Burnin’ Up
Off Track
Track members use snowshoeing as alternative to running, page 23
Students sweat it out in heated yoga classes for challenging workout, page 13
Thursday March 11, 2010
The Ithacan
Logged out
Online avatars abandon Park’s Second Life island
photo illustration by allison usavage and michelle barrie
By Allison Musante Managing editor
More than three years ago an island was purchased for the Roy H. Park School of Communications in the virtual world of Second Life. Now the island often resembles a ghost town. “Sometimes you expect a tumbleweed to blow by,” assistant television-radio professor Kim Gregson said.
Despite the buzz about Second Life when it was publicly released in 2003, only a handful of Ithaca College professors have experimented with it. Though users could socialize in this customizable digital environment through avatars — character representations of themselves — many users, which have included educators and casual gamers alike, have felt that their expectations of it have fallen flat. The Park School paid a $1,500 start-up fee and
has been paying $150 in rent per month since it launched in 2006. Diane Gayeski, the interim dean of the Park School, spoke about the potential of online education during her candidate sessions. “It will be up to the permanent dean and faculty who teach courses that might require online tools such as Second Life to make decisions about how
See Technology, page 4
City officials hold meeting after downtown shooting By Lily Oberman Staff Writer
Many questions remained after about 300 members of the community met at Southside Community Center on Tuesday night to discuss the death of Shawn Greenwood. The community members voiced their concerns about Greenwood’s death, which occurred around 5 p.m. Feb. 23 outside of Pete’s Grocery and Deli on West Buffalo Street. Greenwood was fatally shot by Ithaca Police Department Sgt. Bryan Bangs after Greenwood accelerated his car toward an officer. As previously reported in an Ithacan article, officers were attempting to serve Greenwood with a search warrant while Greenwood was sitting in his car. The gathering, which was moderated by Kirby Edmonds and Laura Branca of TFC Associates, was intended to be an evening for community reflection, Branca said. Mayor Carolyn Peterson, District Attorney Gwen Wilkinson and Police Chief Ed Vallely were present to field community members’ questions about Greenwood’s death.
Wilkinson was originally in charge of investigating Greenwood’s death but stepped aside March 8. Chemung County District Attorney Weeden A. Wetmore is now special prosecutor of the investigation. Ricardo Williams, a lifelong friend of Greenwood’s, spoke to the packed auditorium first. Greenwood was one of the funniest and most energetic people he had ever met, Williams said. Though the two grew apart as they got older, Williams spent a lot of time with Greenwood in the months before his death and said that he had noticed a change in him. “He seemed … more concerned about the important things in life, like family and friends,” Williams said. “He showed a true love for life and seemed he was an all-around more positive person.” Peterson said that she is “keenly aware” of the stress that the incident has put on the community. She is urging the most transparent release of information regarding the incident. “The community deserves this,” she said. “This is not a press confer-
See meeting, page 4
Ricardo Williams, a friend of the Shawn Greenwood, reflects on his speech at the community meeting Tuesday night at Southside Community Center. Andrew Buraczenski/The Ithacan
find more. online. www.theithacan.org
Tie it up
City’s garbage policy is unfair to off-campus students, page 10
I t h a c a , N . Y.
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Tax receipts drop below expectations By ryan sharpstene Staff Writer
With the news of a downturn in countywide sales tax receipts in January 2010, the ongoing economic recession continues to take its toll on Tompkins County. Late last month, Tompkins County Finance Director David Squires announced before the Tompkins County Dennis said tax receipts have L e g i s l a t u r e ’s been down for Budget and more than a year. Capital Committee that sales tax receipts were down more than 3.39 percent countywide in comparison to January 2009. At the same meeting, Tompkins County Administrator Joe Mareane said this receipt decline is a concern because the overall 2010 county budget was initially based off a net growth. James Dennis, the chairman of the county’s Budget and Capital Committee, said countywide sales tax receipts have been down every month for more than a year. “It is such a significant amount of money for us because, like the other 61 counties in the state, we only have two real methods of raising money — sales taxes and property taxes,” Dennis said. “So when we lose that kind of money in sales tax, it has a significant impact to our budget.” Dennis said the larger brand -name retailers are taking a harder hit than some of the niche-market shops on The Commons. “What is really significant to the county, when you look at outcome from businesses, are the car dealerships and the big-box stores,” Dennis said. Dennis said this news is especially bleak for Tompkins County because of the many tax-exempt organizations owning property within the county. “We already have about 45 percent of the property in the county off the tax roll, so 55 percent of all the property is paying all the taxes in Tompkins County,” he said. “It is not really a positive or a negative, just the reality of the issue.” Dennis said the original 2010 budget was based on a 3 percent increase because in 2009 Tompkins County began to feel dramatic effects of the economic recession. “The sales tax numbers in Tompkins County had until 2009 been increasing at a rate of about
See tax, page 4
[ Thursday Brie f i ng ]
2 The I thacan
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
Nation&World
Muhammad cartoons published
At least three Swedish newspapers published a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog yesterday after an alleged plot to murder the artist who created it was uncovered in Ireland. The controversial drawing by Swedish artist Lars Vilks was printed in Stockholm papers Dagens Nyheter, Expressen and the Malmo daily Sydsvenska Dagbladet. Irish authorities on Tuesday detained four men and three women suspected of involvement in an alleged plot to kill Vilks. Sydsvenska Dagbladet said it printed the drawing as part of its news coverage of the alleged plot. Expressen said it printed it for its news value and to take a stance for the freedom of speech. Vilks has faced several death threats since the drawing was first printed by a Swedish newspaper in 2007, a year after separate cartoons of Muhammad in a Danish newspaper sparked furious protests in Muslim nations. Al-Qaida put a $100,000 bounty on his head. Islamic law generally opposes any depiction of the prophet, even favorable, for fear it could lead to idolatry.
Gates hints at early troop removal
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates raised the possibility yesterday that some of the U.S. forces involved in the Afghanistan surge could leave the country before President Barack Obama’s announced July 2011 date to begin withdrawal. Gates made the remarks during a visit to a dust-blown training ground in Kabul province where Afghan soldiers come for weeks of training under U.S. and British instruction. British Brig. Simon Levy told Gates that if NATO countries contribute more trainers, the project to expand the Afghan army will keep pace. In a press conference with Gates, Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said his country is ashamed to have foreigners assuming its defense and eager to take over the job. He referred repeatedly to the goal of some handover of responsibility by the fall of next year.
this week 11
thursday
Thomas Perls, the Gerontology Institute Distinguished Speaker, will give a lecture on “The Why and How of Living to 100” from 7 to 8 p.m. in Emerson Suites.
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The goal is to expand the Afghan National Army to 171,000 by then, and the police force to 134,000.
Cambodia to preserve grounds
Cambodia will preserve 14 sites at the last bastion of the murderous Khmer Rouge, including the home of their leader Pol Pot, as tourist attractions, an official said yesterday. Following Cabinet approval last week, the sites at Anlong Veng will be protected from destruction by local people and illegal encroachment, the area’s district chief Yim Phana said. Anlong Veng, about 185 miles (300 kilometers) north of Phnom Penh, fell to government forces in 1998 after nearly 20 years of fighting. The Khmer Rouge regime, under which an estimated 1.7 million people died from execution, disease and malnutrition, was toppled in 1979, but its guerrillas fought on in the jungles, with Anlong Veng becoming their last stronghold.
Chinese editor punished for op-ed
A Chinese newspaper editor said he has been punished for co-writing a bold editorial demanding reform of China’s unpopular household registration system, which critics say discriminates against farmers and other rural poor. Zhang Hong, a former deputy editor with the Beijing-based Economic Observer, said in a letter posted on the Wall Street Journal’s Web site that he was “punished accordingly” for the March 1 editorial carried by 13 Chinese publications. Such direct and public criticism of government policy by China’s media is highly unusual. While many Chinese publications have sharpened their reporting on controversial issues to help draw readership, editorials tend to hew closely to Communist Party lines.
North Korea to replace diplomat
North Korea plans to replace its top diplomat in Switzerland who is believed to be a key manager of leader Kim Jong Il’s alleged secret funds stashed overseas, a news report said yesterday. Ri Tcheul, North Korea’s ambassador to U.N. agencies in Geneva, is to step down as
sunday
“Precious,” an Academy Awardwinning film, will be screened from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. in Willard Straight Hall at Cornell University. Ticket prices range from $4 to $6.50. Spring Break until Sunday March 21. Students living in dorms will not be allowed to check in until noon March 21.
Activists of India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party celebrate after the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in the upper house of parliament, in Shimla, India, yesterday. India’s parliament voted Tuesday for a historic bill that would reserve one-third of legislative seats for women.
Anil Dayal/associated press
early as late this month following about 30 years of service in Switzerland, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported, citing an unidentified diplomat in Bern. Ri is one of Jong Il’s closest associates, believed to have managed the leader’s illicit money in secret bank accounts in Switzerland, the report said. Jong Il is believed to have stashed away billions of dollars in Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore and other countries to finance the North’s weapons programs and buy lavish gifts for his top deputies to ensure their loyalty, according to South Korean media reports and experts. Yonhap said it is not clear why the North has decided to replace the diplomat, but overexposure may have made it difficult for him to maneuver, according to Seoul-based analyst Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.
U.S. scientists awarded $500,000
Three American scientists who contributed to the mapping of the human genetic blueprint — an advance that continues to give the medical world a better understanding of human disease — were awarded the nation’s richest prize in medicine and biomedical research yesterday. The $500,000 Albany Medical Center prize was given to David Botstein, director of the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics at Princeton University, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, and Eric Steven Lander, head of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Collins announced yesterday that he would decline the financial component of the prize because he heads the NIH, which is responsible for awarding grants.
SOURCE: Associated Press
corrections
March 11–24, 2010 friday
Shabbat Services will begin at 6 p.m. in Muller Chapel.
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saturday
Shabbat Dinner will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Terrace Dining Hall.
Residential Life will perform routine checks in residence halls all day. All dorms will close at noon, and students found in the dorms after that time will incur a fee.
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“How Do We Get There?” a presentation given by journalist Laura Flanders and media expert Josh Silver, will begin at 8 p.m. in Emerson Suites.
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Celebration for representation
monday
Lunch and Learn, a lunch discussion on ways to comfortably talk to someone with cancer featuring speakers from the Cancer Resource Center, will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in Peggy R. Williams Center Room G-52.
tuesday
I.C. Sex, an event for students to win prizes and learn about sex and healthy relationships, sponsored by Students Active for Ending Rape, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in Klingenstein Lounge in Campus Center.
add your event Drop events for “This Week” in the marked box in The Ithacan office, or e-mail Assistant News Editor Aaron Edwards at aedward3@ithaca. edu by 5 p.m. Monday.
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wednesday
“An Island Calling,” a film in the “Out of the Closet and onto the Screen” LGBT film series, will be screened from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Textor 103. Lucky ’13, an event focused on unifying the freshman class for the rest of the spring semester, will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. in IC Square.
Multimedia Can’t get enough of our stories? There’s even more online. Check out our multimedia at theithacan.org.
Video
Watch the highlights of the Brothers 4 Brothers’ dodgeball tournament that raised money for Haiti earthquake relief.
Audio Slideshow
Check out photos of Bombers and young athletes celebrating the annual Girls and Women in Sports Day.
In last week’s Spring Sports Preview, the article “Squad set to make quick start” reported that senior Nick Alvarez and Eriberto Rosales ’09 were returners to men’s crew. They are not returning to the team. Senior Chris Lisee is quoted as saying, “We do a scrimmage against Cornell in the lightweight boats ... .” The crew competes as a heavyweight, but rows against Cornell University in both lightweight and heavyweight. Cornell and the University of Michigan were both listed as Division I competition, but men’s rowing is not an NCAAsanctioned sport. Seniors Dan Curtis and Brian Erickson were listed as captains. Senior Chris Lisee is also a captain. The lineups listed for the baseball and softball teams in the Spring Sports Preview were The Ithacan’s predictions based on previous lineups and statistics. It is The Ithacan’s policy to correct all errors of fact. Please contact Leah Tedesco at 274-3207.
copy editors Lara Bonner, Liz DeLong, Sara Friedman, Qina Liu, Brittany Rose, Carly Sitzer.
designers Michelle Barrie, Colleen Lowery.
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The Ithacan 3
Post office services may be cut back By Gillian Smith Staff Writer
Service revisions proposed by the U.S. Postal Service may affect students and local residents who order and receive packages. The USPS announced March 2 proposed revisions to the Postal Service including eliminating services, closing post offices on Saturdays and raising rates. The rate changes may go into effect as soon as 2011. Karen Mazurkiewicz, USPS spokeswoman for western New York, said the Postal Service will be submitting an official proposal to the Postal Regulatory Commission later this month. After hearings, the proposal will be submitted to Congress, which will decide if legislation should be passed. Mazurkiewicz said one of the biggest factors in drafting the proposal was the downturn in the economy over the past few years. “The thing that probably most customers don’t understand is that we’re not tax-funded,” she said. “The money we bring in through the sale of postage is the money that we can spend to deliver service to the customers. It’s like trying to balance a checkbook.” Karen Serbonich, manager of mail services at Ithaca College, said the mail center and post office at Phillip’s Hall would also eliminate Saturday processing if Congress passes the proposal. Currently, the campus post office processes packages on Saturdays but is closed for package pickup or drop-off. Employees at the mail center and post office at Phillip’s Hall are employed by the college, which is paid by the USPS for their services. “We will still offer the same services and products as the USPS does,” Serbonich said. “The tricky part is making sure that we are just as, if not more, accessible and convenient for students.” Mazurkiewicz said cutting Saturday delivery is a reasonable decision for post offices if they want to keep their rates low. “It’s one option to keep the Postal Service viable and to keep rates reasonable,” Mazurkiewicz said. “To not have to go to a system where we are dependent on tax dollars, we think it is one of several reasonable actions that we could take.” In addition to eliminating Saturday delivery, the postmaster general proposed a release from the obligation to pay between $5.6 and $5.8 billion for future retirees of the Postal Service; more flexibility with post offices, such as moving mail sorting to more localized locations; expanding giving licenses to other establishments to sell postage; and allowing prices to be modified if necessary.
Student team to visit Qatar for research By ryan sharpstene Staff Writer
From left, junior Christine Catanese, a worker at the post office in Phillips Hall, hands freshman Zeke Spector his packages yesterday. Shipping rates may increase in 2011 if proposed revisions are passed.
Allison Usavage/The Ithacan
In 2006, Congress passed a law requiring the Postal Service to pay $2 billion toward current retirees’ benefits. Every year, the USPS is mandated to pay between $5.6 and $5.8 billion for future retirees’ benefits through 2017, Mazurkiewicz said. Because of the downturn in the economy since that time, the USPS has struggled with that annual payment. Sally Davidow, spokesperson for the American Postal Workers Union, said the union opposes the proposal. Because the Postal Service has to pay more than $5 billion to fund future retiree health care benefits, it has put stress on the Postal Service and has led to these proposed revisions, she said. “We feel the changes are not justified and not necessary,” Davidow said. “We believe that it is that obligation that has pushed the Postal Service over the edge.” Davidow said if the $5.8 billion for future retirees was lowered, the proposed changes wouldn’t be necessary. Mazurkiewicz said the post offices would still remain open for customers to mail packages and buy stamps, she said. “We haven’t really seen a plan that brings it down to a local level as far as how many positions we would still need or how many we wouldn’t,” Mazurkiewicz said.
Mazurkiewicz said no one can predict exactly how long it will take Congress to begin discussing the proposal, but said as soon as it is approved, the Postal Service could implement the changes within six months. “I know some elected officials are very hesitant to change the status quo,” she said. “It is the status quo that is a real threat to the viability of the Postal Service. It’s not going to work in the long run.” Junior Alicia Caswell works at the Phillip’s Hall post office and said if the revisions were passed and Saturday delivery is eliminated, it would be a significant inconvenience not only as a student but as a post office worker. “As a student, I know I would want my package as soon as possible,” Caswell said. “When our students order things, they expect them to be here on time, and we do our best to get them in and out.” Caswell said a problem she foresees is that students would be irritated that they could not receive packages when they had originally thought they would. Eliminating complete service would greatly impact students, Caswell said. “It would be frustrating, but, for the most part, students understand that we can only do so much with the standards that we have and rules we have to adhere to,” Caswell said.
Three Ithaca College students and a professor will travel tomorrow to the small Arab emirate of Qatar to conduct research on children’s television programs in the Middle East. Kati Lustyik, assistant professor of television-radio, senior Daniel Haack and juniors Joe Bagliere and Tucker Ives will travel to Doha, the capital and largest city of Qatar, during spring break. They will be researching the production process of children’s programming in the country and will visit Al-Jazeera, the largest Arab-based broadcast network in the world. After initially working on a research paper on the topic, the students teamed up with Lustyik, who specializes in transnational children’s television networks. “What we found was there was very little research on AlJazeera’s children’s channel, so we got in our heads that we would provide that research to the academic world,” Haack said. While in Qatar, the group will also talk with faculty from Northwestern University and Georgetown and interview children of Cornell professors who live in the country for a documentary they may produce after their trip. Funding for the trip came from offices and departments on campus such as the Office of the Provost. Lustyik said she is more excited than nervous about being immersed in the culture. “In a way I am nervous because I haven’t been there, and it will be my responsibility to represent the college,” she said. “As far as the region goes, everybody I have talked to has said Qatar seems to be a very safe place.”
Dean candidate presents vision By ryan sharpstene Staff Writer
John Pavlik, chair of journalism and media studies and professor of journalism at Rutgers University, said he hopes to bring technological innovation to the Park School if chosen as dean. Pavlik, who is the second of three dean candidates to visit Ithaca College in the past two weeks, held four separate meetings and presentations Tuesday for faculty, staff and students as part of his interview to become the full-time dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications. In the morning he met with Park staff and then later with faculty. He then continued his conversation with an open session with communications students and, finally, a presentation detailing his vision for the Park School open to the campus community. Before working at Rutgers, Pavlik worked as the executive director of the Center for New Media at Columbia University and was a founding director of the School of Communication at San Diego State University. Pavlik holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree and doctorate in mass media from the University of Minnesota. In his presentation, Pavlik said
there were several questions and challenges within the current communications industry and, by allowing Park students to become innovators and leaders of the industry, the Park School will be able to further its prominence within the communications field. “With technological experimentation, we can reinvent the way we teach and learn,” Pavlik said. “We can do more and more with mobile media, so students have 24/7 learning.” Pavlik also said he would like to see more students and faculty working together to foster a higher level of educational success. “I would like to see students moving as learning partners rather than learning subjects,” he said. Pavlik’s second session of the day was a question-and-answer session with Park faculty. Pavlik took questions on topics including staff members working closer with faculty members, tangible fundraising goals and whether he will need to adjust to a smaller campus community coming from large institutions. “I do not have a hierarchal approach, but a flat and collaborative approach based on communication,” Pavlik said about his leadership strategy. Pavlik’s third presentation was an open dialogue with Park stu-
dents that focused on topics including career and internship opportunities, interdisciplinary programs at the college, transfer student transitions and studentadministration relationships. “I want being dean to be my life,” Pavlik said. “I don’t just want to engage academically and professionally; I want to engage with Park constituents and create a social atmosphere based on community.” When asked what he envisioned a “Park School education” would mean to students in the future he replied: “I would love every Park graduate to go on to be as successful as Rod Sterling,” Pavlik said. “There is no reason why you can’t be innovators and entrepreneurs.” Junior Alexandria Taylor said she was happy that Pavlik wanted more interdepartmental communication. Pavlik later held a presentation in Klingenstein Lounge titled “The Future of Communications Education” that was attended by more than 30 faculty members, including members of the dean search committee chaired by Leslie Lewis, the dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences. Pavlik discussed reconsidering the way students are taught, citing the possibilities of augmented reality and learning in a virtual classroom. Pav-
John Pavlik, chair of journalism and media studies at Rutgers University, discusses the Park School’s future Tuesday in Klingenstein Lounge. jake lifschultz/The Ithacan
lik also said he would like to expand Park’s presence both domestically and internationally. “We can strengthen our connection with the communication industry by expanding opportunities in New York, building on the program in Los Angeles and establishing programs in others parts of the world,” he said. Rob Gearhart, the associate dean of graduate and professional studies and director of online learning initiatives, attended the presentation and said he liked hearing that Pavlik was interested in more professional education opportunities for the Park School. “He expressed interest and desire
to look at how we can educate as a thought-leader and not just undergraduates, but how we can perhaps provide a more continuative education for professionals in the field,” Gearhart said. Interim Dean Diane Gayeski was the first dean candidate interviewed for the position last week. The third and final candidate Fritz Joseph Messere, the interim dean of the School of Communication, Media and the Arts at SUNY-Oswego, will speak to students at 2:45 p.m. Thursday in the Park Auditorium, followed by an open presentation and reception at 4 p.m. in Clark Lounge.
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Virtual education seeks new venues Technology from page 1
it might be continued in the Park School after June 1,” she said. To attract new users, especially in higher education, Linden Lab, Second Life’s creators, is developing an alternative product, while educators take a second look at the potential of fully incorporating virtual reality into the classroom. Gregson first introduced former Park Dean Dianne Lynch to Second Life, who then seized the chance to buy Park’s own virtual island. Gregson said she has continued immersing her students into the world for her research and game development classes for several years, and, for her, the educational outcomes have fulfilled Lynch’s vision of three-dimensional, international interaction. “Ithaca is a fairly homogenous community … but Second Life is full of people from around the world, so it’s easier to do better research than you could do in the real world,” she said. A frequent complaint against Second Life has been the lack of user-to-user privacy, since the world is one large, public space. Linden Lab is seeking to address this by its recent announcement to deploy standalone versions of Second Life, which allow educational institutions to host exclusive worlds on their own servers, protected behind their own firewalls and accessible only to faculty and students. Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, has been testing the pilot version for the past year. Project lead Sue Shick said the additional level of privacy has lent itself well to role-playing situations in cooperation with a local hospital to teach medical students sensitivity training. “What we’re trying to see is whether the conversations between avatars in this world are going to disinhibit people from discussing things with a surgeon,” she said. Sophomore Ashley Alicea said she hasn’t returned to Second Life after taking a class with Gregson because she doesn’t enjoy interacting with strangers in the chat-room environment. “If more of my friends were in it, maybe I’d play more,” she said. Gregson said most of her students don’t continue using Second Life after the courses despite their positive feedback. She said faculty and students have likely resisted virtual spaces because they’re difficult to navigate. “There’s a huge learning curve,” she said. “People who like being in control find it embarrassing when you don’t know how to [make your avatar] sit down. People have to be willing to take a chance and learn, but we haven’t yet.”
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From left, sophomores Melissa Frisco and J.P. Mosca laugh as Frisco’s avatar dances in Second Life during assistant television-radio professor Kim Gregson’s Qualitative Research Methods class yesterday. Allison Usavage/THE ITHACAN
Sharon Stansfield, associate professor of computer science, said she agrees that virtual worlds haven’t become popular because they’re not user-friendly. “Virtual worlds aren’t intuitive,” she said. “That’s why I think the Nintendo Wii is the first step toward a commercial application of virtual reality.” Dozens of colleges and universities currently have active projects in Second Life or similar virtual worlds, according to a February 2010 report by the New Media Consortium, an organization for educational groups to evaluate new technologies. More than 1,400 organizations, including educational institutions and Fortune 500 companies, own property in Second Life, and the number has risen in the past two years, according to Justine Lee, Linden Lab press officer. But, unlike many colleges and universities on the list, Ithaca College has never launched a campuswide virtual project, according to Marilyn Dispensa, instructional technology coordinator for Technology and Instructional Support Services. “When other faculty are ready to experiment, we’re ready to support them,” she said. Other professors at the college who have experimented in Second Life include assistant philosophy and religion professor Rachel Wagner, who has demonstrated Second Life to her students about its
implications to religious communities, and clinical associate professor of physical therapy Mike Buck, who attempted to create a virtual physical therapy clinic for students to practice working with patients. Cornell University also owns property in Second Life. Carol Grumbach, a lecturer in Cornell’s Program on Ethics and Public Life, is bringing law and engineering students together to role-play an investigation of actual toxic contamination in a virtual South Hill. “This is a real-world problem that raises ethical issues any lawyer would face,” she said about the project, which begins next week. “... [Second Life] was the only way to make this happen.” Gregson will leave the college at the end of this year, planning to continue using the program wherever she teaches. But she doesn’t expect other faculty to perpetuate her enthusiasm for it. “Maybe we were just on the bandwagon too early and some other folks will pick it up in a bit when it becomes more commercial,” she said. But she added that even if the school abandons the Park island and if Second Life turns out to be a short-lived fad, virtual communities have long-term staying power. “It’s a creative space, and that ties into education in a big way,” she said.
Citizens voice concerns after death of resident meeting from page 1
ence. This is your meeting.” Many locals expressed concern about how Greenwood’s family was treated at the hospital where he was taken after being shot, while others suggested that Bangs and Greenwood had a prior history and questioned why Bangs was working on a case involving Greenwood. Vallely said he could not acknowledge any previous relationship between Bangs and Greenwood at this time. “That’s a question that we’ll have to get taken down and relayed to the people who know best about the investigation being put together,” Wilkinson said. Many community members who stepped up to the microphone asked when they could expect answers about the investigation. “I don’t want to throw out a number because if somebody hears [it], they will attach significance to that number,” Vallely said. Peterson said she has been asking when the community will know the
Sales down for county’s chain stores
details of the crime but has not received an answer yet. Members of the audience grew agitated after it became apparent that many of their questions would go unanswered for now, groaning and shouting each time a question was not answered. The location and timing of the shooting was also a concern of many who spoke at the meeting. Pete’s Grocery is close to a school, and schoolchildren who stayed after school to work on projects or attend homework clubs could have easily been around the store at the time of the shooting, said Ana Goldsmith, a teacher at Lehman Alternative Community School. Greenwood’s girlfriend, Cassie Landes, who is pregnant with Greenwood’s child, asked why the warrant was not served to Greenwood at home. “And why four shots?” Landes said. “Why not shoot out the tires? Why not shoot his arm, his leg? It caused him to lose his life and not see his unborn child.” Wilkinson responded that the investigation will reveal when the shots
Ithaca residents gathered Tuesday night at Southside Community Center to discuss the death of Shawn Greenwood, who was shot by police Feb. 23. Andrew Buraczenski/The ithacan
were fired and whether one was fired before Greenwood’s car crashed into a tree. “Wait until the facts come out about that because I don’t know, and I don’t think anyone knows,” she said. Michelle Berry, a former city alderwoman, said people were disappointed by the lack of answers but she hopes that there will be more community outreach and advocacy to continue planning the next steps. The event succeeded in the sense that many frustrations were laid out, she said. “It’s very important to hear [the frustrations],” Berry said. “It’s a very
rare situation where many people of color can express their rage to a district attorney and to the head of the police department. So it’s good that they see the disparity between some people who are very content in this community and some people who have been outraged for a long time.” Branca said the event went as she expected. “Many people are grieving,” she said. “Many people are angry. People are distraught, and they need some answers, and we knew that they wouldn’t get the answers they were seeking tonight.”
6 percent per year,” he said. “And then it just dropped off the edge of the cliff.” At the county level, Dennis said the legislature has already begun making adjustments to fix already growing budget gaps. “In the 2010 budget that we just passed a few months back, we had to cut positions and not hire for positions we were going to fill,” he said. “We had some people laid off, while some others retired.” Though hopeful for better news, Dennis did not make any prediction to when the recession’s effects would cease. “I do not know that any of us are going to be able to predict what is going to happen,” Dennis said. “The world has changed, and I don’t think we are going to recover to where we were before 2009.” Seth Cohen, the executive vice president of Honda of Ithaca, said sales are down, but it is not just the state of the economy that is keeping consumers from buying. “Do I think that sales could be more robust?” he said. “Absolutely. People are taking care of their cars and holding on to them longer, and that is a big component of our business.” Mary Button, the administrative and development manager of AJ Foreign Auto downtown, said the dealership’s income is below average this year. “January is usually not an enormous month for us in this business — [profit] usually depends a lot on the weather and what is going on with people’s cars,” she said. “It looks really bad compared to last year’s January because that was one of our biggest months ever, and that is unusual.” The auto shop, which services vehicles and sells used vehicles, has been trying to avoid becoming lost among financial woes within the market by increasing advertisements. “We focus on advertising a bit more than some of the other smaller shops,” Button said. “We have radio ads going, some newspaper ads, we have a Web site and try to keep our stuff out there online.” In addition to car dealerships, larger chain retail stores, including Target, have also seen a decline in sales tax receipts. Jessica Deede, a media representative for Target, said the ongoing recession has changed consumer behavior. “The past year’s economic conditions created a shift in shopping behavior as consumers seek ways to stretch theirdollars and pull back on their purchases of discretionary items,” Deede said. Deede said that Target, which has a store branch located in Ithaca, did not make any predictions on when the recession would come to an end but did state the company expects to see a gradual increase in business. “We expect economic recovery to continue in 2010, but we expect progress to remain slow,” Deede said.
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Alternative healing Herbalist to open Ithaca practice dedicated to natural treatments By Ryan Sharpstene Staff Writer
Ithaca residents interested in alternative medicine will find a new place to stay healthy when Pat O’Brien opens her Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine practice in April — the first of its kind in Ithaca. O’Brien will be opening her practice April 1 at the Integrative Medicine Center on 301 W. State St. Patients will be able to seek O’Brien’s expertise in drugless medicine on Mondays and Thursdays. O’Brien, who is a certified Ayurvedic practitioner and Chinese herbalist — alternative methods of medicinal practice that uses herbal substances and altering one’s diet to “heal” ailments, based on studying one’s genetics — has operated a practice in Andover, N.Y., for more than 10 years, treating patients with ailments such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and eczema. O’Brien said it was a lack of others in her professional field and the high interest in the Ithaca region that led her to open a second practice. “For years I have been treating people from all over western and central New York,” she said. “I do get a lot of patients and clients from Ithaca. I have had requests to be out there for many years.” Ayurvedic medicine focuses on genetics and internal body consumption habits as causes of ailments and
disease. O’Brien said by altering the body’s chemistry, disease processes can be stopped and even reversed. An aspect of Chinese medicine deals with looking at those processes. “Chinese medicine is a little bit different, but it is similar to Ayurvedic medicine in that it looks at certain disease patterns when diagnosing what is wrong in the human body,” she said. O’Brien first became interested in studying Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine after “Western” approaches to medicine failed in treating her chronic fatigue disorder. “About 15 years ago, I had chronic fatigue syndrome,” O’Brien said. “I was a patient and had gone the Western medicine route, and I wasn’t making any progress. The advice I kept getting wasn’t specific to my body personally. So, what drove me into the skill was out of frustration from my own personal attempts to get well.” Upon completion of multiple degrees in Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese herbology, O’Brien opened her current Andover, N.Y., practice where she treats patients, tailoring specific nutritional and herbal diets to help alleviate ailments. “Everybody is different from what is wrong with them to what caused them to be ill,” she said. “For example, if I have a patient who has fibromyalgia, everything I suggest for patients, from foods they eat and beverages they drink to herbal and
Pat O’Brien, a certified Ayurvedic practitioner and Chinese herbalist, will offer help to people seeking drugless treatments. O’Brien will be opening her second practice April 1 at 301 W. State St. in Ithaca. Andrew Buraczenski/The Ithacan
chemical supplements, is geared to clear that inflammation.” Tammy Wood, of Putnam Valley, N.Y., has been visiting O’Brien for more than three years for high blood pressure. “[O’Brien] basically saved my life,” she said. “She takes medicine with a whole different spin. Using the natural ingredients God gave us, she saved my life, basically. I had such high blood pressure, and she has brought it way down.” Patricia Soper-Oakes, a chiropractor in Hornell, N.Y., is also a patient of O’Brien’s. Her professional comfort with O’Brien’s alternative form of medicine is so strong she
said she recommends her own patients to O’Brien. “Whenever one of my patients has a metabolic problem, I recommend them to her,” Soper-Oakes said. “She has done fantastic jobs.” O’Brien has also treated hypertension, postmenopausal problems and even leukemia. “When I first started my practice, I saw a man who had leukemia,” she said. “I gave it a shot, and he has been in remission ever since.” Freshman Talia Sternberg, an integrated marketing communications major, said the Ithaca community could benefit from O’Brien’s practice.
“Too many people rely on prescriptions drugs, which have so many negative side effects,” Sternberg said. “It’s cool that there will be this new opportunity for people to have an alternative to the prescription drugs.” O’Brien said Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine could also help the average college student. “When we are young we take our health for granted and we don’t think about the consequences,” she said. “The best advice I can give to a college student is to take all health problems seriously and do things now to correct those problems before you get into your late 20s and early 30s.”
6 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
Columnist Cory Francer brings you his take on the Boston Bruins in the latest posts from our all-sport blog Triple Play.
Check out Triple Play and more blogs at theithacan.org/ blogs.
Thursday, M ar ch 1 1 , 2 0 1 0
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Book reveals Incan life
Michael A. Malpass, professor of anthropology at Ithaca College, recently co-edited “The Distant Provinces in the Inka Empire: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Inka Provincialism,” a book that explores the ways that the ancient Incan people controlled their large empire. Malpass has traveled to Peru 10 times since 1980 for archeological research. He maintains an active Malpass said program in Peru where he finding new asis involved in studies of pects of cultures the early occupants of the is exciting for him. southern Andes. Staff Writer Lauren Barber spoke to Malpass about his experiences as an anthropologist and author.
Lauren Barber: How did you first become interested in field work and anthropological culture research? Michael A. Malpass: When I was a kid, my mother always worked so we could take trips as a family. She enjoyed going to foreign societies, and I guess she must have had an interest in archeology. We went to Mexico and saw the pyramids and to South America and saw Machu Picchu. Because I had always had an interest in archeology, it was my minor, and it became my major. LB: What kind of anthropological and archaeological work did you do in Peru? MM: My dissertation work was on the earliest people who lived along the coast of Peru. I studied their adaptation to a desert environment. When I got done with my doctorate, I did some work on the Incas — the most recent culture before the Spaniards — and the pre-Inca groups right before them. In the ’90s, I decided I was still interested in those early occupations of people and their
hunting and gathering, so I went back to the south coast of Peru, and I’ve had a project there recently. I’m hoping to go back soon to continue that research. LB: What is the most interesting archeological work you have done? MM: It’s all interesting to me because archeology is just fascinating. Some of the more interesting things I’ve found were archeological sites where there were cultures unexpectedly. When I was doing my dissertation work, there was a particular group that lived only along the coast and I found evidence up at the top of the mountains, which to my knowledge, is still the only time anybody has ever found it, probably because I’m the only one silly enough to go look up there. It’s those unexpected things that are the most memorable. LB: What is the central theme to your new book on the Inca empire? MM: It’s the sequel to a book I published in 1993. That book looked at how the Inca empire, which was spread over much of western South America, ruled their empire. In 2004, my co-editor and I decided it was time to revisit that question because there were areas we hadn’t covered and lots of people had done more detailed research since then. LB: What kind of advice would you give to students who are interested in archeology and anthropology? MM: Jump in. Get involved. Our department has lots of opportunities for doing archeology. There are lots of excavation opportunities all over the country and all over the world that we can connect students to. If [students] think that’s what they want to do, we can figure out a way to get them some opportunities.
Fame monsters
Sophomore Willie Sleight sings part of a Lady Gaga medley during the IC VoiceStream Block III concert Saturday in Emerson Suites. Members of the coed singing group dressed up in Lady Gaga-inspired accessories while performing some of the pop star’s most popular tracks.
michelle montgomery/The Ithacan
8 The Ithacan
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The Ithacan 9
College & City Third Park dean finalist to visit the college today
Fritz Joseph Messere, the third finalist for the position of dean of the Park School of Communications, will visit Ithaca College today and tomorrow. He will speak at 2:35 p.m. today in Clark Lounge, give an open session on “The Future of Communications Education” from 4 to 5 p.m. in the same location with a reception following the open session. Messere currently serves as interim dean of the School of Communication, Media and the Arts at SUNYOswego, and is a professor of broadcasting and telecommunications. Prior to assuming that position in 2008, he served at SUNY-Oswego as chair of the communication studies department. He served as a visiting associate professor at Cornell University in 2001-02 and at Ithaca College in 1996-97. For more information, call the Provost’s office at 274-3113.
ITS begins moving offices to new location in Job Hall
Information Technology Services at Ithaca College began its move into Job Hall on Monday. This is a phased move-in over the next few weeks with no planned service disruptions. The majority of staff currently housed in Muller Center Room 102, Phillips Hall, Gannett Center and the Administrative Annex will relocate to Job Hall. The Helpdesk will move from Muller Center to the first floor of Job Hall on Saturday. Optical scanning service will be provided from the ITS Main Office in Muller 102 for this week
but will be moved to the new location starting next Tuesday. Individual ITS staff members may be unavailable for brief periods of time during this transition. For more information, e-mail helpdesk@ithaca.edu.
SGA encourages students to run for senator positions
Ithaca College Student Government Association is now accepting applications for positions available next school year. The election process has officially begun, and there are open positions for all spots for those interested in becoming elected as senators and members of the executive board. For more information, e-mail wmathew1@ithaca.edu.
Tompkins County awarded money for new TCAT buses
Tompkins County will receive $2,175,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to purchase six new buses that will replace older ones that are breaking down, Sen. Charles E. Schumer announced Friday. Tompkins County will lease the buses to the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, which will be responsible for the operation and general maintenance for the buses. The new buses will provide improved service for passengers who use the station every day.
College conference seeks faculty member volunteers
Ithaca College will host the National Conference on Undergraduate Research from March 31 to April 2, 2011, and the college is presently seeking faculty who would like to be
involved in the organization of the academic sessions. The executive committee for the research conference in 2011 has already begun its planning work for this large conference. The conference will host approximately 2,000 students and their faculty mentors to present their research through posters, oral presentations, visual arts and performances. Faculty willing to take on leadership roles in this effort may receive release time during the spring 2011 semester. To volunteer, or for more information, contact Susan Swensen at 274-3511 or sswensen@ithaca.edu.
Humanities and Sciences projects receive funding
This spring, almost $17,000 was awarded through the Humanities and Sciences Educational Grant Initiative to a number of projects to enhance student learning and achievement at Ithaca College. The awards provide funding to support student presentations of papers and posters based on their original research at academic conferences, the visit of conceptual artist and community organizer Barnaby Evans who will meet with students in theater-management classes and students conducting archaeological geophysical surveys at a cemetery in New Jersey. The next formal deadline for the educational grant initiative proposals will be in September. For more information, contact Stacia Zabusky, assistant dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences, at 274-3102.
Public Safety Incident Log FEBRUARY 28 CRIMINAL TRESPASS LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Caller reported a person previously restricted from campus was in the building. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Erik Merlin. CCV/EXCESSIVE NOISE LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Two people judicially referred for excessive noise. Master Security Officer George Whitmore.
MARCH 1 MEDICAL ASSIST/ILLNESS RELATED LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Caller reported a person having difficulty breathing with pain in the arms and back. Person transported to CMC by ambulance. Sergeant Bill Kerry. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: East Tower SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person damaged the crash bar on a door and the handicap door activation cover was taken. Sergeant Bill Kerry. SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD LOCATION: Academic Quad SUMMARY: Caller reported a petroleum spill. Spill area was cleaned. Environmental Safety Specialist Mark Ross. LARCENY LOCATION: Garden Apartments SUMMARY: Caller reported person used a credit card without authorization. Investigation pending. Sergeant Bill Kerry.
MVA/PROPERTY DAMAGE LOCATION: Circle Lot 7 SUMMARY: Caller reported a two-car MVA. Report taken. Patrol Officer Mark Denicola. FIRE ALARM LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Fire alarm activation caused accidentally by burnt food. System reset. Sergeant Ronald Hart. RECLASSIFICATION OF CRIME LOCATION: J-Lot SUMMARY: The criminal tampering incident reported Feb. 27 was reclassified to larceny when it was determined that a GPS unit was stolen from the vehicle. Patrol Officer Andy Schneider.
MARCH 2 ACCIDENTAL PROPERTY DAMAGE LOCATION: Campus Center SUMMARY: Caller reported water was leaking and damaging ceiling tiles. Report taken. Patrol Officer Chris Teribury. MVA/PROPERTY DAMAGE LOCATION: J-Lot SUMMARY: Caller reported a two-car MVA. Officer determined the damage was old. MVA was unfounded. Sergeant Steven Yaple. HARASSMENT LOCATION: Visitor Lot SUMMARY: Caller reported a person got angry and threw a clipboard toward another person. One person judicially referred for harassment. Sergeant Steven Yaple.
New York state declared finalist for education grant
The Department of Education announced March 4 that New York, along with 14 other states and the District of Columbia, will advance as a finalist for phase one of the Race to the Top competition. Race to the Top is the department’s $4.35 billion effort to dramatically reshape America’s educational system to better engage and prepare students for success in a competitive 21st century economy and workplace, according to the Department of Education’s Web site. States competing for Race to the Top funds were asked to document past education reform successes, as well as outline plans to extend reforms using college and careerready standards and assessments, build a workforce of highly effective educators, create educational data systems to support student achievement and turn around their lowest-performing schools. For more information, visit the Department of Education’s Web site at www.ed.gov.
Cornell to hold 12th annual Asian studies conference
The 12th Annual Southeast Asian Studies Graduate Conference will be held from Friday to Sunday at the Kahin Center for Advanced Research on Southeast Asia at Cornell University. This year, the keynote speaker will be Cornell associate professor Eric Tagliacozzo from the history department and director of the Cornell Modern Indonesia Project. Tagliacozzo is the author of “Secret Trades, Porous Borders:
Smuggling and States Along a Southeast Asian Frontier,” which was awarded the Harry J. Benda Prize from the Association of Asian Studies in 2007. For more information and for a conference schedule, call 280-0444.
Engineer academy elects two members from Ithaca
The National Academy of Engineering, an organization that provides engineering leadership in service to the nation, recently elected nine foreign associates and 68 new members, two of whom are from the Ithaca area. Thomas W. Parks, professor emeritus in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University, was elected for his contributions to digital filter design, fast computation of Fourier transforms and education. Stephen B. Pope, Sibley College professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University, was elected for his contributions to the modeling of turbulent flow.
Researchers seek infants to test new mobile robot
The occupational therapy department is looking for infants who will be six to seven months of age between March 20 and May 20 to test a mobile robot that babies with disabilities can “drive” by moving their bodies. The robot test will take place on the Ithaca College campus and will require between 30 minutes and an hour, with the infant and parent or caregiver present. A $15 incentive will be offered per session. For more information, e-mail cdennis@ithaca.edu.
selected entries from february 28 to march 4
MEDICAL ASSIST/INJURY RELATED LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: Caller reported a toothpick being embedded in a foot. Subject was transported to the Hammond Health Center. Patrol Officer Andy Schneider. SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD LOCATION: Athletic and Events Center SUMMARY: Caller reported hydraulic fluid spilled from a trailer lift gate. Spill cleaned. Fire and Building Safety Coordinator Ronald Clark. MAKING GRAFFITI LOCATION: Upper Campus SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person wrote graffiti. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Andy Schneider. LARCENY LOCATION: Circle Apartments/Entire Area SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person had stolen a computer, radar detector and GPS unit from vehicle. Incident occurred between 10 p.m. Feb. 27 and 3 p.m. Feb. 28. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock. UNLAWFUL POSS. OF MARIJUANA LOCATION: Garden Apartments SUMMARY: Two people judicially referred for unlawful possession of marijuana. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock.
MARCH 3 FOUND PROPERTY LOCATION: Park Communications School SUMMARY: Keys found and turned over to Public Safety. Unknown owner.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: Towers Concourse SUMMARY: Officer reported an unknown person damaged a sign. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Chris Teribury. CASE STATUS CHANGE LOCATION: Office of Public Safety SUMMARY: Officer reported one person was judicially referred for theft and unauthorized use of a credit card. Incident originally reported March 1 in the Garden Apartments. Sergeant Bill Kerry. UNLAWFUL POSS. OF MARIJUANA LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: Caller reported that during a health and safety inspection marijuana paraphernalia was found. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Erik Merlin. FOUND PROPERTY LOCATION: Campus Center SUMMARY: Set of keys found and turned over to Public Safety. Unknown owner. V&T VIOLATION/FAIL TO YIELD LOCATION: Tower Skyline Drive SUMMARY: Caller reported a two-car MVA. One uniform traffic ticket was issued for Town of Ithaca Court for failure to yield. Master Patrol Officer Erik Merlin. MAKING GRAFFITI LOCATION: East Tower SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person wrote a message on a bulletin board. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin.
MEDICAL ASSIST/INJURY RELATED LOCATION: Office of Public Safety SUMMARY: Caller reported bleeding from an earlobe. Medical assistance rendered. Master Patrol Officer Bruce Holmstock. CASE STATUS CHANGE LOCATION: Holmes Hall SUMMARY: After investigation into an incident that occurred Feb. 25 in Holmes Hall where a person was injured, three people were judicially referred for engaging in potentially harmful conduct. Patrol Officer Dirk Hightchew.
MARCH 4 CASE STATUS CHANGE LOCATION: Office of Public Safety SUMMARY: Interview conducted regarding marijuana paraphernalia located March 3 in the Circle Apartments. One person judicially referred for possession of drug paraphernalia. Master Patrol Officer Erik Merlin. For the complete safety log, go to www.theithacan.org/news
Key cmc – Cayuga Medical Center CCV – College Code Violation DWI – Driving while intoxicated IFD – Ithaca Fire Department IPD – Ithaca Police Department MVA – Motor vehicle accident RA – Resident assistant SASP – Student Auxiliary Safety Patrol V&T – Vehicle and Transportation
Opin ion
10 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
editorials
Dirty business off campus
Ithaca’s current garbage policy needs restructuring to better accommodate off-campus students and other tenants
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s Ithaca College students prepare for oncampus housing selection in the upcoming weeks, many students will also be signing leases for off-campus residence. While doing so, students should be aware of city laws, especially those that relate to the city’s garbage policy and attached fines. As the policy stands, the city notifies landlords of fines for uncovered or untagged trash barrels. In most cases landlords forward all fines to tenants, expecting them to take care of the costs as stated in their leases. While this is a valid practice, some do not pass on the notification to their tenants fast enough. Landlords are urged to immediately inform tenants upon receiving such notifications to avoid an unnecessary accumulation in fines for the tenant. The current law also charges residents based on the calendar year, with each fine increasing as the number of violations rise. If a tenant violates the garbage policy once during the spring, the tenant in the fall will be charged with a second violation fine of a higher amount, creating a skewed system. A proposal to change this fine structure is now under way in the Common Council. Council members should make every effort to pass the proposal because it would uproot an inequitable system of fines. The council should strongly consider including a clause that would charge fines as per the academic year to accommodate Ithaca’ s substantial college population. Tenants, in turn, are encouraged to be fully aware of and follow city laws pertaining to fines. By doing so, they will reduce their fine charges. A change in this policy demands a collaborative effort by the landlords, tenants and Common Council. A restructuring of the law would not only benefit the city’s residents, but would create a more fair and efficient garbage disposal policy.
Roy’s house
SNAP JUDGMENT
Virtual Reality Do you use Second Life?
New LGBT floor is welcomed but should be differentiated from previous options
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tudents living on campus next year will have the option of living in the newly instituted lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-themed floor called House of Roy. The Office of Residential Life is commended for offering this new living option, but it should focus on informing the campus community of the floor’ s purpose so as to ensure its smooth operation. Last year’s gender-neutral housing did not enjoy much success mostly because of a lack of clarity in the concept and stipulations involved in the option. The House of Roy directly addresses gender identities but does not allow students of the same sex to live in the same room. Residential Life is asked to point out the differences between the two so students can better understand the choice they’re making. Making the House of Roy a learning community is an extremely encouraging step in Ithaca’s diversity efforts. However, it is important to explain the provisions of a learning community, like the required incorporation of the theme into the floor’s lifestyle and events. Students on the floor will participate in programs and activities specifically catered to the theme of the learning community. Such explanations will only increase awareness of this housing alternative among students and maintain interest in the community. The launch of the House of Roy is a positive step in building Ithaca’ s reputation. Students are urged to consider this living option — taking advantage of a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the LGBT community and its importance in society today.
Watch more Snap Judgments at theithacan.org.
“No, I’ve not. I’ve never even heard of it before, probably because [I] haven’t really been exposed to iT.” alex zenn ’11 drama, Speech communication
“I don’t use it, but I know what it is, though. It is a very time-consuming thing, and in college I don’t have time for anything like that.” richard lindenfelzer ’13 Musical Theater
“No. I don’t know what it is. I’ve heard about it and think it’s weird that you can fake your life and pretend to be somebody that you’re not.” Kelly murphy ’12 exploratory
“I don’t currently use it. i wasn’t really into it. I can spend my time on something else that is better suited for me. it’s just not my thing.” anthony palma ’11 television-radio
Speak your mind. Write a letter to the editor ithacan@ithaca.edu
250 words or less, e-mailed or dropped off by 5 p.m. Monday in Park 269
The Ithacan Lindsey hollenbaugh editor in chief Allison musante Managing editor archana menon opinion Editor Ashley may news Editor leah tedesco news editor aaron edwards assistant news editor michelle skowronek accent editor
“I do not use second life because I have a first life to attend to.” scott walker ’10 Business administration, marketing communication
269 Roy H. Park Hall, Ithaca College Ithaca, N.Y. 14850-7258 (607) 274-3208 | Fax (607) 274-1376
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Opinion
Thursday, M ar ch 1 1 , 2 0 1 0
The It hacan 11
Guest commentary
Apprenticeship helps cultural understanding I n fall 2009, I approached anthropolgy assistant professor Denise Nuttall with the intention of making flamenco music and culture the focus of my independent study course. The story of flamenco starts with the Roma people (commonly known as “gypsies”) fleeing persecution in their homeland of northern India and migrating west through the Middle East into Europe. The exact nature of their arrival in Spain is unknown, but by the 15th century, a sizeable population of Roma existed in Andalucía, the southern region of Spain. When the Kingdom of Castilla attempted to rid Spain of minority groups and to expel or convert all non-Christians within its borders, the oppressed Roma, Muslims and Sephardic Jews became united in their oppression by the Spanish Inquisition, creating, through cultural diffusion, the evolution of a new musical form. In this sense, flamenco is an art of the repressed, an expression of grief and emotion and a cosmopolitan blend of several musical traditions intertwined through a history of persecution. An intricate blend of singing, dance and guitar, flamenco serves as a reflection of a culture that rests on the fringes of society. I decided to study the culture through the actual “doing” of flamenco, music I had come to appreciate over years of listening without truly understanding its meaning. My methodology basically consisted of weekly meetings with a local flamenco guitarist to learn the art of flamenco guitar accompaniment. Originally, I thought I could use guitar study and discussions with my teacher as a way to gain insight into Roma culture as a whole. Upon discovering that my field was too small for such an undertaking, my focus eventually shifted to the methods used in understanding the musical culture. In particular, I set out to explore the concept of embodied knowledge and deep apprenticeship in ethnography. While I did learn quite a bit about the struggle of the Roma and the history and culture of the music, the real benefit of my study was the solidification of my views toward the vastly understated value of embodied knowledge, feeling and emotion in ethnographic research. Why the aversion to
sarah Kasulke
The brilliant minds of divas
“W Senior David Bevilacqua plays a flamenco guitar Sunday in his apartment. This guitar is a version of a classical guitar and is used to play flamenco music, an art form that originated around the 15th century. andrew buraczenski/the ithacan
feeling and phenomenon in academia? Ethnographers study the abstract concept of culture and the dynamic and often unquantifiable nuances of human life, values and emotions. Traditional scholarship operates under the false ideal of objectivity, rejecting the essential abstract aspects of human consciousness, in what I feel is a response to an inherent inferiority complex to other “hard” sciences. In traditional flamenco culture, there were no passive observers of flamenco performance — those who were not singing, dancing or playing guitar would clap, shout and experience the emotion of every verse, step and falseta. Traditional scholarship is wrong in thinking we can learn any other way. There’s a concept in flamenco called duende, which is a Spanish term that relates to the soul and emotion of an art form. Regarded as the most important aspect of true flamenco performance,
duende cannot be learned in scholarly articles, books or instructional tapes. An abstract concept so crucial to the understanding of the culture can only be understood through the true embodiment of flamenco performance, deep listening and participation. Traditional scholarship leaves a gap in the understanding of abstract yet essential concepts such as these. The only way to truly understand a culture is to adopt a consciousness that parallels one’s own. Only through a paradigm shift in the importance of phenomenological ethnography can this be accomplished. In blending scientific methods of tradition with the intimate learning methods of embodiment, our understanding of a culture can go beyond the superficial. David Bevilacqua is a senior anthropology major. E-mail him at dbevila1@ithaca.edu.
Guest commentary
Gender gap in physical activity widens with age
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ast December, the Women’s Sports Foundation released a study, “Her Life Depends on It II: Sport, Physical Activity and the Health and Well-Being of American Girls and Women.” The project was an update on the major research on the health benefits of physical activity and sports for girls and women of all ages and ellen on potenstaurowsky tial barriers to participation. Just a few weeks ago, President Obama’s State of the Union address mentioned that First Lady Michelle Obama would be leading a White House initiative to address childhood obesity called Let’s Move, which is now under way. Though the issue of whether the nation faces an obesity epidemic remains debatable, findings from our report support the White House’s efforts to encourage girls and boys to eat more balanced diets and to become more physically active. While this initiative has important health implications for boys and girls, we know that girls participate less and have less access to physical activities and sport opportunities. While more than 3 million girls participated in high school sports during the 2008 academic year, girls had access to 1.3 million fewer opportunities than
In the circuit
From left, Cayden and Bailey Lyons crawl across the balance beam in the gymnastics obstacle course Sunday at the Ben Light Gymnasium.
danielle d’avanzo/the Ithacan
high school boys. Evidence shows that steady growth in opportunities for girls in sport and physical activity during the 1990s slowed and even declined slightly in the early 2000s. More generally, there is a gender gap in physical activity, with about four in 10 boys exercising six to seven days per week compared to three in 10 girls, with this gap widening as children get older. Girls of color and girls from lower socioeconomic backgrounds generally participate less in athletics and fitness programs and suffer disproportionate health-related conditions later as a consequence. For example, they have a higher preva-
lence of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. We are returning full circle to ageold recommendations. For centuries noted healers and philosophers have advocated for moderate and regular physical activity over a lifetime simply because it is good for the mind, body and soul. In 1859, the first female physician in the United States, Elizabeth Blackwell, wrote in “The Laws of Life, With Special Reference to the Physical Education of Girls” that the first law was exercise. Blackwell argued that to neglect the physical education of girls was to rob them of both happiness and a life well lived.
We are arguably no longer bound by the sensibilities of the 1850s, but there remains more work to be done in addressing the needs of girls and women in sports and physical activity. With health care costs associated with treating preventable diseases rising, the growing consensus that more attention must be paid to encouraging children and adults to become more physically active is significantly influencing the public health agenda. It is estimated that 95 percent of health care costs are associated with spending on medical care and biomedical research. At the same time, experts suggest that behavior and environment account for more than 70 percent of untimely and unnecessary deaths. As of this writing, a National Physical Activity Plan set to launch in May has support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the surgeon general of the United States. As this consensus builds, it is critical that we consider the many ways that physical activity and sports favorably influence the health and well-being of America’s girls and women. Getting more girls up and moving through exercise and sports, therefore, makes practical sense as a social and economic investment by the nation. ellen staurowsky is a professor and the graduate chair in the department of sport management and media. E-mail her at staurows@ithaca.edu.
All opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Ithacan. To write a guest commentary, contact Opinion Editor Archana Menon at 274-3208.
ake up in the mornin’ feelin’”… like never listening to top 40 radio again. I know it’s inescapable, but Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok” is where I draw the line. Not just because the song is horrible. Not that it isn’t. It’s because I can’t stand the mystery. Are these mono-named pop glamour diva idiot savants of the billboard charts idiots or savants? I’m not questioning their basic intellect. I don’t expect to see Britney Spears waxing philosophically on U.S. diplomatic relations with Iran on CNN, but I’m sure all of these women can do basic arithmetic and identify the Pacific Ocean on a map if given a few hints, i.e., “it’s blue.” My question is: Did they individually plot their takeover of the pop music industry, or is that genuine artistic expression on their part and society is ridiculous enough to popularize it? For example, Ke$ha’s hit “Tik Tok” starts off with the following Shakespearian lyric: “Wake up in the mornin’ feelin’ like P. Diddy.” I don’t think I’m prepared to deal with the ramifications of P. Diddy, or any celebrity, qualifying as an emotion or mood. Might you be feeling sort of Tupac after you put down this paper, and maybe at dinner you’ll be in a more Sigourney Weaver sort of mood? See, this is my point. Did Ke$ha mean to inspire this level of analysis and thought, or did she wake up one morning thinking, “Gee willickers, I sure do feel like P. Diddy today.” As a culture we consume bad pop music. Fine. It’s not like there’s some nation out there whose population only listens to Bach and free jazz besides France. That’s not the issue. Do these idols intentionally write catchy, simplistic lyrics and play them over synths that sound like someone auto-tuned a cat in a blender because they realize they’ll make bajillions of dollars and get to date Wilmer Valderrama? Or are we dealing with a breed of bottleblond, tortured artistes who, deep in the very recess of their souls, must express their need for “your bad romance, rah-rah-ah-ah-ah?” I suppose the best answer to my own rhetorical question is: The pop stars who look like they know what they’re doing probably do. And the ones that seem completely insane? They probably know what they’re doing too. No one stays on top by accident, especially not in an industry that requires an appearance on a televised talent show to have a shot at success. But what of everyone’s new favorite lyricist and pop icon du jour Ke$ha — is she a genius or just lucky? I’ll sleep on it — maybe I’ll wake up refreshed, feelin’ like P. Diddy. One can only hope.
sarah kasulke is a freshman television-radio and scriptwriting major. E-mail her at skasulk1@ ithaca.edu.
12 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
accen t Students try hot yoga for new workout
Sweat it out
Thursday, M ar ch 1 1 , 2 0 1 0
The Ithacan 13
Center, Gina Newlin leads a hot yoga class Monday afternoon at Mighty Yoga on West State Street. She runs her class for an hour and 15 minutes at a 105-degree temperature. andrew buraczenski/the ithacan
pating in a new trend in exercise: hot yoga. While traditional yoga is known for it’s slow Warm temperatures of summer may pace and mindful relaxation, hot yoga is seem like a distant hope, but every week peaking in popularity thanks to the added students like senior Lena Yue come in benefits of working out in heat: burning fat contact with temperatures reaching 105 more effectively, sweating out toxins and improving flexibility. degrees Fahrenheit. “Yoga has [become] a new, popular way Yue is one of the many students particito exercise in the last couple of years,” Yue said. “I don’t really like slow exercise, so heated power yoga was a great replacement for a gym workout.” Set at temperatures from 80 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, hot yoga rooms allow people to indulge the mind, body and sweat glands for a heated hour or more. Tory Jenis, owner of Blackbird Studio in Ithaca, said the reason she uses heat in her power yoga classes is because it gives participants an intense stretch. “Heat allows you to get a deeper stretch in the muscles, and the muscles relax a lot faster than if you’re not in heat,” she said. “It’s also a more challenging workout with a better sweat. You get your heart rate going faster than in yoga without heat.” Hot yoga is different than its counterpart style Bikram yoga. Bikram yoga is a series of 26 specific sequential postures performed in a heated room, while hot yoga is a form of Hatha yoga just performed in heat. Jenis’ advice for those startFrom left, sophomore Jennifer Lato and Sarah McNaull ing out with hot yoga is to come practice their moves at the Power Yoga class Sunday in the to class on an empty stomach Ithaca College Fitness Center’s aerobics room. and bring enough water to Michelle boule/the ithacan
BY kelsey fowler staff writer
drink throughout the class. “Some people do get a little light-headed when they start doing the hot power yoga,” she said. “But the key is to use modifications or pause and go outside to cool off.” With increased sweating comes the potential for dehydration, and with the added flexibility comes the ability to overstretch, causing pulled muscles or sprains. When stretching, ligaments can have difficultly returning to their original shape and size, leading to loose joints. Some common short-term side effects include dizziness, nausea, muscle weakness and cramping, Jenis said. Jenis also said that yoga is a very dynamic and challenging exercise, but it is still accessible to any level practitioner. “We talk all the time about honoring your body,” Jenis said. “You have to watch to balance between challenging yourself but being careful, especially if you’ve never done it before.” Mighty Yoga is another studio in Ithaca that incorporates heat into their classes. Yue said she has been attending classes there up to four times a week. Owner and instructor Heather Healey, who has been doing yoga for five years, said having heat helps stretch the muscles further. “In doing yoga in a nonheated room, I felt I didn’t get nearly as much out of it,” Healey said. “Heat makes it a lot safer to practice yoga.” Mighty Yoga offers classes for all levels. Healey said her philosophy was to have an open-door policy for trying out yoga. “There are a lot of people who are hesitant to try yoga because they think you have to be super thin or super flexible or really athletic,” she said. “Our classes are challenging, but you don’t have to bend yourself into a pretzel to come and get a good workout.” On campus, the college currently offers two beginner classes and a power yoga class
for students. Kathy Farley, Fitness Center administrative assistant, said it would be hard to have a hot yoga class in the Fitness Center because of the temperature requirements. “We don’t have any control over the heat here,” she said. “If we want it warmer we have to put in a request. Under the college’s energy conservation policy, the temperature set point has to remain between 69 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit anyway. We had to beg and plead to get them just to raise it to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.” An on-campus class would be cheaper and more accessible for many students, considering a semester pass at the college costs $45 and an unlimited month pass at Mighty Yoga costs $105. But Sarah Hawkins, Fitness Center program coordinator, said it would be hard for the Fitness Center to offer hot yoga classes. “Over the whole day it would be difficult to make it hot enough in [the aerobics room] in the short amount of time, and then cool it back down for other types of classes to take place,” she said. There are more than 10 yoga studios in Ithaca, but only a select number offer classes that incorporate hot yoga. For sophomore Julia Catalano, heat was one of the reasons she chose to take a class off campus, rather than just the normal power yoga. “I always feel so cleansed and relaxed after class from sweating so much,” she said. “I’ve certainly never sweat more in my life. At first I found that disgusting, but now I think it feels so wonderful and detoxifying.” Senior Katie Venetsky, who is in the college’s power yoga class, said she doesn’t think the popularity of hot yoga will last. “Hot yoga is a fad,” she said. “Yoga has been around forever, and it’s just that certain kinds of yoga are more popular at different times, like hot yoga now.”
[ a ccentuate]
14 The Ithacan
Hot or Not
Th ursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
This week’s hits and misses
The Academy Awards offered plenty of tears and fumbling stars. Assistant Accent Editor Whitney Faber rates the stars’ thank-yous from the gracious to the not-so-grateful.
Hot
Jeff Bridges With a fist-pump to the air and golden statue in hand, Jeff Bridges looked up at the ceiling and showed his award to his parents in heaven, actors Dorothy and Lloyd Bridges. After being snubbed five times, his win for Best Actor in a Leading Role in “Crazy Heart” was the sweetest moment of the evening. Bridges was all smiles — a pearly white display that even managed to shine through his unkempt beard. His sweet hippy personality also showed through as he went down the list and thanked crew and family. You’re right, Bridges, this is a groovy profession and you’re one of the coolest dudes in it.
Lukewarm
Kathryn Bigelow This wasn’t just any other award for Best Director. This was legendary — the first time a woman has ever snagged it, and for the independent film “The Hurt Locker” no less. But no one would have known that from Kathryn Bigelow’s acceptance speech. This was a time when it would have been perfectly acceptable to start and end with waterworks. But Bigelow’s speech was nothing out of the ordinary. She showed signs of tears in the beginning, but just as she grabbed Oscar she managed to get everything under control. These are the historic moments people wait years for at the Oscars, but this speech was nothing legendary.
Legendary return to rock ’n’ roll
Two-time Grammy-winning drummer Levon Helm performs his signature beats for the Levon Helm Band last Friday at the State Theatre. The 69-year-old musician was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998 but is now back singing and playing classic rock music.
Claudia Pietrzak/the ithacan
blog of
the
week
site reveals Strange Fashion at Disney Amusement park
Disney World is a magical place that every child dreams of visiting. But not everyone there looks as beautiful as the princesses. People of the Park is a picture blog that reveals the true faces of the people who walk among Disney’s many parks. These aren’t the cute and cuddly characters in the movies, but instead the oddballs of society. Between all the furry outfits and tutu skirts covering this site, it’s clear these people certainly took the term “amusement” literally. — Conor Harrington
Not
Sandy Powell This may be Sandy Powell’s third Academy Award for Costume Design, this time for “Young Victoria,” but that doesn’t give her the right to be cocky. Powell sauntered up to the stage with her flaming red hair and immediately turned the audience off with the words, “I already have two of these.” Powell tried to recover by dedicating the award to the designers in the world that don’t work on period films and, therefore, aren’t recognized. But the damage was done. Men have cried over this award, but Powell shrugged it off as if it was nothing.
“
the playlist People all over campus rock their headphones to and from class. “‘Control’ by Here we answer Janet Jackson.” the question you’ve always wanted to ask: What are you listening to? Alex Gingrich ’13 Music Education, Voice
“I was just listening to ‘24’ by Jem.”
“I’m listening to ‘Dark Blue’ by Jack’s Mannequin.”
Joe Bergeron ’12 Business and Drama
Jillian Kaplan ’13 Writing
quoteunquote Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down? Sandra Bullock when she accepted the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in “The Blind Side.”
celebrity
OOPS!
Campbell attacks again
It started in 1998 with an unfortunate incident when Naomi Campbell’s cell phone “happened” to hit her assistant. She seemed to be reformed until 2008 when she had a slight relapse and hit two police officers. Other than that, those anger-management classes seemed to have paid off. That was until last Tuesday. Stories surfaced that Campbell slapped her chauffeur on the head, causing him to hit the steering wheel. She denies the story, saying she is now a reformed woman. But the past doesn’t lie; this model just can’t seem to keep her animal instincts under control. — Whitney Faber
accent
Thursday, M ar ch 1 1 , 2 0 1 0
The Ithacan 15
On-campus barber provides fresh cuts By melanie breault Staff writer
As senior Aubrey Manning buzzes away junior Corey Jeffers’ hair, the other members of Brothers 4 Brothers crowd around discussing President Obama and the latest episode of “For the Love of Ray J.” Manning plays a crucial role before the meetings that begin at 6:30 p.m. every Friday in the AfricanLatino Society Room of West Tower. When Brothers 4 Brothers, a group for men on campus, comes together every week, members know they can be themselves in a relaxed setting. Besides relaxing and having their hair cut by Manning, the organization of more than 20 males from different ethnic groups discusses community issues and ways to be involved on campus. “We look to empower each other and empower the rest of the community,” Jeffers said. Jeffers, the community chair of Brothers 4 Brothers, said having someone cut hair at the meetings has become a tradition, starting long before he joined the group in 2007. He said the barbershop-feel helps create a safe environment for members to speak freely. “It’s not just a meeting,” he said. “The barbershop-feel creates a communal atmosphere for members to relax on a Friday evening after a long week of classes.” Manning, who joined the group his freshman year, said he enjoyed having his hair cut by the group’s
former barber, Justin Huertas ’08. When Huertas graduated, Manning said the group asked him to take over. “I thought it was a great way to help out our fellow members so they didn’t have to go downtown for a haircut,” he said. “It is definitely something cool that I thought we should keep doing.” Junior Brian Grey, co-president of Brother 4 Brothers, said the barbershop tradition was inspired by movies, such as “Barbershop,” that showed characters having important discussions on the styling floor. “People will come probably two hours before the meeting actually starts just to get in line to get their hair cut,” he said. “It’s good to have the brothers there before the meeting starts so their minds are already going for the discussions.” Though some of the group’s discussions are minority-focused, Jeffers said the group is open to all males. “There is a common misconception that this is a black organization, but it’s not,” he said. “The discussions we have [at the meetings] are open to any male that is willing to listen and come in.” During the discussions, Manning said he cuts hair for five to 14 people each week, though he does not have a license. Pesco’s Barber Shop on Elmira Road charges $15 per cut, a typical price in Ithaca. By going to Manning at the Brothers 4 Brothers meetings, students can save money because
From left, senior Aubrey Manning trims sophomore Shuaibu Ali’s outline Friday in his Circle Apartment. Manning has been cutting Ali’s hair for two years. He said he gets quicker at cutting someone’s hair the more he sees them. michelle skowronek/the ithacan
legally Manning cannot charge for his services. According to the Department of State Division of Licensing Services, barbers cannot charge for haircuts unless they have passed a master barber license exam. A barber can take the exam after working as a New York state-registered barber’s apprentice for two years or after completing a barber course in a New York state approved school. Ed Pesco, Pesco’s Barber Shop co-owner, said he doesn’t see people who cut hair without a license as a threat to his business. “They can charge whatever they want, but they also don’t do as good
of a job as someone who is licensed,” Pesco said. Jeffers said that neither Manning nor Huertas is a licensed barber, but members don’t find it to be a problem. It’s a tradition. “I’ve always had either family members or friends cut my hair since I was little,” he said. “The professional barbershops just don’t understand what they need to do to cut hair properly anyway.” Sophomore Shuaibu Ali has been getting his hair cut by Manning for the last two years. Ali said since he met Manning, he can get a cut without having to schedule an appointment. “He understands my kind of hair,
quite frankly, and he knows how to give good shape-ups,” he said. “Aubrey’s just a real class act.” Manning, who is an exercise science major, said he is looking into waxing eye brows to capitalize on the female market. He said he understands why women like to look their best. But in order to make more money, Manning would need a license. He said he never really thought about getting his license before. Cutting hair is just something that comes naturally to him. “I’m trying to get into medical school, but you never know what could happen after that,” he said.
16 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
Thursday, M ar ch 1 1 , 2 0 1 0
Accen t
The Ithacan 17
Songstress to perform earthy folk music at Wildfire Lounge JY: Has the constantly changing music industry redefined what a record is supposed to be?
Singer and songwriter Marissa Nadler is bringing her ethereal folk music to Ithaca’s Wildfire Lounge at 8:30 p.m. tonight. Nadler, who studied at the Rhode Island School of Design for five years, has painted throughout her life, but she found that songwriting is where her passion lies. The Massachusetts-based performer spoke with Contributing Writer Jessie Yuhaniak about her artistic inspiration and views on the music industry.
MN: Absolutely, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Within confines and limitations can come really strong work … but I know a lot of artists these days take input from their fans throughout the recording process about what their favorite songs are and what direction they should go in. But there’s strength in taking that insular, hermetic, creative process because I find the best work comes from solitude, and the Internet breaks down the walls of solitude a bit. You never used to be able to see exactly what people thought of you, which is a dangerous Pandora’s box that I don’t recommend any young musician opening, because if you Google yourself, it’s just going to lead to a lot of self-doubt.
Jessie Yuhaniak: Folk music seems to inspire personal storytelling and lends itself to playing smaller venues like the Wildfire Lounge. Does this give you a chance to connect with your fans on a more personal level? Marissa Nadler: You tend to get a less jaded audience when you play concerts in smaller towns, as opposed to when you play somewhere like New York City where people are so bombarded with music that their ears can get a little tired.
JY: What sorts of things plague you when you’re on stage? Does playing at a smaller venue, like the bars in Ithaca, help you with conquering your own stage fright?
JY: Do you think your background in visual art has had a significant influence on your music? MN: Being trained as a fine artist and painting throughout my childhood, I tend to look at the world in a much different way — in a way that is very visual. That has affected my songwriting in terms of the way I describe a scene. And the way I try to paint settings in my songwriting are very closely linked in terms of colors, and it’s kind of a synesthesia. JY: Do you think there is a term that best categorizes your music? MN: It’s a good thing to be unclassifiable because I want to have longevity as an artist and a musician. It’s important when you’re still young not to put a definition besides your name in terms of what you do. If I’m lucky, I can live another 50 years, and I
Marissa Nadler performs one of her folk-inspired songs for a crowd last May in Berlin, Germany. Nadler will be performing in Ithaca, N.Y., for the first time tonight at the Wildfire Lounge.
Courtesy of marissa nadler
don’t want to be known forever as just doing one thing. For people who haven’t heard my music, it’s really rooted in Americana and folk traditions. JY: Do you want to just be a musician in the future or do you want to explore other facets of your artistic abilities? MN: I definitely hope to be writing songs forever. It’s hard to constantly find inspiration, and I’m really hard on myself but … it’s
rooted in me so much that I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t write songs. It gives me a release emotionally that nothing else does. JY: Are you purposely not in any of your music videos? MN: A lot of it has to do with my distaste for the objectification of females in the music industry. I just didn’t want to go that route and lip-synch to a song where I’m not necessarily the protagonist of the song.
MN: It’s just really difficult to get used to people looking at you. That’s my own issues, I know, but when you think about yourself as a musician, you don’t think of yourself as a fashion model. There’s this enormous pressure on musicians to not only sound good but look good, and I really hate that. I understand why Cat Power used to play with her back to the audience or Hope Sandoval plays with the lights out, because it’s a drag to have to worry about that when all you want to do is play a good set. JY: What led you to contribute to the PEACE compilation for Amnesty International? MN: I’m always excited to contribute music to a charity because as an artist you tend to have this outlook like, “What am I doing to help the world? I should have been a doctor or something.” It’s a great way to do your part to help causes that you believe in.
Did you miss the Academy Awards on Sunday night? Check out the highlights on All That Jazz.
Visit All That Jazz at theithacan.org/ blogs.
Accen t
18 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
Play’s sex controversy inspires ‘Debate’
thursday
by Aaron Edwards Assistant News Editor
A few elderly people in the audience of the Kitchen Theatre’s production of “Speech & Debate” seemed not at all amused by the premise, outcome and action of the ballsy, controversial play. When the lights went up on a shirtless boy typing sexual messages on www.gay.com, they looked at each other with appalled, confused eyes. When Lady Gaga blasted during scene changes, they shifted awkwardly in their seats. But when the characters in the show each had intro“Speech & spective realizations of the hardDebate” ships in their lives, they seemed The Kitchen moved, touched and inspired. Theatre That’s just what “Speech & Debate” does for an audience. Regardless of gender, sexual preference, background or age — though this one isn’t for the kids — the play has some minute details almost anyone can relate to. The production is definitely more accessible to the “now” generation that spends hours on Facebook and communicates in 140 characters or less, but it’s nevertheless a hilarious, insightful, feel-everything theatrical experience. Don’t let the bland title fool you. Written by emerging playwright Stephen Karam and directed by Samuel Buggeln, “Speech & Debate” follows three teenagers, Howie (Adam R. Deremer), Solomon (Conor Tansey) and Diwata (Alison Scaramella). Their lives intertwine when they become aware of a sex scandal involving their high school drama teacher. They form an eccentric debate team under Diwata’s leadership. Their mission to uncover the truth behind their drama teacher’s alleged sexual excursions with teenage boys ends up involving a gay retelling of the Cain and Abel story, a musical version of “The Crucible” and nude body suits. Needless to say, the play thrives on controlled, methodical chaos. Appropriate for the intimate Kitchen Theatre, Abigail Smith’s set — complemented by junior Max Doolittle’s lighting — reflects the interwoven structure of each scene. The back wall is decorated with a web of MySpace, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter logos and symbols, while headphones, cell phones and other forms of technology line the walls, ready for the actors to pull from and use as props. The projections of images on the center of the
Veteran’s Sanctuary Benefit, a fundraiser featuring performances by Debbie’s Granola and Seen Spot Run, will play at 10 p.m. at The Nines in Collegetown. Admission is $5.
friday
Theater Review
Purgatory Hill, a rock band
From left, Diwata (Alison Scaramella) and Howie (Adam R. Deremer) discuss forming a debate team to uncover the truth behind the rumor that their drama teacher has been involved in a sex scandal. Courtesy of The Kitchen Theatre Company
wall keep the action of the play moving. Videos of a hand writing the name of each scene on a colored sticky note keep the audience in tune with the rhythm of the play. The three young actors, along with adult Renée Petrofes as a teacher and reporter, hail from New York City and bring powerful energy with them. Deremer accurately plays a gay teen trapped between his perceptions of himself and how others see him. Tansey’s rigid portrayal of the nerdy journalist Solomon seems artificial at first, but with time his character becomes more than his geeky quirks. His starched shirts are perfect for his character. And Petrofes plays a good middleman as the only “normal” character of the bunch. But the clear star of the production is Scaramella, who sustains caffeine — or cocaine — induced energy through the entire one-hour-45-minute show. “How am I supposed to make it as an actress
if I can’t even get work in my school district?” she grumbles before proceeding to sashay across the stage. Her Diwata bears striking resemblance to Molly Shannon in “Superstar” combined with Rachel Berry from “Glee.” She’s promiscuous — in a frumpy way. Moreso, she’s a girl with more issues than her oddball video blog personality conveys. “Speech & Debate” can bring out laughter just as easily as it forces out tears. Like most teenagers’ lives, it’s an emotional roller coaster that somehow always finds its way back to sidesplitting comedy. A tweet or short blog post won’t be enough to do this show justice. Audiences will be talking about it long after they leave the theater and keeping with the Kitchen Theatre’s motto, the show starts a heck of a conversation. “Speech & Debate” will be showing at the Kitchen Theatre through March 14.
Lengthy CD showcases musician’s vocal talent by TJ Gunther staff writer
“Have One on Me” is Joanna Newsom’s magnum opus. The idea of a triple album made up of 18 songs sounds daunting, but Newsom tackles the length masterfully with perfect pacing between the records Joanna and literary lyrics with Newsom a focus on storytelling. “Have One As a classically on Me” trained harpist with a Drag City quirky voice, Newsom Our rating: has always sounded HHHH unlike anything else. Her first album, “The Milk-Eyed Mender,” attracted some listeners but alienated others. Her second album “Ys” contained five tracks, ranging from eight to 17 minutes each, leaving many listeners
Album Review
hot dates
unable to appreciate Newsom’s lyrics. Each record is cohesive and can be enjoyed separately. To the casual listener, it makes the album more accessible. The songs are still longer than normal, averaging around six minutes, but they rarely drag. Only near the middle of the third disk is the pacing slow. Newsom’s voice is less squeaky on this album than on previous releases, but it is as powerful as ever. The lyrics often focus on love or lost love. Newsom’s storytelling skills are in full force, especially on the final track, “Does Not Suffice (in California Refrain).” In the past, Newsom has primarily played the harp, but her use of piano on this release is an exciting change. The addition of orchestration keeps the tracks varied without sounding too complex. “Good Intentions Paving
that combines blues and classic rock influences, will play at 6 p.m. at The Haunt off Route 13. Admission is free. The CeCes, a band that remakes pop songs using a ukulele and guitar, will play with No Eggs No Problem at 10 p.m. at The Nines in Collegetown. Admission is $5. Aceto-Lieberman Quartet, a four-man band using classical instruments to play latin-jazz ballads, will play at 5:30 p.m. at Felicia’s Atomic Lounge. Admission is free.
saturday
John Brown’s Body, a reggae band that incorporates hip-hop, will perform at 8 p.m. at Castaways on Inlet Island. Tickets are $15 at the door. I Have a Song to Sing O!, a wacky ’50s sing-a-long-style musical, will begin at 1 p.m. at the Kitchen Theatre. Tickets are $7 to $14.
sunday
Nick Bullock, a psychedelic folk-pop solo artist, will play at 7 p.m. at Felicia’s Atomic Lounge. Admission is free.
Gorillaz loses creative beats by Evan Johnson staff writer
Courtesy of Drag City
Co.” is an early favorite on the album, using percussion, banjo and piano to paint a picture of carefree road travel. “Have One on Me” combines the best parts of Newsom’s earlier releases to craft an excellent collection of songs. Though long, the pacing is perfect, making it easy to break the album into chunks. The complex lyrics still take a few listens to appreciate. Anyone who is willing to put in the time, however, will find a complex and emotional record.
If “Plastic Beach,” the newest album from the alternative-rock group Gorillaz, does one thing, it shows the band’s effort to work with other popular artists. But listeners should be advised before they click the “purchase” button Gorillaz on iTunes. “Plastic “Plastic Beach” Beach” Virgin is littered with Records guest appearOur rating: ances from artists HH including Snoop Dogg, Mos Def and De La Soul. With such a wide array of talent, the album should have potential. Sadly, the performances by guest artists don’t live up to the expectations that inherently accompany these famous names. On Gorillaz’s fourth studio al-
Album Review
bum, glittery and splashy keyboard parts prove to be a common theme. The effect is new and shows a divergence from the edgier sounds of its earlier works. Unfortunately, the effect is overused and quickly changes the mood from quirky to downright annoying at times. “Plastic Beach” proves to be a highly polished piece of pop music. It should, however, be sampled only in individual songs.
Courtesy of Virgin Records
quickies “Victory”
“Rogue Wave”
“Hands”
“Victory” is the perfect club mix, featuring synthesized beats and collaborations with Ludacris, T-Pain, Diddy and others. “All I Do Is Win” and “Fed Up” are two of the best hip-hop anthems of 2010 so far.
Rogue Wave’s album is full of catchy, dance-inducing tunes with powerful guitar hooks and a combination of pop songs and ballads. “Good Morning (The Future)” is the perfect song to begin spring with.
“Hands” is a fantastic pop album with captivating dance beats and sweet vocals by Victoria Hesketh (aka Little Boots). Already a huge success in the UK, “Hands” is sure to be a club hit.
courtesy of E1 Entertainment
Little Boots Warner Records
Permalight Brushfire Records
DJ Khaled E1 Entertainment
courtesy of Brushfire records
courtesy of Warner records
compiled by Haley Davis
Accen t
Thursday, M ar ch 1 1 , 2 0 1 0
The Ithacan 19
‘Wonderland’ gets full Tim Burton makeover [ticket stub ] Director brings Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece back to life with fantastic visuals
valid friday through thursday
cinemapolis
By Evan Johnson STaff Writer
Alice’s wonderland is fantastical and absurd enough, but when director Tim Burton takes over, the timeless children’s classic takes on a whole new level of oddity. Burton’s re-creation of Alice’s adventures in the world of Wonderland is nothing short of fascinating. Such a monumental piece of fiction is perfect material for Burton, a “Alice in director who has Wonderland” demonstrated a Walt Disney Pictures certain fascination Our rating: with strange and HHHH fantastic places. Frustrated by the pageantry and elitism of upperclass society in England, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) makes an accidental escape to another world that turns all of the rules she previously resisted upside down. While it would be unfair to compare a living actress to the animated character in the previous adaptation by Disney, Wasikowska is remarkable in her interpretation. Alice is shrewder than her age suggests. This is the result of Wasikowska, a 20-year-old, playing the role. She is innocent, curious and brave — a quality referred to by characters in the peculiar Wonderland-dialect as “muchness.” As the plot progresses and Alice changes from bewildered visitor to reluctant heroine, Wasikowska plays the evolving part with considerable grace. The character emerges from the experience a changed young lady. As soon as Alice finds herself in the realm of Wonderland, viewers see
The Commons 277–6115
Crazy Heart HHHH 7:10 and 9:30 p.m. and Weekends 2:10 and 4:30 p.m. Fantastic Mr. Fox HHHH 7:15 and 9:00 p.m. Weekends 2:15 and 4:00 p.m.
Film Review
The Hurt Locker 7:00 and 9:25 p.m. and Weekends 2:00 and 4:25 p.m. The Last Station HH1/2 7:05 and 9:15 p.m. and Weekends 2:05 and 4:15 p.m. A single man HHHH 7:20 p.m. and Weekends 2:20 p.m.
Alice (Mia Wasikowska) looks at the insane and magical wonderland she has just fallen into after following a white rabbit into a hole. She wanders through the wild land meeting strange and surreal characters along the way. courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
this is nothing like the Wonderland that Disney created in 1951. This can only be Burton’s work, as the exaggerated colors and personality of characters, such as the Red Queen, create an extreme world. Johnny Depp has been a frequent fixture in Burton’s movies and gives a solid performance that ranks with his previous work in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Edward Scissorhands.” He plays the Mad Hatter, a red-headed lunatic bent on revolution. Despite being a secondary character, Depp is, as always, fully engaged and creates a memorable character. The beginning is not what some people expect from Burton, as the
film opens with a noticeably tame picture of Alice in the real world. The experimental visuals often associated with Burton in his recent releases “9” and “Corpse Bride” don’t appear until Alice goes to Wonderland. Wonderland is in extreme contrast to the real world. The world Burton has crafted is dazzling and bizarre. Much like the worlds created in “The Nightmare Before Christmas” or “James and the Giant Peach,” Wonderland is dreamlike and tinged with a haunting darkness. The film is a marvel of computer animation, and it has created a product that shows Burton smoothly operating within the technological domain
Action cop film exploits violence
“Alice in Wonderland” was written by Linda Woolverton and directed by Tim Burton.
‘Crazies’ succeeds in zombie genre By James Hasson Staff Writer
By Quinton Saxby staff Writer
A dark underworld of violence breeds despair and hopelessness on the streets of Brooklyn. Only a small force of dedicated and virtuous police officers can save such a depraved criminal community. But the title of “Brooklyn’s Finest” is ironic. Even those assigned to protect Brooklyn cannot escape the brutal lifestyle of criminals. “Brooklyn’s Finest” follows “Brooklyn’s the stories of three police ofFinest” ficers (Ethan Hawke, Richard Overture Films Our rating: Gere and Don Cheadle) and a HH drug runner (Wesley Snipes) in the most crime-ridden section of New York City. These officers attempt to save a community spiraling into drug and gang violence. Similar to director Antoine Fuqua’s film “Training Day,” “Brooklyn’s Finest” is condensed into a small time frame. The film takes place over seven days, which Fuqua uses to create immediacy. The consistent and excessive use of violence in the film almost numbs audiences. No character is free from the cycle of carnage, which will claim dozens of lives by the end of the film. “Brooklyn’s Finest” is a deeply disturbed but superficial action film. Fuqua seems to enjoy shocking viewers with violence. The brutality in this film is senseless and gratuitous. Such risky elements never lead to a final resolution, but only to a string of inexplicable deaths. Hawke, Cheadle and Gere do what they can with a script weighed down with complex, supposedly thought-provoking questions. Their confused and contradictory motives as police officers are the result of an ambiguous and hazy story. The dialogue, however, feels authentic. Slang and profanity play a large role in giving the film a gritty
of the 21st century. It is highly evolved and flawless in its execution. As Alice ventures deeper into this mysterious world and encounters bizarre people and creatures, the setting also has a very disorienting effect on the audience. It is the creativity and methodical design that ultimately gives the movie its edge. Created by one of the most inventive minds in the industry, “Alice in Wonderland” will have viewers across the country throwing themselves down the rabbit hole.
tone. But this dialogue does not articulate the message of the film, instead it seems to inspire confusion. “Brooklyn’s Finest” ends in a shooting spree, romanticizing its own violence. Unfortunately, this confuses viewers regarding the film’s actual purpose, which is to show that violence is never the best solution to any problem. Fuqua’s latest film condones and condemns violence at the same time. “Brooklyn’s Finest” is unnecessarily intense. As the film gives way to absurdity, audiences forget exactly what its characters set out to accomplish in the first place. Fuqua bombards viewers with violence without giving them a chance to catch their breath. This film gives viewers a perspective of the darkest streets of Brooklyn but soon relents into an unsatisfying bloodbath.
The peace and quiet of a small town shatters as, one by one, its citizens don blank faces and go on killing sprees. “The Crazies” is another average movie to be initiated into the zombie genre club. It’s a good movie to watch while munching on a bag of pop“The Crazies” corn, but it won’t raise the Overture Films bar on horror. Our rating: Sheriff David Dutton HH (Timothy Olyphant) and Dr. Judy Dutton (Radha Mitchell) grab guns and ammo and join a few acquaintances in an attempt to escape the zombie infection. The film’s script plays it safe by making the Duttons the most likable characters possible. Such archetypes leave little room for the cast to flaunt whatever acting skills they may have. There is an adequate amount of violence and gore, though some of it borders on the territory of the “Saw” franchise in terms of graphic exhibitionist violence. The movie does have a few qualities that allow it to stick out in the zombie genre. The zombies are more intelligent than the run-ofthe-mill undead horde. They use guns, gasoline and even car washes to kill. “The Crazies” also paints the military as an extension of a heartless government working to cover up the problem rather than solve it. “The Crazies” does not rise above the crowd of zombie films, but it does entertain the audience that still enjoys a classic zombie attack.
“Brooklyn’s Finest” was written by Michael C. Martin and directed by Antoine Fuqua.
“The Crazies” was written by Scott Kosar and Ray Wright and directed by Breck Eisner.
Film Review
Film Review
Eddie (Richard Gere) waits and listens for hints of movement inside a criminal’s Brooklyn apartment.
courtesy of Overture Films
Up in the air 9:20 p.m. and Weekends 4:20 p.m.
regal stadium 14 Pyramid Mall 266-7960
avatar HHHH 12:40 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 7:50 p.m., 11:30 p.m. Alice in wonderland HHHH 12:20 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:10 p.m., 10:10 p.m., 11:50 p.m. Alice in wonderland 3-d 1:40 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:40 p.m., 12:20 a.m. Brooklyn’s finest HH 12:35 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 9:50 p.m. Cop Out H1/2 12:30 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 9:55 p.m. the crazies HH 2:25 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 8 p.m., 10:30 p.m. Dear John HH1/2 4:30 p.m., 10:15 p.m. Green zone 12:50 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 12:10 p.m. our Family Wedding 2:40 p.m., 5:35 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 10:40 p.m. Remember me 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 10 p.m. She’s out of my League 1:55 p.m., 5:05 p.m., 7:40 p.m., 10:20 p.m. Shutter island HHHH 12:10 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 6:20 p.m., 9:20 p.m. valentine’s day HH 12:05 p.m., 7:15 p.m.
cornell cinema 104 Willard Straight Hall 255-3522
For more information, visit http://cinema.cornell.edu.
our ratings Excellent HHHH Good HHH Fair HH Poor H
20 The Ithacan
Cl a ssi f ied
for rent
for rent
for rent
An apartment with no hassle. Hudson Heights Studio Apartments are located next to IC. We are renting for the next school year 2009-2010. We have one opening starting immediately. We are also renting for January 1, 2010, for the Spring Semester (6 months) $700/m, or a year. The rent includes: furniture, all utilities, parking, garbage and recycling, with laundry rooms on the complex. Call Clif at 607-273-8473, cell 280-7660 for an appointment Web site www.hhithaca.com.
Spacious 3 BR. Apts. on The Commons, one of them remodeled. Includes Heat. Furnished and for fall 2010. Call 607-272-7441.
APARTMENTS AND HOUSES FOR NEXT YEAR various locations on South Hill and Downtown near The Commons. All sizes, from one bedroom to four bedrooms. Fully furnished. Nice condition, with parking and laundry. Leases start in June and August. For a full list, visit PPMhomes.com.
3 Bedroom. 2 Living Rooms. 1.5 baths. 205 Prospect St. Remodeled, furnished, fresh paint. 450+. No pets. Free parking. Call 339-1450 or 339-8167. Ask for Tim, John or Harry. Now renting for 2010/2011 2- 8 bedroom apartments and houses in South Hill and Downtown. Call today or visit our Web site at: certifiedpropertiesinc.com Certified Properties of TC, Inc. 273-1669. Very nice 2 Br. apt with hardwood floors, dishwasher, deck, washer/dryer, storage, etc. Large yard and parking. Quiet, scenic property convenient. ALL utilities inc. Contact: KM723W@yahoo.com 900 mo. 2010-11 Two bedroom apartment, 209 Giles St., Overlooking the 6 Mile Creek, close to IC and The Commons, 24 hr. on-st. parking, balcony, furnished or unfurnished, Internet available, $425 per person per month ($850 total per month) use of a noncoin operated washer and dryer, includes heat and cooking gas, quiet area. 607-279-3090 or livingspaces1@msn.com. Say Goodbye to High Heating Bills! The landlord pays for heat, hot water and cooking gas at many of our locations. We have been providing quality apartments and excellent customer service for Ithaca College Students since 1983. Visit PPMhomes.com. Beautiful Lake House 3 Bedroom or 6 bedroom close to downtown Ithaca call Ann 607-327-0357. 2010-11 One bedroom apartment, 103 E. Spencer St., Furnished or unfurnished, close to IC and The Commons, hardwood floors, Internet available, $745 per month, includes heat, cooking gas and water, quiet area. 607-279-3090 or livingspaces1@msn.com. 3 Bdrm apt, Downtown, new, large washer and dryer in apt. E-mail for pic or more info info@ctowrentals.com 607-330-2442 $1320. CITY VIEW- FALL 2010 Studio, 1, 2 & 3 BDR’s, Elevator, intercom, high ceilings, Dishwashers, laundry, Internet. Parking available. 607-273-9462 www.ithacarenting.com. Ithaca Commons Mini-studios, mini-kitchen, TV lounge, laundry. $455 up. 607-273-9462 www.ithacarenting.com.
Twenty-Two Windows, 2 bedroom, eat-in kitchen, hardwood floors, furnished, includes major utilities, laundry, off-street parking. IthacaEstatesRealty.com or 607-273-9300. Country Cottage, 2 bedroom, furnished, 2 baths, eat-in kitchen, patio, deck, fireplace, radiant heat, off-street parking. IthacaEstatesRealty.com or 607-273-9300. One Bedroom, furnished, bright and warm, new furnishings, includes major utilities, full bath, laundry, off-street parking. IthacaEstatesRealty.com or 607-273-9300. SOUTH HILL 4 BR HOUSE CONVENIENT TO IC & COMMONS. Parking, furnished, 2 full baths, d/w, w/d & deck $525+/person. For appt 607-227-6237. 212 South Geneva Street Unfurnished Studio - $550 Plus Unfurnished 1 Bedroom - $750 Plus 214 Prospect Street Furnished 4 Bedroom - $550 Per www.rentingithaca.com for info. 1 Bedroom Apt. newly renovated historic South Hill building near IC, sublet or longer, beautiful view, heat included, laundry, parking. 607-279-1631. THREE BEDROOM APARTMENTS Near Commons on Seneca Street and Linn Street. Large rooms! Laundry, some parking, very nice condition. Visit PPMhomes.com. An Apartment with no hassles. Hudson Heights Studio Apartments are located next to IC. We are renting for the next school year 2010-2011 $560/m starting June 1-August 15th, 2010. We will also rent a few fall term (6 months July-December) at $750/month. The rent includes: furniture, all utilities parking, garbage and recycling, with laundry rooms on the complex. Call Clif at 607-2738473 cell 280-7660 for an appointment. Web site www.hhithaca.com.
BEST DOWNTOWN ROOMS Big, bright, mini-kitchen. Free Internet & 50” HDTV in lounge Laundry, parking. 607-273-9462 www.ithacarenting.com.
Sublet Large 1 bedroom sublet available now or spring 2010 semester with IC staff family private bath. 351-5372 kserbonich@ithaca.edu.
Notices GRADUATION WEEKEND RENTAL 2 bedroom house next to IC. Walk to all events. 386-478-8828.
Check our status.
THE IVY 111 S. Cayuga Street Spacious 3 bedroom, 3 baths Elevator, laundry, A/C 607-273-9462 www.ithacarenting.com.
1 Bedroom Apt. on Hudson St. Available June 3, 2010 $590 plus utilities 273-3931.
Pop culture. Going green. College life. All sports.
ONE, TWO and THREE BEDROOM APARTMENTS We have a great selection on South Hill and Downtown near The Commons, with dozens of listings on Aurora Street, Columbia Street, Linn Street, Prospect Street, Seneca Street, Farm Street and University Avenue. Nice Condition. Most have laundry, parking and free Internet service. Some have utilities paid by the landlord! Leases start in June and August. Visit PPMhomes.com.
2 Bedroom Apt. on Hudson St. Available June 3, 2010 $950 plus utilities 273-3931.
Commons West Studio, 1, 2 & 3, bedrooms Elevator, laundry, intercom, Highspeed Internet. 607-273-9462 www.ithacarenting.com.
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
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Thursday, M ar ch 1 1 , 2 0 1 0
The Ithacan 21
Divers ion s
22 The Ithacan
dilbert®
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
sudoku
By Scott Adams
Medium
Very Hard
4 2 5 7 1 5 2 8 7 7 7 8 4 2 9 3 5 3 1 6 7 4 2 7 4 1 2 3 7 Medium
2 3 7 9 4 6 3 6 1 2 8 7
Very Hard
4 2 5 7 1 5 2 8 7 7 7 8 4 2 9 3 5 3 1 6 7 4 2 7 4 1 2 3 7
3
6 8
5
2
1
1 3 7 5 2 9 9 4 6 7 3 6 1 4 2 7 2 6 8 7 5 answers to last week’s sudoku Medium
1 4 8 7 5 3 9 2 6 1
2
3
4
5
12
6
9
16
22
17
11
18
20
23
24
27
28
30
31
33
34
36
10
14
19
25
26
45
46
29 32 35
37
38
39 41
8
13
15
21
7
40
42
43
47
48
51
52
49
44 50 53
crossword ACROSS 1 Factory 5 Slime 9 - out (relax) 12 Advantage 13 Dated hairdo 14 Keogh relative 15 Baton wielder 17 Flashy dressers 19 Bagel partner 20 - qua non 21 Free 24 Follows closely 27 Cad 28 “Star Trek” captain 29 Region of India 30 Rickey ingredient 31 Sampras and Rozelle 32 A Little Woman
33 34 35 36 38 39 40 41 43 47 48 50 51 52 53
6 3 7 8 9 2 5 4 1
Hard
9 2 5 4 6 1 3 8 7
4 9 2 6 7 5 8 1 3
3 5 6 1 2 8 4 7 9
7 8 1 9 3 4 2 6 5
2 7 4 3 1 9 6 5 8
8 6 9 5 4 7 1 3 2
5 1 3 2 8 6 7 9 4
2 4 8 7 1 6 5 3 9
7 9 1 3 2 5 4 6 8
3 6 5 8 9 4 7 1 2
1 5 7 4 8 3 9 2 6
9 8 4 6 5 2 1 7 3
6 2 3 1 7 9 8 4 5
4 7 2 5 6 8 3 9 1
5 1 6 9 3 7 2 8 4
By United Media
Geologic time period Organ part Iowa college town Climb down Good, to Pedro Contented murmurs Kind of reaction Unriddle Dog-team runners Fitness center Troop truant Garfield’s housemate - Jarrett of NASCAR River duck Cheer on
DOWN 1 Dues payer, for short 2 Cider-sweet girl 3 Not sm. or med. 4 Mr. Nielsen 5 Zeppo or Chico 6 Roswell crasher? 7 Ledger entry 8 Brown bears 9 Arcade amusement (2 wds.) 10 Before 11 Invisible substance 16 Foot digit 18 Bonn connector 20 Torn-off piece 21 Implored 22 Bete 23 Light lunch (2 wds.)
24 25 26 28 31 35 37 38 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 49
Headquartered Common door sign Go-ahead (hyph.) Laments loudly Warm up the oven Poet or novelist Cleveland hoopster Travel choice Beach scavenger Worker’s no. Unfold, to a poet Extinct bird Tokyo, to shoguns Big carnival city Harden, as glue The two of us
answers to last week’s crossword G A S H
A U T O
S A CN I T L U T E
O P A L
O R A L
L D I A E D R C L I D A Y A U F U T E R N H E A L I A N OB I RN E R H E A V A U M I N M S AG
MS AM E A R Q T U S E J B I E F L I E
A S A H A S N E R S EM I T S T I C S OHO A N E S D ORMS BOU T E S S E S E EM
8 3 9 2 4 1 6 5 7
Thursday, M ar ch 1 1 , 2 0 1 0
sports
The Ithacan 23
Participants in the citizen’s 5-kilometer snowshoe event at the 10th annual National Snowshoe Championships push off at the starting line Saturday at Highland Forest Park in Fabius, N.Y.
Trekking the trails By Thomas Eschen Staff Writer
The snow crunches with every step of metal. The echo of panting and heavy breathing is heard. Some members of Ithaca College’s track and field teams, fresh off the indoor track of Cornell University’s Barton Hall, run as if they are on land, but they raise their feet just high enough to skim the crest of the snow. Instead of concrete walls, snow surrounds other competing athletes, ranging from children to seniors. The snowshoers filled the trails of Highland Forest Park in Fabius, N.Y., last weekend to compete in the 10th annual National Snowshoe Championships. In the event, the top five finishers in the senior divisions earned places on the U.S. National Snowshoe Racing Team, which competes internationally. The local highlight was Ithaca College freshman David Geary, a member of the men’s track and field team, who
won the 19-and-under junior division, making him a national champion. He started the sport in 10th grade and attributed his success to experience and extensive research of the trails. “By looking at the elevation profile, I knew it was going to be a hilly course,” he said. “But I feel like I’ve had some training for it here at Ithaca as we have quite a few hills around.” Instead of the hardwood and rawhide of traditional snowshoes, racing snowshoes are shorter and made of light metal and plastic bindings. Those are the type of shoes that pounded the snow last weekend. Highland Forest’s close proximity to the college — about an hour away — gave local runners the chance to compete in the national spotlight in a sport that mirrors their own. “This year it’s just convenient with nationals so close by,” sophomore Daniel Craighead said. “I’d done one [snowshoe] race so far in my life, and that was a lot of fun.”
Above: Sophomore Tyler Murray crosses the finish line after competing in the senior men’s 10-kilometer event Saturday at Highland Forest Park in Fabius, N.Y. Right: Freshman David Geary receives his medal after his first-place finish in the 19-and-under junior division Saturday at Highland Forest Park in Fabius, N.Y. allison usavage/the ithacan
Craighead got into snowshoeing last year when Assistant Track and Field Coach Eric Sambolec introduced him to it. Last weekend, Craighead finished seventh in the men’s senior division. For many, snowshoeing is just a way to enjoy the beauty of nature, but for the athletes, it is a little more than that. Sophomore Heidi Baumbach had never done snowshoeing before this year, and she has already seen the value in participating in the sport. “I originally bought the snowshoes for fun,” she said. “It was really just to go out there and run around on them. I kind of tie it into track, though. It transitions so well.” Baumbach did not compete Saturday, as she qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships this weekend as a member of the women’s indoor track team. But with Geary, Craighead and sophomore Tyler Murray all competing in the national races last weekend, snowshoeing is becoming a grassroots trend on the team. “There’s already several guys who are very curious about it,” Sambolec said. “The curiosity level has definitely [been] piqued. Certainly they see the guys are doing well in their racing in not only snowshoeing, but on the track as well.” They have all found the activity a refreshing change from having their feet constantly on the pavement. With a solid snow pack, the snowshoes bring the athletes up off the ground a
allison usavage/the ithacan
Track team members compete in snowshoe national championships
few inches, allowing the snow to give a little bit with every step. That allows for a slight variation from the normal road workout. “It’s really unstable,” Murray said. “So it works more of the stabilizing muscles. It is tiring the next day, but it is a good, different way to train, with less pounding on the body so it’s a little easier.” Murray first strapped on a pair of the shoes in his sophomore year of high school for that reason. Many of the athletes, though, have noticed that the physical part of the body does not feel as much pressure from racing, but instead the most strain is on the cardiovascular system. “It’s definitely more stress on your lungs and your heart,” Baumbach said. “Running on snowshoes, your stride is shorter. It’s more effort. You feel it more in your chest than you do in running.” For most recreational snowshoers, the scenery attracts the athletes as
Feel the Burn
Snowshoers can burn 45 percent more calories while snowshoeing than while running or walking at the same speed.
Adults Calories burned/hr snowshoeing
well. The fact that cars are not whizzing by and that they are not staring at gray walls inside a building is uplifting. “Competing is just a way to get off the roads,” Murray said. “It’s enjoyable, just snowshoeing by yourself sometimes. It’s something different to do.” With the combination of trails behind the Terrace residence halls and the addition of a few feet of snow in late February, the athletes had ample space and time to practice for the event. While they are in the middle of track season, the athletes try to work it out so they run in groups, but as Murray said, sometimes they go out on their own. The majority of the athletes are looking to continue either competing in races or just snowshoeing for recreation once they graduate from the college as well. “It’s nice to be out in the woods with snow all over,” Craighead said. “It’s tranquil and relaxing.”
Children Weight
Calories burned/hr snowshoeing
Weight
472 calories/hr
130 lbs
242 calories/hr
70 lbs
563 calories/hr
155 lbs
302 calories/hr
90 lbs
690 calories/hr
190 lbs
378 calories/hr
110 lbs
source: American College of Sports Medicine
Sports
24 The Ithacan
The inside Pitch Cory Francer
A string of luck turns the tables
W
e’re going head to head, just the two of us, down from a pool of 43. We’re the survivors, lasting the longest in this heated battle of wit, skill, psychological breakdowns and, of course, luck. Hour No. 6 is upon us, and I am a mess of adrenaline, exhaustion and concern about that bad D.P. Dough I had earlier. I have confidence in what I hold in my hand. I go all in. I survive the flop and the turn. Then the river comes … To be perfectly honest, I don’t even like playing poker, and aside from a few small buy-in tournaments with my friends back in high school, I’ve never really played all that much. But when a friend told me about Ithaca’s chapter of the American Marketing Association putting on a $10 buy-in with a $200 gift card to Best Buy on the line, I was all in. It would definitely be 10 bucks worth of entertainment and maybe I’d get a nice boost toward getting that new iPod I’ve had my eye on. All 43 of us convened in the Klingenstein Lounge for this epic showdown. I took a quick glance around the room to survey the competition. Mostly, it was just a bunch of dudes like me looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon during this confusing time between football and baseball. There were also the “serious card sharks” with sunglasses, sport coats and tons of stories about how much they’d won online or at a night out at Turning Stone in Verona, N.Y. Once we were settled in, I started to feel pretty lucky. I hit a two pair, a straight and a flush in the first few hands and gained a good amount of chips early. I was hitting a groove, and then out of nowhere, I got beat on triple sevens that I didn’t even see on the board. “OK,” I thought. “Time to back up, reassess my situation and get a little more conservative if I want any shot at that iPod.” The hours started to tick off the clock, and tables began consolidating. We got down to six — I’m still standing. Down to three — I’ve won a few more hands, and I have thoughts that I actually have a shot at this thing. Two now — my palms are sweating. Final table. I looked down and didn’t have much to work with. I looked at my opponent and could barely see him behind his wall of chips. It took just a few hands to knock me out. The war was over — I finished in second place. Though I’m still stuck with an iPod that freezes every few minutes, I did win a consolation prize of two free movie tickets. And six hours of poker does teach a valuable life lesson: Sometimes, you’re up; sometimes you’re down; sometimes you just have to scrape by. But, if you keep fighting to stay alive, you’ll get dealt a few good hands, and it will all turn out all right in the end. Cory Francer is a senior sport studies major. Contact him at cfrance1@ithaca.edu.
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
Bombers finish strong with ECAC title By Bryan Shay Staff Writer
A stomach bug was not enough to keep junior Chris Cruz-Rivas and the men’s basketball team from ending the year with an Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship. In fact, it was the entire team that felt sick after its crushing three-point loss to Nazareth College in the Empire 8 Championships. “The loss to Naz was heartbreaking,” freshman Sean Rossi said. “The emotions after the game were unreal.” After closing out the regular season with four straight wins, the team looked primed to make a run in the playoffs. But a 75–72 loss to the Golden Eagles in the first round of the conference championship left the Bombers without an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Instead, Ithaca received a bid to the ECAC tournament. While it was not where the team hoped to be, it was an opportunity for the Bombers to end the year positively, which was a focal point of the team’s practice in the week leading up to the tournament. “We didn’t want us not getting into the [NCAA] tournament to affect our preparation for the ECAC,” Cruz-Rivas said. “I told the team that we took the drive up here so we might as well win it.” While the team may still have been struggling to stomach the previous week’s loss, it was nothing compared to the stomach bug that was plaguing Cruz-Rivas. Cruz-Rivas, who was third on the team in scoring and second in minutes played this season, said the symptoms were so bad that he was unsure whether he would be able to play at all heading into the championship game Sunday. “I got less than an hour of sleep and was throwing up all night,” he said. “I was dealing with dehydration and couldn’t move as well, but I wanted to play.” Head Coach Jim Mullins said he was concerned about Cruz-Rivas’ health. “I wasn’t even going to play him,” Mullins said. “When he missed breakfast and I heard he was dehydrated, I was concerned with his health, but he asked to go through warm-ups and then said he could play through it.”
From left, freshman Sean Rossi drives to the basket as Utica College freshman Kevin Johnson tries to chase him down in the men’s basketball team’s 88–69 win Feb. 9 in Ben Light Gymnasium. DAnielle D’Avanzo/The Ithacan
After scoring 19 points the previous night in a first-round win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cruz-Rivas scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds to help lead the Bombers to a 78– 71 win over SUNY-Brockport in the ECAC final. “What he did was unbelievable,” Mullins said. “The desire and leadership he showed played a huge, huge role. I can’t say enough about what he did.” While the Bombers did not make the deep playoff run they had hoped for, the team did win 20 games in back-to-back seasons, which is a feat both Mullins and his players take pride in. “Winning 20 games and the ECAC Champion-
ship is a tremendous accomplishment,” Mullins said. “This wasn’t a good year; it was a great year.” Ithaca loses only two players, seniors Tom Brown and Will Gaskins, heading into the 2010-11 campaign. Mullins said he would like to see the team work harder in the weight room this off-season and come into camp with a commitment to improving defensively. But one thing the Bombers will be sure to have next season is confidence. “We are going to be very good the next couple years,” Rossi said. “If we all have good summers and work hard, we have enough talent where no one will be capable of beating us.”
Young squad’s success boosts national recognition By thomas eschen Staff Writer
After winning 22 games and achieving a perfect 16–0 in the Empire 8, the women’s basketball team put the program back in the national spotlight this season. Though the Bombers lost in the first round of the NCAA Check out a video of the Bombers in action tournament, at the NCAA tournathe athletes ment at theithacan. know that org/go/10ncaa. Ithaca College is back in contention with its toughest Division III opponents. “We are heading in a really positive direction by putting Ithaca back on the map nationally,” sophomore Riley Dunn said. “We are one of the top teams in the nation again.” The Bombers saw that national respect by the NCAA selection committee after a tough loss in the Empire 8 tournament final. Despite the loss, the Blue and Gold were given home-court advantage in addition to an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament. They earned it. After a 3–3 start, the Bombers followed with a 17-game winning streak in the middle of their conference season, giving the team something to smile about. “We played really well in conference,” sophomore Jessica Farley said. “One of the best records in a long time. We have to look at how
From left, DeSales University’s Jessica Hoover defends junior Elissa Klie as she tries to go up for a shot Saturday in Ben Light Gymnasium. Danielle D’aVanzo/The ithacan
we played before our two losses.” Ithaca did all of that with more than half the team being made up of freshmen. That experience will help the Bombers stay successful next season. “The fact that we could do so well as a pretty young team will work to our advantage,” junior forward Elissa Klie said. “Especially
that we experienced both the Empire 8 and the NCAA tournaments. We know what it is like to lose in those games now, so we know what we need to do to make it possible to win next year.” Two tight games in the Empire 8 tournament and the loss to DeSales University in the NCAA Championships will serve as mo-
tivation and as learning experiences for next year’s squad. But every season comes with a downside as the team must graduate its senior class. This year, the Blue and Gold will lose two starters and their two leading scorers, Katherine Bixby and Lindsay Brown. This season, they averaged 15.2 and 11.4 points per game, respectively. “Playing against Lindsay and Kat in practice all season was important,” Klie said. “They are two girls you play against and really get better. Although they won’t be here, they will have an influence on our team next year.” The youth will benefit the most from that example and will be expected to fill those vacated starting positions. Klie said the young players have already fit in the program nicely and will get the chance to show that next year. Highlighting the list of returners is Klie, who averaged 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season. Juniors Jane DeBiasse and Jordan Confessore both saw significant playing time this season as well and will be expected to step up in their senior season. The impact left by the two seniors reached far beyond the hardwood, though, as Brown and Bixby helped make this season enjoyable for the entire team. “We’ll follow their lead and try to keep a close-knit family like this year,” Dunn said. “We are all going to make sure we have fun again.”
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Celebrating seniors Gymnastics team honors seniors after final regular season meet By megan goldschmidt Staff Writer
Senior year of college is a time for students to reminisce and have fun before venturing out into the “real world.” For the four seniors on the gymnastics team, it is also a time to leave their mark in the record books. Seniors Emily Graber, Rachel Lamensdorf, Brianne Sullivan and Rachel Taylor celebrated their last meet in their home gym Saturday by showing off the skills they’ve acquired over the past four years. As they performed their signature events, each athlete remembered the fact that this would be her last time competing in Ben Light Gymnasium. “This last season has flown by,” Sullivan said. “It’s unreal. I could not have hoped for a better team to share my last season with. I have had incredible amounts of fun in the gym and out.” Their parents, coaches and fellow teammates gathered around the floor after the victory over SUNY-Cortland on Saturday. Each of their names were announced, and they were joined by their parents — a visibly emotional moment for the athletes. Lamensdorf said Head Coach Rick Suddaby has been a major influence in each of their lives. “Coach Suddaby has helped me believe in myself and make me believe I was capable of doing things I never thought I could do,” she said. “While he helped me grow into attaining a difficult bar routine, he also taught me how to become more aggressive in school in order to be ready to deal
with situations in the real world.” While gymnastics has been a dominant part of the four women’s college lives, the student always comes before the athlete. Taylor and Sullivan are physical therapy majors, Lamensdorf is an accounting major and Graber is getting her degree in childhood education. Both Graber and Sullivan were previous honorees on the Empire 8 President’s List for their academic achievement and Lamensdorf is graduating a year early because of her educational prowess. The athletes’ combined GPA is an outstanding 3.7. “It’s simply a reality that gymnastics will end your senior year of college, but how you do academically carries a lot farther in life,” Graber said. “My parents taught me that at a really young age, and it’s carried with me since then.” Not only is this the last time competing on home turf for the seniors, but it will also most likely be one of the last times they will perform in a competitive gymnastics meet. Moving from high school gymnastics to a team atmosphere at the collegiate level can be a big change for gymnasts, Taylor said. “Coming from high school where I competed on a club team and it was an individual sport to now college has been such a good change,” Taylor said. “College gymnastics meets have such a high energy level, and they are so much more fun. Having teammates that support you and that are always there for you has made college gymnastics the greatest experience for me.”
Senior Brianne Sullivan performs her routine on the balance beam during the gymnastics team’s win over SUNYCortland on Saturday in Ben Light Gymnasium. Sullivan, one of four seniors on the team, scored a 9.625 on the beam.
Shayna Dunitz/The Ithacan
The seniors have felt honored to be part of a team that, Graber said, has so much passion, drive and love resulting in an indescribable bond, which resembles that of a second family. “It’s so easy to take something so amazing for granted until it’s gone,” she said. “My experience over the past four years has been absolutely incredible, and I’m so thankful for being able to be a part of such an amazing team, with such exceptional teammates and coaches.”
SUNY-Cortland vs. Ithaca College - March 6 Ithaca 187.850, Cortland 186.400
Ithaca Top Performers
Judge #1 Judge #2 Vault Rachel Taylor 9.50 9.55 Bars Chelsea Robie 9.35 9.30 Beam Kim Callahan 9.80 9.60 Floor Jessica Bolduc 9.60 9.75
Score
9.525 9.325
Top-Five Performers Combined
Ithaca Cortland Vault 46.975 47.600 Bars 46.200 45.600 Beam 46.725 46.725 Floor 47.950 46.475
9.700 9.675 Source: Sports Information
Wrestling takes sixth at NCAAs By dave uram Staff Writer
The dust has settled. All of the matches are done, and all of the bouts are won. The tournaments are decided, and for the wrestling team, it’s another year without a national title. The Blue and Gold finished sixth at last weekend’s NCAA Championships for the second consecutive year, and though the team did not accomplish its ultimate goal, the athletes aren’t hanging their heads wondering, “What if?” Four of the five wrestlers the Blue and Gold took to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were recognized as All-Americans, placing in the top eight of their respective weight classes. “I felt we did our job,” junior Jeremy Stierly said. “We placed four out of the five guys. [Senior tri-captain Jon] Gregory was just really having a tough time with his [neck] injuries and stuff.” Stierly was the team’s top finisher, earning second place at 141 pounds. The other three wrestlers who placed were: senior tri-captain Chad Winowich at sixth place (133 pounds), junior Blaine Woszczak at fourth place (149 pounds) and junior Willie Horwath at seventh place (157 pounds). The team’s biggest question is how its title run would have fared if more than five wrestlers qualified for the NCAA tournament. “We would’ve given them a run for their money,” Stierly said. Stierly said the question of “What if?” is being brought up because the five teams in front of the Bombers all brought more than five wrestlers to the NCAAs. But national championship or not, the Bombers had a successful year. The season featured both Woszczak and Horwath surpassing the 100-career-wins plateau and saw Woszczak ranked No. 1 at 149 pounds for the majority of the season. Other season highlights included Stierly emerging as a dominant force on the mat and
finishing one win away from being crowned an individual national champion, Head Coach Marty Nichols becoming the winningest coach in Ithaca College wrestling history and the squad reaching 20 dual-meet victories on the year. “The high point teamwise was definitely our dual-meet season,” Horwath said. “We lost one dual meet this year and that was to [SUNY-Binghamton] … all our other matches were if we were at full strength. There weren’t too many teams we wrestled this year that kept it close, so that was the high point.” Another high point was seeing Gregory rebound, after missing almost all of last year because of herniated disks in his neck, and compete at nationals at 125 pounds. “Jon was hurt and wrestled like a trooper,” Winowich said. “The kid is the heart and soul of the team.” Stierly said Gregory motivates everyone as a captain and leader both on and off the mat. “I wish he could be feeling a little better when we went out there [to Iowa],” Stierly said. “He’s the heart and soul of the team. That’s why he’s a captain. He’s there for each one of us, and I don’t know if we would’ve placed as high as we needed to do unless he was there motivating us all year. I could tell you every single time that I was wrestling I could hear him up in the stands or out on the side of the mat yelling for me.” Despite the loss of an impressive senior class of Gregory, Winowich, Horwath, John Dale, David Sbriscia and tri-captain Joe Goetz, the Blue and Gold are poised to improve and win that national championship, which has eluded the team since 1994. “As a team, we’ve come a long way,” Winowich said. “For the first half of the lineup to clinch sixth [at nationals] is pretty impressive, but we’ve been improving the last few years, [and] next year is going to be even better for the boys.”
From left, senior Chad Winowich and SUNY-Cortland junior Aljamain Sterling fight for the takedown in the Bombers’ win Feb. 10 in Ben Light Gymnasium. Winowich lost by decision, 3–1. Shayna Dunitz/The Ithacan
NCAA Championships - March 6 Ithaca finished sixth of 50 teams Team Score 1 Augsburg College 110.5 2 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 100.5 3 Wartburg College 83.5 4 Coe College 76.0 5 Delaware Valley College 50.5 6 Ithaca College 41.0 7 Ohio Northern University 34.0 8 University of Dubuque 32.5 9 Concordia College 31.5 10 Luther College 31.0
Ithaca’s individual finishes Jon Gregory, 125 pounds Jordan Alfaro (Merchant Marine) dec. Gregory, 3–2 Chad Winowich, sixth place at 133 pounds Nicholas Nothern (Cornell) dec. Winowich, 5–2 Jeremy Stierly, second place at 141 pounds Myanganbayar Batsukh (St. John’s) dec. Stierly, 10–4 Blaine Woszczak, fourth at 149 pounds Matt Mauseth (Wisconsin-La Crosse) dec. Woszczak, 5–2 Willie Horwath, seventh at 157 pounds Horwath dec. Dan Twito (Merchant Marine), 6–4 Source: Sports Information
26 The Ithacan
sports
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
Women’s varsity athletes aim to educate youth By Andrew Weiser Assistant Sports Editor
Rosa Bradburn plays softball during the summer, soccer in the fall and basketball against her brother, but she isn’t your typical three-sport athlete — Rosa is 9 years old. Rosa is just one of about 40 children who, from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, packed Ben Light Gymnasium for Watch an audio slideshow of the Girls the Girls and Women and Women in Sports in Sports event. Started event at theithacan. in the early 2000s, this org/go/10women. event caters to girls ranging from third to sixth grade. This year, participants were assisted by members of women’s Ithaca College varsity sports teams, receiving hands-on guidance in lacrosse, volleyball, gymnastics, crew and team-building exercises. At the volleyball station, girls split into groups and took part in different drills that encouraged them to work together. From playing a game similar to leapfrog to batting around a tricolored beach ball, every drill pushed the girls to work their hardest from start to finish. “I like doing volleyball,” Rosa said. “Getting hot and sweaty is fun.” Beth Lyons, who brought Rosa and two other members of her Girl Scouts of the United States of America troop to the event, said it’s important for girls to have fun and experience a sport outside of a competitive atmosphere. “To be in a fun environment, rather than one where they’re actually getting ready to play a game or something and having a coach trying to get them certain skills, [is beneficial for the girls],” Lyons said. “This gives them a chance to come out and have fun — no pressure.” As varsity athletes assisted the girls at each station, Andrea McClatchie, operations and events coordinator for intercollegiate athletics, said the athletes’ guidance and interactions help put athletic success into per-
Senior Courtney Dowell of the women’s lacrosse team teaches Rosa Bradburn how to pass at the lacrosse station during Girls and Women in Sports Day on Sunday in Ben Light Gymnasium.
Danielle D’Avanzo/The Ithacan
spective for the participants. “It’s great to have interaction with our women’s varsity athletes as role models,” McClatchie said. “[To] just say, ‘Oh, I can do this — I can go off to college, I can play sports in college, I can be smart, I can be a woman and be successful
and do it and have fun. The girls have a great time, both the athletes and the kids.” Varsity athletes from the women’s lacrosse, gymnastics, crew and volleyball teams came out Sunday, many of whom participated because they enjoy teaching and interacting with the girls.
“It’s fun,” freshman volleyball player Carly Graham said. “I love working with kids anyway, so it’s fun to have them. Seeing them have fun and enjoying themselves is a big deal here. So long as they’re having fun, that’s all that matters.” Women’s crew Head Coach Becky Robinson, who helped with team-building exercises alongside members of the women’s crew, said the opportunity to work with the younger girls benefits both parties. “It’s good for [the athletes] too,” Robinson said. “To see some of the things we do as a regular part of our practice and our training in team building … and how other people respond and react to the same things and just seeing it from the other role. I’m not sure you really learn it until you teach, so being in that position gives them a great opportunity as well.” Introducing sports that the girls probably haven’t experienced before, like lacrosse, is another way that McClatchie said gives the younger girls a better understanding of what’s out there and available to them. “[Lacrosse] is becoming more and more popular,” McClatchie said. “But there are still a lot of people who don’t know what lacrosse is. So it’s just a great hands-on thing to give the girls a taste of what’s out there and what they can do and just have fun with it.” The athletes aimed to encourage the girls to develop confidence in sports for the future. Robinson said this type of interaction can contribute to girls breaking out of traditional stereotypes in sport. “The idea of being a woman in society and being confident, strong and sure of yourself is an incredible gift,” Robinson said. “Interactions that these girls can have with athletes, and realize that to be an athlete you can still be nice, you can still be pretty and that you can still be feminine, it’s just trying to break out of some of the traditional stereotypes that really can prevent girls from getting into sports.”
Look online for game stories from these sports: Spring break destinations: BASEBALL
• Redlands, Calif. • Orange, Calif. • Claremont, Calif. • Thousand Oaks, Calif. • Whittier, Calif.
GYMNASTICS • Brockport, N.Y.
MEN’S LACROSSE
• Syracuse, N.Y. (Onondaga C.C.) • Whittier, Calif. • San Diego, Calif.
woMEN’S lacrosse
• West Palm Beach, Fla.
SOFTBALL
• Panama City, Fla. • Clermont, Fla.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SWIMMING • Minneapolis, Minn.
MEN’S and women’s TENNIS
• Hilton Head, S.C.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TRACK • Greencastle, Ind.
*Game recaps will be available online after spring break.
andrew buraczenski/the ithacan
The Ithacan
online | theithacan.org/sports
[the buzzer] Thursday, M ar ch 1 1 , 2 0 1 0
all-ithacan team
The Ithacan 27
With the winter season ending, The Ithacan’s sports staff selects the season’s best Bombers
men’s basketball
women’s basketball
Barera was unknown to most fans in his first two seasons but emerged as a force down low and had a tremendous junior season. Barera finished the year with a 65.3 field-goal percentage, which was seventh in the nation and the second-best mark in program history. Barera started every game and was the only Bomber to average a double-double, posting 16.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Bixby helped lead the Bombers to an overall record of 22–6 and an unprecedented Empire 8 record of 16–0. At point guard, Bixby served as an extra coach on the floor, knowing the finest details of the Blue and Gold’s offense. Bixby averaged 15.2 points per game this season, shooting for more than 40 percent from the floor, while making her teammates better in the process.
Junior Phil Barera
Senior Katherine Bixby
gymnastics
men’s swimming
Sophomore Jessica Bolduc
Sophomore Jeff Rapp
Bolduc competed in every meet for the gymnastics team this season and was a major contributor in all four events. Bolduc took first place in the all-around and on uneven bars at the Harriet Marranca Memorial Invitational. Bolduc also placed fifth in the all-around at a five-team competition at Southern Connecticut State against several Division I schools.
women’s swimming Junior Sheila Rhoades
Rhoades had a near-perfect season this year, shattering multiple records and receiving Empire 8 Athlete of the Week honors five times. Rhoades won her third straight Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association and Empire 8 Championship title in the 100-yard freestyle and her second-straight conference title in the 200-yard freestyle — meeting the NCAA A qualifying standard — while receiving Swimmer of the Meet honors.
Rapp received three all-Empire 8 honors at the Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association and Empire 8 Championships. At the meet, Rapp won two Empire 8 titles in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events, setting school records in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard backstroke leg of the 400-yard medley relay. Rapp led the Bombers to a second-place finish in the Empire 8.
men’s indoor track Junior Max Orenstein
Orenstein set the school record in the 200-meter dash and was named Track Athlete of the Year at the New York State Collegiate Track Conference Championships this season. At the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships, Orenstein received all-ECAC honors in the 55- and 200-meter dash events. Orenstein received Empire 8 Athlete of the Week honors four times this season.
women’s indoor track
wrestling
McCord set new school records in the 200- and 300-meter dash, long jump and as part of Ithaca’s 4x200-meter relay team. McCord won the Eastern College Athletic Conference title in the 400-meter dash and the Empire 8 title in the 55- and 200-meter dash. McCord will finish her decorated season tomorrow and Saturday at the NCAA Championships in Greencastle, Ind.
Woszczak was sensational in the 149-pound weight class throughout the 2009-10 season. He was ranked No. 1 in his weight class and finished with a record of 38–7. Woszczak went 15–1 in dual meets, with 12 major decisions, six technical falls and seven pin falls. Woszczak has a career record of 102–32. He finished first at the Empire 8 tournament and fourth at NCAAs. Woszczak received All-America honors for the second year in a row.
Junior Marcia McCord
they said it You can’t just obsess about one thing. That’s why I don’t talk about it. I don’t think about it. I just don’t care. University of Connecticut women’s basketball Head Coach Geno Auriemma on the Huskies’ 72-game winning streak.
Junior Blaine Woszczak
by the
numbers
22
The number of wins the women’s basketball team recorded this season. See story on page 24.
4
The number of seniors on the gymnastics team this season. See story on page 25.
28 The Ithacan
photo finish Capturing the Bom bers at their be s t
caption caption
Thursday, M ar ch 11, 2010
credit
Reaching new heights
Senior Andrew Brown clears the bar during the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships last weekend at Smith College. Brown placed seventh in the pole vault, clearing 4.67 meters, and earned all-ECAC honors to help the Blue and Gold take first in the meet. Brown ranks in the top 30 nationally and provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships. Brian McCormick/the ithacan