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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Proposed budget may cut two Amtrak routes to Carbondale

SINCE 1916

VOL. 99 ISSUE 45

Students show solidarity for survivors

JeSSiCa Brown | @BrownJessicaJ Two of the three daily Amtrak trains in Carbondale may be taken off the schedule later this year if Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget cut is implemented.

Mike Richards of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association said the proposed budget will reduce Amtrak’s funding by 40 percent — dropping from an annual $42 million to $26 million.

The trains affected are the Saluki and the Illini, which are state-funded and travel between Carbondale and Chicago, leaving at 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

If Rauner’s budget is approved, the only daily train remaining would be the City of New Orleans. It is federallysupported, and leaves for Chicago at 1:26 a.m. and 3:16 a.m. Since it is not state-funded, it is also the most expensive train to run, Richards said.

Trains are one of the most popular forms of transportation, especially among SIU students from the Chicago area, he said. Students from the University of Illinois and Eastern Illinois University also frequently use the daily trains, as well as many non-student passengers.

“One of Amtrak’s major markets is college students,” Richards said. “When you see this train come in, it will have six cars on it. It will bring hundreds of passengers every day.”

The Carbondale station is the seventh busiest in the state, and ridership has increased by 50 percent in the past 10 years, Richards said. Amtrak employs 1,430 people statewide.

Because of this, Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, said he is concerned a cut in train transportation will have a negative effect on Carbondale’s economic development and SIU’s student enrollment.

“More people ride the train every year,” he said. “Instead of demoting it, we ought to be pushing it.”

Train availability is one of SIU’s biggest recruitment tools because it connects Carbondale to other parts of the state, said University Spokeswoman Rae Goldsmith. The possibility the service will be diminished is a major concern for SIU. “It will be problematic — not only for students who come and go back and forth, [but] our alumni who come here, our faculty and staff,” she said.

The potential removal of the two trains is not guaranteed to be temporary, Richards said. Even if there’s money available in the next fiscal year, the trains cannot simply be re-added.

Amtrak uses tracks owned by Canadian National for its passenger trains. Canadian National may not agree to return the tracks once the slots have been forfeited.

A permanent absence of the two trains may be seriously damaging to SIU, especially in addition to the potential budget cut of $44 million the Carbondale campus is facing, Forby said.

“We need to make sure SIU keeps going, and this train is a big plus for that,” he said. “I’m all for cuts, but I’m for balancing the budget. You [have] to do it where you don’t destroy people.”

C arrington S pireS | @CSpires77 Mike Richards of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, left, stands next to Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, during a press conference Monday at the Amtrak Station in Carbondale. Forby and Richards raised concerns about the proposed budget cuts by Gov. Bruce Rauner that could affect the future of railway transportation in Carbondale.

The passenger train routes at risk are the Saluki and the Illini, which link Carbondale to Champaign and Chicago.

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p eter r ogalla | @PRogalla_DE Sarah Dorau, a senior studying sculpture, and Aaunterria Bollinger, a senior studying cinema and photography, work on the collaborative art pieces produced during the Carry That Weight march Monday. The march and art collaboration were held for National Carry That Weight day of action, a day for standing in solidarity with survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Many campuses across the nation held marches on Monday, and a special topics class on feminist research at SIU organized the march for Carbondale’s campus. Students decorated mattresses and carried them on the march, similar to what Columbia University senior Emma Sulkowicz did last year in response to the New York university not punishing her alleged rapist. “We decided to amp it up and make it an art event as well,” Bollinger said. “It’s more peaceful than a protest. We’re against rape and we want to have something positive to show for it.” Students passing under Faner Hall were encouraged to join and add their own art to the mattresses and signs. “We’re going to collect everything that was made today and try to organize an art showing of it,” Dorau added. “I think it would be really cool to showcase all the collaboration that went into it.”

Cuts put Dewey center’s global influence at risk Sam Beard | @SamBeard_DE Most of the basement in Morris Library is a designated silent zone, but the Center for Dewey Studies — an outfit not bound to that policy — continues to resonate around the world.

John Dewey was the most important educational thinker of his era, and possibly the 20th century as he fundamentally changed the approach to teaching and learning, according to the PBS documentary series “Only a Teacher.”

The center, which is home to Dewey’s works and studies, is one of the non-academic units asked by the university to prepare for a 50 percent cut in state funding, equating to nearly $76,000.

Larry Hickman, director of the center, said the proposed cut is not well thought out, because some staffers have their salaries guaranteed by contract. “[This cut] would be a serious blow to the work of the center, since we have already been cut a number of times and are down to the minimum staff required to do our work,” Hickman said.

It comes in the wake of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed slash to higher education funding.

If passed, his budget would cut funding to state universities by 31.5 percent — setting state funding for SIU back to where it was during the 1985-1986 school year.

“The new governor says he is going to be spending ‘billions and billions’ on infrastructure, but he says he wants to cut higher education,” Hickman said.

“Does he not understand that education is infrastructure?”

The state would save less than $20,000 if the nearly $76,000 cut is passed, Hickman said.

The state must pay some of the Dewey Center’s staff, as about $56,000 of the $76,000 is contractually obligated to salary.

The remainder is all the state can get away with cutting without breaking the terms of the contract, Hickman said.

“What it would mean is, for [a savings of] very little money — less than $20,000 — the Dewey Center would be kneecapped,” he said. “The question becomes, ‘Is the Dewey Center worth $20,000 to the university?”

The money can be moved from the budget of one unit to another, but it cannot be cut, Hickman said. The College of Liberal Arts may be left responsible for making up the difference, he said.

“It’s a shell game — moving around money rather than saving it,” Hickman said.

Eric Weber, associate professor of Public Policy Leadership at the University of Mississippi, said the Center for Dewey Studies is the reason many people have heard of SIU. “The Center for Dewey Studies was integral to the reason I came [to SIU] as well as my success,” said Weber, who got his doctorate degree in philosophy from the university in 2007. “It is a mistake to not fully support one of the premier programs that you can tout as being absolutely phenomenal at SIU.” The center, founded in 1961, is the greatest

resource on the planet for those who wish to study the works of John Dewey, he said.

“It is clear that we’re not living up to the wisdom that [Dewey] had to offer about how to do things best in public education,” Weber said. “He is one of the people who contributed to the movement that made American schools the envy of the world. At least, they were for a long time.”

John Dewey took his democratic theories and applied them to the concept of education. In Dewey’s educational theory, the teacher was not an authority figure but a coach. It was one of peer-based learning that centered on real-world experience and concept development, Hickman said.

Dewey tried to steer public-education away from standardized education, textbook memorization, authoritative appeals and strict teacher instruction.

Hickman said if that sounds familiar, it is because of No Child Left Behind testing — a policy implemented by former President George W. Bush, which makes states set standardized curricula for public schools. If school districts do not meet these standards, they are subject to government intervention and restructuring.

Dewey said education is a fundamental part of a healthy society, especially a democracy.

The center has furthered Dewey’s vision by publishing the equivalent of 113 print volumes — averaging 550 pages each — and about 25,000 items of correspondence since Hickman became director in 1993.

Please see DEWEY | 4

Be sure to vote in the Undergraduate Student Government president and student trustee elections today on D2L.

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Tuesday, aPril 14, 2015

LGBTQ coordinator vacancy to be filled Jessica Brown | @BrownJessicaJ The LGBTQ — or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer — Resource Center in the Center for Inclusive Excellence has been without a coordinator since Wendy Weinhold resigned on Aug. 1, 2014, causing concern within the community.

Nathan Stephens, director of the Center for Inclusive Excellence, said the search for a replacement has encountered some unusual delays, but the half-time position should be filled within several weeks.

The search began in August, but was discontinued for six months because Human Resources considered changing the position from an Administrative/ Professional one to a classification Civil Service. If reclassified, the education prerequisites would be lowered to a high school diploma. An Administrative/ Professional position demands a master’s degree.

This adjustment was not approved by everyone.

“While I can appreciate the intent, I did not believe this position was one that could be reclassified as such because of the requirements,” said Katie Sermersheim, interim dean of students.

The coordinator’s job responsibilities include management of the resource center, planning programs and events, providing supportive services for the LGBTQ community, training and supervising staff and several other obligations.

Three to five years of experience in higher education is preferred.

“The process of providing information to Human Resources as support and justification for keeping the position as an A/P was lengthy and required several communications,” she said.

After the six month hiatus, the application deadline, originally meant to be Feb. 6, was extended to April 3 because of a mistake within the original advertisement.

The half-time position was listed under full time, and when corrected, several people withdrew their applications, forcing the position to be re-advertised. As of April 3, roughly 26 applicants have displayed interest, Stephens said.

The delay has had a negative impact on some in the LGBTQ community.

“The fact that we’ve gone this long without [a coordinator] is really upsetting,” said Sarah Mitchell, a former student worker at the LGBTQ Resource Center. “I feel like the school is not prioritizing it as much as they should be.”

Mitchell, a senior from Elmhurst studying journalism and cinema and photography, said she has known of several instances of queer-bashing on campus this year that were not addressed as efficiently as they should have been.

“It would have been handled a lot more swiftly if we had a coordinator whose primary focus was making sure things like that didn’t happen,” she said.

Stephens and Sermersheim said they were never approached with student concerns during this time. If they had, the situations would have been dealt with accordingly.

Another issue the LGBTQ community has with the search is the designation of the coordinator as a half-time job—the only such coordinator in the Center for Inclusive Excellence. The coordinators for the black, women’s and Hispanic/Latino resource centers are all full-time.

Jonathan Gray, head of the search committee for the coordinator of the LGBTQ Resource Center, said it is vital the position is expanded to full time. Regardless of potential budget cuts, the job expectations and the fact the center serves people from SIU, as well as all of southern Illinois, makes the switch justifiable.

“What the half-time position says to me is we’re not willing to put sufficient resources into meeting the needs of very vulnerable, very at-risk LGBTQ [members],” he said.

If the position were changed to full time, the annual salary would increase from roughly $20,000 to $40,000, Sermersheim said.

“I’m a member of the [LGBTQ] community, so I have a special place in my heart for a student who is struggling in the area of LGBTQ issues,” she said. “I would love to have a full-time coordinator.”

However, transitioning the position into full time is not a simple task. To prove that the additional money is needed, data displaying how the position has been used over time and how many people it has assisted must be presented to SIU’s administration.

“I think it needs to be changed, but it’s not about my opinion,” Stephens said. “My role is to supervise the position as it is and make suggestions.”

He said he is still trying to figure out the best way to express the need to the administration in quantifiable terms.

Getting an accurate population of the LGBTQ community goes beyond asking students if they identify as such, Gray said. Numbers are not always the most accurate way to go, because not all members are willing to disclose their involvement.

“LGBTQ identity can be invisible, fluid and one that many young adults are only now in the process of discovering,” he said. “We can’t just ask, ‘How many LGBTQ students are there at SIU?’ We’re never going to know the answer to that.”

He said statistical evidence of heightened depression, bullying, substance abuse and suicide rates are enough to prove why there needs to be clear, available and visible advocacy work on campus.

Stephens said although each group has a resource center to cater to a certain demographic, students are encouraged to use all centers.

Regardless of convergence between centers, having a full-time LGBTQ coordinator is something some students would like to see.

“A lot of people underestimate how much the resource center does for the LGBTQ populace in general,” said Christine Wolfersheim, a junior from Carbondale studying psychology.

“Bringing someone in full time would bring more students to campus.”

The absence of a certain demographic in a resource center can make people feel isolated and alone, Gray said.

A lack of equal representation could lead to confusion and disappointment of future students about where SIU stands on LGBTQ issues.

“There’s a possibility that SIU has this reputation of being a great school for LGBTQ kids, and then it might not end up being like that for everyone,” Mitchell said.

For the time being, struggling LGBTQ students are encouraged to visit the Counseling Center or the Center for Inclusive Excellence and speak to the other coordinators available.

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Opinion

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leTTer To The ediTor

Tuesday, april 14, 2015

A response to the petition to replace keynote speaker Gov. Bruce Rauner Wayne lela Editor, The effort by some SIU students which aims to prevent Gov. Rauner from being a keynote speaker brought to mind a relatively old (1991) quote from a well-known liberal attorney, author and professor named Alan Dershowicz, who back then was so disturbed by the lack of respect for free speech in certain liberal circles he’s on record as saying: “Political correctness is the most serious issue on college campuses.

We are tolerating, and teaching, intolerance and hypocrisy” (James Warren, “Drawing Laughs,” Chicago Tribune, April 14, 1991, section 5, p. 2).

Things didn’t change much from 1991 to 2005. Indeed, the intolerance of the ever-so-trendy “politically correct” crowd just seemed to have gotten worse — power may have gone to their heads. That motivated a libertarian syndicated columnist named Nat Hentoff to pen a piece titled “College no place for closed minds” (Chicago Sun-Times, Sept. 15, 2005, p. 45).

Some of the points he made: 1. Even some mainstream educational groups (which Hentoff lists) expressed concern about the widespread intolerance and hostility on many college campuses towards conservative speakers, ideas and values.

2. Liberal college professors

outnumbered conservative professors by a 5 to 1 ratio.

3. In some classrooms on various college campuses “conservative students are intimidated into silence, ignored or occasionally ridiculed” by narrow-minded liberals.

4. “Indoctrination — instead of free inquiry — ...characterizes much of higher education.”

According to an article in Washington Monthly magazine, “62.2 percent of professors selfidentify as liberal, compared to 19.7 percent as conservative. ...9.4 percent of faculty members say they’re ‘extremely liberal’” (Kevin Carey, “Tenured Moderates,” Washington Monthly, Jan./Feb. 2010, p. 52).

And according to an article in The New York Times, “It’s certainly true that professors are a liberal lot. ...[A]bout half of the professors identified as liberal, as compared to just one in five Americans overall. ...[Among academic] social scientists, for example, there were 10 Democrats for every Republican. ...There’s no doubt that in terms of overall curricular content and campus culture, most colleges and universities do skew more to the left than to the right” (Neil Gross, “The Indoctrination Myth,” The New York Times, “Sunday Review” section, March 4, 2012, p. 12).

Closed-minded, intolerant liberal bigots who believe it’s okay to discriminate against conservatives exist, and many of them are

unfortunately found on college campuses, where they are using their teaching positions to try to insinuate their questionable values into their students. Hopefully students are aware of all the onesided, liberal propaganda they are manipulatively being exposed to.

But I fear they are not.

It would be nice to see students pushing for intellectual diversity on their campuses, and maybe even affirmative action for hiring a true minority on college campuses: conservative teachers.

Until that happens, liberal college professors will feel free to continue to try to take advantage of their students, to indoctrinate them instead of educate them. That needs to change.

America’s middle class: Sought after but ignored richard parker | Tribune neWs service Right now, the people aspiring to be president will say and do anything to appeal narrowly to their party’s base. But when the contest for the presidency really gets underway they are likely to say and do anything to appeal broadly to America’s middle class. And that is where the trouble starts.

Despite the occasional lip service, the position of the middle class in this country continues to erode.

The size of the middle class continues to shrink; in many states families are spending ever more of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. The housing market — the single biggest investment for most — remains soft. But here is the rub: Wall Street is pushing for more foreclosures, not fewer, on homeowners who fall behind on mortgages. And no one in Washington is doing a thing about it.

Once the ideal of the American experience, the middle class continues to be the ever-shrinking American experience. Defining the middle class is hard, admittedly; people who are striving to be in it think they are and even those who are well off still consider themselves to be part of the engine of American upward mobility. But the Pew Charitable Trust recently studied all 50 states, categorizing households making between 67 and

200 percent of the state median income as middle class. Fair enough.

In each state, the middle class shrunk between 2000 and 2013, a period that includes years of economic growth before the Great Recession and a modest recovery after it. So, this is no episodic dip for the middle class. It is, instead, a structural and even existential challenge. As worrisome as the decline in wages is the increased, relative cost of housing. In state after state, the slippage between falling wages and rising housing costs is making it harder for a family to simply keep a roof over its head.

In New York, for example, the percentage of income that went to housing rose 6 percent to 32 percent of annual income. In California, housing now costs nearly half — 44 percent — of a typical household’s income. In Florida that number is nearly 40 percent. In Texas, housing costs now consume nearly a third of household income for middle class families where they were only a quarter at the beginning of the century.

It nearly goes without saying that spending more than 25 or 30 percent of income on housing becomes a dangerous proposition for the cash flow of a middle class household. But it cannot be emphasized enough: At a time when most

Americans were locked out of investing in the stock market, despite its low interest rates, their house was their single biggest investment. The recovery of the housing market is an iffy proposition at best, too.

Interest rates are low but demand is still sluggish.

And yet, it is not only becoming relatively pricier to stay in a home — it is becoming dicer, too, because of the very people who created the 2008 financial meltdown and recession: Wall Street.

Some of the biggest names on Wall Street are threatening to sue to drive more American homeowners into foreclosure. After 2008, the Obama administration instituted relief programs giving federal backing to modifying the loans of homeowners who were either behind on their mortgages, under water on them, or both. This process has literally helped tens of millions of homeowners stay in their homes while ensuring that the investors who underwrote those mortgages still get their money. Even more of it, in fact.

Yet Blackrock, Pacific Investment Company and Met Life are threatening to sue the companies that administer these mortgages — on behalf of trustees for the investors — because they aren’t pushing enough homeowners into foreclosure. It is not so much that these investors want a greater return on their investment; loan modifications

stretch out mortgages for struggling homeowners with lower monthly payments, generally, but longer terms which lead, in turn, to a higher return over investment.

It is instead that these investors want their money faster. One of the objects of the Wall Street complaints is Atlanta-based Ocwen, which has modified some half-a-million mortgages while keeping investors whole. Yet pushing a home into foreclosure and auction leads to a quicker payout; buying it back again allows it to be rented at substantial profit and sold again with yet another mortgage-backed security. It’s a nifty trick for investors.

But it is downright predatory because it’s a bad deal for everyone else, not just struggling homeowners. More empty houses on the market could undermine what is at best an uncertain real estate market, a major underpinning of the economy. Austin, Texas, for example, has been alternately labeled this year as the hottest market in which to invest — and the most overvalued in the entire country.

Anyone who says they have a strong fix on where the housing market is going is probably lying. And anyone who says the economic recovery is strong — well, they are, too.

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Tuesday, arPil 14, 2015 nathanhoefert

Instagram Photo of the Day

15 likes Allente Stubberfield, a senior from Palatine studying marketing, poses under Faner Hall for the first portrait in a new DE series entitled Faces Under Faner . I m just trying to bring some color into this grey day, Stubberfield said. Check out the DE website next week for more profiles. @dailyegyptian #vsco #facesunderfaner #siuc

DEWEY CONTINUED FROM

1

“The Dewey Center gets the university a lot of bang for their buck,” Hickman said. “We’re doing a lot out there — beyond the walls of SIUC.” During the last 20 years, Hickman has visited various educational institutions overseas, delivering an average of one lecture per month on behalf of the center,

while representing the university as a whole.

Hickman and Weber said the center serves as a prestigious representation of SIU to scholars and teachers internationally, bringing attention to other university programs that would otherwise go unnoticed. “[This cut] would be a tragic underappreciation of one of the jewels at SIU,” Weber said.

Hickman said because Dewey’s

teachings have gained traction worldwide, in large part because of the center, it is ironic SIU would choose to cut funding to such a driving force of contemporary educational policy.

“There is no doubt in my mind that one of the premier, best-in-theworld programs that SIU has is the Center for Dewey Studies,” he said.

“Cutting funding for a program like that is like removing your legs so you don’t have to buy shoes.”

Pulse

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Tuesday, april 14, 2015

Marvel Phase Two thrives with creativity Jacob pierce | @JacobPierce1_DE The introduction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe changed the entire comic book movie genre. The concept of a shared universe was once thought impossible for film. Now, virtually every big budget property has hopes for continuity.

The Marvel Entertainment Company is using a phase system to release their movies. The Phases all have several different movies, leading up to one big finale.

With the release of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Ant-Man” this summer, come the end of Marvel’s Phase Two, a juncture full of both controversy and spectacle. Here is my review of Marvel’s second round of films.

Phase One vs. Phase Two The question on everyone’s mind is how does Phase Two hold up against Phase One? The beginning MCU films are revolutionary, even at their worst. Everything from “The Avengers” to “Thor” is a piece to a bigger puzzle.

All this being said, Phase Two blows Phase One out of the water. Marvel was gaining its footing with the original movies. Before “Iron Man,” the company itself had never put out a movie. “Spider-Man,” “X-Men” and even “Blade” were done through separate film studios, Marvel selling the rights off to them.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Captain America: Winter Soldier” alone show the company has grown.

Convoluted messes like “Iron Man 2” are long gone, replaced by movies with the Marvel voice that adds to the collective universe.

Phases 2

1 Iron Man

Iron Man 3

The Incredible Hulk

Thor: The Dark World

Iron Man 2

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Thor Captain America: The First Avenger The Avengers

Guardians of the Galaxy Avengers: Age of Ultron

3 Captain America: Civil War

Avengers: Infinity War Part 1

Doctor Strange

Black Panther

Guardians of the Galaxy 2

Captain Marvel

Untitled Spider-Man Movie

Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 Inhumans

Thor: Ragnarok

Ant-Man s arah N iebrugge | @SNiebrugge_DE

Best Movies No surprise, “Captain America: Winter Soldier” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” definitely take this category.

Both movies grabbed a genre many said was stale, and added new lifeblood.

Both helmed by two directors with little big-budget experience and let them loose to provide a new brand of superhero film.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” gave James Gunn a chance to put his unique style on a Marvel movie. A director known for making weird, eclectic flicks, like “Slither” and “Super,” a movie about a walking, talking tree and raccoon was right up his alley.

The movie not only showed the more odd side of Marvel, but also added a cosmic element without shoving it down our throats. The film let itself be fun and a joy to sit through, something lost in the day of gritty, realistic superhero portrayals.

“Captain America: Winter

Soldier” on the other hand served as the first “smart” action film the company has done.

This is not to say “Iron Man” or even “Captain America: The First Avenger was dumb, but neither represented a real-life problem in the way this film did. The Russo brothers created a political thriller rivaling “Three Days of the Condor” or “Marathon Man.” The addition of Robert Redford and the Winter Soldier added a level of prestige and helped Marvel’s longstanding villain problem.

Scenes like the elevator fight and the beginning fight between Captain America and Batroc the Leaper sticks in even the most experienced action fans’ minds.

Worst Film So many of you probably assume I’m going to pick “Iron Man 3” for its infinitely stupid villian twist.

The filmmakers hired classically trained actor Ben Kingsley to play a villain updated terrifically, only to make that null and void by having the character be an

actor instead of the real Mandarin.

This is not a twist to me, more like one of the worst letdowns in comic book movie history.

Anyway, “Iron Man 3” is not the worst movie of Phase Two. This title goes to “Thor: The Dark World.”

The Thor series is the bane of Marvel’s existence. While nowhere near as bad as something like “Batman and Robin,” no film in the series has reached its potential.

What could be the “The Lord of the Rings” of the MCU ends up being a wasted opportunity.

“Thor: The Dark World” beats the original Thor, which was in Phase One, by miles. It improves on a boring and lackluster placeholder before “The Avengers.” This film shows off a beautifully done Asgard, and slightly hints at the cosmic universe within the MCU. Yet, the film suffers from Marvel’s overarching villain problem. Besides Loki and Winter Soldier, there are no compelling, dynamic antagonists

in the universe. This film barely even mentions the villain’s motivation. It is thrown away quickly for scenes of Thor and Loki bantering about.

“Thor: The Dark World” had a terrific actor in Christopher Eccleston and the deleted scenes show a tragic, relatable back-story to Malekith. Yet, it is all cut and it ruins what could have been an immersive experience.

What to Expect Phase Two officially ends on July 17 with the release of “Ant-Man.” Phase Three does not start until “Captain America: Civil War” on May 6, 2016.

This is nearly a year wait for another Marvel movie.

This pause is worth it when you look at what is to come.

“Captain America: Civil War” looks to be a movie as big as an Avengers movie. The possibility of every hero introduced, and hopefully some not mentioned yet, fighting against each other is a nerd’s fantasy.

With the next phase comes two huge milestones in the superhero movie genre. With “Black Panther” comes the first African American lead movie. “Captain Marvel” lands as Marvel’s first female head film.

Everything this company seems to be doing changes the fabric of comic book movies forever.

On top of all this, fans will finally be able to rejoice as “Spider-Man” is going to be added to the MCU. Since his creation, Peter Parker has been a fan favorite to a solid amount of both comic book fans and moviegoers.

After the abomination that is “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” most fans are just happy to know Spider-Man can pal around with the likes of Iron Man and Captain America.

‘Instant Gratification’ is a justly named masterpiece chase Myers | @chasemyers_DE When a band has been around for more than a decade, a consistent lineup cannot always be expected.

One California-based posthardcore band, Dance Gavin Dance, has stood the tests of time with the release of its sixth full-length album “Instant Gratification.”

The band started playing local shows more than 10 years ago and has had roughly 15 members come in and out of the lineup within that time.

Even though three of those were drastic vocal changes, Dance Gavin Dance has still maintained its original sound with very subtle progression along the way.

“Instant Gratification” is the band’s second album with clean

vocalist Tillian Pearson, who joined in 2013 after the second departure of Jonny Craig.

After testing the album’s potential with the single releases of “On the Run,” “We Own the Night” and “Stroke God, Millionare,” it became obvious this body of work took a year’s time and effort.

The previous album “Acceptance Speech” was released the same year Pearson joined and seemed a little rushed sonically. This time around, the band has settled in with all members and it is evident in the album’s production.

Not only does Pearson’s voice echo over the rest of the band similar to Craig’s, but his vocal lines also synchronize with Dance Gavin Dance’s progressive playing style.

The album starts off with ferocity in “We Own the Night,” a personal favorite. Pearson’s high notes emerge from the beginning

with melodic guitar breaks from the band’s lead guitarist and Alternative Press Music Awards 2015 Best Guitarist nominee, Will Swan.

The song ends with a catchy, feel-good riff that submerges the listener into the album.

“Stroke God, Millionaire,” the second song, showcases the band’s unique lyrical craftsmanship, which borders on insane and genius with lines like, “proxy the awesome and seek the deletion of reaper repeating submission face.”

The first song released for the album, “On the Run,” is a solid balance of the band’s heavy side and smooth side.

If there is one thing “Instant Gratification” does, it provides a blend of soft and heavy rhythms.

There are parts where the band throws all their tricks into a breakdown and other parts where just the guitars riff angelically over

a hi-hat beat.

The middle of the album reminds listeners Dance Gavin Dance is still a metal band with songs like “Sharkdad” and “Awkward,” where Jon Mess’ vocal screams tear over thick, syncopated breakdowns.

This album also brings back Swan’s signature rap lines in the song “Eagles vs. Crows,” a motif that was missing in their previous album and shows the band’s ability to transcend genres.

Dance Gavin Dance has always been about artistry and storytelling.

Over the band’s previous albums, there have been several songs with similar names in different parts. For example, “The Robot with Human Hair Pt. 1” debuted on one of the band’s first EPs and concluded with “Death of the Robot with Human Hair,” on their last record.

The song “Death of a Strawberry,” implies a tranquil conclusion to the “Strawberry Swisher” series which appears sporadically on previous albums.

The album ends on a strong note, musically and lyrically, with “Lost,” which tells a story of a man searching for truth, while incorporating some strong vocal harmonies and chromatic riffs.

As a whole, Instant Gratification lives up to its name and brings the Dance Gavin Dance style to a whole new level.

The record also keeps things reminiscent of earlier albums, from the artwork, illustrated

by Swedish illustrator Mattias Adolfsson, to the behind-thescenes work from award-winning producer Kris Crummit.

A fan of musical depth in metal/rock music could see “Instant Gratification” as a musthave for 2015.

NOW RENTING FALL 2015-16

BUYING JUNK CARS, running, wrecked, cash paid, $100 to $1,000, call 618-319-3708.

WANTED TO BUY: vehicles, running or not, trucks & cars, $100$500. Call 218-6289 or 439-6561.

BUY, SELL, AND TRADE, AAA Auto Sales, 605 N Illinois Ave, C`dale, 618-457-7631 www.carbondaleautos.com

SCHILLING PROPERTY 805 E. PARK STREET (618) 549-0895 www.schillingprop.com schillingprop@yahoo.com

GRAB A ROOMMATE 2 & 3 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $300 PER PERSON! 1 BEDROOMS ACROSS FROM CAMPUS CALL FOR A SHOWING AND SIGN TODAY

CARBONDALE ONE BLOCK from campus. 3-Bdrm. $595/mo., 2-Bdrm. $495/mo., 1-bdrm. $395/mo., Studio $295/mo. Call 618-967-9202.

BARGAIN RENTAL PRICES NEAR CAMPUS: 1 & 2 Bdrm Apts and Luxury Studio Apts. Also (7-10 Minutes from SIU-C) 1 Bdrm Apts under $300/Mo and 2 NO Bdrm Apts under $400/Mo. PETS. Call 618-684-4145.

See our entire list of rentals at bit.ly/PaperRentals

NO APPLICATION FEE. PET FRIENDLY. ACROSS FROM SIU STEVE THE CAR DR. MOBILE MECHANIC, Handy man, Ladder work 618-525-8393.

WASHER/DRYER $350, Stove $150 refrigerator $195. Rebuilt. 90-day warranty. Able Appliance 457-8372 4 year old Whirlpool washer/dryer $395. Fridge $195. Stove $150. All excellent.Call 618-525-9822.

MERMAID STYLE WEDDING gown with beaded, empire waistline rushing, and tulip short sleeves size 12 light ivory, almost white $150 or best offer (618)549-4966

C!DALE, SIU ARENA parking lot, April 18, 8-3. Space available.

Misc items, antiques, crafts, toys, clothes, etc. Concessions. Rain date 4/19. 618-453-5249.

PARSON!S PROPERTY 900 E. Grand Ave. #102 Call 618-457-8302 rentparsons@yahoo.com Country village, beautiful country setting, 2 bdrm, 1.5 bath, pool, water, furnished, w/d, d/w, lawn, trash free parking. Special rates for fall.

Grand Ave. 3 bdrm, 2 bath, w/d, internet, cable, trash, free parking, close to campus, great prices.

1, 2, 3 bedroom apartments. 4 and 5 bedroom houses and duplexes.

Availability for summer and fall.

NICE 2 BDRM avail. May 15th all utilities included in the rent. Laundry, A/C 105 S Forest, walking distance to SIU $350/person/month 529-3581

LOOKING TO SUBLEASE a 3 bdrm apt at The Reserves for the summer.

Move in date May 18. Electric in cluded. Free Internet and cable, movie theater and rentals. Free tanning and parking. Washer and dryer included.

Study lounge with computers and free printing. Volleyball, basketball court, pool, fitness center, picnic and grilling area. Contact Bee at 773-818-1556 or rfajolu@siu.edu to schedule a tour.

LOOKING TO SUBLEASE 1 bedroom for June and July, in a 3 bedroom apartment. Shared kitchen and living room with 2 roommates at The Pointe at SIU. $479/month everything included, fully furnished, close to campus, private shuttle, access to Crosstown, Grand Ave., and Mall bus.

Very neat. Study room, gym, game and computer rooms available.

Call 773-499-6989 or email obusari100@siu.edu

STUDIO APT, BE The First to live in these newly remodeled apts. New appliances porcelain tile. Walk to SIU, starting $375/mo. 457-4422.

2 BDRM. C/A, W/D, Nice and quiet area, no dogs, available now, in June and Aug. Call 618-549-0081

FEEL LIKE YOU live at the Dog Pound with the Pet Noise and Odors? Move up to Pet-Free Living.

Studio, 1 and 2 Bdrm apts. Walking distance to SIU. Call for an appt 457-4422.

LG STUDIO, NEWLY remodeled, near campus, tile floors, vaulted ceilings, w/d, a/c. Gas, water, trash incl. Pets ok. Avail Aug. 618-719-1386.

LUXURY 2 BDRM, Giant City Rd, quiet, private, c/a, w/d, d/w, carport, deck, avail Aug, $785, 618-201-2726 or www.jandmrentals.com C!DALE, 2 BDRM, Cedar Lake area, very clean, quiet, w/d, d/w, patio, lament. $585-635/mo, 201-2726, www.jandmrentals.com 1 AND 2 BDRM, Duplexes, on the lake, with fireplace, one car garage, fully loaded, avail now & Aug, 549-8000, universityheightsrentals.com

TOWNE-SIDE WEST APARTMENTS AND HOUSES Cheryl Bryant Rentals 457-5664 SCHILLING PROPERTY 805 E. PARK CARBONDALE, IL 62901 (618) 549-0895 WWW.SCHILLINGPROP.COM SCHILLINGPROP@YAHOO.COM Available Now 1 Bdrm.

905 E. Park 403 West Freeman

3 Bdrm.

793 Crowell Road

No application fee, pet friendly, laundry on-site, across from SIU. 4 BDRM, 2 bath. Close to SIU, central heat & a/c, large yard.

Ph.618-924-1965.

612 E. CAMPUS, 3 bdrm,1.5 bath, new appilances, close to campus, no pets, $700/mo, pics & app @ maddenproperties.com, 314-568-5665.

EFFICIENCY APT, $285/mo, good neighborhood, clean, quiet, low util, trash & water incl,laundry, for serious students, 618-713-3295.

1 BDRM, CLOSE to campus, all appl incl, $550/month, avail in the fall, Alleman Properties, 618-549-6355.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY PROPERTIES www.mvprentals.com Includes w/d, electric, water, cable, internet, trash & parking.

CREEKSIDE APTS- 711 S. Wall St., 3 bdrm/ 2 bath starting at $945/month GRAND PLACE APTS- 900 East Grand, Buildings 4 & 5 ONLY. 3 bdrm/ 2 bath starting at $945/month. 2 bdrm/ 2 bath starting at $790/month Call 618-527-1100 to view apts.

STUDIOS (CHATEAU APTS.) Spacious ( 480 sq. ft.) Quiet location, 1.5 miles East of campus. $365/mo. Pics on CL. 4 available Aug. 2015.

618-697-1573.

G & R!S BEAUTIFUL NEW, 1 and 2 bdrm apts, no pets, call 618549-4713 or visit 851 E. Grand Ave or www.grrentals.com.

AVAILABLE MARCH. 2, or 3 Bedroom, various locations, washer/dryer, dishwasher, pets considered, heat/air, free parking, www.alpharentals.net, 618-457-8194 MURPHYSBORO ONE-BDRM, carpet, air, no pets, references required. $295/mo. Call 618-967-9202.

www.westwoodapartmentsllc.com Special on studio apts and 1 bdrms avail May and June. 618-303-9109.

1 BDRM, LOFT OR FLAT, close to campus, washer/dryer, dishwasher, pets considered, heat/air, free parking, $505-$635, www.alpharentals.net, 457-8194

NEW RENTAL LIST OUT, apts & houses. Pick up list at 508 W. Oak or call 529-3581 or 529-1820 2 BDRM APT. DELUXE Apt, walk to campus. Hardwood laminate floor and porcelain tile in kitchen and bath. Washer/Dryer, Dishwasher upgrade appliances. Perfect for 2 students. 457-4422 www.universityedge.net

1 BDRM APT. on Park Street near SIU. Gallery kitchen, spacious living room, lovely apt. Starting $440/mo.

Call 457-4422. universityedge.net CARBONDALEHOUSING.COM FOR ALL YOUR HOUSING NEEDS Ph. 924-1965

GREAT LANDLORDS, 1 & 2 bdrm, duplex apts, avail fall, c/a, no pets.

At 606 East Park St, 618-201-3732.

NICE 1 & 2 BDRM, rental list at 2006 Woodriver, a/c, near shopping, lease & dep, no pets, 529-2535.

AVAILABLE NOW, NICE, clean, 1 bdrm apt. at 509 S. Wall. $295/mo, no pets, 618-529-3581.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 bedrooms. Houses & apartments. W/D, 2 bath 549-4808 www.siucrentals.com AVAIL NOW 1 bdrm, across from SIU. Hi-speed Internet, satellite TV, laundry, parking, water & trash. Call 618-529-4763.

NEAR CAMPUS: 2, 3, & 4 Bdrm Houses, W/D, Most C/A, Free Mow. Also, Geodesic Dome 7-10 Minutes from SIU-C (no zoning): SPACIOUS 2 & 3 Bdrm Houses, W/D, Most C/A, 1 3/4 Baths, Carport, Patio or Huge Deck, Free Mow. NO PETS. Call 684-4145.

NICE HOUSE, QUIET AREA, Approx. 5 minutes from campus.6 bdrm, 2 bath all appl incuding w/d avail Aug., 2015 $330-$245/student, for 4-6 students. 806-1799.

NICE 5 OR 6 bdrm, c/a, w/d, close to SIU 2 kitchen, 2 bath, 700 W Freeman. 529-1820 529-3581 MARTIN PROPERTIES 618-534-1550 Avail Fall !15 2 Bdrm: 402 S. Ash 3 Bdrm: 401A W. Elm, 2 bath 401B W. Elm 4 Bdrm: 608 N. Carico, 2 bath

1,2,3,4,5,6 BDRM HOUSES & apts. Pick up list at 508 W. Oak. Call Bryant Rentals at 529-1820 or 529-3581 4 BDRM EXECELLENTcond., near campus, w/d, d/w, a/c, lawn care incl, pets ok, avail Aug 618-719-1386.

5 & 6 Bedroom Houses for Rent.

Great locations on Mill Street!! Available August 2015. These locations always go fast. Call or Text Chris for more info or to schedule a showing.

(618) 924-4942

4 BDRM, 2 bath. Close to SIU, central heat & a/c, large yard.

Ph.618-924-1965 902 W. MILL duplex, 716 S. James House. Updated 5 bdrms, 2 bath, W/D, AC, DW, New tile or wood floors. Low utilities 559-5245. campuscolonial.com

CLEAN, SAFE HOUSING FOR YOU! NICE LARGE 5 bdrm, 2 bath, c/a, w/d, available now, May or Aug, $250 per person. 300 N. Springer, 529-3581.

NEWLY REMODELED, 2 BDRM, water, trash, & lawn incl, lg spacious lots, starting at $300/mo, call 549-4713, www.grrentals.com

2 BDRM HOUSE NEAR SIU. Newly remolded. Hardwood laminate and tile floors. d/w, w/d and elect fireplace, simply a stunning home for 2 students $375p/p 4574422 PRIVATE COUNTRY SETTING, extra nice, 3 bdrm/2 bath, w/d, c/a, 2 decks, no pets. 549-4808, 9am-4pm SUPER NICE FOUR bedroom house for rent. $375 per person. Call 618-525-2440

6-12 Bdrm, info call 549-4808 4 bdrm - 511, 505 S. Ash, 802,406, 319, 321, W Walnut, 305 W College, 103 S Forest, 501 S. Hays 3 bdrm- 310, 313, 610 W Cherry 405 S Ash, 106, 408 S Forest, 306 W College, 321 W Walnut, 1052 W. No Name Rd.

549-4808 (9am-7pm) WWW.SIUCRENTALS.COM 3BDRM, 306 W College, like new c/a, w/d, d/w, private yard, 549-4808 www.siucrentals.com G & R!S BEAUTIFUL NEW, 2 bdrm townhouses, no pets, call 549-4713 or visit 851 E. Grand Ave. or www.grrentals.com.

4 BDRM, 4 BATH, CLOSE TO campus, washer/dryer, dishwasher, cats considered, heat/air, free parking, $1560 ($390 each), www.alpharentals.net, 457-8794

LG 4 BDRM HOUSE, 1 block from SIU, a/c, w/d, appl deck, screened porch, free lawn care, no pets, $900/mo, avail Aug, 6185346360 evenings or lv message

3 BDRMS, CLOSE to campus, all appl incl, avail in the fall, Alleman Properties 618-549-6355.

2, 3, & 4 bdrm homes, c/a, all w/ w/d hookup, some with w/d, avail Aug, pets ok, 684-2711 or 559-1522.

2 BDRM, 2.5 BATH, washer/dryer, dishwasher, cats considered, heat/air, free parking, $865 - $920 www.alpharentals.net, 457-8194

WWW.COMPTONRENTALS.COM 2-Bdrm, w/d 1315 S. Wall, Dog ok **618-924-0535**

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSITANT* progressive church, computer literate, 10 hours per week. Resume, cover letter, 3 references to COGS, 515 Orchard Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901, or pastor@goodshepherd-ucc.org

HELP WANTED, SERVERS, cooks exp. & local pref.Days, Nights & Weekends apply between 2 and 4 p.m.at Midland Inn at 7570 Old Highway 13 and Country Club Road.

HOSTESS/PHONE PERSON, PT, apply in person, some lunch hours needed. Quatro!s Pizza, 218 W. Freeman.

PIZZA DELIVERY DRIVER, neat appearance, PT, some lunch hours needed, apply in person, Quatros Pizza, 218 W Freeman.

PIZZA COOK, ARE you an experienced pizza maker used to a high activity environment? Part Time, some lunch hours needed. Apply at Quatro!s Pizza, 218 W. Freeman LANDSCAPE POSITION - Full time, drivers license required, salary based on experience. send resume to plants@gotsky.com.

CUSTOMER SERVICE 12-17 people needed. Entry level position in all departments. no experience necessary. $400-500/week. Call 618-988-2256

HARBAUGH!S CAFE HIRING part time cook and servers. Must be available 9am - 3pm, 2 times a week. And semester breaks. Exp preferred, no slackers! 901 S Illinois Ave. SALES CLERK, PT, must be 21yrs, apply in person, SI Liquor Mart, 113 N. 12th St., M!boro. Please no calls.

AUTO MECHANIC WANTED, PT/ FT, apply in person at Auto Bestbuy, 214 Health Dept Rd, M!boro.

HANDYMAN SERVICES, PAINTING, home repairs, please call 618-525-6650 or 618-833-3498.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR AD Bold $0.25/word/day Large font $2.00/day Centering $0.25/line/day Borders $0.65/day QR Codes $4.00/day Picture $5.00/day

WE BUY MOST fridges, stoves, washers, dryers,working or not Able Appliance, call 457-7767 MODERN, MANUFACTURED HOMES 2 bdrm, 2 bath, w/d, d/w, a/c, energy efficient, (618) 924-0535 www.comptonrentals.com 1 & 2 BDRMS $275-$490/mo 618-924-0535 www.comptonrentals.com

LOST IN DESOTO. Missing since Sunday 3/22. Small, orange adult female cat. Lost around 200 block of Pecan St. Reward if found. Please call 618-843-0370

VERY NICE SELECTION of clean 2 and 3 bdrm single and double wide homes. 1 mile from campus.

Available June or August. No pets. (618) 549-0491 or (618) 925-0491.

SOUTHERN OAKS HOMES has exceptional 2 bdrms. w/ 1 & 2 baths beginning in June and Aug. Homes have w/d, decks, C/A. Sorry no pets.

529-5332

1 bdrm- 802 W Walnut, 106 S Forest, 310 W Cherry

AVAIL NOW OLDER 1 bdrm, 2 blocks from SIU, $250/mo no pets, you pay utilities 529-3581

1,2,3,4,& 5 BDRM UPGRADED houses and apartments. Call VAN AWKEN (618) 549-4935.

BARGAIN RENTAL PRICES

C!DALE 2 BDRM, EXTRA NICE, w/d hook up, private fenced, storage w/ closet, grad.student or prof. preferred. Avail June 5, $600/mo.

211 S. Gray Dr. 618-924-4753

2 bdrm- 319, 324, 406 W Walnut, 305 W College, 503 S. Ash

2 BDRM, CLOSE to campus, w/d, d/w, refrigerator, glass-top stove, c/a and heat, walk-in closets, nice TV, $700-$800/mo 618-549-6355.

“BEST WE!VE SEEN!!”

3 OR 4 BDRM HOUSES New 60 inch. high-def tv!s, near SIU, cathedral ceilings, hrdwd/flrs, w/d, d/w, 1.5 baths, no pets. 319-3080.

See our entire lisit of rentals at bit.ly/PaperRentals

2 BDRM TOWNHOUSES available now & August. Fully loaded. www.universityheights.com

C!DALE, NICE, LARGE 2 bdrm avail now, 400 N. Westridge, upscale neighborhood, laundry, Avail now, May or Aug. 529-3581, no pets. www.trailswestapts.com.

2 BDRM, 1 BATH, living room, den, kitchen, w/d, c/a, dining room, $625, 10695 Old Rt. 51, 618-534-0868.

All Neighborhoods Are Now Open At Manor Court of Carbondale Now Hiring Nurses and CNA!s BENEFITS INCLUDE -Group Health Insurance -401K (Up to 5% match) -Holiday Pay (Double time) -Employee Time Off (Up to 5 weeks a yr.)

-Flex Spending Plan For immediate consideration, send your resume to: hr@libertyvillageofcarbondale.com Or Apply in Person to: Manor Court of Carbondale 2940 W. Westridge Place Carbondale, IL 62901 www.libertyvillageofcarbondale.com Not-For-Profit Provider

NEED A CLASSIFIED AD? Business online ads $25/30 days Individual online ads $5/30days

Tuesday, april 14, 2015

207 West Main Street Carbondale, IL 62901 Ph. 1-800-297-2160

FOR RELEASE APRIL 14, 2015

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

<< Answers for Monday Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www. sudoku.org.uk

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Today’s Birthday (04/14/15).

Discover new ways to make your passions pay this year. Your networks have everything you need. Get specific

with requests. Communication is your golden ticket. Launch a new creative collaboration. Romance blossoms. Share what you’re learning. Summer adventures lead to a new autumn professional status.

Personal insights (especially over winter) renew your confidence. Play for love.

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 7 -- You’re under pressure regarding deadlines today and tomorrow. You’re going through a financially savvy phase for the next few weeks with Mercury in Taurus. Profitable ideas abound.

Get practical, naturally. Word arrives concerning funding. Give thanks.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Set up a group meeting to work out the changes. Team projects go well today and tomorrow. You’re especially practical and clever for the next few weeks, with Mercury in your sign. Express yourself. Your creativity seems boundless.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is an 8 -- You’re especially practical,

ACROSS 1 Drain problem 5 GI sought by MPs 9 Jewish authority figure 14 Fallon’s predecessor 15 “Get a __!”

16 Estate measures 17 Like single-malt scotch 18 Superfluous individual 20 Food from heaven 22 Long-necked bird 23 Ivy League school 24 Compilation of wacky outtakes 28 Pioneer Carson 29 PC key near Z 30 Eastern path 31 Police warnings 33 Some deli breads 35 Part on the stage 38 Stable female 39 Summer blouse 42 Steer clear of 44 iPhone voiceactivated app 45 Hunk of bacon 49 Like many warm sweaters 51 Snaky fish 53 Miner’s discovery 54 Little terror 55 Olympian’s achievement 59 Have to have 61 Flight connection word 62 Capital of Senegal 63 Ride around ... or what the ends of 18-, 24-, 39- and 55-Across can do 67 Single 68 Occupied 69 Currency symbolized by € 70 Coffee holders 71 Fax forerunner 72 Zipped 73 Editor’s “Leave it in”

introspective and peaceful over the next few weeks with Mercury in Taurus. Clear up old messes. Listen to your dreams. Think twice before speaking once. Silently recite a prayer or mantra. Relax.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Expand your territory today and tomorrow. Hold meetings, parties and gatherings over the next few weeks, with Mercury in Taurus. Communication and collaboration comes easily. Friends offer insight. Get them paid. Meditation and exercise settles your mind.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Review accounts today and tomorrow. Promises made over the next few weeks (with Mercury in Taurus) will take hold. Take on more responsibility.

Test the limits. Verbal skills advance your career. Talk about what you want to achieve.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Everyone’s more willing to compromise over the next few

04/14/15 Monday’s Answers 4/14/15

By Gary Cee

DOWN 1 Seaside eatery 2 Within the law 3 Without variation, musically 4 “Please tell me that’s not true” 5 Sitcom E.T. 6 PlayStation 3 rival 7 Put on the market 8 “I’ll handle this” 9 Word before data or deal 10 In need of aspirin 11 Crashing wave 12 Direct route 13 Lands in the sea 19 Shades 21 Abbr. in many an urban address 25 __ of Sandwich 26 Tree anchors 27 Airport waiter 32 Performs hip-hop music 34 Synagogue 36 Polynesian wreath 37 Blundered 40 From square one

Monday’s Puzzle Solved

©2015 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

41 Concert ticket info 42 “__ to Watch Over Me” 43 Optimistic 46 “Watch it!”

47 Orchestrate 48 Recuperation advice 49 Proceed without preparation 50 Smoked salmon 52 Showed the way

days. Fall in love with a fascinating subject over the next few weeks with Mercury in Taurus. Dream of distant shores (or just go). Travel appeals.

Call a distant relative.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Work and make money today and tomorrow. Make practical financial choices over the next few weeks with Mercury in Taurus. Review your budget and pay off debt. Plug financial leaks.

Manage accounts. Talk about the future.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- It’s time for fun and games. Listen carefully to your partner over the next few weeks with Mercury in Taurus. Share your enthusiasm. Compromise comes easier. Work together; play together.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Discuss changes you’d like to make at home today and tomorrow. Business communications require more attention over the next few weeks with Mercury in Taurus.

Collaborate to provide excellent value

04/14/15 4/14/15

56 Hemingway’s “The Sun Also __” 57 Really enjoy, as praise 58 Allays the fears of 60 Prescription amount 64 Bills coach Ryan 65 Wrath 66 Buddy of Wynken and Blynken

and service. Balance work with play for health.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -Today is a 9 -- Share valuable content.

Passion surges over the next couple of weeks with Mercury in Taurus. Express your love. Write about your latest obsession. A good listener becomes invaluable. Discuss the rules. Play your game with the team.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -Today is a 9 -- Focus on a personal matter today and tomorrow. Talk about what you’d like. For the next several weeks with Mercury in Taurus, fix up your place.

Resolve a family issue. Work out a home vision that works for everyone.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -Today is a 7 -- You’re stronger for the next two days. What you’re learning becomes especially fascinating over the next few weeks with Mercury in Taurus. Concentration and focus come easier. Write reports, posts and articles. Share the news.

Sports

page 8

Tuesday, april 14, 2015

NCAA restores batting power outage ausTin Miller | @AMiller_DE The NCAA brought the power back to college baseball.

In 2011, the NCAA implemented a new standard, Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution, or BBCOR for bats, which regulates how much energy comes from the ball on contact.

With it, the safety of pitchers increased and stopped balls from flying out of the park, akin to Robert Redford’s character, Roy Hobbs’ final home run in the film “The Natural.”

Since the change, NCAA home runs, batting average and scoring average decreased each year.

In 2014, teams averaged 5.08 runs per game, the lowest since 1973, one year before aluminum bats were introduced. Teams averaged 0.39 home runs per game last season, the lowest in history.

In order to bring the offense back, the NCAA lowered the laces of baseballs by 0.017 inch before this year. Now the seams are flat on the ball, similar to those used by the professionals.

As a result, home runs have increased 40 percent from last year to this point, partly because of the decrease in drag forces from the sunken seams.

Saluki senior outfielder Parker Osborne said he sees this as a good thing for the game to increase excitement.

“You know what they say — ‘Chicks dig the long ball,’” Osborne said.

Eric Chitambar, an assistant professor of physics, said the reduced drag is the reason for more home runs. He said drag is resistance of the ball’s motion because of the surrounding air molecules.

“If there was no drag and you threw a baseball, it would just sail forever,” Chitambar said. “That’s what causes the baseball to slow down and gravity pulls it down to the ground.”

The new balls, developed at Washington State University Sports Science Laboratory, travel 20 feet farther off the bat than their raised counterparts because of the decreased drag.

Osborne said he has not noticed the change while throwing, but has seen more lift on balls he has hit. He increased his 2014 batting average from .250 to .274, the second best on the team.

.048 4.06 6.81

Seams changed (in.)

NCAA ERA Strikeouts (per nine innings)

.031 4.36 6.81

Home runs per game increased 40 percent after last year’s lowest total for home runs per game in history Teams in 2014 averaged 5.07 runs per game, the lowest since 1973 e llen B ooTh | @EllenBooth_DE

“We’ve seen more home runs here already— not from us exactly,” Osborne said. “Some of the balls I’ve hit [this year] compared to last year have surprised myself.”

However, good news for Osborne does not mean good news for the pitching staff because SIU has given up more homers than they have hit.

The Salukis gave up 15 home runs through April 12 last year, and have allowed 21 this year through April 13. Even though there has been an increase in power nationwide, the Salukis have hit fewer dingers than this time last year: 12 to 9.

With the lowered laces, some people might think pitchers have less grip, but that has not been the case. Despite the earned-run average raising from 4.06 to 4.36 across the NCAA, the strikeout

rate has gone from 6.81 to 7.66 per nine innings.

The Salukis have worsened their ERA from 3.50 to 6.13.

A pitcher does not just have to worry about drag and gravity, but also the ball’s spin.

Chitambar said the ball being pitched is similar to a plane lifting off.

For a sinker, the pitcher puts top-spin on the ball. This makes the air molecules under the ball move faster than those on top.

“If you have a differential in velocity, the spin is what is getting the molecules moving faster, then you have a difference in pressure,” he said. “You have a greater pressure above the ball, then below the ball, that’s what causes it to fall.”

Sophomore pitcher Chad Whitmer said he has

noticed the change in the balls and welcomes it.

For one of Whitmer’s curveballs, air molecules are moving faster on the left side, making the ball slide to the left.

This should make the air less agitated and cause less movement, but Whitmer said his breaking balls have benefited from the change.

“With the higher seams, breaking pitches were more loopy,” Whitmer said. “With the short seams, the off-speed is sharper.”

Whitmer said his pitches are also faster with the reduced drag.

“I’ve been pretty successful with it lately, so I can’t really complain,” he said.

Both players said they have made no changes to their techniques to adjust to the ball.

Shocker guards announce they will return aaron graff | @Aarongraff_DE SIU men’s basketball has to play against Wichita State junior guards Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet for one more year.

Both made the last two All-Missouri Valley Conference First Teams, and announced they would return for their senior seasons on Monday, rather than declare for the NBA Draft. VanVleet was also named the MVC Player of the Year in 2014.

The two started all 35 games this season and were the top two scorers on the team.

Baker averaged 14.7 points per game and VanVleet averaged 13.6.

Baker led the MVC with 80 made 3-pointers and he led his team with a .383 three-point shooting percentage, with a minimum of 30 attempts.

“The reality is, I felt like any decision I made was going to be a good one,” Baker said in a Shocker Athletics press release. “I think I’ll eventually be successful at the next level, but with what we have coming in and the people we have returning, including Fred VanVleet, next season has the potential to be very special. It’s been an amazing ride here at WSU, and my family and I aren’t quite ready for it to end.”

VanVleet led the MVC with 183 assists, averaging 5.2 a game. He was second in conference and first on his team with 66 steals, averaging 1.9 a game.

He broke the school record for assists on Feb. 22, and has 465 going into his final season. He is also 52 steals shy of the school record.

“It’s been a good three years,” VanVleet said in a Shocker Athletics press release. “But

now it’s time to finish what we started.”

In WSU press releases, coach Gregg Marshall said Baker has established himself as a Shocker great and iconic college basketball player. Marshall said VanVleet makes coaching easy and fun because he is a floor general.

Wichita State has had the best regular season record in conference the past two years, and won the 2014 MVC tournament. It earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament that season before being defeated by Kentucky in the second round.

This season, the Shockers made the Sweet-16 after defeating the No. 2 seeded Kansas Jayhawks.

The Salukis have not defeated the l uke n ozicka | @LukeNozicka Shockers since Feb. 5, 2013, when the Wichita State junior guard Ron Baker attempts a layup on March 6 during the Salukis’ 56Dawgs won 64-62 at home.

45 loss at Arch Madness in St. Louis.