Online Issue Spring 2012 #30

Arts & Life, B1

Sports, B4

UT Group of the week: Trinity Jazz Ensemble

Toledo dismantles Huskies, 71- 41 at Savage Arena

Independent Collegian IC The

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Serving the University of Toledo since 1919

www.IndependentCollegian.com 92nd year Issue 30

SOPA and PIPA bills Student circulates game day parking petition threaten online freedom Danielle Gamble Copy Chief

By Vincent D. Scebbi Managing Editor

Neil Horani woke up yesterday morning and needed to quickly look at a periodic table of elements on the Internet. He first went to Wikipedia, only to discover the homepage was blacked out.

“I was kind of disappointed

because I use Wikipedia to look up facts and information,” Horani, a senior majoring in nursing, said. “It was the first time Wikipedia let me down.”

Other frequent users of pages such as Google, Reddit and I Can Has Cheezburger noticed — Censorship, Page A3

performed for almost two years. A proclaimed advocate, she couldn’t let the To Lauren McCafferty, complaints of her residents game day parking should be go unanswered. very simple.

“We’re really here to be “If you pay $5 at a basket- helping the residents to ball game but I pay $20,000 make them feel at home in tuition, that parking spot here, because it is their is more mine than yours,” home,” she said. she said.

Using her This attiposition as a If you pay $5 at a tude spurred UT Journals the junior basketball game s t u d e n t majoring in but I pay $20,000 in blogger, Mcbiology to tuition, that parking C a f f e r t y take action posted a –— she start- spot is more mine than blog entry ed a petition yours. entitled “The on Change.

Parking org, a site Lauren McCafferty Chronicles” that hosts Junior, on Dec. 7. petitions for Biology Shortly afvarious soter, she crecial causes, ated the petition. in December.

“I didn’t want to raise my Once affiliated with the fist at the university — I just website, any member can wanted to bring attention to sign the petition asking UT it,” McCafferty said. to “stop reserving parking Initially concerned about for attendees of weekday the waves her posts might athletic events.” have created, McCafferty McCafferty said she first was disappointed about the noticed students were dis- lack of feedback from the content with game day park- administration. ing when she served as a — Petition, Page A3 resident advisor, a job she

“

”

Graphic by Nick Kneer/ IC

Parking Lot 10 and Parking Lot 9 are two lots that have reserved parking for attendees of athletic events hosted during the week.

UT professor to host concealed weapon course

By IC Staff

Screenshots from en.Wikipedia.org and Google.com

Wikipedia and Google are two of several websites that protested the SOPA and PIPA yesterday. Wikipedia had a blackout while Google displayed censorship.

Shots will fly as five members of UT’s College Republicans attend a concealed weapons course this weekend.

This day-long seminar will begin with a lecture explaining how to legally conceal and carry a firearm. The students will then demonstrate

their shooting abilities with live ammunition at a shooting range.

If their aim is accurate, participants who are 21 years old and up will be licensed to carry a concealed firearm in Ohio.

This is the second time the College Republicans will have the opportunity to learn about carrying a concealed

firearm.

Scott Mazzola, Doug Dettert, Drew Ashcraft, Patrick Richardson and Beth Mellinger will be exercising their right to bear arms Saturday.

Mellinger, a senior majoring in communication, was an attendee of the previous course and is looking forward to another chance to shoot.

“I had so much fun and

learned so much [at the first course],” Mellinger said in an email. “I think this definitely helped our group feel more unified because we were able to bond over taking full advantage of our rights.”

This session will be hosted

by Brian Patrick, associate professor of communication

Big Bird and Elmo come Student proposes reconstruction of Student Government to Ritter Planetarium Megan M. Vollmer For The IC

Although Big Bird usually stays grounded on Sesame Street, students may be able to see him flying through Ritter Planetarium.

Ritter showcased several renovations with a children’s program called “One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” to a packed house Saturday.

Audiences got the chance to lounge in new seats inside the full dome of the planetarium which recently underwent a $500,000 renovation, including a new Spitz SciDome XD projector.

The new projector cost approximately $350,000, according to Alex Mak, associate director of the Ritter Planetarium. He said the remaining cost went to installing new seats and carpets.

The cost of the renovation and new projector was funded

by UT President Lloyd Jacobs.

The projector is one of two used in the entire world. Using 6.5 million pixels, the projector gives the audience a 360 degree view around the entire 40-foot hemisphere of the dome, making them part of the program.

Mak said the addition allows for more educational opportunities since anything found on the internet is able to be projected onto the big screen.

“Big Bird’s Adventure” teaches the basics of astronomy and Earth. It explains how the characters of “Sesame Street” start to realize that the same sky they see every night is the exact same sky as the one in China.

Elmo, Big Bird and Hu Hu Zhu, their friend from China,

use analogies such as the Big and Little Dippers looking like dipping spoons into a pot of soup to simplify the subject.

Throughout the program, the characters teach audiences the main constellations in the sky, as well as finding particular stars and planets in our solar system.

The show also gives facts at the beginning of the program to engage the audience. Mak came out and introduced the program, asked questions regarding it, and gave fun facts about the renovation and projector. The program was well received, and the children and their families were excited to answer questions and follow along with Mak and the characters of the program.

The Ritter Planetarium will be running programs for the UT community. “Big Bird’s Adventure” will play again this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The next show, “IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System,” will be Friday, Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m.

This particular program is also produced by the Adler Planetarium. It follows the creation of NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer. Scientists are using this to investigate the boundaries of space.

“IBEX is a program about the area between where our solar system ends and interstellar space begins,” Mak said.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children 4 through 12, seniors and UT students and employees. For more information, call Ritter Planetarium at (419)530-2650 or its 24-hour information hotline at (419)530-4037.

— Concealed, Page A3

By Sa’de Ganey IC Staff Writer

other students listen to and discuss Ridenour’s views which he describes as an The tension at Tuesday’s improved organization that Student Government meet- promotes community and ing thickened as a student awareness. discussed his Ridenour idea for rebegan by moving the There is no sense of stating that organization he was not and replac- community at the Uni- a politician, ing it with a versity of Toledo. just a nor“more effecmal student tive” model. who set out Jantzen to form a Ridenour, a Jantzen Ridenour new system senior major- Senior, other than ing in reli- Religious Studies SG. gious studies He said if and an advocate for recon- his idea of a new organizastruction, made an appear- tion were to go through, ance to discuss his oppos- then more students would ing views.

— SG, Page A3 SG senators along with

“

”

Photos by Diane Woodring/ IC

(top) Jantzen Ridenour, a senior majoring in religious studies, addresses the Student Senate with his ideas for doing away with their current model and recreating the organization at Tuesday’s senate meeting. (right) Students at Tuesday’s meeting listen to Ridenour’s speech.

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Independent Collegian

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Censorship From Page A1 changes to these familiar sites yesterday.

Whether it was a redacted logo, pop-ups asking for help, links to contact public officials or a “blackout” altogether, website firms spoke out against two bills currently in Congress.

One of the most notable websites was the English version of Wikipedia, which blacked out the language’s homepage while explaining its reasoning.

With Wikipedia on a 24-hour hiatus, Don Myers, a senior double majoring in education and history, said it was more of a nuisance to him since he uses the site frequently to look up quick facts and read random articles.

“It interrupts what I want to do,” he said. “[Wikipedia] is not the type of site being targeted.”

The purpose – to oppose the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which is making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives, and the similar Protect Intellectual

SG From Page A1 have a forum to voice problems on campus. Ridenour said students should be able to call UT home.

“There is no sense of community at the University of Toledo,” he said.

Ridenour believes there is not enough student involvement in SG and there are not many students who know about student government, stating students are unaware of who the senators are.

One student answered that all of SG’s information is on their website and can access it through the UT’s page.

“There is no reason to look you up,” Ridenour responded.

Ridenour said students would become more interested in SG if each student organization had a representative to voice their opinion.

He believes many students don’t know they have a voice.

SG President Matt Rubin said Ridenour made it clear he didn’t wish to abolish the organization.

Rubin said Ridenour’s appearance was a publicity stunt.

“His statement was meant to get people to hear him speak,” he said.

Rubin said Ridenour made good points about possible improvements to SG, but he wished Ridenour would have attended some meetings before forming “invalid opinions.”

“I don’t think Jantzen is

this

space is

available for

rent.

419-534-2438

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The

Independent Collegian

Thursday, January 19, 2012 Property Act (PIPA) in the Senate. Both bills aim to inhibit foreign websites that sell pirated or counterfeit goods, impose restrictions that would force U.S. companies to stop selling online ads to suspected pirate sites, and refusing to list websites suspected of piracy in search-engine results.

In a letter to the judiciary committees in both houses of Congress, companies such as Google Inc., Facebook Inc., eBay Inc., LinkedIn Corporation, Mozilla Corporation, Twitter Inc., Yahoo! Inc. and Zynga Game Network call the reasons just but believe SOPA and PIPA would put their businesses in a difficult position.

“Unfortunately, the bills as drafted would expose lawabiding U.S. Internet and technology companies to new uncertain liabilities, private rights of action and technology mandates that would require monitoring of web sites,” the letter said. “We are concerned that these measures pose a serious risk to our industry’s continued track record of innovation and jobcreation, as well as to our Nation’s cybersecurity.”

wrong for feeling like his voice needs to be heard. He represents a different ideology to put forward change,” Rubin said.

“

I don’t think he understands everything student government does.

Alison Wery Sophomore, Pre-pharmacy

”

This was Ridenour’s first SG meeting. He said he didn’t feel the need to attend any other meetings.

Alison Wery, a sophomore majoring in pre-pharmacy, said, “I don’t think he understands everything student government does. It would have been nice if he would have come to the student government meetings.”

Ridenour said campus safety is a priority and that student

The effects of the day-long protest slowed momentum, as the free encyclopedia reports they had over 126 million hits and Google reports over 4.5 million signed their online petition.

Sen. Benjamin Cardin (DMD), who co-sponsored an earlier version of PIPA, announced his opposition and six Republican senators who were previously supportive of the bill, asked for it to slow down so changes could be made.

Charles Hallinan, a professor of law at the University of Dayton, said while the intentions of the bills seem noble, he believes they add little support for people’s intellectual property. Instead, organizations such as the Motion Picture Association of America are using their influence in Congress.

“We have highly interested groups being close to succeeding ramming something that affects the general public,” he said.

Hallinan, who teaches electronic communication and Internet law, said while the two bills would work in shutting government is withholding information on campus crime rates.

Tate Stricklin, a junior majoring in computer science and a SG senator, said she didn’t think there were many valid points made.

“His opinion is formulated off incorrect facts,” she said. “I’m a proponent for change in any instance provided that change has been researched and examined.”

Recent work done by SG included the installation of cameras in the Student Union and extending library hours during finals week.

According to SG Senator Kemi Ademuyewo, a sophomore majoring in public health, SG also worked in improving areas of the community.

“Student Government has done a lot, such as going to student houses behind engineering [and] making them look less like student housing to prevent theft,” Ademuyewo said.

SG meetings are every Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. in the Student

Concealed From Page A1

Screen shot from wired.com

Wired also censored their website in protest of PIPA and SOPA yesterday. down sites, it would also censor sites that do not have malicious intentions.

Hallinan said the acts do little in adding enforcement.

He believes piracy is well enough enforced with current legislation such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Myers, who has been researching SOPA for a political science class, said while

he sees both sides of the argument, he is still on the fence.

“I don’t use pirated stuff,” he said. “If everyone’s getting pirated stuff, where’s the creative motivation?”

Horani said he hopes a compromise could be met on this issue.

Horani also said he was just thankful “Facebook wasn’t down.”

Petition From Page A1 She was contacted by a member of Student Government through email about the possibility of creating legislation for the parking problem, and it’s an avenue McCafferty hasn’t ruled out.

“I would like to see change happen from somewhere. If Student Government wants to help with that, I think that’s awesome, I think that’s what they’re there for. Hopefully, together we can make something change,” she said.

Each petition on Change. org must be registered with an objective in mind, so McCafferty arbitrarily set a goal of 50 signatures. She was very pleased to see that mark surpassed, so she raised the bar to 100 signatures.

More than the signatures, McCafferty said her favorite part of the experience is reading the comments left by the supporters. She said it

was reassuring to see people support her and to know that she wasn’t the only student to find fault with the game day parking system.

Many of the signers were outraged to be turned away from parking lots on game days, citing their $125 parking permit as payment enough.

One of the commenters wrote, “As a commuting student, finding a place to park in the general vicinity of my classes on a normal day is abysmal at best. It is even worse during weekday athletic activities where I am told countless times I am unable to park in C lots, resulting in me being late to my class by sometimes up to a half hour.”

McCafferty isn’t the only one to receive complaints about parking.

Nnenne Edeh, a sophomore majoring in music and a worker at the Student Recreational Center, said she receives complaints about parking every game day.

Edeh said when the Rec

and gun enthusiast, at his Michigan residence. Patrick is known for his advocacy for the Second Amendment from his appearance on Tom Gresham’s radio show, “Gun Talk” and his book “The National Rifle Association and the Media: The Motivating Force of Negative Coverage.”

These concealed carrying courses aren’t the only pro-gun events the College Republicans have hosted.

“The [College Republicans] go recreational shooting pretty frequently,” Mellinger said.

“I’ve always valued the Bill of Rights and tried to keep their importance relevant to my own life.”

Mellinger said anyone interested in shooting with the group is more than welcome to contact the College Republicans and come along.

“I think that anyone that loves their freedom as an American would enjoy this course,” she said. “Knowledge of proper firearm use is something that all Americans should have, even if they choose to not exercise their right.”

Center lot is closed, students continually ask her where to go.

“I give them suggestions, saying they can go to Olde Towne [University Square], but I really don’t know, so people are getting tickets and it’s really not right,” she said.

Edeh said before the 2011 football season, she wasn’t allowed to use the Rec Center lot on game days even though she was an employee.

McCafferty would like to see the number of signatures climb even higher, and tentative plans to highlight her petition include starting a Facebook group and hanging up posters throughout campus, including the Free Speech board in the Student Union.

For now, the purpose of McCafferty’s petition is to simply raise awareness about parking issues. But in the future, she hopes she can use the list of unhappy students to approach administrators such as President Lloyd Jacobs about adjusting the university parking

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Independent Collegian

Thursday, January 19, 2012

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For Rent 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 Bedroom Homes, 2 & 3 Baths, all appliances including washer & dryer, security systems, free lawn care, plenty of parking, less than 1/2 mile from campus, some within walking distance. Call Rick at 419-283-8507 ! www.universityproperties.net

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Forum

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Randiah Green Editor-in-Chief

Chelsea Howell Sales Manager

Vincent D. Scebbi Managing Editor

Jessica Stallkamp Forum Editor

- in our opinion -

Bringing the range home Armed with a hunting knife in Oklahoma, Justin Martin, 24, and an accomplice pounded on Sarah McKinley’s door in the middle of the night on New Year’s Eve with intent to steal pain medication. Martin probably didn’t expect the teenage, widowed mother to be standing near the front door with a 12-gauge gun. His accomplice probably didn’t predict he’d witness the death of Martin from a gunshot wound.

McKinley wasn’t going to let a pain medication addict endanger the life of her or her infant son. The 18-year old mother heard Martin knocking on her door, retrieved her gun, gave a bottle to her infant son and asked a 911 dispatcher for permission to shoot if the man broke into her house. While the dispatcher didn’t grant McKinley permission, she did encourage McKinley to do what she must to protect her son.

That’s exactly what McKinley did.

The above is a story of the right to bare arms used the way it should be. This story could have easily had a different conclusion − at worst, the teenager and her infant son would’ve died. However, McKinley activated “mother wolf” mode and greeted Martin, and the new year, with a gun. This story is an example of how some basic self-defense training could prevent situations from escalating, reduce fears about a break-in scenario and save lives.

According to a Blade article, there has been a spike in the number of women getting concealed carry permits. Even Ladies Night at Cleland’s Outdoor World has seen an increase in the number of female attendees. These increases represent the unwillingness of women in Toledo

to become another murder statistic or heartbreaking news headline. If anything, the classic stereotype of women as defenseless and vulnerable is being shed as more women find they enjoy firing away at what used to be a male-dominated sport.

McKinley lives in an area where three deputies cover 12,000 square miles and it’s not customary for one to lock his or her door. Last year, Toledo had a total of 18,670 property crimes and was considered safer than only five percent of cities in the United States, according to the city crime rate analyzer Neighborhood Scout. Maybe owning a gun makes sense in a city as dangerous as Toledo.

But maybe it doesn’t. The use and purchase of a firearms shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially if there are children in the home. A 2008 article on the website Momlogic.com stated over 500 children die annually from accidental gunshots.

They also relay several tragic stories, including an incident involving a 2-year old Tampa boy who shot himself in the chest with a loaded gun he found in his parents’ couch.

Purchasing a gun doesn’t have to be a response to the crime-fest the world is lately; it can be a source of entertainment and fun. When guns are safely kept and owners are properly instructed on how to use it, shooting can be a fun sport, like hunting. Whether for protection or recreation, the keywords are responsibility and education. Guns are only dangerous in the hands of dangerous people.

Strip club going into Headliners places like churches and schools that allow the talented to perform, but often times they’re required to heavily censor their messages.

Headliners is a place where people from many demographics can gather, and school and church platforms don’t quite offer that.

Venues offer a unique experience from other nightlife establishments. There are some bars and clubs that allow people to perform, but they’re not focused around the entertainment in the same way a venue is. At a bar, the focus is the atmosphere and the drinks and the music in the background is a part of that, but at a venue the stage is set around the music. The fans and the artists are intertwined. It’s not about enjoying some music while getting a good drink; it’s about going to watch your favorite band perform.

There’s a lot of talent in Toledo that needs to develop, and removing this venue would keep them from doing that, effectively immobilizing them. The economy is tight and record deals are harder to come by. Most bands rely on selfpromotion and word of mouth to get their message across. Headliners has a community where this is easily achieved, but turning it into a strip joint would hurt it.

Some may argue that not building a strip club is preventing some talented strippers from securing a job, but there are strip clubs all over the area and only one Headliners.

Headliners should stay what it always has been: a key location where the entertainmenthungry can get their fix of laughter and decent music in one place. There’s no other platform like Headliners that offers such a diverse array of talent, and the removal of this would be a huge loss to the fading Toledo community. So, the girls at this new strip club should keep their shirts on, because this venue isn’t taking off.

Headliners, a popular music venue on North Detroit Avenue, will possibly be converted to a strip club according to WTOL News 11. Apparently, there’s more money in naked women dancing than clothed people.

Headliners has long been a sanctuary to bass-thirsty fans spread all across Michigan and Ohio areas. From T-Pain to the Misfits to comedians like Mike Birbiglia, Headliners has long been the go-to spot for quality entertainment.

When Friday and Saturday nights come, music fans can rely on the Headliner’s website to see which artists will soon be in town. For a cheap fee, they can gather with friends, fill themselves up on decent drinks and dance the night away to the sounds they think embody this generation. While there are other venues in town, Headliner’s has been a staple in the community, and to part with it would be a loss to the many music fans who appreciate it.

Other venues, such as the Omni, are incomparable to Headliners’ sound system and rooms.

It’s not just young teenagers who can appreciate what the venue offers. Many older Toledo residents can recall nights they spent watching their favorite musicians pour their hearts out at the venue.

Aside from seeking well-established entertainment, Headliners is also a good starting point for fresh bands to debut. It offers a comfortable, local setting for them to promote their music. They can develop themselves musically by learning which techniques “pump up” their audiences and which songs the fans really seem to crave. In essence, it’s a great spot for artists to develop their identity, to “tune their voice.”

There’s very few locations in Toledo that allow the musically gifted to do this on the levels they can at Headliners. Of course, there are

Selling our democracy We are in the midst of a primary season where Republicans vie for their party’s endorsement to challenge Barack Obama for presidency. We have seen Republican front runners rise and fall and campaign contributions ebb and flow.

Rick SantoBraeden rum raised Gilchrist over a million dollars the day after he tied Iowa’s caucus, but this is only a drop in the bucket. President Obama has set a goal to raise over a billion dollars for his campaign. The New York Times predicts overall spending by all candidates in 2012 will reach $8 billion, up from $5.3 billion in 2008. The stakes are very high as the political left and right fight for the future of our country.

I’m confident the 2012 election year will consist of record spending because it’s the first presidential race since the 2010 landmark case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. This Supreme Court ruling allows people to express their freedom of speech in the form of campaign contributions. Also, it grants corporations and unions the same rights as individuals to give unlimited contributions to candidates who are in their best interest.

I think this decision is dangerous because the only people who have the deep pockets to take advantage of the Citizens United ruling are big businesses. This judgment gives corporations another

way to lobby Washington.

Money is essential to running a strong campaign. The decisions about who runs and who wins increasingly come down to fundraising. It’s likely the elected candidate will want to repay his supporters.

I want to know that my elected officials have my interests in mind and not some international company seeking record profits.

The problem is made worse by the lack of transparency.

Anyone can donate to a candidate, but their names have to be disclosed. However, you can get around this by donating anonymously to a specific Political Action Committee (PAC) that represents your candidate. Hundreds of millions of dollars are funded into PACs to run ads promoting or attacking candidates.

This money has to be coming from somewhere. If I believed in a candidate, I would directly donate to their campaign. If I wanted to keep my connection secret, I would donate to a PAC. Campaigns have often been full of spin and misinformation, but PACs are not officially tied to a candidate so there is no accountability. These PACs are able to run ads saying whatever they want; they don’t have to be truthful.

This leaves a very bad taste in my mouth as any issue can be spun as either Satan’s work or the best thing ever.

Laws that protect the environment, public health, worker safety and economic justice but hamper profits could be whittled away. I don’t have the time to research every new initiative.

The only way to reverse the ruling of Citizens United is a constitutional amendment.

Getting there is hard. An amendment requires the

approval of two-thirds of Congress and three-quarters of all the states. There are websites with more information on proposed amendments and ways to pledge your support.

Publically financed elections (PFE) offer an alternative. This system allows candidates to run for office using public funds rather than relying on wealthy private donors. By cutting the direct link between campaign donations and political favors, PFEs would ensure that politicians are accountable to the public interest rather than special interests.

Following campaign contributions from a local election to the presidency is an indicator to how a candidate will perform in office. The neighborhood grocer and doctor won’t take advantage of Citizens United. This is about big, out-of-state, and in many cases, foreign companies that could try to buy our election process. I want to be able to see the connections between a candidate’s promises, campaign contributions and what they finally do in office. Publically financed elections would level the playing field, giving voters the opportunity to make a decision based on the merits of the candidates rather than their fundraising abilities. I want equality to be part of our democratic process. I want to see the end of disclosure loopholes. I want to feel confident my voice is heard in our democracy.

— Braeden Gilchrist is an IC Columnist and a senior majoring in mechnical engineering.

SG: the facts, as I’ve been told This past Tuesday, Jan. 17, I was allowed to present an alternative to the current Student Government model to alleviate what I saw as flaws that do not encourage student participation. After my speech there was Q&A which consisted Jantzen for the Ridenour most part of dissecting my column, which is entirely my own opinion. I was informed of several facts for what I can only assume was for the sake of my personal benefit. I would hate to think it was a personal jab of some sort in hopes of retaliation.

Such behavior would be un-

becoming of student leaders.

So first I will give my opinion, then the facts: OPINION: Only a small population of UT students knows about SG, therefore only a small population benefits from what they do – which, I have been told by them, is a great deal.

OPINION: A relatively large number of students, some SG members and alumni included, agree that SG does nothing of relevance.

FACT: The SG President receives free tuition. (I didn’t know that.)

FACT AWAITING CONFIRMATION: SG president also receives a monetary stipend.

FACT: The University of Toledo gives SG $48,000 annually. I didn’t know that, but I was informed that it wasn’t

a large amount of money and that the head football coach makes more than that in two months.

So, I will leave you with the facts and hope you consider my opinion. I strongly encourage every UT student who pays tuition and general fees and is dissatisfied here at UT to go to SG meetings every Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. in the Student Union Building, room 2592, to see for themselves what exactly SG does for them.

— Jantzen Ridenour is an IC columnist and a senior majoring in religious studies.

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www.IndependentCollegian.com Around town Jan. 19Jan. 25

Thursday Funny Bone Comedy

Arts and Life

UT group of the week: Trinity

By Patrick Richardson IC Staff Writer

Night Live cast member Fi-

Jazz music is an art form like no other. It requires both extensive knowledge of music theory and the ability to improvise a melody line in front of an audience.

To find a college student proficient at playing jazz is a rarity. To find six who work well together in an ensemble is even less likely.

Matthew Lastra, a senior majoring in music performance, has done just that.

The ensemble is called Trinity, a combination of triangle, a symbol of good fortune, and unity, a crucial part to any jazz ensemble.

The group is comprised of Lastra on trombone, senior Megan Lesle, a music education major, on guitar, Matt Deschamplain, a UT graduate student majoring in jazz performance, on piano, UT alums Tan Xu and Andy Bielski on tenor sax and bass, respectively, and Andy Zuercher, a jazz studies major at Owens Community College, on drums.

Lastra was unsuccessful in starting two other jazz ensembles before establishing Trinity. He is confident that his newest group will succeed.

According to Lastra, the

the Funny Bone for a wildly hilarious, 21-and-over show.

Performances go through Sunday. Visit http://funnybonecentral.com/ for show times and ticket prices.

W.W. Knight Nature Preserve – Come and enjoy the The Outside Is In, an indoor nature exhibit open all weekend. Open from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Friday Valentine Theatre — Come and experience Toledo’s new old-fashioned night out with Silver Screen Classics at the Valentine.

This week’s feature is The Philadelphia Story (1940).

Full bar and $2 popcorn is available. Admission is $3, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

— The Glacity Theatre Collective is performing the play Hunting Cockroaches this weekend and next.

Show starts at 8 p.m.

Saturday Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theatre – Join the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps and the BGSU Wind Symphony or an orchestral assault on the sens-

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Caitlin Arthurs – Editor

Jazz Ensemble

An original unity of talent

Club – Former Saturday

nesse Mitchell is coming to

Thursday, January 19, 2012

group works well together because “everyone has something interesting to bring to the table.” This helps them to write their music and produce an album, which is a daunting task.

Xu, who graduated with a master’s degree in jazz saxophone performance, has a particularly interesting past.

Before moving to the U.S. to attend UT, Xu was the number one jazz saxophone player in China. He wants to eventually return to China as the country’s first fully-educated jazz saxophone player.

Currently in China, most jazz musicians listen to YouTube videos of jazz music and impersonate what they hear, without really having an understanding of the music theory behind what they are doing. Xu hopes to change this with what he learned at UT, and plans to open a jazz school to teach children about jazz fundamentals.

Lastra almost didn’t learn those fundamentals, despite a longstanding passion for jazz.

At first, he double majored in biology and chemistry before deciding his heart lied in music. Lastra switched his major to music performance with an

Photo Courtesy of Matthew Lastra

The members of the jazz ensemble Trinity perform a mix of classical and contemporary jazz. emphasis on jazz studies and a concentration on the music business and recording arts.

Lastra desires to be “the whole enchilada” by having knowledge of both music theory and business.

He derives musical inspirations from jazz legends Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. “[They] didn’t have to play a lot of notes to make it sound amazing. [They] just always knew what notes to play.” He

also gathers inspiration from Led Zeppelin and hopes to write a jazz arrangement of their classic song, “When the Levee Breaks.”

Trinity has nearly completed their first album, “Horizons,” which will feature entirely original compositions.

They will play original selections from their album along with a wide variety of jazz standards at a free concert tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. in

the CPA Recital Hall.

The concert is free, but donations are welcome. 100 percent of the proceeds will go to a scholarship fund used to help music students at UT. Lastra said he wanted to “do something to give back” to the University and the music program that has taught him so much.

The free event is open to the public.

The best few of DC’s new 52

New graphics and storylines make for a better comic book experience The start of a new year is always a good opportunity to, well, start something new.

Seeing as this may be humanity’s last year of existence — thanks a lot, Mayans — now is the best time to read more exciting stories, view more beautiful art, or do both. Now is a great time for the new comic book reader.

Back in September 2011, DC Comics essentially restarted their entire universe with 52 issues from star creative teams. The goal was to erase the often confusing continuity that existed at the time and redefine classic characters, such as Superman and Batman, for a modern age, primarily in an effort

to attract new readers. years, Aquaman was the joke Throughout this month, of the superhero community many of these books will be despite attempts to toughen concluding their opening his image in the 90’s. Readers story arcs, allowing readers simply couldn’t get past his a p p a r e n t to separate the silliness. crap from the In the course of gold. In an effort one issue, Johns to answer the cuand Reis made rious and encourAquaman relatage the hesitant, able, interesting here is a list, in no and bad-ass. The particular order, first arc follows of what I think are Aquaman as he the five best faces a threat books for new By Russell Axon Copy Editor from the deepest readers from DC’s part of the ocean. Johns’ new 52.

“Aquaman” by Geoff writing is action-packed but Johns and Ivan Reis. No succeeds primarily in its quicharacter has better benefit- eter moments, which focus ed from DC’s reboot than the on Aquaman’s childhood and Prince of Atlantis. For many his developing role in the

surface world. Reis does a fantastic job with the action and scenery, and his facial expressions are incredibly emotional and detailed. The love these two have for the character is infectious.

“Wonder Woman” by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. For readers who enjoy mythology, Azzarello and Chiang tell an epic Greek tragedy in the pages of this book and it’s amazing. The opening arc is packed with betrayal, war, love, death, magic and Wonder Woman fighting centaurs.

Azzarello is currently labeled one of the best writers in the comic book industry, and his work here justifies that title. His Wonder

Woman is aggressive, strong, intelligent and courageous, yet still vulnerable, making for a complex character. The supporting cast features contemporary interpretations of the Greek pantheon, which are just as compelling.

Chiang’s smooth lines, kinetic action and brilliant panel work make for a gorgeous, dynamic book that few others can match.

“Animal Man” by Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman. Animal Man has a great tradition of going on some weird adventures, something Lemire and Foreman thankfully continued in their opening arc.

An undeservedly obscure — Comics, Page B2

es at the Roman Carnival Spectacular. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Tuesday Huntington Center – Tool brings their mesmerizing live show to Toledo. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.

Photo courtesy of DC Comics

The cover art for three of the new generation of comic book classics (from left to right): “Justice League,” “All-Star Western” and “Aquaman.”

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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Get up on your feet

Comics From Page B1 hero, Animal Man has the power to wield the attributes and abilities of virtually any member of the animal kingdom. When the source of his power comes under attack, it’s up to him and his similarly-powered daughter to save it.

For Lemire, Animal Man is a family man first. Lemire capitalizes on the family dynamics and exposes readers to an aspect of the superhero life that often goes unseen in DC comics.

This isn’t a family book, however; Lemire’s plot is terrifying and creepy. Those tones are expertly captured by Foreman’s sketchy, fluidic style which can effortlessly jump from beautiful to grotesque, while always remaining oddly engaging. This is an oddball book, which is a great compliment to its team.

“All-Star Western” by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti and Moritat. For readers wanting something outside the superhero genre, this book provides an intriguing, entertaining alternative.

Co-written by Gray and Palmiotti, “Western” follows infamous bounty hunter Jonah Hex into a budding yet dangerous Gotham City already plagued by corruption and murder. The cowriters have an unmatched understanding of Hex’s anti-hero, amoral attitude. The character functions as a black-or-white cure for the city’s gray virus, often with violent results.

Moritat depicts the violence and tension perfectly. His late 19th century Gotham is gritty, dirty and dark, a reflection of its malevolent and beleaguered citizens. Additionally, each issue contains a back-up short story featuring one of Hex’s wild west supporting characters.

“Justice League” by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. This is the big one. This is the $500 million blockbuster that only comics can do. This is everything and the kitchen sink and the neighbor’s kitchen sink. This is a superhero book having fun, pure and simple. When a galactic force threatens the entire planet, only Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, the Flash and Cyborg can stop it.

Credit again goes to Johns for his flawless ability to handle plot, characterization and action without missing a beat.

Lee, a comic book legend for his work on X-Men and the WildStorm universe, creates the most exciting visuals possible, cramming each page with intense, detailed action.

This is the story of how the DC Universe begins, making it

Newest game in the Just Dance series has new features that make players want to get moving

Photo Courtesy of DC Comics

Examples of the newly redone artwork for the classics “Animal Man”(top) and “Wonder Woman” (below).

If you’re looking for a game much the same idea, but it that’s fun, challenging and a acts more like a mini workout great, quick workout, then program. There are three different workouts ranging from you’ll love “Just Dance 3.”

This is the kind of game that easy to intense and they’re anyone can pick up and play tracked by Sweat Points.

I usually do Just without worrying Sweat, since it about the story or gives me a goal of where they left off points to reach — mainly because daily and I feel there is no story. more rewarded You just dance when I reach that your heart out. goal. Personally, I There are two stick with the midmain options: Just dle setting, which Dance and Just is only 1,000 sweat Sweat. In Just Dance mode, play- By Dannielle Laws points. It’s quick and somewhat ers can pick from IC Staff Writer easy, but still inany song or playlist and must match the moves tense enough to kick my butt and leave me drenched in the dancers do in the game.

The concept is pretty sim- sweat.

Other cool features include ple, but the dancing itself doesn’t have to be. Up to four the downloadable and unlockpeople can play and dance at able content; the more you the same time and some songs play, the more songs and speare made especially for multi- cials you can unlock.

Some songs include Katy player mode.

Just Sweat mode is pretty Perry’s “California Gurls,” Cee

Lo Green’s “Forget You” and Scissor Sisters’ “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’.” If you have an Internet connection you can also buy and download more songs. Some are from past Just Dance games, but most are new.

One really cool song available for download is the Mario Bros. theme, which was originally only in the Japanese version of Just Dance. The video for the song has Mario dancing around a few levels from the original NES game.

It’s a great song for kids to dance to and has to be my favorite song.

Overall, this game is so much fun and the replay value is very high. You’ll always discover something new and you can play the songs over and over again until you get high scores on all of them.

This game is available on all consoles and gets my score of five out of five jazz hands. Go buy “Just Dance 3” and free your feet!

Photo courtesy of Ubisoft

the perfect jumping on point for anyone looking to start comics.

Many of these arcs will likely be collected in trade paperbacks, allowing for a complete, uninterrupted read.

Readers with any digital comic reader app can purchase current and past issues.

These books only scratch the surface of

From pen to paper Submissions from student literary artists

what is available from DC, and anyone interested in reading any of the new 52 will be pleasantly surprised by the excellent variety and quality.

If you’re looking to try something new this year, these comics are a great introduction into a medium where the possibilities are truly limitless.

Send any pre-edited form of creative writing to carthurs@IndependentCollegian.com to be featured in the Arts and Life section.

Hey, Asshole X-men couldn’t stop you crazy bipolar dipshit you took the best three years of my youth turning them into a game of risk love like a prisoner of war you’re the boogeyman that lives in my ice castle storm brewing all around me broken glass surrounding my heart you acted like a prince most of the time you were the punisher like lost sheep following the wicked shepherd betrayed for the love I gave.

By Misti Kemp - Misti Kemp is a junior/senior double majoring in English and communications broadcasting.

The Independent Collegian is not responsible for any mistakes, grammatical or otherwise, in the weekly From Pen to Paper submissions. Out of respect for the writers and their work, we do not edit or change their words. We trust that what is submitted is in the form that the author intended.

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View all of the content from this issue and more on our website! www.IndependentCollegian.com

The new Just Dance 3 allows players to follow along with brightly colored dancers like the past two versions of the game, but gives the options of new modes and popular songs to dance to.

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File Photo by Nick Kneer

UT head coach Tricia Cullop is looking for the first back-to-back wins since early December.

Tonight From Page B4 Having gone 4-5 since their last pair of consecutive wins, Toledo improved to 2-2 in MAC play last Saturday with a 49-47 win at Northern Illinois.

Junior center Yolanda Richardson led UT with a game-high 16 points, five boards and two blocks.

“Yo has done a really nice job of being a consistent scoring threat on the block,” Cullop said. “She blocks a lot of shots but she also changes a lot of shots. She’s also done a nice job on the boards. I just appreciate her consistency and what she’s done to pick up some of the slack for us.”

Sophomore guard Andola Dortch was the only other Rocket to reach double figures, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds, and a

game-best four assists and three steals. Dortch scored the game’s final three points to put UT past the Huskies.

“Andola really brings a lot of confidence to our team,” Cullop said. “She’s a player who started a lot of games for us last year and has been through the rigors of the season.

“She’s relied upon heavily.

She’s a scorer and our primary ball handler. She’s also picking up the other team’s point guard.”

Richardson and Dortch lead the Rockets in scoring with 13.7 and 11.3 points per game, respectively.

NIU had two chances to regain the lead in the final seconds of Toledo’s last game but a stout defensive effort helped Toledo pull out the win.

Another strong defensive showing could be enough to put the Rockets past Ball

State (7-10, 2-2) tonight. The Cardinals are tied for second to last in the MAC in scoring with a measly 58.5 points per game. The crew from Muncie has posted a dismal 1-6 record on the road this season.

The Ball State offense is led by sophomore forward Jazmin Hitchens who is averaging a team-high 11.7 ppg and 4.2 rpg.

Toledo will look to move past Hitchens and the Cardinals to improve upon their all-time series lead of 47-18, which includes a two-game sweep of BSU last season.

“Hitchens really gets up and down the floor,” Cullop said. “I think transition defense is going to be key. Traditionally they’re a team that’s run the floor really so we need to make sure we don’t give up easy baskets.”

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Savage Arena.

Tell

Harry E. Walker/MCT

Its Brady Time

Now that “Tebowmania” is over, Tom Brady has his Patriots poised for another Super Bowl run. The Ravens visit Foxboro at 3 p.m. on CBS then the Giants and 49ers square off at 6:30 on FOX Sunday.

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“

My teammates found me and set great screens. I was able to hit the shots tonight.

Curtis Dennis UT junior forward

Section B

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Sports

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Thursday January 19, 2012

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Joe Mehling – Editor

Toledo dismantles Huskies, 71-41 at Savage Arena

By Joe Mehling Sports Editor

Nick Kneer / IC

Junior Dominique Buckley had 10 points in the Rockets’ 30 point victory over Northern Illinois at Savage Arena last night.

The Rockets buried Northern Illinois early at Savage Arena last night.

Toledo capitalized on a 155 run in the first half en route to the 71-41 victory over the Huskies.

Junior forward Curtis Dennis led the Rockets with 18 points, 6-of-10 from the field, off the bench.

“I had been struggling, so tonight I really wanted to come out and get into a rhythm,” Dennis said. “My teammates found me and set great screens, I was able to hit the shots tonight.”

UT junior guard Dominique Buckley and sophomore forward Reese Holliday joined Dennis in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Toledo defense was strong all night, not allowing any NIU player into double figures. Freshman guard Abdel Nader, who was averaging just over 10 points a game, was just 1-for-10 from field and ended with five points.

“I thought tonight we got back to guarding much better,” said UT head coach Tod Kowalczyk. “Take away the first four minutes of the game with us getting our rear ends kicked on the glass and I thought we played real well after that defensively.”

Northern Illinois shot just

30 percent from the field and was forced into 23 turnovers.

The Rockets capitalized, scoring 28 points off of the miscues.

“In the first half I thought we played good defense down the stretch,” Dennis said. “In the second half we got a bit lackadaisical and let them score but that’s something we can mature on.”

The Huskies held a slight two point lead five minutes in, their only lead of the game.

The Rockets countered with a 30-9 run over the next 15 minutes to hold a commanding 37-18 lead at the half.

“I thought in the first half, to be honDennis est with you, we didn’t play very well, but we grinded it out,” Kowalczyk said. “We stayed together and grinded it out.

Next thing we know we built a pretty good lead and a nice cushion.”

Toledo set the game into cruise control in the second half, sailing to the easy 30-point victory to improve to 9-9 overall and 1-3 in the Mid-American Conference.

“It feels good,” Dennis said. “We still have a lot of work to do but it feels good to get a win. It was much needed.”

“I guess it’s a good thing when you win by 30 and the coach isn’t real happy” Kowalczyk said.

The Rockets return to action on Saturday with a battle against Eastern Michiagn in Ypsilanti, Mich. at 2 p.m.

Rockets set for matchup

with Ball State tonight

File Photo by Nick Kneer

Senior Haylie Linn must step up in conference play for the Rockets to have success in the MAC.

By Nate Pentecost Assistant Sports Editor

File Photo by Nick Kneer

One more year for Shafir UT senior point guard Naama Shafir has decided to accept the medical redshirt for this season and return to the team next season. Shafir was sidelined early this season with a torn ACL.

When the Lady Rockets take the court at Savage Arena tonight they will be looking for their first set of backto-back wins since knocking off Iona (Dec. 1) and Colorado State (Dec. 4) over a month ago.

Needless to say, it has not been the season UT head coach Tricia Cullop and her squad envisioned for themselves after capturing the

regular season Mid-American Conference crown and the WNIT championship in their 2010-11 campaign.

Of course, by no means could Toledo have anticipated being without their conference player of the year candidate Naama Shafir who went down for the season after tearing her ACL in the first minute of the Rockets season opener.

The youthful Rockets (just two seniors on the active roster) have done their best

to weather the storm in Shafir’s absence, but thus far have posted a mediocre 9-7 overall record.

“I think we’re slowly making progress,” Cullop said.

“It’s been kind of a gradual process, overcoming the loss of Naama. We have a lot of players now that are in a different position than they were in the past and it just takes time for them to grow through that.”

— Tonight, Page B3