Your voice Students discuss legislation change see page 3 Wednesday, March 20, 2013 An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com
COLLEGIATETIMES 109th year, issue 86 News, page 2
Students mourn March deaths
Food & Drink, page 4
slow speeds explained
Lauren Anderson close friend of Baugh Lauren Anderson, a close friend of Baugh’s, read a poem that she wrote in the form of letters to him after the loss, and describing what she would miss about him and his vibrancy. “I need lots of protecting,
I ULLAH
BAUGH
but you did a lot of that in this life, so I didn’t think you’d mind taking up the gauntlet in heaven DUGAS either,” said Anderson in her poem. “My life here on earth will never be the same without you.” Anderson was able to bring both laughter and tears from the crowd remembering his life. Chris Brown, a high school friend of Dugas who came to Tech with her, spoke in remembrance of her, remembering her positivity, liveliness and outgoing nature. “In every single picture, she’s with someone, hugging them, laughing with them, smiling with them, living life. Sarah possessed this amazing ability to make friends wherever she went,” Brown said. “She was a beam of sunshine and a breath of fresh air.” Brown went on to describe her laugh, her klutziness, and her sense of humor, asking people to remember the positive side of Dugas’ life. Af ter Ghanizada, Anderson and Brown spoke for their friends, candles were lit for the three wreaths by the three respective friends. Students then lit their candles during a moment of silence followed by music chosen by the friends of those mourned. The vigil was organized by the Hokie Bird, and the event was attended by members of the Division of Student Affairs to offer assistance to Follow the writer on Twitter: @HokieRealist
n late February, following an article I released on Feb. 18 about Access Media 3, also known as AM3, Melissa Mercado, marketing director of AM3 sent a press release to my inbox. The title read “Access Media 3 Announces Blacksburg Network Upgrades, Improves Internet Service to Area Residents.” A read through offered that AM3 “recognized a need for updated infrastructure and quickly moved to make necessary changes to improve service in the area” when it acquired properties from Shentel last year. Vito Caraguilo, senior vice president of technology and product development, noted in the release, “We have seen an increase in recent years of Internet usage due to the age of streaming video and owning multiple computing devices that require Internet connection.” He went on to say AM3 needed to upgrade to a more capable infrastructure to meet consumer demands, and so with months of work, it has “increased bandwidth delivery to individual properties and a more reliable internet product overall.” Even addressing the fact that Blacksburg has an abundance of student housing, the release noted that students no longer have to log-in to their accounts daily to access the Internet. It continued with the CEO citing AM3’s belief in consistency and quality, and that the improvements will be ongoing in Blacksburg. This prompted a second conversation with Mercado, one that lasted three times longer than our first. My intentions were to uncover more specific information about the release and the upgrades, so as to publicize the press release for student customers of AM3. What came from it instead was the illumination of misperceptions that students may have about AM3, and the service it provides. see AM3 / page two
ADDING IT UP
The 20 Mbs are based on the largest Internet package Access Media 3 offers for customers in Blacksburg and the 34.8 Mbs is service students use when streaming on the Internet.
20Mb 34.8 Mb
*Mb = MEGABIT
These numbers are representative of one account with Access Media 3 shared between four people in their home.
Mb USAGE PER PROGRAM AND HOUSEHOLD 25
20
15
10
5 Mbs
“
Study Break, page 6
BY DEAN SEAL | news editor
news reporter
I need lots of protecting, but you did a lot of that in this life, so I didn’t think you’d mind taking up the gauntlet in heaven either.”
Sports, page 8
Access Media 3
DONAL MURPHY Emotions ran high as students mourned and remembered those that they lost during the last two-week period at a candlelight vigil held Tuesday night outside of War Memorial Chapel. Several hundred people attended the vigil for the three Tech students who died this March. They gathered despite the wind and cold to remember Bryan Baugh, Sami Ullah and Sarah Dugas. Iman Ghanizada, a childhood friend of Ullah’s since middle school and fellow business information technology major, spoke in memory of him at the vigil. “He carried a positive vibe with him and everywhere you went, he made you happy. I guarantee that of everyone here, not a single person has something bad to say about him,” Ghanizada said. He went on to describe his experience with Ullah’s confidence, optimism and presence, recounting Ullah’s success at Business Horizon’s with no prior preparation.
Opinions, page 3
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Celebrating Snack spot opens at U-Mall agriculture JESSICA GROVES features reporter
The Collegiate Young Farmers celebrated National Ag Day in front of the Graduate Life Center March 19. photo by Mark Umansky
Christina McGarry, a junior at the University of Virginia, said Blacksburg’s dining halls and football games consistently outrank Charlottesville’s. Th is isn’t news to any Hokie who considers himself or herself superior to the average Wahoo. However, Blacksburg is taking a leaf out of Charlottesville’s cookbook again. The first time Blacksburg followed Charlottesville’s lead was when Qdoba, a Charlottesville favorite, was added to Turner Place at Lavery Hall’s menu. This time, it was adding Marco & Luca to the neighborhood dining experience. You wouldn’t know it from the title, but the eatery is known for its Chinese
food. For 10 years, locals in Charlottesville have praised the simple, fast service that Marco & Luca provides. On Yelp, Trip Advisor and Zagat’s, Marco & Luca has received hundreds of positive reviews. The most popular menu item is without question the dumplings, but Marco & Luca also serves soups, noodles and vegetarian dishes. McGarry said the lines at Charlottesville’s Marco & Luca are often long and winding. “During sorority rush, my girls and I had a break for dinner at Marco & Luca,” McGarry, who is majoring in history and politics, said. “The line was out the door.” The Marco & Luca restaurant in Blacksburg opened its doors early February. Local Virginia Tech alumnus Gary Cope has already sampled its dumplings.
“I work in the building right next to (Marco & Luca),” Cope said. “It kind of snuck up on me.” Cope has held on to his connection with Tech and its traditions. While working in Charlottesville, Cope traveled back to Blacksburg for nearly every home game. He said that local businesses like Souvlaki and Mike’s Grill are staples in his Blacksburg diet. “Students don’t have to go far to get a healthy, tasty meal,” Cope said. “It wasn’t that way when I was a student.” Although the dining hall experience at Tech continues to impress Cope, he said that Marco & Luca stands a better chance in Charlottesville’s pedestrianfriendly Corner. “(Charlottesville’s) downsee FOOD / page five
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news
march 20, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES
editors: mallory noe-payne, priscilla alvarez, dean seal newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
AM3: Service is ill-equiped for high volumes of use from page one
How does Access Media 3 operate in Blacksburg? First, I must clarify my misunderstandings of AM3’s operations. In my previous article, I state that AM3, located out of Oak Brook, Ill., did not have representatives or technicians in the Blacksburg areas. In fact, Mercado assures me it does, saying, “We have many service technicians in the area. We also have a property relationship coordinator that is there regularly.” She went on to say that these technicians can monitor the bandwidth in the area, and most importantly, “AM3 is always responsible for the services it provides, 100 percent.” Mercado would not give me the location of these workers, saying the actual location was irrelevant, but she assured me that AM3 is very much in Blacksburg. At this point in our conversation, I left the role of the questionnaire. The topic of the press release was swept aside, as Mercado began asking me about my experience with AM3. My role as a customer was trivial, but I gave my take on their service honestly; it wasn’t a stretch from what other students have said before. Complaints of slow service speeds intrigued Mercado, and before long, she gave me a view of AM3’s
Internet speeds that I hadn’t understood before. Is one account not enough? When I explained that my roommates and I all shared wireless Internet in our apartment, she explained to me that Internet speeds were as advertised, but that we were diluting our service by using it on all of our different devices. She chose water services as a metaphor for bandwidth. “Imagine water pressure and water coming through a faucet. It’s fine if you have one open,” Mercado said. “But lets say you’re connecting multiple faucets to it. By the time it trickles down to the end, you’re going to get less pressure and less water. Internet is similar.” In response to learning about the smart phones, laptop, and gaming devices my roommates had linked to our Internet account, Mercado saw what the speed problem was.
“
When you’re connecting multiple laptops, plus a gaming device? It’s really straining.” Melissa Mercado marketing director of AM3
“When you’re connecting
multiple laptops, plus a gaming device? It’s really straining,” she said. “It’s not that we aren’t delivering, it’s that it’s being abused. (It goes for) any service that is abused. … If you’re abusing it and using it incorrectly, and expecting more of it, there’s going to be issues.” Mercado saw this to be a cause for dissatisfaction AM3 doesn’t deserve. “So it’s unfair. It really is, for people to be pointing the finger.” In need of clarification, I asked if she meant that, in a household of more than one student, each student should purchase his or her own AM3 account. She responded, “That is correct, yes.” So we need multiple accounts for a good connection? Feeling bemused by the idea that my roommates and I were abusing AM3 service, I expressed that my situation for using Internet probably wasn’t uncommon among other students. I asked what alternatives would better suit apartments and homes with multiple students. “The ideal situation, and a lot of properties do have this, is that there are multiple Ethernet ports, and there should be one user per account,” Mercado said. “Now, one user doesn’t mean one piece of equipment. An
average user has maybe three —they have their cell phone, and a laptop and something else. So, that would be normal usage, and you’d be able to sustain that.” Mercado went on to explain that she was an AM3 customer herself, and that between the four devices she used, she had encountered zero problems with service. Do wireless connections impact the Internet’s speed? In an age where wireless has overtaken wired connections, I had to ask how a household might be able to still use wireless Internet, even when each member of the household had a separate account. Mercado saw wireless routers as an issue, because they would diminish the signal. “That makes it even worse,” she said. “So…consider it a filter.” But she also made it clear that the wireless router would only have a negligible impact on the connection. While the Internet had previously ranged in some locations between 3Mb/s and 5Mb/s, the upgrades AM3 increased those locations’ bandwidth to between 10Mb/s and 20Mb/s. Despite these increases, the dilemma still lies with multiple users on one wireless account. “The problem is that (students) are using a wireless router to connect to three, four, five people’s equipment,
and they don’t just have one,” she said.
“
So it’s unfair. It really is, for people to be pointing the finger.” Melissa Mercado marketing director of AM3
“So you’re talking about 15-20 devices, on 15Mb/s? Do the math.” From here, I discussed with her the implications of bringing more bandwidth to each residence. She understood my hesitations in believing that a household of students would fi nd it economically viable to each pay for an Internet package, given that a standard Internet package in a complex like Terrace View can cost roughly $60 per month. Even as AM3 increases the bandwidth from the existing infrastructure bought from Shentel can provide, the costs are high for such an undertaking. “The issue could be the equipment can only withstand X number of bandwidth,” Mercado said. “So in order for us to provide more, we have to change the entire equipment backbone of the building, and many times, that’s the cost the
property has to take on, or that we take on. But it’s a cost. It’s a big cost.” Mercado said it was her dream to “give everybody 100MB/s, and for there not to be any issues.” But limitations always exist. “The intention to increase (bandwidth) as time progresses is there. Especially since people are purchasing more and more devices that require the Internet,” she said. But in an evolving world, Access Media 3, like any company dealing with technology and fiber networking, has to cope with constant changes to the way people, especially students, remain logged on. Expectations and advertised internet speeds aside, there is only so much that can be done for an infrastructure like Blacksburg’s. “iPads didn’t exist a few years ago. A lot of people used to have desktops before,” she said. “All of these new pieces of equipment weren’t around when your building was built. So it’s a challenge.” Until bandwidth becomes more accessible, or customers are ready to stop using one AM3 account per residence, the challenge for students may remain the quest to stay connected in an infrastructure of limitations. Follow the writer on Twitter: @JDeanSeal
get outside. Check next Thursday’s CT for a list of local activities.
Call us to add your event: 540-961-9860
opinions
editors: josh higgins, shawn ghuman opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
march 20, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES
Weapons ban fi zzles out Josh Higgins & Pricilla Alvarez
A
bill to address gun violence proposed by U.S. Senate Democrats will no longer include a ban on assault weapons, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday. The ban, introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., in January as the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, would have stopped the sale, transfer, importation and manufacturing of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines — mechanisms that feed 10 or more rounds of ammunition into a firearm, according to Feinstein’s website. The motion was in response to a school shooting in Newtown, Conn., which resulted in the death of 20 children and six adults. While the legislation would have prohibited assault weapons and high-capac-
ity magazines, it would have excluded any weapon lawfully possessed at the date of the bill’s enactment, manually operated firearms, antique weapons, and assault weapons used by the military and active and retired law enforcement officials. The ban was removed from the gun legislation due to the challenges it would create in passing the larger legislation, and the fact that it would not meet the 60-vote threshold needed for the Senate’s consideration. Since the ban was dropped from the overall gun package, it ends an attempt to replace a ban, which President Bill Clinton signed into law in 1994, which expired in 2004.
Our Views The decision to give up on an assault weapons ban demonstrates, yet again, Congress’ inability to compromise and come up with effective solutions to the nation’s problems. Removing the assault weapons ban from the overall gun legislation eliminates one of the largest solutions to the gun problem plaguing the U.S., resulting in a bill that only goes part of the way to solve the problem. Moreover, failure to pass the ban will allow people to continue owning, selling, importing and manufacturing high-power guns that are unnecessary for any civilian to own. The power of these guns is extreme and unnecessary, and failure to ban them perpetuates the risk of high-powered weapons being used to harm citizens. The ban should remain intact in order to ensure proper gun regulation in the U.S.
Student Voices
3
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Michelle Sutherland Managing Editor: Nick Cafferky Design Editors: Andrea Ledesma, Alicia Tillman Special Section Design Edtitor: Danielle Buynak Public Editor: Erin Chapman Web Editor: Chelsea Gunter Senior News Editor: Mallory NoePayne Associate News Editors: Priscilla Alvarez, Dean Seal News Blog Editor: Cameron Austin News Reporters: Leslie McCrea, Justin Graves, Andrew Kulak, Donal Murphy News Staff Writers: Alex Gomez, Sean Hayden, Max Luong, Cody Owens, Features Editors: Emma Goddard, Nick Smirniotopoulos Features Staff Writers: Ben Kim, Katie White, Kara Van Scoyc, Allie Sivak, Jacob Wilbanks Senior Opinions Editor: Josh Higgins Associate Opinions Editor: Shawn Guhman Sports Editors: Matt Jones, Zach Mariner Special Sections Editor: Chelsea Giles Copy Chief: Nora McGann Copy Editors: Allison Hedrick, Kristin Gunther, Mackenzie Fallon, Alexis Livingston, Kayleigh McKenzie Photo Editor: Kevin Dickel Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: Ryan Francis Circulation Manager: Travis Neale Student Publications Photo Staff Director of Photography: Brad Klodowski Lab Manager: Trevor White
“I think that assault weapons are completely unnecessary for people to use. The word ‘assault’ in the phrase ‘assault weapon’ explains it all.”
“I don’t think it’s the best idea (to remove
“I am a gun owner. I don’t think it
the ban from the gun legislation). I don’t
affects me. The 10-round cap peo-
know very much about it; they might have
ple are going to stop makes sense.”
had their reasons. But as of now, I’d have to say I don’t approve.”
Elizabeth Bowen, music education, freshman
JP Snyder, economics, freshman Connor Brown, mining engineering, senior
“I don’t think they should con-
“I feel like those types of powerful
trol gun ownership, except for the
weapons do not need to be out in
background checks they already
the streets.”
“The fight is not over. They want to get other things passed.”
do.” Jayme Craig, general engineering, freshman
Deja Rasberry, music, sophomore
Evan Ochner, history, freshman
College Media Solutions Assistant Ad Director: Carla Craft Account Executives: Elizabeth Dam, Emily Daugherty, Taylor Moran Inside Sales Manager: Amanda Gawne Assistant Account Executives: Andrew Newton, Jordan Williams Creative Director: Danielle Bushrow Assistant Creative Services Director: Alyssa Morrison Creative Staff: Mary Dassira, Chloe Young, Cameron Vaile, Diana Bayless Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, VA, 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com All letters to the editor must include a name and daytime phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include city of residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). All letters should be in MS Word (.doc) format, if possible. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor-in-chief and the managing editors. Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Have a news tip? Call or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Collegiate Times Newsroom 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no direct funding from the university. The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com.
“I think it’s really sad they dropped the
“I don’t feel that it’s that big of a deal. I feel
“I don’t know why they’re so weak. The
ban, I can understand self-defense to an
like we have the freedom — and we can’t
semi-automatic gun ban was important.
extent, but having the capacity of such high-
control what is going to happen. People
They can do a lot of damage. There should
powered guns is superfluous and unneces-
will find the way (to get a gun) someway. It
not be a total ban. ... Why do general people
sary.”
would be worse if there was a ban.”
need automatic weapons?”
Rebecca Peterson, biology, freshman
Ritesh Soni, computer engineering, second year master’s student,
Maria Evans, public and urban affairs, senior
Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2012. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.
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march 20, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES
food & drink
editors: emma goddard, nick smirniotopoulos featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
Drink of the week: Hokie highball CHELSEA GILES | special sections editor Hokies know that even when the tailgate gear is packed away, school spirit endures year round. A great example of this is the Hokie Highball drink, which can be enjoyed no matter which season it is. This light and fruity cocktail is mixed with Southern Comfort, so do not let the sprite and cranberry juice deceive you of its powerful punch. The juice has a dark maroon hue in the bottom of the glass to create colorful cheers in true Hokie spirit. I suggest substituting the lime wedge with an orange one to complete the picture. Until the fall colors surround us and we gather together in Lane Stadium again, you can mix the Hokie Highball and raise your glass to what ties us all together. Let’s go. Ingredients: 1 ounce Southern Comfort 1 ounce Peach Schnapps 1 ounce gin 2 ounces cranberry juice 3 ounces Sprite Lime wheel to garnish Directions: 1. Combine all of the ingredients, except for the Sprite, into an ice filled cocktail shaker. 2. Cover, shake well and pour into your glass. Pour in the KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS Sprite, gently stir and garnish with the lime. Enjoy.
Recipe: Spicy pork ragout with rigatoni
A guide to dumplings: local cuisine embraces Asian flair RACHEL SWEENEY | features staff writer
China Inn Tucked just off of Blacksburg’s Main Street, China Inn looks exactly like your quintessential Chinese restaurant. Just a short walking distance from campus, a neon yellow sign displaying the restaurant name ensures it will not be passed by. The restaurant interior boasts the same idea: the walls are covered with Chinese paintings and pictures, with plants and bamboo structures decorating the inside. After looking over the surprisingly diverse menu, I ordered the steamed dumplings. Crispy fried strips with a sweet dipping sauce keep you company while you wait for your food. That wait wasn't long though, as the waitress promptly brought out the steaming dumplings and accompanying sauce. From the presentation, the dumplings didn’t look like much: small, half-moon shaped pieces of dough stuffed with pork and spices. After my first bite, I was sadly disappointed. My intuition had served me right; the dumplings were average and lacking the flavor I was craving. Disappointed, I dunked my dumplings in the paired sauce, hoping to change my mind. The sauce was definitely flavorful and packed a punch in the heat department. Unfotunately, it was the only flavor component to the dumpling meal. Overall, I would say that China Inn is average at best. To me, it was just another inexpensive Chinese establishment. While the dumplings were around $5 — a reasonable meal cost for a college student — I would not go out of my way to eat here. Truthfully, many other offerings would satisfy my hunger rather than these so-so dumplings and other Chinese fare.
Happy Wok
BRIAN CROMER | features staff writer
From the outside looking in, Happy Wok doesn’t look like much. Centered between popular restaurants and located right by campus, this small restaurant almost gets overlooked. Never again. Upon entering this small restaurant, I immediately felt as though I had stepped into another country. Delicious smells permeated my senses. As for the interior, the restaurant doesn’t impress. However, a drink case containing imported juices and liquid refreshments that were unknown to me, caught my eye. Walking up to the register, I ordered the steamed dumplings for around $5 and they were ready in a matter of minutes. After sitting down to my meal, I noticed that many of the customers at Happy Wok were regulars — a good sign. Time for my first bite. Looking at the large stuffed dumplings, my mouth began to water. The flavor did not disappoint by any means. Homemade, soft, doughy, generously filled dumplings filled my belly, and I knew I would be leaving completely satisfied. A sweet brown dipping cup accompanied the filling meal. While the dumplings were completely tasty eaten alone, the sauce brought the meal to a whole new level. Its sweetness was multidimensional, adding complex layers that were not too overbearing, with just the right amount of sweetness for the savory pork dumplings. With its intimidating specials menu — it's completely in Chinese — I will admit that I was reluctant to stop in for a first visit. However, I would now be willing to order just about anything served here. I’m THAT confident in Happy Wok’s food. I left both pleasantly stuffed and definitely “happy.”I will never again bypass the entrance to Happy Wok. This is one restaurant I will definitely keep coming back to for more.
Marco & Luca
about seven minutes. Remove them from the heat. 3. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil to medium-tohigh heat. In the oil, sear the cubes of pork until they are lightly browned — about six minutes. Take care not to overheat the oil, as the pork may start to burn. Split the pork into at least two batches so it can achieve sufficient caramelization. Reserve the pork, and drop the heat to medium. 4. Add the diced vegetables and mushrooms to the pot, pouring in another tablespoon of vegetable oil if the bottom of the pot is dry. Season them with a tablespoon of salt, and sweat the vegetables until they are translucent — about 30 minutes. 5. Add the red wine to the mixture. Simmer it for five minutes until the raw alcohol smell has evaporated. Add the tomato paste and whole tomatoes. Using a potato masher or wooden spoon, break down the tomatoes. Add the pork and bring it to a simmer. 6. Simmer the mixture for three-to-four hours. The ragout should reduce and thicken to a rich sauce with little excess liquid. In a separate bowl, use two forks to shred the pork, then return the meat to the sauce. Finish the sauce with three tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and salt to taste. 7. Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions and plate it with the ragout, garnished with the Parmesan cheese.
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This ragout is similar to a rich tomato sauce with the addition of pork. Simmering the sauce and reducing it results in a hearty sauce that goes well with the rigatoni noodles. Beef works well in place of the pork as long as it is a fatty cut of meat. Any hard cheese is an acceptable substitute for Parmesan. For a spicier dish, double the number of chiles and add one tablespoon of red pepper flakes. Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 5 hours Ingredients: 4 pounds Boston butt 1 pound small rigatoni noodles 2 white onions 4 medium carrots 3 celery stalks 4 garlic cloves 1 red bell pepper 2 Serrano peppers 4 dried jalapenos 2 cups red wine 8 ounces button mushrooms 2 28-ounce cans of peeled tomatoes 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons tomato paste Directions: 1. Finely dice the onions, celery, carrots, Serrano’s, mushrooms and bell pepper. Cube the Boston butt into one-inch pieces, and allow it to come to room temperature. Grate the Parmesan and reserve it for a garnish. 2. In a dry saute pan over low heat, toast the dried peppers until they are fragrant —
channel 33 on campus
PAUL KURLAK / SPPS
Simple, savory and satisfying are three words to describe Blacksburg’s new dumpling restaurant Marco & Luca. Having opened last month, this restaurant is the perfect, quick bite after a late-night math emporium study session. Walking into the establishment, a simple decor and even plainer menu doesn’t impress. With only six menu items, it doesn’t take long to choose what to order. Dumplings, hot buns, noodles and soup complete the basic fare options. However, there is a major bonus: nothing on the menu is over $4, which is perfect for any college student’s budget. Unlike other similar restaurants, Marco & Luca does not have a multiple page menu. This is a plus for me because sometimes, having too many options creates so-so food. Stick with the simple items and perfect their taste? Sounds like a plan to me. After walking in, I was greeted by friendly staff and the short menu board. I ordered the steamed dumplings, which were prepared, hot from the steamer, within the next few minutes. First off, there was no questioning whether these dumplings were homemade. Filled with pork, leek and ginger, they boasted a flavorful filling and pleasant texture. Unlike most mediocre dumplings, the filling was not ground into a paste-like quality. I was happy to find that I knew exactly what I was eating; it was not mystery meat. And if the flavor wasn’t enticing enough, another great part about the meal was the dumpling sauce. Rich, dark, sticky, sweet and sour sauce pleasantly sparked my taste buds. When paired with the dumplings, the true savory dish came to life. This sauce was also unusual in that it was not merely a watery dipping sauce but rather a heavy base that stuck to the dumplings. Marco & Luca is completely worth the trip. This brand new dumpling restaurant is both budget friendly and a quick meal for someone on the go. I left satisfied and pleasantly surprised. This establishment unquestionably knows how to make comforting, filling dumplings.
editors: editors: emma goddard, nick smirniotopoulos featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
food & drink
march 20, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES
5
Food: Wahoos, Hokies share dumpling eatery from page one
town has a huge selection of restaurants,” Cope said. “The only place at Tech that really compares is College Avenue, which is mostly bars. There isn’t a separate place for older folks such as myself, whose partying days are long over.” Marco & Luca moved into the space that Quizno’s left in University Mall. Cope said that, in his opinion, the Blacksburg restaurant isn’t any worse or better than Charlottesville’s Marco & Luca. To a seasoned Blacksburg patron like Cope, the hype seems unfounded. “I’ve heard about the reputation it has in Charlottesville, and I ate there the first time this week,” Cope said. “For something quick and easy, you can’t beat it, but I don’t see what all the rage is about.” Cope studied communication during his time at Tech, but has also lived and worked in Charlottesville. His roots in Blacksburg have grown deep; he and his wife had Sub Station II cater their wedding, and they held their rehearsal dinner at Mike’s Grill. Now that he and his family have returned to the area, he’s hoping Blacksburg can focus on providing residents with a variety of family-oriented restaurants. He said that certain aspects of Blacksburg’s nightlife and dining needed work. “I can’t take my seven-year-old son to a lot of the restaurants downtown because of the crush of students who are oblivious to what’s around them,” Cope said. “I think places in Blacksburg have established a relationship with the students.” When Turner Place opened on campus, the town of Blacksburg and its restaurants worked with local business owners to balance the playing field. Turner Place’s hours are strategically designed to protect local business and dining. In the same way, Marco & Luca’s location in Blacksburg doesn’t provide competition for the oncampus dining halls like it does in Charlottesville. UVa. students and residents of Charlottesville can eat at Marco & Luca in three different locations, including the Corner. McGarry said students there are more involved with local dining because of this convenience. “There are so many businesses (on the Corner) that it makes you feel like the community caters to the students,” McGarry said. “In a way, they definitely look out for us.” McGarry and Cope both mentioned the importance of meal plans for students at both schools. Unlike Tech, students at UVa. usually forfeit their meal plans after their first year because of the variety of downtown dining locations. “For students, we think of (the downtown dining scene) as having consistently good, cheap food,” McGarry said. “It costs half of the meal plan, and it’s more convenient.” McGarry said the location of Marco & Luca made a difference. The walk from Burruss Hall to University
(Top and right) RYAN SUTHERLAND, (Left) KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS
Lhundup Sotpa (left) and Dakpa Gyalsten (right) work at Marco and Luca, an eatery originally started in the home of the Hoos in Charlottesville, Va. The dumpling shop since made its way to Blacksburg, having opened in February. Mall takes about 20 minutes, but the Corner is only a five-minute walk from UVa.’s lawn. In spite of all the traditional rivalry that comes between Tech and UVa., McGarry said she had no ill will when it came to sharing Marco & Luca with Tech. “I have never heard a negative comment about the Marco & Luca here in Charlottesville,” McGarry said. “I’m glad Tech is getting one.”
ANDREA LEDESMA / COLLEGIATE TIMES
$1000 signing bonus! 6
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march 20, 2013
The Madness is near...
Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope: The Spring Equinox today symbolizes new beginnings. Launch your great endeavor especially around May 25; an eclipse shines attention on your work. Communication is key until summer, when home and family take your focus. Monitor finances, especially debt, insurance and savings. Release personal limitations. You can have it all.
Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham Quote of the Day
WE LIKE K TO O “Sometimes I push the elevator close button on people running towards the elevator. I just need my own elevator sometimes, my seven floor sanctuary.” - @KanyeWest
Send us your quote and see it here! creative.services@collegemedia.com
XKDC by Randell Monroe VIRGINIA TECH’S WUVT MUSIC FEATURE DON’T FORGET TO GRAB YOUR COPY THIS FRIDAY!
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54 She played Carla Tortelli on “Cheers” 57 Genetic carrier 58 Arena level 59 2009 Ruben Studdard album 60 Held by us 61 Numbers for one 62 See 4-Across 63 Little thing to pick
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Copyright 2007 Puzzles by Pappocom Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com
By David Poole
Week ending March 22th, 2013
Hot New Songs Tightrope • Walk the Moon Who Knew • You Won’t Charlie Boy • The Lumineers I Love It feat. Charli XCX • Icona Pop
ACROSS 1 Trespass 4 With 36- and 62Across, kids’ ball game, and something this puzzle’s four longest answers have in common 10 Collar or jacket 14 TNT element? 15 Ring of color 16 Powerful TV princess 17 One of the Gershwins 18 Early Mary Tyler Moore role
3/20/13 20 Puts in a fresh pot 22 Habeas corpus et al. 23 Name of three presidents 24 Noodle product? 26 Glacial ridge 27 Horticulturist’s hangout 31 Happy coworker? 33 Some TV screens 34 Go for, as a prize 35 Hogwarts messengers
36 See 4-Across 38 Tower city 39 Bolo, for one 40 Nudge 41 “I’m outta here!” 42 Meeting of Congress 44 “Les Girls” actress Elg 46 Latin word on a cornerstone 47 Getaway 49 Ionian Sea island 52 Place for a bargain?
DOWN 1 Recipe direction 2 Discount rack abbr. 3 She played Nicole Chapman on “Fame” 4 Trivia game that involves bluffing 5 Autumn color 6 Neither masculine nor feminine 7 Fashion designer Michael 8 She, in São Paulo 9 Jabber 10 Cast-ofthousands actors 11 Actress Hatcher 12 “Don’t count __!” 13 Rob Roy refusals 19 Washstand vessels 21 Gets the consolation prize 24 Creep 25 Snappy dresser 28 1996 Madonna role 29 Increase 30 Wine bottle datum
31 Colon’s pair 32 Abrasion, to a tot 33 Inc. abroad 36 Golfer’s selection 37 Thing to avoid 38 2011 TV show with multiple pilots 40 Calendar girl 41 Traffic cop’s request 43 Jungle journey
44 Working (with) 45 Lash out at 48 World-weariness 49 PC monitors 50 River formed at Pittsburgh 51 Lively dance 52 L.A.’s Sunset, e.g. 53 Bakery offering 55 Stately tree 56 Louis XIV, par exemple
Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved
(c)2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
On Top of the World • Imagine Dragons
Control
your Schedule Graduate on time! Work Summer Session classes into your plan to keep on track. Course request opens in December. Drop/Add opens March 16, 2013
www.summer.vt.edu
March Madness Special Section in the CT Tomorrow
3/19/13
editors: mallory noe-payne, priscilla alvarez, dean seal newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
news
COLLEGIATETIMES
MELISSA DRAUDT
ANDREW KULAK
news staff writer
news reporter
KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS
Conference Services is renting on-campus rooms for commencement weekend.
night. Guests who win the lottery for newer rooms will pay a premium for the upgrade. Airconditioned rooms with private bathrooms start at $292 for a Friday through Sunday stay. Some two and three-room suites — with air-conditioning and separate bathrooms — will also be made available, starting at $566 and running to almost $1200 depending on length of stay and number of bedrooms desired. All room packages include sheets, towels, local phone service, and Internet access may also be available. The prices listed include breakfast and dinner meal
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ePortfolio showcase to be held
Dorms available for rent Virginia Tech is alleviating stress for those still seeking lodging for commencement weekend by offering on-campus residence hall rooms for visitors to rent. “We normally have between 1,200 and 1,400 guests that stay in the residence halls,” said Eric Wininger, assistant director for Conference Services, the department that coordinates the rentals. Tech has been renting rooms to commencement travelers since the 1980s. The university rents rooms vacated by students who will not remain on campus for commencement. Rooms in New Hall West, Peddrew-Yates Hall, New Residence Hall East, Slusher Wing and Lee Hall will be offered. However, while there have always been sufficient rooms available to meet demand, availability of rooms with certain modern comforts is limited, said Wininger. Rates vary depending on the type of room rented. A “traditional” room — a room without a private bathroom, in a building without air conditioning — starts at $220 for the Friday before graduation through the Sunday after. Those planning to arrive on Thursday can pay an additional fee for an extra
march 20, 2013
vouchers for two at D2. Rates are based on double-occupancy in each room, though an additional adult guest may sleep on the floor and children younger than 16 may stay for free. Limited handicapped-accessable rooms are available. Once reserved, fees for lodging are non-refundable. The lottery for air-conditioned rooms is currently open. All other reservations can be made beginning April 1. Those interested should visit housing. vt.edu for more information and to make arrangements. Follow the writer on Twitter: @KulakCT
The office of ePortfolio Initiatives is accepting submissions until March 29 for its first annual ePortfolio showcase to be held on April 25. The showcase will be held in the Innovation Space classroom in Torgersen 1120 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature 10 student-created electronic portfolios. “The idea was to put in front of undergraduate students and interested faculty, examples of good, completed student ePortfolios,” said Mark Zaldivar, director of ePortfolio Initiatives at Virginia Tech. Spectators can come and go at any time to listen and talk to students who have created portfolios. Students chosen to present will receive $150 to talk about the work that they’ve done and how they’ve created their portfolios. According to Teggin Summers, assistant director of ePortfolio Initiatives, development of a personal ePortfolio can be beneficial in more ways than one. A good ePortfolio can showcase a variety of different things, including reflectings on past lessons, goals a student has accomplished, and the future aspirations. Zaldivar estimates that
approximately 8,000 undergraduates are currently doing work with electronic portfolios in every college of the university. English majors are required to take ENGL 2614, where they
who hasn’t touched her ePortfolio since taking the class. Architecture students are also required to archive designs in Scholar, which has presented some problems. The trouble is in the uploading procedure and formatting, according to Kathryn Albright, I’d say that’s definitely foundation program chair for the school of architecture and one of our highest design. However, the ePortfolio goals here: to make Initiative has been working learning as visible as with them on those issues. possible.” “(They have) been very eager to work with us to make these Mark Zaldivar changes… and we’re making director of ePortfolio progress,” Albright said. Despite these problems, Tech has become a national leader create an ePortfolio using dif- in ePortfolio development ferent platforms, including and research. The ePortfoScholar, Wordpress and Weebly. lio Initiatives office won the Students currently doing work Teaching with Sakai Innovation with ePortfolios are seeing the Award in 2012. benefits. Zaldivar and Summers hope “The biggest thing I’ve taken the ePortfolio showcase will from ePortfolios is the reflec- encourage more students to tion opportunity, but it also has consider creating an electronic really helped me in being able to portfolio. “A lot of what we do is make showcase myself professionally,” said Emily DeNoon, junior learning visible,” Zaldivar English major and undergradu- said, “so, I’d say that’s defiate intern for the office of ePort- nitely one of our highest goals here: to make learning as visfolio Initiatives. Not all students share the ible as possible at Virginia same view as DeNoon on the Tech.” usefulness of ePortfolios. “Honestly, I thought it was Follow the writer on Twitter: a waste of time,” said Beth @melissarapt0r Cameron, junior English major,
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Do you like basketball, money, and winning?
THE
If so, compete in the CT online bracket contest for a chance to win $100 and other great prizes! Deadline is March 21 11:59 a.m. online
Travel
For Rent
GETTING COLD TIME to Plan your Spring Break 2010 Get Away! Learn how to travel to beautiful locations like Jamaica, Acapulco and the Bahamas on a party cruise. Find out what other Virginia Tech Hokies are headed to your destination. -Adrian Email: Awhite@Studentcity.com for more information
APARTMENT ROOM Seeking male students two rooms available $415 mo. Split utilities call 4343902202 more info
Help Wanted CARLSON ENTERPRISES ARE seeking an Admin officer, sales rep and cashier. FT. Position requires excellent organizational skills, telephone etiquette, Ability to multitask and prioritize projects in a very fast paced environ. It comes with an attractive salary plus benefits. Send resume to:carlsonjeff18@gmail.com
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Pet Advice of the Week: Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) The solution isn’t far. Get the word out about what you see. Be cautious making commitments. You could make a lot of money during the next month. This prompts you to take action. Compromise works.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Consider an option that seems beyond your reach. Work for money without worrying about it. Balance work with social time. Everyone wants your attention; schedule for ease. Your efforts go farther, and playtime’s extra nice.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You can make do with what you have. Cleaning your space leads to new discoveries (or rediscoveries), and to major improvements. Your team’s coming to the rescue. Avoid gossip at work. Music is a wise investment now.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Seek inspiration this month. Delve into the mystery. Talk it over, and secrets get revealed. Launch a new venture. Negotiations could hit rough waters with unstable conditions. Listen more than you talk, and follow through.
Aries (March 21-April 19) Go for perfection, with the help of friends or family. You’re inspired and are inspiring. Private conversations help. Research provides illumination. Get the facts to the right person.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Trust yourself and your intuition, and get the work done. The timing couldn’t be better. Make wise use of your turbo boost, then recharge before revving back up. Get this party started.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Express your affection, and listen for other’s love. Hold yourself to high standards, but be lexible. Some things aren’t as imagined. Be careful around sharp objects. A blissful moment is possible.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Focus on completing old projects over the next few weeks. Invest in your own success and in new alliances. Narrowing down to what you love makes it easy to stick to a budget. Make money.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Get deeply into a research project. Indulge your curiosity, and make a discovery. Put off procrastination. Discuss all ideas and work out the practical details in a plan for action.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Make great plans for the future and get moving. There’s plenty of work for the next month, and the pace could get intense. Play the ace you’ve been holding. Delegate when you can. Use your team.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This month is about family. Set inancial priorities to support this. An expert can help. Something you try doesn’t work, so devise a backup plan. This might take several tries. Set it up for success. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You’re especially focused and keen this month, and your studies, research and writing thrive. Keep your eyes on the prize. Listen carefully. Secrets are revealed. Unexpected costs are likely now. The old way can still work.
Do not overfeed in an attempt to accelerate a puppy’s growth rate. Remember, the adult size of a dog is determined genetically—not by how fast the animal grows. Controlled feeding of a balanced diet specifically made for large- and giant-breed puppies facilitates optimal skeletal development. It is important to aim for a slower rate of growth with large and giant breed puppies. -aspca.com
SUBMIT TO PET OF THE WEEK Want to see your cuddly cutie in the paper? Send us an email with a picture followed by the above information and we will publish your furry friend! creative.services@collegemedia.com
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march 20, 2013 COLLEGIATETIMES
sports
editors: matt jones, zach mariner sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
West features no clear choice South is full of big programs MIKE PLATANIA
JAMES O’HARA
sports reporter
sports staff writer
The West region is undoubtedly the weakest region in this year’s bracket, mostly because it houses the weakest No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the tournament in Gonzaga and Ohio State. Gonzaga is the great unknown. The Bulldogs have struggled against the few legitimate opponents they’ve played, but also have wins over tournament teams like Kansas State and St. Mary’s. They fell victim to unlucky number 13 twice, when they lost to both Butler and Illinois when they were ranked No. 13 in the country. And perhaps the most alarming thing for Gonzaga is that Butler and Illinois both were relatively over-ranked at the time. Gonzaga’s signature win is a one-point victory over Oklahoma State, but the Cowboys are an inconsistent team (as shown by their loss to Virginia Tech). Typically, picking No. 1 seeds in the tournament is the safest bet, but Gonzaga is far from a lock for even the Sweet 16. The Bulldogs are unblemished, but also unproven. Ohio State, despite its Big Ten Tournament title, may be over-seeded as a No. 2 seed. The Buckeyes are only 5-7 against ranked opponents and have looked pretty helpless in some of those losses. MCT CAMPUS But they certainly didn’t win the Big 10 by accident, Ohio State is the No. 2 seed in the West after winning the Big 10. and their defense was a big reason they brought back the trophy. Ohio State will sink or swim by their defense. If it runs into an opponent who can score in bunches (like Gonzaga), it could be in serious trouble. And even though the West lacks strong one and two seeds, it might have the best No. 3 seed in the pool in New Mexico. The Lobos don’t do one particular thing amazingly; they just play well in all facets of the game. They don’t turn it over or take bad shots. They do move the ball well and earn their share from the foul line. New Mexico flew under the radar all year and could very well make the West its own. Another team that’s quietly had a very good season is Kansas State. The Wildcats are always around in March and are always good for a win or two in every tournament, and it shouldn’t be any different this season. But the most intriguing team in the West is the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin’s shown time and time again that they can beat anyone, as they’ve beaten both Michigan and Indiana twice. The Badgers use the same formula in every game. If teams dread playing Ohio State’s defense, then they have nightmares about Wisconsin. It rebounds well, slows the game down and doesn’t give opponents open looks, especially from behind the arc. Wisconsin knows how to keep games close and has been great at closing them out late. If the Badgers get rolling, they too could sneak into the Elite 8 and beyond. Other interesting matchups are between Pittsburgh and Wichita State, as well as Arizona and Belmont. Any four of those teams could make some serious noise if they can get out of the fi rst round. The West is the one region where you can throw every team’s seeding out the window because so many of them are so evenly matched. It may lack a consistent, proven contender, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t be extremely entertaining.
For teams in the South Regional, the road to Atlanta and the Final Four goes through Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but they have to make it there first. The No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks have a history of making it into the Final Four, having made 14 appearances in their illustrious history. Under Coach Bill Self, the Big 12 champs will try to navigate their way there again. But the road to Atlanta won’t be easy, as the South Region is host to 2-5 seeds that could all easily claim a spot in the Final Four. The South Region also boasts six teams who were ranked in the top 10 at some point this season. The second seeded Georgetown Hoyas were the regular season Big East champions. Led by national player of the year-candidate Otto Porter, the Hoyas have proved to be extremely tough on defense. The Hoyas limit opponents to just 56.1 points per game and a paltry 37.7 percent shooting from the field. The third seed is another regular season champion in the Florida Gators. Like the Hoyas, the Gators suffocate their opponents on defense, allowing only 53.2 points per game. Unlike the Hoyas, though, the Gators can score too, averaging 71.6 points per game. If their senior trio of Erik Murphy, Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario
can light it up from beyond the arc, the Gators are nearly impossible to beat. Coming in a bit lower than expected, as a four seed, are the Michigan Wolverines. A top-10 team going into their conference tournament, a loss to Wisconsin knocked them down a tier. Still, the Wolverines, led by their own national player of the year-candidate in point guard Trey Burke, present a challenge. Their first-round matchup with South Dakota State will be a battle of point guards with the Jackrabbits’
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The South Region boasts six teams who were ranked in the top 10 at some point this season.”
Nate Wolters dueling Burke. The top two seeds, Kansas and Georgetown, won’t be happy to see the VCU Rams sitting as the five seed in their region. In 2011, the Rams defeated both teams on their way to a shocking run to the Final Four. Th is season, the Rams switched conferences, from the CAA to the Atlantic 10, but have been as tough as ever. With their fast-paced offense and aggressive defense, the Rams could see themselves in another Final Four. Outside of the contenders, there are a number of great fi rst round and potential later round games, as well as a few popular upset picks. The most popular upset
pick of the tournament has to be the 11th-seeded Minnesota Gophers over the sixth-seeded UCLA Bruins. Both teams were ranked highly at one point this season, but have fallen off. This game could be decided on the glass, where the Gophers are one of the best teams in the country in rebounding, while the Bruins struggle. Another intriguing firstround matchup is the 7-10 game between the midmajor San Diego State Aztecs of the Mountain West and the Oklahoma Sooners of the Big 12. Unlike most games between a mid-major school and one from a power conference, the Aztecs are actually the higher seeded team. The Aztecs’ Jamaal Franklin is the only player in the nation to lead his team in points, assists, rebounds and steals. Finally, the bracket sets up a potential second round match-up of blue bloods between the Kansas Jayhawks and the North Carolina Tar Heels. If the Tar Heels can get past Villanova, Roy Williams will be facing his old team again in Kansas. The South Region will be tough, housing five teams with a legitimate shot at making the Final Four, as well as some good upset candidates that could throw a wrench in things. While it’s hard to bet against the pedigree of the Kansas Jayhawks, don’t be surprised to see another team representing the South in Atlanta.