The black Nike Pro Combat jerseys worn by Virginia Tech football players in the Hokies game against Boise State were auctioned off on Hokiesports.com to benefit Herma’s Readers, a charity launched by Frank Beamer to promote literacy in Virginia.
25%
$78,957
Thursday, September 23, 2010
10 most expensive uniforms
Charity in the black
1. Tyrod Taylor #5 - $2,820 2. Ryan WIlliams #34 - $2,525 3. Trey Gresh #14 - $2,350 4. Logan Thomas #3 - $2,115 5. Davon Morgan #2 - $2,105 6. Antone Exum #1 - $2,010 7. David Wilson #4 - $1,787 8. Marcus Davis #7 - $1,517 9. Danny Coale #19 - $1,485 10. Andre Smith #88 - $1,155
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School board, parents angered by BHS decision SARAH WATSON news reporter Dozens of parents, teachers and residents expressed frustrations to the school board Tuesday night over the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors’ sudden vote to repair the old Blacksburg High School building instead of constructing a new one. Last week, the board of supervisors decided in a surprise 5-2 vote to repair the BHS facility at an estimated
cost of $14 million instead of approving the Montgomery County School Board’s proposal for a $124 million new BHS along with a new Auburn High School and a renovated Auburn Middle School. The issue has split county residents since the BHS gym collapsed on Feb. 13. Now that the board of supervisors has decided, the only people who can bring the issue back to the table would be one of the two members who voted against the decision, chair-
woman Annette Perkins and board member Mary Biggs. After the vote, many residents expressed anger that their points of view were not heard at the meeting before the vote was taken. The vote was not on last Monday’s agenda and was taken at the end of the meeting. Tuesday night, parents and residents urged the school board to try to challenge the board of supervisors decision. “As a taxpayer, I support the con-
cept of building a new facility for all Auburn secondary schools and a new Blacksburg High School,” said Stanley Mathis, a Blacksburg resident. BHS teacher Matthew Repass said he believes investing $14 million in the old BHS building would only create further problems down the road. “We’re in an area that wants to invent the future, but we’re trying to repair the past,” Repass said. Some parents expressed concerns for their children’s safety.
“My child will not go back in that school,” said parent Barbara Brady. Virginia Tech chemistry professor Felicia Etzkorn is concerned about losing businesses and faculty members in the area. “We have great people, we need to give them good facilities,” Etzkorn said. School board members also discussed worries over losing students and funding.
“We’re losing them already,” said Joe Ivers, county school board member. Between both BHS and Blacksburg Middle School enrollment numbers, the county has lost about 75 students from the last academic year to the current one. The budget for next school year will reflect enrollment changes. School board member Walt Shannon said the county would lose $4,200 per student lost.
Skydiving team takes home another gold ‘Daily Show’ rally drawing thousands of fans, allies to D.C. CLAIRE SANDERSON news reporter
A team of five recent Virginia Tech graduates landed a historic win in the U.S. Parachute Association’s National Skydiving Championships. Doug Barron, Joey Coffineau, Andrew Happick, Jamie Sides and Benjamin Worrall’s team, Carolina Turbo XP, took home the gold in the advanced class of the national four-way formation competition in Chicago on Sept. 12. “This was the first time in history that anyone’s won gold in two classes backto-back,” Coffineau said. “We won in the intermediate class last year and this year we won the advanced competition. It still hasn’t really sunk in yet.” The U.S. Parachute Association is the main skydiving organization in the country, with more than 32,000 members, according to Nancy Koreen, the association’s director of sport promotion. “USPA hosts the national competition at a different drop zone each year,” Koreen said. This year the skydiving nationals were held at a 220-acre skydiving resort called Skydive Chicago. The teams compete in different variations of competitions. Two different styles of competition are eight-way and four-way formations. “For the competition, we jumped from 10,500 feet. They judge the first 35 seconds of our freefall, then we separate, which is called breaking up, at about 4,000 feet and we pull our parachutes at about 3,000 feet,” Happick said. During the team’s 35 seconds of free fall, members have a series of formations they must complete as many times as they can. “There’s a camera flyer who’s actually a member of the team. He wears a camera on his helmet and jumps with the team,”
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The team freefalls during the advanced four-way formation competition on Sept. 12 in Chicago. A videographer generally jumps with all of the teams, to create images for judges to use during scoring. Koreen said. “He films the team as they free fall and complete their formations.” On the Carolina Turbo XP team, Sides functions as the camera flyer, or videographer. “My job is to fall with the team and when we land, I give the video to the judges so that they can see how well we did on the formations,” Sides said. “Shooting video gives you the freedom to be as artistic as you want to be,” he said. “I can turn my body and fly down below the formation to get a different angle, it’s up to me. But I always have to keep the entire team in the camera’s view. Every jump is different and every jump poses a different challenge.” Sides has been skydiving since he
was 18 — the minimum age to jump — because his parents owned a skydive center in Pennsylvania. He joined Tech’s skydiving club, VT Skydiving, when he came to campus. There, he met the other future members of the competition team. “A few years ago they put together a team and asked me to be their videographer, and of course I didn’t decline,” Sides said. “It’s just too much fun.” Coffineau said the team came together naturally. “We were all here at Tech, and we were the only four with our licenses at the time,” Coffineau said. “Right from the beginning we could tell it was going to work out.”
Cooking up a fresh idea
Coffineau had also been skydiving before he arrived at Tech. “I tried it when I was 18 and got addicted,” Coffineau said. “VT Skydiving was awesome. I wouldn’t be able to be where I am today without it. It was such an awesome group of people, and we got some great discounts through the club, which made jumping a lot more feasible for me.” Happick also benefited from some of the club’s discounts, saying that his first jump was made possible because he won a club raffle for a free tandem jump. “I knew that I loved it after that,” see SKYDIVING / page two
WASHINGTON — The moment Shawna Riley heard Jon Stewart lay out his plans to hold a “Rally to Restore Sanity” on the National Mall Oct. 30, she raced to get online and book her hotel and airline tickets. The 41-year-old owner of an advertising firm, who lives in Marble Falls, Texas, described the event as “one of those we-got-to-be-there moments.” “I think people are going to be pouring in from around the country,” she said. “We’re tired of the fear-mongering in the mainstream media.” Stewart’s event — for people “who think shouting is annoying, counterproductive, and terrible for your throat,” according to the rally website — is the comedian’s latest mischievous gambit to send up today’s overwrought political discourse. This time, he is keying off the “Restoring Honor” rally hosted by conservative commentator Glenn Beck last month. Stewart’s faux nemesis, fellow Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert, will be holding his own counter “March to Keep Fear Alive” at the same time. But their fans are not taking it as a joke. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 132,000 people planned to attend, according to the event’s
Facebook page, while satellite rallies were being organized in Chicago, Seattle, Austin and other cities. Those who have signed up are embracing the rally as the beginning of a new political movement. “Finally, a voice for the people in the middle,” a high school senior from Ohio posted on Facebook. “I know people like me are frustrated at seeing what’s going on with the Tea Party and the amount of press they’re getting,” said Jim Baum, 55, a private building inspector and farmer who is organizing a Rally to Restore Sanity in Seattle. “It’s getting shown as if it’s more of a trend nationally than it actually is. A lot of us would like to counter those people.” But Stewart, of course, is a comedian, not a political leader, and it remains unclear exactly what his fans are going to get when they assemble on theNational Mall. While the event is still in the planning stages, people familiar with the discussions said it will be about entertainment, not a political call-to-action. Stewart said as much when pressed about it on “The Daily Show” earlier this week by his guest, former President Jimmy Carter. “I heard about a rally,” Carter said. “So you’re getting involved in politics?” see RALLY / page two
Illinois becomes first state to require bilingual preschools TARA MALONE mcclatchy newspapers
Executive chef Mark Bratton of West End Market made this steak and zucchini dish during the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market Chef Roulette competition Wednesday afternoon. photo by maziar fahandezh
CHICAGO — With his navy slacks and dress shirt still creased from his mother’s iron, 4-year-old Edenzoe Diaz reported for his first day of preschool to learn his letters in English and Spanish. He got his first lesson as he stepped into the classroom. Teacher Tania Miranda asked her newest student to copy the letters of his name onto an attendance sheet. “Primero, esta letra,” Miranda said, pointing to the “E” of his nametag. Edenzoe speaks no English, his mother said. But in this bilingual classroom at Chicago’s Edwards Center for Young Learners — a public school in the shadow of Midway Airport — he will receive the same support that for years has been offered starting in kindergarten. As the school year begins, Illinois becomes the first state to mandate that public schools with preschool programs offer a bilingual education to 3- and 4year-olds who don’t speak English. Under the new regulations, school
COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Three-year-olds line up to go outside for playtime at Edwards Center for Young Learners, a bilingual preschool in Chicago, Illinois. officials must determine whether students speak another language at home and measure how well they speak and understand English. They then must offer those who need it a seat in a bilingual preschool class, where they study
basic academic skills in their native language as they learn English. Calling preschool the new front door to the school system, education experts see SCHOOLS / page two
2 newsSkydiving: Former Tech students to go pro
university editor: philipp kotlaba, liana bayne, gordon block newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
september 23, 2010
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Bombing in Iran kills at least 12 BEIRUT — A bombing Wednesday at a martial parade in western Iran killed at least 12 people, including a 5-year-old child and the wives of two Iranian military commanders. The explosion struck amid a large crowd attending the event, which was intended to underscore the nation’s battle readiness. Another 75 people were injured, at least 12 seriously, in what officials described as a “terrorist attack.” No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, which occurred in the restive ethnic Kurdish city of Mahabad. But Iranian officials quickly pointed the finger at the United States, and the local Friday prayer leader blamed “Zionists.” “As the investigations indicate, the attack has foreign backing,” provincial governor Vahid Jalalzadeh told state television. “Unfortunately, the Americans and their allies are in the region.” According to Iranian media, the bomb struck pedestrians gathered along a Mahabad sidewalk to watch an annual Sacred Defense Week military parade commemorating the victims of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. Initial news accounts described the attack as a suicide bombing. But state radio later reported that the bomb was placed in the branches of a pine tree. The semi-official Mehr news agency said the 11 a.m. explosion took place 55 yards away from the podium where military brass were watching the proceedings and that two of those killed were the wives of senior military commanders. -borzou daragahi, mcclatchy newspapers
CORRECTIONS JUSTIN GRAVES -Contact our public editor at publiceditor@ collegiatetimes.com if you see anything that needs to be corrected.
from page one
Happick said. The team competes as a hobby now, but would eventually like to jump professionally. “Now that we’ve won two gold medals in two divisions it’s time to take it to the next level — professional,” Sides said. “It’s now become more of a commitment.” “I know I would really love to do it professionally,” Coffineau said. “It’s hard on your body, but it’s really fun, and it definitely beats a desk job.”
As with any sport, the team trained frequently before winning its national title. “I think we did about 150 practice jumps throughout the year,” Happick said. He said the team also practiced at a vertical wind tunnel in Raeford, North Carolina. The wind tunnel functions as a training tool that simulates the experience of a freefall. “We have to get together and we have to train because we’re competing against the best in the world,” Sides said.
Sides, now a skydiving instructor, said after every tandem jump he makes with first timers, he asks them how they felt as they jumped out of the plane. “No one can really describe it,” he said. “It’s just something you have to experience. It’s so surreal.” “I just hit my 4,000th jump, but still to this day, when we’re getting ready to exit the airplane, I still get those butterflies and those nerves,” Sides said. “But that’s what I love about it.” Coffineau said the rush doesn’t go away with familiarity.
“You’re mouth gets really dry, your throat starts throbbing, and your heart starts racing. All that stuff still gets me,” Coffineau said. Koreen said anyone interested skydiving or who wants to learn how to make the first jump can find information at www.uspa.org. Sides said those seeking freedom would enjoy skydiving. “It’s just you flying through the sky,” Sides said. “And it’s the best stress reliever in the world. After a stressful day of work, it even beats out a cold beer.”
Schools: Spanish emphasized Rally: Gaining steam on Internet from page one
say the change could help to narrow the academic divide. “If you start early, there’s a very good promise that you will not have achievement gap issues later on,” said Eugene Garcia, an education professor atArizona State University and former chair of the National Task Force for the Early Education of Hispanics. “What Illinois has done is take the lead in the state policy arena.” But from Carpentersville to Champaign, Illinois school districts are hurrying to comply with the requirements that come without additional funding, even as they brace for another year of dwindling reserves and funding delays. “It seems as though this is just creating a problem unnecessarily,” said Superintendent Roger Prosise of Diamond Lake School District 76, where nearly a quarter of the district’s 1,170 students are new to English. The mandate covers 585 preschool programs run and funded by public districts, serving about 85,000 students, state officials said. It stems from a 2009 state law that extended bilingual services to preschool. The new rules laid out what was expected. One of the most worrisome changes for school administrators is a requirement that by 2014, teachers in bilingual preschool classes must be certified in bilingual instruction or English as a second language as addition to early childhood education. But the supply of educators holding both certifications doesn’t currently meet the demand. Cicero School District 99 started urging preschool teachers to get their bilingual credentials two years ago. In the southwest suburb — where more than half of its 13,700 students speak limited English — 6 of 36 preschool sections are bilingual, Supt. Donna
Adamic said. But most still rely on a Spanish-speaking aide to help the English-speaking teachers. “We have as many bilingual teachers as we can possibly find,” said Adamic, noting the district even recruited educators from Spain. “It’s not like you can just go out tomorrow and hire 10 of them.” Preschool teacher Victoria Quillen took night and summer classes to earn her certification to teach English as a second language from the Erickson Institute. “For most of these kids, it’s the very first time in school. So, I do a lot of things in English and Spanish to help them understand,” said Quillen, who teaches at Cicero West Elementary School. In Mundelein, Diamond Lake School District 76 devotes two classrooms to preschool, teaching children their letters and numbers primarily in English. A Spanish-speaking aide helps students who need a hand in their native language. Both teachers are studying for a certificate in English as a second language. Prosise said parents signed waivers because the program does not square with the new state policy. “This will impact my district in a significant way because neither of my pre-K teachers is bilingual,” he said. Many cash-strapped schools worry how to shoulder the costs of the new requirements as their preschool budgets already have been slashed. Of the 199 comments submitted about the new rules, “a lack of funding was an overarching concern,” according to state officials. West Chicago School District 33 reduced its preschool program from 13 classes to 7 this year and went from serving 300 students — all of them low-income or new to English — to 80, said early childhood education
Principal Sandy Warner. “The only factor is funding. That’s going to dictate the number of students served,” said Kristina DavisSalazar, the district’s director of second language learning. Eight percent of the state’s 2.1 million public school students speak limited English, a number that grew in size and spread geographically during the past decade, state records show. Most of them are in the first years of school. In 2008, for instance, 13,782 children enrolled in bilingual preschool classes. That was up from 828 students 10 years earlier, a state analysis found. Educators expect the number will continue to grow as districts assess incoming preschoolers. Under existing Illinois law, schools must offer a bilingual classroom when at least 20 students share a native language other than English. When there are fewer students, English as a second language is offered. “What we don’t want to do is just throw children into an Englishspeaking program without any support when they are supposed to learn reading, writing and arithmetic. That’s really our major concern,” said Barbara Bowman, the acting chief officer of early childhood education for Chicago Public Schools. On a recent afternoon at Edwards Academy for Young Learners, where a third of the school’s 187 students take bilingual classes, Miranda helped her preschoolers settle into their new routine. Head teacher Oriana Wilson said the school urged teachers to earn their bilingual certification even before the new law. “Yes, it’s a piece of paper,” she said. “But it’s also a reflection of our students.”
from page one
“No,” Stewart replied. “But it’s going to be pretty funny. It’s going to be a good skit.” The comedian, on tour to promote his newest book, told Oprah Winfrey Tuesday that he has no intention of ever running for office. Still, in hosting the rally, Stewart appears to be moving closer to participating in the very establishment he lampoons. And the exuberant response to the event speaks to his outsize influence on the country’s political culture. (Winfrey even tweeted that Stewart was “on to something” with his rally.) “I think this puts him in the powerhouse in a new way,” said Lorrie Sparrow, 45, a business analyst, who plans to drive all night from Xenia, Ohio, to attend the event with two friends and her 8-year-old son. “We tread lightly, but he does truly wield a big stick in his fan base.” Sparrow said her son chose to see Stewart over going trick-ortreating. (Though he does still plan to wear his skeleton costume.) “I told him, something like this might be like Woodstock — you might be able to say, ‘I was at the Rally to Restore Sanity,’” she said. “We want to send a message to Washington that there are a lot of us out here that want you to get something done and stop pandering to the fringe.”
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Facebook privacy issues resolved SAN FRANCISCO — Canada’s privacy commissioner said Wednesday that Facebook has resolved concerns she raised a year ago over third-party access to the social networking service’s users. Jennifer Stoddart said in a statement that changes Facebook put in place met privacy expectations under Canadian law. Before the changes, users who wanted to play games or access third-party applications had to make all of their information available. In May, Facebook changed its policy, requiring applications to tell users what parts of their profile the applications want to access and to get permission to access them. Facebook also changed its privacy settings to give users more control over what information they share and with whom. “We’re also pleased that Facebook has developed simplified privacy settings and has implemented a tool that allows users to apply a privacy setting to each photo or comment they post,” Stoddart said. But Stoddart said her agency is looking into other complaints, including Facebook’s invitation feature and the “Like” buttons on other websites that tell users’ Facebook friends what they like there. She said she has asked Facebook to “continue to improve its oversight of application developers” and cautioned Facebook against making more types of information available to everyone on the Internet without giving its users control over that information through its privacy settings. “Facebook is constantly evolving, and we are actively following the changes there — as well as on other social networking sites,” Stoddart added. Facebook, which has more than 500 million users worldwide, 15 million of whom are in Canada, has drawn increased scrutiny from regulators in the United States and abroad over privacy concerns. Facebook is not alone: Google and other large Internet companies also have wrestled with complaints. -jessica guynn, mcclatchy newspapers
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september 23, 2010
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Volunteering in college: who, what and where irst and foremost, we need to take a moment of silence for Fighting F Gravity getting knocked out early on “America’s Got Talent.” I promised my co-workers I wouldn’t make this article about Fighting Gravity, but I think I speak for all of us when I say they blew the blues singer out of the water. The members of Fighting Gravity left Virginia Tech for a while to fulfill their dreams, but for the rest of us there’s a lot of work to be done. Going to classes, working a parttime job, logging hours with an internship, participating in clubs, trying to have some kind of social life — that probably sounds something like your typical schedule, so what do you think about this: In a nonscientific poll conducted in front of D2, a little more than half of students asked said they were interested in volunteering. But with all the different things we have to do in our lives, like school and jobs, where does volunteering fit in? I’m not talking about playing with puppies or braiding your best friend’s hair. And I’m not talking about the other extreme: Feeling like you have to save the world one food pantry at a time. Volunteering isn’t what it used to be back in the day either, when women had to tend to wounded soldiers and carry bricks across large fields. Not sure why they were carrying bricks, but moving on. What I’m trying to say is the face of volunteering is changing. If there is something you’re interested in, you can volunteer for it. If there is something you’re good at, there’s a way to volunteer. You can make a difference by using the skills you are strengthening while you’re here at school. Landscapers, engineers, accountants, your skills are needed! If you are good at bookkeeping and are willing
to help a struggling non-profit, it can be the difference between an organization tanking or staying afloat. Graphic designers are in high demand. You digital geniuses could charge out the wazoo for your services, but volunteering an hour of your time per week to help a food pantry with advertising could get it the money to expand the pantry and feed more families in need. The easiest way to start thinking about incorporating volunteering into your life is to think about how much time you have to spare. Once you find your availability, take your pick. You have about a billion choices for where to volunteer. For a ton of ways to volunteer, even if it’s just for an hour or two, visit www.vtserves.vt.edu and click on the link that says “Want to Volunteer? Click here.” For those of you that are hesitating, this is not in any way a scam. It’s a reputable campus website that makes it really easy to volunteer. The thing about volunteering that sets it apart from all of the other things we do to beef up our resumes is that volunteering shows you care about something bigger than yourself. It’s not about gain. It shows employers that you like to take the time to help others, which isn’t something that most part-time jobs or required internships can do. So think about what you’re good at, even if your major is basket weaving and your hobby is beer pong. Get off the couch and call around until you find a place that can use you and your skills; and trust me, it won’t take long. The Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships can help place you with an organization that matches your interests. Just send an e-mail to engage@vt.edu.
Boucher supports Tech, district, not party politics s many of you know, there is an election coming in November. AAs students at Virginia Tech, we are part of Virginia’s 9th district congressional district. Rep. Rick Boucher, a Democrat, has been serving our district and our university for 28 years. He is the 10th most powerful congressman. In politics, seniority is extremely important when it comes to convincing other members. Boucher is one of the few congressmen who truly represents the people of his district. He cares, first and foremost, about our needs. As a registered voter in the 9th district, I am proud to say that I support him. In politics, there is an old adage that says, “The only way is up.” This means that a state delegate dreams of being a state senator. From there, he or she dreams of being a governor or congressman. Once a congressman, the representative runs for senator. Once in the Senate, if he plays his cards right, he can run for president or vice cresident. Boucher is different. He has no intention of being a senator. He ran for Congress in the early 1980s simply to represent the people of the 9th district. He fights for us every day in the House of Representatives, and his party does not influence him. He votes based on the wishes of his constituents. He understands the amount of influence he has in his current position, which enables him to maximize the help we can receive. Boucher was born and raised in Abington, Virginia, which is located in the 9th district. He cares deeply about Tech. Recently, he helped secure funds
for the Virginia Tech Airport, as well as more than $19 million to promote Tech’s new program in bioinformatics. From a conceptual perspective, Boucher has helped Tech and Blacksburg become attactive for employers. He helped secure a federal grant of nearly $2 million to expand the Corporate Research Center. Currently, the CRC has more than 100 companies. With Boucher’s help, the CRC will double in size, employing up to 2,500 talented individuals. He has done more for rural areas of Virginia than some of the past four governors have done. For instance, Boucher secured $5 million to install 110 miles of new ultra-high-speed broadband fiber from Blacksburg, through six counties, to the Virginia Tech Carillion School of Medicine in Roanoke. Also, he helped to provide clean drinking water to workers in coal areas. He understands the big picture. He fights for rural areas more than any congressman in Washington. Last year, I lobbied for undergraduate students in Richmond. I fought for more student rights, attempting to stop state infringement on our right to benefit from our own student fees. Through hard work and perseverance, student governments around Virginia were able to ensure that our student fee reserve money was not taken by the state government. I will never forget my interactions with Morgan Griffith, Boucher’s opponent this November, who serves as the House Majority Leader. When I was discussing my issues with him, he seemed disinterested and
was more focused on himself than the people of Virginia. I assure you Griffith would not be a friend of Tech to the extent Boucher is. His primary focus is on furthering his own career. He would have absolutely no influence in Washington, and he would vote in favor of his party, regardless of his constituents’ needs. I also assure you that broadband access, which has been one of Boucher’s priorities for years, would not be a priority of Morgan Griffith. He simply does not get “it.” I am an independent voter and I vote based on policy rather than party. I care deeply about our university and its future, which is why I decided to write a column about the upcoming election. Virginia Tech simply cannot afford someone like Morgan Griffith being elected into office. It would set our university back years and cripple our district’s influence in Washington. Rick Boucher is one of the most genuine, sincere people I have ever met. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting several congressmen, and the rhetoric is usually the same. However, Rick Boucher truly cares about us. He would do anything for the 9th district of Virginia. I urge you to vote for Rick Boucher in November, because he truly is Virginia Tech.
BRANDON CARROLL -regular columnist -senior -economics major
LEXI EDWARDS -guest columnist
Don’t let parents decide your Middle East peace effort destiny, find own passions requires courage, power ne of the most extraordinary moments in recent Middle East O history came in 1993, when the world discovered that Israeli and Palestinian teams had held secret peace talks. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, formerly sworn enemies, came together on the White House lawn, formalizing their commitment to peace. The decision, and that memorably awkward hand-shake, prodded along by President Bill Clinton, required uncommon courage. They called it the Peace of the Brave. The term deserves dusting off because it highlights one of the key requirements for peace, and one whose absence could prove the undoing of the new effort unfolding under U.S. sponsorship. Bravery, courage, are indispensable because no matter how comforting the idea of peace, reaching an agreement between Israelis and Palestinians is a frighteningly dangerous process. To reach a deal, the leaders — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas — must make compromises that will break the hearts of millions of their followers. They will have to accept terms that will anger some enough that they will kill. And they will have to sign on to borders that could make their land — especially in Israel’s case — vulnerable to unthinkable risks. The euphoric events of 1993 gave way to disappointment, but they also helped draw the blueprint guiding the new quest for peace. No one claims the new effort suffers from unrealistic expectations. When the leaders of Iran, Hamas or Hezbollah say the process will fail they remind us of their plan. Their solution is the destruction of Israel and its replacement with a fundamentalist Muslim regime; an alternative, backed by weapons, militias and money, that looms over the peace talks like a thick dark shadow, but also provides some of the impetus to persevere. Ironically, the negotiating sides already agree on the solution’s rough
outlines. With the possible exception of the future of Jerusalem, everyone knows what is required for peace. Even more frustrating is the subject of closest agreement has become the most contentious. Partly because of missteps by the Obama administration, the issue of settlements has moved front and center and could provide a timid Mahmoud Abbas a way out of the talks. Abbas says without a settlement freeze he will pull out. Netanyahu says this should be resolved “through direct continuous talks.” Already in the Clinton days that problem was essentially solved. Settlements take up about 4 percent of the disputed land. To be sure, tough disagreements remain. But a basic obstacle to peace today is that Abbas, the Palestinian representative, appears to lack the power, the legitimacy and, yes, the courage, to close a deal. Abbas, who rules only over the West Bank, asked for permission from the Arab League, to start negotiations. When talks started in Washington, Hamas, which controls Gaza’s 1.5 million Palestinians, signaled its rejection by murdering more Israelis. Adding irony to this sad situation, majorities of Palestinians and Israelis desperately want a peace deal. But in the Arab world, public opinion carries less weight. Writing in the influential Arab daily Ashar alAwsat, Mamoun Fandy wrote, “The Palestinian division is not simply an internal one, as some may think, but is first an Arab division, and secondly a regional one.” Even if Abbas achieved an agreement, he argued, he would find much of the Arab world pressuring Palestinians to reject it. That’s why Abbas announced soon after leaving Washington that, “I can’t allow myself to make even one concession.” If he meant that, the new peace process is already over. Clearly, these are not the words from a man with the courage to make the peace of the brave. But then, Arafat ultimately lost his nerve. Maybe Abbas can find his.
FRIDA GHITIS -mcclatchy newspapers
feel pressured to live your parents’ dream? EDidver you choose your major not because you love it, but because your parents wanted you to? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, then don’t be surprised — you aren’t the only one who is facing this dilemma. Many of my friends are still facing this problem and, once upon a time, I did too. One of my closest friends here at Virginia Tech got accepted to the prestigious film program at the University of California, Berkeley. Since her childhood she was deeply interested in film and wanted to become a director when she grew up. But, she found that the profession she wanted to pursue was only good in dreams and not necessarily realistic. One of the reasons she couldn’t attend UC-Berkeley is because it’s an out-of-state school and she would have to pay twice as much for tuition as she is paying to attend Tech. With the plummeting economy and insufficient financial aid, she couldn’t attend her dream school — but this was far from the main reason. The primary reason she didn’t go to school in California, and is majoring in biology here at Tech, is her parents’ desire for her to attend medical school and become a doctor. They don’t care what kind of doctor she becomes; they just want that prefix in front of their daughter’s name. It’s the same story for my residential advisor as well. She is a senior this year and will be graduating next semester with a double major in biology and psychology. She wanted to study psychology but was forced to
add biology as a major just because her parents want her to go to medical school. She will be graduating in less than a year, but she doesn’t know what she wants to do with biology major and has been questioning if she even wants to become a doctor. Sadly enough, I have found this issue common among my Asian friends, especially those of South Asian heritage. Their decisions, from day-to-day decisions to life long decisions, are greatly influenced by their parents. Having been raised by South Asian parents, I believe parents in our culture see us as an extension of themselves. They want us to achieve what they could not. This weekend, I had dinner with a Nepali family and got a chance to ask about their opinion on this issue. From what they told me, it’s true that parents want their children to achieve goals that they could not. But, it also turns out they want their children to make the best use of the available opportunities that were scarce during their times. After coming as far as they have using the limited resources, these parents think their children should be able to do much more with so many resources available. However, they agreed there are parents who push their children to their limits or force them to live their dreams. My parents, especially my dad, wanted me to become a doctor and wants my brother to become an engineer. I certainly felt the pressure during high school and until this year. The pressure becomes even worse when the children of my parents’ friends are also planning on attend-
ing medical school and our parents start comparing their children’s academics and achievements. I wanted to become a neurologist myself, but wasn’t sure if that’s what I wanted to do all my life. I came to Tech to major in biochemistry but I soon will be changing my major to economics. I no longer want to go to medical school or spend all my life doing tedious lab work in a research lab. I had a hard time confronting my parents, but this summer I eventually did. I definitely enjoy my classes this year more than I did last year. In the end, what really matters is whether you are passionate about your classes and the careers related to your major. I would rather have a hectic 9-to-5 job, as long as I have a reason to wake up every morning and look forward to another great day at work. I love and respect my parents and changing my major wouldn’t make them unhappy. Parents’ happiness lies in their children’s happiness; if the children aren’t happy with what they are doing then the parents can’t be happy either. I broke away from tradition and am following my dream. If you can relate to this article, even to a small extent, then it’s time you should too.
NAMRATA SHRESTHA -regular columnist -sophomore -biochemistry major
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sports 4
editors: michael bealey, garrett ripa sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
september 23, 2010
ACC looking to raise credibility from slow start s another Saturday of college football looms on the horizon, A the Atlantic Coast Conference boasts three conference matchups as well as a chance for redemption in non-conference play. So far the ACC has not fared well in out-of-conference play, with just a 17-11 record, including an 0-9 mark against ranked teams. To say the least, it has been a down year for the ACC, headlined by preseason No. 10 ranked
Virginia Tech’s embarrassing loss to James Madison. This was just the second time an FCS program has beaten a ranked FBS opponent, the first being Appalachian State’s shocker over No. 5 Michigan in 2007. Additionally,FloridaStateandMiami dropped two high-profile matchups against Oklahoma and Ohio State, dipping the conference’s credibility meter even further. Nonetheless, the
ACC will look to get back on track this weekend and put itself back on the college football map.
MICHAEL BEALEY -sports editor -sophomore -business major
Thursday Thursday 7:30 p.m. Miami (FL) at Pittsburgh, ESPN Both Miami and Pitt figured to be in the hunt in their respective conference titles and contend as possible candidates for a BCS Bowl. In fact, the Panthers came up one point shy of a BCS berth last year against Cincinnati. However, both teams have fallen on
hard times in the early going, with Miami dropping arguably its biggest game of the season against Ohio State and Pitt losing an overtime thriller to Utah in its opener. Miami will rely on junior quarterback Jacory Harris to lead it to victory while Pitt will look to the services of former second-team All-American running back Dion Lewis. Both play-
ers have struggled thus far, as Harris has already thrown four interceptions and Lewis has rushed for just 102 yards on 35 carries (2.9 ypc). Yet, Pitt’s inexperience at quarterback with sophomore Tino Sunseri will allow Miami to load the box and give the Canes their second victory of the season. Prediction: Miami 31, Pittsburgh 21
Saturday Noon North Carolina State at Georgia Tech, ESPN In the first of three ACC matchups, the defending ACC champion Yellow Jackets will take on NC State. Tech has been mired in inconsistency this season and despite a road win against North Carolina last weekend, the team took a bad loss against Kansas in its opener. Nonetheless, Paul Johnson’s team appears to have found its groove and will look to attack the NC State defense with its option-style attack led by quarterback Joshua Nesbitt. NC State enters the game undefeated at 3-0 after knocking off defending Big East champion Cincinnati last Thursday. Quarterback Russell Wilson looked spectacular, throwing three touchdowns while leading the Wolfpack offensive attack. However, the home crowd will be a factor in this game as Bobby Dodd Stadium will be rocking Saturday afternoon. Prediction: Georgia Tech 28, North Carolina State 14
Noon Virginia Tech at Boston College, ESPN3.com The Hokies haven’t beaten Boston College in Chestnut Hill since 2002 when running back Lee Suggs rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-23 victory. However, Tech trounced the Eagles last season in Blacksburg 48-14 thanks to Bud Foster’s defensive unit, which allowed only 163 yards of total offense.
BC enters the game undefeated this season, albeit against Kent State and Weber State, but running back Montel Harris has proven his ability to carry the load. Sophomore quarterback Dave Shinskie will look to dissect the Hokies secondary and continue his strong two touchdown performance in his last game against Kent State. However, the Hokies offense will be a surprise in this one as running backs David Wilson and Darren Evans have complemented each other well in Ryan Williams’ injury-induced absence. Prediction: Virginia Tech 24, Boston College 13
Noon Florida International at Maryland, ESPNU While the Golden Panthers are without in a win their first two games, they have lost by a combined 12 points, including a 7-point heartbreaker against Texas A&M. Nonetheless, FIU will have its hands full against Maryland and quarterback Jamarr Robinson. Maryland’s defense also figures to be a factor in this game, as it is ranked 24th in scoring defense, only giving up 16 points per game. Although FIU has kept it close in its first two games, look for Maryland to improve to 3-1. Prediction: Maryland 24, Florida International 10
Noon Virginia Military Institute at Virginia, ESPN3.com The Cavaliers have ushered in the Mike London era this season with an impressive start. First UVa handled
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London’s former team, Richmond, and then narrowly lost to No. 16 USC in Los Angeles. Running back Keith Payne will use his 6-foot-3-inch, 255-pound frame to punish the Keydets defense. Payne has five touchdowns through the first two games and has led the Cavs rushing attack, which averages 177.5 yards per game. The Keydets, on the other hand, were handled by William and Mary 45-0 last Saturday and will have to face a UVa squad that appears much improved from a year ago. Prediction: Virginia 41, Virginia Military Institute 3
3:00 p.m. Army at Duke, ESPN3. com The Blue Devils were downed by Alabama last Saturday 62-13, stretching their losing streak to two games and putting them at 1-2 on the season. Nonetheless, Duke features a passing attack that ranks 19th in the nation and quarterback Sean Renfree has thrown for seven touchdowns in three games.Army boasts an option attack that has produced 283.7 rushing yards per game, good enough for seventh in the nation. But in the end, Duke’s passing attack will be too much for the Black Knights in this matchup. Prediction: Duke 34, Army 17
3:30 p.m. Wake Forest at Florida State, ABC Florida State rebounded from its 4717 rout at the hands of Oklahoma by
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Miami quarterback Jacory Harris throws in opener vs. Florida A&M. Miami seeks its second win Thursday. beating BYU 34-10. Now quarterback Christian Ponder looks to keep FSU rolling against Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons won their first two games, yet lost last weekend at Stanford 68-24. Wake’s defense has been a concern as it is 116th in the nation in scoring and gives up a whopping 43 points per game. FSU’s offensive attack should be able to exploit Wake’s deficiencies on defense and take the victory. Prediction: Florida State 45, Wake Forest 28
3:30 p.m. North Carolina at Rutgers, ESPNU The Tar Heels are already without a host of players because of pending NCAA investigations involving player agents and academic violations. The NCAA already handed down a six-game suspension for cornerback Kendric Burney and a fourgame suspension for safety Deunta Williams. Now, UNC will be looking for its first win this weekend after losing by identical scores 30-24 against LSU and
Georgia Tech. Rutgers on the other hand has won its first two games and Greg Schiano’s group will hope to get off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2007. However, UNC still has a formidable defense and quarterback T.J. Yates has improved greatly this season. Yates has four touchdowns and no interceptions through two games and will give the Tar Heels their first win. Prediction: North Carolina 27, Rutgers 14
september 23, 2010
page 5
Vick performs, ascends Jobs become stress tests to Eagles starting job for major college coaches BLAIR KERKHOFF mcclatchy newspapers
COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Michael Vick scrambles away from defenders in the Eagles 35-32 win. It was Vick’s first start since 2006.
REID NAMES VICK THE STARTER DESPITE KOLB HEALTHY FROM CONCUSSION INJURY IN OPENER NICK FIERO mcclatchy newspapers PHILADELPHIA — Day 1 of the fallout from Michael Vick being named the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles is proceeding with a predictable buzz but nothing out of the ordinary for the players, who all proclaimed their support for Vick as well as puzzled former starter Kevin Kolb before heading out to practice this afternoon. “Anything coach (Andy) Reid says,
we’re behind,” said tight end Brent Celek, one of Kolb’s closest friends. “We play for the Philadelphia Eagles, and when Mike’s our quarterback, we’re behind him; and when Kevin’s our quarterback, we’re behind him. So depending on what coach Reid says, that’s the direction we go.” Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin took the sudden change in stride, suggesting it wasn’t really that big a surprise. “You can’t argue with the way (Vick) has been playing,” Maclin said.
A radio report this morning said the Cleveland Browns already have called the Eagles about the possibility of trading for Kolb but were rebuffed. Browns general manager Tom Heckert was the GM here when Kolb was drafted in 2007. “No,” said Reid, when asked if teams have inquired about Kolb. “I want Kevin Kolb on this football team.” The news on Tuesday did catch the players by surprise, especially Vick. “I didn’t envision this at all,” he said. “I only envisioned myself going out and ... preparing myself to be the best quarterback I can be.”
...... radio for everyone
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The heart attack suffered by Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio early Sunday morning had college football coaches around the nation checking their pulse. Their reading? Unavoidable stress and fatigue during a football season that seems to grow more pressurized every season. “There’s no doubt you wear yourself thin trying to win every game,” Texas coach Mack Brown said. Precisely what Dantonio was doing when his call for a fake field goal resulted in a touchdown that gave the Spartans a rousing overtime victory over Notre Dame. About an hour after the game’s conclusion, Dantonio was taken to an East Lansing hospital complaining of chest pains and by sunrise was resting after doctors performed an angioplasty. But coaches said on Monday that a close game is only one of many high intensity moments that can make a chest feel tight. Each coach seemed to have a list. “The job is more pressured-packed than it’s ever been,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “It’s because of ESPN, because of the national sports scene, because of the Internet, because of all the instant communication out there.” But there’s plenty more. “There’s a lot on your plate when you talk about the diversity of people you deal with, from high school coaches to lettermen to fans to alumni to regents to administration to faculty,” Brown said. “You talk about having 130 players, and all have parents who like their kids, and only 11 can play at a time.” Not to mention the parents and kids during the recruiting process. Michigan doctors aren’t saying if Dantonio’s heart attack was caused by occupational stress, but the episode triggered some somber reminders. In 2006, Northwestern coach Randy Walker died of a heart attack at 52. After last year’s SEC championship game, Florida coach Urban Meyer was hospitalized for chest pains and temporarily stepped down. Asked Monday about Dantonio, Meyer said not to rush to a conclusion. “To think coaches are the only people dealing with blockage or whatever it is. I just happen to think it’s a highprofile position where we get a lot
COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Florida coach Urban Meyer took a leave of absence in the offseason. more attention,” Meyer said. Still, Meyer was nervous when he heard the news. “I said, ‘Oh, no,’ but I made some calls and found out he was going to be all right,” Meyer said. Making health a priority during the season with proper diet and exercise isn’t easy and takes some special arrangements. Pinkel jogs three mornings a week, at 5 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 6 a.m. on Fridays. When he can, he sneaks away from the office for 15 minutes of pushing his granddaughters around in a shopping cart at a local store. Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said he encourages his staff to use the weight room and hit the jogging trails. Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said he watches practice film while on a treadmill. “It’s a 24/7 operation, not just here but everywhere,” Snyder said. “It’s easy to overlook a lot of things that are significant in your life, not just your health. But you have to carve out and create ways.” Still, it’s not easy, even for some of the wealthiest men in college sports. The average salary of a Big 12 football coach is over $2 million, according to media reports. But it doesn’t buy good health. “I don’t think there’s any question that my health is not good during the season,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. Coaches in all sports probably need to spend more time listening
to their bodies, said Murphy Grant, Kansas’ director of sports medicine. “Everyone should at least be aware of how their body is feeling,” Grant said. “Sometimes your body tells you if you’re doing too much, being overly fatigued and having aches and pains that haven’t been there before.” Pinkel said he got similar advice from a team doctor when he was an assistant at Washington in the 1980s. “He always said that you should work out more during the most stressful time of your year and not in the summer, when I was getting all these hours in,” Pinkel said. “That’s had a profound effect on me.” So did his family history. Pinkel’s father had triple-bypass surgery when he was 55. Pinkel is 58. But pressure also invigorates. “For some reason, you thrive on it,” Pinkel said. “There’s a love-hate deal there. You feel like hell all Saturday waiting for the game, then you love it.” “I’ve not ever woke up on a Saturday morning, ever since I’ve been in coaching not feeling like I was playing the national championship game. Just like it was the most important game of my life.” Still, when Mack Brown got married, his wife, Sally, found it odd that while most of the rest of the country uses weekends to relax, coaches do just the opposite in the fall. “She said we’re about the only ones who work all weekend and have stress,” Brown said.
september 23, 2010
page 6
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ACROSS 1 __ d’état 5 Winger of “Shadowlands” 10 Shouts from Emeril 14 Guesstimate phrase 15 Fiat 16 From the top 17 Have significant influence 19 Sight from the Sicilian village of Taormina 20 Ali trainer Dundee 21 Sunroom 23 Doctrinal suffix 25 Rent 26 “Enough on this subject” 33 Starbucks order 34 Charm 36 Show worry, in a way 37 Former California fort 39 Disease cause 40 Makes amends 43 Puts in a new pot, say 46 Persevere 48 Ample shoe width 49 According to 50 Belgian capital 55 Aleve alternative 60 Superboy’s girlfriend Lang 61 Respond at the front 63 “Round” thing suggested by the first words of 17-, 26-, 46- and 61Across 64 Mushrooms used in Asian cuisine 65 Elemental unit 66 Places for props 67 Coolidge’s vice president 68 City NNE of Lake Tahoe DOWN 1 Historic NYC club, with “The” 2 Algerian seaport
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3 SOS responder, often 4 Creep (along) 5 Kicks out of office 6 Coll. dot follower 7 Storage containers 8 Pepsi competitor 9 Wheaties box picture 10 Boxer Max 11 Hostile to 12 Computer list 13 Showed off one’s butterfly? 18 Kicking partner 22 Business letter abbr. 24 Sushi bar soup 26 Exams for future attys. 27 Florida theme park acronym 28 Place to play 29 Dodgers manager Joe 30 Viking in the comics 31 Chorus from the pews 32 Flourless cake 33 Ecol. watchdog
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COLLEGIATETIMES
Matt Walsh talks ‘blues’ LINDSEY BROOKBANK
CT: How would you describe your music style? WALSH: It is heavily based on Chicago blues of the 1950s with a lot of heavy influence from Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf and also detours into roots from other genres as well. Obviously folks aren’t going to listen to blues all night long (laughs). CT: Other than the artists you mentioned, where else do you draw inspiration? WALSH: I have a love for music and a need to play guitar … so other than being inspired by blues it is the need to play music and make music. It is kind of almost like a stress reliever. CT: Are there any specific childhood memories that you relate to your musical career? WALSH: My uncle Cary was the one that turned me on to blues music at a young age. I have listened to other classic rock bands like the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix and hearing blues in that, since that was blues-inspired rock-and-roll stuff. He’d say, “Muddy Waters, have you heard this? You have to check out this guy.” Then, kind of going to public libraries as a kid and checking out records from Delta and Chicago blues. (I would) learn about one and then learn about another. That definitely inspired me. When I was about 14, I started try-
The Dan Tyminski and Ronnie Bowman performance scheduled for Thursday at the Lyric has been postponed because Tyminski must tend to a family emergency. The Lyric is disappointed that the duo will not be performing on the originally scheduled day. “We’re very sorry, but it couldn’t be
helped,” said Elizabeth Crone, coordinator of Live at the Lyric. Collectively, bluegrass performers Tyminski and Bowman have been awarded the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Male Vocalist of the Year award seven times. Tyminkski is also well known as George Clooney’s voice in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Both are also former members of the Lonesome River Band.
The show has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12. Tickets for the September performance will be honored, and for those who cannot attend the rescheduled show, a full refund will be available. For more information, contact the Lyric theatre at (540) 951-4771, visit the “Live at the Lyric” group on Facebook or check the Lyric’s website at TheLyric.com.
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COLLEGIATE TIMES: What inspired you to be a musician? MATT WALSH: Basically guys like Muddy Waters and Sam “Lightnin” Hopkins and the old blues from when I was about 12 or 13. I have liked music all the way growing up as a kid, but when I heard the blues, I thought, “Wow, that is it. I want to do that.”
KIM WALTER features editor
features editor At a young age, musician Matt Walsh, now 33-years-old and sporting a funky slicked-back hairstyle, came down with a case of the musical “blues.” Although he never thought he would create a life from playing guitar, writing lyrics and singing the blues — his beloved genre — Walsh was able to make his dream and passion become a reality. MuddyWaters,“FatheroftheChicago blues,” as well as other 1950s Chicago blues tunes and artists, sparked inspiration in the North Carolina native, who now resides in Statesville. Walsh typically travels on weekends to play gigs at blues festivals, music halls, clubs and smaller venues such as Blacksburg’s very own vegetarian joint, Gillies. The bluesy artist has released two albums, “Goin’ Down South” in 2003 and “Hard Luck” in 2007, which he likes better because of its maturity, song selection and audio recording. He plans to record a third later this year. Walsh will take the Gillies’ Late Night stage tomorrow at 9:30 p.m. for a duo performance alongside bass player Roger Anderson, where audiences can jam to blues-inspired songs in a laidback atmosphere. The Collegiate Times spoke with Walsh to discuss his childhood, insights, musical background and life as an artist.
7 Tyminski-Bowman Lyric show postponed september 23, 2010
editors: lindsey brookbank, kim walter featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
Wondering what’s going on around the ‘burg? Check out the events of the upcoming week. [Thursday, September 23] COURTESY OF MATT WALSH
Blues inspired artist, Matt Walsh, will play at Gillie’s, Friday, Sept. 24. ing to play guitar. Max Drake, a blues guitar player and professional musician, helped me along with my guitar playing and showed me a lot of things that started me going on bass. CT: What does your uncle Cary mean to you? WALSH: Without him I sincerely believe I would not have found the path I did and gotten into it like I did. I might have found out down the road somewhere, but it might have been too late. I am thankful to have found out about blues at a very young age. He really gave me the foundation and kind of helped me find out who I am, as far as the path I decided to take in life. CT: And, what does Max Drake mean to you? WALSH: When I was 14, I was learning all this blues stuff on record, but it was really nice to meet someone who was out doing it for a living and that was playing the kind of music I was listening to. He really showed me how to be a guitar player, at least I hope he did. He taught me not to settle for just halfway playing things or halfway learning things. He was really hard on me, and almost brutal at times, but it was all for a reason to make me see that I didn’t know everything about guitar or blues, and that I could actually learn something. It was a humbling experience. CT: What is your most memorable moment as an artist? WALSH: I have lots of them. I have done this for a living for 10 years, and I’ve played all over the place. All kinds of crazy things happen to me from ridiculous to great, but probably the thing that will always stand out for me is getting to play with Pinetop Perkins, a 97-year-old piano player who played with Muddy Waters for 27 odd years and guys like Robert Nighthawk and Earl Hooker. To be able to play with
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him was probably one of the highest points ever. Another high point was playing with Hubert Sumlin, who was Howlin’ Wolf’s old guitar player. Playing with the guys who have inspired me to play blues in the first place … getting to play with the people I heard on records and who I thought I would never get to meet or have that experience with is very surreal to me, but at the same time it is where I belong. It is like walking in your house and never being there before. You’re instantly home. CT: And lastly, I have to ask, I noticed in your photos you seem to have a signature hairstyle. When did you start styling your hair this way and why? WALSH: It’s not as high as it was, but it’s still up there. (It started) probably 10 years ago. When I started playing I never really could find anything to do with my hair, and it would always be falling in my face, and I slicked it back. Over the years it has gotten shorter. It got to be so high at times (laughs), too much to deal with.
What: Music: Kevin Jones Where: Gillie’s When: 7 p.m. Cost: Free
[Sunday, September 26]
What: Music: The Jugbusters Where: The Cellar When: 9 p.m. Cost: Free
[Friday, September 24]
What: Game On! Where: Blacksburg Library When: 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: Free
[Tuesday, September 28]
What: Movie: Get Him to the Greek Where: Squires Colonial Hall When: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $2 for students
What: Music: Matt Walsh Where: Gillie’s When: 9:30 p.m. Cost: Free
What: VT Majors Fair Where: Commonwealth Ballroom When: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost: Free
What: Music: Big Thunder Rumblefish Where: Awful Arthur’s When: 9 p.m. Cost: Free
What: Music: Papadosio Where: Attitudes When: 8 p.m. Cost: $10, 18+
What: Music: Moon Taxi with the Shack Band Where: Attitudes When: 8 p.m. Cost: $7, 18+
[Saturday, September 25] What: Community Dog Wash Where: Rear of Vet. college on Duckpond Drive When: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost: $10, $5 to clip nails and clean ears
What: Music: Spatch Where: Gillie’s When: 7 p.m. Cost: Free
[Wednesday, September 29] What: Music: Third Eye Presents: Alex B, Ana Sia, Eliot Lipp w/ Spark Arrester Where: Awful Arthur’s When: 9 p.m. Cost: $10, 18+
september 23, 2010
page 8
Art exhibit memorializes fallen US soldiers MAJONI HARNAL features reporter Robert William Hoyt is one of the 4,400 names of fallen Iraqi soldiers inscribed on leaves, part of an on-going installation by artist Jane Hammond. Hoyt’s name is memorialized on a maple leaf like the ones his mother used to send him when he was in Florida with his father. Hammond’s installation at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke is unique in that the war is still going on and the end of both the war and project are unknown. “It came to me in a dream,” Hammond said about the inspiration behind the installation, “Fallen.” The dream came to Hammond in the fall of 2004, when the war in Iraq was the focal point of the nightly news. “I don’t think it’s insignificant that I had the dream in the fall,” she continued. COURTESY OF JANE HAMMOND Describing walking through the woods among the fallen leaves of Jane Hammond’s on-going art installation, “Fallen,” opens at the Taubman Museum of Art on Friday, autumn, Hammond said she realSeptember 24. The colorful exhibit memorializes soldiers who have lost their lives in the war in Iraq. ized there was writing on the back of the leaves and somehow knew it was names. Hammond’s process comes in three major steps. First, she gathers the names of the fallen soldiers from the Department of Defense and double checks spelling with their local databases.
Hammond then begins collecting the leaves and finally puts them together. She began collecting leaves in Connecticut, but through her travels to various universities and galleries across the country as a visiting artist, she has leaves from 20 to 25 states. In fact, some of the leaves came from the Appalachian Trail. She picks up the leaves in the fall, resulting in the variety of colors in the installation. Pointing to a vivid green leaf, Hammond said, “That may not look like it was picked in the fall, but that’s what fall in San Antonio looks like.” Fallen leaves, however, are fleeting in their viability, so Hammond quickly scans them and uses the printed digital images in her work. With a complex process of printing and painting to make the leaves look like their real counterparts, Hammond and various helpers intricately cut the prints, following every natural curve and line. There are other ways Hammond ensures the realistic appearance of the leaves. Stems are dipped repeatedly in matte medium causing a thickened look. A variety of items, such as tennis balls, ping pong balls and pens, are used to curve the flat, printed images into the shapes of leaves. Hammond has put as much thought into the message of her piece as the process of her work, noting
that the hardest part is signing every leaf. Whether it is visible or not, each leaf has a name, and seeing all of them laid out soldifies the magnitude of 4,400 people. “I’m always 20 or so behind,” she added. “I didn’t want to make the leaves ahead of time; it seemed wrong.”
‘Fallen’ exhibit WHERE: Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke WHEN: Sept. 24 to Jan. 9, 2011 The names go beyond those who have died in direct combat and include those who were evacuated to Germany, those who died in accidents in Iraq, and those who died on U.S. soil, no matter how long after their return. She described it as “the full price of war.” The piece, consisting of leaves from a wide range of colors and species, is centered in a large white room. Seeing all the names yet being unable to read each one on the individual leaves reflects the loss in the war — individual lives sometimes overshadowed by the number game. Hammond makes the piece aesthetically pleasing as well as poignant. Leaves of contrasting hues complement each other as similar species are spread out through the display. “Fallen” will be one of the Taubman Museum of Art’s newest exhibitions, opening on Friday, Sept. 24. With new exhibits opening biannually in June and September, Director of External Affairs Kimberly Templeton called it “perfect timing.” Nestled in downtown Roanoke, the museum’s new building is an architectural wonder that opened its doors in November 2008. Sunlight bathes the atrium as Rafael Hurt mans the front desk. Hurt said a variety of people frequent the museum. “It’s anything from international people who are visiting the Roanoke area to locals,” Hurt said. The exhibition will continue through Jan. 9, 2011. College students on a tight budget can visit the museum during its Thursday “Art at Night!” event when admission is free.