The Signal Vol. 83 No.15

JAN. 12 - JAN. 19, 2016

VOL. 83 | NO. 15

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HOME RUN It’s no longer a mystery who will call Turner Field home after the Braves leave. While Georgia State has big plans for its next real estate venture, checks need to be signed.

News | Page 3

PHOTO BY SEAN KEENAN | THE SIGNAL Partnering with two developers, Georgia State will soon have use for Turner Field. However, “for what” is still the question.

Inside ‘Hamilton’ on bROADWAY Road to the bowl

Georgia Guns

More to Come

The line between where Georgia State ends and Atlanta begins continue to thin.

The music of “Hamiton” opens the eyes of many to the historic story.

Take a trip down memory lane after Georgia State turned its football season around.

News | Page 4

Opinions| Page 7

A&L | page 18

Sports | page 20

Recent violence has left some students concerned about gun control.

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 3

Opinions 7

Arts & Living 9

Sports 19

2

NEWS

blotter

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015

Jan. 7

Taking from the library

A Georgia State student was involved in a case where there was a theft from Library North valued at more than $500. The case is still active.

Jan. 5

Wrong place, wrong time

A trespass warning was issued to a nonGeorgia State affiliated person in Student Center East at 9:33 a.m. The case has been cleared.

Jan. 6

Parking Deck hangout

A non-Georgia State affiliated person was issued a trespass warning at the J Parking Deck at 11:12 a.m. The case has been cleared.

Jan. 7

Out of character

In the Decatur F Building, a Georgia State student was involved in a situation with a disorderly person. The incident occurred at 3:02 p.m. and is still active.

Jan. 7

Grabbing what’s not yours

A person’s personal belongings were taken in the Dunwoody B Student Center at 5:35 p.m. The case is still active.

On stands Every Tuesday!

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Find us during Plaza!

PHOTO OF THE WEEK A girl uses a hula hoop to dance while having fun in the electronic dance music section of Moondogs.

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

THE SIGNAL

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NEWS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

Taking Over The Ted

Pres. Becker, Turner Field’s neighbors would like a word with you SEAN KEENAN

Associate News Editor

The clock is ticking on the Atlanta Braves’ tenure at Turner Field. And the feet of some 50,000 students are tapping, waiting for Georgia State to slap a check on the table to claim The Ted for the Panthers.

Georgia State teamed up with Carter and Oakwood Development in May 2014 to put down a $300 million bid, hoping to claim the home of the Braves. And roughly two months after the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA) put Turner Field up for sale, the school’s partnership was chosen as the preferred bidder.

The Braves have to relocate before 2017 to Cobb County, where their new home is being erected. And Georgia State’s development team needs to finish negotiating the official price tag for the nearly 70-acre urban tract.

But since

the big check has yet to be signed, Georgia State’s student body -- plus, the general public -- still doesn’t know exactly how those millions are getting divvied up. The Signal reached out to the university’s development partners, and learned the still “tentative” construction plans are under lock and key until the deal is finalized, according to a Carter spokesperson.

Plans and early renderings reveal that the 67-acre plot will soon give rise to student housing, shops and restaurants, while the ballpark will be retrofitted to accommodate Panther athletics.

Georgia State President Mark Becker said in a Georgia State news release he’s glad Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed was supportive throughout the competitive bidding process.

“This decision demonstrates the confidence the Fulton County Recreation Authority and the Mayor have in our ability to achieve our vision for the site,” he said. “There is a great deal of work to be done, and we are fully prepared to move forward.”

Now a great deal of the work Becker referred to involves meticulously dotting “I’s” and crossing “T’s,” according to Carter President Scott Taylor.

“We still have significant work to

do in finalizing a purchase agreement with AFCRA,” he said in a statement sent to The Signal. “But we look forward to sharing more details once that occurs.”

And after unanimous approval deemed Georgia State’s (and friends’) bid the winner, the AFCRA board seems poised with its decision, according to board Chairman William K. Whitner.

“We will move forward expeditiously to ensure that we make meaningful progress toward determining the future of this historic neighborhood,” he said in a news release. “AFCRA has been a long-time partner in this community, and we fully appreciate the importance of negotiating with a developer that will have the community’s interest foremost in mind.”

Turner Field’s neighbors

Becker said this imminent “transformational” process will continue to consult Turner Field’s neighboring residents.

“We embrace our responsibility to work closely with community and civic leaders in getting it done,” he said.

In February, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) granted the city $212,000 to fund a livability study to determine how proposed plans could change the standard of living.

This Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) aims to field questions and qualms from concerned residents and neighbors of The Ted, according to ARC. But community advocacy groups, such as Organized Neighbors of Summerhill (ONS),

“We would love for Dr. Becker to meet with the community, and he knows how to reach me.”

- Suzanne Mitchell, President, Organized Neighbors of Summerhill have locked a watchful eye on the development efforts, and ONS President Suzanne Mitchell said she still wants a “public process” to construct plans for the area.

Mitchell said she has faith that the city and its public officials will keep the community’s needs in mind, but she said “a university’s interest is not the community” and Becker has yet to show face at any of the neighborhood meetings.

“A university’s interest is in its students,” she told The Signal. “I would like to see Georgia State -not the development companies -- get directly involved with the neighborhood, and up to now, that has not happened. We would love for Dr. Becker to meet with the community, and he knows how to reach me.”

Mitchell said the community near Turner Field has a vastly different idea of what should happen to the stadium, referring to early renderings which teased of another athletic arena that could pop up just south of The Ted. “Many residents aren’t even opposed to Turner Field going away…gone and [the land] redeveloped completely,” she said. “Stadiums do nothing for communities. The idea of having two stadiums is not appealing.”

Taylor said the ‘team’ is grateful its bid was chosen, and he joined in the ‘we’ll help the community’ choir.

The Atlanta Braves will be packing up their bats, mitts and caps to make way for the Georgia State Panthers at Turner Field.

“The redevelopment of Turner Field is a huge opportunity,” he said.

“Georgia State University, Carter and Oakwood are appreciative, humbled and excited to continue working with the surrounding communities on this major effort.”

Georgia State’s Student Government Association President Sebastian Parra said he’s proud of the school’s leadership for pushing forward with the acquisition plans during the competitive bidding process.

“The Georgia State proposal made the most sense and it respected Turner Field’s historic significance to the city,” he said.

Parra’s Vice President of Public Relations Anthony Nguyen said he thinks the coming development is quite characteristic of the burgeoning school that Georgia State has become.

“What Georgia State has been doing is nothing short of innovating,” he said. “Our reputation as an up-and-coming university and ‘Georgia’s best-kept secret’ are no more. We are the frontrunners in what we do and leading education like no other [school]. Our university’s goals with Turner Field will benefit not only us students, but Atlanta as a whole.”

Organized Neighbors of Summerhill has monthly meetings during which Turner Field’s fate is frequently discussed. Meetings occur on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Georgia Hill Neighborhood Center on Georgia Avenue.

PHOTO BY SEAN KEENAN | THE SIGNAL

NEWS

4

Georgia’s firefight CHRISTINA MAXOURIS Staff Reporter

S

ince immigrating to America, Georgia State freshman Oscar Tamakloe has enjoyed his time as a student. But he said recent gun violence in the states has him watching over his shoulder.

“I am just always afraid someone will take a gun out and start shooting everybody,” he said.

The Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting on Nov. 27 caused an international media stir, leaving three dead and nine wounded. Two weeks later, a couple opened fire at the Inland Regional Centre in southern California, killing 14 and injuring 21 people, in what became known as the San

Bernardino shooting.

On Georgia State’s campus two armed robberies took place during the fall semester’s finals week. Two students were robbed at gunpoint inside their apartment at One12 on Dec. 11. And five days later another student was threatened by a gunman and robbed of his cellphone and laptop, according to Georgia State police reports.

Jerry Henry, the executive director of GeorgiaCarry.org, a second amendment rights advocacy group, said Americans should always have the right to protect themselves and their families.

“The right to carry guns is a Godgiven right that is enumerated in the U.S. Constitution as well as the Georgia Constitution,” Henry said.

Georgia stands by stricter gun laws than most states, requiring a background check in order to gain

a Georgia weapons carry license.

Carrying Licenses are not granted to any individual under 18, convicted felons or people institutionalized for mental problems or addictions within five years of their applications.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, in November of 2015, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) reported over 470,000 carry permit requests from gun dealers in Georgia for background checks and a 12 percent increase of background checks from October to November.

However, Georgia law only requires that background check reports stay in NICS for five years and be taken off afterwards, meaning people that have been proven mentally-ill in the past will again be able to legally purchase a gun. Georgia law does not require a background check for the private sales between citizens of

40%

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 , 2016

The bullet points and loopholes in Georgia’s gun legislation Georgia and other states, according to the Firearm Permit Reciprocity regulations of Georgia.

Henry said the problem with criminals getting guns in their hands is that laws pertaining to illegal gun sales are not being enforced.

“All firearms sales or possession of a firearm by a criminal or those listed as prohibited persons by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are illegal.

These people do not go through background checks as they get them from friends or family, on the black market, and by theft,” he said.

A report by the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence showed that inherited or privately sold guns are not required to be registered under the owner’s name, and make up to 40 percent of gun sales taking place in the country. If such transactions required background checks, they

would prevent over 120,000 illegal sales, according to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

For those carrying guns illegally, Henry said the only solution is to allow every law-abiding citizen the right to carry anywhere they go, so as to protect their own family.

“All law enforcement officers have a very tough job and most do it to the best of their ability. Unfortunately, they cannot be everywhere at all times,” he said.

Tamakloe said the issue with carrying guns is that anyone, even the police, can lose their temper at any time, and pull out a gun without making a better judgment.

“The police force in the U.S. should be more like most European and African countries where they are only allowed to carry non-lethal weapons,” he said.

In November 2015 NICS* reported

470,000

carry permit requests in Georgia

of gun sales, over 120,000 fire arms, in the United States are inherited or sold privately, where no background check is required.

12%

increase in background check requests from October to November 2015 for the state of Georgia.

Georgia holds background check reports for the mental-ill for

5 years after which the records expire

Georgia requires all concealed firearm carry permit applicants to be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, and while there is no waiting period required, it takes about 60 days for a license

INFOGRAPHIC BY JUSTIN HALL | THE SIGNAL

NotifyATL begins rotation PRISCILLA MEDEIROS Staff Reporter

S

tudents and Atlanta residents can now be alerted of potential dangers via text or email through a new emergency alert system called “NotifyATL.” The City of Atlanta’s NotifyATL sends mobile alerts about severe weather, road closures, crime alerts, missing persons, evacuations and community events, according to the NotifyATL website.

Mayor Kasim Reed launched the mass notification system on Dec. 18. to help keep residents and visitors safe by communicating with thousands of people directly, according to a City of Atlanta press release.

Christina Cruz-Benton, city spokesperson, said 3,800 households have already opted in as of Jan. 4, 2016.

“The City of Atlanta is engaged in an active outreach campaign which educates the public on the new emergency notification system and encourages all to sign up,” CruzBenton said.

She also said Reed has previously talked about his plan for an emergency notification system, but recent events increased the need for

it at this time.

“The unfortunate events that occurred in Paris and San Bernardino reinforced the need for focused and timely implementation,” she said.

However, users can remove their contact information from their profile at any time if they wish to no longer be contacted by the mass notification system.

How it works

Red, green, yellow and automated weather alerts are the four types of NotifyATL alerts. The system lets the user to choose which alerts they want to be specifically notified about.

Oluyombo said she believes the weather component of the system could be helpful to prepare students before they head out to class and work.

Also, automated weather alerts include several weather hazards, such as flooding, extreme winter weather and severe thunderstorms.

Red alerts are emergency alerts that involve crime, yellow alerts are caution alerts such as severe traffic and public health, and green alerts are informational alerts about major city and community events.

Atlanta resident Camilla Onley said NotifyATL would be a useful system for herself and the Atlanta community.

“I think this mass notification system can help, but it should not allow the user to chose what they would like to be notified about because they may miss out on an important alert,” she said.

NotifyATL allows anyone to create their own profile with a username and password on their website at no cost.

Once signed up, user recieves notifications via text message, phone call or email depending on their personal settings.

Users can choose the times they wish to be contacted and the locations they want to be notified about, such as their home address, workplace, school, etc.

After the system sends out a notification of an emergency, the user must confirm that the alert was received or else the system will continue to notify the user about the same emergency.

Georgia State student Adenike Oluyombo said she thinks NotifyATL would be a good to sign up for, but she doesn’t believe it will prevent anything.

“I don’t think the alert system would be that much of a help only, because it’s just notifying us about a crime after it happens,” Oluyombo said.

Types of warnings

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5

NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Fighting for an education Student organizations band together for the admittance of undocumented students JADA HAYNES Staff Reporter

J

uan Orellana, a member of Georgia Undocumented Youth Alliance (GUYA), said Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students are trying to find their place in Georgia’s university system. However, when it comes to undocumented students,“everything’s been closed.”

After the Georgia State and Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) consolidation, approved on Jan. 6, it is unclear what will happen to the GPC undocumented students based on a Board of Regents’ (BOR) policy.

In BOR Policy 4.1.6, people “not lawfully present” are ineligible for admission into universities, which previously have not accepted all applicants. Georgia State is one of five Georgia schools that does not admit undocumented students under this policy.

Transitioning into the consolidation

Sebastian Parra, president of Georgia State’s Student Government Association (SGA), has been involved in advocacy against the policy, because he said he thinks “it’s segregation” to deny admittance to undocumented students, such as those falling under the DACA policy.

“We’re segregating students and we’re finding the perfect excuse under legal statutes to segregate them from education,” Parra said.

While GPC admits undocumented students who pay out-of-state tuition, Georgia State’s policies on not allowing undocumented students to attend will not change, according to the university’s webpage.

Parra volunteers with Freedom University and Freedom GSU. He said he drafted a letter making the case for in-state tuition to the BOR for the Student Advisory Council, which is composed of every SGA student in the University System of Georgia (USG). The letter has the support of 20 out of 24 SGA presidents.

Freedom University is an Atlantabased civil rights advocacy group.

It provides undocumented students with college-level courses and works with other universities to make higher education more accessible.

Freedom GSU is a new group on campus, Parra said, which has put posters up around plaza and worn t-shirts asking “Do I look illegal?”

Parra said the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has granted DACA students lawful presence because they pay taxes, have driver’s licenses, work permits and social security numbers. However, this hasn’t stopped Policy 4.1.6.

Regarding worries of undocumented GPC students possibly being displaced after the consolidation, Parra said the answer stands on shaky ground.

Parra said he believes Georgia State hasn’t said anything publicly about what will happen to GPC’s DACA students “because it’s so wishy-washy.”

GUYA challenged the 4.1.6 ruling in 2013. According to GUYA member Maria Carrillo, the student-run organization focuses on informing people about the policy and pushing for in-state tuition for DACA-eligible and other undocumented students.

As far as what happens after the consolidation, Orellana said there hasn’t been much in the way of dialogue.

“There’s no ban on in-state tuition for Deferred Action students, but there is a specific policy that was set in place a long time ago for undocumented students...With in-state tuition, we’re trying to find an opening in there, whereas with undocumented students, everything’s been closed,” he said.

This silence perpetuates the “rumors that we might get kicked out or displaced from GPC,” according to Carrillo.

“How can they just displace us when you put in all your money into it and your time? I’ve been here for two years...There’s no guarantee that I won’t have to pay for more classes [if they don’t transfer]...That’s very problematic for most of the people because they can’t afford to retake their classes if they haven’t finished their Associate’s,” she said.

Using the government for a change

GUYA’s Student Organizer Rigoberto Rivera and others sued the BOR for in-state tuition. The oral arguments were presented on Oct. 16. As of yet, the Supreme Court of Georgia has yet to release a decision on Olvera et al. v. University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents et al.

Rivera said GUYA plans to revise SB 44, a bill titled “Education; noncitizen students; same consideration as citizens of U.S.; determining whether they qualify for in-state classification; tuition and fees,” which proposes instate tuition for DACA students in both the University System and Technical College System of Georgia.

GUYA’s revision is to allow undocumented Georgia high school graduates in-state tuition to Georgia universities. Then, they will lobby for sponsors.

Opposition to allowing DACA students in-state tuition tends to come in the form of a few arguments: doing so is a burden on taxpayers, illegal and the undocumented will have problems

finding jobs if their status hasn’t changed by graduation are a few.

However, according to the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy (ITEP), Georgia’s undocumented immigrants paid $351.8 million in state and local taxes in 2012.

As for the illegality of allowing in-state tuition, a Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) document said that this violates Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRAIRA).

Section 505 states any illegal immigrant without lawful presence is ineligible for college benefits citizens or nationals don’t have access to. While this doesn’t specifically focus on in-state tuition, the document goes on to say the House of Representatives interprets it this way.

To counter this, 10 states have decided not to apply this policy.

Along with those who consider it a disregard of states’ rights, they’ve gotten around Section 505 by using “graduation from an in-state high school as the main criteria for residency.”

Parra said the letter he’s drafted to the BOR will show if they will ignore the official representatives of

“We’re segregating students and we’re finding the perfect excuse under legal statutes to segregate them from education.”

-Sebastian Parra, Georgia State SGA President all Georgia’s students.

During an anti-racism speak-out on campus held on Nov. 10, DACA students were also in attendance.

They said Becker didn’t care about them. Carrillo elaborated on this sentiment.

“We haven’t been part of [the meetings]. It just shows that they don’t really care about undocumented students at GPC whatsoever; and if they had, they would’ve told us to be part of the conversation. It didn’t happen because...the President doesn’t really care about us,” Carrillo said.

Despite the uncertainties facing DACA students, Carrillo said GUYA is still working to keep students updated, and is grateful

for the support from Georgia State students.

“We’re trying to be optimistic about it, about how things are going,” Carrillo said.

Parra said he wants to see anyone, especially the African-American community, advocate for this issue.

“I would encourage our AfricanAmerican community to open their eyes and learn about this issue of discrimination against undocumented people, that their struggle 60 years ago is [undocumented students’] struggle today, and we’re just trying to be educated,” Parra said. “So please help us. Help us build a coalition so our politicians will listen, that this is not what we should stand for.”

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NEWS

6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Same old you on a new diet Millennials try fad diets to improve their health CHARLES BAILEY Staff Reporter

Local

DeKalb County plans to use taxes to fund body cameras

Even though DeKalb County was declined federal funding for police body cameras, the agency still seeks to implement its plan, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. DeKalb would have to pay out $2 million to outfit 400 police officers with body cameras, and they say they will use local tax funds for the initiative. DeKalb asked for approximately $600,000 from the federal government for body cameras, and the agency wasn’t the only one to submit a request to the feds. Out of 67 mid-sized agencies in the United States, 19 were chosen.

D

iego Vidrio, 22-year-old Georgia State student, weighs about 250 pounds and wants to lose at least 50 pounds.

The film and video major said he doesn’t think there is anything wrong with being big, but shares his family’s concern of improving his health.

“A lot of people forget there are legitimate issues with body weight,” he said. “I can’t tell you the number of times my parents thought I might develop diabetes, or my brother thought I might have a heart attack.”

His girlfriend’s near 30 pound weight loss on the Baby Food Diet inspired him to try pureed packets of organic fruit and vegetables during last fall semester.

“I’ve been going up and down [weight loss and gain] since high school, and I’m determined to stay down,” he said.

The Baby Food Diet began in November 2009 as the Tracy Anderson Baby Food Cleanse. The dieter substitutes traditional meals with 14 servings of baby food, equaling up to 1,000 calories per day, according to The Daily Beast.

Statistics show 24 percent of Millennials attribute healthy living with having good eating habits, according to Aetna.

Jessica Todd, registered dietician and director of the Coordinated Graduate Program of Nutrition at Georgia State, said millennials may appear health conscious, yet that is not the case.

Last Week

National PHOTO BY JASON LUONG | THE SIGNAL

Baby foods, such as Sprouts single baby food packets or Gerber 2nd Organic baby food, are being used as a way to diet.

“Studies do not show that millennials are healthier,” Todd said.

“Millennials still drink too much and engage in high risk behaviors, and are still just as overweight as the rest of the population.”

Vidrio said he believes the diet is viable for an adult and babies. He suggests for someone trying this diet to attempt it gradually.

“I replace one meal with baby food and a nutrition bar and then eat normal meals,” he said.

Todd said the Baby Food Diet is “crazy.” She also said there is no reason

to ever eat pureed food unless the person is an infant or on a special diet.

“Will you lose weight, yes, because you are eating smaller portions and very little calories, but you could be at risk for vitamin D and calcium deficiencies over time,” she said.

Vidrio walks daily for an hour in addition to the diet. He also said he tried Nutrisystem in high school, and broke out into hives early into the diet.

“I was on Nutrisystem for a year,” he said. “I lost like 30 pounds, but I quit because the food was unsatisfying, my body got used to the

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diet, and I felt like I was in a rut.”

Vidrio said his first few packets cost about $10, and he eats nutrition bars to compensate for the nutrients the baby food lacks while drinking a glass a water before meals.

“I’m not going to be on this baby food diet forever, but I know I have to improve on my eating habits,” he said.

The Sprouts single baby food packets cost about $1.99 and have 70 calories per serving. Gerber second Organic baby food pouches have only 60 calories, according to Drugstore.com.

click

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Marco Rubio joins a movement for a constitutional convention

Florida Sen. and presidential candidate Marco Rubio and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott call for the revising of the U.S. Constitution, according to CNN. Abbott’s plan, named the “Texas Plan,” includes nine constitutional amendments. One of them is to make the majority rule for the Supreme Court change from majority rule to a “seven-justice super-majority.”

Another amendment is for states to be able to override a high court ruling with a twothirds vote. The goal of the plan is to increase the rights of the states. Rubio has said to USA Today that a constitutional convention should be held to limit the federal government’s “size and scope.” However, a constitutional convention has not been held in more than 200 years.

Global

Man lost at sea for more than 400 days returns

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El Salvador native Salvador Alvarenga was stuck at sea in a 25-foot fishing boat for 438 days. He’s now on dry land and reunited with his family, according to CNN. Alvarenga, who at the time was 35, was with 22-year-old Ezequiel Córboba for a two-day fishing trip on Nov. 17, 2012. A storm rocked their boat for seven days, and Alvarenga and Córboba drifted farther from where they set sail. The pair relied on birds and fish for nutrients, but only Alvarenga survived. Eventually he landed on one of the Marshall Islands on Jan. 29, 2014.

OPINION

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

Georgia State’s master plan: Some thoughts The uncertain future of Georgia State’s development

I

JOHN MILLER Columnist John is an English major with a concentration in Literature. He spends his time cooking, reading, writing and watching movies. Mostly watching movies.

Tweet John! @johnmillerdavi1

n May 2015, The Signal wrote that Georgia State announced they would be building a new student housing and dining hall meant to fulfill an apparent need for student housing.

That article, written by me, marks my first understanding of what goes into the decision to build a new structure on campus, what needs it fulfills, and who benefits the most.

These questions are answered on Georgia State’s page for their “Main Street Master Plan.” Here, one can read all about Georgia State’s major plans for construction, which are updated every few years.

The introduction states the master plan will “address the growing needs of our students and faculty,” which seems to gel with what was being said by Georgia State’s PR during the creation of the new student housing and dining hall, as I mentioned in my previous article about the building.

The first goal seeks to integrate Georgia State into downtown and to make it “Not apart from the City, but a part of the City,” in their own words, which would imply that at least some of the development wouldn’t be purely self-serving; to integrate with the city would be to promote a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding businesses and communities, which would require sacrifice but would ultimately be beneficial.

Much of the planning does seem to be focused more on the proposed goal of establishing “a central core of campus facilities and a secondary zone for support services,” according

to the plan, rather than integrating into the mesh of the city itself.

Plans to build specialized buildings for certain types of education (for example a Humanities Building and a Business and Law Professional Center) would expand and solidify facets of the university that are already there.

It can be argued that the growth of the university itself is a way of integrating into the city, through such developments as would be described by the desire to transform the Library Plaza, but the Library Plaza has always been a place that students have felt most vulnerable in with regards to the city outside, so opening it up to the vicissitudes of the city would probably not be the best idea.

Those plans that seem to be specifically designed towards the needs of the university than towards the goal of integrating it with the city involve the construction of building specially designed for certain sectors or schools or academic programs within the university.

These types of construction are like the university housing and dining hall mentioned earlier, except that building fulfills more the need to “House 20 percent of a 36,000 student per semester enrollment on campus by 2015,” as the plan proposes.

They serve only the explicit purpose of expanding the university’s presence within the city, and by no means encourage involvement with the city.

There’s only one proposal I see that

could possibly be interpreted as a move towards assimilation with the city, and that is the last one on the planned projects page: Pedestrian and Streetscape Improvements.

This speaks directly to the master plan’s page’s idea of supporting “transportation patterns that encourage pedestrian traffic and the use of mass transit.” As long as people can walk around or ride around and explore, they’ll be able to explore Georgia State’s campus.

The downside of that is that undesirable groups will find their way onto campus, such as those who cause students to rally and stir up emotions that are still a problem to this day.

I have no definite ideas as to how the goal of relative assimilation with the city can be reached any more than it already has, but I do know that an open-arms approach is not the best idea, not that anyone has proposed exactly that yet.

GSU Key Goals • • • • • •

Evolution from a Main Street to “Main Streets” Identifying and Locating Planned Projects Framing Future Growth Transforming Library Plaza Enhancing Campus Image and Identity Creating a Strong Urban Street Edge and Usable Public Space

Future Plans • • • • • •

University Science Park Humanities Building Business & Law Professional Center University Plaza Wall Street Housing north of Underground Atlanta Convocation Center/Sports Arena

PAGE DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL

OPINION

8

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

EDITORIAL

Do you vote?

I

t’s election season. So, do you vote? “Ain’t nobody got time for that.” “My vote doesn’t count.” “Who is even running?”

“Why does it even matter?” These are some of the most common excuses for why people do not vote.

Americans and their media idolize and exploit their favorite presidential candidates before each election season. But who’s your favorite city councilmember?

Which state bills have you riled up this legislative session? In all fairness, these localized elections are not as publicized as broadly as the national elections. But in many ways, these elections affect our everyday lives.

Some vote because they’re forced to, woken up early, dressed and shoved out the door ready to cast their votes at the “request” of their parents. During that time, your parents might give you candidates to choose, knowing you don’t know yourself. Other times, you have a political party and you automatically stick with

it. Regardless of whether or not you ever heard his or her name or platform. Get in, get out. Thank you for the sticker.

Remember that pothole that popped your tire on the way to class? Atlanta is behind on infrastructure repair by almost a billion dollars. Did you vote on any of the spending plans? Do you know how and why you’re being taxed? What’s the point in complaining about nothing being done, if you make no efforts to see the candidates, hear the issues, or try to make a difference by voting?

You should be engaged in the community you’re a part of. If you don’t vote, by default, you yield your voice to those who do, which could easily lean towards what you don’t believe in.

Voicing your opinion to your representatives is extremely important. Everyone’s voice matters no matter what it may seems like.

There are too many people every year who assume that, since they are only one person, can’t make

a difference. But if you took all those people and counted their vote, it could shift the political climate?of the United States.

The thought of someone not wanting their voice heard is disconcerting to a gang of journalists.

Where some people live in fear of voicing their political views, some Americans -- more often than not -- simply do not care enough.

Some Americans have sacrificed a lot to give the current generation the right to express our political views without fear of retribution from the government.

Swing that first amendment like the hammer of Thor. Too many people worry that their view may now be the “correct” view.

However, that should never stop you from voting. Your opinion

ILLUSTRATION BY TINA PHAM | THE SIGNAL matters to your representative and your vote matters to America.

Voting in your local elections can also have influence on national policy. By electing representatives in your local government, you give your local community a voice in national discussion. These representatives will be more intune with the needs and concerns of your community.

Candidates have a term. Bills and resolutions meander through the legislature. When that term is up

and that bill is passed or killed, it’s time to learn about the new kids on the block. Your parents will not be there to drag you out of bed and give you suggestions.

Got a response? Send in your thoughts about this subject to signaleditor@gmail.com.

ARTS AND LIVING www.georgiastatesignal.com/ artsandliving

Enter the fantasy

The

Neighborhood Guide Part VII

BucKHEAD

In prosperous Buckhead, old school Atlnata is [what is the word?] by a record shop.

PAGE 12

To Do or DIY Home decor shops such as Waiting on Martha are all the rage. Get the look without checking your bank account.

pages 13

Fishing for Food Spend a dinner under the sea at some of Buckhead’s praised seafood joints.

PAGE 16

Photo:

The city neighborhood of Buckhead is filled with beautifully constructed buildings presenting alluring views in every direction.

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

Park it • Parking lots available near restaurants and bars • Separate parking garages and lots include:

• Lanier Parking Solutions • LAZ • Elite Parking Systems

Lanier Parking Solutions

Parking Garage 2045 Peachtree Rd · (404) 352-4131

LAZ

Parking Lot 3116 Peachtree Rd · (404) 787-3329

Elite Parking System Parking Garage 1776 Peachtree St NE · (404) 892-1234

• Page 18 Kyma:

3085 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

• Page 17

Hours: Fri-Sat: 5:30 p.m.- 11 p.m.

Sunday: 5 p.m.- 10 p.m.

Mon- Thurs: 5:30 p.m.- 10 p.m.

Atlanta Fish Market:

265 Pharr Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 Hours: Fri- Sat: 10 a.m - 11 p.m.

Sunday: 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Mon- Thurs: 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.

• Page 15

• Page 15

Twin Peaks:

• Page 15

Moondogs:

3179 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 Hours: Sunday Closed Monday Closed Tuesday: 7 p.m.- 3 a.m.

Wednesday: 9 p.m.- 3 a.m.

Thursday: 7 p.m.- 3 a.m.

Fri- Sat: 9 p.m.- 3 a.m.

3365 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 Hours: Fri- Sat: 11 a.m.- 2 a.m.

Sun- Wed: 11 a.m.- 12 a.m.

Fantasyland Records:

360 Pharr Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 Hours: Closed Sunday Mon-Sat: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Waiting On Martha:

P.O. BOX 420979 ATLANTA, GA 30342 Email: WAITINGONMARTHA@GMAIL.COM

• Page 14

• Page 13

2770 Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 Hours: Sunday: 3 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Monday Closed

Tues- Fri: 5 p.m.- 11 p.m.

Saturday: 3 p.m.- 12 a.m.

• Page 15

Vine & Tap

CRAFT STORE DIY!

ARTS & LIVING

12

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

The Vinyl Vision Fantasyland Records offers niche shopping amongst affluent Buckhead SYDNEY CUNNINGHAM

Arts and Living Associate Editor

PAGE DESIGN BY DARIAN MATHEWS | THE SIGNAL

A

mong the pastels, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash and The Velvet Underground’s banana litter the walls. Below and expanding the store, there are crates and crates of records down in Fantasyland.

Modestly run by a few, Fantasyland Records has been selling and buying vinyl and LPs since the ‘70s. They have the largest selection in town of mint condition pre-owned vinyl.

“We’ve been in Buckhead since 1976. We were here before it became our ‘Beverly Hills’,” Mark Gunter, the store manager, said.

Gunter has worked as the store manager since the 1982. It is owned by Andy Folio, who named

it Fantasyland due to the high percentage of comics sold at that time. There are still comics, albeit few, sold in the back room of the store.

The staff entails simply the two with some extra help enlisted on Saturdays and Record Store Days.

The neighborhood of Buckhead is characterized as the opulent side of Atlanta, with boutiques, restaurants and big name stores that don’t make for a casual day on the wallet.

Fantasyland remains a part of the area that is isn’t highly priced and capable for regular visits.

“I think people find it comforting to still see a piece of old Atlanta remaining amongst all the new glamor and glitz going up around

us,” Gunter said. “A local indie record store right next to glittering ‘Buckhead Atlanta’.”

Due to the “glittering” aspect of the area also means the foot traffic has been of the star studded variety.

Fantasyland has received various big names, some multiple times.

“We’ve had quite a few of the celebrity types come in the store over the years.” Gunter shared.

Robert Plant, who bought a stack of 8-tracks, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, Elvis Costello, Peter Buck & Mike Mills of R.E.M., Fred Schneider of the B-52’s, Questlove and Chris Robinson are some of the famous faces Gunter is able to recall.

“Someone’s record collection can tell you a lot about their personality.”

-Mark Gunter

PHOTO BY JUSTIN CLAY | THE SIGNAL

Located in the Buckhead Village, Fantasyland Records has a vast collection of different records and CD’s that cover decades worth of music.

A Pick For You Mark Gunter recommends: “Pet Sounds” by The Beach Boys “I always say, pick up a copy [of “Pet Sounds”]. Listen to it, be amazed by the incredible beauty of it. You’ll end up taking it to your desert island.” Gunter said.

The Collection Like many record stores, alternative and rock music reign supreme with the vinyl format. However, Fantasyland houses all genres. The dominant category throughout the stacks is 1960’s to 1980’s classic rock and new alternative rock from the 1990’s to now. It isn’t all just rock throughout the store, the various genres that can be found in Fantasyland are: Classic Rock Indie/Alternative Rock Punk/Hardcore Jazz Pop R&B

Why Vinyl?

As shown by the subculture in Atlanta’s very own Little Five Points, there has been a resurgence in vinyl buying and stores in the past few years. What was once considered by some a relic of the past is now bought regularly at stores such as Fantasyland.

“Over the last few years, young people have discovered the indie record store culture for the first time. They see how much fun it is to seek out, purchase, listen to, and collect records,” Gunter said.

“They feel a part of a community.

They see how much more personal experience it is to have an actual piece of vinyl, that you have to listen to all the way through.

Instead of downloading individual songs, they’re hearing albums the way artists meant them to be heard.”

Whether the music discovered

Soul Hip-Hop Country Classical Folk Blues

Electronic Spoken Word Foreign 1950’s and 1960’s vocalists Soundtracks Political/Historical

Special Vinyl Dates be from the 1960’s or something much more recent, Gunter laments that a specific community has been given room identifying them as ‘the cool kids.’

In addition to the vast collection of records, Fantasyland sells CDs, cassette tapes, stickers, t-shirts, comics and posters that are hung up around the shop.

The medium of vinyl is also just as a draw as the community is.

With a vinyl album, there is 12” x 12” album art with sometimes extras inside such as posters, stickers and booklets.

“You can`t get all of that with little CDs or downloads. It’s fun building your own personal record collection,” Gunter said.

“Someone’s record collection can tell you a lot about their personality. Plus, vinyl sounds so much better.”

Presently, there is a generation discovering vinyl being raised by the generation that personally grew up and watched vinyl come and rise. This combination creates a special instance where music lovers can share something timeless.

“We’re also seeing a lot of people who grew up with records in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s buying new turntables and going back to vinyl,” Gunter shared. “We’re seeing entire families coming in together to look for records.”

In the Buckhead cozy and soft-hued shop, the intimately numbered staff can be less like walking through an antiquated pastime and more of a colorful addition in a music lover’s life.

“Watch the film ‘High Fidelity’, that’s basically us,” Gunter joked.

“Though, we’re nicer to our customers.”

The Third Saturday of April

Record Store Day is an annual event founded to celebrate the culture of the independently ran record store. On this day, people go out and support their local record shop.

Black Friday, Nov. 25

There are dramatic markdowns on all records.

Sell Your Discs Along with selling, Fantasyland will buy used records for money.

The qualifications are it has to be the type they are looking for and the record itself has to be in near mint condition with no scuffs or scratches.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN | THE SIGNAL Anyone is able to sell their records to Fantasyland as long as the conditions are met.

Wait on Martha:

13

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Or Do it Yourself...

NICHOLE PLACE

Arts and Living Associate Editor

R

oom décor is a defining factor for many houses, apartments and dorm rooms. When it comes to choosing the right decorations, it helps having a store that is dedicated to making each home perfect. Buckhead is the home of Waiting on Martha, a home décor store that can bring something special to any room.

Unfortunately, if this store had to be rated on a money sign scale, it would be rated with three or four. Most college students don’t even have one money sign to spare, so here are three DIYs inspired by items sold at Waiting on Martha for $15 or less.

This décor store is currently a pop-up shop but founder Mandy Kellogg Rye is currently working on making the store permanent. All of their products can be found on waitingonmartha.com

PHOTO BY JUSTIN CLAY | THE SIGNAL

Pictured is what the final products of the felt pendent, pom-pom basket, and clay-ring bowl will look like.

Felt Pendant:

Pom-Pom Basket:

Clay Ring Bowl:

Sold for: $28 DIY price: $6 (Not including optional stencils or glue gun) Materials: Three large squares of felt / pre cut felt pendants, scissors, hot glue or fabric glue and letter stencils (optional)

Sold for: $91 DIY price: $10-$15 (Price of basket will vary) Materials: A Woven basket,

Sold for: $12-$18 DIY price: $4-$12 (Depending on how many colors used) Material: Bake-able clay (any color), Oven safe bowl, Knife, Push pin or paper clip

A sporty-ish way to add a statement to any wall.

Get creative.

• Step one: Start with two large

squares of felt that are the same color and cut them into the shape of pendants. They can be any size they want but I recommend 9 inches by 18 inches. You want there to be two pendants in the same color.

Tip: This is where you can •

use the pre cut felt pendants

Step two: Next, take the third piece of felt, which is a different color, to create the letters.

Tip: Lay the pendant onto

the third sheet and trace it using chalk or a pencil. It will help when you sketch the letters out to make sure they will fit on your pendant.

• Step three: Using the chalk

or pencil sketch out the letters or saying onto the third piece of felt.

And then cut them out.

• Step four: Glue your two pendants together.

Yarn (any color) and scissors

• Step one: Start by taking the

• Step six: Then using the same

• Step one: Roll out your clay so it is flat and about half an inch thick.

yarn and wrapping it around your hand. You can wrap it around as many times as you want to make the pom-pom as thick or thin as you would like.

• Step two: Take a different

piece of the yarn and tie it around the middle of the loop of yarn you’ve just created. This should

Tip: Use more than one color

by braiding and twisting them together to create a marbled look

• Step two: Use a cup or anoth•

look like a number eight.

• Step three: Cut the top and bottom of the yarn “eight”. This will make the pom-pom.

• Step four: Take the pom-pom

and tie it to the basket with another piece of yarn. You may need to use a pencil to push the ends of the string towards the inside of the basket.

•

the string together to secure the pom-pom to the basket.

all the way around the basket.

Tip: You can create one signal line around the basket or create several different rows.

er round object to create a circle and cut it out using the knife.

Step three: Use the pushpin to write or draw something into the clay. Make sure that it is fairly deep but not so deep that it goes through the other side of the clay.

• Step four: Put the clay inside

• Step five: Tie the ends of

• Step five: Using any scrap ma- • Step six: Continue doing this terial that is the same color as the pendant, cut out four strips. You will then glue two to the front and two to the back on the flat end of the pendant. Each pair should create a “V” shape.

What’s cooler than a personalized ring dish? Nothing.

The cutest way to store your belongings.

•

of the bakeable bowl at 215 degrees for 15-20 minutes. If your clay comes with directions follow those.

Step five: When the clay has finished baking, crack the oven door and leave the bowl inside until it is cool enough to take it out with your hands.

Step six: Remove the clay from the bowl carefully so you don’t break it.

Tip: you can also use paint

to make your words stand out or line the rim of the ring bowl.

scrap material, cut out two more strips that are the same length as the flat end of the pendant. You will glue one strip to the front and one to the back to cover the bottoms of the “V” shapes.

• Step seven: Lastly, glue on your letters.

Tip: You can hang then

onto your wall using Velcro tape or create a garland with them by pining a string to the wall and clipping the pendants up with clothes pins.

PAGE DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL

Drunk in love:

ARTS & LIVING

14

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Buckhead’s badass bar scene INGA MASIC

Arts and Living Editor

Moondogs:

When searching for the ultimate package in a bar and establishing diversity, Moondogs carries the torch. This bar has features for every type of night owl, for those who just want to chat with their buds to those who are looking to rage hard until closing time.

“Moondogs offers a wider variety than bars around the area,” Caitlin Parrish, Manager, said. “We have four completely different rooms where you could go and grab a drink or play games. We feel that we have a room for every kind of mood. Whether you would want to sit at a table and drink with friends, play bar games, dance the night away, or sing your heart out to your favorite karaoke song, we have it! In addition to things to do, our drinks won’t break the bank. Our pintsized cocktails, draft and bottled beers are definitely the best deal in Buckhead.”

With the Buckhead scene always on the rise, Moondogs adapted by

B

uckhead is home to lavish skyscrapers and fancy stores, but deep within those lie places where letting the hair down and leaving troubles at home is sort of a necessity. The Buckhead bar crawl is notorious for drunken escapades, however some bars offer more than a guaranteed hangover, the bars below offer divergence. creating a variety of clever events to acquire large crowds, and being perched in the hectic population of Peachtree Street is a sweet bonus for the bar.

“Every Tuesday and Thursday we host a Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament,” Parrish said. “It is free to enter and winners can win cash and gift cards to Moondogs. It is a twelve week tournament and at the end, we hold a championship where the the 1st place winner will receive $600 and 2nd and 3rd place win gift cards. Every year I host a Beer Pong Tournament to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The winners receive a cash prize and the rest go towards the Susan G Komen Foundation.”

Moondogs is aware of the high volume of college students coming around, and to accommodate for the well-known fact that most student’s pockets run no deeper than a kiddie pool, they organized some deals.

“We have been a popular bar for

GSU students because we have some of the cheapest deals in Buckhead,” Parrish said. “It’s hard to beat $1 Vodka Cocktails and Busch Drafts on a Wednesday or $3 Whiskey Cocktails on a Saturday. We like to give our patrons the biggest bang for their buck. We also allow our venue to be rented out for private parties from holiday work parties to fraternity and sorority functions.”

With a different vibe radiating from every room within the bar, finding a niche will not be a taxing obstacle. Moondogs could be described as an amusement park, with a ton of alcohol in every corner and the questionable singing skills of visitors blasting the air.

“It is a comfortable and friendly bar that attracts those trying to catch the game, enjoy a cocktail or trying ones hand at one of the many bar games offered. Moondogs offers a full liquor bar, a wide variety of draft and bottled beers, and wine,” Parrish said.

“I was in the wine business in New York for about eight years, and then went to Vegas and opened up a couple hotels and nightclubs,” Mendelsohn said. “Then I moved to redo the St. Regis and my wife and I moved to Atlanta and we love it.

We opened a place where it’s really casual to hang out with friends and be chill with good food.

Not only is Vine and Tap a place to simply drink wine, but also a place to learn about it. (name) created events for customers to fully understand the wine world and become closer to being wine experts.

“We do wine education classes and that will be starting at the end of the month. We also do something called flights, which is where you taste three different wines, beers or liquors,” Mendelsohn said. “We just did Italian flights and we do bourbon flights. So, it’s like you get a little

education about drinking them.

We also do half-priced flights every Wednesday. Then on Sundays, since my wife’s family is from southern Italy and then moved to northern New Jersey, we do a $20 Italian Sunday supper and do a half-priced off our wine list.”

Vine and Tap is located in a convenient area that attracts many commuters and out-of-towners.

Also, with the new additions to the wine bar, a larger crowd is to be anticipated for this mellow joint.

“The reason we chose our specific location is there’s a tremendous amount of hotels in the area and we are within two miles of one of the hotels. We are also right by 85 and 400 so you can get here pretty easily. We also just hired a new chef, he was running One Eared Stag in Atlanta, so potentially there are things coming out of that and we are possibly adding a lunch service,” Mendelsohn said.

ready to start hosting a BARE (Bar and Restaurant Employee Night) night on Wednesdays from nine to close. We are going to give anybody that is in the bar and restaurant industry 50 percent off the food.”

Twin Peaks has established an cabin lodge essence where the beer is always cold and every customer can sit by their firepit. They have created their own method to making food, and serving their drinks as well.

“We have an incredible whiskey collection, which whiskeys are so popular right now,” Hummel said.

“You can drink a whiskey on an ice ball, we take ice blocks and make them into ice balls and you around whickey and get an ice ball with it. We have a scratch kitchen, when you look at a scratch kitchen most places are going to charge you quite a bit, our scratch kitchen is affordable. We have 32 different draft handles always at 29 degrees.

We have a customized draft system that pours all of our drafts, and there is a temperature reading on all of the stores. The temperature pulls right off the draft handle, so at any given time you can look up at the temperature reader and see what is pouring at.”

Twin Peaks is the ultimate destination for a comfortable night out with buds, and also for college students to bond over sports games, beer, and food.

“We have the tv package, where you can watch any sporting event you want, so if you are from out of town and from Georgia State you can look at your hometown team, Hummel said. If you are from town and want to watch Georgia State play you can come down and watch them play as well. We have affordable options with a great quality.. so a student from Georgia State who probably doesn’t have a ton of disposable income can come in and have a great experience.”

PAGE DESIGN BY DARIAN MATTHEWS | THE SIGNAL

Moondogs Mashup: Different Features -A sports bar -A karaoke bar -A pub with dart lanes -A club side/dance floor -Pool tables -Beer pong tables -A Flip cup table -Skee ball

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Two girls chat over a game of pool at Moondogs bar.

Vine and Tap: It’s time to put down the tequila shot and pick up the sangria, it’s all about wine. When feeling the urge to step away from the intense charades within Buckhead’s bar strip, Vine and Tap should be the first stop. It’s relaxing atmosphere will ease the mind and the large collection of reasonably-priced wine will ease the wallet.

“Vine and Tap is a local pub that specializes in great wine, interesting food and awesome beer and cocktails,” Ian Mendelsohn, Owner, said. “It doesn’t break the bank and is very casual and comfortable. My wife and I opened this because we didn’t like paying those crazy prices for the really interesting, great wines.”

Before becoming part of a power couple taking Buckhead/Atlanta by storm, (Name) began his career in similar fields gathering up experience to add credibility to his character as a wine bar owner.

Twin Peaks: Sports fans, gather! This bar and restaurant has answered the call from every jersey-wearing fanatic in the greater Atlanta area.

Twin Peaks in Buckhead is just one of several locations where the franchise has set up shop, and welcomes anyone wanting to experience the ultimate sports cave.

“We are very crowded for every sporting event, we do fantasy football and draft parties all throughout the July and August time leading into football season,” Joe Hummel, COO, said. “We host alumni groups and we have KCPO parties. Every monday we are having an Atlanta Hawks Night, that starts January 18 all the way up until the playoffs. March Madness is absolutely insane in our building, you have 100 tvs and obviously March Madness has so many different games going on at so many different times, so it’s a really cool event. We are getting

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Two friends belt out Toto’s “Stop Loving You” in the karaoke bar, one of the four bars inside Moondogs.

Twin Peaks Brewing: Collection of Ales -American Brown Ale -Golden Ale -American White Ale -Inidan Pale Ale

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

The bartenders keep the beer mugs in freezers at 29 degrees Fahrenheit, so that there is a frosted surface when the beer is served to the customer.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

ARTS & LIVING

15

Buckhead bars continued

There are about two beer pong stations located in each bar within Moondogs, that any can play for some drunken fun.

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Vine & Tap’s relaxed atmosphere offers a great night out.

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

On the outside patio of Twin Peaks a fire pit can be found for customers to enjoy while lounging on the lawn chairs.

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

The ice ball is a signature option Twin Peaks offers that gives any customer’s whiskey a classy touch.

QA

ARTS & LIVING

16

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

&

Tasting Atlanta through the hands of culinary experts The freshness of Buckhead restaurants

W

hen it comes to fresh food, and high quality ingredients the Atlanta Fish Market and Kyma take great pride in their reputation. Executive chef at the Atlanta Fish Market, Robert Holley, and Executive chef at Kyma, Pano Karatassos, describe their experience at the popular eateries.

CHANTE FOSTER Staff Reporter

The Atlanta Fish Market Chef Robert Holley, also known by his nickname, Chef Bobby, has been the head chef at Atlanta fish market since the restaurant first opened. The fish market is the hub for all fresh fish served within the Buckhead restaurant group. Chef Bobby’s experience as executive chef at the Atlanta Fish market has been an exciting experience.

When did you decide to join the culinary arts?

Holley: “I’m a native New Yorker, and I was wondering what I was going to do for a living, I was going to college, so I decide to do what I’ve done best and that was cook.” Holley said. “ I worked at a hospital in the kitchen and then i decided to go to the culinary institute. So I went to the Culinary Institute of America and that was the most fun thing that I’ve ever done. It was a lot of hard work but that was on the the greatest parts of my life.

How would you define the volume at the Atlanta Fish Market?

Holley: “This is a large volume business, we have about 55 employees in the kitchen. I can be a lot of stress, but it’s also very rewarding, in the fact that we’re feeding so many people. Im pleased

with our accomplishments that the Atlanta Fish Market. Even though I’ve been here 15 years I still like to cook and get my hand in the back.

In the evening once everything starts rolling, I have to be the conductor making sure everybody is doing their part.”

What’s your best creation?

Holley: “It’s hard to say what my best creation is because I’m always coming up with something different and over the years there is so many of them.”

Compared to your prior experience at other restaurants, how would you describe your experience at the fish market?

Holley: “Atlanta Fish market is blessed with volume and a lot of fresh product, and I’m probably more spoiled than most chefs because I have the opportunity of all the different sea food coming through the door everyday. It’s hard to say what’s going to be my greatest creation, but I would like to think that tomorrow will have an even better creation.”

What are some characteristics that make the Atlanta fish market special?

Holley: “I think it’s the uniques

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Atlanta Fish Market serves a variety of delicious sushi dishes.

of the restaurant.The size and flexibility, we can take a party of 12 that has no reservation, and slide a couple of tables together and say ‘you’re in.’ Where as you can get a reservation on a friday night anywhere. We have the fresh fish, it’s exciting and family friendly and something for everyone.”

Where do you find inspiration?

Holley: “It’s an inner feeling, I’m an artist with ingredients that I can do whatever I want with. People are coming to eat at the fish market but their also tasting a little bit of my style. I was taught classical french cuisine, but I get a little risk at times by doing things a little differently. I grew up on Long Island on the coast and it makes it easier for me because we had shrimp clams and oysters as a kid.”

What should guest know at the restaurant?

Holley: “We’re in the heart of buckhead, it’s an exciting honor to work here and run this place. The location is great, and the standard that we set is within the seafood and the product. The guest can expect a fresh product properly made, at a reasonable price, with a great portion size, in a fun atmosphere with great service.”

PAGE DESIGN BY DARIAN MATTHEWS | THE SIGNAL

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

Chefs at the Atlanta Fish Market have the luxury of working with fresh seafood of all types that are delivered every day.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

17

ARTS & LIVING

Buckhead Restaurants continued

Kyma Chef Pano, started his cooking journey at home in the kitchen with his grandmother. Today he is the executive chef for Kyma, a mediterranean seafood restaurant.

The inspiration for the restaurant came from Pano’s heritage and experience.

Out of all the restaurants that you’ve worked in what makes Kyma so special or unique?

Pano: “What makes Kyma Special to me is the fact that I’m able to be apart of a restaurant that is a part of my heritage.”

What sparked your interest in the culinary arts?

Pano: “The first person that ever taught me how to cook was my grandmother, and she lived with us ever since I was eight years old, and was with me up until I was 23.

She ran our kitchen at home like a restaurant, always going to the grocery store to purchase something for today and tomorrow,she was always cooking something for that day, but also something for the next.

She had a litte cycle, and I learned how to taste with her and how to cook with her. So that was an important part of my life.”

How did your previous cooking experience prepare you for being executive chef at Kyma?

Pano: “Working for a great restaurant owner like my father or great chefs like Eric Ripert and

PHOTOS SUBMITTED | BUCKHEAD LIFE RESTAURANT GROUP

Located in the heart of Buckhead, Kyma prides itself on the dining experience, fresh foods, and Greek authenticity.

Interesting Facts: Kyma is the greek word for wave Popular menu items at Kyma are: Spinach pies Lamb Pies and greek salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumber and feta Fresh fish is flown in daily to the Atlanta Fish Market There a four sections to the Atlanta fish Market; the family or dining room, the bar, the date room, and the retail market where customers can purchase fish to go.

The massive statue, located outside the Atlanta Fish Market, is 67 feet.The unique statute is a combination of more than one type of fish.

Thomas Keller taught me cooking at the highest possible level. At the time those guys where top chefs in the world, and still are today.

So learning how to cook at the highest level, and then forming a creative aspect, of what it takes, to put a dish together, while bringing what I learned with my grandmother. Prepared me for cooking at that level. I learned the french techniques, and foundation that helped me create a cuisines at Kyma that is super high-in, fun and casual.

What are some things that you take into consideration when selecting Ingredients?

Pano: “Our menu is changed on a weekly basis, we keep a lot of the same standards on there, because that’s what people expect when they come here.There are a couple of things that continue to stay on the menu, and we have to source top products, for instance if I’m serving tomatoes in December they have to be top notch so we spend a lot of time on sourcing and ingredients.

How does the community contribute to the growth of the restaurant?

Pano: “Buckhead has changed since we opened, and people were driving from all around atlanta to dine at the restaurant. We have a great following that dines here at the restaurant, we know our area and we cater to them.

What makes Kyma stand out from other restaurants?

Pano: “I think the standard appetizer, entere and dessert style restaurant is boring, compared to a restaurant that promotes sharing in the middle of the table. I think people appreciate that they can come here and have a lot of fun trying appetizers. You’re going to have a three course, seven taste meal at Kyma, and you’re going to leave here with seven taste in your mouth and seven different foods, as opposed to three from at traditional restaurant.”

What can guest expect?

Pano: “There’s two types of dining here, there’s the formal dining room which is super high in full of the best of greece, from the greek products like the olive oils , yogurts and whole fish,” Pano said. “ Then there is a more casual style atmosphere in our octopus lounge, portions and prices are smaller, but there is still the super high quality.”

What’s Kymas signature dish?

Pano: “The octopus is a staple food item at Kyma. “ We always say that we introduced Atlanta to octopus, we may not be the first restaurant to put octopus on the menu, but we’re definitely the first restaurant where every single table gets octopus.” “We’ve had a great run with many dishes, implementation of seasonal dishes such as the calamari pasta, oven

reviews

18

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

FILM REVIEW

Will Smith acts brilliantly, but can’t save this one FERNANDO MATTOS

Staff Reviewer

S

ome films come along and you’re glad to see them to satisfy curiosity about a topic, but you wouldn’t buy a DVD or look them up again on Netflix.

“Concussion” made me feel I was watching that kind of film. Despite the great acting by Will Smith, the movie just doesn’t seem to offer enough for a second viewing.

“Concussion” is a good film, but it eventually suffers the long run.

Overall, one gets the feeling that this story could have been better told with a documentary, rather than a fiction product. This is the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu (Smith) who called the country’s attention to serious head injuries football players suffer over their careers, leaving drastic consequences much after their last touchdowns. Dr. Omalu, however, just isn’t a character that is interesting enough to hold audiences for two hours.

There is a clear split in the structure of the film. In the first half, we see what led to Dr. Omalu’s research and his conclusions. In the second half, it is the fight of Dr. Omalu versus the NFL. This kind of double structure adds some variety to the film. Director and writer Peter Landesman does a great job in avoiding the long tribunal sequences often associated with this

kind of movie. Seeing Dr. Omalu work, go home, fall in love, buy a home are all very welcome scenes, as they help build his character and save the audience from unnecessary tribunal details.

Character building starts from minute one, when Dr. Omalu lists his impressive resume before a court. Will Smith delivers a master class, and it’s difficult to imagine the film without him. He has an incredible ability to communicate as several immigrants do, trying to make facial expressions and tone of voice to make up for everyday words that are not always on the tip of the tongue. It’s easy to see the genius and the brilliant mind of this doctor who speaks to the dead and, as he points out, “for the dead.” This dichotomy is impressive in Smith’s work and, if he eventually wins a Golden Globe or an Oscar for this role, it would be well deserved.

In terms of cinematography, Landesman gives us a film that falls heavily towards the blue and grey.

The color tone matches the cold: the cold weather of Pittsburgh, the cold dead bodies Dr. Omalu examines and the cold hearts of a company that neglected for long the risks associated with its sport. The color scheme fits the movie perfectly and also helps to bring out the introspective moments Dr. Omalu goes through.

The movie has a big pitfall in terms of story versus screen time.

There are moments in the film that just seem to drag for a little too long with nothing new being presented.

RATED: PG-13 GRADE: BVERDICT: Great

performance by Will Smith and solid directing, but just not interesting enough for a fiction film hitting the twohour mark.

Character development is great at the beginning, but the true starting point – Dr. Omalu’s discovery – comes unreasonably late in the first act. The problem gets bigger by the end, when the final solution seems to take ages to come, such as the last two minutes of a football game.

“Concussion” is a tough film to sell. It tackles a sport that is very dear to our country and exposes its flaws. Outside the U.S., football clearly isn’t the sport of choice. Box office figures show that this wasn’t a winning combination. Judging only by its own merits, “Concussion” is a good film with a great performance

by Will Smith. The directing is above average and does nothing that takes away from the film, except for the pace. However, it’s hard to say I would see it again. The story seems to belong in the documentary world, not the fictional one. It’s even harder to recommend unless you have a deep rooted passion for Smith or the topic of sport medicine and politics. This one falls short of a touchdown in many ways.

SYNOPSIS:

While conducting an autopsy on former NFL football player Mike Webster, forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu discovers neurological deterioration that is similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Other athletes face the same diagnosis, the crusading doctor embarks on a mission to raise public awareness about the dangers of footballrelated head trauma.

ALBUM REVIEW

‘Hamilton’ thrives in the 21st century as a musical CATRINA DYGERT

Staff Reviewer

A

lexander Hamilton is a well-known name in history classes, but now it’s spreading around Broadway too. According to Playbill.com, “Hamilton: An American Musical” made $30 million just in pre-sale tickets, making it the second biggest box office hit, right behind “The Lion King.” The musical first took a bow on Broadway with previews in July 2015 and opened for consecutive sold-out showings in August.

Part of of the acclaim surrounding “Hamilton” comes from its divergence from typical Broadway acts. The soundtrack, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, relies heavily on hip-hop and R&B influences.

The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Rap Charts in Dec. 2015 following its release in September of the same year. The original cast recording has also been nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.

Another revolutionary element is the cast, which is made up almost entirely of black and Hispanic actors. Miranda told The New York Times this was a deliberate choice to represent America as it is now:

“It’s a way of pulling you into the story and allowing you to leave whatever cultural baggage you have about the founding fathers at the door.”

The musical itself is separated into two acts. Even though there is little dialogue in the play itself, the story progresses through musical numbers. Act I has an intense, almost frantic energy as it portrays Hamilton’s climb from nothing to his position as one of the most powerful men in the country. The opening number, “Alexander Hamilton,” introduces all the characters, including the title character himself, and begins with his history as an orphan. The first act also features Hamilton’s beginnings in politics in “My Shot,” and his wedding to Eliza Schuyler in “Satisfied,” a song that is heartbreaking and empowering at the same time. The final scene sets up the increased tension between Hamilton and Aaron Burr, who is envious of Hamilton’s success and “Non-stop” work ethic.

Act II is no less intense than the first but far more tragic. The act follows the progression Hamilton’s life as he falls victim to his own hubris. The first inkling of turmoil comes in “Take a Break,” when Hamilton stays behind to work during his family’s vacation. The

TOP TRACKS: • “MY SHOT” • “SATISFIED” • “WAIT FOR IT” marriage gets worse when Hamilton begins an affair in the next scene.

There is even more strain on Hamilton and Eliza when their son, Phillip, is dies following a duel in a heart-wrenching performance during “Stay Alive (Reprise).” The scene also foreshadows Hamilton’s own downfall during a duel with Burr, who laments Hamilton’s death in “The World Was Wide Enough.”

In the song, Burr worries that he will be marked as the villain in history for killing Hamilton, however, Michael Gray, 23, who proudly said he has listened to soundtrack six times through, believes Hamilton is actually the villain of his own story. Gray said, “Everything that goes wrong is [Hamilton’s] own fault.” On the other side, Nico Boggs, 22, believes Hamilton is the previously “unsung hero of American history.” Thanks to Miranda, Hamilton is certainly being sung about now, and “Hamilton” is making history of its own.

“HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL” GRADE: A VERDICT: A classic underdog story with a tragic end,

“Hamilton” gives history a fresh face. Miranda’s touching lyrics help bring the man from history textbooks to life.

It is a refreshing deviation from typical Broadway musical style, though, at two and a half hours long, it does get a little long-winded.

SPORTS

Williams begins Panther career

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

Isaiah Williams shares his journey to Georgia State LEAH COTTEN Staff Reporter

R

edshirt sophomore Isaiah Williams may be quiet and laid back, but his basketball skills and determination speak volumes.

At the age of five Williams began to play basketball under the instruction of his father, who at the time coached a recreational team in Collins Hill.

Williams continued his athletic career as a multisport athlete until his sophomore year in high school.

At that point,

Williams knew he wanted to pursue basketball full time. Therefore, he placed baseball to the side and began to play basketball year round.

During his senior season in high school (2012-13), Williams scored a career-high 25 points against North Hall. He then helped lead his high school team to the Final Four.

Williams’ ability to score, rebound, and dominate small defenders made him a prime recruit at the point guard position. Williams received offers from Ole Miss, Chattanooga, Jacksonville, and Samford.

After graduating from Buford High School, Williams attended Samford University where he played his 2013-14 season at the point guard position.

“At the point guard position you basically have to orchestrate the offense,” Williams said. “Basically make sure

everyone is in the right spots and make sure it runs properly.”

Williams averaged 11.9 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.8 rebounds during his freshman year with Samford. While at Samford, Williams led the team in assists, three-pointers made and was the second highest scorer for the 2013-14 season. He also received honors such as 2014 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, Four-time Southern Conference Freshman of the Week and 2014 Southern Conference All-Freshman Team.

Even though these accomplishments are noteworthy, Williams does not take time to look back at what he has done so far. He is always striving to become a better player.

“I don’t really pay too much attention to that, I just come out and play my game,” he said. “I don’t really worry about the awards.”

Later Williams decided to transfer schools, and Georgia State was on his list. When visiting the campus for the first time, Williams fell in love immediately. However, it wasn’t just the campus that sold Williams on attending Georgia State. He also fell in love with coach Hunter and the basketball staff. The hard working individuals along with the winning program convinced Wiliams that this was the right move.

A primary focus for Williams is family.

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Isaiah Williams is currently third on the team in scoring.

Why Georgia State?

“I was coming back home. That was a big reason I came to Georgia State was to be close to my family and come back home,” he said.

Former high school teammate and now senior forward, T.J. Shipes, was excited to see Williams transfer to Georgia State.

“I knew how talented he was in high school even though he was a few years behind me,” Shipes said.

“He is a dynamic player who has brought a lot to our team this year.

Even though I will be gone after this year, I look forward to watching him grow and continue to help the program for years to come.”

Williams officially transferred to Georgia State, but the 2014-15 season did not workout in his favor. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he had to redshirt his first year as a Panther.

“That was easily probably the hardest year of my life, not being able to play,” he said. “I had to just sit and watch, but I feel like it helped a lot.”

Although Williams experienced this trying year, he held on and is now able to play along side his teammates. He described the feeling of being able to hit the court again as great. He has entered the 201516 season as an impact player offensively and defensively.

Williams was able to showcase his evolving skills and close out the game against Middle Tennessee. Williams completed two free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining in the second half resulting in a 64-62 Panther Victory.

This was a big game for Williams as he totaled 13 points, five assists, and two steals. He also went 9-for-12 from the freethrow line.

“Isaiah Williams is an extremely talented player who is going to be a huge part of our success for the

next few years,” Coach Hunter said.

“Considering that he was not able to play last year, I think he is making great progress this year.”

He has no problem contributing to Panther victories with a steady accumulation of points or finding the best shot. Williams would like to improve on is being a better vocal leader. Williams is known for his reserved demeanor, but in spite of that, he knows that playing at the guard position calls for him to step up and become a key member in communication.

Williams recognizes that this responsibility will soon be his, so he is taking notes and practicing those vocal skills from one of his teammates, Kevin Ware.

“He stepped up a lot this year and became a better leader,” Williams said. “I feel like next year when he’s gone I’m going to have to take that role so that I can learn from him.” The 2015-16 season is only the beginning for Williams. He will continue to learn as well as set new goals that he wants to accomplish by the time he graduates. One of these goals includes winning a Championship. After the Panthers 2014-15 NCAA Tournament run, Williams’ goal has the potential to become a reality one day.

“It takes a while to get adjusted to our system, but I think he is doing a great job, and I really enjoy coaching him,” Coach Hunter said.

Williams will continue to play at the point guard position for the remainder of the 2015-16 season and will work on his skills as well as motivate his teammates along the way.

SPORTS

20

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Column

Football finishes a successful season A look back at the year that fans will remember for a long time DEVONE SLAPPY Staff Reporter

T

he Panthers came into their third season in Division I football with a 1-23 record.

Questions of whether the Panthers would continue this trend of only winning one more game than the previous season came about.

However, the Panthers made sure this year would be the best one yet.

Georgia State started their season off with a close home loss to Charlotte 23-20, but got their first win of the season the very next game against New Mexico State 34-32. With already winning the same amount of games as last year, there was hope for a better season for the team.

Panthers downfall

After their first win of the season, the Panthers went on a 3-game losing streak, when they gave up an average of 46 points. Two of the losses were at home with one being a conference loss. The other game was at Oregon, a matchup where the Panthers were complete underdogs.

The Panthers would finally stop this losing streak by beating Ball State 31-19 on the road. Even with just two wins for the season, this was considered the Panthers best Division I football year yet, having more wins than the previous two years.

To say the least, this football season was indeed a rollercoaster, as they lost their next two games to Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette. The Panthers were sitting at a 2-6 record and were one game away from not becoming bowl eligible. It was known Georgia State would need to win their last four games in order to become bowl eligible. A tall order for a team who has only won three games out of their last 32, but anything is impossible especially in sports.

Panthers do the impossible

Their next game was at Texas State, a conference game in which the Panthers came out guns blazing on offense scoring 41 points and the defense holding Texas State to just 19. This was the Panthers highest scoring game of the season thanks to Nick Arbuckle throwing for over 450 yards and tossing four touchdown passes. This was the start the Panthers needed to gain confidence and become bowl eligible for the first time in school history.

The Panthers next game was against South Alabama at home. It was a defensive game in which the Panthers defense held the Jaguars under 300 total yards and zero points in the second half. The Panthers won 24-10 and found a different way than last week to get the win by being

more defensive than offensive.

The Panthers would host Troy next, a game in which the Panthers dominated even though the score of 31-21 may not reflect it. The Panthers ran over 80 offensive plays and accumulated 519 total yards and had one of their best offensive running games of the season rushing for 151 yards. The Panthers were up 31-7 at one point in the game, until Troy scored the final two touchdowns by the end of the game. The Panthers were on a three game winning streak and were one win away from becoming bowl eligible with the only team in their way being rival Georgia Southern.

The Georgia State and Georgia Southern game is always big for bragging rights, but the fact that this game would determine if the Panthers would go to their first bowl game made it even more entertaining.

The Panthers were indeed underdogs as the Eagles were coming into the game with an 8-3 record and were undefeated at home. However records mean nothing, it all comes down to how a team performs on game day and that’s how the Panthers entered the game.

The Panthers would destroy Georgia Southern on the road beating them 34-7 and become bowl eligible. The Panthers took off in the second half after it was tied 7-7 and would end up scoring 27 unanswered points. The Panthers defense held one of the top offensive rushing teams in the nation to only 135 rushing yards and only 203 total yards. It wasn’t just the defense that performed; the offense also did their job putting up over 480 yards of total offense.

The Panthers would participate in the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida against San Jose State. The Panthers lost 27-16, giving up two touchdowns in a row in the fourth quarter to give San Jose State their comeback victory. Georgia State had one of their worst offensive performances of the season only having 230 yards of total offense.

The Panthers may have lost their bowl game, but this was indeed their best Division I football season in school history. They had a 2-6 record and managed to go on an unbelievable 4 game winning streak, in which they put the smack down on rival Georgia Southern in their house. The Panthers finished with a 6-7 record, went to their first bowl game, and had more wins than other seasons. This football season is one for the history books.

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | SIGNAL ARCHIVES

Georgia State fans make the trip out to Orlando to support their team in Orlando.

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

The Panthers held out strong against the Spartans only to fall short with a 27-16 loss.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

21

SPORTS

DEVONE SLAPPY Staff Reporter

N

ot only did Georgia State athletics continue to improve in play last fall, athletes also posted the best academic semester in program history.

College sports are mainly about wins and losses and beating your rival school in each and every sport.

However, one of the main reasons people attend college is to get a degree; that’s what students pay for. Georgia State’s athletes this past semester have had one of their best semesters in school history in the classroom.

Overall, Georgia State’s athletic department finished with a cumulative grade point average of 3.17, which is the highest in school history. There were a total of 206 student-athletes who earned academic honors. For the President’s List, 4.0 GPA or higher, there were 44 student athletes. For the Dean’s List, 3.5 GPA or higher, there were 70 student-athletes. For the AD Honor Roll, 3.0 GPA or higher, there were 92 student-athletes.

Academic awards/ accomplishment by sport

For the football team, there were 39 players who earned academic honors.

Four players made the President’s list: center Gabe Mobley, running back Anthony Valverde, tight end Jacob Nesmith, and placekicker Michael Matthews. Nine players made the Dean’s List and 26 made the AD Honor Roll. The team combined for a cumulative GPA of 2.88. For the football team to have their best football season in school history and still perform as they did in the classroom is indeed remarkable.

For the women’s basketball team, seven players earned academic honors. Morgan Jackson was the only player on the President’s List earning a 4.0 GPA as a senior. Forward Haley Gerrin, junior, and guard Kierra Henry, freshman, made the Dean’s list. D’Arcy Draper, Erica Norwood, Kennesha Nichols, and Madison Newby all made the AD Honor roll.

The team as a whole combined for a 2.9 GPA. Georgia State men’s golf had eight players earn academic honors for the fall semester. Nathan Mallonee and Max Herrmann earned President List honors, while J.J. Grey, Alexander Herrmann, Sean Murphy and Same Asbury earned Dean’s List honors.

Nick Budd and Nathan Williams were the only two to earn AD Honor Roll.

The team as a whole finished with a 3.52 GPA. Georgia State women’s golf team had all eight of its players earn academic honors. Solene Le Coz, Emily Royer, Yasemin Sari and Gloria

Zietler all earned President Lists honors. Jemima Gregson was the only player to make the Dean’s list on the team. Julie Lied, Jooeun Bae and Paula Zabarte all earned AD Honor Roll honors. The team as a whole combined for a 3.79 GPA, which was the highest among all Georgia State sports for the fall semester.

Student athletes fall commencement

There were a total of 18 studentathletes who graduated this fall semester. Seven football players graduated: Bruce Dukes, Lynquez Blair, Nate Simon-Jefferson, Dartez Jacbos, David Huey, Jah-Mai Davidson, and Joel Ruiz. There two players for baseball, David Levy and Jerry Stuckey. Kitan Ajanaku and Andrea’ Ezell were the only court volleyball players to graduate. For men’s golf it was Gus Wagoner, for men’s soccer Cory Plasker, and for men’s tennis it was Sofiane Chevallier.

Miranda Smith and Alisha Andrews were the only women’s basketball players to graduate. Finally, for women’s track Hannah Stefanoff and for women’s tennis Chaimaa Roudami graduated from their athletic field.

The Georgia State athletic department as a whole made great accomplishments in the classroom this year with so many studentathletes receiving accolades and students graduating.

Cumulative GPA: 3.17

Georgia State athletes in the classroom OVERALL BREAKDOWN 206 student-athletes who earned academic honors

President’s list 4.0 GPA or higher

44

AD Honor Roll Dean’s list 3.5 GPA or higher

students

3.0 GPA or higher

92

students

70

students

SPORTS

22

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Welcome home, Erica Norwood

QA &

with Women’s Basketball

transfer guard

New women’s guard, Eric Norwood, in one of her first games at Georgia State.

RASHAD MILLIGAN Sports Editor

So Erica, introduce yourself to the Georgia State faithful. Who is Erica Norwood and what does she bring to the table as a person and as a player?

I’m a person that’s quick to adapt. I love to play hard, I love to get to the gritty and like I said, I love to play under pressure. That’s just who I am as a person in the real world and on the court.

You all have been winning and you’re one of the key players at the top of the statistic categories. How important is winning to you?

Winning is very important to me. Also, getting better is really important to me as well. I just want my team starve around each other, though I’m a key player, I feel like we’re all key players and we’re just still learning to mold and hopefully we can still come out and perform every day.

How long do you think it’s going to take you all to finally get it together, with the chemistry and all?

We’re a really young team and every game I see us getting better and better, so I can’t really pinpoint when... but allowing us to peak at the end of the season would be really great for our program.

Why’d you come back home to Georgia State?

Just a lot of family, friends. I felt comfortable here, I love the coaching staff, team, everything’s perfect.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Favorite part of moving back?

Erica

Just being in the city, along with all my friends that’ve seen me growing up and just being able to feel like I’m at home. I feel like I’m playing at home, playing for my family, so it’s good being able to play, you know, at the end of my college career.

Norwood

Favorite athlete other than yourself at the moment?

I really love Steph Curry. Not because he’s one of the best players right now, it was more before that, just how he could create his shot, how he’s a scoring point guard but he can still make the pass, make the play and he’s always been developing. So, I like to watch him, that’s my favorite player.

Would you ever challenge Steph Curry to a three-point contest?

[Sigh]...yeah. I’ve been practicing! I try to practice the way he practices. Especially with his shooting and my shooting has improved. It’s tough, but hey, why not? I’m up for the challenge.

Favorite dance?

I like to Hit Dem Folks.

Favorite song?

Um, I really don’t have a favorite song. I like to write music, so I like my own music.

You write your own music, so do you rap?

Yeah, I rap.

Ah, so we definitely have to hear some of that later this season, we appreciate you for your time Erica.

Alright, thank-you!

Norwood is a redshirt junior transfer from Furman.

She grew up in Georgia and graduated from Campbell High School in Smyrna, where her No. 4 jersey was retired after walking across the stage with honors in May 2011.

Averaged 21.2 points at the Air Force Prep School, scored 22 points against High Point for Furman.

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

SPORTS CALENDAR *CONFERENCE GAME

GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Morgan Jackson Basketball The biology major and senior was named to the Fall Semester President’s List and now holds a 3.86 cumulative GPA. Although the impact might not show on the stat sheet every night, Jackson serves as a veteran leader with poise to hold the team together when the Panthers begin to seemingly lose pace of the game. She is an athlete in the middle of her senior season, doing what she has for the past three years at Georgia State, which is attend workouts, practice, games and make great grades as a biology major.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Thursday, Jan. 14

UL Monroe-Samaritan’s Feet Charity Game * at GSU Sports Arena 5 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 16

Sun Belt Standings

2nd 3rd 4th

at GSU Sports Arena 2:30 p.m.

MEN’S TENNIS Saturday, Jan. 16 Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Ala. 5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17 Furman

at Atlanta, Ga. 5 p.m.

UL Lafayette *

at GSU Sports Arena 12 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL Thursday, Jan. 14

UL Monroe-Samaritan’s Feet Charity Game * at GSU Sports Arena 7:30p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 16 UL Lafayette *

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

1st

WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD Friday, Jan. 15

University of Alabama at Birmingham Invite at Birmingham, Ala. 10 a.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Arkansas State

Little Rock

4-0 | Overall: 10-3

4-0 | Overall: 14-1

UL Lafayette

Arkansas State

3-1 | Overall: 10-3

4-0 | Overall: 8-7

Troy

UT Arlington

3-1 | Overall: 8-5

3-0 | Overall: 12-2

Texas State

Georgia State

2-1 | Overall: 7-6

3-1 | Overall: 10-3

UT Arlington

UL Monroe

2-1 | Overall: 7-6

2-2 | Overall: 6-9

6th

Appalachian State

Texas State

2-2 | Overall: 5-8

1-2 | Overall: 7-5

7th

Little Rock 2-2 | Overall: 4-9

South Alabama

8th

Georgia State

5th

9th

23

SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

1-3 | Overall: 6-9

THE FINAL SCORE Football

Football lands Manning transfer in quest to replace Arbuckle Utah backup quarterback Conner Manning announced he will transfer to Georgia State to compete for the starting quarterback position vacated by senior Nick Arbuckle. Since Manning graduated from Utah, he is eligible to play for the Panthers next season. In high school, Manning broke Matt Barkley’s Orange County record for passing yards his junior season, slinging 4,219 yards.

Track and Field

Wells, Berger continue where they left off as Track and Field begins season Track and Field began its season Jan. 8, where the Panthers had two first place finishes. LaPorscha Wells finished first, throwing for a distance of 18.71m. Stefanie Berger finished first in the 5,000m run, with a time 17:49.63. On Jan. 9, Wells won again with a shot put of 15.17m. Berger followed Wells winning streak, by finishing first in the 3,000m with a time of 10:22.87

Basketball

Men keep home winning streak alive, Women inconsistency and roller coaster season continues

The Men have pushed the home winning streak to 14 games. Over winter break, the team lost to conference opponent UT-Arlington, who beat Ohio State earlier this season. The Women were able to play Erica Norwood the first time since she transferred to Georgia State last year, but Norwood has battled injury issues. Freshman guard Kierra Henry has also been sidelined with an injury as Haley Gerrin minutes and role are increasing since returning from offseason surgery. The Women’s inconsistent health has reflected the team’s streaks, as the last seven games have consists of a four-game winning streak and current threegame losing streak.

NFL

Wilson makes Panther pro history

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson became the first football player from Georgia State to play in an NFL playoff game on Jan 9. The Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans 30-0 as Wilson caught two passes. The Chiefs now face the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.

SPORTS EDITOR’S PREDICTIONS RASHAD MILLIGAN | THE SIGNAL

NCAAM:

PANTHER OF Miami v. Virginia

Virginia

THE WEEK

NCAAM: Pitt v. Louisville

NCAAM: Hampton v. NCAT

NCAAM:

Oklahoma v.

Iowa State

Pitt NCAT Iowa State On stands Every Tuesday!

Find us during Plaza!

UL Lafayette

1-3 | Overall: 6-7

1-3 | Overall: 5-8

South Alabama

Georgia Southern

1-3 | Overall: 5-8

1-3 | Overall: 5-9

TWEET US @gsusignalsports

Exhibit: January 7-29 Reception: Tuesday, January 12, 2-3 p.m.

Carole Golder Memorial Quilt Show & Reception

Student Center East, Gallery Lounge, Room 306

Spotlight Programs Board remembers the late Carole Ann Golder, former Student Center associate director for programs and services, with an exhibit of her quilting talent.

Thursday, January 14, 12-2 p.m.

STUDENT CENTER Supported by Student Fees studentaffairs.gsu.edu

SGA Town Hall: Robinson College of Business Student Center West, Room 260

Meet Student Government Association senators and faculty for business to network and share your voice about current issues and events in the college. Open to all Georgia State students.

Monday, February 1, 9-11 a.m.

Events

Good Morning Commuters

Aderhold Learning Center, Langdale Hall & Unity Plaza

Monday-Friday, January 18-22

Welcome back, commuter students! Join us for breakfast in one of our locations on campus.

Listen live 24/7 on www.wras.org or WRAS-HD2

Monday, February 1, 7-11 p.m.

Album 88 Anniversary Celebration January 18 marks the 45th anniversary of Album 88, and the station will celebrate with special videos and “Where Are They Now?” segments with Album 88 alumni.

Georgia State Night with the Hawks Phillips Arena

Tuesday, January 19, 3-5 p.m.

Dribble. Shoot. Rebound. Score! Bring a friend and join Spotlight Programs Board to cheer on the Hawks as they go head to head against the Mavericks.

Unity Plaza

Tuesday, February 2, 4-5:15 p.m.

The Warm Up

Join Spotlight Programs Board for a tailgate to support the Panthers before the State vs. Southern men’s and women’s basketball games. Free food, games and fun!

Tuesday, January 19, 4-7 p.m.

Release II–The Print Party Troy Moore Library, 25 Park Place

Pick up your copy of the fall 2015 Underground Art and Literary Journal at this free celebration. For more information, contact the Editor-in-Chief at underground.journal@gmail.com.

Thursday, January 21, 4-7 p.m.

Doors open at 3 p.m.

Distinguished Speaker Series 33rd Annual Martin Luther King Commemoration: Dr. Marc Lamont Hill Student Center East Ballroom

Journalist, scholar, author and activist Dr. Marc Lamont Hill will be the featured speaker at this event sponsored by the Spotlight Programs Board, the Multicultural Center, Black Student Achievement and Disability Services.

Student Center Food Safety Training Student Center East, Room 218

Want to bring homemade food for your events in Veterans Memorial Hall, the Urban Life Center West Exhibit Area or campus outdoor spaces? At least two members of your student organization or department need to complete this free annual Student Center food safety training. Other interested participants are also welcome. Sign up via the Student Center portal on OrgSync.

studentcenter.gsu.edu Friday, February 12, 6-9 p.m.

Georgia State Night at Snow Mountain Stone Mountain

Spend a night with Spotlight Programs Board building snowmen, snow tubing, drinking hot chocolate and more. Student tickets are $10 with a valid Panther ID and guest tickets are $15 (up to two guests per student) at Campus Tickets.

Monday, February 15, 7-10 p.m.

Campus MovieFest Finale

Student Center East, Speaker’s Auditorium

Watch your fellow Panthers be recognized for best film, actors and much more at Spotlight Programs Board’s awards presentation for the world’s largest student film festival.

Wednesday, February 17, 7-10 p.m.

Amateur Night

Student Center East Ballroom

Wednesday, February 3, 12-5 p.m.

Amateur Night showcases student talents in friendly competition.

Spotlight Programs Board will host 15 groups in three categories: artistic talents, musical talents and performing arts.

Location TBA

Thursday, February 18, 12-1 p.m.

Campus MovieFest Launch

The world’s largest student film festival is returning to Georgia State for its 13th year hosted by Spotlight Programs Board.

Access all the equipment and training you need to make a five-minute film in one week, then join us for the finale on Monday, February 15.

Thursday, February 4, 3-5 p.m.

Basketball Tailgate Urban Life Plaza

X-Series Black History Month Library Plaza

Spotlight Programs Board presents X-Series, a black history program that will explore the minds of our greatest leaders, look at one of the most troubling times in our generation and seek to unite one of the most diverse institutions of this nation.

Thursday, February 18, Time TBA

Steven Stone Hypnotist Show

Friday, January 22, 7:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Tailgate with Spotlight Programs Board and Panther Nation as the Panthers battle Texas State University in men’s and women’s basketball. Free food, games and music!

Student Center East Ballroom & Student Recreation Center

Thursday, February 4, 5 p.m.

Friday, February 19, 8-11 p.m.

Student Center East, Court Salon

Dahlberg Hall (location tentative)

Panther Prowl: Saved by the Bell

Blast into the ’90s at Spotlight Programs Board’s first Panther Prowl of spring semester. Wear your best ’90s gear for a flashback night with arcade games, activities, food and fun!

Tuesday, January 26, 12-1 p.m.

Courtyard Music Series: Dre Creative Student Center East, Courtyard

Spotlight Programs Board presents the musical talents of Dre Creative. Come listen to amazing music in our own backyard.

Tuesday, January 26, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Budgeting & Finance Lunch & Learn Student Center West, Rooms 466/480

Get the lowdown on financial planning and budgeting at Spotlight Programs Board’s first Non-Traditional Student Lunch & Learn.

Tuesday, January 26, 7-10 p.m.

Cinema Cypher

Student Center West, Cinefest Film Theater

Do you love hip hop and classic films? Come out and enjoy true lyricism based on your favorite films at this Spotlight Programs Board event.

SGA State of the Student Body Address

SIBS Fest

Join Spotlight Programs Board in celebrating siblings and families of Georgia State.

Friday, February 5, 5:30-11 p.m.

Student Center East, Courtyard

Georgia State Night at Woodruff Arts Center Woodruff Arts Center

Panthers, join Spotlight Programs Board for a classy night at the Woodruff Arts Center with free admission to the High Museum of Art, free Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Alliance Theatre tickets, free shuttles and free food! Shuttles will run from Student Center East to the Woodruff Arts Center beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 23, 12-1 p.m.

Courtyard Music Series

Enjoy music during lunch hour, hosted by Spotlight Programs Board.

Tuesday, February 23, 3 p.m.

Distinguished Speaker Series: Jose Vargus Student Center East Ballroom

Spotlight Programs Board brings Jose Vargus to campus for a lecture followed by a meet and greet and private reception.

Sunday, February 7, 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Tuesday, February 23, 7-9 p.m.

Student Center West, Cinefest Film Theater

Location TBA

Super Bowl Watch Party

Thursday, January 28, 12-1:15 p.m.

Student Center East, Room 216

Tuesday, February 9, 12-2 p.m.

Want to bring homemade food for your events in Veterans Memorial Hall, the Urban Life Center West Exhibit Area or campus outdoor spaces? At least two members of your student organization or department need to complete this free annual Student Center food safety training. Other interested participants are also welcome. Sign up via the Student Center portal on OrgSync.

Join Spotlight Programs Board for an exciting hypnotist show.

Find out what the Student Government Association has in store for spring semester and the student body. All Georgia State students are encouraged to attend and share their opinions with the SGA Executive Council, senators, and freshman and transfer liaisons.

Join Spotlight Programs Board to watch the AFC champions face off against the NFC champions in the 50th Super Bowl.

Commercials will be included.

Student Center Food Safety Training

Student Center East, Speaker’s Auditorium

Lunar New Year Celebration Student Center East, Courtyard

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and enjoy traditional music, treats and activities wth Spotlight Programs Board in collaboration with the Hong Kong Association and Delta Phi Lambda Sorority Inc.

To request disability accommodations for these events, please contact Disability Services at 404-413-1560.

State vs. Southern Basketball Viewing Cheer on the Panthers in Statesboro at a Spotlight Programs Board watch party as they face Georgia Southern. Food and spirit await you! #PantherNation #StateNotSouthern