JUDGXDWHG IURP Gurtz College, which turned out to be located at his house where he read a few books he picked up at Urban 2XWĂ€WWHUV RQ FXSFDNH FRFNWDLOV DQG feminist Ryan Gosling. Despite his ruckus while attending Ithaca College, he has been harmless ever since, simply living his life party-­ rocking until the dead of the night. Most IC students credit at least one learned dance move to him. “This guy is a party animal!â€? exclaimed a freshman who met Gurtz DW D SDUW\ RQ KHU Ă€UVW QLJKW LQ ,WKDFD *XUW] LV D OHJHQG RQ 6RXWK +LOO Many visiting high schoolers have cited that they chose Ithaca because of “that awesome old guy that comes to parties and knows all the words to ‘We Can’t Stop’ by Miley Cyrus.â€? In IDFW KH PLJKW EH WKH OLYLQJ GHĂ€QLWLRQ of Cyrus’s new chart-­topper. “Most nights I’m the last one to leave the party because YOLO!â€? Gurtz said in a

Image by Rachel Konkler

Mate Factor or Meth Factory

recent interview. Of course, this can lead to some annoyance from home owners. “We enjoy having him at parties because he’s a super partier that really gives our ragers credibility,â€? a student living in Circles said. “But, he takes forever to leave, and I got 8 am’s!â€? Another student living in Gardens said that he found Gurtz twerking in his living room when he woke up at noon. While one might question Gurtz’s morals and intentions, one student VDLG LW EHVW ZKHQ GHIHQGLQJ KLP ´+H¡V just an old man looking to live his life to the fullest. Why tell him ‘no’ when he’s just going to make everyone’s party that much better? This guy is the epitome of college. And he brings bud!â€? Even at eighty-­six years old, Gurtz is still considered to be the best thing about Ithaca parties. _________________________________ Christopher Thomas is a sophomore TV-­R major who hosts ragers in his dorm every Monday night. Email him at cthomas5@ithaca.edu.

Local juice bar cooking up something sketchy By Lizzy Rosenberg

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

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ince approximately 11a.m. on this traumatic Sunday morning, Ithaca Police have been investigating the aftermath of a brunch date gone seriously wrong. After dining at the Ithaca Commons’ locally famous and cult-­owned restaurant, Mate Factor Cafe, freshman Krista Mettenberg is still in critical condition, suffering from what appears to be a nasty reaction from ingesting Methamphetamine, or Crystal Meth. Shortly after devouring RQH RI 0DWH )DFWRU¡V KHDUW\ ZDIĂ HV friends of Mettenberg reported that she began experiencing involuntary facial twitching. Within minutes, Mettenberg’s overall behavior completely transformed. An anonymous on-­looker described Mettenberg’s drug-­ induced episode as “Donkey Kong-­likeâ€? as she began pouncing from table to table, proclaiming herself as dictator of the cafe. “Pride Rock is mine!â€? she shouted, just before going into shock, succumbing to the effects of an on-­ WDUJHW RIĂ€FHU¡V WDVHU JXQ After ongoing investigation, Ithaca Police discovered a plethora of

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incriminating evidence, opening the public’s eye to Mate Factor Cafe’s real EXVLQHVV 2IĂ€FLDOV GHVFULEHG D VWURQJ odor of urine wafting from all corners of the kitchen, as well as a musty scent of Ă€VK VWLFNV OLQJHULQJ EHKLQG WKH FRXQWHU 'HVSLWH KHU IUDQWLF DQG EDIĂ HG state, Mettenberg’s brunch date, IC student Mary Jane Reeves, vouched as a witness to her episode. “I am almost certain that Krista was not planning on voluntarily going anywhere near meth until at least junior year, and that she had no idea this would happen when we decided to dine here this morning.â€? Long time Mate Factor patron, Blaze Weedenberg had absolutely no idea that their food services were merely a side business. “I had always attributed my after-­ breakfast rush to all of the natural and organic foods I was ingesting. This WRWDOO\ H[SODLQV P\ Ă€YH KRXU VSULQWV through the Recreational Trails and the overbearing dominance that ruined my last relationship!â€? Others, however, had a different reaction to the revelation of Mate Factor’s secrets. 84-­year old

Lucy Diamond had been buying her crystal meth from Mate Factor Cafe for years, and had assumed it was openly retailing. “Do you know who I can buy from now?â€? This was all Diamond could say before she was taken into custody for attempting to purchase illegal substances. As owners and employees have also been in mandatory treatment for each of their meth addictions, free clinics will be made available to any long-­ time, regular customers who have not adjusted to the recent closing of Mate Factor Cafe. Dates, times and locations of these clinics will soon be determined. ____________________________________ Lizzy Rosenberg is a sophomore IMC major who drank the organic Kool-­Aid. Email her at erosenb3@ithaca.edu.

Home’s Own, Not So Home Grown Âą0SGEP² VIWXEYVERX YRHIV ½VI JSV JEPWI GPEMQW

By Brianna Pennella

I

n a town not far from Ithaca in either mileage or values, outrage has broken out over the claim that a local establishment refuses to use local meat. Stillwater, New <RUN¡V UHVWDXUDQW +RPH¡V 2ZQ VHHPV to sit on a throne of its own lies. A recent undercover report revealed the shocking truth about this “localâ€? establishment. Earlier this week, WKH WUXWK FDPH SRXULQJ RXW +RPH¡V Own uses homegrown vegetables but imports its meat from 15 miles west of Stillwater, making the local label a lie. The community is outraged by this information. Questions began to arise when patrons could see the garden behind the restaurant, but no space for livestock. The menu offers dishes that

Image by Lizzie Cox

include beef, pork, chicken, and eggs but no such animals can be found anywhere on the premises or in town. Not to

mention the milk, used in many dishes for dairy-­based sauces and often complimenting their scrumptious desserts, seems to have come from these foreign raised cows. One local resident, Bob Markles, was outraged. ´, XVHG WR JR WR +RPH¡V 2ZQ HYHU\ week and order their Grass-­Fed Garden Burger until one day I realized they had no garden. Where did that burger patty come from?!â€? Mr. Markles isn’t the only one confused and saddened by this information. Marissa Blowens took her children there weekly to celebrate their good grades but now says she won’t be back. “Who wants chicken tenders that come from some chicken I’ve never even seen?â€? said Blowens. “That’s not how I want to raise my children!â€? When restaurant owner and head chef Louis Garley was questioned about the lies the establishment promoted, he had only excuses. “Seriously?â€? he whined. “It’s 15 miles. That’s still local. We have no farms here, no space for raising livestock. It would be unsanitary and unhealthy.â€?

Seeing his point, a local advocates group brought a resolution to the table. Local Lovers United leader 6WDF\ +DUPRQ VDLG ´7KHUH DUH SOHQW\ of squirrels and birds right in my backyard. Why not use those? Why not our meat?â€? Mr. Garley heard the claim and responded only with a stern “no,â€? as he rolled his eyes. As the community continues to EDWWOH ZLWK +RPH¡V 2ZQ RYHU SLJHRQV as poultry, some still patronize the establishment. “I guess next time I go I can just order a salad,â€? said Markles, when asked if he would be returning to the restaurant any time soon. Local Lovers United will be taking their stand in a formal protest outside the restaurant through a number of demonstrations this upcoming week. They are willing to let patrons enter, as long as they promise to only eat the local items and possibly bring the protesters some of their famous fruit compote. ____________________________________ Brianna Pennella is a senior TV-­R major who only eats squirrel if it’s hunted with a bow and arrow Katniss style. Email her at bpennel1@ithaca. edu.

Ithaca to Bed, Cornell to Wed

Mother of Ithaca College student not joking about age-old anecdote By Rebecca Caplan

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you’re available.â€? It is important to note that the TV-­R major has been dating fellow Ithaca College student Korbynn Smith, a junior cinema and photography major who describes himself as being able to “think in Film Noir.â€? The incident escalated when Feinstein’s mother supposedly asked her daughter if she “intended on just continuing to not lose any weight,â€? after which, onlookers in the store described the altercation as “an uncomfortable whisper-­ screaming matchâ€? between the mother and daughter. One bystander told reporters that at one point, the younger Feinstein claimed that her mother “just doesn’t get itâ€? to which Susan Feinstein threw her hands in the air and replied, “What do I know, I’m only your mother.â€? When reached for contact, her PRWKHU ZDV FRQĂ€UPHG DV VD\LQJ ´0\

daughter wants to make movies and play around in California? Fine. But she needs a boy who can keep her in the ‘Kate Spade iPhone cases and Lulu Lemon whatevers’ lifestyle to which she is accustomed.â€? Feinstein went on to say that “Dani should have her fun now,â€? but added, “A boy that takes black and white pictures of his wiener does not a husband makeâ€? 7KH HPEURLOPHQW ZDV Ă€QDOO\ UHVROYHG when they agreed that Danielle could do whatever she wanted when Mrs. Feinstein was dead. “Which could be any day nowâ€? her mother added as Danielle stormed towards Forever 21. ____________________________________ Rebecca Caplan is a sophomore TV-­R major who doesn’t care about her date’s alma mater. Email her at rcaplan1@ithaca.edu.

Sawdust

uring a recent trip to Nordstrom Rack over fall break, mother of Ithaca College student Danielle Feinstein ’16, Susan Feinstein, reportedly advised her daughter of the common adage, “Ithaca to bed, Cornell to wed.â€? :KLOH WKH VRSKRPRUH Ă€UVW SHUFHLYHG her mother’s tone as jokingly breezy, upon further investigation it was revealed that the statement was intended with complete seriousness. ´$W Ă€UVW , WKRXJKW QRWKLQJ RI LW EXW then she just started going on and on about her dentist’s son who goes WR &RUQHOO IRU D 3 + ' LQ 1XFOHDU Economic Whatever,â€? the sophomore told Buzzsaw. “And all of sudden I realized ‘oh shit she’s not messing around.’â€? The mother of two allegedly told KHU GDXJKWHU WKDW ´0D\EH LI ZH Ă€QG you some lipstick that doesn’t wash you out those Cornell boys will know

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An Open Letter to the Biggest Buzzkill in Ithaca Cornell grammar Nazi petitions against “Ithaca is Gorges” By Jodi Silverstein

BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

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o Grammar Nazi, we meet again. Was your relentless mission to stop all Cornell students and faculty from ending a sentence with a preposition not enough for you? :HUH \RX QRW VDWLVÀHG ZLWK FRUUHFWLQJ the grammatical errors on every single post that showed up on your Facebook News Feed? Well my friend, or shall I say foe, it has recently come to my attention that you are now petitioning to have the “Ithaca is Gorges” slogan banned simply based on its improper use of grammar. So I’m just going to go straight to the point here and say that “Ithaca is Gorges” is one of the best marketing gimmicks to ever have been created. You see, Grammar Nazi, it’s a lot like the words ‘I love you.’ Those three words just hold so much meaning. I do believe the PDJQLÀFHQFH RI WKLV SKUDVH KDV gone straight over your head. I understand you despise puns, but for someone of such superior knowledge of the language arts, I DP KRQHVWO\ VKRFNHG WKDW \RX ÀQG absolutely no amusement in the “Ithaca is Gorges” motto. But allow me to humor you for a moment. What concerns you is the word “is.” “Gorges” is a noun. A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. Am I doing okay so far? A noun cannot describe another noun. Adjectives are what describe nouns and adjectives almost always come after passive verbs like “is.” Let’s give this lesson an example because that’s what always helped me in second grade. The word “gorgeous” is an adjective. So, if I were to say, “Ithaca is gorgeous,” I would be grammatically and not to mention factually correct. Let’s take this from another angle. What if we used a possessive verb like the word “has?” The phrase “Ithaca has gorges” exhibits proper use of grammar. Not to mention, this phrase, like the phrase “Ithaca is gorgeous” is also factually correct. You know, it’s funny my dear tyrant, while giving myself a swift refresher course on the proper way to form a

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sentence, I discovered something rather comical. The words “gorgeous” and “gorges” sound awfully alike, wouldn’t you agree? Don’t you just love the English language? Let’s continue with the fun and just for a moment, put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. Say you are, I don’t know, the head of a marketing company hired to create a quick, catchy slogan to bring tourists to a small town in central New York. You are told to emphasize on this small town’s best features, but here’s the catch: you can only do it in three words. Well let’s see,

Image by Lizzie Cox

Ithaca’s best feature is arguably its numerous waterfalls and gorges. And wouldn’t you agree that because of these gorges, Ithaca LV JRUJHRXV" +RZ DERXW ZH FRPELQH these two concepts and see what comes of it. Ithaca is Gorges. Yes! I do believe that covers everything we are trying to accomplish. It’s catchy, informative, and relatively humorous. Genius, really. Now putting all fun and games aside Grammar Nazi, seeing as your previous attempts to make the world a more well-­spoken place have ultimately failed, I think you will

ÀQG LW LQ \RXU EHVW LQWHUHVW WR SXW this petition to rest as well. I mean, what exactly were you even trying to accomplish anyway? Were you looking to change the slogan or just get rid of it all together? I don’t know much about marketing but I’m pretty sure people would be less likely to walk around wearing a shirt that says “Ithaca has Gorges” or “Ithaca is Gorgeous.” The latter just seems incredibly arrogant, if you ask me. There are other places in America besides Ithaca, New York that are just as gorgeous if not more and you don’t see t h o s e

places tooting their own horns so openly. I believe I s p e a k for the entire Ithaca community as a whole when I say that your petition is a lot of dumb. It has very stupid. Ithaca is Gorges. Ithaca is gorges as much as Cornell is scary, gothic buildings. Do you get what I’m saying? You feel me? Are you picking up what I’m putting down? Catch my drift? No? Didn’t think so... ____________________________________ Jodi Silberstein is a junior Journalism major who uses there, their, and they’re interchangeably. Email her at jsilber1@ithaca.edu.

Tommy, Can You Hear Me? Deconstructing the newest letter from Ithaca College President Tom Rochon By Sam Colleran

*SV IZIV]SRI´W FIRI½X -´H PMOI XS XEOI E QSQIRX SJ Q] XMQI XS EGX EW E XVERWPEXSV ERH XV] XS FIXXIV LIPT XLI KIRIVEP WXYHIRX FSH] XS YRHIVWXERH 4VIWMHIRX 6SGLSR´W MRXIRHIH QIWWEKI

TRANSLATION: “I can’t make it any more clear. NONE of you are living in hotels. Just let it go.â€? 831 Âą'SRGIVR EFSYX XLI LMKL GSWX SJ college is widespread these days, and for good reasonâ€? TRANSLATION: “We have all of your QSRI] FYX [I´VI NYWX EW GSRGIVRIH EFSYX your savings account as you are. Wait...did you just deposit $40? What a coincidence, RI[ 0EXMR XI\XFSSOW EVI ² 8311= &3= Âą;I LEZI FEWIH QYGL SJ SYV decision-making on our commitment to reduce the annual rate of tuition, room and FSEVH GSWX MRGVIEWIW XS ETTVS\MQEXIP] XLI VEXI SJ MRžEXMSR [MXL E RIEV XIVQ KSEP SJ PIWW than 3 percent.â€?

TOMMY THE PINBALL WIZARD: “... The key changes we have made involve... reorganizing the staff and operating hours of the Hammond Health Center in order to MRGVIEWI FSXL IJ½GMIRG] ERH XLI EZEMPEFMPMX] SJ services to students during the peak demand times.â€? 86%270%8-32 Âą;I ½REPP] ½KYVIH SYX XLEX the whole campus gets sick at the same time, WS [I´PP SRP] FI STIR SRGI IZIV] X[S [IIOW Suck it up and take some damn vitamin C.â€? CAPTAIN ITHACA: “As announced earlier this summer, one measure involves uniting the Physical Therapy program on the Ithaca Campus.â€? 86%270%8-32 Âą48 QENSVW QE] FI KIXXMRK WGVI[IH FYX LS[ EFSYX XLEX 4EVO WGLSSP huh? How great is that place, am I right?â€? THE RULER OF EVERYTHING '300)+-%8) Âą;I [MPP FI QIIXMRK [MXL representatives of the Student Government Association to further discuss our plans...â€? TRANSLATION: “...But we will ultimately listen to approximately 0% of what they say. Hey, have you guys heard this new song ÂąFPYVV] PMRIW²# -X´W TVIXX] GEXGL] ²

MR. T: “To reach the goal of reducing annual MRGVIEWIW [I QYWX ½RH WSQI GSQFMREXMSR of alternative revenue or expenditure savings in the amount of approximately $1.5million.â€?

TOM “I’M PROBABLY GOING TO CENSOR THIS� ROCHON: �I wish you all a wonderful and productive year as IC students.�

TRANSLATION: And you thought Campus 'IRXIV´W JSSH YWIH XS FI KVSWW

86%270%8-32 Âą4PIEWI HSR´X FI WGVI[ YTW this year. We can’t afford it.â€?

Hopefully my translations have helped you to understand the vernacular of our college president ERH GER FI VIJIVIRGIH XLI RI\X XMQI 1V 6SGLSR HIGMHIW XS [VMXI E PIXXIV - JSV SRI SRP] [MWL that it was an event that occurred more often. _____________________________________ Sam Colleran is a sophomore TV-R major who didn’t really want to stay at IC anyway. Email him at scoller1@ithaca.edu.

Image by Lizzie Cox

3RI SJ Q] ½VWX PIWWSRW MR FIMRK E KVS[R YT GEQI JVSQ ½KYVMRK SYX Q] ½RERGMEP aid without the help of my parents. In learning this lesson, I discovered that the 3J½GI SJ *MRERGMEP %MH [MPP RSX TVSZMHI ER] LIPT IMXLIV *MVWX SJJ XLI ½RERGMEP EMH SJ½GI GER RIZIV ½KYVI SYX [LEX information is accurate. One week they tell you one thing, the next week it’s the complete opposite, and then they act PMOI MX [EW ]SYV JEYPX MR XLI ½VWX TPEGI for not knowing. Personally, it seems like E PSX SJ GSRJYWMSR GSYPH FI GPIEVIH YT if you could get the same answer from everyone you talk to. When it comes to FAFSA and having all your stuff in, they’re silent, and then weeks later they send passive aggressive emails listing all the documents you’re missing. Once you HS KIX ]SYV ½RERGMEP EMH TEGOEKI years later), forget trying to get help to FVMHKI XLI KET SV KIX E PMXXPI QSVI QSRI] 6EXLIV XLER WLS[MRK XLI WPMKLXIWX FMX SJ PIRMIRG] -' XSPH QI XS ½KYVI SYX LS[ XS TE] Q] FMPP SV HSR´X GSQI FEGO 2SX SRP] HSIW XLI 3J½GI SJ *MRERGMEP %MH JSVGI ]SY XS ½KYVI IZIV]XLMRK SYX ]SYVWIPJ and provide little to no help with the process, they’re SO unhelpful that they’d VEXLIV ]SY HMHR´X GSQI FEGO MRWXIEH SJ showing a little sympathy. This is wrong SR WS QER] PIZIPW FYX MX VIEPP] KVMRHW Q] KIEVW XLEX XLI TISTPI MR XLI SJ½GI GER´X IZIR TVIXIRH XS PSSO EVSYRH XS ½RH ER extra few thousand for someone who really needs it to the point where not LEZMRK XLEX QSRI] QIERW XLI] [SR´X FI EFPI XS VIXYVR XS WGLSSP 8LI SXLIV XLMRK XLEX QEOIW Q] FPSSH FSMP MW XLEX [LIR I was faced with this situation, I did my own 20 minute Google search and found E WMQTPI IEW] [E] XS WSPZI Q] TVSFPIQ All it took was a two-page form. Why is XLEX - JSYRH XLI WSPYXMSR EPP F] Q]WIPJ RS JVIEOMR´ TVSFPIQ FYX XLI TIVWSR [LS literally does this for a living told me I had no options? The complete lack of help at this school astounds me, especially since XLI PERKYEKI SR XLI [IFWMXI QEOIW ]SY XLMRO XLI]´PP FI [MXL ]SY IZIV] WXIT SJ the way. Here’s my free advice to you: +SSKPI MW E FIXXIV JVMIRH XLER XLI 3J½GI SJ *MRERGMEP %MH IZIV [MPP FI

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Sawdust

86%270%8-32 Âą7S FEWMGEPP] [I´VI YQQ doing this thing where we try to lessen the increased price of going to school here. So we’re still jacking up the prices every year, FYX XLEX MRGVIEWIH TVMGI MW WXMPP PIWW XLER MX GSYPH FI =SY´VI [IPGSQI ²

Google is More Helpful than the 3J½GI SJ Finanacial Aid by Alicia Rosa

If you’re like me, you’re one of the twelve people who took the time to thoroughly read Tom Rochon’s newest, newsiest newsletter to students regarding the rising prices of college XYMXMSR 7SQI SJ ]SY QE] LEZI FIIR GSRJYWIH F] WSQI SJ XLI XLMRKW XLEX 4VIWMHIRX 6SGLSR [EW referencing in this letter. But fear not, for you are not alone.

63',32 ¹;IPGSQI XS GEQTYW SV FEGO XS campus for the 2013-2014 academic year!�

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Buzzsaw Asks Why...

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BUZZSAW: The Local Issue

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