MonJan242011

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Monday, January 24, 2011

NEWS BRIEFS NATIONAL

VOL. 112 ISSUE 22

King calls for service

Rogelio V. Solis AP Photo

FULTON, Miss. (AP) — Neil Brown got high on dangerous chemicals sold as bath salts, he took his skinning knife and slit his face and stomach repeatedly.

Brown survived, but authorities say others haven’t been so lucky after snorting, injecting or smoking powders with such innocuous-sounding names as Ivory Wave, Red Dove and Vanilla Sky. SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOCAL TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A state program to aid school districts with urgent construction needs spent $108 million to add seats that now are empty. The Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability said in a report Friday that nearly a quarter of space in 13 of 25 projects built from 1998 through 2010 currently is not needed.

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

INTERNATIONAL SAO PAULO (AP) — The Rio de Janeiro state government and local construction companies are reportedly teaming up to provide housing for hundreds of victims of the state’s recent devastating floods and mudslides.

Brazilian news media report that the partnership will donate 2,000 houses.

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEATHER Today

63 42 Tuesday

61 40 Wednesday

56 30

Alvin McBean The Famuan Martin Luther King III imparted words of wisdom for all in attendance at Friday’s Convocation.

ELLIOTT KIADII CORRESPONDENT Martin Luther King III said people shouldn’t celebrate his father’s birthday but should engage in service, not only on Martin Luther King Day, but every day.

“We need to come together as a community, not a community of black folks, not a community of white folks, but a community of Americans. That means we have to treat each other right, we have to demand that things operate differently,” said King. “It is not time to celebrate yet. The dream

he envisioned is not fulfilled.”

The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s oldest son was the speaker at the 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. All-University Convocation held in the Alfred L. Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.

“This is a historic moment for

City slams brakes on Tennessee Street TERRIKA MITCHELL STAFF WRITER The City of Tallahassee has postponed a pilot project that would create a bus and bike lane out of the existing six-lanes on Tennessee Street.

The city’s Long Range Community Based Planning Target Issue Committee has been developing the idea of including a hybrid lane on the one of Tennessee Street between Monroe Street and Ocala Road, in order to improve pedestrian safety.

According to Gabriel Menendez, director of the City of Tallahassee’s Public Works Department, the completion of

this project has been delayed one year in order to allow time for community input on the project.

“The only change with this project has to do with the project schedule,” said Menedez. “Our target date for implementation has been postponed from Summer 2011 to Summer of 2012 to allow staff enough time to collect and analyze the data which addresses any community concerns and ideas.”

Menendez says there have not been any focus public meetings conducted as of yet.

Student commuters make up a large portion of Tennessee St traffic. Florida State student, Jamisha Turner, 21, said that a bus/bike lane on the busy

street is a potentially good idea. She agrees with the project being postponed for community support.

“I use the bus regularly to get back and forth from school,” said the junior social work student from Wichita, Kan. “A bus and bike lane would be safer for to bus riders like myself, but it could also slow down traffic by taking two curb lanes away.

I think everyone who will be affected by the change should weigh in on the issue.”

Menendez explained that the project proposes to designate Tennessee Street’s curb lanes for bus and bicyclist commute.

TENNESSEE 3

Floridians still pressed for employment JASON LAWRENCE STAFF EDITOR The job outlook for Florida is still abysmal according to figures released by the Agency for Workforce Innovation on Friday.

As of December, the state faced a 12 percent seasonably unadjusted unemployment rate, despite experiencing a sixth consecutive month of job growth.

“Although 12 percent unemployment is too high, a sixth straight month of job gains over the year is a positive sign*,” said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo in a press release.

Florida has experienced a 0.3 percent increase in its labor force since Dec. 2009, while the nation saw a 0.5 percent decrease in labor.

The national unemployment rate is 9.4 percent, nearly unchanged from one year ago.

The most recent numbers show that 43,500 jobs

have been added in Florida since Dec. 2009 − a 0.6 percent increase over the course of a year.

Sectors suffering job losses were: construction with 20,200; banking and finance with 7,700; and information technology with 5,200.

These losses added to an estimated 1,108,000 unemployed in Florida’s 9,245,000-member workforce.

Industries experiencing job growth included: private education and health services; and trade, transportation and utilities.

Job growth was scattered among the state’s metro areas. The Orlando area added 11,000 new jobs. While job growth in the South Florida and the Jacksonville metropolitan areas remained relatively stagnant.

Tallahassee’s 8.7 unemployment rate is among the lowest compared to Florida cities, and is second only to Gainesville at 8.3 percent.

JASON LAWRENCE FAMUAN.METRO@GMAIL.COM

Sports

Lifestyles

Teams leave Al Lawson Center on fire as men and women win in home doubleheader versus Howard.

A FAMU student and her aunt create a nonprofit organization to spread awareness about pancreatic cancer.

Sports | 6

Lifestyles | 3

Florida A&M,” said Vincent Evans, president of the FAMU College Democrats. “It was a very important moment for our university to spend the 25th anniversary of his father’s legacy with us.”

King emphasized the importance of exhibiting humanitarian love and service for all mankind.

Initially, the university convocation was supposed to take place on the 11th of this month, but it was rescheduled for Jan. 21, because of the weather in the Atlanta area that prevented King from traveling.

King is the President and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. His experiences as a son of an iconic figure of the civil rights movement gives him a one of a kind perspective concerning issues that our nation and world are faced with everyday.

“His message was on point,” said Evans. “The message of service CONVOCATION 3

Team scraps for money MATTHEW RICHARDSON STAFF EDITOR Club and organization budgets are due Jan. 24 to be properly financed through Activity and Service funds and already, a few parties are concerned about being funded.

Three members of Florida A&M’s wrestling club appeared before the senate on Wednesday during the weekly senate meeting. They spoke about the club’s need to receive money in order to have the proper gear to wrestle and to attend out of town conferences.

Captain of the team Roland Pitts said that to his knowledge, the team has never been funded though the budgeting process.

“We appeared last year and were still not funded,” said the 20 year-old.

Pitts explained to the senate that in wrestling, penalty points are given if the team is not in proper wrestling uniform.

“We do well at our conferences but we receive points for not being in proper dress code because we lack the funds to have it,” said Pitts, a third year criminal justice student.

Some of the things they need

SENATE 3

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Monday, January 24, 2011

Events and Announcements The FAMU Graduate Student Association will have a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 25 in B.L. Perry room 205 at 8 p.m. All graduate students, including Pharmacy and SBI, are encouraged to attend. Become involved in the issues that affect us all. For more information e-mail Kenneth Cooper at famu_gsa@yahoo.com.

FAMU will face the Hampton Pirates on Jan 24.

The women’s game starts at 5:30 p.m. immediately followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m. A complete schedule can be found on www.famurattlersports.com.

Call 850-599-3141 for ticket information. Admission is free with Rattler Card.

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All submissions must include the student organization along with information in paragraph format to include “who, what, when and where.” A contact number to be published with the announcement, indicate so in your e-mailed submission and provide an alternate method for readers to obtain more information. If you do not follow the paragraph format then your submission will not published.

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Monday, January 24, 2011

CONVOCATION he left with the students of FAMU was needed and much respected.”

The convocation was highlighted by the FAMU Concert Choir, which performed two selections and also James Moran’s rendition of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

In addition, FAMU President Ammons honored two individuals and one organization on campus with the Martin Luther King Jr. Awards.

The Rev. Henry Steele, son of the late C.K. Steele, received the Leadership Award. FAMU Student Ramon Soto received the Student leadership award for his works on campus with voter’s registration,

and the Program Action Activities Counsel received the organization award.

After which, the crowd sang the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.”

FAMU student government vice president Breyon Love feels as if students who missed the convocation defiantly missed a historic event.

“I personally enjoyed the convocation, it will go down in FAMU history as one of the best, those that miss it, missed great event for our generation.” said Love. “It was good to see all the students who came out to convocation, we always want to more students at these events. ”

ELLIOTT KIADII FAMUANNEWS@GMAIL.COM

TENNESSEE Additionally, he said the current street model is being reallocated to accommodate buses, bicyclists as well as drivers.

“We have a great opportunity to do a better job in serving the significant pedestrian, bicycle and transit rider population that already exists along this corridor while still being mindful of those who use automobiles for their primary transportation,” said Menendez.

Still, pedestrian safety is a primary goal of the hybrid lane project.

Heather Teter, marketing specialist for Star Metro, said the lane could limit accidents along the street and provide security for pedestrians.

News 3

“By having a designated lane for bus/bike, cars going much faster than buses will not pass the bus and potentially cause accidents with other buses or bikes,” said Teter. “A designated lane will ensure the safety of our customers.”

Menendez said that as the project evolves, community members will be informed and able to provide suggestions and opinions.

“As we formalize the Plan for the Multi-Modal District, we will provide ample opportunity for the public and other interested parties to consider the concept of converting the curb lanes on Tennessee Street to Bus/Bike lanes.”

TERRIKA MITHCELL FAMUANMETRO@GMAIL.COM

Your future’s timeline, fed.

Completes PwC’s Semester of

Vanessa Cook, PwC Associate. First, it was

Discovery Internship program

PwC’s Semester of Discovery Internship program.

2008

Earns BBA

Now, as a full-time Associate, Vanessa can request

2009

Earns Masters of Accounting

2010

Starts full-time position at PwC,

2006

pilots Reverse Mentorship program

specific opportunities, reverse mentor senior staff, and even find time to train for triathlons—feeding her passions and her future. To see Vanessa’s full timeline and how you can feed your future, visit www.pwc.tv

© 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. In this document, “PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a Delaware limited liability partnership), which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a separate legal entity. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

SENATE are headgear, mats and mat tape and according to Pitts, the estimated cost of equipment and their trips to conferences would be about $10,000.

While the team has been getting support from the university’s recreational center, team members have also been selling donuts and raffle tickets to help raise money.

“Students call us ‘donut boys’ around here,” said Jerard Benjamin, 18, a first year political science student from Brooklyn, N.Y. The is still looking forward to hosting an upcoming conference at FAMU Feb. 5. and hopes conference will help raise money for the team.

MATTHEW RICHARDSON FAMUANNEWS@GMAIL.COM

Lifestyles 4

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Monday, January 24, 2011

From homeless to FAMU

J. L. Evans The Famuan FAMU student Renee Brown lived in a homeless shelter for almost three months after she was evicted from her apartment in College Club.

AARON TILLMAN STAFF WRITER Renee Brown, 21, carried her 45-pound luggage and two smaller bags to a small corner of the Haven of Rest Rescue Mission, her new home. She stretched out her floor mat and fluffed her cold pillow between a bickering couple and a chain-smoking pregnant woman.

That night, and every night after, the third-year biology student from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. would swallow two sleeping pills to fall asleep.Sleep was her only escape from the harsh reality of a life on the streets. It was just five months ago that Brown was enrolled at FAMU. Brown lived in College Club Apartments and supported herself with financial aid; there was no additional assistance from her family. Even with financial aid, however, Brown’s expenses became unmanageable. She finally withdrew

from FAMU and decided to transfer her credits over to Tallahassee Community College, because of cheaper tuition rates.

The only issue preventing her transfer was an incomplete transcript, with an extra class that didn’t belong on her transcript. TCC gave her an ultimatum: remove the class or don’t enroll. Brown rushed back to FAMU to get the class removed. Brown was told the only solution to her problem was to buy another transcript.

Brown paid for a new transcript with a money order, but the transcript never came. She went back to FooteHilyer to find out what happened to her transcript, and was told there was nothing on file for her.

“I remember crying in front of that lady,” said Brown, recalling the sharp turn for worse in her downward spiral.

While trying to fix her transcript, Brown missed the August session of

registration at TCC. In October 2010, College Club took her to court and sued her for $1,626 in late fees and overdue rent.

Brown was evicted from College Club directly after her court case, and immediately moved into the homeless shelter.

Her daily routine consisted of a breakfast of heavy pastries at 6:30 a.m., then packing to make sure she was out of the shelter by 8:15 a.m., closing time.

Brown spent her days applying for jobs, but she quickly became discouraged when she still couldn’t find a position.

“Men would rub up against me, and I was robbed for one of my bags,” said Brown. “People were constantly fighting over bed space, and there were children staying there because of a burned down home.”

Grimy blankets, hairy community soap and limited bathing hours slowly started to change Brown.

“I smoked cigarettes, smoked weed...I felt alone, as if I wasn’t a part of the world,” said Brown. “My family had no remorse. I spoke to my mom about the situation, and she laughed.”

Brown used words like “lame,” “pathetic,” and “loser” to describe herself during this period.

After the break, she switched her financial aid from FAMU to TCC, registered for classes and spoke with the housing office about her living situation, and lives in Diamond Hall.

“Now that I look back on it, it’s so weird when you overcome something, because the struggle doesn’t look as mighty as it did while you were going through it,” said Brown. “Struggles not only make you stronger, but they make you humble. The suffering brings the compassion out of us.”

AARON TILLMAN FAMUANLIFESTYLES@GMAIL.COM

Grief aids in cancer battle New business

popping at mall

KIMBERLY DANTICA STAFF WRITER After watching her grandmother die, a fourthyear social work student from Miami, Janay White, helped formed a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with her aunt.

“We just knew at that point my granny would have, if it was anyone else in the family she would of, definitely been an advocate for pancreatic cancer,” White said.

In memory of her grandmother, Barbara White, who was diagnosed in early May of 2007 and died June 26, 2007, The Barbara White Foundation, Inc. was founded September 10, 2007.

It received its non-profit status in June 2009.

“I was staying with her…and was actually caregiver when it happened,” White said. “After she died, we took a vacation.

We kind of just stayed to ourselves to reflect on what happened, because she died in the house.”

White said she was surprised at how quickly her mother died after she was diagnosed. Her sudden death took the family by surprise.

“It happens so fast,” White said. “It was a shock to us we never heard of pancreatic cancer before until she was diagnosed with it; we just saw her deteriorating in front of us.”

Janay’s aunt, Sereda White, is an alumna of FAMU class of 1985 and a clinical staff pharmacist at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

White, after the death of her mother, wanted to find more funding for research and effective early detection screenings and treatments for pancreatic cancer.

dealership, the “When I was looking event gathered for information roughly 50 when my mother r e g i s t e r e d was diagnosed, s u p p o r t e r s I couldn’t find who bowled, very much,” White gave donations said. “I found one and purchased organization, another a t-shirt with the non-profit by the name foundation’s logo. of Pancan-- Pancreatic White and her aunt Cancer Action Network-cited www.cancer.org and that was the only in a brochure the resource that I was passed out at the able to find as far as event. The statistic getting information.” reported that White and her aunt “only one and a became president half percent of the and vice-president National Cancer of the organization, Institute’s $4.8 instilling the motto: billion budget is Making known, spent on finding the lesser known, pancreatic Pancreatic cancer causes, Cancer.

Kenya Mawusi The Famuan diagnoses and Jan. 15, the The foundation raises montreatment.” f o u n d a t i o n ’ s ey for pancreatic cancer.

W h i t e first fundraising event was held at the Latitude and her aunt want a purple 30 entertainment center in ribbon to be the symbol for Jacksonville. The event was pancreatic cancer, and it to held in memory of Kathleen be as recognizable as the pink Robertson, who was the fourth breast cancer ribbon.

“Expressing the need for sister in a group of seven sisters, to die of pancreatic early detection of pancreatic cancer. The other three sisters cancer is our goal,” Turner were Lillian Beatty, Barbara said.

The family’s next initiative White and Mildred Williams.

Annette Turner is the is to hold more events youngest of the seven sisters throughout Florida.

White promotes the and a parent coordinator at primary schools in Adel, Ga. foundation on her Facebook She also helped host the event page. Her goal is to gather a by registering people, selling large enough student following the foundation’s t-shirts and to help her host a candlelight vigil or a walk to promote with soliciting donations.

As a little girl, Turner used to awareness of pancreatic cancer spend her summer vacations at FAMU. “This cause is very dear to with Barbara in Miami.

“As a sister, that’s who I me,” White said. “I’m just would talk to,” Turner said. “It asking for support.” was rough. It’s only three of us girls left now.”

With many sponsors such as KIMBERLY DANTICA the Motor Harley-Davidson FAMUANLIFESTYLES@GMAIL.COM Company and a Volvo car

BRITTNEY LAWS CORRESPONDENT ‘The popcorn man,’ O’Neal Larkin, is making his mark one kernel at a time. Oct. 8, 2010, Larkin, a FAMU alumnus, opened up a gourmet popcorn shop, Pop Off. The business had been in the planning stage for over a year. Through research, he discovered the busiest spot in Tallahassee is the Governor’s Square Mall.

“Our business wasn’t expensive to start, and we don’t have to spend a lot on marketing,” Larkin said. “The mall has traffic of its own. It draws about 400,000 people each year.”

Larkin started Pop Off because his wife enjoyed flavored popcorn.

He took a crash course in popcorn popping through Gold Medal, a popcorn machine vendor. After developing flavors of his own, Larkin moved into his first location. Pop Off sits by BellaDonna Shoe Store, near the southwest entrance of the Governor’s Square Mall.

Larkin’s goal is to resuscitate the snack food’s popularity. Larkin admits that popcorn is not an emerging food trend, like cupcakes and frozen yogurt. According to the new businessman, gourmet popcorn is more common in northern cities, like Chicago and New York. He believes, however, that the bite-size morsel will gain popularity in the South.

His unique item allows for him to experiment with the menu and flavors, which is why the nine menu options at Pop Off are not what they were back in October. Larkin said he’s gone through almost 50 recipe changes since opening.

Katrena Roberts, an employee at Macy’s department store, is a fan of Larkin’s creations.

“I thought it wasn’t going to be as good,” Roberts said. “But, Pop Off is way better than the kind that comes in the Christmas popcorn tins.

It’s addictive and it melts in your mouth. Everyone at Macy’s is hooked.”

Larkin said his most loyal customers are mall employees. BellaDonna, J.C. Penney, Macy’s and Foot Locker employees rush to his store front waiting for fresh popcorn.

“My repeat customers are incredible,” Larkin said. “People hear about me through word-ofmouth. People see them with the bags, and it sparks their curiosity.”

The Larkin team wants to move past Apalachee Parkway, and open a site on or near FAMU’s campus. As an alumnus, he wants to be an example for other emerging entrepreneurs.

“Pop Off is about working hard and being successful,” Larkin said.

BRITTNEY LAWS FAMUANLIFESTYLES@GMAIL.COM

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Monday, January 24, 2011

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: jordan1.culver@gmail.com Jordan Culver

COPY DESK: copydeskchief@gmail.com Julian Kemper

OPINIONS EDITOR: famuanopinions@gmail.com Khristanda Cooper

LIFESTYLES EDITOR: famuanlifestyles@gmail.com Clarece Polke

SPORTS EDITOR: famuansports@gmail.com Royal Shepherd

We can not complain if we do not participate KRISTIN BRONER COLUMNIST Jan. 18, the Florida A&M fees committee met to discuss implementing several new student fees.

The campus fee committee agreed to give both the health and athletics departments a total of $1, with 75 cents going to the health department, and 25 cents to the athletic department. If these fees are implemented they will directly affect students in major ways.

I was surprised that only two students, out of the entire student body, were in attendance to observe and be aware of what’s going on and around our campus, but what decisions are being made on our student body’s behalf.

If we can’t make it to meetings regarding our finances but can make it to the Moon and Club 20/20, then why shouldn’t they raise and implement new fees?

If we obviously don’t care about our finances, why should the fee committee care?

Now don’t get me wrong; I wholeheartedly believe the students who represent the student body on the committee board made rational and thorough decisions.

But as future leaders of America, we should want to ensure that their views are aggreable with ours, but how could we possibly know that if we don’t attend informational meetings.

Every student who has a FAMU e-mail address received an invite to come and hear what new proposals would be presented at the meeting.

So there is no excuse for students not to attend.

As a fellow rattler, I believe we all want the best for our university and the best, regarding fees that are paid by us.

But how can a committee effectively represent us if we aren’t there to voice our opinions about what is going on?

We had students who were sitting on this board who wanted to allow the athletics department to implement new fees to receive more funding but didn’t want to assist our on campus health clinic.

That’s absurd and does not represent my point of view.

The health department hasn’t received an increase in funding in the last 10 years, but the athletics department has steadily received increases.

Professor Veronica Yon always says in my American Literature class “True power is being in the room when decisions are being made.”

Just some food for thought.

Students sleep in on King’s dream The mandatory suspension of all classes conflicting with convocation time wasn’t enough to guarantee student, faculty and staff representation at one of the most important convocations of the year.

When FAMU held a concert featuring Trey Songz, Common and Fabolous in the exact same location little more than a couple of months ago, the building was filled to capacity with standing room only.

Students paid as much $60 - $80 to ogle Trey Songz as he stripped off his shirt and dry-humped the floor, and throw panties at Common as he testified of wanting to be as “free as the spirits of those who left.”

Rousing verses of FAMU’s concert choir’s rendition of “Hold On” echoed loudly off row after row of empty chairs in the Al Lawson Multi-Purpose Center Friday morning.

The occasion?

Martin Luther King III, son of Martin Luther King Jr., was the guest speaker for FAMU’s convocation honoring the late civil rights leader’s achievements.

For students and faculty born after King’s assassination, his son is the closest living link to the late visionary’s life and dream.

However, the 10:10 a.m. program, held in a building equipped to seat 13,000 people, was only a quarter full.

deaf ears.

As the largest HBCU in the country, our entire student body could easily fill the Al Lawson Center to capacity.

If hearing the inspirational words of King’s son wasn’t enough to rouse student interest, then paying homage to King’s campaigns to fight economic racism and segregation, and pushing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, should have aroused a sense of respect and appreciation.

But it didn’t. The continuing legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. no longer takes priority over entertainment, more importantly, a couple extra hours of sleep.

Clarece Polke for the editorial board.

F U

THE

EDITOR IN CHIEF: jordan1.culver@gmail.com Jordan Culver

COPY DESK: famuancopydesk@gmail.com Julian Kemper

SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR: famuannews@gmail.com Matthew Richardson

METRO NEWS EDITOR: famuan.metro@gmail.com Jason Lawrence

OPINIONS EDITOR: famuanopinions@gmail.com Khristanda Cooper

DEPUTY OPINIONS EDITOR: Aaron Johnson

LIFESTYLES EDITOR: famuanlifestyles@gmail.com Clarece Polke

SPORTS EDITOR: famuansports@gmail.com Royal Shepherd

DEPUTY SPORTS EDITORS: Cameron Daniels

PHOTOS EDITOR: famuan.photos3@gmail.com Keenan Doanes

Pat Begley, Salt Lake Tribune Has this ever happened to you, walking along minding your business,texting and BAM! You hit a wall-or someone else doing the exact thing you were doing...texting.

The journey of a cell phone addict JORDAN CULVER COLUMNIST My name is Jordan Culver and I am addicted to my cellular phone.

It really isn’t my fault. It started with a basic Samsung flip phone.

It made calls, played Tetris and, to my everlasting joy, sent text messages.

The text was a simple form of communication that didn’t require awkward pauses in conversation like a phone call.

I used that flip brick until it literally fell apart.

I then upgraded to a T-Mobile Sidekick 3. That phone is what truly got me hooked.

Text, Myspace, mobile browsing and that bulky yet nifty design all fed my addiction.

Eventually I was so used to the thing I was able

to recognize what kind of communication was being sent to me by the way the phone vibrated.

Now it’s a Samsung Vibrant, one of the new, Galaxy S series phones. Facebook, real web, e-mail, Angry Birds and pretty much everything I’ll ever need to know is always in my pocket.

According to the CTIA, the “international association for wireless telecommunications,” a staggering 285 million Americans, or 82 percent of the population, use a cell phone.

Those Americans pay $77 billion in subscription fees, with 1.12 trillion minutes of talk time or 6.1 billion minutes per day.

This isn’t including psychos like me with data plans. A data plan is a plan with those words like “3G” and “4G.” We help phone companies make a cool $22 billion.

I’m addicted to my cell phone and proud, because

really, what else do I need when it comes to electronics?

I’m a huge tech junkie. I love video games (World of Warcraft and Xbox 360) but if you take those away I could survive.

Angry Birds and The Impossible Game are two great video games holding my attention and taking up space on my phone… for now.

Television is cool but I can stream that to my phone now.

I also enjoy sports talk radio but that’s something else that can go right to my phone.

My phone takes pictures, records videos and soundbites, can double as an alarm or a calculator and would probably make me a grilled cheese if I found a nice way to ask it to do so.

If the world shut down tomorrow and the only things that worked were cell phones, I’m pretty sure 82 percent of the population would be just fine. People know how to walk and text when they can barely walk and chew gum.

Am I saying cell phone addiction is a good thing?

It all depends.

Could you function without it is the question you must ask.

Take away my phone and I’ll still find a way to get things done. I’ll just be a little more grumpy while I do things.

If you’re one of those “students” who can’t get through a western civilization class without your face glued to a screen, you may have an issue or two to deal with.

It all depends on how far you take your addiction.

My phone makes my life easier, not worth living.

Follow us on Twitter @ famuanopinions to give your thoughts on cell phone addiction.

JORDAN CULVER FAMUANOPINIONS@GMAIL.COM

Are you addicted to you cell phone?

A) Absolutely! B) A little...denial. C) I don’t even OWN a cell phone.

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FAX 850.561.2570 EDITOR IN CHIEF 850.561.2569 SECRETARY 850.599.3159 NEWSROOM 850.599.3011/ 561.2569

The Famuan, an Associated Collegiate Press 2003 Pacemaker Finalist, is published Monday, Wednesday and online only on Friday during the fall and spring semesters. The opinions do not reflect the administration, faculty, or staff of the University. The editorials are the expressed opinions of the staff and columnists. The Famuan is funded partially by activities and services fees.

d.

KRISTIN BRONER

The free event, however, open to all FAMU and FSU students, faculty, staff and community members, looked like Coleman Library any time of year except for exam time: deserted.

King’s words of inspiration, humorous perspective on current events and their impact on the black community, and students’ responsibility to self and race, fell on an audience of predominately elementary, middle and high school students.

Students texted, talked, listened to iPods, slept, or sauntered up and down the aisles begging for attention as King tried to press the importance of continuing his father’s dream on seemingly

Political Cartoon

Opinions writer neede FAMUANOPINIONS@GMAIL.COM

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Sports 6

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TheFamuan

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Monday, January 24, 2011

Home sweet home The team’s ability to ride home court advantage has served it well through a schedule riddled with away games, with the latest home victory coming against Howard, a team the Lady Rattlers could not overcome in three straight games.

Senior forward Antonia Bennett shot 9-for-19 from the field for 27 points, including clutch three-pointers that helped put the game out of reach for the Lady Bisons.

Bennett was one of four Lady Rattlers to score in doublefigures as the Lady Rattlers brought down Howard, 8075, in what Bennett called a “revenge” game.

“I guess you could say I was feeling it,” she said. “I was just trying to do anything I could do to help my team win. We had unfinished business with (Hampton).”

Being away from home since Dec. 12 (11 games) didn’t take away from the team’s intensity, according to third-year head coach LeDawn Gibson.

She breathed a sigh of relief all the same after getting her third-straight home win.

“You have no idea,” she said.

“It’s great. Not worrying about Keenan Doanes The Famuan the traveling, the airport and Antonia Bennett drives to the basket during the second half all the stuff. Getting stuck of the Lady Rattlers 80-75 win over the Howard University. and worrying about snow. It’s Bennett posted 27 points in the victory. great.”

JORDAN CULVER Gibson said the home energy from home, compiling a 5-9 STAFF EDITOR started with the Booster Bash record in those games.

The success comes from the where the team introduced The Lady Rattlers are third in the Mid-Eastern Athletic team’s ability to win games itself.

Being back home also meant Conference (8-9, 4-2 in the on the Hill. The women are MEAC) despite having played undefeated in the Al Lawson radio interviews and energy the team was able to harness 14 of their first 17 games away Center in three games so far.

all the way until game time.

“We came out hot,” Gibson said. “We did some great things in the first half, stuck to the blueprint, we didn’t deviate.

In the second half we came out flat. We called a timeout made some adjustments and then we just took off from there.”

The home reprieve is coming at exactly the right time.

The Lady Rattlers will battle the No. 1 team in the MEAC tonight in the Al Lawson Center.

The Hampton Lady Pirates (12-4, 5-1 in the MEAC) come to Tallahassee armed with the No. 3 offense and the No. 1 defense in the conference.

The Lady Pirates also have the highest scoring margin in the conference at +7.1.

The game against the Pirates will be the team’s first consecutive home game all season.

“You don’t want to disappoint your fans,” Gibson said. “It makes them come out and play a little harder. You know, just the pride of playing in their own gym.

The Lady Rattlers have two of the top three scoring threats in the conference in junior guard Tameka McKelton (18 points per game) and Bennett (15.3).

The downside? The Lady Rattlers allow 68.3 points per game, second-worst in the MEAC. They’ve also lost three straight against the Lady Pirates.

The Florida A&M men’s basketball team overcame a dismal shooting night to grab its first conference victory of the season. The slow start to Saturday’s home game against the Howard University Bison ignited a flame for the defense of the team.

On a night where Florida A&M (612, 1-5 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) shot 29.5 percent from the floor, the team held Howard (2-16, 0-6 in the MEAC) to 21.4 percent on 12 for 56 shooting.

Head coach Eugene Harris appreciated the hard-fought win. The win that kept the Rattlers out of last place in the MEAC. “Any win you get is a good win,” Harris said. “To get a good defensive win like this, will help us in the future.”

The Rattlers held all but one of Howard’s players to single digits.

Sophomore forward Mike Phillips scored 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting.

Avery Moore provided a scoring spark with 11 points, nine in the second half. He made four of his 10 shots from the floor, three of eight from long range. Senior forward Larry Jackson recognized the hot hand and said the team knew to keep giving him the ball.

“He had it going. All we had to do was give him the ball and let him do his thing,” Jackson said. “As long as he was hitting shots, we could go down on the other end and just worry about making stops.”

Harris also acknowledged Moore’s big play during the second half.

“I was very impressed that he is able to come in and give us solid production on the offensive end,” Harris said.

“What impresses me more is that he played 31 minutes of both offense and defense. He provided us with as many steals as he had 3 pointers.”

The Rattlers were led by a doubledouble from Amin Stevens, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, who added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Stevens’ pride comes from his performance on the glass and his rebounds are the first stat he checks after the game.

“I do most of my damage on the boards. If we can have the rebounding advantage, then everything else will come,” Stevens said.

Harris said he is hoping for the fan participation to continue.

“I believe this is the biggest turnout that we’ve had for a home game this season. We need the fan support because the team feeds off of their energy,” Harris said. “We’re going to need it against our next opponent.”

Next on the Rattlers’ schedule is another home game tonight against the Hampton Pirates. Hampton (154, 5-1 in the MEAC) is coming off of a 68-56 win over the MEAC’s top ranked team - the Bethune-Cookman Univerity Wildcats. The game will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Al Lawson Center.

ROYAL SHEPHED FAMUANSPORTS@GMAIL.COM

File Photo The Famuan

Both the men and women’s swim teams will be in Statesboro, Ga. to compete against Georgia Southern University on Saturday.

The swim team has been working diligently to overcome the lack of personnel, but continue to make strides in their goal of making our aquatics program relevant again.

Head coach Jorge Olaves has his team poised to take the next step in its evolution.

This is the team’s final meet of the month. They resume action on the Feb. 18 Full coverage of these events will be in later issues.

Men’s Tennis

JORDAN CULVER FAMUANSPORTS@GMAIL.COM

Men shoot poorly, still win ROYAL SHEPHERD STAFF EDITOR

FAMU Swiming

File Photo The Famuan

The FAMU men’s tennis team came up short in an intense match against the University of North Florida, during this past weekend with a final score of 5-2.

“This was a situation of being outcompeted in the end and finishing strong is a must,” Goodman said.

Men’s Track The Florida A&M University men’s track team fared well at the Middle Tennessee State Track Invitational this weekend in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Men’s track coach Wayne Angel was impressed with his team’s overall performance.

“We performed well and our guys worked hard to get to the level they are now,” Angel said.

Individually, several Rattlers placed first and second including Leon Hunt (currently ranked tenth Nationally), who jumped 25 ¼ feet in the long jump for first place.

There were also solid performances

by Derrick Morgan (2nd plae in the 400 meters) and Demarrius Carrol (2nd place in the 55 meter hurdles).

File Photo The Famuan

Keenan Doanes The Famuan Jeremy Dean slams the ball home during the 45-38 victory on Saturday Night.

Rattlers drop seventh straight against Central Florida DAVID PARKS STAFF EDITOR The Florida A&M women’s tennis team suffered its first loss on the road against the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., at the UCF Tennis Complex.

Florida A&M used seven of its most experienced players in singles and doubles competition, but the harsh wind conditions made it difficult for the team to play consistent tennis throughout the day.

Rattlers’ head coach Nikki Goldthreate spoke about the team’s focus on having a more aggressive mentality in competition, particularly on the road.

“We have to have a mindset where we make our opponents feel like they’re in battle every point,” she said. “That’s the different mentality that we are trying to bring this spring that we probably haven’t had over the years.”

UCF was able to win all six of the singles matches versus

FAMU in two sets, preventing a third.

UCF would only build momentum in doubles competition, but were pushed by the combination of Britney Dean and Deke Olagbegi in an 8-6 victory.

Entering the match senior Deke Olagbegi noted UCF’s experience being a factor but focused more on how the team would respond on the road in its first match to open the year.

“Coming into this match I was just looking forward to my team responding against a top caliber school like UCF,” Olagbegi said. “We were not just focused on getting the win, but were dedicated to being both mentally and physically prepared.

Junior Kathline Durden went down in straight sets (6-0, 6-0) versus the match’s No. 4 ranked singles player Jenna Doerfler.

“We’ve faced tough opponents before and our mental game has been the deciding factor against UCF and every other school we have to play,” Durden said. “We always

want to win, but having to play UCF helps our experience and unfortunately with experience come losses.”

Goldthreate said that FAMU has to outwork their opposition in order to be in a position to win. She mentioned the combination of players who are best fit for the line-ups will ultimately be decided by the teams FAMU will play.

“Going out on the court and working harder than our opponents will help us to get over the top,” Goldthreate added. “Moving our feet and sustaining consistency puts pressure on the player across the net.”

Going down 7-0 overall versus UCF, the FAMU women’s tennis team will look to bounce back from its loss at Jacksonville University on Jan. 29.

DAVID PARKS FAMUANSPORTS@GMAIL.COM