March 5, 2009 Issue of The Independent newspaper by The Independent News Magazine

March 5, 2009

www.flcindependent.com

Senate opposes state’s efforts to constrain budget

›› 3

What it is like to Search and Rescue

›› 7

Women’s lacrosse team new but not untrained

›› 10

ampus

What is your favorite fabric?

UPCOMING

Editor in Chief Tirrell O. Thomas “Polyurithane”

News Editor Kayla Andersen

EVENTS Second day of Durango Independent Film Festival. Visit durangofilm. org for features and showtimes. Women’s History Month: “The Rhetorical Situation of Life-Changing Poetry” Workshop at 5 p.m., Jones Hall Rm. 140

Friday, March 6 Ladysmith Black Mambazo at 7 p.m., the Community Concert Hall DJ Batch at the Starlight Lounge from 10 p.m. to close

Saturday, March 7

Fort Lewis Softball vs. Colorado School of Mines at noon and 2 p.m. on Aspen Field

Dave Spenser Ski Classic all day at Durango Mountain Resort

Sunday, March 8 Fort Lewis Softball vs. Colorado School of Mines at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Aspen Field The Durango chapter of Food Not Bombs serves free vegan food from 1-4 p.m. at Riverfront Park

D U R A N G O

I N D E P E N D E N T

“Fleece”

F I L M F E S T I V A L

Design Editor Dan Jagaciewski “Silk Rayon”

Photography Editor P Peter Wolf “Pure Silk”

Features Editor Jon Rezabek “Tripple-walled Gore-Tex!”

Multimedia Editor Carly Beaudin “Cashmere”

Business/ Public Relations Manager Jenny Coddington “Lace”

Advertising Manager Jourdan Baldwin “Polyester”

Chief Copy Editors Avery Perryman and Ansley Shewmaker “Suede” and “White Satin”

Web Manager Taylor Kunkel “Satin”

Office Manager Laura Beth Waltz

Monday, March 9

Reporters Jason Michaud, Paige Blankenbeuhler, Chris Parker

Spring Break- No classes!

Burger Night starting at 5 p.m., the Palace

Designers Chelsea Flaming, Blair Bunyard Emily Miller, Siri Austill

Tuesday, March 10

Photographers Max Hoener, Terran Guardipee

Dave Mensch performs solo at 2 p.m., Purgy’s Open Mic Night from 7 p.m to midnight, the Summit Greensky Bluegrass from 10 p.m. to midnight, the Abbey Theatre

Copy Editors Jessica Tso Multimedia William Biga, Amy Brothers, Max Perlstein, Josh Kellogg, Chelena Coulston, Katy Maxwell, Megan Tahquette

Wednesday, March 11 Open bluegrass jam 6-8 p.m., the Durango Brewing Company The Wells Group Forecast at 5 p.m., the Community Concert Hall Knit Night from 5-8 p.m., Yarn On the cover: Search and Rescue personnel practice rescuing from a crevace. Photo Courtesy from the LPSAR team

Advertising/PR Brittany Feyen, Kelly Erskine

Practicum Director Leslie Blood Advisor www.flcindependent.com Faron Scott

Campus

Senate plans to lobby against statute C P R

The Associated Students of Fort Lewis College decided last Wednesday that they support Senate Resolution 228, which was recently introduced to the state on Feb. 19. This resolution, proposed by the Colorado state government, is in favor of overturning the current Arveschoug-Bird statute. The statute limits the amount the legislature can spend for the vast majority of general fund programs such as prisons and higher education, said Steve Schwartz, the vice president of finance and administration said. The statute, proposed by legislators Steven Arveschoug and Mike Bird, limits the general fund budget of the current year to no more than a six percent increase from the previous year’s general funds spending and has been in effect since 1991, he said. The TABOR Amendment, passed in 1992, limits the amount of revenue that state and local governments can keep, he said. The combination of these two greatly controls the amount the general fund is able to keep due to TABOR, mostly from the revenues of state fees, and then also limits the amount the state can spend, which is the Arveschoug-Bird statute, Schwartz said. This creates a ratchet effect based on the amount the general fund spent the

year before, he said. The problem with this ratchet effect is that the funds will never increase if the budget from the previous year increases, it can only stay the same or decrease, based on the guidelines of the statute, he said. The ratchet effect in turn limits the amount of money going to higher education, Guy Yaklich, chair of legislative affairs for the ASFLC said. “Every year there is a fixed percentage that the general fund gives to higher education,” Yaklich said. “ArveschougBird pre y much says that the percentage will get smaller and smaller as the economy gets smaller.” The problem is that once the economy starts to make progress the percentage going to higher education will remain the same, Yaklich said. “In Colorado, we are seventh in the nation for post graduate degrees and second in the nation for graduate degrees, but we are 49th in the nation for state support,” Mike Kelly, a student senator said. With the Arveshcoug-Bird statute in effect, Fort Lewis could go from being an affordable state school to an expensive private school because the funding could decrease significantly, he said. “It’s something that colleges across the state have been dealing with for 20 years and trying to overcome,” said Aaron Elinoff, president of ASFLC. “It’s a big deal and there is a big movement

against it.” Fort Lewis students will join the movement and lobby against the ArveschougBird statute on March 9 at the state capital, Yaklich said. They will be meeting with other schools from across the state and any student from Fort Lewis is welcome to join, he said. What they want is to get more support from the state government, Kelly said.

“Hopefully, we can get as much support as we can for it and make a presence at the state’s capital,” he said.

For more information please contact Chris Parker at independent@fortlewis.edu

Thanking the college students for their support. Visit us at our new “cozy little nook”

student senate elections Associated Students of Fort Lewis College wants you! Nominations open Mar 16th, go to the Information Desk or Senate Office in the CUB to pick up your information packet and required materials. On Monday March 30th nominations will end and there will be a mandatory meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Senate Chambers where you will turn in your information packet. If you have any questions please contact Senator Meg Book at MEBOOK@fortlewis.edu The Independent Newspaper © 2009

Campus

Is your team ready for dodgeball?

The annual Independent Dodgeball tournament taking place at 5 p.m., March 27, in the Student Life Center. Call 247-7405 for more info.

Attention FLC students Ride the Durango Transit FREE!

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eatures

Faculty Profile:

n e v te

s r ye

e m j.

INDY: What is your position here at Fort Lewis College? MEYERS: Visiting faculty-I teach creative writing, media writing, semantics and composition.

INDY: Where are you from? MEYERS: Do I have to reveal this? Okay, but only because you asked-I grew

Fast Faculty Facts

up in New Jersey but I got out of there as quickly as I could, honest.

INDY: What/who brought you to Durango? MEYERS: It’s a little complicated. I was living in Silverton. My previous wife was teaching second grade there when she became very ill, and we needed to be near the hospital.

INDY: How long have you have you been involved with Fort Lewis? MEYERS: Red Bird (English professor emeritus) was one of the first people I met when I moved to Silverton in 1975. We seemed to be asked to read at many of the same venues (including the college) over the years. I worked on one of the first literary conferences held here (Latin American Poetry Conference) back in the early 80s, and guest lectured about Deep Ecology in Reyes Garcia’s environmental ethics class long before I came to teach my own writing class here in the winter of 2000. Fort Lewis College is the cultural center of the region, how can you live here for a single minute and not become somehow involved?

What do you do with your personal time? Write. Fly fish. Tie flies. Hike. Fly fish. Write. Train and hunt pointing dogs (English Setters). Shoot trap. Write. Shoot target rifle. Reload ammunition. Fly Fish. Write. Read...and did I mention fly fish?

What is your favorite local restaurant? One? Can’t do it. Cyprus Cafe. Ken and Sues. Ariano’s. I grew up in an Italian neighborhood. Can you say, “Sopranos”?

What is your ancestry? Ashkenazie (central European) Jewish.

What is your favorite type of music and band?

I like almost every type of music, but if I were to choose one I’d have to say jazz- I grew up on it. Favorite band? Again, it’s awfully hard to choose just one, so let’s say any combo Keith Jarrett puts together.

If you had one day to live, how would you spend it? With Debbie, sitting on a streamside bank at Lime Creek.

INDY: What is the most significant accomplishment in your life thus far? MEYERS: Nothing as significant as watching my son and my students grow, mature, move on and do well. Not my accomplishments by any means—but certainly among the most significant and rewarding.

INDY: What is something you would like to see changed at Fort Lewis? MEYERS: Some of what I’d like to see would require a great deal of money—not exactly in great supply at the moment. Some would not. I would most definitely like to see a renewed and continued commitment to public liberal arts education.

What is your educational background? Undergraduate degree in pyschology. Graduate degree in fine arts.

What is your favorite meal? Hmmm. Today? The entre would be paprika and garlic seasoned fresh Chukar baked quickly with wine soaked boletus mushrooms, red peppers and onions. Finished with a nice...”Hello, my name is Steve, and I’ll be your server this evening.”

Oops! We mispelled the name of last week’s staﬀ proﬁle. The correct spelling is Bryant Ligge .

eyond 7

Search and Rescue strengthens community J R F E

La Plata County Search and Rescue offers the county security and service in the forms of response to lost outdoorsmen and provides assistance to those involved in disasters in unusual places or circumstances. The LPCSAR volunteer organization tells the story of a community with a growing tradition of giving back. The organization commenced formally when John Ball, Zac Hargraves, and Brian Christianson began collaborating with the sheriff ’s department in 1976, Aaron Ball, LPCSAR team member and trainer, said. A er an unorganized and unsuccessful search a empt for a lost boy, the three men decided to push forward with a formal organization, Ball said. Today, LPCSAR has 114 members and deals with an average of 35 actual search and rescues annually, Lt. Sheriff Butch Knowlton, the director of the office of emergency management for La Plata County said. A typical 911 call pertaining to a possible search and rescue situation will be transferred to the sheriff ’s deputies and then to the sheriff as it is the sheriff ’s duty by law to address such issues, Knowlton said. “Our area, generally, is outside of a mile from a major road or on rough terrain,” Brock Forston, LPCSAR member and trainer said. “If the incident is within a mile of a road then normally the fire department takes care of it”. A er the deputies pass the information along to Knowlton, he follows up by talking to the reporting parties and family members to build more information that the volunteers may need when they go out into a particular location, Knowlton said. When Knowlton has given the coordination team, a group of senior members and appropriate experts some direction, they proceed with the mission, Skip Favreau, LPCSAR coordination team member, said. The basics are all the same, but sometimes we need to use different resources to get satisfactory results, Knowlton said. Search and rescue can call on all sorts of resources, whether it is the Colorado Mounted Rangers, the San Juan Sledders Snowmobile Club, local ra ing companies, the police department, or dive teams, Ron Corkish, the president of LPCSAR, said. “We refer to it as the library,” he said. “You know, we have all these books on the shelf and when each mission comes up you pull out a different book for the job.”

Photo courtesy LPCSAR members LPCSAR members getting briefed before a winter mission. One of the reasons why he got into LPCSAR was through Sheriff Knowlton when the organization potentially needed the use of snowmobiles, Corkish said. Being part of a snowmobile club turned into an opportunity to help the community, he said. To get involved with LPCSAR, someone only has to show up at one of the meetings which occur at 7 p.m. on the last Monday of each month at the La Plata County fairgrounds and sign up, Forston said. “It’s not that big of a commitment,” Ball said. “It’s like the last Monday of every month, it’s about a two-hour meeting, and it’s a great place to, one, stay involved with the community, and two, get extra additional trainings that you may not get necessarily other places.” There are no requirements to go on call outs, but if a team member can, then great, Forston said. “Prospective members need to be trained in not only basic first aid, but also CPR, and various outdoor skills,” Favreau said. “We offer trainings that bring people up to standards whether it’s rope rescue, search methods, or communication.” LPCSAR has been increasing its diversity of skills in the last few years, Knowlton said. With a large number of volunteers and a growing diversity, LPCSAR looks to deal with the missions with more efficiency and expertise, he said. LPCSAR gets a lot more than 35 calls a year, but many times, through the investigation process the need for service is eliminated, Knowlton said. The most predominant type of call

came a few years ago during the hunting season before cell phones and text messaging mitigated those situations, Knowlton said. The majority of calls pertain to people out past their scheduled return time in the backcountry, including mountain bikers and other serious calls involving medical assistance, he said. Knowlton has li le criticism for people seeking the backcountry but does offer some advice. “I don’t think you can ﬁnd anyone in our entire group who doesn’t support someone’s right and ability to go out and enjoy our beautiful country even though we sometimes question people that gamble the way they do,” he said. “We don’t criticize them for that but, most importantly, I think out of that we want those people to be responsible.” When someone gets into the backcountry and has an accident, it’s going to take a while for help to come, he said. “I think that it is important to evaluate what you’re doing and what’s going to happen to me if things go really bad here,” Knowlton said. They need to ask themselves if they get hurt, are they going to make it until help arrives, he said. Many times, LPCSAR gets a call and the situation usually involves very diﬃcult terrain, Knowlton said. No one knows where the people are, and not all of the equipment can be taken along easily, he said. “There are so many things that are against us, so it really does take a special mind and a special level of dedication for people to get out and give,” Knowlton said. All the equipment must be carried

and the weather can be challenging as well, he said. “O en times you’re seeing people in their worst state and you’re there coming out of the woods to help them with what they have going on,” Ball said. “It’s just a thing that’s a huge service that all the members of the search and rescue team are providing for the community.” LPCSAR has further advice that again could help victims and search and rescue teams, this time referring to finances. LPCSAR does not receive any tax-payer money and relies on donations for their equipment and maintenance, Favreau said. The major fundraiser is the annual LPCSAR pancake breakfast during the Snowdown festivities, he said. Rescues involving helicopters and other expensive tools can run up a large bill that can sometimes be difficult to reimburse, Knowlton said. A really responsible thing to do for a backcountry user is to invest in a Colorado Search and Rescue Card which can be purchased separately or is included in state hunting and fishing licenses, he said. The card enables search and rescue teams around the state to seek reimbursement from a state fund, instead of seeking money from the individual, he said. “Having that card gives us the entitlement to go the state fund to get money back for some of the expenditures,” he said. “It makes it fair and right.” For more information please contact Jon Rezabek at independent@fortlewis.edu.

Photo Courtesy | LPCSAR members LPCSAR in a high-angle situation.

The air was crisp and I could feel a gentle breeze through my favorite boarding cap. I stood at the top of Mount Kato, Minn. Of course, this place hardly has a mount. It's more like a small mound; it’s nothing like the mountains. I knew this but, I had never seen real mountains. This would have to do for now. Thirty seconds was all it took to get down. Thirty seconds was all I got before

Beyond

I had to stop and ride the li back up. Of all my friends there are only a few that enjoy the sport of snowboarding as much as I do. Timothy Rutledge is one of them. I never really knew him, but we had mutual friends. One weekend a ernoon, Timothy invited me out to the mounds. Nonchalantly, I accepted his invitation but, secretly, I was thrilled. Timothy wasn't an experienced snowboarder and this he admi ed to once I arrived. I found it amusing and was quite ﬂa ered when he’d ask for my guidance. Timothy and I were having a lovely time together. He had a certain genuine nonjudgmental a ribute about himself and he had smile that was so genuine and pure. Eventually, the topic of traveling was

discussed and he told me of a road trip he was leaving for in a week. He and two of his friends planned a last minute trip out to Colorado and California for Spring Break from Minnesota. Unexpectedly, Tim invited me to come along. Initially, I thought he was playing a mean trick on me but, he really meant it. I, of course, could never turn down such an awesome opportunity. I was ecstatic. I was going on the trip of a lifetime. The best part was that our hotel and gas were all paid for and all I had to pay for was the li tickets and whatever else I wanted. We were leaving in a week. Before I knew it, I was packing and then it was Friday we were on our way. We drove for about 15 hours before we arrived at our destination, Estes Park, Colo., and proceeded to sleep in the local food market parking lot.

It was a horribly cold and wet slumber, if you could even call it that, but I found comfort in snuggling up next to Timothy for a bit. The next morning I awoke early because that was the day we were going backcountry snowboarding. We started at the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park where there was more than a foot of powder and it seemed like every step I took I had to take an additional two just to make headway. Sometimes my foot would go through and I'd ﬁnd myself waist deep in fresh white powder. The climb was tough and I fell behind the boys o en, but Timothy would be right there to encourage me. Many times the boys oﬀered to carry my board and pack but I refused every time—I wanted to earn my ride down. There was no way I would let them

Photo Courtesy | Stephanie Forstner Adventures with Forstner on her snowboard locally and around the United States.

Beyond take that from me. Time seemed to linger and every time I looked up I could never see the peak. It was discouraging, but I knew I could do it. Finally, two and a half hours later, I successfully reached to the summit. We hiked 2,200 vertical feet, one of the most physical climbs I had ever accomplished and I felt so invigorated—I was at the top of the world. The snow there was raw and untouched and the powder shimmered in the sun ever so delicately. Soon, we began our decent and bu erﬂies seemed to move from my knees all the way up through my spine. About half way down I remembered scouting about seven tree bluﬀs that covered a creek.

Tree bluffs are where the snow makes dri s in between trees making some natural jibs and gaps. They occurred on both sides of the creek. They look like so delicate pillows. The creek below kept the snow weak in the middle of them all so we had to have enough speed to jump between each bluff. As I approached them I thought to myself, “I don't want to get caught in the middle.” I successfully cleared the first two bluffs but the third was too far to reach and I fell forward trying to catch part of the tree branch and barely missed. My weight couldn't be supported so I fell shoulder deep in the snow with a layer beneath me giving way. I cried for help, but my partners had

already ridden past me. No one was around, and there was no way they were going to ﬁnd me. I had to save myself. I initially tried to pull myself up with just my arms, but the snow just kept giving way. The weight of the snow on my board was too much so I cleared some of it oﬀ and tried to loosen the board once more. I fell again and the water was ge ing so close. I undid my bindings and loosened my feet. My board started to slip, but I caught it just in time. I threw my board up above me into the unforgiving powder. My most priceless possession was safe now. Then it was my turn. I made my own footings and packed

9 them down with the plan that I was going to climb out, but I had to do it slowly and carefully. Li le by li le I climbed and once I got high enough I pulled and grasped anything within my reach. I got my body up on top and ﬂa ened out. I dug inwards towards the tree and held on. I made it. I was safe and so was my board. A er that experience, the rest of the ride down was liberating. No mountain was going to consume me—I was invincible once more. I told myself I was coming back, because here I got more than thirty seconds.

--Stephanie Forstner

ports

Women’s lacrosse team plays with pride J M

Women’s lacrosse is a brand new varsity sport at Fort Lewis College. The team has 19 players, seven of which have previous playing experience, Kelley Queisser, head coach said. “Knowing that we are making history is a great privilege,” Stephani Pi s, a freshman on the team, said. I am honored to be part of this team and part of Fort Lewis history.” The Skyhawks will play eight games this season, ﬁve of the games will be against Division III opponents, and two others will be against Regis University, a fellow Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference school. “All the programs are established, and have had a chance to compete prior to this season, Queisser said. “Our biggest challenge and disadvantage with opponents is game experience.” There has been steady improvement

since the team ﬁrst picked up their sticks and began practicing in September, Queisser said. “We went from catching a ball every now and then, to dropping a ball only now and them,” Adrianne De ler, the team’s lone senior, said. “We have all developed a be er sense of the game and are catching on quickly.” At the beginning of this year, more than half the team had never picked up a lacrosse stick before, and by the second week of practice, girls were catching and throwing with their le and right hands like they had been doing it forever, Corky Osborne, a team captain said. Osborne has played lacrosse for nine years, and was bummed that there wasn’t

a team when she ﬁrst came to Fort Lewis, she said. “When I heard they were starting one from scratch, I couldn’t say no to an opportunity to join a great program and get to play the game that I love again,” Osborne said. Others, like De ler, had not picked up a lacrosse stick prior to this year, but competed in other Fort Lewis sports. De ler was a four-year volleyball player for the Skyhawks, before serving as a student assistant this past season, she said. “Fortunately for me, I had an extra year of eligibility for another sport,” Dettler said. “I thought this was a great opportunity to learn a new sport and meet new people.”

Queisser would like to see the young team achieve the goals that they have set both individually and as a team, she said. “My expectations are to grow as a team and improve every game,” Elise DeHerrera, a freshman said. “My personal goals for this season are to do my part to help the team grow, to take in everything that coach tells me, and to learn from playing.” Women’s lacrosse will play two home games this season, April 3 against Regis University, and April 5 against Colorado College. “The women’s lacrosse team shows love for the sport, and we are all extremely excited to step onto the ﬁeld for the ﬁrst time as a team,” Pi s said.

For more information please contact Jason Michaud at independent@fortlewis.edu

Join us at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum March 14th from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Silent and Live Auctions

Cost $25 Catering by Durangourmet

Featuring: JACK 10 HIGH

Ages 21+

Sports Basketball Teams Crush Mountainers in First Round of RMAC.

TERRAN GUARDIPEE | Photographer PETER WOLF | Photo editor PETER WOLF| Photo editor Skyhawks Men and Women’s basketball teams were victorious in the first round games of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament. (Right) Skyhawk, Abby Jackson, dribbles the ball down the court. The women won with a score of 71-47. (Middle) Skyler the Skyhawk shows his school pride. (Left) Skyhawk, Kyle Behrens, drives between two defenders from Western State College and scores. The men won with a score of 78-56.

12:00-1:00pm

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Yoga w/ Amy

Beginning Yoga w/ Shannon

4:00-5:00 pm

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Step and sculpt W/ Allie

Beginning yoga w/ Shannon

Yoga w/ Amy

5:00-6:00pm

Pilates w/ Julie

Yoga w/ Amy

Cycling: speed play w/ Jourdan

6:00-6:30pm

Power Abs w/ Jourdan

Body Flow w/ Amy (6-7pm)

Power Abs w/ Jourdan

6:30-7:30 pm

7:30-8:30pm

Cycling: Aerobic Endurance w/ Jouradan Pilates w/ Julie

Get in shape the fun way with the Student Life Center's group fitness classes! There are a variety of different workouts and exercises for whatever your in the mood for. Look, feel, and have fun this semester!

Classes are FREE for Stud ents

pinion

Not just about a fun Spring Break; also safety

By the time you read this, you’ll just have the rest of Thursday and then Friday until we’re all officially on Spring Break. I don’t know about you all, and I don’t want to brag, but I’m pre y sure I have the best Spring Break plans lined up. I know that statement is subjective, but we’ll just leave it at that. My plans are as follows: Friday at about 5:30 p.m., my roommates and I are hi ing the highway, driving all night until bright and early Saturday morning we’ll see the everlasting lights of Las Vegas. I’ll spend about four full days and four and half nights in the city that never stops. I’m very excited, I’ve never been to Vegas before, and I fully hope to experience as much as I legally and physically can. And I’ll be with some of my best friends. Awesome. Then I will be jet-se ing, early—very early— Wednesday morning to fly to New York City, the city that never sleeps. Spend three days enjoying the sights, smells, characters and whatever else the nation’s largest city can throw at me. It doesn’t stop there. A er those three days of sightseeing and experiencing New York City, uninhibited, it’s time for the conference. There will be 14 members of “The Independent” staff, plus our advisor, a ending the Spring 2009 College Media Adviser’s conference for four days. So, this will also serve as a notice that there will not be an issue the week a er Spring Break. But with the amount of people going, it makes me nervous, even though I know it’s going to be

Americans o en overlook the power of plants. We are, you see, the most obese country in the world. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2007, Colorado was the only state with less than 20% of its people being obese. In thirty states, a quarter or more of the population was obese. A study by University of New Hampshire showed one third of students ages 18-24 are overweight or obese. One way to control this growing problem is to eat more vegetables.

amazingly informational and fun. That is 14 people who, if not informed, can potentially end up in a bad situation. So I started doing research on what to look for when it comes to avoiding potentially dangerous situations. Some tips I found I thought were great for anyone traveling anywhere: If there are two of you (and if you • happen to be women or men with fanny packs) keep them between your bodies, not on the outside. If you are in danger of being • mugged there are two options: One, yell, “Fire,” because, apparently, people are more inclined to come running if you scream about a ﬁre rather than, “Help.” Though I would still suggest maybe trying out both if the situation is that dire. Or just follow a more secure rule and • don’t travel alone. But, if that doesn’t work, then just give up whatever it is the a acker wants. The logic is, keep that $20 bill and get hit over the head with a blunt object, stabbed or even shot trying to ﬁght for it or just give it up? Or if you’re walking alone or at • night, try to walk closer to the street rather than a building so that you’re nearer to a light source and can easily get someone’s a ention by running out into the road. Try not to get hit. These are just a few of the safety, or survival tips that I’ve found glossing through Web sites. When a woman can disappear while jogging for three weeks and not remember anything that happened during that time like it happened in New York City, I feel compelled to research safety precautions. Or when a man is sentenced on 22 accounts for

According to carrotmuseum.com, a website devoted to the nutritious orange vegetable, veggies contain many ﬂavonoids, which give fruits and vegetables their color, and antioxidants which can help with many diﬀerent areas of one’s health. Antioxidants protect against oral cancer and other diseases. Flavonoids modify the body’s reaction to other compounds including allergens, viruses, and carcinogens. Carrotmuseum.com also reports that humans only produce 25% of the enzymes that h u m a n s need to prop-

molesting children. I or my roommates may not be 14-year-old girls, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t be sexually harassed or raped while we’re in Las Vegas or anywhere really. Yes men, you too can be a victim of rape. I’m not going to Mexico, but a er the campus police chief sent out the e-mails warning students, extensively, about the risks involved with Spring Break. Juarez is not a safe place people. It’s not just the police force dying there, there are people on both sides of the drug war, journalists trying to cover the story and get news out there, but also civilians too who just happen to be at the wrong place, wrong time. It’s not even just being aware of physical proximity; it’s also being prepared for the weather. In Vegas, it’s supposed to be cloudy, but I’m still bringing sunscreen and a sweater or two. I know now that New York just got “dumped on.” They were expecting a foot of snow and were calling it a “blizzard.” So I know when I head over there, I’ll be bringing hats—I just bought the best hat—and heavy coats. I would just hope that those of us—students, staﬀ, faculty, whoever—that are traveling outside of the comfort of the Four Corners really take care to be informed on what’s going on where ever you’re going. Check the city Web sites, the local newspapers; look for the safety tips, call relatives that live in the area—just be proactive in staying safe so that you can have fun during your Spring Break. I’d really hate for our staﬀ to print a death story. But if you have a fun Break, don’t hesitate to shoot us an e-mail and tell us your story!

erly break down food. Fruits and veggies can provide us with the rest, especially tropical fruit such as mangos and pineapples. We live in Colorado, which has the lowest percentage of obese people, but we can do be er. If you feel out of shape, hi ing the gym is a good start, but do not forget about your diet. There are many helpful websites that can help you ﬁnd diﬀerent ways to supplement the food that you eat. The pizza counter at the River Rock Café is tempting, but we must remember

--Tirrell Thomas

there is a salad bar as well. Our bodies, a er all, are the one strand in the web of life that we have personal responsibility of 24 hours a day. We can take direct environmental action simply by giving our bodies what they need. Do something for the environment, three times a day, eat your veggies. --Royce Johnson To comment on this article go to ecgreengfreedom.blogspot.com or e-mail us at ec_communications@fortlewis.edu.

Campus

Horoscopes Born this week:

, d i a s He id a s e sh

Being on Spring Break and having your birthday in the same week is a good excuse for a trip to Vegas. Aquarius (Jan. 23 – Feb. 22) Go treat yourself. Get yourself a bag of Cheetos, a mountain dew, and play Mario Kart on Nintendo 64 for hours. Pisces (Feb. 23 – March 22) This week your stars are in line with Pluto, and your stars are talking behind your back.

“She looked like a girl that beat me up when I was younger” --He said.

Aries (March 23 – April 22) With all this craziness in your life, you deserve to take a big bubble bath. Taurus (April 23 – May 22) Everything is looking good for you this week. But be careful when stalking your ex; they are acting suspicious.

Overheard something on campus that made you think, “Huh?!” Send it in to independent@fortlewis.edu.

Gemini (May 23 – June 22) Just because you’re hot stuﬀ, doesn’t mean that you are actually hot stuﬀ. Cancer (June 23 – July 22) Who cares if you kow the square root of 3,424? What ma ers is what is up- to-date on celebrity gossip.

Recipe of the Week - Raspberry Angel Food Cake by Blair Bunyard (courtesy allrecipies.com)

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) If you’re cheating on your boyfriend/ girlfriend, dont tell them. Drama!

Ingredients:

1-1/4 egg whites 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon almond extract 1 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoons cake ﬂour 1/4 cup fresh raspberries

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until frothy; beat in cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add the extracts. Gradually beat in sugar until stiff, scrapping bowl occasionally. Shift flour over beaten whites; sprinkle with berries. Gently fold flour and raspberries into batter until well mixed. Pour into an ungreased 10-in tube pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until lightly browned and entire top appears dry. Immediately invert cake pan; cool completely, about 1 hour. Enjoy!

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) That trip to Mexico, you may want to rethink. And also, check your e-mails! Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) Stay away from the donuts this week, wait until a er Spring Break to have them.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 22) Make a toast to whoever invented ramen noodles and cream cheese. Sagi arius (Nov. 23 – Dec. 22) You will come to an amazing revelation a er staring at the clock tower: your late for class.

Capricorn (Dec. 23 – Jan. 22) Announcement: porcupines and car tires will soon mend their relationship.

If you have a recipe you would like to share, e-mail us at independent@fortlewis.edu.

Footnotes

TOP

What are your plans for Spring break this year?

Best Things About Spring Break: Coe Roberts Wolco , Colo. Athletic Training “Spring travel with the Fort Lewis basketball teams to the NCAA tournament.”

Alex McIntosh Mannford, Okla. Art Education “Stay here and snowboard, snowboard, snowboard.”

10. Actually getting enough sleep to get you through the day without coffee. 9. Getting to hang out with your awesome roommate for longer than five minutes (and remembering why you moved in together in the first place). 8. Movie marathons! (Choose from The Godfather or all 6 Star Wars). 7. Having time to sleep in. And later, time to take a nap. 6. Enjoying concerts, parties, and coffee shop afternoons. 5. Thrift store shopping sprees. 4. Laying in the sun (and NOT doing homework). 3. Seeing James Franco and Sean Penn make out in Milk. 2. Traveling somewhere cool (near or far). 1. Finally finishing Part One of the great American novel you’re writing. Katy “Maxwell’s House” Maxwell

Rika Chidester Boulder, Colo. Sociology “Lobby in Denver and going to Moab to camp.”

Jesse Gordon-Blake Denver Biology “Going back home to party with old friends.”

Ma Colon Canyon City, Colo. English-Communications “Staying here and working and schoolwork.”

classifieds For sale: Gently used (dome base late 90’s version) with lots of music so ware and large iTunes library. Works perfect, no defects. Must sell! $500 or best oﬀer. Please call (970) 426-8653 for specs/ info.

Sports

K A N E

The legendary band Queen celebrated with an almost sold-out performance at the Community Concert Hall when Gary Mullen and The Works performed a tribute to the band on Feb. 25. The night’s show had both the fans and ushers singing along and dancing throughout the CCH. This was the opening night of the band’s 2009 United States 35-week tour, Davie Brocke , the guitar player for The Works said. “Tonight was a great success,” Gary

Mullen, the Freddie Mercury impersonator for the show said. “We didn’t know whether people were going to sit on their asses or dance.” By the fourth song, Under Pressure, half the crowd jumped to their feet and filed down to the dance floor that had been set up in front of the stage. The dance floor was packed like sardines for the rest of the evening where audience members shook their money makers, belted their favorite Queen songs along with the band, and got pelted with sweat from the outstandingly animated lead singer. The night proved to be exactly what the announcer promised before the show,

Feel the local love!

like an actual live Queen performance. Mullen came dressed to the nines in bright white slacks adorned with sequins down the legs, and various colored jackets that was similar to what Mercury wore 25 years ago. The musicianship throughout the band mirrored the talent that Queen presented, and impressed the crowd from the first word of the first song until the encore. Each a endee, from those too young to know who Queen is, to those old enough to have seen Queen’s first show, will have memories that will not be forgo en easily. An unforge able highlight of the night

came during the last third of Bohemian Rhapsody, when the band le the stage and allowed the audience to belt the song for them. Another memorable moment was when the band performed an upbeat Elvis song during the encore. To sum it up, “It’s supposed to be a party,” Mullen said. “That’s what it’s all about.” Most everyone in a endance that night would likely agree that it was.

For more information please contact Kayla Andersen at independent@fortlewis.edu

Get prepared for the annual Indy Dodgeball tournament!

Mondays and Tuesdays: Free Pool Night Tuesdays: Double Upgrade Day - just $1. makes it a double Wednesdays: Pint and Keg Night - $2. pints (domestic and import), $3. talls and FREE keg giveaway! Thursdays: Ladies’ Night - $5. Cosmos and Appletinis (well vodka)

5 p.m., Friday, March 27 in the Student Life Center. $10 per team

Fridays: Free Wing Friday - FREE wings and drink specials during happy hour Saturdays: $2. Talls (Good on on domestic beers) Sundays: Locals’ Appreciation Night - Serious drink specials, and coming back- the one and only Rancholotto!

Open to students, community, faculty, staff...whoever! For more information, call 247-7405.

Get ready for the El Rancho Red Card... coming soon! On the corner of 10th and Main in Downtown Durango

We’re trying to make a DIFF. is looking for new staff members for next semester!!!

Proud supporters of the Durango Independent Film Festival

Intern in one of these awesome departments! Reporting Photography Design Online Multimedia Advertising Public Relations Sports Reporting Beyond/ Features Reporting Copy Editing For more information, please contact:

Take a trip to Animas Trading Company for globally inspired attire that’s perfect for your indie ﬁlm viewing and festivities! We ar y our se go! nse of adventure wherever you

ain Ave For the Free Spirit in You • 1015 M

Independent@fortlewis.edu, The Independent Office CUB 252

. • Durango, C0 • 970.385.4526

AE &

P B

With more bands now than ever, the Durango music scene is a sight of progression and variety, creating a community of musicians connected through conviviality. From jazz and blues to funk and reggae, there is a wide range of music being played in the Durango area for everyone’s enjoyment.

“There is a camaraderie among other bands, it is a collaboration which is really great,” Dave Mensch, a singer, songwriter and guitarist for local band, Formula 151, said. “There have been musicians in the area that were really helpful ge ing me started in my solo career as far as ge ing to know diﬀerent venues in the area, really helping me kick start my career.” With such a large quantity of local bands, it would be easy for them to become cu hroat for gigs. “It’s not a competitive scene, I would

say,” Mensch said. “In these hard economic times, there is enough work out there for all of us musicians to perform.” The music scene is progressing and there are more venues to play at, and the existing ones have really stepped up, he said. “Local musicians respect venues in the area, because it is so key in creating a name for your band,” Josh Bensik, the manager for the Abbey Theatre said. “But I love working with small time, local bands.” A large part of gaining respect from local venues, for a group, is displaying the ability to play for hours on end, Mensch said. “Usually, in order to play that long, you need more than four hours of material while maintaining a crowd in the venue,” he said. For bands new to the scene, trying to get their name out can be diﬃcult. “A lot of it is just self promotion, you have to go talk to people and usually the people won’t call you back unless you’ve came and harassed them six or seven times or dropped in on them at whatever bar they own and ask them if they’ve listened to the CD yet,” Emily Wilson, Wild Mountain mandolin player, said. Consistency in the quality of music is important in obtaining a reputation in the music scene too, she said. Along with that, never turning down

opportunities to perform is important, as well as playing as much as possible when starting oﬀ and not being known very well, Nick Ebel, of The Good Neighbors, said. “I pay the most a ention to bands that impress me time and time again, that’s how I’ve become a fan of some of my favorite local bands,” David Williams, a music fanatic and sophomore at Fort Lewis College said. The talent has upped the ante so that patrons have come to expect a lot out of musicians, Mensch said. “Don’t be afraid to play your own music,” Ebel said. “If you have a unique idea, people in this town will accept it.” It is important to ﬁnd that weird balance of not taking it too seriously and having a dedication to what is being done, Erik Nordstrom, the leading man of Lawn Chair Kings, said. For a lot of bands, the aspect of fun is what their passion is centered around; several agree that it keeps them together. “Performing music, listening to music, watching local bands perform, anyway that you can be a part of it is great, it’s fun,” Mensch said. “Go out and support local music, because it’s never been be er,” Kelly Rogers, Lawn Chair Kings instrumentals, said.

For more information please contact Paige Blankenbeuhler at independent@fortlewis.edu.

BAND PROFILES: The Good Neighbors

Lawn Chair Kings

Formula 151

Wild Mountain

Genre: Blues based rock and roll Chris Parker: Lead vocals, songwriter Nick Ebel: Guitar Kevin Good: Bass John Michael Peck: Drummer Song you have to hear: “Mistakes” Upcoming Shows: Every other Friday at Moe’s Starlite Lounge and will be playing in Skyfest April 11.

Genre: Western Basement Music/ Suburban Rock Steve Mendias: Drummer Erik Nordstrom: Main vocals, songwriter and guitar Dan Leek: Bass Kelly Rogers: Instrumental Variety Song you have to hear: “Trailer Park” Upcoming Shows: March 21 at The Summit, April 1 at Cuckoo’s.

Genre: Acoustic rock Dave Mensch: Main vocals, songwriter and guitar Mike Kornelson: Bass Ben Simpson: Drummer Song you have to hear: “Bi ersweet” Upcoming Shows: Blondie’s Pub and Grub every other Tuesday, Derailed Saloon every other Wednesday.

Genre: Folk/Bluegrass Brad: Vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin Emily Wilson: Mandolin Rusty Charpenter: Bass Tommy Frederico: Banjo Estella Moore: Fiddle Song you have to hear: “Stella’s Breakdown” Upcoming Shows: March 15 at the Irish Embassy, March 17 at the Derailed Saloon, March 22 at The Summit.

PETER WOLF | Photo Editor Local Durango band, “The Good Neighbors,” rock out Moe’s Starlight Lounge during Happy Hour last Friday. (Left) Guitar Player, Nick Ebel. (Middle) Drummer, John Micheal Peck. (Right) Guitar and vocalist Chris Parker and Bass, Kevin Good.