Thursday, February 10, 2011 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

Thursday, February 10, 2011

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Tech students prepare robots for soccer tourney MICHELLE SUTHERLAND news reporter Students at Virginia Tech are assembling a squad of robots capable of playing soccer. There are no remote controls — just press start and let the game begin. The robots will be used in an international tournament called RoboCup. Since 2004, undergraduate and graduate students have been working in the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory, or RoMeLa, to prepare for the yearly international RoboCup. The 2011 tournament is scheduled for July in Istanbul, Turkey. Tech student teams participate in two divisions: small size robot league and the humanoid league, nicknamed kid and adult sizes, respectively, by the team. The small size squad is composed of three robots, based on the DARwIn model formed at Tech. The robots use artificial intelligence to strategize and work as a team. “They actually communicate (with) each other and they actually play a very exciting game of soccer,” said Dennis Hong, the project’s director and associate professor of mechanical engineering. “Our robots don’t pass yet, to each other, but they actually do a team play — they plan, they work together,” Hong said. “For example, if one of the robots sees the ball but the other is way back there and the other cannot see the ball, they communicate so everybody knows where the ball is and where the other players are.” There are cameras on DARwIn’s head, and it looks around to find the orange ball, its teammates, its opponents, and where it is based on

the white lines of the court. The team will use the version DARwIn open platform software for the competition this year and is teaming with the University of Pennsylvania for a second year. The humanoid league is based on one-onone play rather than a team dynamic. The CHARLI-L2 robot, which will play in the league operates similarly to DARwIn but does not strategize with other teammates.

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This project involves pretty much every aspect of robotics — everything from hardware design and software design to artiﬁcial intelligence. MICHAEL HOPKINS GRADUATE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENT

Its predecessor, CHARLI-L, was the first humanoid robot developed completely in the United States. “The adult size is kind of awkward,” Hong said. “They walk very slowly, but again, when the kid size started, it was like that,” said Hong. The tournament is unique because each year the rules become more sophisticated. “They started with these small dinky wheeled robots, four legged robots, and now, starting last year, they have full-sized, adult sized robots as well,” he said. The website for the tournament said it plans for a robotic team that can beat a human team in soccer by 2050.

“It’s a lofty goal, but it’s definitely doable,” said Taylor Pesek, an undergraduate mechanical and electrical engineer major. Hong likes this project because “it’s really a very sophisticated research project in disguise as an exciting sporting event.” “This project involves pretty much every aspect of robotics—everything from hardware design and software design to artificial intelligence,” said Michael Hopkins, a graduate student in mechanical engineering. “Just competing and just seeing the robot walk autonomously and track the ball is very satisfying.” Pesek joked about American fears of robots based on popular culture. “Most people grew up watching things like ‘Terminator’ and are scared of robots. It’s kind of funny because in the Asian cultures, it’s the exact opposite. They grew up with cartoons like ‘Astro Boy’ and things like that where the robots were friendly,” said Pesek. Hong praised Japan for embracing funding for robotic projects, saying the country was “years and years ahead” of American research. “Japan has seen the need for the fact that their population is declining, their massive population of elderly, and they can’t keep up,” Hong said. “They realize that they’re already having trouble keeping up with taking care of those people.” Writing by e-mail from South Korea, Jeakweon “JK” Han, team leader and doctoral student of mechanical engineering, said he hoped robots could lighten physical labor and daily routines. “When I look around all different kinds of robots in my lab, I see all different kinds of possibilities and potentials through them,” Han wrote.

STEVEN SILTON / SPPS

Tech showcases moon rock samples JAY SPEIDELL news reporter Virginia Tech students are getting a rare opportunity to see pieces of the moon up close. The geosciences department has a set of lunar samples on loan this week, including 12 slides and an acrylic disk containing an assortment of rocks. The samples, collected during the Apollo missions, have been studied by scientists and used for educational purposed for more than 40 years. By studying these samples, scientists can gain valuable insight into the history of the Earth and moon. “Geology is a giant detective story,” said Robert Tracy, a professor of geosciences. “What we do is what detectives do, we look for clues, we search for evidence, and we use those clues to try to reconstruct what’s happened.”

WHAT: MOON ROCKS COLLECTED DURING THE APOLLO MISSIONS WHERE: 2062 DERRING HALL WHEN: 7 p.m. Tracy placed a slide of lunar soil containing the mineral pyroxene under the microscope for demonstration. Rotating the slide with polarized light behind, the mineral produced a kaleidoscope effect. The samples are cut into blocks, glued to glass slides and then cut off very close with a diamond saw. They are then ground to a polish and left uncovered, allowing direct access with tools such as an electron microscope. The final display pieces are “paper thin” at about 30 microns thick — a micron is one-millionth of a meter. “A lot of the things that formed the Earth as we know it happened millions and even billions of years ago, and things that formed the solar system happened many billions of years ago,” Tracy said. “So the only way you can reconstruct what happened is to use the clues that are available to you,

and the rocks are the clues.” Understanding these samples has helped scientists understand why the moon looks like it does today. In contrast, Tracy said the frequent recycling of rocks on earth has left “relatively little of the ancient surface of the Earth still around.” Each Apollo mission went to a different area of the moon, and they collected a wide variety of samples. Tracy said lightly colored rocks, such as anorthocite and gabro, make up the ancient lunar crust. “When the moon initially formed, it was very hot,” Tracy said. “The moon was probably entirely molten then, and as it cooled down — it’s called the lunar magma ocean — it started to crystallize.” Tracy labeled the crystallized rocks “rockbergs.” “Just like how if you have a bird bath in the winter at night, the water starts to make crystals on the surface. The same thing happened, those crystals made the first crust,” Tracy said. “They’re kind of like icebergs, but they’re made of rock crystallizing on a magma ocean.” Tracy said in the early days of the solar system there were many more chunks of rock floating around in space, colliding with planets and other solar bodies. “All those collisions punched holes in that crust,” Tracy said. “And everywhere there was a hole, this dark colored magma, basalt, came oozing up from below and then filled in. And so after a while you get a sort of patchwork at the surface, little bits and pieces of the old stuff with these younger things all over it.” The asteroid impacts created dark and light spots, forming the face of the “man on the moon.” “If you look really closely you can see these big circular features, and those are where giant asteroid impacts happened,” Tracy said. “They punched a big hole in the crust of the moon and magma came from the interior and filled in and made a giant magma ocean that then solidified with lava flows, and those are the darker colored spots.

Tracy will present the moon rocks at 7 p.m., today in 2062 Derring Hall.

Webb declines re-election bid STEVEN THOMMA mcclatchy newspapers

MAZIAR FAHANDEZH / SPPS

Rock samples collected during the Apollo missions will be on display tonight in a presentation from the geosciences department.

MAZIAR FAHANDEZH / SPPS

A sample portion of lunar soil, seen above, can produce a kaleidoscope effect when placed under the lens of a microscope.

Sen. James Webb, D-Va., said Wednesday that he would not seek re-election, giving Republicans a good shot at picking up the seat in 2012. He is the third Democrat or Democratic-leaning independent to say he would retire rather than seek re-election. The departures could increase the Republicans’ prospects of gaining seats and perhaps a majority in the Senate, where Democrats now hold a 5347 edge. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who earlier announced his own retirement, said Webb’s decision sets the stage for a likely Republican gain in a state that has turned increasingly Republican in the past two years. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., also has said he’ll step down at the end of this term. His state leans Democratic, though Republicans likely will compete for his open seat. Webb said he would step down after one term — he defeated Republican Sen. George Allen in a close 2006 contest — to return to the private sector. “After much thought and consideration, I have decided to return to the private sector, where I have spent most of my professional life, and will not seek re-election in 2012,” Webb said in a statement. His election had punctuated a Democratic resurgence in a state long solidly Republican in presidential elections, a trend capped by President Barack Obama’s win there, the first time a Democrat had carried Virginia since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Democrats had long enjoyed better results in state-office elections and had held the governor’s

mansion through most of the last decade. Their fortunes changed when they lost the governor’s office in 2009 and several U.S. House seats last November, and the tide suggested that Webb would face a strong contest for re-election. Allen already was planning to seek the Republican nomination, and as a former governor and senator with national aspirations, is considered a strong candidate for the nomination and for a general election. “I did not enter into this race to run against any one person, but to fight for the families of Virginia to improve their opportunities in life,” Allen said in a statement Wednesday. “My campaign will continue to focus on achievable reforms that will help reinvigorate our economy, end reckless, runaway spending, and unleash our plentiful energy resources. The one Democrat who would enter the race with stature comparable to Allen is former Gov. Tim Kaine, now serving as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Kaine did not comment on the possibility of his own candidacy in his reaction to Webb’s retirement. “Over the past decade, we’ve made major progress in turning Virginia from a solidly Republican state to a highly competitive one, including Senator Webb’s victory in 2006, Senator Warner’s victory in 2008 and President Obama’s historic victory in 2008,” Kaine said. “With the investments that President Obama and the Democratic Party will make in Virginia in 2012, I am confident that our party will hold on to this Senate seat in 2012.”

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february 10, 2011

COLLEGIATETIMES

what you’re saying //comments from online readers...

virginia

On the value of student research:

Cuccinelli calls for Goochland treasurer’s exit

Anon Alum>> I don’t think I have ever thought, “Invent the future”. Even when someone says, “Virginia Tech”.

On bias from professors: Anonymous>> What’s funny is that you would think these “doctors” are intelligent enough to know that there is no different between the Democrats and Republicans. What did their donations and a win in 2008 get them? What exactly were they trying to buy? The wars are still going on. The banksters are still getting bailed out. Infringements on our civil liberties are still going on. Torture still happens Gitmo is not closed.

Anon>> All the more reason to have an open discussion. This evokes debate, which most professors invite. Maybe it will be worthwhile, possibly send a message?

State Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinnelli this afternoon urged Goochland Treasurer Brenda S. Grubbs to resign “and thereby save taxpayers the cost and diversion of the resources that will be necessary to judicially remove her from office.” Cuccinnelli said if Grubbs decides to remain in office he will await a request from the governor for his office to bring court action to remove the treasurer. The Goochland Board of Supervisors this morning voted unanimously to request the governor to begin ouster proceedings of Grubbs under provisions of the State Code. In addition, a petition is being circulated in the county seeking enough signatures to petition the Circuit Court to consider removing Grubbs. New search warrants filed in Goochland County show that alleged embezzlements carried out by Treasurer Brenda S. Grubbs involved a man identified as Bobby Johnson. Documents in Goochland Circuit Court seeking permission to retrieve text mes-

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sages and other data from Grubbs’ cell phone identify Johnson as a primary contact of interest to investigators. “The majority of the email messages were conversations between Mrs. Grubbs and an individual identifed as Bobby Johnson ... Mr. Johnson requested that Mrs. Grubbs send him large sums of cash via wire transfer to Nigeria on several occasions,” one search warrant affidavit states. Efforts to contact Johnson by The Times-Dispatch were unsuccessful through an e-mail address given in the court documents. Documents also allege that Grubbs enlisted the aid of other people, some of whom have come forward to Goochland authorities, to assist her in sending money from county funds to foreign contacts. Grubbs has told Goochland Sheriff James L. Askew that she embezzled as much as $135,000 but county officials stressed this morning at a news conference that it could take several weeks to determine how much money is missing. The Goochland County Board

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of Supervisors voted today to seek the governor’s help in ousting Treasurer Brenda S. Grubbs, who has been accused of embezzling public funds. In a meeting attended by more than 100 county residents, County Administrator Rebecca Dickson recounted a long history of problems within the treasurer’s office and Grubbs’ refusal to alter the administration of her office. In a letter dated today, the board also sought assitance from the office of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. “The county of Goochland desperately needs the assistance of the attorney general’s office in removing or suspending Ms. Grubbs from her office,” Goochland’s letter to the attorney general says. County Attorney Norman Sales said that in the event that Grubbs is ousted or steps down, an election for a successor would take place for the November general election. -bill mckelway mcclatchy newspapers

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february 10, 2011

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Egypt protests Local food movement following trend neglects sound economics Dec. 17, in the city of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisian, On street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi doused his body in paint thinner and lit himself on fire. His actions were the result of years of bullying from corrupt public officials who routinely confiscated his produce and humiliated him in front of his customers. As Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali visited the dying man on his final days, he had no idea that Bouazizi’s self-immolation would spark revolts in his own country and across the Middle East. Within 10 days, the ruling government of Tunisia was toppled and Ali had fled the country. On Dec. 29, demonstrators in Algeria gathered in the streets to protest the lack of housing and rampant unemployment. A dozen acts of self-immolation and reported suicides led the government to implement reforms that would create jobs. In response to what was likely an empty promise, protestors have arranged to demonstrate once again on the twelfth of February. Jan. 25, thousands of Egyptian protestors, many carrying Tunisian flags, clashed with the local police force. Demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and his cabinet, Egyptian citizens have continued to revolt against his 31 year term and have received the most attention from foreign media. Though Mubarak appears determined to serve out the rest of his term, each day protests in Egypt grow larger and more perilous. Inner conflict has also become a significant issue as pro and antiMubarak protestors struggle against one another. A score of other Middle Eastern nations have begun protesting as well, and it is unlikely these uprisings will stop here. The Middle East and parts of North Africa are infamous for government corruption and rigged elections. As the gap between the rich and the poor increases, so do the grievances. Protestors hold signs in English asking for democracy and support from western countries; peace in the Middle East may not be an empty slogan for much longer. I hope every dictator and

monarch, including certain “lifelong” presidents, are paying close attention. Finally, after decades of selfinterested economic policies and near totalitarian regimes have left these countries bankrupt and repressed, there is a chance for democracy. As an American citizen, I’m undeniably biased in favor of a free republic. I absolutely support the generation of revolutionaries, young and old, fighting against ancient regimes that have contributed to homelessness, poverty and economic decline. The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist opposition group in Egypt, will be sitting down with officials to discuss a transition to democracy. A lot of Westerners are afraid this will lead to a Muslim theocracy in the Middle East but the fear is misplaced. One of the greatest revolutions of our time is unfolding in front of our eyes in one of the most important places on Earth — it is happening with the help and support of the Muslim Brotherhood. I’d like to point out, by the way, that many of these Arab and North African leaders were allies to the United States government, and the consequences of their terribly selfish actions have led to the revolts of today. With all of the anti-Islamic sentiment since Sept. 11, it has proven difficult for many Americans to accept the revolts. Our own government was determinedly slow in showing support for the demonstrators. However, we as individuals have the ability to express our support now as these brave men and women continue to fight for basic human rights and a better life. Pro-Egyptian rallies have occurred all over the country as a show of camaraderie with the revolutionaries. Encourage your congress representative to reject human rights abuse in the Middle East. When change finally does occur, we will all have proudly taken part in it.

COURTNEY SELLERS -regular columnist -junior -history major

ne of the trendiest diets these days is eating “local,” however that may O have to be defined. People flock to farmers markets to buy a variety of foods and other products directly from the farmers who produce them, and some grocery chains have even started selling local products in some way in their stores. Even first lady Michelle Obama has gotten involved by starting a garden in the White House lawn, and the Obama Administration has made local foods a priority through Department of Agriculture grants promoting local food production and marketing. For example, our farmers market here in Blacksburg has received a USDA grant to use technologies to encourage students to buy more locally-grown foods. However, what is the reasoning behind this idea of eating locally-sourced foods? Some contend that it is beneficial for the environment. Others go further and say that supporting local foods helps the local economy by giving area farmers more money for their products and keeping money circulating within a local region. In a recent journal article by two Oklahoma State University economists, these ideas of the benefits of local foods are called into question. First of all, there is a notion that local food production is inherently better for the environment because it means that food will not have to travel as far from the farm where it is produced to the consumer, thus using less carbon-emitting fuels.While it may be correct to assume that less gasoline will be used transporting food, this argument does not take into account that consumers still have to drive somewhere to buy their food and that it also still takes energy to produce food. In reality, rather than focusing on cutting down on transportation of food, we should be trying to find ways to produce food more efficiently by using less energy per unit of food. This becomes increasingly important with a rapidly growing population and means that we are going to have to not base food production on local regions. Rather, we need to base production

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If consumers think they like local foods enough to sacrifice other products, then it would be rational for them to buy locally. However, is it really the role of the government to promote a system that runs against the core principle of comparative advantage and attempts to make consumers’ choices for them? If a consumer is faced with two identical products, one produced locally and one produced according to comparative advantage, the local product will likely be more expensive with the absence of subsidies. If consumers choose to buy that product, they are in essence throwing away money that could be used for something else. So, local food enthusiasts are trying to convince people of an inherent value of locally sourced products that could account for the extra price consumers have to pay for local products. Locavores’ claims of health benefits or freshness of local foods really have no foundation. A consumer could eat just as healthily by simply choosing different, conventionally produced foods, and most non-processed foods at the grocery store are just as fresh as something one could buy at the farmers market. There are many other local foods arguments that I haven’t covered. There are other arguments against conventional production methods and government subsidies for producers, but the purpose of this column was to simply raise some economic issues that need to be taken into account in local food production. The idea that locally produced foods are better for the economy is not concurrent with ideas of economic efficiency and comparative advantage. Even though it’s nice sometimes to visit the farmers market or eat fresh vegetables out of the garden, governments should not try to force a food system that isn’t economically sound.

BRAD COPENHAVER -regular columnist -junior -political science and agricultural economics major

Dog parks seem ideal, can pose risks without regulation og lovers everywhere were ecstatic to hear about the new dog park on D Toms Creek a couple of months ago. I

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on where the food can be grown most efficiently. In economics, this principle is known as comparative advantage. Comparative advantage is an idea that economists have accepted for centuries, and although most of the time it is brought up when discussing international trade, it applies to any setting. At its most basic form, comparative advantage states that wealth can be increased for everyone as long as people take advantage of their production capacity for a certain town, region, country, etc. For example, Virginia is not a world leader in orange production for one reason. Oranges cannot efficiently be produced in Virginia. That doesn’t mean they can’t be produced at all. If a Virginian wanted to, he could invest a lot of money in large, high-tech greenhouses to house an orange crop all year round, and he could perhaps produce as many oranges as a farmer in Florida or California. However, that farmer realizes that the marginal costs — including the opportunity costs of switching his land from pasture to oranges — to get each additional orange from his crop are higher than those of a farmer in a warmer climate. He’d be much better off to keep his land as pasture for cattle and leave the orange production to the folks in Florida, where the climate is suited for orange production and orange production is much more efficient. If each place produces what is comparatively most efficient for it to produce, everyone gains wealth because the costs are lower for each unit of product, and people have the ability to trade across city, state and national lines. I know that some people say we should just only eat foods that can be efficiently produced where we live. If you don’t live in Florida, they say, then don’t eat oranges. That would leave most of us with a pretty limited diet, and that comes at a cost as well. If we were to go to a local system where people only eat what can be produced efficiently in a certain area, that would come to us at a cost of giving up our standard of living, and it becomes something for each individual consumer to decide exactly what that cost is.

know it took a while and many petitions to get a dog park built in Blacksburg — a place where dogs can legally run free off the leash. The idea of a dog park is great, but the fact that it is a non-regulated dog park poses some problems that the owners may have not thought about. When you go out to a place that is specifically catered to your dog and other owners’ dogs, you expect some responsibility, especially from the owner. You expect other dogs are trained and up to date on their shots and vet visits. You would not expect an untrained dog that obviously does not play well with other dogs to be out in a dog park. When my boyfriend first took his dog, Pumba, to the dog park, there was a dogfight. Dogs are expected to get a bit rough sometimes but then the owner rushes in and stops the unwanted behavior. Well, the dogfight at the park did not happen because dogs were playing with each other. A guy brought his two dogs into the park and let them off the leash. As soon

as they were off, they ran right up to a dog and attacked it. The dog was bleeding and whining, of course, and the dogs continued to bite him. Meanwhile, the owner just stood there, whether in shock or because he expected this and knew there was nothing he could do. Despite what he felt, a proper owner would have done something to stop their dog. I am not saying he should have jumped right into the middle of the dogfight, but there are things you can do. Dog owners can never be too careful in this situation. Now when we go to the dog park we carry pepper spray, just in case there is another dogfight and the dogs will not quit. You can also bring a foghorn with you or something that makes loud noises. If the dog park makes you weary, there is something that we have been doing since August when we first got Pumba. We have been taking him to Flying Fur every Friday. They have an event called Yappy hour every Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. We like taking Pumba to Flying Fur more then we like taking him to the

dog park. For one reason, in order to participate in Yappy Hour, you must have your dog’s rabies vaccination form. Not to mention there are always people working there to help you out, especially if a dogfight breaks out. It makes dog owners feel safe, knowing that their dog is in a safe environment. Flying Fur is a great alternative to a dog park. It offers so many services, but right now we just use them to help with Pumba’s shyness and to train him (which a dog park cannot do), so one day he could hopefully do fly ball — a sport for active dogs. Dog parks are great when the owners are responsible, but sometimes it can turn into disaster. Dog lovers can never be too careful with their pets’ safety. We want the best for them. Dog parks used the right way can be beneficial, but I prefer something more regulated that can offer my dog variety.

BRITTANY FORD -regular columnist -junior -history major

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School-ranking magazine to adjust grading criteria The organizer of a plan to review all 1,400 schools of education and publish the findings in U.S. News & World Report is altering several key aspects of its methodology — an attempt, officials for the group say, to respond to mounting complaints about the study. The National Council of Teacher Quality posted its grading criteria online Wednesday morning to address concerns among education school deans that the review wouldn’t be transparent or accurate. It also plans to supplement the content-based analysis at the heart of its methodology with information on candidate classroom performance culled from “value added” data. Finally, the organization will not, as previously planned, issue a fail-

ing grade to institutions that don’t provide the information requested. Much about the ambitious study, due out next year, is still in flux — including whether such changes will be enough to persuade schools of education to participate in it. The situation underscores the tensions brewing as conversations about teacher accountability gradually permeate higher education. “I think it’s good that they are addressing some of these methodological issues,” said Mary Brabeck, the dean of the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University. Brabeck, along with dozens of other deans, signed letters protesting the study. “Nobody’s against rankings, nobody’s against evaluation, nobody’s even against high-stakes evaluations. But if the methodology is flawed, how does that serve the public?” she asked.

The president of NCTQ indicated that the changes were meant to encourage participation, but she was adamant that the study continue. “These are folks for whom this is their life’s work. It’s a very emotional issue. We totally understand why people are inclined to get upset about this,” Kate Walsh of the Washingtonbased advocacy institution said in an interview. “But, on the other hand, we’re asking folks to put that to the side and recognize what we all recognize: that there are many institutions in the U.S. not preparing teachers adequately, in addition to many doing a great job.” Robert Morse, the director of data research for U.S. News & World Report, which will publish the NCTQ’s findings, confirmed that the outlet will continue the review. “We’re used to people having negative opinions about what U.S. News

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MARY BRABECK DEAN OF STEINHARDT SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AT NYU training on working with Englishlanguage learners. After the council sent initial requests to education schools in late January, two distinct groups of deans organized and publicly objected to the review in letters to U.S. News. One of them was signed by about

35 education school deans belonging to institutions within the Association of American Universities, an organization of elite research institutions. A smaller group of education school deans at institutions that have receiving teacher-training grants from the Spencer Foundation, sent another complaint. Additional letters could be forthcoming from state-oriented groups of deans in New Jersey and Illinois. Among other complaints, the deans alleged incomplete standards, a flawed research methodology and scoring criteria that were not transparent. “The data-collection process must itself be transparent and clear, the assessments must be reliable, and the presentation of findings must be honest and fair. Without these characteristics, the rating will be meaningless,” the deans wrote in one of the letters.

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“

Nobody’s against rankings, nobody’s against evaluation, nobody’s even against highstakes evaluations. But if the methodology is ﬂawed, how does that serve the public?

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does,” he said. The two organizations officially launched the project on Jan. 18, but it has been in the works for nearly a year. Its main purpose, according to the NCTQ, is to provide school districts and other education consumers with more information about the training teacher-candidates receive. The report’s methodology is largely based on pilot reviews conducted last year of education schools in Illinois and Texas, and as such, its methodology differs markedly from that used in other U.S. News projects. Rather than rankings, the council will rate all programs on an Ato-F scale on up to 17 standards. They include whether teachers are adequately trained in the science of reading and math; the length and coherence of their field experiences; and whether their programs include

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WORDFIND • Theme: Romantic Getaways Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

WORD BANK New York City Napa Valley Granada Spain Vico Equense Italy Bora-Bora Istanbul Bali Los Cabos Patmos Greece Grenada Northern CA Honolulu Maui Antigua Sedona Fiji Key West

Today’s Radio Schedule ed Mix scs Di Art Day

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By Gary Ce e

ACROSS 1 Sound return 5 Suspension bridge support 10 Obtain forcibly 14 Miller , for one 15 Shoelace tip 16 Stubbs of the Four Tops 17 *Unquestioning devotio n 19 Scored 100 on 20 Bozo 21 “When the smog clears in California, UCLA,” e.g. 22 Hitchcock title 23 Dice-rolling game 26 The King or Prince

2/10/11 29 Repugnant reaction 30 Pound sounds 32 Treatment plant input 33 Tie up, in a way 35 Home of Duke U. 37 Looks bad, comparatively 38 5- or 40-Down ... or what the start of each answer to a starred clue can be 41 Parisian daily , with “Le” 44 Singer Amos 45 Latin 101 verb 49 Signs into la w 51 Pool room supply

53 Amig o 54 Reaches 56 Chesapeake Bay city 58 Televise 59 Physicians’ org. 61 Precisel y 62 Fall 63 *Knee-slapper 67 Green climber 68 Title owner of a sitcom bookstore 69 Homeland of the folk-singing Clancy Brother s 70 Two out of three, say 71 Teacher ’s directiv e 72 Pringles-lik e Lay’s product

DOW N 1 Flow bac k 2 Place to see Bugs? 3 Dwarfs’ song 4 Self-contradictory afterthought 5 Joe’ s stimulant 6 Turkish authority 7 Plane, in a control tower 8 Relax 9 Cultural group 10 *Pitchers and tumblers 11 Conservatory event 12 Like Joe? 13 Bridge action 18 Half asleep 23 “De-lish!” 24 Gone by 25 Theme park acronym 27 Toon Le Pe w 28 Hi-__ graphics 31 Flavor 34 *Like treatment for visiting dignitarie s 36 Aired again 39 Bigfoot cousi n 40 Smoker ’s stimulant

7-9 AM - Appalachian Sunrise

*** WUVT “5 Minute” News at 7 PM *** ialt

9AM-12PM - Rosalie Wind

7-9 PM - Phelonious Funk

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12-2PM - Grayson Sasser

9 PM-12 AM - The Rare Groove

2-3:30PM - Casey Menish

12-2 AM - The Waltzing Zombies

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3:30-5 PM - Alex Tallant

2-4 AM - Candice Chu

5-7 PM - Alex Simon, Professional Kitty 4-7 AM - Jessica Norman

41 “Give __ holler!” 42 Province bordering four Great Lakes 43 League of __ 46 What a “Me and My Shadow ” singer might be 47 Mineo in movies 48 Mountain lion prey 50 Catches 52 Ray who said, “It requires a certain kind of mind to see beauty in a hamburger bun” 55 The parenthesis in :-) 57 Counterfeits 60 Competent 62 Pet physician’ s deg. 64 Pro __: for now 65 Pitcher ’s stat 66 Oscar winner Harrison Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

2/9/11

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february 10, 2011

editors: lindsey brookbank, kim walter featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

weekend

COLLEGIATETIMES

Change up this Valentine’s Awful Arthur’s hosts trio of Day with new, sweet ideas bands this Saturday night MAJONI HARNAL

MIA PERRY

features reporter

features reporter After the weekend, the sun is supposed to get a little warmer. Valentine’s Day right now is supposed to have a high of 52 degrees, so grab a light jacket and go on a V-day hike or stroll. If your class schedule allows, you could get away to the nearby Cascades and share a smooch when you reach the falls. Or if you have less time, hold hands as you feed the ducks at the duck pond. You could even bring some blankets and food for a Valentine’s Day picnic.

Get in touch with nature ?

For the V-day weekend, what better way to get some one-on-one time with your honey than to snuggle in a sleeping bag together while you’re camping? There are plenty of nearby campsites, including places like Dixie Caverns and Claytor Lake State Park.

Get tipsy ?

Go to Chateau Morrisette. For Valentine’s Day weekend, the winery is offering a wine tasting with chocolate for just $7 a person. Then on Valentine’s Day, there will be a “puppy love” lunch and dinner served at the Chateau’s restaurant, with selected courses from the chef to share with your sweetheart.

[Thursday, February 10]

Get physical ?

What: Gay Adoptions Discussion with Phi Beta Sigma Where: Squires Brush Mountain A When: 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Cost: Free

Today, McComas is hosting its annual partner yoga program at 6 p.m. Make sure you get there early because space is limited to the first 50 couples. The class is free to all Virginia Tech patrons, and participants also get a free T-shirt and Subway offer.

Go stargazing together. It will be cold at night, but bundle up, bring blankets, lie somewhere quiet and look up at the stars. Whether it’s just on your balcony or in an open space outside (I suggest the Drillfield or the big hill in Foxridge) the Blacksburg sky is usually crisp and clear, and there’s nothing more romantic than billions of twinkling lights in the sky. Maybe you’ll even see a shooting star together.

Get romantic ?

What: Music: Andrew Gaddy Where: Gillie’s When: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Cost: Free

[Friday, February 11] Have a traditional romantic dinner but at home. Pick out a recipe together, and make it together. The fun is in preparing it as a team. Light some candles, and play some low-key music while you enjoy, and maybe feed each other dessert.

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This weekend will prove to be an electro-pop, disco-infused dance party as three groups will showcase their talents Saturday night. Awful Arthur’s will be hosting Two Fresh, Mux Mool and Body Language, three groups that will bring an array of electronic music to Blacksburg this weekend. Two Fresh consists of fraternal twins Sherwyn and Kendrick Nicholls out of North Carolina. Now 22, the brothers first started mixing beats together in high school as an interest that evolved into the musical career they have today. Working within several genres, Two Fresh is heavy on the hip-hop, but mixes jazz and soul into electro songs. Taking a step in a different direction with its sophomore album, Two Fresh describes the new sound as more upbeat and easier to dance to. Energy is added to the live performances by accompanying drummer Colby Buckler, who joined the twins in 2008. Two Fresh may perform as a trio,

What: Cranwell Spring Social Where: Squires Old Dominion Ballroom When: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Cost: Free What: Jackass 3 Where: Squires Colonial When: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. Cost: $2 students, $3 general What: American Shakespeare Center Presents ‘As You Like It’ Where: The Lyric When: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. Cost: check The Lyrics website What: Music: Matt Walsh Where: Gillie’s When: 9:30 p.m. - midnight Cost: Free, 18+

but Mux Mool is the alias of one man — Brian Lindgren. As someone who experiments with array of genres and sounds, Lindgren’s pseudonym name is reflective of his eclectic style. Born in Minnesota and currently based out of Brooklyn, Lindgren has been experimenting with music since his childhood. Today he has released numerous EPs, remixes and his first album under the name Mux Mool. Like Two Fresh, Mux Mool also mixes a base of electronic music with beats from other genres such as disco and hip-hop. A few of his early hits were released in compilations under his label before his full-length debut, Skulltaste, was released in 2010. Called an eclectic masterpiece by critics, Skulltaste showcases what Mux Mool does best. In it, Lindgren blends music from any genre to create an everchanging mix of samples and beats to his audience. Also working out of Brooklyn is Body Language, a quartet that has grown from creating weekly dance party mixes to touring with groups such as Passion Pit and La Roux. Body Language is under the same

[Saturday, February 12]

label as Mux Mool and has contributed to the same compilations as Lindgren. The group merges synthesizers, vocoders, the glockenspiel and vocals to entertain packed venues. Matthew Young, Grant Wheeler, Ian Chang and Angelica Bess make up the interesting group from New York. Initially, the group consisted of Wheeler and Young creating mixes with the soulful vocals of Bess. With unusual instruments such as a glockenspiel, the group began performing to great demand at parties and local events. The group eventually released an EP in 2009 and toured, including a performance at the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas. Body Language then added fourth member and drummer Ian Chang. Together the three groups have been touring, starting in the Deep South and working their way up the East Coast to Chicago. Their performances in Blacksburg are bound to be a lively stop on their tour. This lineup calls for an energetic night. The three music groups will be performing at Awful Arthur’s as part of the Air Mail Tour on Saturday, Feb. 12. Tickets are $15.

[Tuesday, February 15]

What: Japanese Film Festival: Linda, Linda, Linda Where: The Lyric When: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: Free

What: A Tribute to Bob Marley: Customer Appreciation Dinner Where: Schultz Dining Center When: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Cost: $4.70 Flex, $14.15 otherwise

What: Music: West Bound Where: Gillie’s When: 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Cost: Free

What: Music: Groovascape Where: Awful Arthur’s When: 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. Cost: $2, 18+

What: Lolopolis Comedy Group Where: Theater 101 When: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30p.m. Cost: Free

[Sunday, February 13] What: The Colla Piano Duo: From the Salon to the Sublime Where: Squires Recital Salon When: 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $3 students, $5 general

[Wednesday, February 16] What: African American and Their Legacy at Virginia Tech Where: 342 Squires When: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Cost: Free What: Slumdog Millionaire Where: Squires, Room 140 When: 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Cost: Free, donations accepted

[Monday, February 14] What: Lecture: Africana Contributions to Science Fiction Where: Smyth Hall, Room 146 When: 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Cost: Free

Wondering what’s going on around the ‘burg? Check out the events of the upcoming week.

6 sports

editors: michael bealey, garrett ripa sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

february 10, 2011

With strong record, track and field going to new heights

ZETON LI / SPPS

The Virginia Tech track and ﬁeld team competes in the Virginia Tech Elite meet. Tech’s pole vaulting is one of the most successful teams. Coach Bob Phillips can be attributed for much of the team’s success. COURTNEY LOFGREN sports reporter Year in and year out, the Virginia Tech men’s and women’s track teams have been two of the most successful within the Hokies athletics programs. Within the track team itself, pole vaulting in particular has had some of the greatest success over the last several years. Both teams have had several athletes over the years qualify for the NCAA National Invitational.

Much of the success can be attributed to pole vault coach Bob Phillips. Phillips, an alumnus of Tech, has coached the team for 29 years. He jumped for Tech from 1977-78 and was a four-time NCAA national qualifier. He was also named an All-American in 1980. Phillips believes that the consistency of the coaching staff has helped make the program an elite one. “I think it’s like football or any other sport, once you get a program rolling, it makes it easier to recruit and keep the program rolling,” Phillips said. “I think

just like in football that consistency of the coaching staff, I’ve been here a long time, there’s not a lot of turnover in the turnover. Coach Cianelli has been here for 11 years. The tradition gets passed down from one group of kids to the next.” Right now, the men’s and women’s teams are in two very different spots in the program. The men’s team is thriving, as the track and field team had a preseason ranking of No. 7 in the nation and is trying to reach the No. 5 spot by the end of the season. “Hopefully we can fulfill (the preseason hype) and finish in the top five in the nation,” said Yavgeniy Olhovsky, a senior on the team. “It would be a big step forward for us to finish (strong).” Olhosvky has led the team in jumping over the last few seasons. He is hoping to return back to the NCAA Championship where he has represented the Hokies each of his previous three seasons. Along with Olhosvky, senior Joe Davis is also consistently one of the top performers on the men’s side. So far this indoor season, he’s already set two personal records. “I had two lifetime (personal records) already, and I think it’s just attributed to me being healthy this fall,” Davis said. “It’s like the first time I’ve had a healthy fall since my freshman year and I PR’d

three times my freshman year. It’s kind of exciting seeing the results from the past few falls.” The women’s team is in the middle of a rebuilding stage. Redshirt seniors Caitlin Thornley and Kelly Phillips are the veterans of the team that has three freshmen and sophomores. Thornley and Phillips appreciate their role as mentors to the younger jumpers this season. “It’s cool in a way because you see the people that come in, and you think it’s cool because these people were interested in the school because of what we did,” Thornley said. “It’s also cool to help see other things and help in the coaching process and be able to give your 2 cents and try to make the future better. There’s a sense of pride of being an alumni of this program.” Both Thornley and Phillips have faced tough injuries in their careers. Phillips has had two surgeries on her right wrist and Thornley had surgery on her shoulder this summer after she stretched out her capsule and tore her labrum. Phillips has already proved she is healthy this indoor season after qualifying for indoor nationals in this past weekend’s meet. Both the men’s and women’s teams are small and close knit. Each pole vaulter wants to see one another suc-

ceed individually while also helping the team out. “We’re all here to motivate each other,” Davis said. “The one attribute we take from each other is we want to jump high and we all want to work hard. It’s nice to have training partners that push you forward in your experience. It’s a lot harder as an individual to push yourself but when you work as a team I think it elevates your performance. I think we totally feed off each other, especially in practice. It’s part of the process, we all want to see each other do well.” Additionally, there is a family connection among the pole vaulters, coach Bob Phillips is the father of Kelly Phillips. Kelly Phillips did not start pole vaulting until her freshman year of college, although Bob Phillips tried to get his daughter to start the sport much earlier. “Obviously I’ve been around the sport for a long time and really liked it,” Kelly Phillips said. “I did gymnastics for a long time and I loved it so I didn’t want to give it up. It was hard to think about switching but there’s also very few opportunities for collegiate gymnasts. I needed a change mentally and physically. I decided the spring of my senior year to give it a shot. I decided I was coming to Tech and would try to pole vault and started over the summer.” Though it may sometimes be hard to

control their emotions, both Phillips’ maintain a professional relationship while they are at the track. “I think that a lot of people are surprised at how well it works,” Kelly Phillips said. “I think it takes a special person on his end to be able to balance me as an athlete and a daughter. He does a really good job of not treating me differently than everybody else in a good and a bad way. At times lately there’s been more of a dad and a coach because he’s been worried about the injuries. He’s been trying to convince me to pole vault for a long time.” Phillips only likes to play the role as a parent at the meets if Kelly is injured. “The most difficult part for me has been the injuries,” Phillips said. “You know she’s had two wrist surgeries and the father of me comes out in more when she’s jumping in those circumstances. Otherwise it’s been great.” The relationship between Bob Phillips and Kelly Phillips is representative of bond between all of the pole vaulters. “Like in every sports team. we’re kind of like a big family,” Thornley said. “Among the track team, it’s kind of split up because everyone is so specialized with what they do. The pole vaulters are one specialized family. It’s no wonder that with such a close group, success is so common.

Women’s lacrosse looks to rebound in 2011 ALYSSA BEDROSIAN sports staff writer The Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team is coming off a disappointing 2010 season in which the Hokies were winless in ACC play, but begin the 2011 season this Saturday with a new coaching staff and high hopes. After a 6-11 mark last season, Katrina Silva, former head coach, resigned in July to pursue other business opportunities. Additionally, the Hokies have tallied just one ACC win in the past five seasons. However, with new interim head coach Megan Burker and two new assistant coaches, the team has made significant changes during the off-season in order to be competitive this spring. “In a way we are a new team this year. I think we’ve come a really long way and made big strides since last spring,” said Allie Emala, senior attack-

er. “We are confident that we can get some ACC wins this year.” According to Dylan Garner, senior co-captain, the difference this season is the Hokies have been given a new perspective. “With the new coaches, it’s just been a whole different mentality,” Garner said. “It feels like a fresh slate.” In addition, the new coaching staff has implemented scouting reports, which will be very crucial to Tech’s success this season. Other small changes have been made both on and off the field, according to Burker. “We’ve made a lot of little incremental changes in terms of leadership development and off the field team chemistry, as well as on the field,” Burker said. With all three coaches in their 20s, the youth they bring fosters a highenergy, optimistic environment. “The mix of the three is really positive for our team,” Emala said.

The Hokies had a successful off-season and competed against some tough non-conference and ACC opponents in the fall. Tech is looking to build on this momentum, and the key to the Hokies success will be senior leadership, according to Burker. “We have a lot of seniors, a lot of experience,” Burker said. “We are really looking to our senior leaders at this point to really motivate the group and bring their energy every day.” Along with a strong group of upperclassmen, the Hokies welcome eight promising newcomers to the mix. The title of “interim” head coach may sometimes affect recruiting, though Burker is confident in this year’s freshman class. “In my book, the ‘interim’ is sort of a technicality. I’m planning for the future of Virginia Tech lacrosse,” Burker said. Tech’s 2011 schedule is challenging,

beginning with three straight games on the road. ACC play begins in March. However Burker and company are not looking ahead to the stiff conference competition just yet. “Our ACC play starts in late March, and our focus right now is to be prepared going into that and feel like we can be successful, and that takes coming up with wins early in the season,” Burker said. “Right now, going into our first game, our focus is on High Point, and we’ll take it one game at a time.” The Hokies match up against High Point this Saturday at 1 p.m., looking to set the right tone for the remainder of the season. “This is a new group and we’ve made a lot of changes,” Burker said. “In my mind, our past is our past and I’m excited about the future with this group and that will be my message this weekend. This is a start to our future together.”