COLLEGIATETIMES
thursday november 6, 2008 blacksburg, va.
www.collegiatetimes.com
today’s parking restrictions Because of tonight’s game against the University of Maryland, cars must be removed from the lots listed below by 4: 10 p.m. or risk being ticketed and towed: > Litton-Reaves/Wallace Lots (located off Washington Street and Duck Pond Drive) > Coliseum Lot (located off Washington Street and Spring Road) > Jamerson Lot (behind the Jamerson Center) > Stadium Lot > Track/Field House Lot (on Spring Road) > Upper & Lower Chicken Hill Lot (located off Southgate Drive) > Vet-Medicine Lot (north-side only) > Health and Safety Lot (located off Tech Center Drive) > Maintenance Lot (located off Southgate Drive) > Engel/Cheatham Lot > Price Hall Lot > Smithfield Lot (located off Smithfield Road) > Architecture Annex-Media Lot > Lower Stanger Lot > Rec Field Lot (off Tech Center Drive) > Shultz Lot (except for the small interior lot next to Turner Street, which F/S may use) > Davidson Hall Lot (only the section parallel to W. Campus Drive) > Wright House Lot > Hahn Lot > Derring Lot (large lot that’s parallel to Perry Street) > Duck Pond Drive Lot (the “Cage”) — only the commuter/ graduate section > Spring Road > Duck Pond – Overflow Lot (located off Oak Lane) > Prices Fork Lot More information can be found online at parking.vt.edu.
sports WOMEN’S SOCCER SHOCKS ‘NOLES The Hokies women’s soccer team won its opening round ACC Tournament match Wednesday against No. 2-seeded Florida State in a shootout. The two teams tied 2-2 after regulation and then went scoreless for two overtime periods. Tech, the seventh seed, outdid the Seminoles 4-2 in the penalty kick shootout.
weather SUNSHINE high 73, low 40
coming up TOMORROW’S CT Get the inside scoop on tonight’s matchup with the Maryland Terrapins.
index News.....................2 Features................3 0pinions................5
Classifieds..............6 Sports....................7 Sudoku..................6
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 105th year issue 100
ALL DRIED UP SHANNON AUD
ct news reporter
Common plastic may cause cancer JUSTIN GRAVES
ct staff writer Nalgene water bottles may have become extremely popular among college students in recent years, but the safety of the trendy water bottles has been called into question of late. BPA, or Bisphenol A, is an organic compound commonly used in the manufacturing of certain plastics, such as Nalgene water bottles. Some researchers believe that BPA is a potential carcinogen, according to the United States National Toxicology Program, though a study has yet to be released confirming or denying this statement. Different options are now being sold that are marketed as “BPA free,” but many consumers, including Virginia Tech students, may still be in danger. NTP conducted a BPA assessment this year and cited that there was some concern for those who had been exposed to even small amounts of Bisphenol A. “We have concluded that the possibility that BPA may affect human development cannot be dismissed,” NTP Associate Director Dr. John Bucher said. Tamim Younos, research professor in the Geography Department and Associate Director of Water Resources Research Center at Tech, added that plastic pollution is a concern for multiple reasons. “Possible contaminant release to water from plastic
bottle, and environmental impacts of plastic bottle disposal (are two of these reasons),” Younos said. The effect of the chemical is also very important, and has received considerable media attention. BPA is so widespread that many plastic bottle users may have traces of it in their bodies. An article written for the Associated Press by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, cites that consumers need to “get to know your plastics.” “Consider powdered infant formula instead of liquid formula in cans,” AlonsoZaldivar said. “Cut down on canned foods.”
“The possibility that BPA may affect human development cannot be dismissed.” - DR. JOHN BUCHER NTP ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR For those wishing to avoid BPA, other common tips include not microwaving food in any kind of plastic container and avoiding containers labeled with number seven as its recycling number or the letters “PC.” BPA is also found in polycarbonate plastic baby bottles, so buyers should steer clear of those as well. “Contaminant release from some type of plastic bottle is a controversial issue,” Younos said. “The core of the controversy is the use of hard plastic polycarbonate water bottles, specifically bottles that use
… BPA which is approved by the FDA.” Last year, the FDA submitted a study that cited BPA as safe, noting that no real harm is imminent to consumers. No direct correlation has been found to support the idea that individuals exposed to minimal amounts of BPA had any health issues. “Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration issued a scientific assessment that BPA is safe and asked independent scientists to review its conclusion,” Alonso-Zaldivar said. “That report found that the FDA… did not consider all the evidence and its margin of safety for human exposure.” “Overall, plastic pollution is not unique to bottled water. It transcends many industries and consumer products,” Younos said. “Understanding of plastic pollution hazards will lead to more consumer and regulatory awareness that will encourage and perhaps mandate recycling, purchasing of biodegradable bottled waters, and using other non-plastic and recyclable bottles.” Possibly, the imminent action will provide for many more BPA-free water bottles, and less contamination and danger to consumers who use the bottles. It is widely believed that if scientific evidence against BPA mounts, Congress may try to restrict some uses for the chemical. Just short of a ban of BPA as a whole, Canada recently banned the chemical in all baby bottles.
Smith Mountain Lake, a vacation and retirement spot in the midst of the Appalachian Mountains, now finds itself in the midst of a dry spell, and though lower water levels have been seen before, new complications over a resolution to the problem have surfaced. Russell Jones, chairman of the Tri-County Relicensing Committee at Smith Mountain Lake, is concerned with the current solution enacted by the State Water Control Board. Smith Mountain Lake is located upstream from the dam in the Stanton River, while many residential areas are located downstream, in shallow water regions. Many residents have felt they have not been allocated enough water since the dam was built in 1960. “We’re in a situation that only occurs about 10 percent or less of the time, which is a back-to-back drought,” Jones said. “If there were no drought, one would still argue the water release, but it wouldn’t affect the lake so much. The drought is going to end someday, the lake will recharge someday and then it won’t be as much as of a contentious issue because there will be more than enough
Because of this shortfall, a permit was passed in midOctober to regulate the discharge from the lake, said Scott Kudlas, director of the Office of Surface and Ground Water Supply at the Virginia State Water Control Board. “The discharge is going to be managed more actively than in the past and modified based on the inflow,” Kudlas said. “We are in a fairly significant drought cycle.” Bruce Parker, a retired Virginia Tech biology professor, has studied Smith Mountain Lake for years; he and his students have produced about half the scientific papers on the geology and biology of the lake. He equates most of the problems to drought, which he says is nothing new for the lake. By using sediment cores — studied through carbon-14 dating — he and his students have been able to identify the periods of time that Smith Mountain Lake has had low levels in the past. It has occurred several times, including 1655, 1751, between 1805 and 1820, and from 1890 to 1910. He said the lake, which began shrinking in 2000, has been this low before. “The study that my students
water to go around.” Jones argued that the dam should release water in accordance with the natural flow regime of the river. The natural flow regime means releasing the water the way the Stanton River did before it was dammed — as if it were uninterrupted. “We were first thinking it should flow with a natural flow routine, the natural conditions,” Jones said. “There are people and businesses downstream that require more water but in the sum of the two, the permitted needs and natural flow regime, you get about 375 cubic feet per second of water being released. We are saying we can provide this water as long as we have it to share.” Releasing more water than the natural conditions permit penalizes the lake even more than a drought would. Teresa Rogers, process supervisor at Appalachian Power Company, the group that oversees the license for Smith Mountain Lake, said that there is typically an artificial minimum flow of 650 cubic feet per second of water into the lake, but because of the drought, the stream was considerably smaller. “What’s going out is greater than what is going in to the lake,” Rogers said.
see DRY, page two
Gubernatorial hopeful sees blue future in Va ZACH CRIZER
ct news reporter Speaking with the Collegiate Times via phone from a rally yesterday in Charlottesville, Democratic state Senator Creigh Deeds said Mark Warner and Barack Obama are laying a positive groundwork for the Democratic party in Virginia. “Mark Warner has the best crossover appeal I’ve ever seen,” Deeds said. “He is the model of success for Democrats in Virginia.” Deeds said Virginia moved toward Democrats because they see results. “I think Virginia is turning
blue because Democrats do a better job of governing,” Deeds said. “As Mark Warner and Barack Obama have said, ‘It’s not about right or left, it’s about right or wrong.’” Deeds spent his weekend campaigning for Virginia Democrats in southwest Virginia. Yesterday, he was hitting the polls for Congressional candidate Tom Perriello. He was optimistic that Virginia would come in for Obama. “Barack Obama has captured people’s imagination all over the state.” Deeds said. Looking forward to his gubernatorial campaign, Deeds said Democrats would have an advantage going in, thanks to
Obama and Warner. “Barack Obama has invested more time and money in Virginia than any other Presidential candidate,” Deeds said. “He has built an infrastructure that will be useful for Virginia Democrats down the road.” Working polls for congressional candidate Tom Perriello on Tuesday, Deeds said he witnessed a change in the attitude of America. He told the story of a middle-aged woman who asked him for help, as she had never voted before. He credits the new energy to Presidentelect Obama.
see DEEDS, page two
Marching band leads food drive THE MARCHING VIRGINIGIANS CONDUCTS THEIR 12TH ANNUAL ‘HOKIES FOR THE HUNGRY’ FOOD DRIVE TODAY. MULTIPLE COLLECTIONS SITES WILL BE SET UP AROUND LANE STADIUM BEFORE THE GAME AGAINST MARYLAND. RILEY PRENDERGAST
ct news reporter As Thanksgiving is right around the corner, Virginia Tech students will have the opportunity to do their part to ensure every family in the New River Valley will have some food on their tables to celebrate the holiday. The Marching Virginians will host the “Hokies for the Hungry” caned food drive tonight at stations around Lane Stadium. They have sponsored the event every Thursday night football game for the past 12 years and are still serving as one of the main donors to the Montgomery County Christmas Store food shelf. “The Marching Virginians are definitely the main source of our donations,” said Joan Cliff, a coordinator for the MCCS food department, “We have a few schools in the county that donate and the Greek organizations will sometimes hold collections, but this definitely
brings in the most.” The MCCS has been in operation since 1982 and served more than 1,316 families last year, said Merilyn Armstrong, a coordinator for the MCCS. “It is for residents of Montgomery County,” Armstrong said. “They must fill out an application to be eligible for the Christmas Store. They are then given a date and time to come and shop.”
“... we served over 1,316 families last year.” - MERILYN ARMSTRONG MCCS COORDINATOR With the sheer amount of families in need in Montgomery County during the holiday season, the MVs are looking to help out anyway they can. “It’s not often that we can get out there and help the community. Especially with the economy the way it is right now there is a huge need for donations. It’s a great way to help this area, because they really do a lot for us,” said Jason Christensen, a senior mechanical engineering major and the executive officer for the MVs, “This is really to help those in need, especially during the holiday season with Thanksgiving and Christmas.” The MVs will be breaking their larger band into eight separate pep bands on game day and positioning
themselves in major tailgate areas to encourage fans to donate their cans and spare change. “We accept both cash and canned food,” Christensen said, “They will mostly be in parking lots playing for different people.” The drop off points for donations will be located in the Chicken Hill lot, the Litton-Reaves lot, the South End zone, the parking lot of the police station, the Cassel Coliseum lot, the Duckpond lot, at the MV practice field located at the Miller Johnson track across from the stadium and at all four corners of Lane Stadium. “We are always in need of money donations, but it goes into the general fund of the Christmas Store, but the money donations don’t necessarily help the food department,” Cliff said. “The money helps the Christmas Store, though.” Christmas Store is in desperate need of canned vegetables, fruit, soup, tuna fish, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, beans and canned pasta. “We give every family one of each of them (items listed above), and then they are allowed to go through the store and select what they need, but we make sure that each family have what they need,” Cliff said. The Store is open for five days a year, and is still looking for volunteers; those interested can help by visiting its Web site at www.mcchristmasstore.org for more information.
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