11/7/2018

Speaking Out Against Hate

Band Comes to Fairfield

Coach Interview

Opinion

Vine

Sports

America needs to demonstrae their opposition to hate.

The Score to take the FTC stage next week.

Q & A with Men’s Soccer coach Rees

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THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper

Week of November 7, 2018

Vol. 44 Iss. 10

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University Proposes Construction of New Townhouses Near DSB

Photo taken from Fairfield Town Planning and Zoning Department

A photocopy of the digital mock up presented by the University of the proposed townhouses, which would be three stories tall, located on the south end of campus near Round Hill Rd.

By Alicia Phaneuf Editor-in-Chief

By Sabina Dirienzo Chief Copy Editor Fairfield University plans to launch a brand new housing unit for the Fall 2019 school year. This new housing unit will comprise of three-story townhouse buildings that including living and dining rooms in addition to single rooms. The houses will include 200 beds in total.

The current townhouses are a housing option that many students look forward to living in during their junior year, set back behind the athletic fields and away from central campus life with porches that allow for social interaction between neighbors. The townhouses provide students with the opportunity to find new independence through cooking, cleaning and living in a more “homey” environment rather than a communal Residence Hall. With this year’s cockroach infestation that left some juniors living in sophomore-housing Loyola Hall, some students show excitement for an upgraded upperclassmen housing option. However, others, including some citizens of the town of Fairfield, are hesitant about the proposal.

During an Oct. 23 Town Plan and Zoning Commission meeting, Attorney John Fallon represented Fairfield University and commented on the possible installation of the new townhouses.

“It [Fairfield University] has grown in stature and has reached a height of vibrance and economic developments; we want to continue that relationship.To do this we have to maintain facilities that meet the needs and requirements of a very competitive student marketplace,” explained Fallon. “These townhouses benefit the community

by providing a housing product with independence and ambiance that meets demands of students today.”

Constructing the new additional townhouses will require the destruction of Fairfield’s oldest structure on campus – 19th century Sturges farm. During the Town Plan and Zoning Commission meeting, Fallon addressed concerns about taking down the historical barn by comparing it to Bellarmine Hall, indicating that it’s not the same caliber as Bellarmine’s historical importance.

According to an email sent to President Mark R. Nemec, Ph.D., from the Fairfield Museum, the farm was once part of Sprawling Farm and Orchard and was owned by Frederick Sturges, Sr. This estate was originally 1,000 acres in size and was part of the land that Walter Lashar purchased when he built the estate that eventually became Fairfield University. The email goes on to explain that the, “architects who designed the Fairfield Museum’s current building used this barn as inspiration.”

One citizen, who was not contacted in reference in this article, raised a question in an email addressed to the Town Plan and Zoning Commission. The citizen asked, “Why do they [Fairfield University] need to tear down part of the town’s history for new dorms? And, more importantly, why aren’t they putting money toward maintaining the dorms of North Benson Road [the current townhouses]?”

Vice President for Facilities Management, David Frassinelli, explained that the University does plan to upgrade the current townhouses in addition to the construction of the new ones. “We completed three [townhouse blocs] last summer and plan on completing the rest over the next few summers,” said Frassinelli.

The Town of Fairfield resident continued, “Once historic buildings are gone, you can never get them back … It just doesn’t

make sense to erase history.”

The emails sent to the TPZ and the University are public record and are available to access at town hall.

During the Oct. 23 meeting, Fallon also commented on the coexisting relationship between Fairfield University and the town of Fairfield.

“As a Jesuit University it’s how we approach the relationship with our neighbors,” said Fallon. “As a result from the commitment we have made to maintain and manage our campus, surrounding neighborhoods have benefitted from property values.”

Frasinelli also mentioned the economic benefit of Fairfield University to the town of Fairfield. “The University has been here since 1942 and has been a key driver for much of the economic development in both the town of Fairfield and the state of CT. With over 20,000 alumni living in the state, and over 12,000 in Fairfield County alone, the economic contribution our alumni have made is significant,” said Frasinelli.

However, Fairfield residents did not echo Fallon or Frasinelli’s enthusiasm. In an email addressed to members of the TPZ Commission, another Fairfield resident expressed their sentiments on the construction of new townhouses and how they would hinder rather than benefit property values.

“Fairfield University does not pay property taxes to the Town of Fairfield. The residents of Winton Park do,” said the resident. “The new dormitory because of its close proximity to the residential area of Winton Park will cast a ‘shadow’ upon the properties of Winton Park … increased traffic of students shooting through Winton Park and Read Town on Page Three

Highest Voter Turnout in Fairfield in Decades

By Sabina Dirienzo Chief Copy Editor Voters across the country, the state of Connecticut and the town of Fairfield went to the polls to vote in the midterm election on Nov. 6, 2018. The control of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate was up in the air, and, statewide, Connecticut voters were choosing a new governor and settling decisions on the control of their state house and state senate.

On election day, Fairfield University visiting professor of politics Dr. Aaron Weinstein, Ph.D., mentioned that poll workers said they had not seen turnouts this high in more than 30 years.

Nationally, reports state that the Democrats have taken control of the House of Representatives.

Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District, which Fairfield is located in, continues to be represented by Congressman Jim Himes, the Democrat who has remained in office since 2008.

Weinstein commented on the impact of Democrats taking the house through an email to the Mirror before the election.

“Let’s start with the House. If Democrats were to take the House, they’d have significant legislative power (at least in terms of producing legislation that the Democratic caucus would prefer),” Weinstein explained. “Most immediately, they have the power to select the leadership of the House (Speaker, Majority Leader, committee chairs/subcommittee). Perhaps most importantly they get control of the House Rules Committee, which determines how legislation is debated/who can add amendments/how many can be added/etc. It’s an immense power, because if you can control how legislation gets to the floor you can heavily constrain what is eventually passed.”

Additionally, Weinstein mentioned that, in gaining the house, Democrats have gained subpoena power. This will allow them to request information from the Trump administration.

Republicans retained control of the Senate, where one third of the seats were up for vote. In Connecticut, incumbent Democratic Senator Chris Murphy won reelection. Murphy was first elected to the

Read Some on Page Three

News

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

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Annual Powderpuff Game Comes to Blows

By Alicia Phaneuf Editor-in-Chief

As the intense rains died down the morning of Saturday, Nov. 3, the senior class woke up to 14 kegs on Lantern Point to pregame the annual Beach Residents Organization Powderpuff. The event features the participation of females from the senior class in a double-elimination flag-football tournament. This year, participants made up 14 different teams with 20-30 girls each and sported t-shirts with self-given names on the back usually featuring a sexual innuendo of their actual names. Some examples of names donned by students were: Morgasm, Taywhore, Ericatile Dysfunction and Cum on Eileen.

At noon, the senior class made their way from the beach area to Veterans Park to begin the long-anticipated tournament. Lasting about two hours, the event began to take a downward spiral due to excessive violence both toward opposing players and student referees. Officers from the Fairfield Police Department were present throughout the entire event and shared concerns with BRO members regarding the violence. The event was supposed to last until 4 p.m., but was shut down prematurely around 2:30 p.m.

Fairfield PD Lieutenant Robert Kalamaras explained, “It is our job to ensure a safe event. Someone reported to officers that a disagreement became physical between a coach and a referee over a call that the referee made.

Apparently witnesses said the male left the park prior to officers’ intervention, and the referee (victim) did not want to pursue an investigation.”

Senior Nicole Porter was at the event, “Basically there were a lot of fights on and off the field and lots of people were literally doing lines of coke [cocaine] at the games.”

Kalamaras claimed that Fairfield PD officers were unaware that there were drugs at the event.

The day concluded with a three-way tie between “undefeated teams.” However, it’s important to note that games that ended in a tie were not allowed to enter overtime and were settled by a coin toss.

“There was never actually a winner, but they gave the trophy to the Houston Sexans,” said Porter. “There were three undefeated teams that should’ve played each other but it didn’t happen because it got shut down.”

“Unlike in past events, the games were very disorganized,” Kalamaras wrote in an email to The Mirror.

“According to the officers that were on the scene, three

teams ended up being undefeated. Alex [Co-President of BRO] could not determine which two teams should be in the championship game, so BRO called an end to the event because people were getting too emotionally involved. He [Alex] consulted with officers before he made the call.”

Senior Brittany Fasanelli echoed Porter’s sentiments.

“On the BRO Facebook page there were tons of comments going back and forth about the event. It was explained to us that BRO needed to mediate ‘serious situations’ with the Fairfield PD and our class,” said Fasanelli.

Additionally, the event had been off to a rocky start before the weekend even began as fall athletes could not participate in the event due to sporting games and practices. Tense online conversations took place between members of the senior class on the Fairfield University 2018-2019 BRO Facebook page, before the actual event took place.

Each participant paid $15 if they paid dues to BRO at the start of the semester, and $30 if they did not. All money went to the t-shirts for players and kegs at the Point. Due to some teams being disqualified for violence, other teams only having the opportunity to play one game and the overall lack of a clear winner, students are frustrated with the money they spent on Powderpuff.

Alicia Phaneuf/The Mirror “We were all guaranteed to play two games and we paid dues and an extra $15 for this event,” said Porter. “My Two opposing players share a tense exchange on the field. team, along with at least three others, didn’t even get to complete one game, it was kind of a joke. It was still fun, but we didn’t get what we paid for or what we were promised.”

“Overall, I still had a great time, I just wish we were told what was going on during the event and that we were able to play the entire time because that’s ultimately what we paid for,” said Fasanelli.

“I was really disappointed that BRO cut Powderpuff short. It was an event all seniors were looking forward to participating in and many didn’t even get to play a full game, which is frustrating because we practiced and even paid to play (senior dues),” said Amy Polewaczyk ‘19. “I think a lot of it had to do with some incidents that occurred between players and coaches which is unfortunate because it ultimately ruined it for all,” Polewaczyk who played on the San Francisco 69ers, “I hope that the event continues on for grades to come and that it’s organized more thoroughly next time because many are upset with the outcome.”

Alicia Phaneuf/The Mirror Seniors Alexis Dizenzo and Alexander Griffin, Co-Presidents of BRO, declined to comment to The Mirror. Male students act as referees and coaches during the event.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

Some Midterm Elections Remain too Close to Call

Continued from Page One Compiled by Claire Monahan Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

Wednesday, 10/31 12:37 a.m.

Drug paraphernalia was found in a vehicle operated by two non-students. The car came through the checkpoint with the paraphernalia in plain view. Criminal trespass warnings were issued, but no arrests were made.

Thursday, 11/1 12:08 a.m.

There was an incident of disorderly conduct at the townhouses. After multiple requests to lower the volume were made by staff members of the Office of Residence Life, DPS was called in to break up the party.

10:24 a.m.

A student reported an incident of larceny at the townhouses. While at a party the previous evening, their credit card, license and StagCard were stolen. Unauthorized purchases were made on the credit card and the student was advised to cancel the card.

DPS reminds everyone to keep tabs on their valuables.

Friday, 11/2 8:44 p.m.

An officer reported a blue Mazda had driven into a column on the first floor of the Aloysius P. Kelley Center garage. No occupants were found around the car. The car was left in drive and rolled into the column.

Sunday, 11/4 12:12 a.m.

While on patrol, an officer discovered a lamp post had been knocked over and several wires had been exposed. This caused a power outage to the nearby lamp posts. Electricians were called to resolve the problem.

THE MIRROR Incorporated 1977

Alicia Phaneuf, Editor-in-Chief Cara Lee, Executive Editor Deanna Carbone, Managing Editor Editors Sabina Dirienzo, Chief Copy Sabrina Trueheart, Copy Claire Monahan, News Julia Monteleone, Assistant News Lexi Thimble, Opinion Katherine Klima, Vine Alle Scanlon, Assistant Vine Julia Crews, Coffee Break Patrick Getz, Co-Sports Daniel Montgomery, Co-Sports Christopher LaZazzera, Assistant Sports

U.S. Senate in 2012, and before then was the representative for Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District.

Weinstein explained the implications of a now-divided government. When parties control only one house of government, as the Democrats now do, they can create legislation that they believe will play well to their electorate.

“I’d say [the Democrats] push legislation they know their constituencies like, but that Trump wouldn’t sign,” described Weinstein. “For instance gun control, campaign finance reform, environmental legislation, etc.”

First-year Danielle Sondgeroth was a first-time voter this year. “Definitely gun control is very important for me because I live in an area where there are a lot of shootings and that’s a very big issue, it’s a really big problem where I live,” said Sondgeroth.

“So I think that we need to vote so that we have better gun control.”

On campus, some students participated in Election Day Registration in the Lower Level of the Barone Campus Center. Fairfield was also an EDR location in 2016.

“It’s important people vote, and there’s plenty of options, so I think a lot of people think it seems like a lot of effort or they don’t mail it in on time,” said Sean Farley ‘19. “But with the school it provides plenty of options where there’s really no excuse. I didn’t do anything to prepare for this and it took me fifteen minutes total, so everybody should do this.”

Junior Sarah Popolizio echoed Farley’s sentiments. “It is definitely important for people to recognize, especially at our age, that we have a right, and we should use that right,” said Popolizio, “Especially if we feel dissatisfied with the way that our country and our state and our local area is going.”

Voters across the country, including in Connecticut, were also voting on state and local candidates. At print time, the race for Connecticut governor between Republican Bob Stefanowski ‘84 and Democrat Ned Lamont remained too close to call. In the state house and senate, several races were too close to call, so at print time, there were not exact numbers for the balance of the state government in Hartford. However, the Democratic party was poised to pick up seats in both houses of the legislature, including a surprise victory by new State Senator Will

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Claire Monahan /The Mirror

Voters braved inclement weather to participate in election. public hearing before any public Haskell, representing Fairfield’s land can be transferred into neighboring senate district. Beprivate control. fore the 2018 election, the state At print time, the comsenate was tied at 18-18. plete voter turnout data for the The state senate race town of Fairfield was not availbetween Democrat Michelle able from the registrar of voters.

Lapine McCabe and incumbent 79.09% of the ballots had been Republican Tony Hwang also remained too close to call. Campus counted for a total of 27,588 ballots. Extrapolating from residents living anywhere except there, The Mirror estimates that John C. Dolan Hall have State there were 34,881 ballots cast in Representative Cristin McCarthe town of Fairfield. While an thy-Vahey, the incumbent Demunknown-at-press-time number ocratic representative. Dolan of voters registered on election Hall residents will continue to be day at the BCC, before EDR, represented by Republican State 37,293 voters were registered in Representative Brenda Kupchik.

Fairfield. In 2014, 20,998 people Both of the ballot meavoted in Fairfield, and in 2016, sures in Connecticut passed.

32,115 people voted in Fairfield; The first ballot question protects more people voted in Fairfield dedicated transportation funds on Nov. 6 than did in either of from being spent elsewhere. The the past two elections. second ballot question requires a

Town Residents Concerned About Historic Barn Continued from Page One the garbage they will throw out the window (they do it now because I find it regularly … it will increase dramatically once the 200 students move in). The presence of 200 students, together with the noise, congestion and pollution they will generate will … drive down the value of homes in Winton Park.”

Frasinelli addressed the positive relationship between Fairfield University and town residents.

“The University maintains a meticulously landscaped campus ... has paved sidewalks around our campus when there was a noted concern for safety, meets regularly with neighbors both in group sessions and in 1-1’s to inform the community on current events, and responds quickly to the needs of our neighbors,” said Frasinelli. “We also open our campus to the community for a wide range

of events, including athletics, arts and other traditions like the Christmas Tree Lighting.

We host camps for many local kids over the summers, attend events at local schools and within the community, sponsor many Chamber of Commerce, Town and other local events, and engage the community with programs such as the Lil’ Stags.”

“We are absolutely comfortable with any conditions of approval to further the screening of our property as it relates to our development to more protect the neighbors.

We value our relationship with this commission,” said Fallon. “Since I came to Fairfield University in 1967, many years had student housing very proximate to the residential properties to upper Round Hill Road. These have not had any adverse impact to Round Hill Road or adjacent neighbors. We’ve had the townhouses for decades and have lived in coexistence with North Benson neighbors

without any insertions or complaints.”

In addition to the new townhouses, Fairfield plans to upgrade the current batting cages for Men’s Baseball and Women’s Softball. The proposal involves the construction of walls surrounding the current batting cages so that the batting cages can be used during inclimate weather. This will allow both teams to practice year-round while limiting the amount of noise due to the new indoor atmosphere. The new enclosure will not be air-conditioned.

Fairfield University also created a new proposal for the current existing Central Utilities Facility on campus. They proposed a small addition to the already existing building, in the center of campus, for relocation of University electricians. This will allow for closer collaboration between mechanical and electrical trades and will provide additional space for storage facilities.

Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Natalia Macchio, Director of Finance Advisor Professor Matt Tullis Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

Map taken from Google Maps, image edited by Alicia Phaneuf

Buildings A, B and C represent the site of the proposed townhouses according to the construction plan submitted to the TPZ.

News

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

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DPS to Use New ID Check Software

By Julia Monteleone Assistant News Editor

The Department of Public Safety is implementing a new system to check identification cards at various events and areas on campus. The system, created by the company Intellicheck, is called Age ID and makes it easier than ever for campus officers to spot fake IDs. The system comes in the form of an application for mobile devices such as iPhones or iPads and will be placed in every DPS patrol car on campus.

The application not only quickly identifies the validity of the license, but also allows officers to see how many times the ID was scanned. This means that, at future events, there will be no more ability for students to sneakily pass IDs back to their friends in line.

Age ID eliminates the possibility of a student who was kicked out of an event to gain re-entry.

Officers can ban an ID with the touch of a button, meaning, if the ID gets scanned a second time, they will know if the identification has been prohibited from the event.

The system will be implemented at places on campus such as The Levee, which has received much more student traffic in the past year.

“The obvious choice is using it at The Levee, concerts, or any other special event. Clam Jam is definitely going to be a big one,” said Sergeant Robert Didato of the Department of Public Safety.

The system keeps track of all IDs scanned and is constantly updating its server with the latest laws of every state.

“We have always been sensitive and aware of alcohol issues on not only our campus but every campus and anything we can do to prevent and deter underage drinking,” continued Didato.

Didato noted the speed and efficiency of the application. Officers will now be able to scan identifications for events much more quickly and, making event management easier.

Students do not share the positive sentiments of the Department of Public Safety. Sophomore Cole Hansen commented, “the new software seems a little bit over the top and unnecessary.”

To some students, the money spent on the system is a misuse of the University’s funds.

“While I get their message, I feel that there are bigger safety issues that need to be addressed at this campus such as sexual harassment, assault, acts of racism, etc. Fairfield [University] tries so hard to keep their reputation spotless, while most colleges do, but while doing that they’re disregarding what’s really happening on campus,” said Christina Gibbons ‘20.

Juliana Sansonetti/ The Mirror

Professor Matt Tullis tells his story to students who took him out as a book at the second annual Human Library event.

Humans for Rent at the Library

By Julia Monteleone Assistant News Editor

Dimmena-Nyselius Library’s annual Human Library event will take place this Thursday Nov. 8 from 1-4:30 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. on the main floor. The Human Library is an opportunity for students to take out “human books” and hear personal stories from peers and other Fairfield University community members.

The purpose of the event is to open up a dialogue between students and “books” that provides a new perspective on the lives of others walking around our campus each day. The event will raise questions about race, gender and sexuality, and attempts to create a safe space in which some tough questions can be answered.

Senior Abdul Maheed was one of the books available at last year’s Library. “It’s a truly eye opening experience to hear and understand the different struggles and successes people experience,” said Maheed. “Being a part of the Human Library in the past and being checked out so many times showed me that people are compassionate and willing to listen.”

Maheed felt the experience was memorable.

“A face is now attributed to my story and the story of others like me. The fluctuating tones of voice and silent pauses make it an intimate and personal experience that is really captivating,” continued Maheed ‘19.

The Fairfield University Library has been hosting this event for three years now, and every year the turn-out has increased. Last year over 400 students attended and checked

out human books.

Senior Yamil Cobo was one of the many students who attended the event last year. “I think the human library allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and actually talk to people and realize that everyone has a story,” Cobo said. “The ‘book’ I rented out is now a really close friend of mine and that experience helped me see things from a perspective that I never would have expected from him so it really was an eye opening experience for me honestly, I am going this year and hopefully it’s another wonderful experience.”

Many offices on campus contribute to helping throughout the two sessions held. It is co-sponsored by DiMenna-Nyselius Library, the Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs, Center for Faith and Public Life, College of Arts and Sciences, Counseling and Psychological Services, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.

Many don’t know that the Human Library did not start at the University. Contrary to popular belief, the event is a product of The Human Library Organization. The idea of the Human Library began in Denmark in the year 2000 and has become an international movement.

According to its website, The Human Library Organization strives to be, “a place where difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered.”

The event is also a First Year Experience Inspire event, which seems to draw many students. “I went when I was a freshman for FYE credit and it was so inspirational,” said Nicole Spinelli ‘20.

Former New Jersey Governor Comes to Quick Chris Christie to speak with students during panel discussion on Wednesday

By Daniel Messier Contributing Writer

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be coming to the Regina A. Quick Center of the Arts at Fairfield University on Wednesday, Nov. 7 to discuss the midterm elections and the future of Connecticut following its election of a new governor.

Christie, who has served a long tenure in the world of politics, will provide, “a candid assessment of the ups & downs, winners & losers across a broad spectrum of local and critical decisions,” commented Philip Eliasoph, Ph.D. in an email conversation with The Mirror, who will be moderating discussion at the event. “Our intention is to gain from Gov. Christie his ‘inside baseball’ knowledge of how the wheels of the electoral process function,” continued Eliasoph. Christie was the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 2002-08, and Governor of New Jersey from 2010-2018. He now serves as a senior legal and political commentator for ABC News.

A portion of the event will focus on Connecticut’s gubernatorial election, which took place along with the midterm elections, on Nov. 6. The race between Democrat Ned Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski was a toss-up right until election day, and was too close to call as of 1:30 A.M on the morning of Nov. 7. The campaigns focused heavily on the economy, which has regressed over the past decade. “Connecticut has fiscal problems and Governor Christie can help us open this important dialog. We need problem solvers. I can think of no better place to start this conversation but at Fairfield University with someone who has spent eight years leading this very effort,” wrote Fairfield University’s College Republicans President Sophia Dondero ‘19 in an email to The Mirror.

By the time Christie is speaking on Nov. 7, Connecticut will have chosen its new governor and Christie will be able to shed light on the election as well as on what the new governor of Connecticut has in store for the state.

Christie will also be discussing the national midterm elections. The midterms with likely have a significant impact on national politics, as Democrats took the majority in the House of Representatives and Republicans retained a

“

Connecticut has fiscal problems and Governor Christie can help us open this important dialog. We need problem solvers.”

- Sophia Dondero ‘19

majority in the Senate. This will disrupt the unified Republican government that President Trump has enjoyed during his tenure in office so far and will potentially make it harder for the President to pass legislation through Congress.

Chris Christie’s take on the midterms should be interesting, especially considering his brief tenure as a member of Trump’s administration. Christie was originally in charge of Trump’s transition into office after his 2016 election, but was fired from this job after two days in favor of Vice President Mike Pence. Christie was also appointed by Trump as

the Chairman of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, where he led a seven month investigation before reporting his findings to the White House. President Trump and Christie apparently still have close relations, which has led many to believe that Christie may have a future as a member of Trump’s administration. Christie will potentially discuss the future of national politics after the midterms and as well as his tenure working with President Donald Trump.

This event will inform attendees of political information that only an insider such as Christie would know. “I’m interested to hear his perspective. I think it’s good that he’s coming the day after the election,” said Alex Sanders ‘19, President of the Model United Nations club.

While there are set topics for the event, there will also be a portion dedicated to audience questions and a panel discussion moderated by the aforementioned Dr. Eliasoph. Sitting on the panel will be Liz Kurantowicz and Jennifer Schneider, who appear on “Capital Report” on WTNH-Channel 8, as well as Dondero and Fairfield University College Democrats Co-President Sabina Dirienzo ‘19 respectively. Due to the broadness of the event topics and the presence of questions from both the audience and the panel, Christie will likely touch on a wide range of political developments in both Connecticut and the United States.

This is an event not to miss if you are interested in the political future of the country and the state of Connecticut. The event will take place at 8 p.m and is open to the public. While a ticket is necessary to attend, the event is completely free. Tickets are free but must be reserved by calling or visiting the Quick Center box office. If anything, come to see how the votes you cast on Tuesday will affect your future.

Opinion

THE MIRROR | Week of Novemer 7, 2018

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Opinion It's Up to Us to Drive Out Hate Editor Lexi Thimble » alexandra.thimble@student.fairfield.edu Photo taken from Instagram.com/dulehill

By Timothy Dillon Contributing Writer The nation was rocked by yet another tragedy on Oct. 27 when a terrorist entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with four guns and murdered 11 innocent worshippers, an incident which the Anti-Defamation League described as “the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States.” There’s a lot to talk about in the wake of this horrific act of terrorism, from the need for laws that would have prevented the perpetrator from obtaining the weapons he used, to the heartwarming way that the Muslim American community rallied to provide aid to the victims. Perhaps most of all, America needs to talk about the fact that this massacre is part of a larger trend with disturbing implications: the rise of the radical and violent elements of American conservatism that are known as the “alt-right.”

But this trend is not merely anecdotal; in 2017, the number of anti-Semitic incidents rose by an unprecedented 57 percent alongside a rise in hate crimes against Muslims, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Meanwhile, nearly two thirds of terrorist attacks in the U.S. last year were carried out by “right-wing extremists” and there have been more large scale rallies of white supremacists in the last two and a half years than in the previous decade. The perpetrators of the aforementioned acts of terror were responsible for their own horrific actions, but it is also clear that these are not isolated incidents. Both the attempted bombings and the massacre in Pittsburgh were inspired by “alt-right” conspiracy theories, just like other, similar incidents.

The circumstances that have lead to the rise of the far right in America are complicated and there have been warning signs as far back as 2009, but it is undeniable that the far right’s recent rise to prominence has been closely tied to the campaign and presidency of Donald J. Trump. This is hardly surprising; Trump has shown a willingness to spread and endorse conspiracy theories in a way that no president of any party has done before. It began with the racist birther conspiracy he pushed during the years of the Barack Obama presidency, and, just the other day, Trump spouted the theory that the distant caravan of asylumseeking Central American refugees he’s been fear mongering were funded by billionaire George Soros, a Holocaust survivor and frequent subject of anti-Semitic dog whistles. The later of these two theories is the very same one which inspired the Tree of Life Synagogue attack. It also isn’t just Trump. These same conspiracies have been spread by outlets such as Fox News and Breitbart, as well as congressmen such as Matt Gaetz of Florida and Steve King of Iowa, with minimal pushback from their party.

Defenders of the president have argued that he can’t be an anti-Semite because his daughter converted to Judaism. I find this unconvincing for several reasons, not least of which being that having a daughter clearly hasn’t stopped him from being a misogynist, but honestly at a point it doesn’t matter if he’s personally anti-Semitic or not. To borrow a phrase from Andrew Gillum, I’m not saying he’s an anti-Semite, I’m saying the anti-Semites think he’s an anti-Semite. Trump has consistently been willing to side with any fringe element so long as he thinks it’ll benefit him, with no regard for the very serious consequences of giving presidential approval to hate groups. The most egregious example of this occured after the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va. where neo-Nazis and white supremacists marched under swastikas and Confederate battle flags, chanting phrases such as “blood and soil” and “Jews will not replace us,” a rally which ended with the tragic murder of a counter protester and the injuries of several others.

The president’s first response to this terrible event was not to condemn the perpetrators, but to defend them. Days later, and after intense pressure from some of his advisors, he spoke out against them, but allegedly told those around him that his second statement was the biggest mistake of his presidency as he had done nothing wrong. In a press conference the very next day he made his infamous claim that the participants of the rally were “some very fine people.”

Through it all, the people he nominally condemned knew it was insincere. Taken with his numerous endorsements of political violence, from promising to pay the legal fees if his supporters attacked protesters and praising a physical attack on a journalist, to implying that they should assassinate Hillary Clinton if she won, it’s clear that Trump’s rhetoric has played a role in inciting these terrible attacks we’ve seen in the past few years. It is true that no politician can control exactly what their followers do, and that followers of other politicians have committed acts of violence, but other politicians don’t resort to this kind of rhetoric, and this kind of rhetoric has consequences. This is not normal, it’s not right and it’s not acceptable.

I sincerely hope that by the time this article is published on Nov. 7, America will have elected a Congress that will hold the president accountable for this and much more, but even if all of that happens, we will still have to address all the hatred that has been unleashed upon our society. To put an end to hatred we must put an end to apathy, fear and inaction; everyone must be willing to condemn anyone who furthers the cause of hate, regardless of party, power, or popularity. Those who hate are vastly outnumbered by those who do not, and of we all stand so united, then we can drive back hate, because this isn’t what we stand for, and if we remain vigilant, it never will be.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Represents the Kindness the World Needs

By Kallan Hook Contributing Writer

Famed American composer Lin-Manuel Miranda sparked headlines on Oct. 23 after announcing that he will travel to Puerto Rico to reprise his role as Alexander Hamilton in an effort to raise funds for Hurricane Maria relief.

On Sept. 20, 2017, Puerto Rico was devastated by category 5 Hurricane Maria that impacted millions of people and leaving them without running water, alongside nearly 3,00 lives lost. While various hurricane relief efforts have been implemented to help relieve Puerto Rico of the devastation, Miranda decided, for the first time since leaving the original cast, to once again play Alexander Hamilton for a limited time.

For these special performances, most tickets will be sold at $10, however, in an effort to raise more funds, there will also be chances for audience-goers to purchase tickets at higher prices. Although Miranda plans to reprise his role from Jan. 8 to Jan. 27, he has also launched The Flamboyan Arts Fund as a way to help “strengthen the arts community and preserve cultural connections in Puerto Rico.” The limited-time 24 performances, and all income generated from the arts fund, will reportedly go directly to Hurricane Maria relief efforts.

Although this is not the first instance of celebrities advocating for areas struck by devastation, Miranda’s

Editorial Board "Wales Saves Whales" Alicia Phaneuf Editor-in-Chief Cara Lee Executive Editor Deanna Carbone Managing Editor

performances and relief fund marks a relieving sense of happiness that is lost in mainstream media. For months, the media has been consumed by devastation, ranging from that of Hurricane Maria, to school shootings and immigrant-family separation in the United States. However, Miranda’s actions bring forth a greater light and sense of kindness that the media has been lacking for a while.

Each celebrity has been granted a global platform that not only allows them to bring publicity towards their music or movies, but grants them the opportunity to raise awareness for charities near to their hearts. Miranda exemplifies using his platform to benefit those less fortunate than others, specifically those who have been devastated by one of the most impactful hurricanes in history.

Aside from his ongoing efforts to support the arts of Puerto Rico, it was recently announced that Miranda is assisting with a partnership between Puerto Rico and New York. Under this partnership, the marketing firm New York & Company joined Discover Puerto Rico to create advertisements attracting individuals to travel between the two areas. This alliance marks the first connection between the two communities, reminding everyone that, “Famous Original, New York City. Always here for you.”

Regardless of how influential an individual is, or how wealthy they may be, it does not take much effort to be kind to one another, especially to those less fortunate than others.

Miranda is not travelling to Puerto Rico because he feels obligated to.

He is not there to promote his show, or better his reputation. Rather, he is performing out of the kindness of his heart. In a climate marked by ruin, it is inspirational to have a celebrity epitomize the kindness and selfless caring that many Pictured: Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda should strive for. Around the world, everyone needs Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons and pagesix.com to take a note from Miranda: kindness can heal.

For Charles, the Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday on Nov. 14, the BBC is releasing a documentary on his life and the one segment already hitting headlines isn’t about Prince Charles’ 70 years of scandal– it’s about his 1970s speech against plastic waste. After a pre-screening, HRH Princes William, Duke of Cambridge and Henry, Duke of Sussex, recalled childhood memories their father taking them out over their school holidays, armed with spikes, to collect and dispose of plastic litter. One brother, Prince William, remembered his classmates taking, “the mickey” out on him for continuing this practice at school, picking up random litter he found on the ground and disposing of it in the nearest receptacle.

And, speaking of Mickey, Prince Charles was not the only ‘70s figure to spread the importance of removing plastic waste to the next generation through action.

Walt Disney held this same policy. Legend has it that, as he walked through his parks, Disney would pick up waste

and dispose of it, refusing to leave this job solely to his employees. Now, all Disney park employees continue to follow the founder’s actions, both on and off the clock.

Both of these men recognized the importance of the environment and proper plastic disposal during a time when the world was only producing about eight million tons of municipal solid waste, and predictions for this plastic destroying our oceans was a distant future they may not even live to see. Now the World Bank Group, as well as numerous other organizations, have recorded the world as generating about 1.3 billion tons of municipal waste per year, a nearly 200 percent increase. Earth is getting destroyed, the oceans are polluted and our beaches and oceans are dangerous for both animals and children alike.

We are destroying the Earth with plastic waste, and there is no excuse. Not with modern recycling techniques.

Not with the dozens of warnings spread through commer-

cials, public service announcements and advertisements.

Not when the majority of schools teach about the harm of this plastic waste. And certainly not when it has even become a hot topic in politics so literally everyone knows about it. These two men were on the right track back in the 70s. Ending plastic waste is everyone’s responsibility, even if you would never dream about purchasing something non-biodegradable and somehow aren’t contributing to the build up of plastic waste in any way, shape or form.

Picking up plastic from the ground and recycling it isn’t even enough. We need to get rid of plastic waste by preventing plastic waste from being created at all. Many towns and businesses are halting the use of plastic bags in their stores, many companies are starting to ensure their products are made of or enclosed in biodegradable materials. We need to aid in this push in any and every way we can. Following the methods of Walt Disney and Prince Charles is step one.

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THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

Opinion

America Needs to Face Mental Health Challenges, Not Ignore Them

By Kerre Lattanzio Contributing Writer

Throughout the course of Selena Gomez’s career, the singer and actress has always been open with her fans about her mental health challenges. However, as of early October, although never confirmed by Gomez’s team, the public learned that she voluntarily entered a treatment facility. This was the topic of conversation among media outlets — until another life-changing event occurred in Gomez’s life: losing her famous title of being the celebrity with the most Instagram followers. Within hours of her seeking in-patient treatment, media outlets shifted their attention from concern for the singer and actress’ mental health to a preoccupation with her social media status. Gomez has made the conscious decision to stay off social media since the end of September, which many are blaming as the cause of her Instagram follower decline. However, rather than bringing focus to the widespread issue of mental health awareness, the media’s concentration on the reduction in Gomez’s social media influence highlights an underlying problem within our nation — America is scared to speak about mental health.

While it would be logical to believe that the media is respecting and signifying the importance of Gomez’s right to overcome her

medical challenges in private, this does not appear to be the case. By the end of October, a Google search of the celebrity’s name would bring viewers to the top two stories about Gomez regarding her “dethroned” Instagram presence. It was not until much later in the search results that a story actually referenced the mental health condition of the actress.

There are two reasons why stories about Gomez’s mental health record are not receiving more attention. One, the topic of mental health is not appealing to the public eye. It does not gain views, as people in search of celebrity content are often seeking entertainment that provides distraction from their own lives, and immersing themselves in the more serious aspects of the personal lives of celebrities would counteract gaining this temporary relief. Two, mental health has been romanticized and carelessly thrown around in the media to such an extent that its significance is often overlooked, disregarded and forgotten. This is what America’s media has come to, and it is sad.

As of Nov. 1, 144,456,664 people followed Gomez. The World Health Organization claims that mental health will affect 1 in every 4 people around the world. With this data in mind, then approximately 36,114,166 of Gomez’s followers could be suffering and battling mental health disorders themselves. It is not up to Gomez alone to promote mental health awareness. It is the responsibility of media outlets to take the initiative to seriously explore the complexity of mental health disorders and to give a voice to those, like Gomez, that are attempting to improve their mental health in silence. Without the media supporting those affected by mental health challenges, the feared awareness of this concept will continue to loom within American society, and unfortunately, never fully receive the crucial Pictured: popstar Selena Gomez recognition that is Creative Commons/ justjaredjr.com and Twitter.com/HollywoodLife deserved.

Jair Bolsonaro Represents an International Threat to Freedom

By Eddie Nicolas Contributing Writer

ians. In a country where an estimated 63,880 people were murdered in 2017, the homicide rate 36 times that of the United States, many agree with his demand for more a more deadly enforcement of the law. In a YouTube video by Vox Media, it appears the common sentiment on the street in Brazil is the desire for a reduction in crime, with many citizens seeing Bolsonaro as the answer. “There’s too much violence and I think he’s the only one who can fight it,” says a woman stopped on the street in the city of Rio de Janeiro. “We’re afraid of everything. We go out and don’t know if we’ll come back alive.” While I agree that the fears of the Brazilian population is legitimate and very real, Bolsonaro, like all populists, has taken advantage of it, so far with successful results.

His startlingly authoritarian position on police and the use of deadly force extends into democracy itself. In fact, in his willingness to enforce order, Bolsonaro has openly advocated for a return to the military dictatorship he was once part of. “I am in favor of a dictatorship,” he stated in a 1992 interview. “We will never resolve serious national problems with this irresponsible democracy.” Despite these alarming statements, the people of Brazil have placed the fate of their nation in a self-described advocate of martial law. His defense of the Brazilian dictatorship, a fascist regime that operated from 1964-1984, extends to his endorsement of the brutal methods used to suppress voices of dissent, which included censorship of media, banishment and torture, which Bolsonaro has also advocated for, literally saying in a televised interview, “I’m in favor of torture, you know that.”

On women: “I would not rape you because you are not worthy of it.”

On black people: “They don’t do anything. They’re not even good for procreation.”

On being gay: “I’d rather have my son die in an accident.”

These are the words of Jair Bolsonaro, the newly elected president of Brazil as of Oct. 28, 2017. A former captain who served under the Brazilian military dictatorship as well as a former congressman for Rio de Janeiro, Bolsonaro entered the presidential race campaigning predominantly on a promise of restoring order and political transparency to a crime-ridden and corrupt nation. At a quick glance, some of his policies may seem reasonable. Indeed, the majority of the nation’s voters seemed to agree with him, validating his rhetoric by securing him over 55% of the votes. However, in addition to his more universally-agreed upon policies, such as a tougher stance on crime, the nation of Brazil has also given Bolsonaro their approval in much less favorable areas.

During a confrontation with a fellow female congressperson prior to his election, the president-elect, in addition to calling her “a whore” and “immoral” on camera, vehemently exclaimed that she didn’t deserve to be raped by him. In a similar misogynistic vein, he also credits the increased number of women in the workplace to the decline of traditional family values, which he claims has caused the increased presence of homosexuality in Brazil. In addition to demonstrating his lack of understanding of homosexuality in general, he also advocates violence towards the LGBTQ+ community, admitting in an interview several years ago, “I will not fight nor discriminate, but if I see two men kissing in the street, I’ll hit them." He claims there is a conspiracy to groom children on an international scale to become gay, and urges beating your child should they exhibit so-called “homosexual behavior” in order to make them straight.

Given the derogatory language he uses to describe minority groups, it seems ironic that he at least seems to be inclusive in one aspect: he has insulted almost every distinct demographic in Brazil.

When asked if how he would feel about his sons dating a black woman, he responded with, “There’s no risk of that because my sons were well raised.” He also helps to reinforce the stereotype of black people as lazy, saying that when visiting a traditional Afro-Brazilian settlement, he observed that “they don’t do anything! I don’t think they’re even good for procreating anymore” and compared the presence of indigenous people in the Amazon to a disease, calling the rainforest “like a child with chickenpox.” Immigrants and refugees he has referred to as “the scum of the earth”.

As if his stance on sexual and racial minorities wasn’t bad enough, his attitudes toward crime takes a darker tone.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly called for more uses of deadly force when apprehending criminals, saying that policemen who kill criminals should be honored, not prosecuted. Unfortunately, his hard-line Pictured: President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro take on criminal activity has received a warm welcome from many Brazil-

While his political and personal views are alarming, they are reflective of a larger conservative movement which we are currently a part of. Throughout the Western world, countries are currently wrestling with ideas of identity, nationalism, exacerbated by the everpressing question of immigration. As seen in the staunchly anti-immigrant platform that is pedaled by United State’s President Donald J. Trump’s administration, including the anti-Europe rhetoric that led to the British Parliament’s still fermenting Brexit, and now in the openly misogynistic, homophobic and racist platform of Jair Bolsonaro, there is a disturbing international trend towards xenophobia, extreme nationalism and far-right conservatism in general. This is largely due to the changing cultural landscape of many of these Western countries and Europe, related to the displacement of millions of people from the Syrian refugee crisis to more stable regions has created a divided political atmosphere. Similar to the United States, they face the issue of whether to allow vast numbers of foreigners to enter their countries, creating debates over national security, economic stability and, most importantly, cultural identity. Bolsonaro’s explicitly stated preference to Brazil’s brutal military regime, however violent, based on traditional, conservative values, is emblematic of this. Like Trump, Britain’s Brexittouting Boris Johnson, and other right-leaning leaders across the Western world, Bolsonaro represents another politician’s success that can be credited to right-wing populism.

On a personal level, I have a hard time coming to terms with the most recent development on the stage of international democracy.

Not that it’s not easy to believe, because nationalist and jingoist rhetoric has been building throughout the world so much lately, but it also makes me reconsider my position against the current United States administration. Like Brazil, we are subject to a loud-mouthed leader who flirts with the idea of pushing back the recent, hard-fought liberties we are currently sitting with. Donald Trump, who is openly endorsed

by David Duke, leader of the pathetic white nationalist group the Klu Klux Klan, calls women dogs, and bullies, harrasses and tries to intimidate any voices of criticism and dissent, is the more preferable choice stood up against the likes of Jair Bolsonaro. While Trump maintains plausible deniability (“they’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people”), his outrageous statements having become normalized, while Bolsonaro is unapologetically, unabashedly, unambiguously, racist, homophobic, misogynistic, and aside from that publicly toys with the idea of re-establishing a fascist regime.

While American democracy has withstood hundreds of years of turmoil, both outside and in, Brazil has had a much less firm track-record of democracy. Barely 30 years away from what was a military dictatorship, Brazil is only still getting its feet, and it may be that it slips back into autocracy. What I’m trying to say is that I’m personally very grateful for being a citizen of a country that, despite its bigoted, dictator-praising, misogynist of a president, has so far remained intact. And all my sympathy goes out to Brazil, who, while having previously suffered the demagoguery being spouted from Bolsonaro, will now have to see how his legitimately frightening words translate into actions.

Altogether, Jair Bolsonaro’s election is reflective of a larger trend in international politics. The world continues to demonstrate its preference for leaders that not only reject civility in their personal statements, but that threaten individual freedoms and democracy as a whole.

Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons

The Vine

arts, entertainment, features Editor Katherine Klima katherine.klima@student.fairfield.edu

g n i m o C e r o c The S d l e i f r i to Fa

Photo taken from thescoremusic Instagram

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

The Vine

Page 8

The Score to Perform at The Warehouse at FTC

Photo taken from thescoremusic Instagram

The Score's band members: Edan Dover and Eddie Anthony.

By Katherine Klima Vine Editor When pinpointing an exact music genre I’ve always listened to, it’s always fallen somewhere between alternative and indie. So, as I was going through my Spotify “Discover Weekly,” I came across a few suggested songs by The Score.

The Score – Eddie Anthony and Edan Dover – are a New York-born, Los Angeles-based indie and primarily alternative duo. They are known for songs like “Oh My Love,” “Legend” and “Higher.” For the past three years since they began, The Score has released two EPs – ”Unstoppable” and “Myths & Legends” – along with a full length album, ATLAS, which came out in 2017. They’ve had over 600 million streams and their music has appeared in campaigns for Jeep, the NBA and has even been used in shows and movies such as “Riverdale” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.” As of 2018, the Score unveiled their new single “Stronger” and, on Oct. 26, they released a single called “The Fear”.

The Score are currently on tour with New Politics and will be performing at the Warehouse at FTC on Nov. 14. Luckily, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing The Score before they make their Fairfield Debut: “[A song] usually starts with a verse or poem, it’s really stripped out bare bones on the guitar or the piano,” said band member Eddie Anthony, as he discussed how it has been creating a lot of The Score’s new music. “For these records we really wanted to push the sounds production wise and we really wanted to show an evolution from our previous works for this one. We wanted to go off more hip hop influence with the drums and wanted to use more synth and kind of get away from the usual heavy guitar stuff and sounding flat. Kind of get more towards the 808 drums and analog synths.”

When talking about what their music is primarily about, the band members agree it’s mostly about their own experiences. “We’re writing about a lot of the same stuff we’ve always had,” said band member Edan Dover. “We like to write about our own experiences, about our career in music and what we go through trying to make this music thing work. Eddie and I have put a lot on the line to make this possible to pursue this dream.”

Dover proceeded to dive in to how both have given up so much to be where they are now. Dover had

left his entire life behind in New York to move out to L.A, while Anthony quit his job working at a hospital and left the possibility of being a doctor behind. “We kind of just put it all on the line to pursue this dream in music and the new music continues to be about that,” said Dover. “I think “The Fear” specifically– we wrote that shortly after our album [ATLAS], and there’s a lot of uncertainty when you write music and you put it out there, you don’t really know how people are going to react. If it’s going to connect, if the industry is going to take to it. The “Fear” was kind of an anthem to ourselves to remind ourselves to not give into that fear and to push through. I think a lot of the new music is about that.”

The music that inspired both guys to leave everything behind is alternative, but as of now The Score is exploring at the possibility of a different sound. “For this new slew of music we’re doing, we kind of wanted to bend and blend genres togethers,” said Anthony. “We didn’t want to get pigeonholed into the hard rock department category. A lot of these songs are motivational and they do have these hooks that are ingrained from like pop music. We didn’t want to be afraid of that either. It’s a blend of a bunch of different genres– a lot of hip hop influence.”

Since The Score began in 2015, their music has greatly evolved from the original content they had been producing. Dover mentions how they spent years trying to figure out what their sound was and how they experimented with all different kinds of genres and variations. “[In the beginning] we kind of had a retro, funky soulful kind of sound. Then we tried this whole folk thing,” said Dover. “We did a lot of soul searching and I think we really hit it with our last EP, “Myths and Legends” and that became the Atlas Album. We finally found something that we both felt good about, something we both could say ‘This sounds like us. This is who we are.’ It’s been a lot of evolution. So, with this new music, Eddie [Anthony] described it great, kind of getting away from the heavy guitar riff, bass music and bringing those hip hop sounds and analog drums.”

The band members also discussed how it has been touring. Prior to their tour with New Politics, they had just finished their longest headline tour. “It was amazing because it was places we’ve never played before,” said Anthony. “We were selling out shows. We were able to sell over five hundred tickets in Salt Lake City and we there played there once. Just the response to the album put out and the singles we did has been amazing. Meeting the New Politics guys was rad. It’s a cool, live fun energetic band and we’re excited to learn from them, and to be on tour with them and go to market we’ve never been to before.”

For The Score, getting to where they are has been a challenge. Besides leaving everything they once knew behind, Anthony talks about how it was also a big challenge trying to figure out who they were as artists and who they wanted the world to see them as. “I think when we got signed, we got signed off of a big song from a commercial and we are kind of chasing that. The songs were not popping off in the United States we thought they would,” said Anthony. “It really gave Edan and I a couple of years to really own our songwriting and production and find who we wanted to be. I think it’s going through all the ups and downs added to the music, and it was stuff we could totally related to. We’re going through what tons of people, other fans are going through their own lives whether it’s about jobs, school, or relationship and being able to write these universial songs have really shaped what the Score is right now and we’re where going.”

Since then, The Score has come along way and are happy at the fact that they get to play music for a living. “There’s couple of cool things that music has let us do,” said Anthony. “But even just on the last tour, on our first headline evolution tour, just playing in Salt Lake City and selling out in a 500 packed room. Everyone was screaming and knew all the words to the music. I think that was the first time it really validated what Edan and I were doing is working and it really just gave us a lot of confidence in what the direction the Score is going and what it could actually be if everything pans the way out.”

“I think it’s one thing to be home in L.A at the studio. You see all the numbers going up, you see all the metrics, all the listener accounts going up, and everything,” said Dover. “And you're like ‘Okay cool. Like this is reacting, something is happening. We’re doing something right.’ But, it’s hard to actually truly believe it until you’re standing on a stage in front of 500 people like we were in Salt Lake and they’re all screaming every lyric and it really shows you up close and personal what you’re doing is working. It’s nice to get that confidence and not doubt yourself for a minute, and feel good about what you're doing.”

The Score are currently working on even more music, but as of now can’t talk a great deal about it.

“There is another song [coming out after the Fear] that Eddie and I are especially excited about,” said Dover.

“I think our whole team is excited for that new song. I can’t say much about it, but it has a lot of that genre bending and we love it. We think it’s one of the strongest songs we’ve written so far.

The Score are also very excited to come to Fairfield, being that it’s geographically the closest to where Dover’s grew up and where Anthony went to school. “Edan’s parents are coming,” Anthony commented jokingly.

“Yeah, my mom’s going to be there,” said Dover. “We haven’t played a show in Fairfield County yet, so it’ll be our first.”

Overall, The Score are a band with upbeat, motivational and unique music. If you’re really curious, definitely check out The Score’s upcoming show here at FTC on Nov. 14.

Nate Bargatze Gives Lively Performance for Homes With Hope

By Mimi Loughlin Contributing Writer The audience stirred in their seats across the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, whispering murmurs of excitement. It was Nov. 3 at 8:30 p.m, and the Homes with Hope Comedy Fundraiser was about to begin.

Jeff Wieser, President and CEO of Homes With Hope, walked onto the Quick Center stage, adjusted his tie, and smiled at the audience. “Welcome to the 11th Annual Stand Up for Homes with Hope Comedy Fundraiser. In my line of work, you just don’t get to laugh often, and this is a great night for comedy… a great night for Homes with Hope. ” Wieser went on to introduce Homes with Hope’s new Chief Operating Officer, Vice President and Director of Emergency Shelter Services Paris Looney, who shared more about the ways that Homes with Hope helps people in the Fairfield County community.

“Homes with Hope shelters 117 persons every night,” Looney said, “and we also help people with mental health issues, substance abuse issues and poverty.” Looney then introduced several of the people who Homes with Hope helped, identified by only their first names only.

Sandy, a single mother of five, said that she arrived in Connecticut, “scared and afraid” and that she was so thankful that Homes with Hope helped her find a safe place to live, and later assisted her with career mentorship and provided safe after school activities for her

After the silent auction, the comedy show began.

Nate Bargatze is a stand-up comedian from Tennessee who has appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”, Comedy Central and his debut comedic album “Yelled at By a Clown” reached #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts.

Nate Bargatze was so funny, and although a lot of his jokes had to do with making fun of marriage and raising children, he also joked about Starbucks, dog cafés, college and education.

Bargatze has a slyly self-effacing comedy style. He’s always making fun of himself, so his character flaws are the real joke. This self-effacing style made me trust his comedy more, because he was so willing to play up his flaws for humor: “I’m at the stage where my daughter still asks me questions, and I can still answer them. But by next year- second grade- and for the rest of her life, she’ll be smarter than children. “I now have a national certification to be a bookkeeper… thank you so much, Homes with Hope,” Sandy said.

“I am very appreciative, because if not for them, I would still be homeless.” Larry, a man who had been disowned by his family, said as he smiled at the audience. “Thanks to all the staff at Homes with Hope. You never gave up on me.”

Shortly afterwards, there was a silent auction. Audience members were asked to raise their paddle if they wanted to donate to Homes for Hope, and many people in the audience donated, contributing to the success of the night.

me.”

The event was a roaring success. Thanks to the generosity of the donors who gave their time and their money to help other members of the community, over $100,000 was raised for Homes with Hope, which helps so many people find safe living spaces, help for mental health and substance abuse issues, safe after- school activities for their children, mentorship and job opportunities. Long after the comedy show was over, I was left with a warm feeling of hope because I saw how the Fairfield County community came together to help other community members in need.

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THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

Page 9

This Fall's Indie Movie Round-Up

By Tyler Zikias Contributing Writer The fall movie season is usually the best time for the widest array of independent films to hit theaters. Sure, the spring has its indie hits and the winter is a hotbed for films campaigning for Oscars, but the fall is where some of the most interesting, low profile films come out. Few try for Oscars, while most succeed in being great films. With a fall movie season that featured box office juggernauts “A Star is Born,” “Venom” and “Halloween,” these are a few films you may have heard of that might peak some interest.

“The Sisters Brothers” had a limited release in late September and follows two sibling-assassins on a job in 1850s Oregon. Aside from being a pretty funny affair with excellent performances from the two leads, John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix (who play Eli and Charlie Sisters respectively), the film is a stellar character study of Eli Sisters.

After a rough situation leads to a fire in the brother’s barn, Eli begins to question the life he lives as one of the most renowned assassins in the west. Charlie is an outlaw by nature and believes there is no other life for them. These revelations and conflicts are represented subtly, adding to the realism of the experience.

Speaking of realism, the action scenes are filmed with a gritty realism that sucks the breath out of the audience. The gunfire is loud and imperfect, as weapons were about 170 years ago. The landscapes are beautifully captured and lighting is perfect in just about every frame.

Make no mistake, this film is a realistic take of life in the west and a character showcase for Eli Sisters. Character decisions drive the plot and no scene ever feels out of place as a result. The only fault is that the pacing can drag just a little bit at the beginning and it takes a bit too long to bring the main conflict to the surface. There is also a side plot including Jake Gyllenhaal’s character, John Morris, and his affiliation with the man the Sisters Brothers are trying to kill, Hermann Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed). These scenes fail to be as interesting as the scenes that develop the relationship between Eli and Charlie, creating a choppy feeling to the first half hour of the film. These two plots come together in the end to create a satisfying conclusion, so the strange first act isn’t completely useless. Unfortunately, the film isn’t in theaters anymore, but check it out when it hits streaming.

Grade: B+ “Mid90s” is Jonah Hill’s directorial debut and it does not disappoint. With a predominantly younger, unknown cast, Hill draws raw performances from the core group of actors, especially Sunny Suljic, who plays Stevie. Not only does Hill exercise the cheap, but effective tactic of utilizing 90s nostalgia in just about every frame, but he transported me back to what it felt like to be a kid. Stevie (Suljic) is constantly battling his abusive brother and trying to become independent and find his own path as a 13-year-old without any friends.

He meets a group of skaters which become the family he has been searching for the whole time. It is a very simple story with a lot of simple conflict that isn’t anything new, but Hill’s script brings these characters to life. While the conflicts between the characters are classic film cliches that have been used time and time again, the emotional weight and attachment to the characters makes the conflict feel real and immediate.

The film ends rather abruptly, but nonetheless, Jonah Hill absolutely has a career ahead of him as a writer-director and this film shouldn’t be missed.

Grade: B+ “The Old Man and The Gun” is as enjoyable as it is a relaxing experience. The film doesn’t have any shocking twists, jaw dropping moments or a bloated runtime. It is overall a very sweet and calming movie with a fantastic final performance from Robert Redford.

The film has a charm and likability to it, just as the main protagonist, Forrest Tucker (Redford), charms the employees at the banks he robs.

Redford’s performance is key to liking a character that some may otherwise portray as an antagonist. His intentions behind robbing banks are also clearly never meant to be hostile or hurt anyone, but simply for Tucker’s own pleasure. It is an ode to living life to the fullest regardless

of repercussions. Sissy Spacek as Jewel, an older woman whom Tucker befriends, is a great foil to Redford’s calm demeanor. While Jewel is never loud or overbearing, she asks all the questions Tucker would expect her to ask regarding his, creating a sense of understanding between the two. It leads to some of the sweeter moments in a film filled with scenes that will make you grin ear to ear. This film isn’t anything extraordinary, but I can guarantee it will make you smile.

Grade: B+ “The Hate U Give” is kind of middle of the road for me. It follows Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg), an African American high school student, reeling from the night when her friend, Khalil (Algee Smith), is shot and killed by a white police officer. This event leads Starr to question authority as well as many of the white people she goes to school with. This film provides a story that is absolutely worth telling.

Stenberg steals the show with an incredible performance that I think should be in the running for Oscar consideration. There are several moments where she isn’t emoting, but the pain in the situation she is facing forces tears down her face. The film also made me see a different side to the story than the media usually portrays. This idea is touched upon in the film, with a scene of Starr’s family watching a riot on TV. My big issue with this film is that I think a director with more experience with this subject could have handled it better than George Tillman Jr., director of “Faster” and “Notorious.” The tone of some scenes feel inconsistent in relation to others. The filmmaking doesn’t particularly enhance the experience because a lot of the dialogue tells the audience exactly where everyone is coming from and how the viewer should feel about them. It came off as very lazy to me, with a lot of the more powerful moments ruined by a voiceover from Starr explaining what is happening in the scene. I think a director like Spike Lee (“Blackkklansman”) or Ava DuVernay (“Selma”) would have handled this film a lot better. Regardless, “The Hate U Give” is a story that needs to be seen.

Grade: B “Beautiful Boy” was a film I was incredibly excited to see. Starring Timothée Chalamet and Steve Carell with a powerful story surrounding a young man’s addiction, this film was shaping up to be an awards sweetheart. The performances are absolutely going to have awards success. Chalamet, who plays Nic Cheff, continues to prove he is an actor worth following for the rest of his career with a performance that will likely carry him to another Oscar nomination for his supporting role in this film. Carell’s chances are less likely, but he still delivers a harrowing and broken performance worthy of awards consideration. Aside from a few pulse-pounding moments, the film crumbles under its heavy narrative, struggling to balance several different story aspects while also feeling generic and repetitive. The script feels dry and slightly muddled with characters often saying exactly what you would expect them to, creating a predictable experience. The film is desperately trying to make the viewer cry, but the film simply isn’t constructed well enough to do so. If these actors were given better material to work with, I think this film would have been a more engaging watch. While I personally can’t recommend this film, anyone interested in great acting should certainly watch it.

Grade: C

The Mirror Abroad: Maeve's Marvelous Adventures

By Maeve Nowak Abroad Columnist

The rain streamed down the windows, blurring our views of the rough Atlantic ocean waters while the ferry lurched like a roller coaster car only halfway through its ride. Those who enjoy the thrill of the choppy waters laughed with the drops, kept busy on their phones or were helping a friend. The other half took solace in the small plastic bags the crew walked around handing out, their sea legs keeping them steady during the gale.

It was not long before one of the Aran Islands, Inish Mor, rose in the distance, its green hills and old stone walls standing proud. We all stepped off the boat and were immediately told to choose a bike from the rental shop. Sea legs, to land legs, to bike legs, we were off. As someone who has not ridden a bike in years, the saying “it’s like riding a bike” is true. However, those hills were not kind. Five minutes in and I was regretting my complete lack of exercise over the past several months. However, I’m not sure if it was this or the view of the countryside which knocked the breath out of me first. Rolling hills divided by stone walls crumbling at the edges, dotted with cows, sheep and horses. Bright cottages were scattered along the sides of the road, each sitting in their own sea of green.

After about 30 minutes of what felt like the uphill spin class I never signed up for, we discarded our bikes on bike racks and started up a short trail to Dún Aonghasa. The ancient, what appeared to be an amphitheatre, with an altar or large flat podium of sorts centered at the edge of the cliff, was interesting to say the least. The view looking out at the ocean was stunning and magnificent.

Now, when 10 Stags are standing on a huge cliff with an amazing view, what do you think they’re going to do? Did we all lay down on the cliff and stick our heads over the edge to get a better look at the cliffside and the water? Heck yeah, we did! I thought it was windy to begin with, but the wind just off the edge of the cliff is like having one of those massive wind fans you see in the movies aimed at your face.

We explored the area for a bit longer, taking in the rocky ruins scattered over the overgrown grass fields, before rolling out and heading to lunch.

During our lunch break I decided to pop into one of the small sweater shops to pick up my authentic Aran Islands Irish woolen sweater. For those who don’t know, the Irish are famous for their wool and the sweaters and products they make from the material. With many of their fields filled with herds of sheep and the cold, windy weather, Irish sweaters, especially from the Aran Islands, are the coziest pieces of clothing you could own. The small sweater shop was filled with sweaters, scarves, blankets, mittens, hats and so much more. Each item was hand-knitted by the women in the shop, the one working the front desk was in the process of knitting a blue blanket while I browsed. I left a short while later with a pink (unshocking choice for anyone who knows me) woolen sweater dress with a zipper down the front that could also be worn as a cardigan. Even

on the days when it’s in the mere 40’s outside, I can walk outside in a t-shirt, leggings and that sweater and be warm as can be!

After lunch, our guide took us to tour a seaweed factory. The small, family run company collects seaweed from the ocean in the morning, then takes it back to the factory to clean and dry it. The seaPhoto contributed by Maeve Nowak weed is used for Nowak with fellow classmates at the Aran Islands. cosmetic and food purposes. It was an interesting, worthwhile stop before we moved on to bike around the rest of the island.

From the seaweed factory we biked to the Seven Churches, which are really only three or four old chapels that lay in ruins amist an ancient graveyard. Some graves go back as far as the Roman occupation during the early years when Catholicism was initially introduced to the Irish people. The beautiful buildings were tiny, the doorways requiring us to duck in order to pass through. The small heights of the doorways in conjunction with the lengths of the old graves indicate that malnutrition likely kept most people around four or five feet tall, so if you thought you were short…

Our last stop was a small beach to catch our breath and enjoy the view. However, midway through taking pictures of the beach, Jack Callanan ‘20, Kyle Klaschka ‘20 and Brian Gozzo ‘20 ran into the frigid water, despite the 57 degree air temperature. While they had brought swim trunks and towels in preparation, it did nothing to curb our surprise at our freezing friends as they dove into the oncoming waves.

Overall, it was a wonderful and exhausting day, made better by the friends I shared it with. The Aran Islands is definitely a place I would love to go back to and visit in the future

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

The Vine

Page 10

Stylish Stag for November

and J. Crew Mercantile. I find that I can shop my more preppy and professional wear at J. Crew retail, my casual and trendy at Madewell and then every day preppy basics at J. Crew Mercantile.

By Sabrina Musto Fashion Columnist Now that November is here, the last of the warm days are trickling away and winter is coming, but that does not stop Fairfield University students from keeping their style game strong. The stylish stag for this week, Abigail Sakati ‘20, is being featured for her stylish business look which caught my eye. As an intern, she has a wardrobe of amazing outfits that are good for both work and play, and this is just one example of these many looks.

Abigail, originally from southern New Hampshire, is a marketing major with a minor in accounting. Currently, she is an intern for Fairfield’s Marketing Department and also works for the startup Tempas LLC. When she is not in the Dolan School of Business, you can find her at the Leslie C. Quick Jr. Recreation Complex practicing with Fairfield Dance Fusion Competitive Dance Team and Ensemble.

What is your favorite accessory and why?

I love purses! I don’t really know why, maybe I acquired my love from my mother, but I am always down to splurge on a Kate Spade.

Describe your fashion aesthetic in two words.

Preppy and sophisticated Tell me a trend you’re happy is back in style and why?

Oddly enough, I am really into the leather skirt look. I’m learning it’s super versatile. During the day you can create a cozy look, or dress it up for work. It’s also the perfect go-to item for a going-out outfit.

How did you decide on this outfit today, and how to you generally decide on an outfit?

Honestly, this outfit is one of my go-to fall outfits. J. Crew has the best button-downs, because they are slim cut and also come in a variety of fun patterns. I usually wear this button down from J. Crew with green pants, but because I intern, I traded out the pants for a J. Crew sidewalk skirt to make it more professional. For some added warmth, I chose to wear my Ralph Lauren Sherpa vest. My heels, bought at DSW (my happy place!)

by Crowne Vintage, are a must for me!

What is your favorite season to dress for and why?

Sabrina Musto/The Mirror

Sakati '20 showing off her style.

I love dressing for fall and winter, because I love layering with sweaters or blazers and wearing fashionable jackets and scarves. I also love wearing boots and wearing cozy sweaters.

Lastly, do you have a style icon and why?

What is your favorite store to shop in and why?

I am a J. Crew fanatic! They have three different store brands; Madewell, J. Crew Retail

Kate Spade is my style icon, because her style was fun and flirty, yet timeless and sophisticated.

The Art Inkwell Spotlight Corner Al ways Tr ust T his Love

The Big Picture

Poem

ByAlyssa Vigorito Co-Editor-In-Chief at the Inkwell

Artist Brandon Robles '22 described his art saying, “A common man views the honest portrayal of a relationship that is devoid of love, but rather self gain. Almost like 1950’s propaganda, it pulls no punches to the matter at hand. As the billboard shines brightly for onlookers to view, the graffiti sprayed on gives the simple description of it: Greedy.”

Bloom, love Bloom on days when I have dehydrated skin, like leather— you remind me we’re not all in ruins, and we’re cellophane wrapped around hard candy / sunrises that cast shadows I’ve kept my words between my teeth but you spill them, freely, even when your swipe-to-type phone feature riddles the ends of e’s with extra b’s but only when the word starts with c: Cheeseb Challengeb Closeb “I feel so closeb to you,” you say And you know I’ve been comforted for ages knowing that we’re entwining lifelines

Do you want your art to be featured in the Art Corner? Please e-mail your drawing, photograph, or comic along with a quote about your piece to katherine. klima@student.fairfield.edu.

Artwork Contributed by Danielle Fierro

The Vine

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

Page 11

Healthy Options at the Stag Spirit Shop

By Sabrina Trueheart Copy Editor

For some of us here at Fairfield University, the Stag Spirit Shop in the John A. Barone Campus Center is our go-to grocery store, drug store and even clothing store. I have to admit – the small food section in the back of the store is one of my favorite places to be.

It is not just underclassmen who roam the food section of the Stag Shop – upperclassmen need a pick-me-up sometimes as well, and will buy snacks here. However, looks can deceive; many students often pick up snacks that seem healthy, but there are much healthier options that taste just as delicious. This week I ventured through the Stag Shop’s food section to find out which snacks are advertised as “healthy,” but really aren’t.

“Healthy” Snack: Clif Bars Healthier Option: ThinkThin Chocolate Almond Protein Bars I am one of those people who ate a Clif Bar almost every day for two years straight.

These tasty protein bars seem healthy because they are organic, packed with protein and, CreativeCommons/Target of course, the

hiker on the front makes us feel healthy eating these bars. Unfortunately, Clif Bars are loaded with sugar, typically 22 grams per bar. While there are worse snack bars out there for you to consume, there are healthier bars similar to Clif ’s that are up for grabs at the Stag Shop. After observing many protein bars, Think Thin’s Chocolate Almond Protein Bars seem to be the healthiest Stag Shop option. These bars have 13 grams of protein and only 5 grams of sugar. Save those Clif Bars for your next hike or big game – they are energy bars, after all.

“Healthy” Snack: Baked Potato Chips Healthier Option: Garden Veggie Straws (with Sabra Guacamole or Cedar’s Original Hommus) Do you ever notice the Lays chips in the Stag Shop that say “Oven Baked – 65 percent less fat?” Lays are still not that healthy; this is just good marketing. A better alternative to Lays (or any potato chip, for that matter) is Garden Veggie Straws with Sabra Guacamole, both of which are available in the Stag Shop. The Garden Veggie Straws are just $1.19, and have only 130 calories per bag. To have a more filling snack, buy Sabra Guacamole, found in the cold foods section of the shop. If guacamole isn’t your favorite, there’s no need to worry; Cedar’s Original Hommus is also available at the Stag Shop. Both of these dips are the perfect addition to your veggie straws.

“Healthy” Snack: Optimum Nutrition’s Protein Almonds Healthier Option: Skinny Dipped Almonds As soon as you turn the corner to go down the granola bar and protein section of the Stag Shop, Optimum Nutrition’s protein almonds appear. These chocolate-covered almonds look promising because the packaging says, “10 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar.”

But, it’s all fun and games until you read the nutrition facts. There’s

230 calories from just one tiny bag of these almonds, while a normal bag of almonds are in the low 100s for calories. Then, if you read the fat content, you will see that there is 16 grams of total fat (21 percent of your daily intake) and a whooping 8 grams of saturated fat (40 percent of your daily intake). Luckily, there’s an alternative to these chocolate-covered almonds on the opposing shelf – Skinny Dipped Almonds. One serving of these almonds is only 150 calories, while there are 12 grams of total fat (18 percent of your daily intake) and 3 grams of saturated fat (15 percent of your daily intake).

Although Skinny Dipped Almonds come in a bigger bag and have only CreativeCommons/Quill.com 5 grams of protein as opposed to 10, these are a healthier choice than Optimum Nutrition’s almonds for sure. Plus, they’re dark chocolate cocoa covered!

Dr. Barry Barnes Speaks at Quick Center

By Molly Lamendola Contributing Writer

times and nothing would change. With the new goal of live concerts being to mimic When introducing Dr. Barry Barnes the sound heard on their records, allowing at the Regina A. Quick Center for the arts the fans to hear the same songs with only on Oct. 30, Dr. Phillip Elisasoph, Ph.D., accidental errors. art history professor at Fairfield UniversiFor the Grateful Dead, nothing was ty and founder of the Open VISIONS Foseen as an error as they were an improvirum, listed just a few of his qualifications: sational band. Meaning that you could’ve a Ph.D. in business, 20 years spent in corspent your entire life going to Dead shows, porate America and time spent owning never to hear the same set twice. A concept three different businesses. that pushed die-hard fans, called Dead“The only thing,” Eliasoph said with a heads, to start sneaking tape decks into knowing grin, was that, when Barnes was concerts to record the once in a lifetime brought in to consult, “they expected a experience. Though rules existed against man wearing a pinstripe suit.” this, the Dead didn’t really enforce, only Elisasoph then stretched his hand to stating that a profit couldn’t be made, but the right, and with a round of applause, the tapes could be traded or copied as ofin walked Barnes wearing the pinstripe ten as needed. suit’s distant cousin: a pair of dark washed Barnes mentioned that this was a briljeans held to his waist by a blue Grateliant idea. Bands living in the pre-Internet ful Dead belt, all matched together with era only really grew in popularity through a pair of brown sneakers and a cyan pair word of mouth, a process that was aided of Grateful Dead socks. His greying hair by, and sparked, recordings. slicked back into a low hanging ponytail, The business concepts discussed were loose pieces curling around in front of his easy enough to follow even without a busiears. The sleeves of his blue button-down ness background, and the stories of the missed his wrists by about two inches, a Dead were fascinating, but if you’re really bit of a gap peeking through. But, it didn’t looking to understand the Dead’s business seem to bother him. practices, you’ll probably have to pick up Barnes stood a bit back from the miPhoto taken from gratefuldead Instagram the book. With this presentation acting crophone on the podium, before taking a more like a comparison to more formal step forward, his sound drifting in and out The band 'The Grateful Dead' are a main idea applied to Dr. Barnes' book. ways of presenting and the transcending as he stated that he hadn’t really prepared experience of seeing the Grateful Dead for this discussion. Applying the main idea of his book, “Everything I Know About Business live than a true look at their business. As Barnes would often pause halfway through a senI Learned from the Grateful Dead: The 10 Most Innovative Lessons From A Long Strange tence, segueing into a Grateful Dead story before stopping himself before the moral, giving Trip” to his own life. This main idea is based on the Dead’s quintessential idea of impro- us a, “But that’s a story for another time.” visation and needed adaptation, which seemed to mold the band and, apparently, its fans.

The audience members didn’t mind. Barnes’ himself had been to 194 Grateful Dead The morals the band seemed to have naturally translated seamlessly into the Silicon Valley shows, even meeting his wife through the Dead’s mailbox ticket service, which was a unique ideologies of today. “Basically,” Barnes said, with a laugh and a wave of his hands, “This delivery service detailed in his book. Before modern companies like Ticketmaster existed, could go for four hours.” you could only buy concert tickets at record stores. The Dead saw how inconvenient this The room didn’t yet have anything to add, so Barnes stepped closer to the microphone was and took the operation in-house. How Barnes’ met his wife through the mail though and started the slideshow. He walked the audience through 10 decisions the Grateful Dead was another, “story for another time.” made unconsciously that built the band for longevity. Then how the companies of today are The audience seemed to match his ferocity for the Dead. The room was painted in applying these practices to their own business endeavors.

Dead Merchandise, the “Steal Your Face” logo, the skull with a red and blue brain, echoing Take recording at concerts. Today, with a quick visit to YouTube or another streaming along the room. When Barnes asked how many people had been to more than one Grateplatform, any version of any modern-day band’s song can be viewed in just seconds. All ful Dead show during the bands active years, 1965-1995, multiple hands were raised. Then thanks to the wonderful creation of the Internet in the latter half of the 20th century. It’s heads nodded and sighed along with Barnes when he said his almost 200 shows spent listena nice tool to have, but not entirely necessary, as for many bands you could see them 300 ing to the Dead were, “Still not enough.”

Coffee Break

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

Page 12

Coffee Break Editor: Julia Crews julia.crews@student.fairfield.edu

NOVEMBER CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 The holiday you’re really waiting for.

4 Like bread, but better.

5 It’s way too cold to watch this sport on Thanksgiving Day, but we will anyway.

6 They’re all over campus but soon they’ll be on your dinner plate.

DOWN 1 You’ve never understood why this goes with Thanksgiving dinner.

2 It’ll be inside the thing on your dinner plate.

3 Mashed or baked, it’ll be great! puzzle-maker.com

Concept of Time Declared Dead “It feels like we’ve been here for seven years,” said Jessica Cuntrera ‘22 on Nov. 1 at midnight in between verses of “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” because she’s that kind of person. “But also like it hasn’t been longer than two days…

I’m so confused!”

The Concept of Time has been missing on campus for two months now, both confusing and frustrating students who would rather speed through their midterms and get through the first semester as quickly as possible. “It’s just not fair,” lamented Tim Amarante ‘22. “I feel like these past few weeks have gone by even slower. The pace is positively glacial.”

There’s no other explanation: The Concept of Time has died. The glacial passing of days will continue on Fairfield University’s campus until further notice.

Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

Sports

SPORTS

This Week in Sports:

Sports Editors: Dan Montgomery and Patrick Getz »daniel.montgomery@student.fairfield.edu

Page 13

Weekend Update

In Case You Missed It: Wednesday, October 31st -Men's Soccer defeated Manhattan, 1-0 Friday, November 2nd -Field Hockey defeated Rider, 1-0 (MAAC Tournament) Saturday, November 3rd -Men's Swimming lost to Providence, 197-62 Photo Contributed by Sports Information Desk

-Women's Swimming defeated Providence, 197-103 -Volleyball defeated Siena, 3-1 Sunday, November 4th -Volleyball lost to Marist, 3-1

On Tuesday, Nov. 6 the Fairfield Men’s Soccer team collected many accolades as head coach Carl Rees took home his second Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in as many years, defender Jonas Vergin ‘21 won MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and Gordon Botterill ‘21 claimed the MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second consecutive season. Also, Fairfield had four representatives on the All-MAAC First Team with midfielder Diego Casielles ‘19, midfielder Matt McGlinchey ‘21, Vergin and Botterill. In addition, defenders Cormac Pike ‘22 and Kheireddine Kourdassi ‘22, as well as Jonathan Filipe’ 22 and Jack Weiss ‘22, were all selected to the MAAC-All Rookie Team.

All together, there were 11 awards given out to eight different Stags.

-Field Hockey lost to Monmouth, 2-1 (MAAC Championship) Tuesday, November 6th -Men's Basketball lost at Purdue, 90-57

Upcoming This Week: Thursday, November 8th -Men's Soccer vs. Rider, TBA

Photo Contributed by Sports Information Desk

On Monday, Nov. 5, Fairfield University Men’s Lacrosse team alum Will Fox ‘18 was selected by the Chesapeake Bayhawks in the Major League Lacrosse Supplemental Draft. The MLL is comprised of nine teams across the United States and employs the best 230 lacrosse players in the world. Fox’s .555 win percentage, 503 faceoff wins and 220 ground balls all rank second individually in the Stags record books. He also owns three of the 10 best single-season performances in the face-off circle. Picking up 78 ground balls in his senior year at Fairfield put him sixth alltime in program history. Fox will have a lot of time to prepare for the season as the MLL schedule won’t kick off until Friday, May 31, 2019. Stay tuned to majorleaguelacrosse.com in the coming weeks to see when Fox and the Bayhawks will play their first game.

(MAAC Tournament Semifinal) Friday, November 9th -Women's Basketball at Richmond, 2 p.m.

Saturday, November 10th -Volleyball vs. Niagara, 1 p.m.

-Men's Basketball at Bucknell, 7 p.m.

In this week's issue...

- NFL Week 9: Pretenders & Contenders (Page 14)

- Coaches' Corner: Carl Rees of Men's Soccer (Page15) - Fairfield Sports: 2018 Recap (Page 15)

- Fairfield Soars Past Siena, 3-1 (Page 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

NFL Week 9: Pretenders & Contenders

Photos Taken From nfl/Instagram Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (left) led his team to an impressive 31-17 victory over the Packers as Amari Cooper's (center) debut was ruined by the Tennessee Titans. The Saint defense (right) has been improving as of late as well.

By Patrick Getz Co-Sports Editor Week nine just wrapped up in the National Football League as teams enter the second half of the season. The playoff picture becomes much more clear as teams prepare for week 10, mainly spotting the pretenders from the contenders. The New England Patriots kept pace with yet another win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football as the New Orleans Saints handed the Los Angeles Rams their first loss as well. Also, the Dallas Cowboys dropped their fifth contest of 2018 to the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football by a score of 28-14.

Lastly, the potent Kansas City Chiefs rolled over the Browns 37-21. Here are two contenders and two pretenders for the rest of the 2018 season.

Contenders: New England Patriots (6-2): As quarterback Tom Brady battled Aaron Rodgers on Sunday night primetime, it was a very back-and-forth game and this matchup was everything fans hoped for. However, that all changed when Green Bay Packers’ running back, Aaron Jones, fumbled in the third quarter of a tie game. This shifted the momentum towards the Patriots where they scored two unanswered touchdowns to win 31-17. Green Bay had no answers and New England continues to grow stronger as the season wears on.

New Orleans Saints (7-1): Whenever Drew Brees is under center, this team is a contender because he is still lethal at 39 years old. This passing attack, with Michael Thomas and the inclusion of Alvin Kamara, is pretty much unstoppable. Along with channeling his inner Joe Horn with the flip phone celebration, he recorded 211 receiving yards and caught one of Brees’ four

Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ...

College Basketball is back!

Thoughts for the season?

The Stags are making it back to Monday night this year, I'm Dan Montgomery booking my bus ticket to Albany Co-Sports Editor right now.

It should be exciting since my Cowboys are continuously letting Patrick Getz Co-Sports Editor me down!

I just hope I can watch Dan freak Chris LaZazzera out when UNC loses in the NaAssistant Sports tional Championship again.

Editor

Alicia Phaneuf Editor-In-Chief

GO STAGS!

touchdown passes. The dynamic duo of Thomas and Kamara are lethal as Brees can use either of them in many different ways, plus, the Saints defense just needs to stop opposing offenses just a few times a game with such a powerful offense.

Pretenders: Dallas Cowboys (3-5): This choice seems obvious with their dreadful loss on Monday night to the Titans. This team had a lot of attention swirling around heading into the season, especially after they acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders during their byeweek. This loss just affirmed Cowboys fans’ worst fears, that the Cowboys are simply pretenders this year. All playoff hopes diminished as the clock struck zero, losing 28-14. Many questions will be asked and jobs will certainly be in jeopardy as another disappointing Cowboys season resonates with its fans.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-1): Just as the last one was obvious, seeing the Chiefs as a pretender may be just as (un)shocking. Under Andy Reid, the Chiefs are just 1-4 and have never gotten past the AFC Divisional Round. Two of those losses were utter collapses to the Indianapolis Colts in 2013 and to the Tennessee Titans in 2017. The Chiefs are looking for their third consecutive AFC West title, but they have been one and done’s in the past two years as well. Lastly, as great as Patrick Mahomes is playing right now, surely a Most Valuable Player candidate, this is his first year as a starter where he has no experience on the big stage.

Your 2018-2019 4x5 Columnists:

Dan Montgomery, Patrick Getz, Chris LaZazzera and Alicia Phaneuf

What do you think about Bryce Harper possibly making the move to First Base?

How was your Powderpuff?

What are you expecting from What is the worst thing you Fairfield Basketball this year? have had from the Tully?

He is irrelevant if he does not come to the Yanks.

OUTRAGEOUS FUN

Both making it to the tournament! Spinach Enchiladas. Last night.

Gonna look a lot like the year when both the UCONN men's and women's won it all baby

It would improve his market since his defensive woes would be sort of shielded at first since he is not the best defensively in the outfield.

So much fun, it was what I wanted to see!

I am excited to cover some games and interview some players and even Coach Johnson! Gonna be a good year!

The stunka dried out beef...

I could care less because the Boston Red Sox will still be the best team in baseball.

It was unbelievable. Will forever remember getting in the middle of some scraps!

I am expecting them to be very competitve and make Jim Zisa proud.

I choose what I eat very carefully at the Tully so I don't ever have to consume something STUNKY.

Red Sox will still dominate!

Read front page to find out!

I'm excited to see the Stags kill it as always!

Not me personally, but my celiac roommate was fed a flour tortilla with her quesadilla.

Sports

THE MIRROR | Week of November 7, 2018

Page 15

Coaches' Corner: Carl Rees of Men's Soccer

By Patrick Getz Co-Sports Editor As his team prepares for the Semi-Final round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament head coach Carl Rees sits down with The Mirror to talk about his season. Rees is in his 22nd season at the helm of the Stags, recently was named MAAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season after leading the red and white to back to back regular season titles.

Fairfield hosts Rider this Thursday at 7 p.m. at Lessing Field.

Q: You lost only one game over the past two years in the MAAC, what contributes to that success?

A: I think with any kind of success, then new challenges come with that. We don’t carry any loose change or weak links. It is really about us being collective and together as a group. Also, what comes with success involves new, more demanding challenges as well as knowing evenly what works and what does not work. As athletes and sports people, you tend to dwell more on the defeats than the wins in life. They stick with you longer for some reason but we want to keep balance and stay humble, not getting pride involved. It’s been such a great learning journey with these guys. We have all collectively grown up which has been great.

Q: Considering Fairfield won the MAAC Championship last year, does the humility play a big role in keeping your players hungry the MAAC Championship again this season?

Photo Contributed by Sports Information Desk

A: I think humility is part of it. But we also spoke about tenacity. Tenacity is intensity over a long period of time. It’s not being intense for one game or one moment or whatever. It’s over the duration [of the season]. So many things go into a successful team like technique, tactics and fitness and there are so many things that go into the collective psyche. It’s not just about being humble, it’s about being tenacious, it’s about being realistic and being able to deal with setbacks. That’s what makes a good family, a good company or even a good newsroom. My job is to teach these guys to look after themselves and we are all just straight with each other.

Q: How do you prepare your young team for the MAAC Tournament, with some of them experiencing the postseason for the first time?

A: It is really rewarding what we have achieved so far. There is a real curiosity to learn more about the game and to develop as individuals as well as a team. We want to play the right kind of futbol. We want to play intelligent, forward-thinking bright futbol. This is the only time ever that this particular group has a chance to do something. It’s an organism and it’s the only time ever that it will be these 32 people.

We have been taking it one bout at a time. We learned to be flexible along the way and adjust accordingly in order to to get the job done. Also, we just don’t get wrapped up too much in the occasion.

Coach Rees is looking to bring Fairfield to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in career. Rees has over 200 wins and counting during his career and has had the Stags nationally ranked on numerous occasions.

Q: How rewarding is it to be named MAAC Coach of the Year along with fellow players receiving notable accolades?

A: The individual accolades are cool but I don’t win Coach of the Year without Javy [Decima] or Jonny [Raj] as my assistants and Mike and Kevin, the manager, and also the lads. I couldn’t care less actually. I care more about developing the group and enjoying what we got going together as a group. That’s what we’re going to remember 20 years from now. It’s not going to be that I was Coach of the Year. I want to know more about how well Santi [Gonzalez ‘22] played or how far Jonas [Vergin ‘21] progressed as a leader as a part of being a central defender. The relationships, the time, that’s what it is all about. I really want the best for these lads and I have really enjoyed my time with these guys. I don’t want it to end because I am going to miss it so we’re going to cling onto the momentum like our lives depend on it.

Fairfield Sports: Fall 2018 Recap Highlights- 9th in MAAC Championship

Highlights- 9th in MAAC Championship

Highlights- 10-6 in MAAC play

Upcoming- 11/9 NCAA Northeast Regional

Upcoming- 11/9 NCAA Northeast Regional

Upcoming- 11/15 MAAC Tournament

Highlights- 2018 MAAC Regular Season Champions

Highlights- Alex Madden First Team All-MAAC

Upcoming- 11/8 vs. Rider MAAC Semi-Finals

Upcoming- N/A Season Complete

Highlights- Women: Fairfield Invitational Champions

Highlights- Liz Persiehl MAAC Defensive Player of the Year

Upcoming- 11/9 vs. Fordham

Upcoming- N/A Season Complete

@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports Week of November 7, 2018

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS 16

Sports Editor: Dan Montgomery and Patrick Getz » daniel.montgomery@student.fairfield.edu

Fairfield Soars Past Siena, 3-1

Contributed by Sports Information Desk Senior Sydney Williams blocks a kill attempt as Fairfield has a 11-14 overall record and 10-5 in MAAC play. The Stags have two regular season matchups remaining before the MAAC Tournament arrives.

By Julia Lanzillota Contributing Writer The Fairfield University Women’s Volleyball team crushed Siena College at 1 p.m. on Nov. 3 following a loss against Quinnipiac University on Oct. 26. The Stags claimed three of the four matches and their record now stands at 11-13, 10-5 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, while Siena’s is 3-25, 1-14 MAAC. First-year Julia Kallen played remarkably well on Saturday, with 19 total kills in four sets. A first year Stag has not accomplished this feat in four years.

The day was full of firsts, as captain Nora Quinn ‘19 made 13 total blocks setting a new rally-scoring record for Fairfield University Volleyball. The team dynamic has certainly shifted in our favor as the clock ticks with only three games left before the MAAC Tournament. We have the home-court advantage for the trio of remaining matches, but must power play at full strength to make up for the seven Stags impaired from injuries.

In the first set, Fairfield and Siena were neck and neck, but ultimately our skill helped us prevail. The Stags registered 15 kills, which almost doubled Siena’s 8, and certainly asserted our dominance. 9 of Kallen’s 19 kills were tallied in the initial set. Fairfield’s first three points of the set were kills; two by Kallen and one

by Laura Seeger ’22.

Meanwhile, the first four points belonged to Siena due to errors by Fairfield. In all 25 points, Siena was unable to secure a single lead, which certainly added to Fairfield’s unbeatable momentum. Fairfield finished up the set, claiming the last three points and cementing the score at 25-17.

Going into the second set, Siena still had room to come back from failure. They started the scoring and took the first three points, but a bad set by Siena’s rookie, Maddy Dunigan, put Fairfield on the board.

Otherwise, Siena was on fire leading the set early 7-3. What we needed was for Kallen to come back and play as well as she had earlier. Sonja Radulovic ’20, who had 13 kills on Saturday, started a killing streak which was followed with another two by Kallen and one by Mayda Garcia ’20. Siena came back just when

Fairfield was within a point (8-9 Siena) and amassed another four points, making the score 13-8.

Fairfield coach Todd Kress called a timeout to break Siena’s streak.

Returning from the timeout, Fairfield was back within two points of Siena. They certainly made some ground to keep themselves in contention for a second win, but Siena evened the score 1-1 when they owned the second match (25-17). This guaranteed a fourth match.

The two MAAC teams entered the third match at even strength. Siena erred on the first serve when Maddy Dunigan ‘22 made on error on an attack.

Following that, another Kallen kill kept Fairfield up by two. Siena head coach Vilis Ozols, who was visibly frustrated, received a yellow card as his team remained scoreless. Radulovic’s service error finally earned a point for Siena. The following four points went to Fairfield; one credited to Garcia while the other three were errors on Siena. Two were on unsuccessful attacks by rookie Saint Nicole Deobler.

Although she had nine kills this game, this time her efforts failed.

At 6-1 in Fairfield’s favor, Siena used their second timeout of the game.

Later at 15-8 after five consecutive points for the Stags, the Saints used their third total timeout of the game, and final timeout of the set. Following four Fairfield errors, a timeout was called at 20-14 with Siena trailing behind by 6. Luckily, Fairfield was able to finish it off and scored five easy points to win the match 25-15.

The score was 2-1.

Siena establishes an early lead ahead of Fairfield 6-4. Although Siena had more total attempts in the fourth 33 to 37, Fairfield’s hitting percentage put Siena’s to shame -.108 to .242. Fairfield nearly tripled the amount of kills of Siena with a total of 15-5. Our home team undoubtedly outplayed and outsmarted their opponents. For this reason, Fairfield came out on top. The game ended with a Fairfield victory of 25-13 in four sets.

Notable players included Taylor Rudeen ‘19 who counted 20 digs, Alexis Rich ‘22 with a whopping 51 assists and Sophia Hosokawa ‘22 who had two aces.

Team Leaders:

Mayda Garcia '20 Kills: 254

Alexis Rich '22 Assists: 930

Taylor Rudeen '19 Digs: 403