Cauldron The Volume 107 No.8 10/14/08

Cauldron The

10/14/08

Volume 107 No.8

Quality of Life Enriching your days on a college student’s budget

WWW.CSUCAULDRON.COM

The Contents

Volume 107 No.8 -October 14th 2008

Feature

“For the Students...By The Students”

Editor-In-Chief Managing Editor Advertising Manager Copy Editors

Quality of Life

Aside from food and shelter, there are some basic needs that have to be met to keep life from becoming boring, shallow, and meaningless.

Beauty, intellect, love, fun- these deeper needs are sometimes called “the best things in life,” and rumor has it they’re supposed to be free. …Page 10

The Melting Pot Opening Statements………Page 3 The Struggle………Page 3 These Hips Don’t Lie – and Neither Does Senator Obama………Page 4 Latest O.J. Case Just Seems So Fitting………Page 5

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News

Cleveland-Marshall Law Presents Financial Crisis Forum…………Page 6 Town Hall Series………Page 7 SGA Update………Page 7 Urban College Hosts Forum on Cleveland Medical Mart Proposal………Page 8 CSU’s Greek Life Rises from the Ashes………Page 8 Election Crunch Time………Page 9

To Submit Editorials, Articles , Etc.: cauldroneditors@hotmail.com

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The Comics Sports

Contributing Writers Christina Niehaus Dan Langshaw Eric Sever Emily Ouzts Drew Cappy Alexes Spencer Melissa Alewine Cheryl D. Mello Jonathan ‘Killstring’ Herzberger Bob Demyan Robert Rozboril Stephanie Berhannan Ron Arnett

The Melting Pot The Cauldron reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. All entries must include your name, year-in-school, and daytime phone number for verification purposes.

All entries must be submitted

by Friday at 5 p.m.

Arts & Entertainment

Frank Grigonis presents: Elf & The Big Guy………Page 17 A Cartoon by Mike Quintero………Page 17

Nick Camino Christopher Enoch

Jayson Gerbec Sairah Zaidi Laura Krawczyk News Editor Roman Verzub Arts & Entertainment Editor Faith Larraine Sports Editor Robert Ivory Layout Editor & Web Designer Steve Thomas Cartoonists Michael Quintero Frank Grigonis Business Manager Anne Werner

Enriching your days on a college student’s budget

Flashback 1873: Blue Jeans………Page 12 Concert Picks of the Week………Page 13 On the Road to Nowhere………Page 13 So, You’ve Never Been To A Concert?………Page 14 CD Review………Page 14 Composer Erb Lives on Through Vivacious Performance………Page 15 CSU Dramatic Arts Presents David Mamet’s Oleanna………Page 15

Cauldron The

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Morton has Vikings Ready to Swim with Best………Page 18 Fall is the Greatest Season for a Sports Fan………Page 19 Viking Madness Marks Start to the B-ball Seasons………Page 18

www.csucauldron.com

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The Melting Pot 10-14-08

Opening Statements

By Chris Enoch The Cauldron Managing Editor Approximately80percentofAmerica’scitizens are distressed about the state of the economy and its repercussions on their pocketbooks according to a recent American Psychological Association (APA) survey. Cleveland State students and Northeast Ohio residents in particular are no stranger to these sentiments.

Anxiety is abound year-round if you’re a college student swept up in the whirlwind of America’s sad economic times. With Northeast Ohio as the arguable epicenter of this “Main Street” financial typhoon, students of all stripes need to brace for a tidal wave.

We are here to help.

With the advent of The Cauldron’s new advice column, Cleveland State students will be in a unique position to air their grievances and vent some of the frustration they might be feeling (e-mail us at cauldronadvice@gmail.com).

Handling the havoc of a scholarly life is easier said than done though.

What can we do to prepare before that perfect storm of undergraduate unrest kicks in? Options exist.

Let’s acknowledge what’s known: Cleveland State isn’t the average university milieu. Most Cleveland State students have full to part time jobs to pay for their tuition, and many only attend

the university on a part-time basis. 65 percent of students meet financial aid needs through loans and jobs according to collegeboard.com. 35 percent are awarded scholarships and grants.

Given the significant amount of us that work full time or at more than one part-time job in addition to internships and other enterprises, establishing consistently good habits is a must.

In the midst of multiple jobs and an internship, I’ve become a recent convert to the wisdom of rigorous time management.

Managing time means learning your own routine. Armed with a Moleskine notebook, PDA, cell phone, or academic organizer, each evening should present an opportunity to diagram the next day’s routine including job hours, college studies, class times, mealtime, exercise and sleep. These are the vital requirements we have to juggle, balance and prioritize. After you have prioritized your obligations, prepare for any overlaps. Given there is time left over after these pressing needs, you can consider yourself liberated.

Life doesn’t have to be all work and no play during the period we are supposed to call the best years of our lives. Students need time to let loose.

Let’s plan for it.

Time management devotees and workaholics alike should devote at least half an hour a day

(or what can be spared) to valuable personal objectives. For some this may include activities like exercise and time with friends, for others it may just be time to meditate and reflect on what comes next.

Aggressive time management also requires a willingness to refuse. Giving the nix to superfluous constraints placed on your time from outside individuals or interests is all part of having a firm commitment to overcoming obstacles and safeguarding your own affairs.

If a person walks down every avenue in their neighborhood on their way to a destination, how will they ever arrive there?

I may never learn to overcome all stress.

With unwavering dedication and perhaps a bit of providence, Cleveland State students and Northeast Ohio residents in particular may be able to navigate through and maneuver around these hard times.

tips for moving in together; they all pertain to communication issues.

If you want to set down rules, don’t do it by yourself. Have a conversation with the person about boundaries and material possessions.

Make sure that it is a collaborative effort and not just one sided.

Jones also talks about forgiving small mistakes, being kind and courteous, etc. But one of the big struggles skipped over is finances.

My boyfriend and I have been thinking about moving in together for some time now.

We want to move in during winter break, but that all depends on finances. I only have a parttime on-campus job right now. Even though he has a full-time job, I’m still trying to spring for

a second off-campus job for security.

The problem with that is I already have a pretty full schedule, and with the economy the way that it is, who knows if I can even find a second job at all. We may have to hold off longer because of this. And when we talk about it, the talks aren’t always happy.

Moving in together is a really big step. You have to ask yourself if you are ready to really spend every night and day with this person. Of course you’ll go to school and work, but at the end of the night, you are always going to come home to the same person. Is this ok with you?

I guess this kind of goes back to my previous issue about becoming an adult. If your maturity

This week’s advice column question is: How is the financial crisis most affecting your college career?

E-mail your concerns, difficulties and crises to cauldronadvice@gmail.com.

The Struggle Moving in Together

By Faith Larraine The Cauldron Arts & Entertainment Editor It’s a struggle when you decide it is time to move in with or get a new place with your significant other.

Ok, so you love each other and you want to be with each other all the time. That’s great. It’s always nice to be in love and want to be closer to someone. But when you decide to move in together, some people don’t realize just how close they are really going to be. Sometimes, it may be too close for comfort.

According to Dr. Ilene Krems, a licensed marriage and family therapist, one of the biggest problems with relationships in general is communication.

The website for Associated Content has an article written by S.E. Jones that consists of 10

Continued from Page 4

Tuesday, October 14th • The Cauldron • Page 3

The Melting Pot The Struggle Continued from Page 3

level is at the right point then maybe you are ready to make the transition. If not, maybe you should hold off for a while… finances or not.

When it comes to moving in together, you have to think of how the communication between you and your guy or girl is already.

Do you fight a lot now? Can you speak freely now? If this is the case already, do you really think they would change after all of your stuff has been moved into a foreign place where

you will have to be stuck together for seven days a week?

Another problem that some may face is what their parents will think. At first, my mother wasn’t too keen on the idea. After awhile though, she came to realize that she couldn’t stop me. She actually became excited for me.

Some parents may not like the idea of their child moving in with another person before

marriage. Some people insist on moving in before marriage because they want to know what living with the person on a daily basis is really going to be like. I vote for moving in first, for that reason alone.

Moving in together isn’t politics. There should really be no debate on it if you know in your heart that you are ready. And if things don’t turn out like you want them to, have a back up plan.

These Hips Don’t Lie – and Neither Does Senator Obama Celebrity Endorsements

By Jonathan ‘Killstring’ Herzberger The Cauldron Staff Writer

Oct. 7th, 2008 - According to the L.A. Times, belly-dancing pop starlet Shakira has made a bold and unprecedented move, declaring her endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for President. Pundits expect this to give a sorelyneeded boost to the “Astonishingly Flexible Millionaire Vocalist” category, which Senator Kerry was never quite able to garner in 2004, and totally eluded Gore. This is indisputably a master stroke for a campaign that already boasts the support of such brilliant minds as Scarlett Johansson, Hulk Hogan, and half the cast of Ocean’s Thirteen.

Not to be outdone, staffers from the John McCain camp are quick to point out country singers Gretchen Wilson and John Rich, both staunch McCain supporters. I’ll avoid the obvious joke about the Republican Party embracing the support of ‘Big and Rich’, and instead point out that Tom Sellack has lent his mustachioed visage to McCain’s cause.

Is Ralph Nader still relevant? Val Kilmer certainly thinks so – and Kilmer would know something about the constant struggle to remind people that yes, you are in fact still there.

Okay, this is all well and good, but seriously – what does any of it mean? For better or worse, we live in a world that is saturated with media imagery, and celebrity status gives people a massive audience for their every word. According to recent Gallup polls, Obama is ahead 60 percent to 35 percent with voters ages 18-29, whereas McCain has held a distinct advantage in the 65+ demographic, topping out at 47 percent to 39 percent in the first week of Aug. Take the rest of the polls, and after some mathematical gymnastics, we’ve got a pretty clear pattern of both candidates’ demographic strengths.

Obama rates high among non-white racial Page 4 • The Cauldron • Tuesday, October 14th

and ethnic groups; people with postgraduate educations; people who are single; the aforementioned ages 18-29 group; women; low-income individuals; and with those for whom religion is less of a priority. McCain is strong with non-Hispanic whites; those who are married; that 65 and older crowd; white Protestants and non-Catholic Christians, and those to whom religion is more of a priority (Source: Gallup.com, Oct. 7).

What does this tell us?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, we like candidates who are somehow like us. So Obama gets Michael Jordan, (who, when approached

by Jesse Helms’ campaign in ’99 famously rebuffed him, saying “Republicans buy Sneakers too”) to finally throw his weight behind a candidate, as have LeBron James, Oprah, Russell Simmons, Pete Wentz, Moby, and Kanye West - who has presumably found a politician whom he feels ‘cares about black people’. Let’s see – younger, successful, charismatic, and yeah, a lot of them are minorities. I wonder how many of these guys could tell you the first thing about Obama’s voting record, or what he plans to do about healthcare?

Not to be outdone, Rip Torn, Wilford Brimley (and his amazing Moustache.

Moustaches for McCain!), Robert Duvall, Jon Voight, and Dick Van Patten have all thrown in with McCain, which could be about policies, leadership, etc… or it could be because they’re all older than god and twice as wealthy.

And you know what? All of this is okay.

Having strong opinions about politics is a good thing – it means that people are passionate about this election. But passion does not eloquence bequeath, and politics is a tricky, complex business. And celebrities are not necessarily going to be any better

informed than the rest of us simply by virtue of a microphone being thrust in their face. At the end of the day, we owe it to ourselves to make an informed decision, based on facts – based on what’s important to us. At the end of the day, a celebrity endorsement is good for exactly one vote, and nothing more.

Except for Shakira’s - she’s a Columbian citizen. Guess those hips don’t vote, either.

The Melting Pot

Latest O.J. Case Just Seems So Fitting O.J. Simpson Could Face Up to 60 Years Imprisonment

By Nick Camino The Cauldron Editor-In-Chief The worst feeling one can have for a fellow human being is pity. Pity is far worse than hate, because in pitying somebody, you realize that they are so pathetic that you can’t even hate them.

So, to say that I hate former Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson simply does not suffice. But I sure do pity the man.

The same man who in 1967 led the nation with 1,451 yards rushing while playing tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans.

The same man who in 1968 won the Heisman Trophy by the greatest margin ever, as well as the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award.

The same man who was the overall No. 1 draft pick in the 1968 NFL Draft. The same man who is 16th overall on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. And yes, the same man who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1985.

However, Simpson’s impressive resume can easily be overlooked after his acquittal of the double murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1994, the infamous low-speed police chase while followed by police in a white Ford Bronco SUV, his $33 million civil judgment which he has not paid one cent for, the $1.44 million that he owes in past due taxes in 1999, and now on Oct. 3, justice was done Simpson himself was found guilty of multiple felony counts, including robbery with the use of a deadly weapon, assault, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy.

Simpson, once considered one of the greatest running backs in the history of the NFL simply could not keep himself out of trouble. Now at the age of 61, he may spend the rest of his life in jail.

Sadly, it seems fair. Poetic justice at its best.

In September of 2007 Simpson along with his henchmen entered a Las Vegas hotel room robbing its occupants at gun point of their sports

memorabilia. Ironically the verdict came 13 years ago to the exact day of his murder trial. What a difference 13 years makes.

A lot has changed since “The Juice”, as he was affectionately called, was awarded the 1973 AP Male Athlete of the Year Award.

Now, instead of being an ESPN television football analyst, a famous coach, or even a star retired player who can enjoy the good life, Simpson will likely spend the rest of his life in a small jail cell, where he can ponder what might have been with his life.

Prison is not a kind place, but a Las Vegas prison may be a better fit for Orenthal James Simpson than in Canton, Ohio, where his Buffalo Bills helmet, jersey, and spikes are on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his 1973 Season MVP Award.

Simpson’s attorney Yale Galanter told reporters last week, “This was just payback.” Referring to the decision made in his recent trial.

Galanter was obviously referring to the murder charges Simpson was acquitted of back in 1994, when most of America felt he got away with murder.

Was it a payback?

I don’t believe Galanter, or anyone reading this article can be the judge of that. However, we can look at Simpson’s storied life and begin to understand how much he lost due to life altering decisions he chose.

Perhaps the father of the murdered Ronald Goldman said it best last week. Fred Goldman told CNN, “We’re absolutely thrilled to see that potentially he could serve the rest of his life in jail where the scumbag belongs.”

The name calling is not needed Mr. Goldman, but you are right; Simpson does deserve life in prison. And for that, I pity him.

Tuesday, October 14th • The Cauldron • Page 5

News 10-14-08

Cleveland-Marshall Law Presents Financial Crisis Forum

By Sairah Zaidi The Cauldron Copy Editor

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n lieu of the escalating domestic and global financial crisis, the CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law held a free, public forum last Wednesday entitled Chaos and Crisis: The Ongoing Financial Crisis. Several faculty members and a Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank economist spoke about the origins and financial complexities of the crisis as well as the broader ideological implications.

Professor Thomas Buckley criticized laissez faire capitalism and drew parallels between the Great Depression and the current crisis, referencing U.S. Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon’s infamous advice: “Liquidate labor, liquidate stocks, liquidate the farms, liquidate real estate.” Mellon’s unwavering opposition against any form of government action to alleviate the Great Depression, he pointed out, was historically representative of the shortcomings of purist free market ideology. He traced the revival of laissez faire deregulation to the 1980s, quoting Ronald Reagan’s observation that “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

Professor Buckley also mentioned former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who has frequently been pointed to as a major culprit behind the subprime crisis due to his maintaining low interest rates and support of adjustable rate mortgages. “Alan Greenspan was an acolyte and disciple of Ayn Rand,” he pointed out, describing the lavish parties held by the famous author who pioneered the Objectivist philosophy and advocated individualism and unfettered capitalism, in which women wore dollar sign-shaped jewelry.

Leon M. and Gloria Plevin Professor of Law Dr. Kathleen Engel had the difficult task of explaining some of the complex financial Page 6 • The Cauldron • Tuesday, October 14th

instruments which allowed the subprime market to explode. She first outlined six key factors in the subprime crisis: deregulation, a shadow banking system, a lack of consumer protection laws, low interest rates, a ‘credit is good’ mantra, and a homeownership drive. The last two, she pointed out, are cultural factors which drove Americans to live beyond their means.

Professor Engel described the mortgagebacked securities which allowed investors to actually claim a piece of the returns of pools of mortgages. She then likened collateralized debt obligations, unregulated types of asset-backed securities, to “making steak out of sausage” by taking the junk at the bottom and repackaging and “slicing and dicing” it in entities not written on the balance sheets of investment banks. She quoted billionaire investor Warren Buffet’s remark that “derivatives are financial weapons of mass destruction” before discussing the derivatives market that allowed risk to be spread and created a dangerously interdependent financial house of cards. Credit default swaps, the most widely traded form of credit derivative, she explained, are bets between two parties on whether or not a company will default on its bonds. In a typical default swap, the protection buyer receives a large payoff from the seller if the company defaults, while the seller collects periodic payments from the buyer for assuming the risk of default.

Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank economist James Thomson described a phenomenon known as parallel banking which developed in the early 1990s – banking services provided outside the official banking sector – as a means of avoiding regulation. Firms such as Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns fell into this category, and operated within an extremely fragile framework characterized by low capital and high leverage, or risk. Economists have blamed the failure of

current financial crisis rescue policies to focus on this unregulated ‘shadow-banking’ system as a factor in the stabilizing the U.S. financial system.

Professor Michael Borden addressed the $700 billion bailout package passed by Congress and other steps taken by the Federal Government to alleviate the crisis, including the recent interest rate cut coordinated with other nations and the recent decision to insure money market funds.

He also mentioned a recent litigation ruling against Countrywide Loans which will require the company (now owned by Bank of America) to renegotiate loans with certain qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure.

“The Republic is in peril,” concluded Professor James G. Wilson, reiterating his opening statement and emphasizing the economic, environmental and energy crises that have converged on the United States and world at large. “We have to start talking about real sacrifices,” he argued, criticizing the tendency of the presidential candidates to sugarcoat the realities facing Americans. He summed up the preceding explanations of the financial crisis, arguing, “Deregulation is simply a fancy word for anarchy.”

A brief question and answer session followed in which one student asked about monetary policy and the dangers facing the U.S. dollar and another expressed his wish that there had been more discussion on the ‘credit is good’ culture mentioned by Dr. Engel.

The forum came in the midst of a week that is now being characterized as a global stock market crash, with markets around the world in free fall as frozen credit and money markets stoked fears of a deep global recession. By Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial average had suffered its worst week ever. G7 leaders met in Washington over the weekend to discuss possible joint action.

SGA Update

News

By By David Edwards The Cauldron Contributing Writer

Town Hall Series

William Kristol and Eleanor Clift Discuss 2008 Election

By David Edwards The Cauldron Contributing Writer

Eleanor Clift and William Kristol discussed the upcoming presidential election last Monday at the Playhouse Square Center as part of the Town Hall of Cleveland speaker series for 20082009, for which Town Hall has partnered with Cleveland State University.

Clifton, a Newsweek editor and frequent Fox News analysts, noted the high degree of attention focused on the election. “For journalists, the fun is just beginning,” she said.

Jon Simon, a CSU senior with a dual major in public relations and political science, said that he was attending the event because of an article he had read by Kristol which argued that Sen. Barack Obama’s controversial preacher Rev. Wright should still be an element in determining the nature of Obama’s character. “This may seem kind of nerdy but I watch the McLaughlin group,” he also confessed, referencing the Fox News show on which Clift is a frequent guest.

“This is the first time I get to speak where I’m not interrupted,” Clifton stated jokingly concerning the show.

Both Clift and Kristol, political analyst known for his commentary on Fox News and his op-ed columns in The New York Times, agreed on most of the major discussion points of the talk. Clift joked that if the Democrats can’t win this election, considering the dissatisfaction with the incumbent party and President Bush, then they need to change occupations.” She added that while there have been many presidents with low approval ratings, such as Jimmy Carter in the late 1970’s, none have had a continuous low approval rating for the life of their term in office until now.

Kristol agreed, and pointed to increasing challenges for Sen. John McCain in winning over swing voters because of both the Iraq war and the escalating downward spiral of the economy. He also admitted that historically, it is very difficult for a party to win a third term. Still, Kristol said he hadn’t yet given up on McCain, pointing out that it has only been three weeks since McCain’s two point lead in the polls turned into a six point disadvantage Kristol said that he believed that a lot could happen in the upcoming month.

The role of the media was also discussed.

One complaint brought up during the question and answer part was leveled against the media’s focus on sensationalized news. Clift argued that the reason for the frequency of this kind of news was because of the high demand for it.

“The fact that the media ratings go up because of frivolous news is because of the public,” she said. She admitted, however, that the media should start to get a little more serious in the following final weeks preceding Nov. 4th.

According to Kristol, the media is undergoing one of its many evolutionary stages: “Today it’s different. You’re seeing news authorities being challenged more often. I think it’s healthy for people to be skeptical of the media.”

Kristol also noted the ubiquity of media.

“When I was growing up, there was only one national paper but today you have a lot more choices,” he said. “It’s a 24/7 enterprise.”

The Iraq war was also discussed. While Clift argued that the Iraq is running a surplus and thus Americans need to leave, Kristol said that terrorist attacks have declined and that if American troops leave now it might open up a flood gate for Iranian state sponsored militias to intervene.

The recent debates between the two presidential tickets were also mentioned. Clift openly criticized the previous two, mentioning how hard it was for Jim Lehrer to get the two candidates to make eye contact with one another and engage in real discussion. “Maybe Queen Latifah should be asking follow up questions rather than Gwen Ifill,” she said of the vice presidential debate.

Kristol used this time to tell the audience that they should not allow the Commission on Presidential Debates to have a monopoly on the debates.

“Who says you can’t have more debates?”

Kristol asked the audience. “You should try to get both Sarah Palin and Joe Biden here to debate.”

The next Town Hall speaker event will present author, environmentalist and Animal Planet Chief Ocean Correspondent Philippe Cousteau on Nov. 10th at 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at townhallseries.org.

The first of two bimonthly meetings for the Student Government Association (SGA) was held in the MC 101 on Friday, Oct. 3.

The first item discussed was a proposal that would allow for students to have longer study periods before final exam week. According to Sen. Brooks, this process has been implemented in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law for a long time and would be beneficial for the rest of the students. Cleveland Marshall allows for four days of reading.

In order to assess the need for such a program, the SGA is going to distribute surveys to students and gather feedback.

The second order of business dealt with budgetary expenses. The treasurer, Senator Abuaun, made a request for $981 - the amount needed to reimburse the cost incurred to the Executive for half of the office supplies and the print shop computer.

Another topic brought up was the presidential race. Vice President Ameen suggested that there should be an event for students to come together to watch the debate.

According to Ameen there are 300 tickets for the event.

There will be various sponsors for the event. Student Life said that will contribute $200 worth of food and Pepsi will provide beverages. The Cleveland State Alumni Association told Ameen they will help with the setup and provide security. In addition, both the Young Republicans and Young Democrats will have tables set up.

“They wont be there to persuade anyone, but to get students more involved politically in the democratic process,” Ameen said.

Ameen said this would be a good opportunity for students to become more familiar with SGA. “The exposure of SGA will be well worth it.”

The Vice President estimated $400 from SGA will be needed for promotional materials.

While there wasn’t a decision made, there was a calling voting a vote deciding on whether or not the issue should be taken into consideration Another issue discussed was an informational workshop on careers sponsored

by SGA and Career Services. The event would be specifically for engineers; however, President Orimoloye wanted to expand the idea and have career workshops for different colleges. Ideally, Orimoloye would like to have student senators get involved in their respective colleges and help promote occupational workshops. All the members of SGA voted yea for the proposal.

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Tuesday, October 14th • The Cauldron • Page 7

News Urban College Hosts Forum on Cleveland Medical Mart Proposal

By Robert Rozboril | The Cauldron Contributing Writer Photography by Cory ?

There has been a lot of controversy the past few months over talk of building a Medical Mart and Convention Center in downtown Cleveland, with a current cost estimated at $536 million.

It has spurred many questions, such as where do we build it and, more importantly, why do we need it?

But, the biggest and most commonly asked question probably is ‘what the heck is a Medical Mart?’

To answer this question, Dennis Madden, former Cuyahoga Administrator and director of the project, along with a panel of four CSU representatives, came together in CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs on Tuesday, Oct. 7 to discuss the pros and cons of the proposal.

The Medical Mart/Convention Center, if completed, will host a slew of trade shows in which medical manufacturers can showcase products such as MRI machines and other tools for potential buyers from medical centers, both local and abroad.

“If this project is a success it will be a catalyst for the city,” said panelist Michelle Distefano. “If not, it could be a catastrophe.”

Similar projects have been proposed in Birmingham, AL and Baltimore, MA but neither was ever realized.

Panelist Fran Mentch pointed out that when it comes to hearing support from the local medical community, “the silence is deafening.”

Mentch offered the idea that the money could possibly be better utilized in other tasks such as cleaning up the

Cleveland lakeshore which boasts two of the dirtiest beaches in the country.

Merchandise Mart Properties Incorporated (MMPI), a Chicago-based company, which currently employs 559 people in Chicago, is behind the push to build in Cleveland.

One Cuyahoga resident on hand, Susan, bluntly asked Mr. Madden, “How is this good for us? Why Cleveland?”

Mr. Madden responded that the cost of building in Cleveland is far less than building in a city like New York.

He also said that its proximity to other major cities, as well as the presence of local medical facilities such as the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, makes it an attractive location.

However, no Cleveland area hospital has offered funds for the project.

There was an interesting moment when CSU alumnus, Ray Saikus, president of Citizens’ Vision, asked Madden how limited MMPI’s liability is in the deal.

When Madden replied that the company’s liability was equal to that of the county, Saikus retorted, “I don’t think that’s true.” “It’s really a conflict of interest,” he said later in the discussion.

The riverfront is being looked at as the most appealing site for construction because it will allegedly attract shoppers to/from Tower City and bring life back to the area.

Funding plans for the Medical Mart currently call for taxpayers to pay up to $126 million over the next several years to cover the cost of the 600,000 sq. ft. facility.

CSU’s Greek Life Rises from the Ashes

By Dan Langshaw The Cauldron Staff Writer They party 24/7 wearing togas shouting “Toga!Toga!” None of them care about academics. They are all promiscuous and raging alcoholics. They are a bunch of hoodlums on campus. They do not serve the community. These are just a few examples of negative stereotypes from students, professors, and administrators about Greek Life.

Fictional movies like Animal House or Old School are the primary sources for these misguided and fallacious portrayals

of Greek Life. In reality, students who are part of a fraternity or sorority are among the very best and brightest leaders in college.

Some Greeks after college have moved on to become actors, lawyers, CEO’s, and even President. As one can see, Greek Life has both a positive and enriching history.

Greek Life has been a part of CSU’s prestigious history, dating back to 1929 when a vibrant number of fraternities and sororities were on campus. At its prime

Page 8 • The Cauldron • Tuesday, October 14th

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SGA Update

Continued from Page 7

“The goal is to cover all of the eight colleges, starting this fall to Spring 2009,” Orimoloye said. He said this will allow students to network with professionals, practice their interviewing skills, and fine tune their overall job seeking skills.

Science Senator Khadidja Benmerzouga updated the rest of the senators on the progress made on certain issues that came into fruition the previous semesters. Benmerozouga also mentioned derogatory language was written on some bathroom stalls aimed at gays and Muslims. She said that the issue was resolved and that the bathrooms were cleaned.

Sen. Izrad mentioned a candlelight vigil for hate crimes against gays that will take place later in October.

News

Election Crunch Time

Straight Talk on Healthcare

By Jonathan ‘Killstring’ Herzberger The Cauldron Contributing Writer

With the elections looming near, and the corresponding rise in political ‘attack’ ads, many Americans find themselves in a tenuous position – that is to say, that while we’ve been inundated with reasons as to why we should not vote for a political candidate, there has been precious little time for what these two Senators have done, are doing, and intend to

eventually do.

‘Crunch Time’ is our attempt to inject some logic into the proceedings, using the debates, the candidate’s web sites, studies by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, the Library of Congress ‘Thomas’ archives, as well as media outlets such as Fox, CNN, and search engines like factcheck.org as sources

Barack Obama

John McCain

Has Proposed: • A universal plan, emphasizing a reduction in existing premiums, and greater affordability.

Changes would not be required for adults with existing insurance.

• Would cover virtually all children and many currently uninsured adults. Would require coverage of preventive services, including cancer screenings, and “increase state and local preparedness for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.”

• Plans to reform health care by “building on the current system, rather than dismantling it and starting over.”

• TPC projects this plan would cost $1.6 trillion over 10 years, trimming the uninsured by 18 million in 2009 and 34 million by 2018.

Has Proposed: • A refundable tax credit - $2,500 per individual, $5,000 per family. Workers would be taxed on the value of any health benefits paid for by their employers, which is not the case under current law.

• Individuals would be free to keep said health care, should they move or change jobs.

• Plans to reform health care via “harnessing market competition.”

• TPC projects this plan would cost $1.3 trillion over 10 years, trimming the uninsured by 1 million in 2009, 5 million by 2013, although their numbers would slowly rise thereafter as the tax credit would fail to keep pace with premiums, leveling in 2018. An inflation adjustment is a reasonable expectation, but has not been disclosed. .

Voting Record: • Voted NO on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. • Voted NO on Medicare means-testing.

• Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics.

• Voted NO on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit.

• Voted YES on allowing re-importation of Rx drugs from Canada.

• Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare.

• Supported $350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors.

Voting Record: • Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. • Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium.

• Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics.

• Co-sponsored a bill establishing a national childhood cancer database • Co-sponsored a bill to preserve access to Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program during an economic downturn.

• Co-sponsored improving services for people with autism & their families Believes Health Care is a Right

The Bottom line: Healthcare is a tricky subject, with few easy answers. Sen. McCain’s plan focuses on driving down costs to make it more affordable, and encouraging competition to reduce the average cost of family insurance plans from the current value ($12,000) as insurance providers compete for the new ‘tax credits’ on the Free Market.

Sen. Obama’s plan looks to increase access

– and we’ve sifted through the posturing and hyperbole to bring you the best information currently available. We believe that people are actually pretty smart, and given the facts, can reach decisions on their own - without being told what they should think. So without further ado, let’s get down to this week’s Crunch Time focus – Healthcare.

Believes Health Care is a Responsibility

across the board, giving small businesses a tax credit to offset providing health insurance to their employees. Larger businesses would be required to either provide insurance or pay into a national fund, the “Health Insurance Exchange,” which could offer more affordable options to those currently uninsured. Neither candidate’s plan includes taxes nor imposes fines on small businesses who fail to provide

insurance – although both candidates have been nebulous in their definitions of just what a ‘small business’ is.

Both approaches promise greater access to health insurance – the difference is in how it will be acquired. They’re two very different routes, both trying to get to the same place.

Which road is best?

That is always your call.

Tuesday, October 14th • The Cauldron • Page 9

Quality of Life

Enriching your days on a college student’s

By Eric Sever The Cauldron Staff Writer

Aside from food and shelter, there are some basic needs that have to be met to keep life from becoming boring, shallow, and meaningless.

Beauty, intellect, love, fun- these deeper needs are sometimes called “the best things in life,” and rumor has it they’re supposed to be free.

As college students and Clevelanders, we’re all hoping that’s true, because none of us have any money.

It turns out some of the things that give life its richness and depth are indeed free….or, in some cases, just really affordable.

The thirst for knowledge Cleveland Police Historical Society Museum 1300 Ontario St Cleveland, OH 44113 (216) 623-5055 www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org During the mid-1930’s, the mutilated corpses of at least 12 Clevelanders were discovered around the city, and police faced one of the Page 10 • The Cauldron • Tuesday, October 14th

nation’s first serial killers. The string of dismemberments has never been solved, and the The Torso Killer’s identity is still one of Cleveland’s greatest mysteries.

A collection of morbid artifacts from his reign of terror is on display among portraits of Cleveland’s fallen officers and mugshots of the city’s most famous mobsters.

This mix of the heroic and the horrific can be found at the free Cleveland Police Historical Society Museum.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, this educational museum remains one of Cleveland’s lesser known gems.

The single-room museum houses weapons, badges, uniforms and vehicles from more than a century’s worth of CPD history, but there is so much more.

Visitors are encouraged to have a seat for a while in an actual jail cell from the Cleveland women’s prison in the early 1900’s.

The wall of notable African-American officers, with its oldest portraits dating back to the 1890’s, is an inspiring testament to Cleveland’s

progressiveness.

There’s even the revolver of Eliot Ness, Cleveland’s most famous law man and the Public Safety Director during the Torso killings.

“Everyone’s heard about Eliot Ness, but most of what they know is fiction,” smiles curator Allan Coates.

Ten years ago, Coates began an internship while completing his graduate work in History at Cleveland State University, and he has stayed on with the museum since.

Coates says he has touched, seen, or read 25,000 different pieces of Cleveland police memorabilia, ranging from uniform buttons to full-sized armored cars.

Many of these fascinating pieces are on display in the museum on the first floor of Cleveland Police Headquarters downtown.

It is still the Torso exhibit that Coates says brings in e-mails and calls from around the world.

The death masks of the Torso victims, many of whom could never be identified, remain

the creepiest displays. Based on whatever decomposed remains investigators had, they created life-sized facial models to take to fairs and public events, in hopes someone would recognize the deceased.

Four of these masks are now mounted on the wall, some with eyes closed, others staring blankly into space.

Other area museums with free admission to the public include Cleveland Art Museum, Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, International Women’s Air and Space Museum, Money Museum at the Cleveland Federal Reserve, and Dittrick Museum of Medical History.

Several museums offer free admission with your student ID, including the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Western Reserve Historical Society, and Museum of Contemporary Art.

The nostalgia for childhood Big Fun 1814 Coventry Rd Cleveland, OH 44118 (216) 371-4386 www.bigfunbigfun.com There’s probably only one place in Cleveland where you could buy an original Atari, a Jem T-shirt, and a vintage Ghostbusters action figure in one place.

OK, not into Ghostbusters- how about Thundercats? Star Wars? My Lil Pony?

Big Fun has been putting smiles on Clevelander’s faces for 18 years.

“It’s been my baby,” proudly explains owner Steve Presser.

The toy store specializes in retro and focuses more on what’s fun for the adults, with old-school video game systems, 1980’s action figures, and naughty gifts.

The Ninja Turtles, Strawberry Shortcake, and Pee-Wee Herman, as well as He-Man and SheRa, have all reside here.

While browsing, get a vintage rock decal ironed on to any style shirt you choose.

Cram into the old-time photo booth with friends and get one of those cool, black-andwhite photo strips with four different pictures.

From Hilary Clinton air fresheners to unopened packs of Garbage Pail Kid cards to original Nintendo cartridges, Big Fun has hours worth of childhood memories to relive.

Presser purchases many of the vintage toys from people unloading private collections after cleaning out the attic or basement. He encourages anyone looking to sell their old toys to bring in their collectibles.

For Presser though, the most exciting part of the job is when storage is discovered in an old warehouse. He describes it as “stepping into a time warp” when boxes of toys, never sold or even unpacked, are suddenly stumbled upon.

“They find this stock that hasn’t seen the light of day in 30, 40 years,” Presser said. “That’s the

greatest joy.”

Best of all for the Cleveland college student, “We’re fun, yet affordable.”

Afterwards, wander next door to Tommy’s for some cheap eats. Be sure to try the giant handscooped milkshakes.

The love of animals Pet-Tique 10906 Clifton Blvd.

Cleveland, OH 44102 Phone: 216-631-2050 www.pettique.com For anyone with a soft spot for all creatures great and small, Pet-Tique is the place to indulge without breaking the bank.

When you first walk in, you’ll likely be greeted by pug.

It may be Roo, a sweet lady who’s quick with the kisses, or Nemo, a handsome little guy who’s even more charming lumbering around in his poofy jack-o-latern costume. Along with pug siblings Chloe and Emma, the pint-sized pack provides excellent customer service with the help of co-owners Lawrence Carter and Kevin Schmotzer.

Carter left a high-paying job after 20 years in hotels to open the boutique.

“I do it because I love it,” smiles Carter. “It’s not about the money. It’s just about being able to bring the dogs to work everyday.”

Pets are always welcome in the adorable shop, which manages to provide personal attention along with unique, healthy, often locally-produced items at competitive prices.

“We’re trendy, but you can do it without charging an arm and a leg,” Carter says.

Aside from its reasonably priced selection of everything from food and collars to Halloween outfits and pet strollers, the real treat is PetTique’s “Yappy Hours.”

Every time a new line of products arrives, guests are invited to bring their pets and mingle.

Food, wine, and beer are served, mostly for the humans.

The only cost to attend is a suggested donation, and all donations benefit local animal shelters, with representatives on hand to answer questions about their organization.

Past recipients have included Sanctuary for Senior Dogs, Ohio Pug Rescue, and Lakewood Animal Control.

The upcoming Yappy Hour on Oct. 30 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. will include a doggie costume party, as well as an unveiling of the new winter coats, sweaters, and the first of the Christmas gifts.

Even without a pet, everyone is encouraged to come play with the furry trick-or-treaters. For a few bucks, you can have a drink, grab a bite, and help a great cause.

For more canine fun, take your pup to the free Lakewood Dog Park to run around off the

leash and socialize with other dogs.

If you’re interested in more exotic animals, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers free admission to all Cuyahoga County residents on Mondays.

The, um, power of art Asterisk Gallery-FREE 2393 Professor Ave, Cleveland, OH (330) 304-8528‎ www.asteriskgallery.com Asterisk Gallery stands apart from the dozens of local, free galleries, because of a funny little room in the basement. It’s a space visitors have affectionately dubbed the “penis room”.

“It started out as gag gifts for friends, and it got out of hand,” laughs artist Dana Depew, owner and director of Asterisk.

The tiny room, the size of a large closet, is covered on all sides with dozens of framed works, ranging from photos of Jackie Onassis to oil-painted landscapes to inspirational posters from the 1970s.

And somewhere in every picture, there is a giant penis.

At first, the small, wood-paneled, genitalfilled room is shocking. Then as you begin to further examine the pictures, the absurdity starts to wash over you.

You can’t help but chuckle or turn bright red or scream for your friends to come look or…

That’s the great thing- everyone has a different reaction. Hearing other people cracking up and pointing out their favorites may be even more entertaining than the room itself.

The “gag” has now become the gallery’s only permanent exhibit, with monthly changes to the other exhibit spaces.

Now on display through November 1, the exhibit “103 Days and Counting” turns the gallery space into a mock-Republican convention. The featured works of 17 locals artists will respond to George W. Bush’s presidency. According to Depew, the “highly charged” works will include some pieces made of bull dung.

After that “All Things Cleveland” opens exhibiting more than 30 Cleveland artists taking a self-deprecating look at the city.

All exhibits are free and the gallery is open on weekends and by appointment. Depew insists the space is more about sharing art than selling it, so don’t feel shy about calling and asking when you may come in and look around.

It may be one of the few art galleries where you’ll see a setting sun with a giant penis on the horizon or Marilyn Monroe with a giant penis next to her or…well, you get the idea.

The Tremont Art Walk takes place every second Friday of every month, but the neighborhood galleries are open most weekend evenings.

Little Italy hosts an official art walk several times a year, but its dozens of free galleries are also open year round.

Tuesday, October 14th • The Cauldron • Page 11

Arts+Entertainment 10-13-08

Flashback 1873: Blue Jeans

An Invention for all Generations

By Faith Larraine The Cauldron Arts & Entertainment Editor

E

verywhere you look, people are wearing jeans. They are wearing slim fits, carpenter jeans, lowrise, etc. They are a popular thing amongst all generations. But they weren’t always popular and they weren’t always for all generations. When two immigrants, one from Riga, Latvia and the other from Buttenheim, Germany got together to create a pair of suitable pants for the human species, they probably didn’t know that it would turn out to be such a money maker.

History Before Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss attained patent 139,121 for their “Improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings” in 1873, jeans fabric had already been discovered by someone else.

The indigo-dyed jean fabric was created in Chieri Turin, Italy in the 1600’s. The first pair was made for the Genoese Navy as all-purpose pants. They could roll them up so the bottoms wouldn’t get wet and they could be worn wet or dry.

Levi worked with for his brother’s dry-good business in New York City in 1847 before starting his own business called Levi Strauss & Company in 1853. Strauss began selling blue jeans under the name “Levi’s” in the 1850s. Davis, who was one of Strauss’ regular customers, was the one who came up with the idea of having copper rivets on the jeans to make sure they didn’t come apart in places of strain. Since Davis didn’t have the money to make this happen, Strauss agreed to collaborate with him.

Page 12 • The Cauldron • Tuesday, October 14th

Popularity Jeans were initially worn by workers in factories during World War II. During this time, women’s zippers were down the right side of the jeans. The zipper placement for women was not moved until the 1960s.

Teenagers and young adults started to wear blue jeans as a “rebel trend” during the 1950s.

According to Wikipedia, it was supposed to be symbolic of a mild protest against conformity.

Because wearing jeans was seen as a juvenile delinquency tactic by older adults, some places did not allow teenagers in if they were wearing them, such as movie theaters and restaurants.

In the mid-1950s, a man by the name of Donald Freeland created the idea of stone-washed jeans for the Great Western Garment Company, also known as GWG. This idea revolutionized jeans and made them more popular than ever, saving the industry of denim.

By the 1960s, jeans became tolerable. By the 1970s, jeans had become the fashion for everyone when it came to informal wear. By the 1990s, jeans became a part of just about every American’s wardrobe. The average American had at least seven pairs each.

Insulation Fact A common insulation for the construction of houses is recycled blue jeans because of its low synthetic chemical composition. It controls heat transfer and sound transfer between walls and floors.

Types There are many different types of jeans.

Bell-bottoms, also known as flare jeans and bootcut, became fashionable in the 1960s. They are made to widen at the knees and down.

Carpenter pants are a type of jean that includes multiple pockets and loops for tools.

Hip-huggers were created in 1957. They were made to fit tightly around the hips and thighs.

They do flare out at the bottom a bit.

Low-rise jeans became popular in the 1960s as well. They sit low on the hips, about three inches away from the belly button.

Overalls first came about in 1792 for workers.

They have an upper pouch attached to them which covers the torso, and straps to hold them up by the shoulders.

Phat pants became popular on account of ravers in the mid-1990s. They were fitted at the waist but would get larger as they went down the leg. They also had straps or “braces” attached to them, but could not be put over the shoulders because their length was usually too short.

Skinny jeans fit snug around the entire leg and have a small opening at the bottom. They came about in the 1950s.

And jean shorts, better known as jorts, were a shorter pair of jeans that covered up the pelvic area and usually led to right before the knee began.

The jeans market has grown to be an approximately $15 billion industry. In 1997, Levi Strauss & Co. purchased a pair of 100-year-old jeans, found in a Colorado mine for $25,000.

An original pair of Levi Jeans can be seen at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Concert Picks of the Week

Arts + Entertainment

By Alexes Spencer & Jonathan ‘Killstring’ Herzberger The Cauldron Contributing Writers Alexes’ Pick: Family Force 5, Grog Shop October 17th If you have the $12 for a ticket, go. I really can’t see anyone not loving Family Force 5 live, even if they hate them otherwise. With the Family Force 5000, what they call the biggest drum machine in the world and live keytar (yes, I did say keytar) players, they’re one of the most entertaining live acts in the world, and you’re sure to have a great time dancing it up, watching soul glow put on silver hulk hands and the occasional Optimus Prime mask, and snapping pictures over and over as Chap Stique does some crazy poses, not limited to running his tongue up the fretboard. I’ve been to a lot of forgettable concerts in my life, but I never forget Family Force 5. Definitely worth it.

Jonathan’s Pick: Man Man, Grog Shop, October 14th Okay, this one’s going to take some trust on your part, faithful reader. Man Man is a weird band, even by indie standards – they’re just as likely to use accordions, a Moog synth, or a xylophone as they would guitars.

But that’s not the weird part. The weird part is when they bust out soup pots, shoes, a fire extinguisher, squeaky toys, and other,

ah… historically underused “instruments.”

They’re every bit as mad onstage one might expect, and they’ve held their own on tour with Cat Power, Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse. If you ever wonder what Beck would sound like if you raised his quirkiness to the 10th power, it’s only ten bucks to see this post-psychedelic pop-art extravaganza. You have nothing to lose but your sanity.

If these concerts don’t get you exited, check your pulse. Then check: 10/13 Nick Lowe (w/Greg Townson) at the Beachland Ballroom $25 10/13 Becoming The Archetype (w/ Different Breed of Killer, Flatline) at Peabody’s $10 10/15 Tesla (w/Pop Evil) House Of Blues $26.50 10/15 The Toadies (w/People In Planes) at the Grog Shop $17 10/19 Jucifer (w/Rebreather) at the Grog Shop $7

And the stinker of the week, which our hardworking staff recommends you avoid like the plague: 10/18 Yngwie Malmsteen w/Ripper Owens at Peabody’s $25, but it’d be a rip-off for $5

On the Road to Nowhere

A Review of Bill Maher’s Religulous

By Ron Arnett The Cauldron Contributing Writer Bill Maher, best known for his television show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” brings to the big screen his preoccupation with religion in his new film, Religulous.

He begins his documentary at Meggido, the place in the Middle East where many Christians believe Armageddon will take place. From there he takes us around the world. Among the more interesting places we find ourselves is at a Christian amusement park in Orlando, where he interviews Jesus, and in Amsterdam, where he has a conversation with a member of a congregation that worships through smoking pot.

Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, the film is generous with its moments of real humor. Maher is witty and quick on his feet.

Many of the believers he interviews can’t keep up with his presentation of logic contrary to their belief systems. It’s obvious that Maher has

thought through his own beliefs. Indeed, we see him befuddle a Senator and anger an “ex-gay” man, only to pull off an affectionate, but funny, embrace at the end of the interview.

The crux of the movie is answering the question “Why do we believe in unsupportable religious tenets when simple logic makes these ideas almost laughable?” Why do normally intelligent people suspend critical thinking?

Maher asks why do we believe in God, but not Santa Claus? He believes these ideas are dangerous to civilization, and who could argue that they aren’t?

My only criticisms of the film are that in some interviews, cutaways from old Hollywood films are employed to heighten the humorous effect of what the interviewee is telling us. It feels heavy-handed and is overused like a laugh track. My other criticism involves a scientist

with whom Maher is discussing brain scans and religion, comparing the religious experience to being on drugs. I would have liked to have understood more about this relationship; why or how the brain forms its responses to religious experience.

Minor criticisms aside, if you want to laugh while thinking about a serious subject, then Religulous is a must-see.

Back at Meggido, Maher ends the film with a demand to non-believers and the moderates of the three great monotheistic religions to stand up and take back our society from extremists.

“Grow up or die,” he insists.

The movie leaves us with a Talking Heads song, “Road to Nowhere,” playing as the credits roll, suggesting we ask ourselves, “Are we on the road to nowhere?”

You decide.

Tuesday, October 14th • The Cauldron • Page 13

Arts + Entertainment So, You’ve Never Been To A Concert?

Safety Tips and Useful Information for Your First Time

By Alexes Spencer The Cauldron Contributing Writer It’s your first concert. You can feel the excitement in the air. You are filled with anticipation and the expectation of a great night. You thought everything through, and you have your camera, sharpie, and you attempted to dress like you belong there.

But how do you stay safe?

There are some really easy tips you can follow to ensure that what should be one of the best experiences of your life doesn’t end in the ER.  Back or Front: Humans have a tendency to gravitate toward the middle of crowds.

Instinctively, it feels the safest. At a concert, it’s the worst place to be. The very back and the space literally on the rail/against the stage are the safest places to be. (When you get more experienced, the middle is the most fun.)

surfer will end up. Paying attention to them is a great heads up on what’s coming.  Take money: You may actually need to buy water to avoid passing out. I recommend taking a bottle into the pit with you. If it gets rough, the band will hand out bottles of water, and if it’s so rough that they’re doing it, you’re probably going to be so thirsty that you don’t care how many people have had a drink before you. The likelihood of you catching a cold from the girl beside you who keeps sneezing is high.

 Make friends: The people around you are your allies. I can’t tell you how many times someone standing near me, who barely knew me, saved my rear end.

 Don’t drink: Okay, so I know that a lot of people want to drink at concerts. I know that a lot of people do. Don’t. Not only can alcohol dehydrate you, but it has the capability of putting you off balance which can be dangerous in rougher concerts, and it has the capability of making you look like a jerk. Wait until the show’s over and go to a bar.

 Watch security: Crowd surfing is dangerous even to those who don’t crowd surf. Take it from someone who has taken a hiking boot to the face. The security guards tend to point or approach the area where they assume the crowd

 The More You Know: Knowing what kind of concert you’re going to is also a good idea. Obviously, you’re a lot safer at Dashboard Confessional than Under∅ath. Don’t let that fool you though. I’ve seen Red Jumpsuit

CD Review

Band: Nemayas | Album: Broken Horn

By Alexes Spencer The Cauldron Contributing Writer While I won’t say that it’s the best album I’ve ever heard in my life, I will say that it’s certainly one of the best I’ve heard from a younger band. The band’s music is raw in sound quality, but they make up for it with music talent and the much-appreciated drainpipe vocals that finds its way into their songs at various points along with classic-pitched screams and some good ol‘ fashioned singing as well.

There’s a certain classic Norma Jean-esque quality to the various style

Page 14 • The Cauldron • Tuesday, October 14th

changes in their songs blended with a punk rock sound, especially in “This is the Showdown” with it punky drum intro.

Listeners can also find guitar solos of the style that seem to be absent in hardcore music these days and keys reminiscent of Chiodos and The Devil Wears Prada.

While the band has a little further to go before they’ll be at a level to join the ranks of the bands they seem to take after, they are definitely well on their way, and this CD proves that. It is definitely something you will want to own.

Apparatus pits that were worse than As I Lay Dying.  Plug it: If you still want to listen to music when you’re 80, wearing ear plugs is a must. I know that it seems and feels lame, but it’s not. Now, if you pull your earplugs out of a fanny pack, that’s a different story.

So you’ve got your safety information.

Now, some general tips to make your experience better? I think so.  Bandana-rama: Bandanas are widely acceptable gear. They’re ok at hardcore concerts, hip-hop concerts, pop-rock concerts, country concerts, and pretty much any other style of music you can think of. They can be extremely useful as well. You can wipe sweat off your face or use it if you do happen to get injured to stop the bleeding.  Sharpie and/or Camera: Autographs and pictures with your favorite artists are always cool to have.  Money honey: T-shirts and stickers and CDs, oh my! Oh, and most venues charge extra at the door if you’re under 21.

Composer Erb Lives on Through Vivacious Performance

rts& +EEntertainment ntertainment AArts

By Laura Krawczyk The Cauldron Copy Editor Glancing around the darkened Gamble Auditorium of Baldwin-Wallace College, black lights illuminate two harps on stage and the lone ray of the conductor’s flashlight, facing the audience, which signals the ensemble to begin the piece. An electric synthesizer begins droning a base melody of chords, and one by one, instruments begin chiming in from all edges of the auditorium - first harp, then flute and saxophone, then double bass, until they crescendo into an orchestra of sound along with the synthesizer.

With the passing of each round, signaled by a beam of light from the conductor’s wand, the mood alters, and more elements begin entering the piece. Interpretive dancers prance down the aisles like gypsies, neon-colored balloons descend as phantasmal orbs from the balcony and bounce lazily among the audience members, and a cascade of silly string showers down before finally, a brilliant display of brightly colored ping pong balls erupts, each becoming a “souvenir” to take home.

This was the final piece of the Cleveland Chamber Symphony’s season premiere performance. The concert was in memory of Donald Erb, composer of Souvenir, who recently passed away in his Cleveland Heights home.

It seems no coincidence that Steven Smith, conductor of CCS, describes the piece as being “about the joy of life and not knowing what’s going to come next, and making the most of it when it does.” The work will never be produced the same way twice, as the musicians themselves develop the mood of the sound-scape with their own improvisations. The electronic recording is the only thing that remains constant from concert to concert.

“It’s hard to put a word on Don,” said Smith, a

former student of Erb’s at the Cleveland Institute of Music. “I knew how incredibly imaginative his music was; I had always heard he was kind of a character, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the enormity of person that he was.” Born in Youngstown and a graduate of Lakewood High School, Erb gained a significant reputation as a jazz trumpeter early on, the style contributing heavily to his own music.

His pieces have been played from D.C. to L.A. and abroad, and his lectures and master classes given at over 150 universities and conservatories.

Although he held various positions, including former president of the American Music Center, chair of the composer librettist panel of the National Endowment for the Arts, and Composer-in-Residence for the Dallas and St. Louis Symphony Orchestras, Erb is not the most frequently performed American-born composer for those reasons.

He was a pioneer of new music, incorporating the sound effects of synthesizers, chopsticks, and wine glasses filled with water, into his scores to create an innovative dimension to the known world of music.

Devil’s Quickstep, a dark take on a traditional story of a man devoted to the instrument of the devil, the fiddle, was the second piece of the concert. It demonstrated a variety of these techniques, and exemplified a different facet to Erb’s music and personality. “He brought a number of different things into the world of music in terms of sounds,” explained Smith, “using harmonicas, and electronic effects, and unusual sonorities on instruments . . . it’s really an amazing sound world.”

Smith recollected Erb’s infamous studio, which was filled with “kitschy” memorabilia,

particularly as it involved The King. “Not because he liked [Elvis Presley],” Smith said, “but because he saw Elvis as the representation of the mediocrity of American culture, and yet he’s celebrated throughout our culture; he’s an icon.”

The concert itself was not entirely of Erb pieces, however, also incorporating works by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning composers such as Compline by Christopher Rouse, Tatterdemalion by the founder of the American Composer’s Forum, Libby Larsen, and Orphee-serenade by composer William Bolcom.

Although all of the pieces added to the dynamics of the concert as a whole, Erb certainly was the star of the night.

Many of the players were personally influenced by Erb, and this brought a personal aspect to the performance. “He was just larger than life in a lot of ways; everyone whose life he touched is stronger for it,” asserted Smith. “He brought a unique outlook on life and a unique care for his fellow human beings and at the same time had no patience for what he saw as injustice.”

The late composer strove to provide audience engagement and interaction, presently absent from many of the more traditional musical performances of today.

“I think a lot of times we go to concerts and our concert experience is ‘sit there, shut up, look at what’s going on stage,’ and that’s not what it’s about,” said Smith. “We on stage, as performers, are channeling the composer . . . in some ways I wish classical music concerts were more like rock concerts . . . in some ways we’ve gotten way too serious about it and I don’t think that’s all that healthy.”

CSU Dramatic Arts Presents David Mamet’s Oleanna

By Laura Krawczyk The Cauldron Copy Editor

Have you ever asked yourself, “What is higher education,” or felt like you were given a grade unworthy of the work submitted? These seem to be extremely prevalent questions on campus, especially with midterms this past week. Oleanna, CSU’s newest play brings those issues to light in a comical dramatic manner. It’s a simple meeting about a student’s grades that unravels deeper conflicts, turning into a power struggle.

As a two person play capturing the dialogue of a female student and male teacher, Oleanna will bring major feminist issues to the public awareness this semester at CSU. The role of Carol, the student, is played by Theatre student Renee Schil-

ling. As a junior at CSU and graduate of Lakewood High School, Renee is no stranger to performing arts. This is her third production here at CSU, starring in both How I Learned to Drive, and a play called Cleveland. The role of the teacher is played by Allan Byrne, Assistant Adjunct of Theatre and Directing at CSU. “This has been an awesome experience, and has really pushed me to try new things,” says Renee. The real twist behind the casting of these two is that Renee is a student of Allan’s, so a professor is playing the role of a professor, and a student playing the role of a student.

Not just anyone can direct works by Mamet.

It takes a skilled director, none other than Jacqi

Loewy, Artistic Director of Charenton Theater Company. “In my opinion, David Mamet is the greatest contemporary American playwright of all time,” states Loewy. Averaging about 20 hours of practice a week, the small but mighty group is working extremely hard to perfect this wonderfully written play. “Mamet is a real game player, and his dialogue is cynical, scripted with effect and impact comments,” said Loewy. Needless to say, this play is open for debate as far as personal opinions, and who is at fault.

Actor Allan Byrne is also no stranger to performing arts, as staff in the Dramatic Arts program Continued from Page 16

Tuesday, October 14th • The Cauldron • Page 15

Arts + Entertainment

CSU Dramatic Arts Presents David Mamet’s Oleanna Continued from Page 15

for 15 years, and a Professional Equity Actor. He is also a board member of the Charenton Theater Company and made the suggestion to collaborate with CSU. “When watching this play, you may be surprised what you hear. There is really intense dialogue, and it’s quite fast-paced for such a psychological thriller,” comments Byrne.

If you are expecting to be entertained by sexual harassment claims throughout the play, lower your expectations. Although, there is minimal sexual harassment, compared to the power struggle and deeper conflict that arise, that is definitely not the majority of the play. The student is just inquiring about her grade, and conversations grow intense.

Oleanna is showing Oct. 16-19, and 23-26, Thursday through Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm in the Factory Theatre on East 24th St. Seating is limited, so call ahead to reserve a ticket. Tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for Students and seniors, and CSU Faculty and Staff. The Box Office number is 216-687-2109. From the Dramatic Arts Staff, “We look forward to seeing you at the show!”

SGA Update | Continued from Page 8

in the 1960’s, Greek Life at Cleveland State truly was a big deal. Imagine hundreds of students sporting Greek letter shirts, homecoming floats parading down Euclid Avenue, and several fraternity and sorority houses located around campus. Unfortunately, with the Vietnam War and other world events of the 1970’s, CSU’s Greek Life died and became non-existent.

After three decades, Bill Russell, a CSU and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity alumni, returned to bring Greek Life out of the ashes as the new Greek Life Coordinator for the university. Under his leadership, Greek Life has become reanimated, with nineteen different fraternities and sororities currently at CSU. “I am very proud of their growth and unity here on campus,” Russell said.

There are four new sororities and two new fraternities in the process of being created as well.

The return of Greek Life has also brought many new benefits to the student body such as higher grade point averages, great networking opportunities for jobs, and a rising 80 percent student retention rate.

“Although Greeks are less than one percent of the student population, they do 90 percent of the participation on campus,” continued Russell. It is true that Greeks are tremendously involved with campus activities and events. Greeks help students during Page 16 • The Cauldron • Tuesday, October 14th

“Move in Week,” moving furniture into their dorms on campus. They also take part in the “Weeks of Welcome,” “Vikefest,” and intramural sports.

The Greeks have their own events as well, such as “Greek Alumni Tailgate Party,” “Sorority Powder Puff Game,” “Greek Fest” in the Spring, and “Greek Week” in the fall, happening this Tuesday through Friday.

Greeks are most importantly known for all the philanthropic events and community service that they participate in for the benefit of the neighborhood. CSU’s fraternities and sororities donate time and money to help charities such as Providence House, American Red Cross,

Muscular Dystrophy, and the American Cancer Society, just to name a few. The members of CSU’s Delta Sigma Phi fraternity had a “Teeter Totter-A-thon” in front of Viking Hall, and rode for over twenty-four hours straight to raise money for the March of Dimes.

Greek Life is back and thriving after decades of decline, and of course there is always room for improvement. Delta Sigma Phi President Chad Justice and other students would agree as well. “I do not think that Greek Life here has reached its full potential,” Justice said.

It is difficult for Greek Life to reach its true greatness when many students merely want “drive by degrees.” Only time will tell.

Elf & The Big Guy

A CARTOON BY MIKE QUINTERO

by Frank Grigonis

The Comics

Tuesday, October 14th • The Cauldron • Page 17

Sports 10-14-08

Morton has Vikings Ready to Swim with Best Cleveland State Swimming Clubs Give Heart and Soul

I

By Robert Ivory The Cauldron Sports Editor f you walk to the basement of Woodling Gym there are two things for certain you will find. One is head swimming coach Wally Morton, starting his 35th year as Head Aquatics Coach and longest tenure coach at Cleveland State, screaming words of encouragement to his swimmers, and the other is a dedicated team swimming lap after lap.

“We are swimming 1200 meters now, but just wait until we are in shape,” Morton said during practice this week as he was recording the times his swimmers put up.

Will the Vikings be ready for the season is a huge question, but they showed promise during their first match against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame last week. Making the trip to South Bend were 10 swimmers, five men and five women. These swimmers included Mark deSwardt, Steve Grove, Marko Milenkovic, Nedim Nisic, and Todd Winchell for the men.

The women had the distinct honor of sending three freshmen (Rachael Arzadon, Carys Behn, and Whitney Hickey) to South Bend. The two other swimmers are seniors Christine Bunker and Kristina Nagy.

Undoubtedly, one of the finest and fastest line ups in the Horizon League.

“There were three characteristics we were looking for,” Morton said, “Attendance at workouts, how hard they worked in the workouts, and their performance in the evaluation sets.”

The men, who competed against complete squads, finished four out of five teams competing. The 400 IM relay was no problem from junior Winchell, senior Milenkovic, freshmen deSwardt, and senior Nisic. They would beat the Fighting Irish by nearly seven seconds. A terrific start for a bunch of terrific swimmers.

The main attraction will be around Nedim Nisic this year who returned to the pool just in time to join his other swim mates. Nisic, who swam in the Olympics this past summer, Page 18 • The Cauldron • Tuesday, October 14th

will take his already impressive resume in the Horizon League and try to help bring a title back to the Viking Village. The Vikings will have many question marks as they have lost key members of the squad, including Dan Baiko, who finished in the top 35 in the country in the one-meter dive. His replacement is freshman Matt DiMasso from Cincinnati, OH. If the Cleveland State community wants to put the expectations of a victorious season solely on the shoulders of Nisic, they are dead wrong. Swimmers like junior NCAA standout Jakub Dobies (breaststroke specialist) will also have many people interested in Viking swimming if they haven’t caught the excitement he brings to the pool already.

It’s understood amongst the Horizon League that the Vikings will be looking to put another trophy on their shelf, as they finished runner-up to Wright State the past two years in a row. Still, that makes for a pretty impressive mark for the swimming program at CSU. If the Vikings want to rise above their second place finishes, then Morton may have the remedy that cures their ails.

“We have a lot of new stuff (to train with),” senior Marko Milenkovic said of the new workouts. Marko would also credit the use of rubber band stretches to help the team.

“Everybody is working out hard and it’s really encouraging.”

The three swimmers that will take on the most instruction will be the seniors that will leave the Viking waters as one of the most successful group of swimmers, all-time in Cleveland State. The Vikings have won 17 league titles, so grabbing an overall best group is certainly difficult.

“We definitely have the group to do it (win the Horizon League), but there are too many variables to know right now if you are going to win a championship.” Morton said modestly. “Both our team’s goals are to win a championship.”

If the team wants to bring success home, they will have another tough year of

competition in their hands. The team will host the City College Quad Meet again this year, featuring the John Carroll Blue Streaks, Gannon University’s Black Knights, and the Falcons of Notre Dame College of South Euclid, OH. Morton loved the idea of a French theme, therefore adding the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame again, meeting in the Busbey Natatorium on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Despite their recent success, the men are not the only squad giving their best in the lanes, but the Viking women are also looking to better themselves from last year’s dismal year. The Vikings failed to win a Horizon League match, but that becomes motivation for this year’s team.

“I think last year, since we didn’t do so well, we are looking forward to getting things going (this year),” said senior Kristine Bunker of her final year as a Viking. The team will be led by twins Kristine and Sandra Bunker, Kristina Nagy and Katie Bellews.

Their calendars will be certainly circled as the Big Ten invades the Busbey Natatorium on Tuesday, November 25. Only two Horizon League teams are on the bill for the season at home, so catching the Vikings in league play will be difficult for fans.

“What I get is that they have never trained so hard in their lives and we demand a lot, but they are really stepping up to the challenge,” Morton said of the expectations put on the young swimmers.

“My goal for the women is for them to show great work ethic, in the pool and in the classroom, and for them to know that everyday we are getting better,” Morton said of his women’s squad.

Despite where they are, the women’s team has the same amount of pressure as the men, although they are both in separate positions on the mountain. The men are at the summit looking down at the rest of the Horizon League, while the Lady Vikes are at the base, looking to find their form in the Horizon League.

Fall is the Greatest Season for a Sports Fan One Sports Fan’s Tribute to Autumn

By Robert Ivory The Cauldron Sports Editor

There is a nip in the air and that means that it is time to put on your favorite sweatshirt and partake in all the great sporting events, locally, nationally, and internationally.

For beginners we can just look around campus and see the great sports programs the Cleveland State University has put together.

Men’s and Women’s Soccer have played phenomenally and both have made the strides they were looking for when the year began.

But with only four more regular season games (only one more at home each) it will be tough to see the season be over and the dome take over Krenzler Field.

If it gets too cold, head inside to the Busby Natatorium, where there is always a spot to see the Viking swimming teams in action. The Vikings will hold a meet on Halloween night and then hold the City College Quad Meet between several schools in the Cleveland vicinity.

Volleyball has been an unpleasant surprise, but head coach Chuck Voss thinks that this is one of the greatest teams he has put together at Cleveland State. The highlight of the fall sports programs will be the volleyball team hosting the Horizon League Tournament in late November.

Cleveland State athletics are simply a great

beginning of what else is offered in the fall.

One of the greatest battles around the country will be the fight to the National Championship in college football. Regardless of what happens to your favorite team, it is great to speculate who will end up number one going into the ‘bowl season.’

While we are on the topic of football, despite their record and their woes, the Cleveland Browns are always a great way to spend your last Sundays until winter on the lake. No matter who is on the team, who is coaching the team, or who the Brownies are playing, there is nothing like going to the game or cooking out at home with your buddies and watching the Browns. No matter how dismal the season may get, they will always be Cleveland’s favorite team.

Football also means that Thanksgiving is almost here and some of us can already taste the turkey in our mouths!

And even if the sports fan may not agree to it, hockey is also a great reason to be a sports fan.

For those who do get the TV station Versus, the National Hockey League is always exciting to watch, especially when one of the Original Six are on. Yes, hockey reminds us of the of the six inches of snow that is around the corner, but all hockey fans know that at the end of the hockey season, summer is right around the corner.

Luckily, the Lake Erie Monsters are back

Sports on the ice at “The Q” and they start the year off playing their first five games of the year at home. Last year, in their inaugural year, they lost 41 of their 80 games, so they can only get better. A must see for those who love the fast pace and wonderful skills.

But the best part of the season has to do with the playoffs coming to an end in Major League Baseball.

Yeah, I know that this year’s World Series is going to be a snoozer, but the excitement always gets me knowing that spring training is only three months away. The Cleveland Indians will have a very interesting off season to see who they bring back. But two things are on every Tribe fan’s mind, will Cliff Lee be the same dominant pitcher he was last year, and will the big guy, C.C. Sabathia, be back with the team next year?

But the absolute greatest part of the fall season?

You guessed it.

Cleveland State basketball is back in action and this is the year everything is on the line.

Without basketball at CSU, the rest of the year seems like a burden to get through.

So I tell you one thing Viking fans.

Cherish your fall sports. Without it, what else would we look forward to coming back to school?

Viking Madness Marks Start to the B-ball Seasons Students Asked to Partake in Events

By Robert Ivory | The Cauldron Sports Editor

No football?

So what says the Viking Athletic Community.

The Cleveland State men’s and women’s basketball programs officially begin their 200809 seasons on Oct. 17 with Viking Madness at the Wolstein Center.

This annual event has evolved on the campus, but the teams will now begin their official practices as they both look return to the Horizon League Championship Title Game.

“For us,” men’s head coach Gary Waters said, “we really like to include our university and our community.” The Viking Madness is always an enjoyable event when the students and fans of Cleveland State get to meet and get autographs from their favorite Viking basketball stars.

“We want to bring everyone out so they can get the first introduction of the team,” Waters would say of the event.

The Vikings Madness originally was called Midnight Madness for the simple reason that the event was carried out at midnight. But the time has been changed and given a new name for several reasons. Waters said the time was changed to get students and other people that attend enough time

to get home at a reasonable hour. “[Another reason is] so we can practice the next day,” Waters said as he chuckled.

The same feeling is also being felt on the women’s basketball side women’s head coach Kate Peterson Abiad said.

Waters, however, sees the event as becoming the staple of the basketball and school schedules.

“We don’t have football, and this will be our football,” Waters said. Waters also claimed that he wanted Cleveland State to become the model for schools without a football program.

These schools, although hard to find, include the Binghamton Bearcats, the Boston University Terriers, the University of Hartford Hawks and the University of Vermont Catamounts.

The event will come at the conclusion of the week long events that are Vikefest.

Vikefest will kickoff on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7:00 pm with a tailgate party for the Browns on East 24th Street. The first 100 students receive a free Vikefest t-shirt. Other events during the week include President Schwartz’s last Convocation as Cleveland State’s President on Tuesday, Powder Puff football on Tuesday, Groundbreaking for the new UC Thursday, and Friday is an Alumni Cabaret, Casino and Bingo. For all the week’s

events, go to www.csuohio.edu/events/vikefest/.

“It’s a great way to get alumni back on campus,” Sports Information Director Brian McCann said of the event. “It’s a good way for them to see what is going on and see what Gary and Kate have done with the basketball programs.”

But the best event of the evening may be for the students and campus members that attend.

“We have some great prizes we are raffling off,” Marketing Director Katie Schneider said of the event.

These prizes include two complementary tickets to anywhere in the continental US provided by Continental, parking passes for the upcoming semester for four different students, and the grand prize is a chance to win a 2009 Pontiac G6. All you have to do is sink a half court shot during the event.

“The only thing is that all winners have to be present at the time of the raffle,” Schneider would add. Schneider included that all tickets are $1.00.

With both the Vikings squads making it late into postseason play, CSU will be jumping at the Wolstein Center, and all the commotion starts this week.

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