Count me in
crease play
Group of seniors compiles wish list of things they want to do before graduation, page 19
Thursday M ay 6 , 2 0 1 0
Cross it off
Junior leads attack with passion and intensity, page 27
Seniors should celebrate last weeks safely, page 14
The Ithacan
I t h a c a , N . Y.
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Southside center seeks neighborhood revival
From left, junior Samantha Wolfe, Pete Meyers and Jessica Yoon hold a meeting at the Tompkins County Workers’ Center on Tuesday. Wolfe and Yoon work as interns for the center, advocating for workers’ rights.
Allison Usavage/The Ithacan
Empowering the People Tompkins County Workers’ Center strives to give local employees a voice in the community by Briana Kerensky staff writer
No one knows what Neil does here every day. Every day the man, who looks kind of like Benjamin Franklin, ambles into the Tompkins County Workers’ Center. He’s always wearing big glasses tied to his face with a piece of twine and a faded green padded vest covering a gray T-shirt, but on St. Patrick’s Day he wears a violently green shirt with a tuxedo pattern printed on it. Neil used to test the milk at Dairy One, a local co-op, until he was injured on the job. Nowadays he spends his time at the center, collecting disability with one of the four computers he claims to own, chilling out in a lime green armchair that looks like it was attacked by a litter of psychotic kittens. People stop by to grab a cup of coffee with Neil and chat, and he gathers the center’s mail sometimes. He also offers tech support for the group’s computers. Neil calls it working. Everyone else at the center is equally amused and confused by his presence. The Tompkins County Work-
ers’ Center is actually just a corner. Tucked away on the third floor of Autumn Leaves Used Books on The Commons, the center sits in the back corner of a large room full of little “offices” of other organizations. Along the walls are booths for groups that aren’t anything more than “purely Ithaca.” It’s a city dedicated to the local, the liberal and the alternative. There are booths for local veterans’ rights, a peace and justice gift shop, the ever-optimistic newspaper Positive News and others that try to bring the world together with peace, love and locally grown vegetarian food. The Workers’ Center’s corner looks like it was decorated during an argument between a political activist, a dumpster diver and a kindergartner. There are three desks in the office but none of them match. One of the chairs is so worn out that whenever you move in the seat it makes a loud, rippling farting sound. The bookshelves are packed with binders with titles like “Winning Wages: A Media Kit for Successful Living Wage Strategies.” The windowsill has a plastic
From left, a student sits with “Ms. Evelyn” Pontes at the front desk of the Southside Community Center, built in 1937 as a place for the black community to gather. Allison Usavage/the Ithacan
by Archana Menon Opinion editor
In those days
Leslie “Floyd” Carrington first stepped into the Southside Community Center in 1958. He was 8 years old, and the candy store in the secretary’s Appaloosa pony running across office was his favorite place to be. He it, a heart-shaped glass bottle of would be there when it opened and sand art and certificates from lowhen it closed. cal organizations thanking the “You got candy for a penny then,” center for its support. he laughs, and when Floyd laughs, it’s Every space is covered in not just a grin: His entire frame shakes. paper. Giant stacks of it are on Today Floyd sits at the front desk every desk with of that same center. boxes of more paSlightly overweight per spread across with his black hair In our final edition for the floor. Dozslicked back with the 2009-10 academic ens of papers are specks of gray showyear, The Ithacan presents taped to the two ing, he usually wears two magazine-length narwalls of the little an extra-large gray rative journalism pieces office. Papers with T-shirt or another exploring a pair of vibrant phone numbers, low-toned color with organizations within the drawings, phohis jeans. He has a Ithaca community. tos, a “Cat Lovdiamond stud in his ers Against the left ear and wears Bomb” calendar and posters prolong gold chains, one with a huge F for moting workers’ rights. Floyd and one with a large dollar sign. And in the midst of this litHe joined the center through Experieral Siberian forest of paper and ence Works, a program that helps emcraft projects and Neil are Pete ploy low-income seniors. Meyers and Linda Holzbaur. The The Southside Community Centwo, along with some volunteer ter is located on South Plain Street, members and two interns are a fairly narrow street that would’ve the fighting arm for the maligned functioned better as a one-way street, employees of the community. especially with cars parked on both With no legal team, the small sides of the road. Tall and majestic, the group provides information, rebuilding still has the same red bricks with white framing along the sides as it had in 1937, the year it was built. See work, page 5
The glass is half full. Check out Year in Review, The Ithacan’s year-end magazine. Free on campus. find more. online. www.theithacan.org
The secretary’s office is where it was then, but the front desk is not. Floyd rolls his chair around the lobby as he tries to recount the center’s structure when he first came, placing himself near the door to note how the front steps weren’t there. He swivels slowly back inside saying the kitchen hasn’t moved but that the outdoor park, which could benefit from some landscaping, is a new addition. Instead of his front desk, there was a winding flight of stairs leading to the second floor. That’s where there used to be a balcony overlooking the gym, Floyd’s favorite spot after the candy store. He would go to the gym after school and play on the court; the center was known for its basketball clinics. “First thing we’d do is go to the locker room, change into practice uniforms. The basketball coach would have us run around a few times, do some calisthenics and stuff. Then we would line up on one side of the gym.” He plays out the scene in his head with casual concentration. “[The coach] would stand underneath the basket, and he would rebound and pass the ball. [We’d] go around to the end of the line, make a left, then we’d line up like five men on the court and we’d practice plays and stuff: 2-1-2, 3-2 … .” Often the Southside kids would hop on a bus and go away on a ball game to Elmira, Binghamton or Rochester. Rochester wasn’t a popular opponent because the Southside kids would leave with embarrassing numbers on the final scoreboard. There usually was
See community, page 7
[ Thursday Brie f i ng ]
2 The It hacan
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
Nation&World
US borrowing expected to slow
The government’s explosive borrowing has hit a turning point: It’s expected to drop 18 percent this year after last year’s record high. The brighter picture is due to higher tax revenue and less government spending as the economy has improved. The Obama administration still expects this year’s deficit to set another high: $1.56 trillion. Even if, as expected, that number declines a bit when the administration issues a revised estimate this summer, it isn’t likely to drop below $1.4 trillion. That would match last year’s alltime record. The stronger economy is boosting federal tax revenue and lowering emergency spending needed to stabilize the financial system and invigorate the recovery. As a result, the Treasury Department has trimmed its estimated borrowing needs for this budget year to $1.459 trillion. That’s down 18.3 percent from last year’s record $1.786 trillion. Because of the drop, Treasury said yesterday it’s reducing its borrowing amount at its quarterly auction to $78 billion in a series of three debt auctions next week. That’s down from a record $81 billion at the last quarterly action in February. It marks the first decline in the amount the government plans to borrow at a quarterly auction since May 2007. Many economists view it as a watershed event, indicating that the high point for Treasury’s debt demands had passed.
Taliban suicide bombing kills 13
lations in the past to strike a blow against NATO and Afghan attempts to counter the insurgency. This summer, a U.S.-led military operation will try to clear the southern city of Kandahar of Taliban fighters in what will be a critical test of the war.
Scientists test oil leak remedies
A massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico has become the testing ground for a new technique where a potent mix of chemicals is shot deep undersea in an effort to stop oil from reaching the surface, and scientists are hurriedly weighing the ecological risks and benefits. Crews battling the spill already have dropped more than 156,000 gallons of the concoction — a mix of chemicals collectively known as “dispersant” — to try to break up the oozing oil, allowing it to decompose more quickly or evaporate before washing ashore. The technique has undergone two tests in recent days that the U.S. Coast Guard is calling promising, and there are plans to apply even more of the chemicals. But the effect of this largely untested treatment is still being studied by numerous federal agencies and needs approval from a number of them before it can be rolled out in a larger way. Chemical dispersants carry complex environmental trade-offs: helping to keep oil from reaching sensitive wetlands while exposing other sea life to toxic substances. The concoction works like dish soap to separate oil and water, but the exact chemical composition is protected as a trade secret. The use of chemicals to break up the oil is just one of many techniques being used to try to prevent as much of the slick as possible from reaching land and contaminating sea life in the Gulf of Mexico since an oil rig exploded April 20 and collapsed, killing 11 workers and posing a hazard to a fragile ecosystem.
Taliban suicide bombers disguised as police attacked a government compound yesterday in southwestern Afghanistan in an assault that left 13 people dead, including a provincial council member and all nine attackers, authorities said. Eight of the bombers blew themselves up and police shot the ninth, President Hamid Karzai’s office said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which came as the provincial council was meeting in Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province. The militant group said the council was trying to turn Afghans against the militants. Insurgents have carried out coordinated suicide attacks on government and aid instal-
Police trace NYC bomber’s gun
this week
May 6–11, 2010
6
thursday
OBJECTOPHELIA, an end-of-thesemester photo workshop exhibition sponsored by the Park School of Communications, will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. at Commons West Plaza.
9
sunday
Catholic Mass will be held at 1 and 9 p.m. in Muller Chapel. Park End-of-the-Semester Screenings will be held throughout the day in Park Auditorium. TVR Fiction Field 2 screens from 1 to 3 p.m. and Motion Graphics and Animation screens from 3 to 4 p.m.
Multimedia Can’t get enough of our stories? There’s even more online. Check out our multimedia at theithacan.org.
7
Times Square bomb suspect Faisal Shahzad drove to a New York airport with a gun purchased in Connecticut two months ago, New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said yesterday. Investigators have said a gun was discovered in the car Shahzad left at John F. Kennedy In-
friday
Shabbat Services will begin at 6 p.m. in Muller Chapel. Shabbat Dinner will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Terrace Dining Hall. Ten Years of the Ink Shop’s opening reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ink Shop Printmaking Center on 330 E. State St.
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monday
Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Friends of the Library on 509 Esty St.
Cutting their losses
Newsweek magazine is displayed on a shelf at a news stand at South Station in Boston yesterday. The Washington Post Co. is putting Newsweek up for sale in hopes that another owner can figure out how to stem losses at the 77-year-old weekly magazine. Charles Krupa/associated press
ternational Airport. He was hauled off a Dubaibound plane Monday night, after he was allowed to board despite being under surveillance and placed on the federal no-fly list. Kelly also said the hidden vehicle identification number on the suspect’s SUV was crucial to identifying Shahzad, while databases were key to linking telephone numbers that led authorities to the suspect. The 30-year-old son of a retired official in Pakistan’s air force, Shahzad was charged Tuesday with trying to blow up a crude gasoline and propane device. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., have since introduced legislation that would give the attorney general authority to deny guns and explosives to known and suspected terrorists. Kelly and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg testified yesterday in favor of the legislation.
Bear Stearns’ CEOs defend crisis
As a special panel delves into the financial crisis, the executives who led Bear Stearns Cos. before the big Wall Street firm’s implosion two years ago are saying they did all they could to keep it afloat. James Cayne, who was Bear Stearns’ CEO until January 2008, and Alan Schwartz, who succeeded him for a few months, testified yesterday before the bipartisan panel investigating the roots of the crisis. Bear Stearns was the first Wall Street bank to blow up in the recent crisis, caught in the credit crunch in early 2008 and foreshadowing the cascading financial meltdown in the fall of that year. Two of Bear Stearns’ hedge funds failed in June 2007, costing investors $1.8 billion and touching off the domino chain that brought the firm to the brink in March 2008.
SOURCE: Associated Press
copy editors
8
saturday
Park End-of-the-Semester Screenings will be held throughout the day in Park Auditorium. TVR Nonfiction Production screens from noon to 2 p.m., Advanced Cinema Production from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Cinema Senior Thesis and Ames Award from 7 to 11 p.m.
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tuesday
Cinema and Production 2 Screenings will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. in Park Auditorium.
Interactive
Check out an interactive collage of multimedia produced by The Ithacan over the course of the semester.
Lara Bonner, Liz DeLong, Sara Friedman, Heather Karschner, Qina Liu, Mary Kate Murphy, Meg Rindfleisch, Carly Sitzer.
Got a news tip?
designers Yu-Chen (Jane) Chen.
corrections It is The Ithacan’s policy to correct all errors of fact. Please contact Aaron Edwards at 274-3207. In last week’s article, “Professors paid below national average,” national averages and master’s institutions averages for college professors’ salaries were confused. The accurate data is as follows:
Video
Contact the news editor at aedward3@ithaca. edu or 274-3207.
Watch this week’s 1-on-1 exclusive with junior Katie Hurley, attack for the Bombers’ women’s lacrosse team.
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The Ithacan 3
Top officials’ pay released IRS report shows administrators’ salaries and decline in institutional endowment By Ryan Sharpstene Staff Writer
Ithaca College has released its Internal Revenue Service 990 form listing the compensation of its top officers for 2008. Because the college is a nonprofit educational organization, an annual 990 form is required to be submitted to the IRS, one month after the April 15 deadline for individual taxpayers to file documentation. There is a oneyear lag between the time the information is filed and the time it is made public. Direct comparisons of salaries between the 2008-09 and 2007-08 990 forms are unavailable because of IRS changes to the 990 form, which switched how salaries are reported, from a fiscal-year basis to calendaryear basis. In calendar year 2008, Tom Rochon, who became president of Ithaca College July 1 of that year, received a base salary of $149,062. Rochon also received $8,455 in deferred compensation and $21,051 in nontaxable benefits, combining for total compensation of $178,568 for the final six months of the year. Rochon’s predecessor Peggy Williams received $173,466 base salary in 2008 from Jan. 1 to June 31. In addition, she received $213,310 in deferred compensation upon leaving her position in 2008, an amount accumulated over the tenure of her presidency. In her final year as president, academic year 2007-08, she received a total salary of $308,745. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the median pay for collegiate chief executives was $436,111 in the 2008-09 academic year — up more than 2 percent from the previous year. Carl Sgrecci, vice president of finance and administration, who oversees the form process, said it is complex, especially since the IRS is using a new form this year. “We generally start the process after the
board [of trustees] accepts our audited financial statements, which is usually in October,” he said. Aside from the two presidents, Shelley Semmler, vice president of institutional advancement, was the highest-paid employee for the 2008 calendar year with a base salary of $177,949. Combined with other compensation and benefits, she received a total compensation of $211,933. Provost Kathleen Rountree received a slightly lower base salary at $176,977, but with other compensation and benefits, her compensation totaled $288,143. Sgrecci was paid a base salary of $172,596 and a total compensation of $204,241. The 990 form also disclosed the total assets, revenue and expenditures of the college, figures which reflected the onset of the nationwide economic recession. Rochon said even though the college had significant losses in endowment funds, the overall financial stability of the college was not affected. “Ithaca College, like every other college and university, had significant losses to endowment investments, especially in late 2008 and early 2009,” Rochon said. “That meant we could, in ways, rely less on that accumulate endowment savings account to subsidize our current operations. However, we are so strong financially on a ongoing basis that we are simply able to reduce our reliance on endowment funds.” The college’s total financial net assets were $329,818,187 as of May 2009. This was an decrease of $70,742,777 from June 2008, when the college had $400,560,964 in net funds. The college received $235,730,401 in total revenue in the 2008 calendar year. Of this amount, $10 million was attained through contributions.
Stick it to the ‘man’
From left, juniors Sean Temple and Samantha Wolfe protest Tuesday in IC Square in opposition to Arizona’s SB 1070 immigration law that would make failure to carry immigration documents a crime. The law, enacted April 23, has received criticism from President Barack Obama.
andrew casper/The Ithacan
Barlas appointed director of ethnicity studies center Asma Barlas was reappointed program director for the Center for the Study of Culture, Race and Ethnicity last week and has begun planning the department’s future. Barlas, who is also a professor of politics, served as the center’s first director when it was founded in 1999. Senior Writer Kathy Laluk spoke with Barlas about her reappointment and her goals for CSCRE during her three-year term. Kathy Laluk: As the center’s founding director, how does it feel to be reappointed to the position? Asma Barlas: The center was mostly an idea on paper [back then]. We had wanted to develop a new curriculum on [African-American, Latino, Asian-American and Native American] people. … For the longest time, I was working on the center when it was just an idea, but now I have three faculty colleagues, we have an office space, and we’re delivering a wonderful curriculum. KL: What goals do you hope to achieve as program director? AB: We want to rethink our curriculum to keep it current with current trends. We might develop new programs out of this. Our greatest challenge will be to retain faculty. For that, it has to be a campuswide effort. We’re competing against in-
College deems green survey unobjective
stitutions [that] have more resources and lighter teaching loads. We want to consolidate the center, to have faculty who are committed to being here for a while and to keep developing and defining our programs into new ideas. That’s my vision for the future.
By Ryan Sharpstene Staff Writer
KL: As part of the search process, you had to give a presentation to the college. Tell me a little about that. AB: For me it was a good opportunity to give a presentation about my scholarship on this campus. My work has been primarily on scripture hermeneutics. My work is on the Quran, and ... I’ve been working on issues of religious violence and the body. KL: Are there any ways specifically you think you can retain professors in your area? AB: There have to be multiple initiatives because no one unit can carry the whole responsibility. We’re hoping that this new strategic committee on diversity that [President Tom Rochon] has formed … will have concrete measures in that to help us retain our faculty and students. KL: Why do you think it’s important to study culture, race and ethnicity? AB: [The original committee and I] were basically asked to devise an ethnic studies program, but we
Asma Barlas, professor of politics at the college, has been named director of the Center for the Study of Culture, Race and Ethnicity. courtesy of sheryl sinkow
felt that ethnicity hides as much as it reveals. … Ethnic studies is really about ALANA people in the United States. The reason it’s important to study them is because they were here before white folks got here. White people and people of color share a certain history that is not always easy to speak about, but it is nonetheless a common and shared history that has shaped certain institutions, structures and ideologies in our society. The reality of the world is that it’s multiracial ... our students need to understand that this isn’t just a “problem of people of color,” but that to live in the world knowledgeably, you have to understand your own history in relation to the histories of other people.
KL: Where do you see CSCRE going in the next three years? AB: I’m really bad at mapping out where we’ll be 10 years from now [laughs]. But where I see it going is opening up more and more space on this campus for students to understand the ways in which lives are interconnected, particularly in the moment in history of the United States, where people are fooling themselves into thinking that race doesn’t matter or who are being socialized into colorblind racism and who think it is a post-racial movement. [I hope] to be able to interrogate all of those ideas so that it’s not just a conversation that happens amongst a small group of people, but it is actually more mainstream conversation.
Ithaca College has decided to opt out of this year’s ranking of “eco-enlightened schools,” by Sierra Magazine. Marian Brown, special assistant to the provost, and Mark Darling, the Sustainability Programs Coordinator, decided not to participate because the process was deemed to be too timeconsuming for the lack of feedback the college would receive. Darling said the college opted out because surveys, like Sierra’s, fail to objectively compare colleges. “Some of these surveys compare us to schools that are twice our size or have different program structures,” he said. “That isn’t objective.” Brown also said the framing and structure of how questions are asked attributes to the college’s decision not to participate. “After we’re done being evaluated, we receive no feedback other than a numerical or letter score,” Brown said. Last year, the college was ranked 47 out of 135. Administrators at the University of Vermont, St. Olaf College and Luther College have also begun expressing their distaste with current ranking systems, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.
4 The Ithacan
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The Ithacan 5
Coalition expands into rights center work from page 1
ferral and advocacy services to local workers and fearlessly challenges bosses who treat their workers like disposable commodities. David never realized just how easy he had it when he had to take down Goliath.
Meet The Team Pete is a lunatic. At least that’s the impression he often gives off. With his short gray hair and his collection of shirts decorated with human-rights slogans, he’s a skinny, dark-colored mass that disappears and reappears from behind his desk frequently. No one knows where he seems to go. Sometimes you can hear him singing from other parts of the third floor. Sometimes instead of singing, he crows like a rooster. Pete has a mug and coffee maker within reach of his desk, but he never has less than two carry-out cups from the café downstairs. He often uses his mug as kind of a holster for the cardboard containers. When Pete starts a project for the center, he launches himself into it. Lately Pete has been going crazy helping some employees at a local coffee shop form a union. It’s been taking up so much of his time that he remembered almost too late that the center also offered to help out at an event at a local theater. “By the way, we’re sponsoring a movie this weekend,” he told Linda nonchalantly. “Want to come sit outside the theater with me?” By the sound of Linda’s deep sigh, stuff like this seems to be pretty common. Linda’s a grandmother with a penchant for short skirts and brightly colored stockings, and while she may only work part time, she’s serious about her job. She keeps the website’s blog updated, answers phone calls and e-mails and designs newsletters. Linda also spends a lot of her time playing straight man to Pete’s offbeat antics. When Pete described his busy schedule for the Workers’ Center and how it’s inspired people to call him “Action Jackson,” Linda didn’t hesitate to call him out on his error. “You told us to call you Action Jackson,” she said, deadpan. Then again, Pete is the only fulltime employee of the Tompkins County Workers’ Center; maybe it’s OK that he’s comfortable with jumping off the board into the deep end. People are constantly calling with work problems. People not getting paid, people being sexually harassed, people being forced to handle hazardous materials without proper protection. Pete needs to be the go-to man for all of it and has been since the center was created. Pete has dedicated so much time to the place that he’s become synonymous with it. Whenever there’s a picture of Workers’ Center in the local paper, he’s in it.
Whenever the center is quoted, it’s almost always his quote. When people call, they ask for Pete. They know he’ll listen and do the best he can to make a difference. One of the baristas from the unionizing coffee shop, Josh Geldzahler, was originally nervous about contacting the Workers’ Center, but the situation was getting out of hand. They weren’t receiving competitive wages or breaks and had lots of trouble getting their schedules in order with management. The employees didn’t know what to do, but Pete helped them organize and alleviated Josh’s fears. “Pete wrote me and signed that first e-mail ‘In solidarity, Pete.’ At first I was like, what solidarity? But we’ve really come together, and that’s the best part of this whole thing. We’re looking out for each other, and that’s the secret to our strength.” But what a lot of people don’t get about Pete is that he’s not a lawyer. He can’t represent anyone in court or sue a boss or anything of the sort. He’s just a social worker with a journalism degree that gave up the dream of sports broadcasting to organize the locally marginalized instead. “I’ve come a long way,” Pete said. After taking one psychology course in college, he decided that journalism wasn’t for him and ended up working as a drug counselor in Brooklyn. But it was in South Bend, Ind., where he found his passion for workers’ rights. Pete was hired to be the director of the Readmobile, a mobile public library that goes around to different inner-city schools and promotes literacy through storytelling. Well, I was fired,” Pete said, “because I advocated for an assistant — a black man who was a substitute teacher and really knew the area. They wanted a white guy with Pete meyers a Ph.D. who never worked with kids. I lost my case in federal court, and I was pissed.”
“Our vision is that we’ll increasingly be a powerhouse. Workers will be happy, and abusive employers will quake at the mention of the Workers’ Center.”
What is the Workers’ Center? What began as the Tompkins County Living Wage Coalition in 1997, the Workers’ Center has managed to build up quite a reputation in a relatively short amount of time. For years the Living Wage Coalition worked to help local employees get paychecks that actually helped them live and thrive, something minimum wage fails at. Today the minimum wage for the state of New York is $7.25 an hour. But Ithaca’s living wage, which is the amount of money people must earn hourly to meet the cost of food and shelter in their area, is around $11.11. The city, with its two colleges, high taxes and expensive real estate, is a tough place for a working-class family to make ends meet. In May 2003, the coalition added a workers’ rights hot line so that
Linda Holzbaur of the Tompkins County Workers’ Center reads The Ithaca Journal in her office Monday. Holzbaur and Pete Meyers work on more than 200 cases a year helping to protect local workers’ rights.
Andrew Buraczenski/The Ithacan
they could help people with other workplace problems. “Living wage is a pipe dream for some people,” Pete said. “So we made the Workers’ Rights Hot Line to deal with other issues.” The hot line was so popular that the Living Wage Coalition opened up an entire Workers’ Rights Center. Today the Workers’ Center has more than 50 coalition partners from the religious community and different labor organizations. It’s a nonprofit organization that leads protests and letter-writing campaigns, mediates disputes between employees and employers, helps people pick the best course of action in the legal system and more. They’re a one-stop workers’ rights shop. “Our vision is that we’ll increasingly be a powerhouse,” Pete said. “Workers will be happy, and abusive employers will quake at the mention of the Workers’ Center.” All day long people call the center with their problems. Sometimes they’ll e-mail. Sometimes they’ll just drop by. Pete and Linda stay stationed at their computers and next to their phones, always waiting for the next case to come in. At night, Pete and Linda host meetings at a big wooden table just outside the office’s corner. Sometimes the meetings are between groups of employees that want to challenge their boss together, but just as often it’s members of the community working together in different committees to make a change. Pete and Linda work on more than 200 cases a year; they can’t solve them, advertise and organize trips, protests and dinners by themselves. Pete likes to call the help from the neighborhood “concertive action.” He really respects all the time the volunteers can offer and likes to keep the work with them both upbeat and productive. At a recent meeting held to write a radio public service announcement, Pete read aloud the script by imitating the different people sitting around the table, which, that day, happened to be all women. He ended up sounding like some strange falsetto Muppet, but everyone loved it. Fighting for workers’ rights is a stressful job. There are dozens of organizations in Ithaca working to solve all kinds of social justice problems, but they tend to set lofty goals. Because of that, their membership bases often get frustrated
and fall apart. “People don’t care about people in another part of the world,” Pete said. “If you get people in the door, then you can talk about stuff like imperialism and capitalism. But first you need to get them in the door. That’s why we don’t call ourselves the Ithaca Anti-Capitalist Network or something.” A lot of efforts can also seem to be almost selfish. How can I make a change and benefit myself, too? There’s really no bonus for the people who volunteer at the Center other than the opportunity to help make a difference in the life of an individual. The Workers’ Center runs entirely on grants and donations. They can’t afford to give their members anything but gratification. “People think, ‘Oh yes, I’m working to change. I buy my groceries at GreenStar,’” Linda said with a flip of her hands. She gets frustrated when people brag about making a difference but don’t actually go out of their way to make a true effort.
What They Can Do The lobby of Ithaca’s small claims court isn’t designed to make you comfortable while you wait for your case to be heard. It is an empty room with gray walls, a faded purple carpet and only two cracked vinyl chairs. There are no vending machines, no music and no newspapers or magazines. The only reading materials are some worn-out children’s books and some papers in a half-empty pamphlet rack on a particle-board table. “Young People and A.A.” “A.A. for the Black and African-American Alcoholic.” If you’d don’t have a drinking problem, you better have brought your own book. There are no pictures on the walls except for a framed photo of the Tompkins County Bar Association of 2000 and a sign pointing toward the bathroom with an upside down clip art hand. It seems like even the people in charge of the lobby’s upkeep don’t want to be in there long enough to make the place presentable. Small claims court began at 9:30 a.m. People started to filter in
around 9:15 a.m. After a quick look around the gray room and the stack of pamphlets professing to carry “The Message,” they visibly wrinkled and wilted like an old foil birthday balloon with the air being let out. “The first rule of court: Always bring a book because they never respect your time,” one man said with a sardonic smile as he whipped a copy of The Ithaca Journal from his briefcase. Another man, wearing a black beret and forced to stand because the only two seats were taken, whispered angrily. “I gotta take off for this bullshit. Hopefully, she won’t show, and we can go home … big f---ing waste of time.” Most of the faces of the 15 or so people in the court that morning ran the expression gamut from tired to exasperated to “get me the hell out of here before I punch someone.” Arthur Whitman just looked scared. A young man in his late 20s with closely cropped black hair, Arthur kept wandering around the lobby and running his hands down his faded black corduroy pants. Having just come down with a cold a few days before, his nose was running and his skin was almost green. Arthur was at court that morning because his former boss at City Health Club, in addition to making him work the front desk from 5:30 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m., didn’t Linda Holzbaur like giving out paychecks. “I’ve had to beg for the past few months,” Arthur said. By the time the young man quit around Christmas, he was owed more than $2,000. Arthur even worked extra days after walking out on the job just to give his boss one last opportunity to pay him. But when that didn’t happen, he called the Workers’ Center. Linda came running up the three flights of steps just as everyone in the lobby began to filter into the courtroom. Today’s colorful ensemble consisted of purple stockings, a black-and-white dress, and a marigold-yellow cardigan with a matching beret. Even though she couldn’t be a lawyer for Arthur, she could
“People think, ‘Oh yes, I’m working to change. I buy my groceries at GreenStar.’”
See Work, page 6
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What They Can’t Do
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be moral support. Arthur visibly relaxed at the sight of her, and they walked into the courtroom together. The courtroom was not gray and purple like the lobby but just as stark. It was like a church. People sat in long wooden pews angled toward the center where the judge sat on a raised platform as if on the altar. There were two tables and podiums with chairs for people making cases to the judge, but no one bothered to actually sit down. They just wanted their problems settled and to get out as fast as possible. While the first cases were heard, Arthur and Linda kept craning their necks to see if the owner of City Health Club would make it. Last week he was a no-show and made the two wait in the courtroom until almost noon. The boss said he couldn’t make it to court because it was snowing pretty heavily, but Arthur found out later that he made it to the gym just fine. He didn’t show up again today. Arthur wouldn’t find out until he was called to the stand whether he would have to come back next week. “See, this is why people end up getting screwed,” Linda leaned over and whispered to him. “Because people don’t show up. It’s possible you can have another job, and it would be difficult for you to come to this.” “Yeah, lucky for me I’m still unemployed,” Arthur answered with a sad smirk as he wiped his nose. While waiting for his name to be read by the judge, the two talked about his case. Linda and the staff at the Workers’ Center found one case with precedent in their database, but the charges were dropped. If Arthur were able to get the money owed to him, he would be the first positive example of the center’s new plan to put more workers dealing with owed wages through small claims court rather than the Department of Labor. “The Department of Labor, well, there’s not many people working there, and it moves really slowly,” Linda said. “We advised that small claims would be better because it’s faster, just one month. Now when someone is mistreated, then Labor has more clout.” The Workers’ Center also helped Arthur get the right court paperwork, pointed him in the direction of who to talk to about his case and even talked to his ex-boss. Although, according to Linda, it was more of a nonsensical rant on his end. When it was finally Arthur’s turn, Linda gave him a tap on the shoulder for encouragement as he walked up to the stand. But she remained seated. “We don’t have any legal standing, but no one should go through this alone,” Linda said. The case ended up being relatively easy. The boss hadn’t showed up, but he did notify the court that he would pay Arthur’s wages. Arthur faced the judge for less than five minutes. To celebrate, he asked Linda if he could borrow some money for coffee. Until that check came in, Arthur couldn’t afford to pay his landlady rent, so much as a small cup of plain coffee from Gimme! Linda told him it was on the house.
“Sometimes we get people with complaints the Workers’ Center can’t handle,” Linda said. Even though Linda only works in the office part time, she’s there more often than Pete. He works a lot from home. So Linda tends to be the one fielding the phone calls and office visits, putting everyone into two metaphorical piles: “We can help you” and “Sorry, go somewhere else.” Cases like that come in every day. Sometimes employees come in thinking that they were unjustly fired when really their boss had every reason to let them go. Other times they ask for help with things the Workers’ Center has no power over. Like the Lord. “People who have been hurt on the job, so that sounds like something we would take care of, right?” Linda asked as she shuffled papers around from one giant pile to another. “But then we find out that they think someone secretly hurt them because they don’t believe in God. That’s not something we can really take care of.” One call that Linda recently answered was from a woman who was fired from a factory that manufactures motel-sized bottles of shampoo. The woman worked 12 hours a day for $8.50 an hour. One night on the line, she started to feel a severe, stabbing pain in her lower abdomen. When she went to the bathroom, there was no urine. Just blood. When the worker told her supervisor that she needed to go to the hospital, he wouldn’t let her leave until they could find a replacement. She had to ignore the agony ripping through her stomach and stay on the line, making complimentary bottles of shampoo and soap. It wasn’t until almost four hours after she initially complained that a group leader for her section of the factory finally told her that she needed to go to the emergency room. She was promised that even though she was leaving early her job would be safe. It ended up that the woman had a urinary tract infection, a kidney infection and kidney stones. It also ended up that she was fired. Unfortunately, the center couldn’t really do anything to help. “It’s totally unfair, but it’s legal grounds for termination,” Linda said, visibly upset. Cases like this come in all the time: ones that the Workers’ Center would give anything to fix but that the government says are within perfectly legal parameters. When she talks about these kinds of calls, Linda’s voice becomes louder. Her fingers begin to press harder on the computer keys as she types her e-mails until it sounds like the keyboard is going to crack. “There are so many people calling us for things they think are illegal in the workplace,” she said. “When really they would only be illegal if you were in a union.”
Pete Meyers works at his computer in his office Friday. Meyers, who is the only full-time employee at the Tompkins County Workers’ Center, spends much of his day fielding phone calls and e-mails from the community.
Allison USAVAGE/THE ITHACAN
Potluck When preparing a dish, guests at potluck dinners typically go down one of two routes: They show off their culinary prowess, or they whip out the Easy Mac. Everyone knew that this potluck, co-hosted by the Workers’ Center and the Tompkins County Religious Task Force for a Living Wage, would be different when Pete walked into the basement of the local Unitarian church with giant bags of fried chicken from the supermarket. They sat on a serving table, filling the room with their spicy, greasy fragrance as volunteers unstacked chairs for the 100-or-so anticipated guests. But this potluck wasn’t just a community get-together; it was a last meal. The two local advocacy organizations have been hosting the dinner for the past few years as a kickoff for a 40-hour fast. The amount of time is supposed to be symbolic of the 40-hour workweek and Jesus’ 40-day fast, among jami breedlove other biblical things that have to do with the number 40. A fast is supposed to be a time of quiet, reflection and sacrifice. Both the Workers’ Center and the Religious Task Force wanted people to harness the power of fasting to reflect on workers’ rights and what they can do to make a difference. The place was full. Kids were running up and down the aisles licking the cream out of Oreos while the adults reclined in their plastic chairs and talked about everything from the Workers’ Center to a new class on vegetable pickling. Neil showed up in his green vest and twine-tied glasses. He made more than one trip up to the table for food, and because he planned on fasting from sugar in the next few hours, piled his plate with brownies, cookies and Rice Krispie treats. It took a while for Pete to calm
“I’ve seen what a movement of people can do with just one shovel at a time and hold hands. We want to help people pull themselves up, so that they won’t sink down. And then they can climb higher.”
the room down when he wanted to talk. Even though the space was small, he stood at the front and whipped out a microphone. “Sorry to interrupt your conversation,” Pete said. “No, you’re not,” Neil shouted back through a mouthful of tofu. There were a few chuckles from the people who knew Pete and his passion for getting attention. While people continued to eat, the leader of the Workers’ Center reminded everyone about who exactly was hosting the event. “The Workers’ Center is a community union rather than a labor union,” he said. “At heart, we’re kind of a community organization — people taking a stand for what’s important.” Then as Pete brought up members of the community, people who have asked the Workers’ Center for help and people who have helped the Workers’ Center, the guests stopped chewing. They stopped going for second and third helpings. Everyone listened as people walked to the front of the room and told their stories, and everyone smiled as they realized that their volunteerism helped make a difference to their friends and neighbors. Jami Breedlove stood at the front and talked about when she called the center after finding out that her hairstylist, Amber, was fired for not selling enough shampoo at the salon. Because of her call, the haircutting chain where Amber was employed has come under major fire for unethical working policies, and Amber got the support of the community. “I’ve seen what a movement of people can do with just one shovel at a time and hold hands,” Jami said, facing Amber. “We want to help people pull themselves up, so that they won’t sink down. And then they can climb higher.” It was like an employees’ Thanksgiving. People kept standing up to talk about how grateful they were for the community and the Workers’ Center. An old woman, Theresa, sat hunchbacked in her chair. Her pale, blue-veined and wrinkled fingers stayed crossed on the table. Her aging body seemed frail beneath her bulky sweater with its giant black socialist button. She didn’t stand up to talk in front of the room, but in the silence between speakers she summarized what the Workers’
Center is all about. “Solidarity feels good.” No one really had anything else to say after that. The room sat in a companionable, meditative silence. Even the kids stopped licking their Oreos for a minute as everyone sat with their own thoughts about workers’ rights and the hopes for a better future. Finally, Theresa broke the silence. “We should sing,” she said. Pastor Benson stood up from his seat. An older black man, he was the finest dressed of the potluck guests. He grasped the buttons on his gray sport coat, straightened it out and started to sing in a hoarse voice: “This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice. Oh! This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I will rejoice for He has made me glad.” People didn’t seem to know the words, but as Pastor Benson swayed with the rhythm and repeated the lyrics with a scratchy voice, everyone tried to chime in. At one point Theresa stood up and started walking from table to table, trying to get more men and women to raise their voices. People started to dance in their chairs and clap their hands. Pete and Linda looked relaxed and happy, leaning back and smiling. For the rest of the night, the guests could take over the fight for workers’ rights. Pete and Linda could eat, talk with friends and just rest for a minute before all the work started again tomorrow. “Drop down into yourself, into a deep place of wisdom and compassion and notice your breathing. The feeling of earth beneath your feet,” the pastor said. “Expand that connection to all those people in our community, our country, to those whose right to work has been denied. May we live in a world where justice rolls like water. People just want a decent wage! Can I hear an amen?” Amen. *Author’s Note: As of April 29, Arthur Whitman has received $150 but not the full sum he is owed by the City Health Club. Although the decision from small claims court was in Whitman’s favor, the court has no power to enforce its decision. Whitman and the Workers’ Center are now seeking to gain his paychecks through other legal channels.
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rests are practically not there. The carpeting in the lab needs cleaning and is usually worn out from all the rolling around in the chairs by the kids. The recycling bin is full of the $1 a dance right after, and then they all got on the Arizona Half Iced Tea Half Lemonade that the bus back to the center. kids drink frequently. Along with basketball, Floyd boxed. EveryThe center serves as an after-school space one on the team had a nickname depending where students can wind down or work with on how each of them boxed. His was Floyd, tutors to get homework done. Getting homebut he says that didn’t have much to do with work done might be a tad harder because, Floyd Patterson, a two-time world heavyas Floyd pointed out, this place is loud. The weight boxing champion. contrast is the most obvious between 3 to 4:30 “I boxed and held my own, but I sure p.m. Before the high school or middle school wasn’t no pro,” he laughs dismissively. Nowkids come at around 4:30, the center is creepadays, fishing is a bigger part of his life; he ily quiet and the computer lab is empty. But as spends hours at the lake as soon as it gets soon as the clock nears 4:30, it starts getting nice outside. loud and hearing the phone ring at the front He lives about 10 minutes away and drives desk becomes an added task. into work around 2 p.m. He walks with a limp, Trevon, 15, says people shouldn’t come clutching a walking stick for support. He puts here if they want to get homework done. Softhis stick away, settles down in a chair that has spoken and distant, Trevon moved to Ithaca aged with stains on its seat; he hardly leaves when he was 3 years old from New York City that seat for the six hours that he works. Beto be with his grandma. He walks in with his fore he can even begin dealing with the kids, blue athletic shorts halfway down his ass, he starts with his first priority at work and Enlylh, 12, works on Vinnie Sierra’s laptop Monday in the center’s computer lab. Sierra uses wearing a white T-shirt and his New York takes a second to prepare himself for the next the laptop and the rest of the DJ equipment to record his radio show every Friday. Yankees hat. five minutes of frustration — turning on the Allison Usavage/The Ithacan Trevon spends most of his time in the cencomputer to get Windows Media Player to He wouldn’t want his kids to come here, he the black community a place to gather out- ter sitting outside on the ledge or coming in play his soul tunes. Sometimes the CD player doesn’t work, admits as a matter of fact. side the black church. James L. Gibbs was this for DJ lessons or playing on the computer. He “The running around, the cussin’ and the building’s first director and was instrumental agrees with Floyd that kids are disrespectful sometimes the program won’t open, or maybe he has trouble turning on the computer — a swearin’,” he said. “In those days, if something in increasing employment opportunities for nowadays and blatantly admits he’s part of it. “You get smart with your parents. I damn PC that’s stuck in late the 1990s — but he gets wrong went down here, then the director tapped blacks in the area. A framed photo of him it to work. The CDs are usually personal mix- you on your behind, and then you go home still hangs against a peeling beige wall on the sure do. I damn sure do,” he repeats. “I just es, and one of his favorites is Natalie Coles’ and your mama tapped you on your behind. ... second floor alongside other photos that give love arguing with people. I don’t know why; I “I’ve Got Love on My Mind.” He could start There’s not enough structure in the place.” glimpses into the history of the center. One do it with my mom all the time.” There isn’t an obvious sense of structure is of young men playing football outside the When he comes home, his mother asks singing along even while in a conversation. Once the music is at a reasonable volume, to this place. There are at least 60 volunteers center and another of community members him to pick up his shoes and he tells his mothhe turns his attention to the kids. Kids from coming in regularly. Six employees walk gathering inside. Outside some finished and er no, “Why do I gotta do it? You do it.” He says it’s normal. the ages of 3 to 18 years old roll in with the around, making sure everything is in order. many unfinished murals remain: one of a tall, As for the shorts that sit halfway down kind of high that comes with the last school But it’s not unusual to find kids running un- muscular black man holding the globe in his bell. The rule is they have to sign in as soon supervised in the gym and around the center, hands sitting by a lion with a groomed mane; his ass? “It’s personal style.” The cussing too is just part of their everyas they come in, which the kids tend to forget. talking loudly in the lobby or blaring music in another, a picture of Eleanor Roosevelt’s arday lives. Floyd reminds them to sign in as they simply the computer lab. rival at the center Floyd was hired to add a sense of respect to when she came to Enlylh was walking walk by the desk. In the days when Floyd used with her 15-year-old to go to the center the protocol was the same, the center — that respect for the older genera- inaugurate it in 1938; tion. But for Floyd, there isn’t much he can do one of the circle of friend to the commuexcept the kids were different. nity center when her “Now they got no respect. I ask them how to bring the situation under control. life with animals and “The kids are too rowdy,” he said. “They don’t humans that still friend saw a girl he they doin’, and they look at you like, ‘Who you knew. He called at her talkin’ to? Why are you even addressin’ me?’ care what they say, how they say, who they’re needs final touches. multiple times, but she Maybe I’m a little old-school, but I just feel talking to. … I come here to do my job. … Back The center gets then babies weren’t making babies. In those most of its money didn’t look back. She better when they speak to me.” was almost out of sight His favorite days at work are when the re- days, you would deal with riggedy-raggedy kids. from the city, United and finally he yelled, spectful crowd comes in. Once Floyd thanked Now you gotta deal with crack babies.” Way and the county “Booty stank bitch.” a 14-year-old boy for signing in, and the boy to a certain extent. A “I couldn’t stop responded with a rarely heard, “You’re wel- Community roots small amount comes laughing,” Enlylh says. come,” leaving Floyd to respond with just a from donations and Leslie “Floyd” Carrington “When you’re cussin’, nod of amusement. grants. A pool table The Southside area is a largely black an emotion comes with He’s not a fan of the way kids carry them- neighborhood, a holdover from the days of in the middle of the selves today. Boys and men walk out of the segregation, and houses many low-income lounge was recently donated and so are most it. If somebody told me not to use that word, it’s like telling me not to use a certain emotion. center’s gym, sweating, shirtless or in a beater. families from different cultures. Host to the of the books on the second floor. Their jeans are usually halfway down their ass. Department of Social Services, a drug rehab Most of the kids are black, Latino or bira- If I feel [a] way, I’ma say a word.” Sometimes you catch the boys literally pulling center and a homeless shelter, this side of cial. White kids do come in for tap dance or their pants halfway down to show just enough town is not home to the richest of Ithaca. The karate classes, occasionally stopping by other The Renaissance so you’re aware of their choice of boxers for stigma of it being the “sketchy” part of town classes that include hip-hop dance lessons, the day. arts and crafts, the famed basketball clinics is still strong. From the outside many houses At the center, Kirtrina is always running “If I wore my pants the way they wear their have bent roofs, holey chairs on porches and and the ever-popular Monday night youth around from one place to another. She’s either pants now … I mean to each his own. My kid peeling paint on the outside. bingo. The center does make it a point to of- attending meetings, making sure the kids are wouldn’t do it.” The center came around in 1934 to give fer programs that work to attract youth from OK, taking over the front desk if Floyd isn’t all kinds of backgrounds with all kinds of there or driving the center’s white van to pick interests. The center holds tutoring sessions up kids from pizza. She usually goes up to her and has the UNITY studio on the second second-floor office and back down at least five floor. Well equipped with four Macs, a Pro times every hour with her long dreadlocks Tools program and other recording equip- swinging back and forth, her heels giving her ment, the studio is where people come in for quite the workout. She always wears earrings beat-making sessions or to take advantage of that match her necklace and complement her the free recording hours. outfits of the day. Kirtrina joined the center in April 2009 after moving from Oneonta to ensure her “It’s personal style” daughter grew up understanding her culture. Teenagers make up most of the population Before Oneonta she lived in Philadelphia, havat the community center. Enlylh, 12, has been ing moved to Oneonta for a more natural surcoming to the center for a year. Her mother, rounding. The lack of diversity in Oneonta led Kirtrina Baxter, is the center’s program direc- her to Ithaca. Kirtrina grew up in a family that has a lot of tor, and so when Enlylh walks in, she practically knows everyone. A hug for anyone who black pride. She wanted her daughter to have walks in that she knows, a friendly “hi” to the a black experience growing up, and the Southemployees, but Enlylh’s most talkative in the side Community Center fit perfectly into the plan. Historically, the center has primarily cacomputer lab — it’s where all the kids gather. “There’s nothing else to do for teens, so we tered to the black community. It came about just come to Southside. Most of my friends when blacks needed a safe place to stay, a place come here; most who aren’t of color go home, “where they wouldn’t be judged.” This is where many gathered and continue to gather today and those who are come here.” to learn about the heritage of the African diThe computer lab has 10 PCs and one Leslie “Floyd” Carrington answers a phone call Friday at the Southside Community Center. He desktop Mac and computer chairs that are six works on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, while Evelyn Pontes fills in the rest of the week. See Community, page 8 years old with cushiony seats, but the armMichelle Boulé/The Ithacan from page 1
“I come here to do my job. … Back then babies weren’t making babies. In those days, you would deal with riggedy-raggedy kids. Now you gotta deal with crack babies.”
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aspora and also build a community. Knowing the history of the place, Kirtrina walked into the center. “I was really disappointed in what I found. There weren’t many programs … didn’t feel like a very friendly atmosphere. I decided I was not gonna be sending my daughter here.” She immediately went home and e-mailed the center’s director because she still wanted to volunteer in any way possible so she could work with teens and pursue her love for human services. Kirtrina comes from a family where both of her parents are pastors. Often, when people needed housing, they would walk over to the Baxters’. The family wouldn’t have enough for themselves, but that’s what they did. At the church, Kirtrina would help the ladies in the kitchen with dinner and helped others when needed. “I knew that was what I had to do … I knew I had to be in service to others,” she says. When she handed her résumé to the center’s director, Mr. Mack, a large man with dreads down to his shoulders who has to approve anything the center does, she told him this was her job. She knew it. No one else was going to have it. Before she came, the center was staffed differently. Most were volunteers and were usually there to fulfill required hours. Kirtrina says most who worked at the center were scared of those who actually used the center. “Most who volunteered weren’t really African-American or Latina or Latino and had never really interacted with this community,” she explains. “The teens can be rough. … I can see that the average person may or may not be comfortable in a setting if they’re not used to the cultural aspects within our community.” One of the first things Kirtrina did when she got to the center was change the people at the front desk from volunteers to employees. She hired Floyd and Evelyn Pontes, whom everyone calls “Ms. Evelyn,” an elderly woman who also came in through the Experience Works program, to share frontdesk duties during the day. “We call it the renaissance,” Kirtrina says to describe the ongoing changes. Kirtrina notes that as a culture, blacks can be very dynamic and loud and boisterous, which sometimes could be misunderstood, especially for those outside the culture. She recalls a confrontation from last year. Driving by the Southside, you can never miss the guys hanging out front with their hats turned to the side, watching people as they go by. The boys, generally between the ages of 16 and 18, usually sit on the porch ledge, hanging out, gambling across the street or playing dice. Last spring, a 16-year-old girl who was volunteering at the center was on her way in. They hollered at her, and she flipped out on the boys. She yelled at them and was “in their faces,” and they said nothing. It’s the negative stereotypes of black men, furthered by the media, that might make this incident seem unexpected, Kirtrina says. Typically, you might expect the boys to respond aggressively. “These boys might holler at a girl, check her out, but they are not thugs. I know thugs,” she says, emphasizing with her eyebrows raised and gesturing with her hands. She uses her hands a lot to emphasize her points. “Most men that I know are thugs would’ve dealt with that. That’s when I first changed my mind and saw these gentlemen for who they are. It’s hiphop culture that has seeped into young men that makes them wanna be thugs.”
It’s one of her top priorities get to know the youth to change the center’s reputation. When she came in, a lot of the Ithaca community was unwilling to work with her and the center. In the past year, she had to ask the guys smoking blunts out front, in the park or by the trash cans to stop. “This is our center, and don’t mess up our reputation,” she would tell them. This is a reputation with a history. When the crack epidemic hit the United States, South Plain Street and State Street became Ithaca’s hub of drugs and drug deals. Ms. Evelyn recalls a conversation with a cab driver who said that people “were OD’ing all over the streets. There were robberies and killings everywhere.” Community members took it upon themselves to clean up the neighborhood, but the stigma of this “rough” side of town has hardly left. At meetings with other community leaders, Kirtrina’s often told to get those drug dealers out of there, which is an ongoing process. Sometimes the teens walk in smelling like “funk,” but at least there’s a chance they might’ve smoked elsewhere. Around 50 to 60 children participate in the program. Kirtrina’s main goal is to bring in as much programming as she can to serve the kids better. Unlike Floyd, Kirtrina thinks a solid set of rules might not help the center much. “Kids have been coming here doing whatever they wanted to do. So they say, ‘Now why can’t I go to the computer lab? Why you gotta be followin’ me everywhere?’”
Dream “Nobody wants to come to a place where you do this and don’t do that,” says Ally, a 15-year-old freshman at Ithaca High School. “That’s why they have school.” Once Ally came to school early and asked the teacher permission to put her books in the locker before the bell rang. “[The teacher] still said no even when I had come early to class, and that made me mad,” she recalls, annoyed. Mature for her age, poised even, Ally casually walks around with her hair high up in a ponytail and a necklace with a pendant that spells “dream.” Her stepmom gave it to her. “People look at it and say, ‘What does that say?’ and I say dream,” Ally explains, “And then they ask, ‘Why does it say that?’ and I say cuz I’m dreaming for success.” The school bell rings at around 8:50 a.m. Ally then comes home around 3 p.m., cleans the house, takes care of her 13-year-old sister and then comes to the center to chill. Her mother is a manager at Tops and usually doesn’t come home till 7 p.m. Sometimes she works till 11 p.m. Her father lives around the corner with her stepmom, so she goes there sometimes. The main reason Ally comes to the Southside is to hang out with Vinnie Sierra, the one who supervises the computer labs and gives DJ lessons.
“The Southside kids are like the land of misfit toys ... lotta people don’t understand how to work with kids like this. ... It’s just about telling them that you understand where they’re coming from.
#1
Vinnie hosts the 5-to-6 p.m. radio show featuring the latest hip-hop tracks every Friday — Vinnie Sierra 305Live. The show is hosted out of the center’s computer lab. Vinnie sometimes cleans the computer lab with an industrial vacuum that’s placed in the corner of the lab, right next to the torn speakers. After the kids leave, it feels like the “Tasmanian devil just went through a tornado.” The computer lab is not the most advanced around, but this is Vinnie’s space. His desk has a desktop PC, his DJ equipment and his 15-inch Toshiba laptop.
Kirtrina Baxter, the center’s program director, works in her office Friday. Baxter has committed herself to improving the center’s programs and reputation within the community.
Michelle Boulé/The Ithacan
With earphones around his neck, his overlarge jersey over a shirt, denim shorts and necklace that says “#1,” Vinnie gets ready for the show. He has his list of songs of the week out, waiting for the other kids to walk in at any moment. He has copies of his radio show, having highlighted the parts the kids need to say. Usually, the kids pick the Top 10 for the week with him. The show broadcasts live on video on shoutnet.com. So he looks into the camera, swings and just moves to the beat and the rhythm, dancing for someone — hopefully. “Helllooo world.” Vinnie hits a couple of the white buttons on his massive switchboard and begins his radio show. Spinning the CD turntables, he picks a song. He owns the equipment, not a single moment of hesitance in pushing the next white button. He’s been doing it for years - 16 to be precise. He picked it up from his father, he says. His father used to DJ when Vinnie was a kid, but once his younger brother was on the way three years after him, his father sold the equipment to meet financial needs. While doing all of that, his father started using crack cocaine in the early ’80s. The oldest of three brothers, Vinnie often became the one to take care of his mother and then the one to make sure his brothers were OK. Many times he would come home to find his father “high as a kite” or with a pipe in the kitchen. Often Vinnie would be there rubbing his mother’s back telling her it’s OK, that he’s there for her because his father had just hit her. Living in the “concrete jungle” of Spanish Harlem in New York City, he grew up with families dealing with similar troubles. He would play tag with his friends inside his 18-floor high-rise but would also see “people falling like zombies all around” because crack cocaine had taken over. “Growing up in that time was real crazy. A lot of good people ended up getting caught up in that stuff. A lotta families had broken up, a lotta homes torn apart. You know living in
a ghetto area — for lack of a better term — relatively low income, we made do with what it was that we had.” Vinnie takes care of people, makes sure the ones he loves are OK. The kids who walk into the Southside Community Center have similar stories. Single-parent households, abusive households, and so they come speak to him, relate to him and learn from him. They know of his history and all that he’s been through. They know he got himself through his childhood and through college, graduated and now has a steady job at the center. “[They know that] this is somebody that’s familiar with what they’ve been through. It gives me a little bit of credence to what it is I say to them.” Vinnie wanted to be a police officer at one point. So he earned a degree in criminal justice at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I. He decided later he would rather not be the one to deal with troubled youth at the end of the road. Vinnie wanted to be there not in uniform, but when they were growing up — before they got wrapped up with the system and while they still needed role models. “The Southside kids are like the land of misfit toys … lot of kids that are rough around the edges … lotta people don’t understand how to work with kids like this. They use traditional methods, by the book stuff. It’s just about telling them that you understand where they’re coming from.” He believes if the center fell into structure, it would be like school and insulting to the kids’ intelligence to always tell them what to do; they know what’s good and bad behavior. He does not set up rules in the computer lab. In fact, when kids gather there, the place is usually blaring the most popular songs. Kids roll around in their chairs dancing to the music, often practicing what they learned at dance lessons. The only time Vinnie enforces discipline is when the volume is too loud or when the kids are “cus-
See Community, page 9
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Organization reaches out to community community from page 8
sin’ up a storm.” Beyond that, he and the rest of the staff tell them to go “ahead and be themselves with the understanding that you know you have this responsibility … as long as you act a certain way that’s expected of you, you’re free to do whatever it is that you want.”
Fish to water Ally is Vinnie’s prodigy. She started taking DJ lessons from him in February and has since played at multiple teen parties and events. At the parties, DJ Elev8, Ally’s DJ name, and DJ Split Image, Vinnie’s DJ name, are ready to rule the night. Vinnie was given his DJ name by a friend his sophomore year of college. At the center he’s laid-back, walking around being his happygo-lucky self, saying hi to everyone and helping out wherever he can. But at a party he’s loud, and you know for a fact that DJ Split Image is in the house. Vinnie gets an ego boost when he’s the DJ. Talking to everyone, hollerin’ at everyone, he is where he belongs. “It was like fish to water … kinda just came second nature to me,” Vinnie says about being a DJ. He gears up for each track, his hands on the wheels, mixing and matching the patterns and going with the beat. His body bent, focused, looking at the screen and then at the switchboard, never once does he stop moving. He’s in the zone. He gets the crowd completely riled up when his songs have the word “Southside” in them. Those
from the Southside can’t stop cheering with pride. “Go Southside, go Southside,” they yell with their hands in the air. For Vinnie everything has a rhythm to it, everything has a beat and a vibe. Even as he walks home from work, he usually has his earphones in, bopping to music. It’s usually either hip-hop or Latin music. Don’t expect him to listen to country. Ally looks up to Vinnie and is still learning from him. At these parties, she’s focused even as her friends surround her. She’s energetic and sometimes gives into dancing behind the turntables when she plays a tune she likes, but mostly she’s focused. Spinning those wheels on the switchboard gives Ally something productive to do with her time and pays money, but most importantly, it has music. “Music is my life,” she said. “[At the parties,] people like to dance, and if I’m putting the music together, it makes me happy.” Her choice of music: hip-hop, reggae, reggaeton, pop and, much to her own timid admission, some country.
Up next Kirtrina and every other employee in the community center have set roles, but they mostly work to make the center a place for camaraderie and community building. Next on the agenda for the center is a hot food program, so kids don’t stay hungry when they come to the center, especially since many of them stay till it closes at 8 p.m. Last year’s Congo Square market will be back this summer. The market is
Students shoot hoops Tuesday evening in the park outside the Southside Community Center. The center offers basketball clinics as well as a wide variety of programs, including hip-hop dance, piano lessons and tutoring.
Allison Usavage/The ithacan
a huge gathering of independent entrepreneurs that need an outlet to start a business. This year, working-age kids will learn to grow fruits and vegetable and help families sell them at the market. “We do a lot of things that have a cultural edge to them, but that doesn’t mean that it’s only for selective people.” Vinnie says. “Anybody who wants to come here is welcome here, and anybody who wants to contribute positively here is welcome here.” The goal is to continue giving the
Southside kids a safe space to come after school so they have a place to call their own. --Vinnie plugs in the industrial vacuum and starts running it over the carpet. “They just don’t clean up after themselves,” he casually notes. As the vacuum starts guzzling down chewing gum wrappers and sunflower seeds, Enlylh walks over to Vinnie’s laptop and turns up the volume to Rihanna’s “Rude Boy.” Once the volume is high enough, she grabs her friend and
they start dancing to the beat, hitting the floor, twirling their hips as Vinnie tries to vacuum the leftover space. For a moment, Vinnie puts the vacuum away and joins the dance party. “Working here in the center is not something you do if you’re looking to make some money, health benefits or financial benefits or physical reward,” Vinnie says. “It’s more about an emotional reward. It’s more about giving yourself, to show that good people are left in the world.”
The glass is half full. Check out Year in Review, The Ithacan’s year-end magazine. Free on campus.
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Senior’s musical talent stands out at college BY Thomas Eschen Staff Writer
In one of the best music schools in the nation, it is not easy to stand out among hundreds of talented musicians. But with her expertise in both education and performing, senior soprano vocalist Elena Galvan has done just that. A trumpet correctly scales Wynton Marsalis’ never-ending “Flight of the Bumblebee.” A cellist perfects a wiry vibrato for a quartet performance. A woman’s voice rises above the cluster of instruments, escalating to a heavenly falsetto. “She just has immense talent,” School of Music Dean Gregory
Standout Seniors School of Music
Elena Galvan Woodward said. “It’s really unusually advanced and mature for an undergraduate. She is just a little ahead of the curve — exquisitely trained in voice production.” But along with any kind of talent, an individual must work hard to get the most out of it. It is something Galvan’s father, Michael Galvan, professor of music performance at the college, said has made an impact. “She works incredibly hard,” he said. “We are lucky as musicians
that we get to have as our profession something as inherently enjoyable as music that makes us want to work hard.” By scheduling extra practice time as if it was a class in her daily schedule, Galvan, a music education and performance double major, brings dedication to a whole new level. But she said she also credits her talent and drive to strong genes, as both her mother and father are musicians and instructors at Ithaca College. Her mother, Janet Galvan, is a choral director, while her father is a clarinet professor. With that kind of background, it is hard to imagine Galvan growing up with another love. And that passion has paid off, as her list of accolades is voluminous and extends from winning vocal competitions to performing in the Ithaca College Opera Monteverdi’s “Orfeo,” all of which are helping Galvan build her ever-growing résumé. “A lot of stuff has been happening in the past year that’s getting recognized by the music school,” she said. Galvan has stood out from others since her early days of performing. She started singing in choirs at the age of 5 and participated in Ithaca Children’s Choir for much of her childhood. Her interest in music education and performance grew from that experience, as she realized that she needed to know how to perform well in order to teach effectively. “My big theory about vocal
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Senior Elena Galvan, right, performs as the fox in “The Little Prince” with senior Cristina Faicco in March at Ithaca College. Galvan, a music education and performance double major, is a soprano vocalist with an interest in traveling. Courtesy of Rachel Hogancamp
music and music education is that if you’re not a good musician or a good performer, how can you teach others to be?” Galvan said. Galvan’s focus on performance reflects that philosophy, and her vocal gift does not hurt either. Her thirst to be an educator is derived from a drive to put education back where she believes it belongs. “Education is really interesting,” she said. “It’s something that’s not hugely respected all the time — that’s where the world should be focusing.” Besides music, Galvan has another passion: traveling. She said through traveling, she is able to extend her knowledge of music.
“I love going to other countries,” she said. “The thing about music that I love so much is that it’s so intertwined. It’s a universal language, and that’s why I love traveling.” Galvan received exposure to music at a young age when she started traveling to countries including Greece, Germany and Italy. During summers, Galvan was able to sit in on workshops and meet musicians of European conservatories. Galvan has traveled to and lived in different places all over the world. Last summer, she stayed in a tiny town in Italy, where the only language spoken was Italian. By living in places like that instead of commer-
cialized and tourist-laden, big European cities, Galvan has grown an appreciation for cultures far beyond the borders of Ithaca. It is something her mother appreciates too. “All of these experiences help prepare her for new and different situations in life,” her mother said. It is just another part of Galvan who hopes to bring all of those musical aspects of her life to graduate school after graduation. “I’m going to work somewhere hopefully music-related or a vocal studio while I’m applying to grad school for opera performance,” she said. “That’s as far as I’m looking right now.”
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College & City Provost search committee chair named by Rochon
President Tom Rochon announced Friday that Nancy Pringle, vice president and general counsel, will chair a committee to search for a permanent provost as a replacement for Kathleen Rountree. Pringle will be joined by 10 other commit- Pringle will tee members, in- chair the search committee for a cluding three adnew provost. ministrators, six faculty members and one student. Three of the six faculty members on the committee were elected by their colleagues. The student on the committee was chosen from three nominees provided by the incoming executive board of the Student Government Association. The other members of the search committee are Srijana Bajracharya, Diane Birr, Mark Coldren, Nancy Cornwell, Ali Erkan, Claire Gleitman, Anthony Hopson, Brian Keefe, Rory Rothman and Warren Schlesinger. The committee will begin the selection process this spring, but most of the committee’s work will take place next fall. Rochon said he hopes the committee will identify the permanent provost by the end of the semester.
Ithaca College students awarded Fulbright grants
Two Ithaca College students, senior Andrew Fry and Sujin Kim ’09, have been awarded Fulbright grants
for 2010-11. A third student, senior Allison Girasole, has been chosen as an alternate. Fry will graduate this month with a major in English and minors in German and writing. He plans to go to Germany to teach and conduct research on German education systems and the cultural divide between East and West Germany. Kim, who graduated with a major in cinema and photography and a minor in anthropology, will be going to the Czech Republic to teach and conduct research in Czech high schools and pursue interests in community work and art. Kim plans to incorporate her culture and art into the curriculum. Girasole, a biology major, has been chosen as a alternate for the grant and is currently waiting to hear her final status. She plans to work at the University of Cologne in Germany with Peter Kloppenburg to investigate the deregulation of energy homeostasis.
Cornell president writes in support of DREAM Act
Cornell President David Skorton has written a letter in support of bipartisan legislation that would provide some undocumented students with a pathway to permanent U.S. residency. Eight New York state university presidents have also signed the letter, which has been sent to members of Congress. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2009 would amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to per-
mit states to determine residency for college and university students. Under the DREAM Act, undocumented alien students who arrive in the United States as minors and who graduate from a U.S. high school would obtain temporary residency for six years. During that time, they would be required to earn a degree from a U.S. institution of higher education, complete at least two years in a program for a bachelor’s degree or serve in the military for at least two years.
Section of South Aurora closed for construction
The Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division will close South Aurora Street, between the intersections of Prospect Street and Hillview Place, between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. today and tomorrow. The Water & Sewer Division will replace a section of the water main on South Aurora and Prospect streets and install a new valve in preparation for a project on Prospect Street later this year. Detour signs will be posted.
Health alliance to host health care discussion Local health care reform advo-
cate Rebecca Elgie and Tompkins County legislator Nathan Shinagawa will present information and answer questions about health care reform at the Ithaca Health Alliance annual meeting Friday. The health alliance meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the First Unitarian Church Parlor at
Public Safety Incident Log APRIL 18 CCV/EXCESSIVE NOISE LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: Caller reported excessive noise and requested assistance. One person judicially referred for noise. Patrol Officer James Landon. MEDICAL ASSIST/ILLNESS RELATED LOCATION: Bogart Hall SUMMARY: Caller reported a person with a nosebleed. Medical assistance was declined. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: Grant Egbert Boulevard SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person damaged a light pole. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Christopher Teribury. CRIMINAL TAMPERING LOCATION: Landon Hall SUMMARY: Officer reported an unknown person maliciously discharged a fire extinguisher, causing fire alarm activation. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Christopher Teribury. CCV/ACTS OF DISHONESTY LOCATION: Lower Quads SUMMARY: Officer reported marijuana odor. Drug paraphernalia was found, but owner was unknown. One person judicially referred for giving false information. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke. CCV/DANGER TO SELF LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Caller reported a person took a substance to harm self. Person was
taken into custody under mental hygiene law and transported to CMC. Person judicially referred for endangering self. Patrol Officer James Landon. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: J-Lot SUMMARY: Caller reported someone damaged a vehicle. The person was unknown. Investigation pending. Sergeant Bill Kerry.
APRIL 19 LARCENY LOCATION: Z-Lot SUMMARY: Complainant reported an unknown person stole a hubcap from a vehicle. Investigation pending. Sergeant Terry O’Pray. LARCENY LOCATION: Campus Center Quad SUMMARY: Officer reported someone stole fire extinguishers and damaged the mounting brackets. The person was unknown. Investigation pending. Investigator Tom Dunn. LARCENY LOCATION: Bogart Hall SUMMARY: Caller reported someone stole radios between 1:30 p.m. April 14 and 4:45 a.m. April 15. The person was unknown. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Dirk Hightchew. MEDICAL ASSIST/INJURY RELATED LOCATION: Tennis Courts SUMMARY: Caller reported a person dislocated a knee. Person was transported to CMC by ambulance. Sergeant Bill Kerry.
306 N. Aurora St. During the meeting, the alliance, which is seeking candidates to run for six board seats, will also begin the election process. For more information concerning health care reform or the Ithaca Health Alliance, contact the outreach coordinator Betsye Caughey at 330-1253.
College rates publications based on sustainability
Peter Kilcoyne, manager for Printing Services in Marketing Communications, has created a new sustainability index system to rate Ithaca College publications. The first step of the new publications sustainability rating system is to evaluate the print suppliers where college publications outsource printing work. Their sustainability is also rated based on factors like the percentage of postconsumer recycled content of the paper. The new system reported the ratings of printing vendors used by the school fell between 1.3 and 3.5 on a 5-point scale. The least sustainable college publication received a 2.6 on a 10-point scale and the highest rated received a score of 5.5. For more information about the publications sustainability index, contact Kilcoyne at 274-1262, or e-mail: kilcoyne@ithaca.edu.
Mozilla Thunderbird 3 now supported by ITS
Information Technology Services announced Friday that it will begin supporting Mozilla Thunderbird 3 for Windows. ITS recom-
mends that all Thunderbird users upgrade to the new version. Thunderbird 3 has several new features including tab-style messaging, improved search capabilities, new toolbar options and attachment reminders. ITS has also released a guide that provides detailed steps for upgrading from Thunderbird 2 to 3, as well as information about other resources for learning about the new version. For more information, call the Helpdesk at 274-100 or e-mail helpdesk@ithaca.edu.
Conservancy to feature gardens of local residents
The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program for 2010 will begin Saturday in Tompkins County. The program opens the gardens of local residents for tours. The garden of Hitch Lyman, at 3441 Krums Corners Road in Trumansburg, N.Y., is the first local garden to be featured. It will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional Tompkins County Open Days include June 12 in Ithaca, Lansing and Spencer and July 31 in Alpine and Ithaca. Admission to each private garden is $5. Open Days are rain or shine, and no reservations are required. These Open Days gardens are featured in the “2010 Open Days Directory,” a soft-cover book that includes detailed driving directions and descriptions written by the gardens’ owners. For more information or to order the book call 888-842-2442 or visit www.opendaysprogram.org.
selected entries from April 18 to April 21
MEDICAL ASSIST/INJURY RELATED LOCATION: Peggy Ryan Williams Center SUMMARY: Caller reported a person fell. The person was later transported to CMC by an ambulance. Report taken. Sergeant Terry O’Pray. UNLAWFUL POSS. OF MARIJUANA LOCATION: Hilliard Hall SUMMARY: Two people judicially referred for unlawful possession of marijuana. Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin. LARCENY LOCATION: Whalen Center for Music SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person stole a digital recorder from a locker. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Dirk Hightchew. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: Z-Lot SUMMARY: Person reported an unknown person damaged a vehicle. Investigation pending. Sergeant Terry O’Pray. FIRE ALARM LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Fire alarm accidentally triggered by people cooking. System reset. Fire Protection Specialist Enoch Perkins.
APRIL 20 FOUND PROPERTY LOCATION: Emerson Hall SUMMARY: Keys found and turned over to Public Safety. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: J-Lot SUMMARY: Caller reported that a person damaged the roof and window
of a vehicle. The incident had occurred between 11 p.m. April 17 and 5 p.m. April 18. The person is unknown. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Brad Bates. SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE LOCATION: Garden Apartments SUMMARY: Caller reported that a third party said two males asked to see an apartment. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Dirk Hightchew.
and chipped a tooth. Person later declined medical assistance. Patrol Officer Brad Bates. OFF-CAMPUS INCIDENT LOCATION: All Other SUMMARY: Caller reported information about an assault. Investigation Pending. Master Patrol Officer Erik Merlin.
APRIL 21
CASE STATUS CHANGE LOCATION: Garden Apartments SUMMARY: Officer’s investigation revealed that the suspicious persons were affiliated with the college and were already authorized to be at location. Suspicious circumstance unfounded. Sergeant Terry O’Pray.
CCV/DANGER TO SELF LOCATION: Eastman Hall SUMMARY: Caller reported a person partially hanging out of a window. One person judicially referred for endangering self. Master Patrol Officer James Landon.
UNLAWFUL POSS. OF MARIJUANA LOCATION: Lower Campus SUMMARY: One person judicially referred for the unlawful possession of marijuana. Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin.
HARASSMENT LOCATION: Upper Quad SUMMARY: Caller reported a male put his hand on the caller’s shoulder. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: Landon Hall SUMMARY: Caller reported a person damaged a card reader. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Erik Merlin. FOUND PROPERTY LOCATION: Z-Lot SUMMARY: Cell phone found and turned over to Public Safety. MEDICAL ASSIST/INJURY RELATED LOCATION: Garden Apartments SUMMARY: Complainant reported that a known person had fallen on a set of stairs in the building
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
14 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
editorials
kicking the bucket
Seniors encouraged to commemorate final moments on campus responsibly and seek post-undergraduate direction
W
hile much of the college campus is franticly studying for finals and finishing up papers, the senior class is preparing for something much larger — Commencement. With only two and a half weeks left until graduation, festivities are already under way, and seniors are reminded to enjoy this time but to celebrate safely. Many seniors, such as the group of housemates who are working to accomplish their “bucket list” in this week’s Accent section, have created goals they want to accomplish before graduating. Seniors are encouraged to gain inspiration from the group’s bucket list and work to accomplish all they want to do before they graduate. The end of an undergraduate career comes just once for most, and taking advantage of the moment will only make the experience more special. While barhopping and parties are signature aspects of the final moments spent as a college student, seniors should celebrate cautiously as they get through the next couple weeks. Students should be aware of personal limits and their surroundings to ensure personal safety. For many, senior year has been a time to celebrate, opting for lighter class schedules in exchange for more free time. As the year winds down, seniors should ensure that they have completed all the required coursework and assignments to be able to graduate on time. The weeks before Commencement offer seniors a time to relax and escape from the pressures of college life. During these weeks, seniors should not only celebrate, but also spend some time carefully thinking about future plans. Seniors are encouraged to speak often with their parents, friends and professors to discuss all potential postgraduation paths. Commencement is a special moment for the Ithaca College community, the graduating students and their families. The Ithacan congratulates seniors on their accomplishments and hopes that the next few weeks are full of safe and incredible memories.
Shining star
Music school alumna reprises role as Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera
I
thaca College graduate Kate Aldrich’s ’96 reprising role of Carmen points to the long legacy of music school alumni who continue to make the college proud. Aldrich joins a distinguished list of fellow alumni that includes: Luann Aronson ’86, who has performed as Christine in “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway and around the world; Gail Williams ’73, a professor of music at Northwestern University; and the college’s very own assistant professor Brian DeMaris who is the associate conductor of the New York City Opera. Having notable and successful alumni benefits not just a particular school but the entire college. These prestigious graduates carry the college’s name on their résumés and playbills, which ultimately reflects positively on the college’s reputation. Current students are encouraged to seek out successful alumni in not only their respective schools in order to support fellow Ithacans, but to also make important connections that may prove beneficial in the job market. Taking advantage of the alumni database can make it easier to secure jobs and internships. The Ithacan congratulates Aldrich on her rich career and her reprising role as Carmen, as well as the many alumni along the way who have shined beyond South Hill.
your letters SGA supports independent voices
While it should be acknowledged that the celebration of an event such as Israel Independence Day is quite controversial, there are much more pressing concerns when discussing the concept of an oncampus event. It is important to consider both sides of not just an Independence Day celebration, but of any celebration, any event, any thought and any idea. Under no grounds should any institutional body have the right to censor the thoughts of the students who take shelter within its walls. To edit the very nature of events would be to limit the very creativity and freedom, which should be promoted in an educational setting. It is the mission of the Student Government Association, the body which allocates tuition dollars to such events, to foster an atmosphere that promotes learning. Although it is very true that many events have two sides to them, to forbid such events would be to limit an individual’s freedom of speech. To always require the other side to be represented would be to put stipulations on how an individual lives their life. It is a part of the learning process to realize that these contradictory views exist and then investigate them. That is the very essence of how ideas are formed and beliefs made. It is the SGA that facilitates this process,and keeps the campus alive with a diverse array of thoughts, feelings and the activities to support them. Brian Keefe ’11
Gender and sexuality not the same
I was deeply troubled by the article “Gay Enough” (published April 15) regarding sexuality. One of the subjects of the article, Catherine Kirchhoff, shared grievances focused on herself as “not being gay enough.” I found myself angrily reading the article with the thought “this girl knows nothing
The Ithacan Lindsey hollenbaugh editor in chief Allison musante Managing editor archana menon opinion Editor Jacqueline Palochko Acting news editor aaron edwards Acting news editor michelle skowronek accent editor whitney faber assistant accent editor
about the distinction between sexuality and gender” mounting in the back of my mind. Are we still not able to make the distinction between gender identity and sexuality? Having studied the topic, I have come to understand when we talk about heteronormative sexuality we talk about heteronormative gender performances. Knowing this fact made me so frustrated at the link establish between hetero-normative gender and homosexual preferences. While I found Kirchhoff’s situation troubling, I was little, if at all, concerned with her comfort on this campus. I was not troubled by thoughts of inadequacy regarding her sexuality; sad for her, but I’m not buying her a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. I am more concerned with the individuals who receive a dark permission to doubt themselves because of her. This very inability to identify with the aspects of the homosexual community leads to the number of closeted male homosexuals on this campus. I feel like her whiney “ohpoor-me” attitude is not only an indication of her lack of understanding of identity, but also the load of crap that is dangerous to occur any where but the page of her locked (most likely pink) diary. Josh turk ’12
Israeli celebration misunderstood
The misguided letter, “Israel Independence Has Two Sides” calls to censor the Student Government Association. The writer fails to understand that academic freedom and freedom of speech entitle us to diversity of opinion and expression. Ithaca College has spent substantial amounts of money on programs, lectures and classes demonizing Israel. Attacks on Israel have appeared in every campus medium, so this “rarely discussed side” is actually IC’s norm. Even The Ithacan only covered the event with a quarter-
269 Roy H. Park Hall, Ithaca College Ithaca, N.Y. 14850-7258 (607) 274-3208 | Fax (607) 274-1376
casey musarra Sports editor andrew weiser assistant sports editor andrew buraczenski photo editor graham hebel assistant photo editor Michelle BoulÉ assistant photo editor margaret moran chief copy editor michelle bizon chief proofreader
page photo of student protestors and nothing about the actual program itself. Even so, exercising legitimate freedom of speech does not lead me to cry “tuition dollars” because I don’t agree with the presented opinions. The entirely student-run program for Israel Independence Day celebrated the existence and independence of Israel’s statehood and culture, including its Christian, Muslim, Druze, Bedouin and Bahai citizens — not just those who identify with the Jewish faith. Accusing Israel of ethnic cleansing distorts the cultural diversity of contemporary Israeli society. When 350 students and community members celebrated 62 years of statehood following 2,000 years of exile, it was a cultural event — the term “propaganda” is inaccurate and offensive. However, to have Michael Lerner expose our students to more anti-Israel propaganda, reach out to the politics department and the Park Foundation. They would be happy to seize another opportunity to demonize and illegitimatize Israel. Hillel Programming, on the other hand, is dedicated to fostering community and not alienating our student population. Molly wernick ’11
LETTER POLICY The Ithacan welcomes correspondence from all readers. Please include your name, graduation year, organizational or college title/position and phone number. Letters must be 250 words or less. The Ithacan reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste. All letters must be received by 5 p.m. the Monday before publication. All letters must be signed, submitted in writing and either e-mailed to ithacan@ithaca.edu or delivered to Park 269.
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Opinion
Thursday, M ay 6, 2 0 1 0
The I thacan 15
Guest commentary
Arizona immigration bill repeats history T
he Senate Bill 1070 was signed into Arizona State Legislation less than two weeks ago. The bill outlines the procedures of law enforcement in cases involving illegal immigrants. Using vague language, the bill allows in any lawful contact, a law enforcement officer to ask anyone they suspect of being in the country unlawfully for documentation. Supporters claim the bill is crucial in a border state where illegal immigration is high and leads to increased crime. They state it will protect jobs for legal residents by making it illegal to hire an unlawful immigrant. Many Joyti Jiandani even argue, since the federal government has not taken a stance on the issue of immigration, the states had to do so. I sit here and wonder how such a bill that dehumanizes people was passed? At a recent presentation by professor Alan Gomez, an instrumental argument was made: “In Arizona, Mexicans do not have the right to exist; they do not have the right to be; yet they have the right to be criminalized by our legal system.” It is an unfair balance, and only a certain group of individuals have to pay the price. Kyle Long, a professor at Arizona State University writes, “This follows a tried and true pattern in American history where first the Irish, then the Eastern Europeans and most recently the Mexicans have been accused of stealing jobs and threatening the dominant culture.” It seeks to remove any opportunity that an undocumented individual may have at financially providing for himself. This is in fact, structural racism at its best. It supports the idea that an illegal immigrant can be identified visually. It promotes racial profiling and alienation, all in the name of protecting jobs. The bill was modified May 1 to steer away from the fact that it necessitates racial profiling. Now, a law enforcer can only scrutinize someone if they are stopped, detained or arrested. These slight cosmetic changes do absolutely nothing.
Zach tomanelli
Goldman Sachs remains golden
I A large group gathers to rally against the Arizona immigration bill April 24 at the Capitol in Phoenix, Ariz. Gov. Jan Brewer signed the bill regulating illegal immigration into law April 23. greg bryan/associated press
The budget crisis within the state of Arizona is being blamed on illegal immigrants, with no mind being paid to a market economy that is erupting upon itself as we speak. While self-indulgent corporations are bailed out, so-called illegal immigrants are being bailed in, into a system that wants to see their demise. As jobs continue to be outsourced by major companies, no one points a finger that way. No one creates a bill in which corporate companies must hire a set percentage of local workers and provide them with a living wage. We believe we have the right to prosecute those who have been here for generations. The same groups of people are ostracized at the cost of providing legal residents their right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Sounds like history repeating itself in not so subtle forms. In a country that was built off of the concept of immigration, who are we to tell others that they are “illegal”? If that is the
case, than the only legal people in this country are the indigenous. I am truly devastated by this bill. If for one second we believe it only harms a specific group than we are wrong. Everyone and every sector will feel the impact of this bill. Regardless of skin color, you will either be forced to be racist or fall victim to racism. Understanding that this bill is part of a larger social construct meant to keep certain groups down is important. It’s time to learn about the social structures at play. There will be a rally tomorrow in the Ithaca College Academic Quad. This is an effort to unify several colleges across the country and to stand in solidarity because what’s happening in Arizona is everyone’s problem. Joyti jiandani is a junior speech-language pathology major. E-mail her at jjianda1@ithaca.edu.
Guest commentary
Post-graduation life calls for hard work and patience
I
came to Ithaca College at 22, after a frustrating year of odd jobs and that sinking feeling that I was no longer in control of my life. I picked journalism because I once liked to write, and my mother thought I could at least make a living at it. I used to believe that everyone is meant to do something really well, and if Lindsey that something Hollenbaugh is never found or realized to its full potential you were a failure. At least that’s how I felt after admitting that acting wasn’t for me. I graduated from an acting conservatory in New York City when I was 19 with little more than a piece of paper, a repertoire of memorized monologues and some of my best friends to this day. I had big city plans that didn’t include becoming a waitress or a secretary in a car dealership, but somehow those odd jobs became my reality. But then I started writing again. And now, four years later, I find myself at that same, uncertain crossroads, just like every other graduating senior who is wondering what the uncertain job market will bring. Even with the recently reported positive outlook for graduates, it’s hard to erase four
progress report
Senior Lindsey Hollenbaugh, center, receives her conservatory certificate of completion from the American Musical Dramatic Academy in 2005. courtesy of Lindsey Hollenbaugh
years of dropping stocks and rising unemployment rates. There is a panic that can be felt among my classmates; I feel it too every time I congratulate one of our own for getting a job while I continue to check my e-mail like a crazy person, clicking on job search engines every hour. But then I remember I’ve been here before. And that somehow I ended up right where I needed to be. Ithaca College and The Ithacan changed my life, literally. Before I came here I didn’t know that I could change my path while still keeping the things that make me
who I am. I already had the storytelling skills; I just needed to learn how to use them. I learned that just because my childhood dreams didn’t work out, it doesn’t make me a failure — it was just one of many life experiences that helped point me in the right direction without me even knowing where I was headed. Changing careers isn’t unheard of anymore, and having multiple interests can only make you more marketable. Graduates cannot control what the job market will look like or whether their dream jobs will ever come to fruition, but they can trust
in the hard work, knowledge and life skills they have acquired these past four years. We don’t control our destiny, whatever that is, but we do have power over the things we do to prepare for the future we want. An editor from one of my summer internships recently reminded me that all college graduates have to work their way up, telling me about his first job at a small daily in Wisconsin. But that’s hard for our “now” generation to swallow, even though public policy think tank Demos recently reported that this generation of 20-somethings will be the first in a century that is unlikely to be better off financially than their parents. I wish I could say that now at 25 I have it all figured out — for some reason that was the age I expected it to happen — but I don’t. I’m not even sure if I’m close. I don’t have that dream job lined up yet or even some idea of where I’ll be in the next four months, but that’s the exciting part — not knowing what will come next. I’ve been here before, yes, but this time I know that life does indeed take unexpected, yet calculated turns along the way. My experiences have taught me that it is in those uncertain moments we land on our feet in the most surprising ways. Lindsey Hollenbaugh is a senior journalism major and the editor in chief of The Ithacan. E-mail her at lhollen1@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.
t has been a rough couple of weeks for the people at Goldman Sachs. First, they find out the Securities and Exchange Commission is filing a civil suit against them for selling a toxic security to unsuspecting buyers and betting against it. Then, executives of the firm had to answer for those charges in front of a congressional subcommittee. Now, they find out they might be the subjects of a criminal probe. Still they maintain they have done nothing illegal. The sad thing is, they are probably right. To understand this, let’s take a trip in the way-back machine to 2000 when the powers in Washington were crafting the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. That law allowed derivatives — the complex financial instruments at the core of the economic crisis — to be traded without any oversight. President Bill Clinton supported the legislation at the recommendation of his secretary Robert Rubin, the former vicechairman of Goldman Sachs. For the next decade, Goldman used the freedom provided by the CFMA to move around these packages, including the one mentioned in the SEC suit, and rack up huge profits. By 2008, the proverbial house of cards had fallen. Goldman transitioned itself from an investment bank to a bank holding company, becoming eligible for Troubled Asset Relief Program funding. It did this with the help of then-treasury secretary Hank Paulson, former chairman of Goldman Sachs. For those of you keeping score, that’s Goldman 2 – taxpayers 0. Now, while Goldman tries to explain itself, the Senate is busy crafting a financial reform bill to rein in the reckless behavior that the CFMA allowed. This contains a provision by Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., that would ban commercial banks from dealing with derivatives. That would include Goldman, which thanks to Hank Paulson, is now considered a bank. But current treasury secretary Timothy Geithner has vehemently opposed the Lincoln bill. It may be worth noting that Geithner’s chief of staff is Mark Patterson, a former Goldman Sachs lobbyist. It is also worth pointing out that nine of the 10 senators who “grilled” the Goldman executives last week received campaign contributions from Goldman last year. I hope you’ll excuse me if I remain skeptical of any “financial reform” Congress passes. I make no claims to completely understand derivatives, credit default swaps and collateralized debt obligations — they are intentionally complex. I have no choice but to believe Goldman Sachs executives when they say they didn’t break any laws. They should know. They wrote them. zach tomanelli is a junior journalism major. E-mail him at ztomane1@ithaca.edu.
16 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
Thursday, M ay 6, 2 0 1 0
The Ithacan 17
18 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
accen t
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The Ithacan 19
Been there done that
Seven seniors try to complete graduation ‘bucket list’ b Bowman, Fernandez, Ro ic Er ft, le From el Sokol and n Kagan, Micha Jo , on Po s cu Mar their house. acan hart stand at /The Ith hy Brandon Burk Kat Laluk
Housemates put their hands in to break from a huddle with President Tom Rochon at 5:30 p.m. Monday in Rochon’s office. Taking a photograph posing with Rochon is No. 20 on the group’s list of more than 30 things to do before graduating. Andrew Buraczenski/The Ithacan
by BritTany Gilpin Staff Writer
Top: A photograph — pieced together with 100 sheets of paper — of the seven seniors in their boxers spans an entire wall of their house. Putting the photo together was part of the group’s graduation “bucket list.” Andrew Buraczenski/The IThacan
Above: A list of more than 30 things to do before graduation hangs in the seniors’ kitchen. The group hopes to complete each task on the list before leaving Ithaca. Kathy Laluk/The IThacan
For his last semester at Ithaca College, senior Jon Kagan is enrolled in “Pixels Class.” Well, that’s what he said to persuade the students working in the library to let him print pieces of a blownup photo of himself and his six roommates half-naked on 100 sheets of paper. He now has the giant photo hanging on his wall — and another check mark on his “bucket list” of 30 things to do before graduation. For the past nine weeks, Kagan and his six senior roommates — Rob Bowman, Brandon Burkhart, Eric Fernandez, Andy Jacob, Marcus Poon and Michael Sokol — have been scrambling to complete a growing list of more than 30 antics they’ve always wanted to do as college students. Inviting a professor to dinner, drunk swimming in the Hill Center Pool, setting up a lemonade stand and high-fiving President Tom Rochon — these goals each have a place on the agenda. Kagan said some of the completed items on the list have personal significance, like visiting the Turning Stone Casino in Syracuse — a first for most of the group. He said other goals, yet to be accomplished, were added on impulse. “We’re adding more all the time, but some of the items are not kosher for this article,” he said. The seniors keep all of their experiences — kosher or not — well documented on both video and poster board. A giant list hangs on the wall of their kitchen detailing everything they’ve promised to do before graduation. Kagan said seeing the tasks on the wall every day makes the group more committed to the project. “Whenever we go past the kitchen and we realize we haven’t checked something off, it’s a motivator,” he said. “Writing it down makes it more serious.
It reminds us that we don’t want to let ourselves down.” Kagan said he got the idea for the checklist after watching episodes of MTV’s “The Buried Life.” The show documents the lives of four college students who travel across the country to check things off their “bucket list” — 100 things they want to do before they die. He said he and Bowman decided to start their own bucket list, and the rest of the house quickly joined in. Bowman said he and Kagan came up with a list of 10 things to do before graduation. He said the list quickly jumped to more than 20 items by the end of the first day. “We posted it on our wall and left the marker there for everyone to add items to the list,” he said. Sokol said the project is a great way to make lasting college memories in a short amount of time. “We’re not sure if and when we’ll all be together again,” he said. “I don’t want to regret not taking advantage of my time here in a month or a year.” While the challenge has certainly created a lot of last-minute memories, it hasn’t failed to deliver some embarrassing final moments as well. Kagan said one of the items on the list was “compliment a random girl,” and while he waited weeks for the right moment, it didn’t exactly work out as planned. “Since the beginning of the semester I’d wanted to tell this girl she had beautiful eyes,” he said. “I finally stopped her in the hallway while she was on the phone and told her, and she gave me this disgusted look. She looked frightened.” Even though the task crashed and burned and only involved one of the seniors, the group checked it off the list. Bowman said they understand that individual schedules would make it nearly impossible to have all seven people involved in every adventure. “We plan a couple days in advance
and set up some time, but we know not all of us can be there at the same time,” he said. Following suit with “The Buried Life,” the group also wants to help other seniors accomplish their pre-graduation goals. Every time the group accomplishes one of its goals from the list, they help another senior check something off of his or her own list. Kagan said they gather other seniors’ goals via e-mail and add them to a second list. Sokol said he wishes the group had begun the project sooner. “We’re only starting this project in the last quarter of our senior year,” he said. “If we had done this since freshman year, it would’ve been exhausting, but we would’ve had a great time doing it.” Sokol said they have missed out on a few of their plans, such as attending a Cornell University basketball game. Though not every item on the list can be completed, Bowman said the planning is just as much fun as the execution. “No matter how much we do, there’s always going to be something else that we’re going to want to do,” he said. “We’re going to try to do as much as we can. Even if the plan falls apart, we still had fun. Just trying to do it is fun for us.”
Need help accomplishing your last goal at IC? Get your name added to the seniors’ list by sending requests to marcusyp@ yahoo.com.
[ a ccentuate]
20 The Ithacan
Hot or Not
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
This week’s hits and misses
Staff Writer Alexandra Evans rates Amanda Seyfried’s recent movie roles from the off-key to the award-worthy.
Hot
Chloe in “Chloe” Though the film will leave you wondering “wtf,” Amanda Seyfried’s work as Chloe makes the movie worth watching. Gone is the spacey sidekick of “Mean Girls”— say hello to a sexy temptress who is no longer considered the girl on the sidelines. Every young actress has that one role that defines her transition from a good-girl amateur to a big-league star, and Seyfried is now another sweetheart who’s hopped on board. Looks like she took notes from Dakota Fanning: A cute face and bubbly personality won’t keep you in showbiz for long — sex is what sells.
Lukewarm
Needy in “Jennifer’s Body” Jennifer’s evil, not just high school evil. She’s actually evil, OK? Turns out that Megan Fox thought she could get through her role as Jennifer by being evil and pretty alone. At least Seyfried realized she shouldn’t take that approach to her role as Needy and put some work into it. Seyfried channeled some Nancy Drew and mixed it with a timid high school girl persona, which made her appearance on-screen refreshing next to Fox’s. However, some of her lines were a bit boring, and as the movie drags on, one starts to wonder if she’s really in tune with her character or simply reading from a script.
Not
Sophie in “Mamma Mia” Seyfried tried to prove she was a triple threat when she busted out the vocals and dance moves as Sophie in the film version of “Mamma Mia.” Her songs with other cast members weren’t horrible, but fans of the Broadway “Mamma Mia” probably threw popcorn at the screen when she sang her solo, “Thank You for the Music.” Seyfried tried to follow in the steps of great actors-turned-singers before her, but one would hope directors took notice to scratch her name off the triple-threat list.
“
Spittin’ the rhymes
Hasidic rapper Nosson Zand performs at the Lag B’Omer celebration at 4:30 p.m. Sunday on the Campus Center Quad. Lag B’Omer is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the end of a plague that killed 24,000 people and is usually celebrated by the lighting of a bonfire. Kelsey o’connor/the ithacan
video of
spoof mocks antics of reality tv cast
the
week
Each time Heidi Montag goes under the knife, she looks more and more like a piece of plastic, and so does each season of “The Hills.” In “The Little Hills,” children mock everything viewers love to hate about the cast: Spencer’s Napoleon complex, the fake drama and the bad rep Kristin and Heidi give women everywhere. These kids put into perspective how pathetic getting famous off of bad tempers and ugly plastic surgery really is. — Alexandra Evans
wtf
Poodles transformed into living statues
First, mothers started turning their 4-year-old daughters into pint-sized beauty queens. Now, people enter their poodles into Intergroom, a glamour dog show in which about half a year is spent turning a dog into a work of art. Using colored shampoos, scissors, combs and gels, dog owners dye and cut their poodle’s fur to look like an angel or a dragon, for example. Some contestants make their dogs look like other animals — a lion, a pony, a sea horse. It’s bizarre to think people actually spend half a year preparing their pet to compete in a contest full of Technicolor poodles. Don’t they have anything else to contribute to society other than a poodle dyed the color of the rainbow? — Alexandra Evans
quoteunquote
I’m so tired of disrespecting, lying, sneaky little trolls that pretend to be human. Kelly Clarkson on her Twitter account about her unfinished demo, “Cleopatra,” that was leaked on the Internet.
celebrity
OOPS!
Chyna strikes again
Chyna may have left the wrestling world behind, but she’s no pacifist. The former WWE wrestlerturned-actress has taken to laying the smackdown in the real world. Her friend Gabriela Targos claims Chyna punched her in the face, dragged her by the hair, beat her with a wire hanger and threatened to kill her outside a motel in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Allegedly, Chyna had invited the friend to hang out, but instantly went crazy on the woman when she arrived. Targos filed a police report, but as of now no arrests have been made. Tone it down, Chyna. This isn’t the wrestling ring, and no one is going to applaud you for pinning a friend. — Alexandra Evans
accen t
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Seniors craft reflective art pieces By whitney Faber Assistant Accent Editor
A photograph of a colored eye hangs across the room from a sculpture of a bronze skull. Rows of stark white heads on spikes If you go stand next “2010 Senior Art to a concrete Show” When: Through arm climbMay 9 ing through Where: wire. These Handwerker and other Gallery works of art How much: Free currently at the Handwerker Gallery give a glimpse of college life through an artist’s eyes. Showing the range of graduating students’ artistic talents, the 2010 Senior Student Art Show will be at the Handwerker Gallery through Sunday. The exhibit includes work from students in the art and the cinema, photography and media arts departments. Seniors were allowed to submit four pieces to be considered for the show. Professors in the art department then reviewed the submissions and chose which pieces were going to be featured. Senior Kristina O’Connor was chosen to curate the exhibit and found, as part of her job, the underlying themes in the pieces. She said there was an intense emphasis in this year’s work on the artists’ personal reflection. “One [theme] is about identity and the human desire to relate to the world around them,” she said. “There were a lot of autobiographical pieces, but there were also pieces that explore the human form through the physicalness of the
The Ithacan 21
Students start campus group to discuss Shakespeare plays BY Nicole Ogrysko STAFF WRITER
Freshman Jamie Edelson studies senior Alyia Bettman’s sculpture called “36 Heads.” The exhibit features seniors’ works using different media.
Clara Goldman/The ithacan
body. There was this reaching out for identity and self in the piece.” One of the pieces in particular that explores personal image is “36 Heads,” a sculpture created by senior art major Alyia Bettman. The piece shows 36 casts of the artist’s head placed on top of metal poles. Bettman said the piece is meant to be a portrait of herself, an interesting image of how she sees herself. “The piece is very bold,” she said. “It is just [focusing on] the boldness and the clean lines. It talks about the way that I would like to carry myself, my head.” Sophomore Liam Curley, a writing major, visited the gallery Monday. He said he was struck by the fact that students created these pieces.
“These are my peers, and they’re making art like this,” he said. “It’s impressive just to see what my generation can produce and how they choose to express themselves.” Of all the pieces, Curley said he was most interested in a series of photographs by Nils Hoover called “States of Space.” The pictures show realistic images of people walking through the streets, unfocused as though they are lost in their own world of thought. Curley said works like these are what stood out to him in the exhibit. “It’s interesting to think that there is art in that,” he said. “That is the hardest thing — to look at a couch or a basement or trucks parked against a wall and see art there.”
Sophomore legal studies major Gaelle Ligonde has always been a bit shy when it comes to participating in class. But after spending last semester as a quiet member of her Shakespeare class, Ligonde is starting to speak up. Combined with her interest in theater and her surprise that no outlet for a Shakespeare-only theater troupe existed at Ithaca College, Ligonde formed IC Shakespeare, a club to discuss and perform sonnets and plays in a pressure-free, comfortable environment. “I’m normally a really vocal person, but in classes I’m afraid to speak,” Ligonde said. “Shakespeare is something I really like, but I’m always afraid to voice my opinions because everyone is so smart, and I don’t want to sound like an idiot.” After forming a board of officers, the club formed IC Shakespeare and held its first meeting April 14 in Williams 225. Having a passion for Shakespeare, junior Alex Zenn, secretary of the club, said she hopes to bring an appreciation of Shakespeare’s incredible style to the campus. “I love the way he illustrates people,” Zenn said. “He’s one of the first people to really develop character. The way he does it with his beautiful language captures everything about theater that I love.” From film screenings and themed lectures to discussions and a skitwriting workshop, IC Shakespeare has many goals for next semester. They will perform two shows next se-
mester, with plans to begin auditions and production of “The Taming of the Shrew” in the fall. In addition to directing performances, the club hopes to hold meetings and roundtable conversations to dissect Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. Jenna Grossman, a junior drama major and member of IC Shakespeare, said anyone can interpret and find meaning in Shakespeare’s works. “A lot of times Shakespeare is seen as something that is so elitist and lofty and academic, but Shakespeare wrote his plays for the common people,” Grossman said. “It’s great that the main focus for this is so everyone can get something out of it and appreciate it.” Ligonde said anyone can relate to Shakespeare’s universal themes and that this inspires her love for the 446-year-old playwright. “The language is a little dicey, and not everybody understands it,” Ligonde said. “But everyone always understands the underlying themes if [they are] presented in the right way.” Most of all, Ligonde said understanding and appreciating Shakespeare in a fun environment is most important to the new club. “People quit too easily when it comes to Shakespeare,” Ligonde said. “If you try, you can learn it. It’s hard, but if you’re really into it and you really want to learn about it, you can. That’s what this is about. I don’t care how much you know about Shakespeare — come join us. Come learn.”
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22 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
Seniors shine in timeless love story
hot dates
thursday
by Aaron Edwards News Editor
To end the Ithaca College theater season with a show about nothing may seem like a random choice. But Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” is a fitting note to end the year on after the department’s array of edgy, contemporary pieces. This season has been full of heavy themes. God laid his wrath on Adam and Eve in “Children of Eden,” and a sweet girl was trapped in the endless pain of the underworld “Much Ado in “Eurydice.” So after all these About serious plays, it’s as if the memNothing” bers of the cast of “Much Ado Hoerner About Nothing” are extending Theatre their arms to the audience, curving their lips into a grin and inviting everyone to laugh a little before finals. The deviation works. Director Greg Bostwick’s adaptation of “Much Ado,” one of the better-known Shakespearian comedies, takes place in its traditional setting of Messina, Italy, in 1650. The story revolves around two romances: young lovers Hero (senior Elysia Jordan) and Claudio (sophomore Luke Wise), and Benedick (senior Michael Haller) and Beatrice (senior Dani Stoller) — two sparring individuals who fight to repress their love for each other by putting up a seemingly impenetrable wall of wit. Shining performances from both leading actors Stoller and Haller incite most of the comedy and forward action in the play, and their fierce dueling words are aptly accompanied by even stronger physical comedy. Their shared outward vibrancy during arguments and quarrels serve as a good translation of Shakespeare’s timeless but sophisticated text. Their performance proves true comedy is part verbal acting and a whole lot of physical blocking. Bostwick and choreographer Lindsay Gilmour, assistant professor of theater arts, make the action onstage as sharp as the iambic pentameter that decorates the Bard’s language. Senior set designer Katie Woodward and junior lighting designer Drew Winston further garnish the play with a rich set inspired by Italian architecture and warm lighting. Stoller plays a tightly wound Beatrice, and her character is well-reflected in her rigid, royal purple costume designed beautifully by senior
“Annie Hall,” the Woody Allen film about love in the ’70s, will show at 7:15 p.m. at Willard Straight Hall at Cornell University. Tickets are $4 to $6.50.
friday
Theater Review
Taj Mahal, an internationally recognized blues singer and his trio of back-up players, will play at 8 p.m. at The State Theatre. Tickets are $29.50. Aceto-Lieberman Quartet, a jazzy foursome playing original latin dance songs and sweet ballads, will play at 5:30 p.m. at Felicia’s Atomic Lounge. Admission is free.
saturday
Revision, a group of three From left, Benedick (senior Michael Haller) cringes as Beatrice (senior Dani Stoller) reads a note proving his love for her. The two reluctantly find themselves falling in love thanks to their friends’ clever plot.
Courtesy of Sheryl Sinkow
Ainsley Anderson. As Beatrice spews joke after rambunctious joke at her counterpart Benedick, more of the insecurities of her character push their way to the foreground, and Stoller handles that realization wonderfully. The same can be said for Haller, who mirrors Stoller’s descent into love, though he grapples with the little piece of youth in him. He parades across the stage like a venerable, cunning bachelor. His booming voice — perfect for a charismatic lead in a comedy — carries throughout the Hoerner. Watching the evolution of his turbulent tête-à-tête with Stoller is entertaining and riotous. Though Stoller and Haller have spot-on chemistry and a respectable grasp on Elizabethan language and diction, slow pacing still drags some parts of the play down and weakens its almost farcical nature. Shakespeare could have done away with
some drawn-out scenes like when Hero’s father, Leonato (senior Tyler Gardella), condemns her when suspicion arises that she is attempting to marry Claudio after losing her virginity to another man. Though Gardella acts with intense and feverish temperament, the scene is one of several flaws in the play itself. The actors work around these problems, though, by fully committing to the emotions written into the text. The play is sprinkled with other stellar performances like senior Thaddeus McCants’ malapropism-ridden captain of the guard Dogberry. With a flowing red wig, McCants traipses onstage and has a blast with his entertaining role. Performed countless times in many capacities, “Much Ado” is still able to keep its relevance even in 2010, more than 400 years after its debut. Secretly requited love, infidelity, mistaken identity and melodramatics never get old. Never.
Vocals and quick pacing revive classic-rock sound by TJ GUNTHER staff writer
Since the early 2000s, some have said that rock is dead. With the expansion of electronics into the music world, fewer artists play their songs entirely live and rely more on computers. Enter the up-and-coming British group Male Bonding. Male Fast-paced and Bonding energy-laced, the de“Nothing but record from Male Hurts” Bonding, “Nothing Sub Pop Our rating: Hurts,” captures what HHHH makes rock music fun. By pairing distorted guitar solos and pulsing drumbeats with catchy vocal lines, Male Bonding has crafted an excellent first album. Male Bonding is a basic trio of drum, bass and guitar. The sound on
Album Review
the record doesn’t expand outside of distorted guitar and fast-paced bass lines very often, but when it does, it is effective. “All Things This Way” features a break where the guitar drops out and the listener is left with singing, drums and bass for 10 seconds, which comes as a nice change of pace from the rest of the record. Standout and closing track, “Worse To Come,” consists mostly of fast-strummed acoustic guitar and vocals that echo and sound like they were recorded in an empty auditorium. The singing is quiet and harmonious compared to the music surrounding it. When the guitar distortion is turned up, the vocals sound far away and reminiscent of late ’70s or early ’80s punk music. The difference is when the band adds backing vocals, which adds a layer of depth
Ithaca College graduates with soulful instrumentation, will play at 10 p.m. at Castaways on Inlet Island. Tickets are $5.
Relay for Life Benefit Show, with 5 Mile Drive Band, playing blues and classic rock, will play at 7 p.m. at the Haunt off Route 13. Suggested donation is $5. Fire and Ice, the end-of-theyear show for ICircus, will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Clark Theatre. Suggested donation is $3.
sunday
Steve Gollnick, a rust-out indie-pop solo artist who sings and plays guitar and percussion, will play at 7 p.m. at Felicia’s Atomic Lounge. Admission is free.
Tao masters sweet ballads by Kelsey Fowler staff writer
With a mix of up-tempo energy and down-to-earth R&B rock, senior Nate Tao’s solo EP “Lost in the Music” showcases the talented vocalist’s range in musical styles. Nate Tao The five songs “Lost in are easy to listen the Music” to because of an Nate Tao Our rating: infusion of modHHH ern rhythms and high-energy vocals. While the simplistic rhyming lyrics are sometimes unnecessarily repetitive, these elements make it hard to resist singing along. There are a few clichéd phrases; choruses about finding love on the dance floor and lost love are basic staples Tao uses. But the vocals are all superb. Tao’s voice is really the star.
Album Review
Courtesy of Sub pop
and beauty to the sometimes roughsounding tracks. The songs on “Nothing Hurts” are short and succinct. Out of the 13 tracks, none of them reach three minutes in length, and a few don’t even reach two minutes. By keeping things quick, the album never gets boring. Each song hooks the listener early and ends before it wears out its welcome. Male Bonding is hard evidence that rock isn’t a dying genre, just an underrepresented style of music.
“Take to the Air” is one of the best tracks on the album, as Tao’s voice is better suited for slower songs. At the same time, Tao’s electronic dance and pop songs are catchy and fun. This EP manages to combine a wild party atmosphere with a mellower, smooth taste in music, and fans will certainly be left wanting more as they find themselves lost in the music of Tao.
Courtesy of Nate Tao
quickies “Fearless Love”
“Nobody’s Daughter”
“Fearless Love” is Etheridge’s best album in years. She uses her experiences with motherhood and her fight with cancer to pour emotion into every song, proving she is one of the best songwriters of this generation.
Courtney Love is back with a revamped version of Hole after a six-year absence. The album is full of Love’s raw voice and 11 tracks of heavy rock, none heavier than the first single, “Skinny Little Bitch.”
Melissa Etheridge Island
courtesy of Island
“SO RUNS THE WORLD AWAY”
Hole Mercury Records
courtesy of Mercury Records
Josh Ritter Pytheas
“So Runs the World Away” is Ritter’s most poetic album yet. From the first ballad to the last Paul Simon-like song, it’s impossible to stop listening to Ritter’s outstanding vocals. courtesy of Pytheas
compiled by Haley Davis
Accen t
Thursday, m ay 6, 2 0 1 0
The Ithacan 23
Mystery film leaves audience guessing [ Dark messages of rape and torture parallel haunting pasts By Quinton Saxby
ticket stub
]
valid friday through thursday
cinemapolis The Commons 277–6115
Staff Writer
The thriller “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” had a different title when it debuted in Sweden. The original title, “Men Who Hate Women,” describes the premise of director Niels Arden Oplev’s vision much more accurately. Though there is indeed a girl with a dragon tattoo in this film, there are also a lot of men who don’t like women. The film follows reporter Mikael (Michael Nyqvist) and computer hacker Lisbeth (Noomi Rapace) who work together to solve the case of a missing woman. The case is 40 “The Girl With years old, but Mithe Dragon kael and Lisbeth Tattoo” have been asked Danish by the girl’s father Filminstitute to take another Our rating: HHHH look at her diaries and photographs to find any clues as to why she disappeared. What Mikael and Lisbeth find is both shocking and sickening. The girl’s kidnapping is only one small piece in a puzzle that involves an underworld of ritualistic murders of women. The murders are tied to obscure biblical passages and Nazism, giving the case a strange twist. Mikael and Lisbeth risk their lives trying to discern a pattern in these brutal, sacrificial deaths. The protagonists develop a working relationship bordering on, but never crossing into, the romantic. The film instead takes time to develop its characters while never losing focus of the bizarre, violent narrative that puts these characters to the test. Just
Art of steal 7:00 p.m. and Weekends 2:00 p.m. The Ghost Writer HHH1/2 7:05 and 9:25 p.m. and Weekends 2:05 and 4:25 p.m. The girl with the dragon TATTOO HHHH 6:50 and 9:30 p.m. Weekends 1:30 and 4:15 p.m. greenberg 7:10 and 9:20 p.m. and Weekends 2:10 and 4:20 p.m.
Film Review
North Face 9:00 p.m. and Weekends 4:00 p.m. From left, Lisbeth (Noomi Rapace) and Mikael (Michael Nyqvist) try to uncover the mystery behind a girl’s death. The two end up on a haunting ride through their pasts, bringing them closer to the truth behind the murder. courtesy of Danish Filminstitute
enough empathy is developed between Mikael and Lisbeth for viewers to feel especially uncomfortable when they fall into the killer’s trap. The film takes multiple sadistic turns, never giving viewers a chance to figure out the mystery halfway through. The film is a roller-coaster ride that might have viewers wanting to get off before it is over, but the film’s narrative is so focused and tightly knit that viewers will be glad they got on. Oplev ups the ante as he depicts brutal sexual violence aimed at Lisbeth, heightening the tension and implications of the film’s themes of sexual power and perversion. Rape, torture and sacrifice give this mystery thriller a creative and morbid
edge. This edge is something lacking in typical thrillers but comes through in every scene because of Oplev’s direction. Oplev’s vision seems twisted and amoral at times, but it should be, as it depicts characters with haunting pasts. The film is a well-conceived portrayal of sexual perversion and violence. The strong, dark cinematography and complex character development may surprise an American audience. Because of an extremely strong female protagonist, this Swedish film could join the ranks of other great films in the genre, such as “Alien” or “Silence of the Lambs.” Much like these two masterpieces, “The Girl
Thriller remake fails to frighten
“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” was written by Nikolaj Arcel and Rasmus Heisterberg and directed by Niels Arden Oplev.
J-Lo film backfires as sappy comedy By elisha male Staff Writer
By james hasson staff writer
Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees and Leatherface have plagued theaters until recently, but now Freddy is back. The horror icon who can kill people in their sleep has returned in the remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” In the opening scene, Dean (Kellan Lutz), a sleep-deprived high school teenager, violently and mysteriously dies. Before his death, he tells Kris (Ka“A Nightmare on tie Cassidy) about nightElm Street” New Line Cinema mares he has been having. Our rating: Soon after his funeral, Kris, HH1/2 Nancy (Rooney Mara), Quentin (Kyle Gallner) and Jesse (Thomas Dekker) — Dean’s classmates— find themselves being haunted with similar dreams. One by one, the teens die at the hands of none other than Freddy Krueger (Jackie Earle Haley). Though most of the film uses the same scare tactics as other horror flicks, Freddy has some frightening moments. Some scenes attempt to build suspense with intense music and drastic changes in lighting. And the fact that the sleepdeprived characters never know when they are in a dream can create shocking moments as Freddy pops out of nowhere to wreak havoc. The dreamscapes are well-edited. Shaking bookcases, darkly lit boiler rooms, abandoned schools and people flashing in and out of scenes during these visions make them somewhat fun to watch. In experimenting with sound, the director helps Freddy create cool, scraping noises with his bladed hands, especially when he waves his fingers rapidly or raps them against
With the Dragon Tattoo” pays great attention to detail. Whereas gory horror films reach for entertainment value and the gag reflex, the moral dilemmas Mikael and Lisbeth face are actually relatable. This film climaxes with tension and torture that will have viewers sweating in fear. And though its title sounds more sexual than scary, Lisbeth’s tattoo is nothing to gawk at. Her dragon tattoo symbolizes nothing but a gory ride through a haunting past.
Film Review
Alan Poul’s romantic comedy “The Back-up Plan” tells the unlikely story of a single woman’s struggle to find love in a predictable, routine manner. After years of dating, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) gives up on trying to find a man who will start a family with her and opts for artificial insemination. Only after she becomes pregnant does she meet the man of her dreams, but she’s afraid to tell him that she’s “The Back-up pregnant in case the Plan” baby-on-the-way scares CBS Films him away. Our rating: H Romantic comedies are known to be unsurprising, but “The Back-Up Plan” takes predictability to a whole new level. Every cut, character and plot point follows the safest, most generic, most-overly-visited path a story can take. Lopez plays the beautiful, naive, genuine woman and Alex O’Loughlin plays Stan, the romantic, honest and well-built Mr. Perfect. When the plot starts dragging more than usual, the film cuts to shots of Lopez’s cute, crippled dog to keep the audience engaged. Overall, “The Back-up Plan” feels more like a back-up movie to go see if the tickets for “Date Night” are sold-out. Two likable characters and a chic opening credits sequence aren’t enough to save viewers from the boredom and predictability of this film.
Film Review
Jackie Earle Haley plays Freddy Krueger in the 2010 remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” courtesy of New Line Cinema
a wooden door. Haley is one of the better-known stars in this movie, and it shows. The croaking voice he adopts for Freddy creates a sinister laugh true to his character. Freddy speaks, acts and glares with malicious and sadistic intent — something Haley embodies immediately. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is not as scary or suspenseful as other horror flicks this year like “Paranormal Activity,” but it is worth at least a rental later on. While it does suffer from an overworked story and a cast of uninteresting teenage victims, it is a tribute to nostalgic horror that has a little more flare and style than most run-of-the-mill, hack-and-slash horror films. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” was written by Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer and directed by Samuel Bayer.
“The Back-up Plan” was written by Kate Angelo and directed by Alan Poul.
A town called panic 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. and Weekends 2:30 and 4:15 p.m.
regal stadium 14 Pyramid Mall 266-7960
babies 10:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 9:20 p.m., 11:50 p.m. The Back-up PLan H 12:10 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 6:20 p.m., 9 p.m., 11:40 p.m. Clash of the titans HHH 1:10 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 9:45 p.m., 12:20 a.m. date night HHH 11:50 a.m., 1:50 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 10:10 p.m., 12:50 a.m. Furry Vengeance 10:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8:20 p.m., 10:35 p.m. How to train your dragon 3-d HH 12 p.m., 2:50 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 7:50 p.m., 10:20 p.m. iron man 2 10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 11 p.m., 12:30 a.m., 1 a.m. kick-Ass HHH 1:40 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 7:40 p.m., 10:40 p.m. A Nightmare on elm street HH1/2 12:50 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 3:20 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m., 10:50 p.m., 11:59 p.m. oceans HH1/2 10:40 a.m., 3:10 p.m., 8:15 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
Cl a ssi f ied
24 The Ithacan
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
for rent
for rent
for rent
SUblet
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 607-273-8473 cell 280-7660 for an appointment. website 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.
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.
1123 Danby Rd. Furnished home w/ backyard and grill. Looking for a sublet in June and July 2010. Up to 3 BDRs available. $410/month. jpatti1@ithaca.edu or call 631-525-1784.
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 website 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. 1 Bedroom Apt. on Hudson St. Available June 3, 2010 $590 plus utilities 273-3931. Commons West Studio, 1, 2 & 3, bedrooms Elevator, laundry, intercom, Highspeed Internet. 607-273-9462 www.ithacarenting.com. Nice Three Bed Apt. Downtown Furnished 900+ for info call 607-339-5112.
Breaking news Breaking news Daily stories Daily stories Game stories Game stories Multimedia Multimedia Student Studentblogs blogs
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.
Ithaca Commons Mini-studios, mini-kitchen, TV lounge, laundry. $455 up. 607-273-9462 www.ithacarenting.com.
One Bedroom, furnished, bright and warm, new furnishings, includes major utilities, full bath, laundry, off-street parking. IthacaEstatesRealty.com or 607-273-9300.
BEST DOWNTOWN ROOMS Big, bright, mini-kitchen. Free Internet & 50” HDTV in lounge Laundry, parking. 607-273-9462 www.ithacarenting.com.
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.
Large 3 BR located downtown Available August 3, 2010 Parking, pets welcome 273-3931.
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.
Forest home 2 bdrm apt. over empty garage. New rugs, large deck, use of washer/dryer, basement below. 1 mile to campus across from Cornell Plantation. $875. Contact John at 209-770-0452 or at johncsundell@yahoo.com.
2 Bedroom Apt. on Hudson St. Available June 3, 2010 $950 plus utilities 273-3931. THE IVY 111 S. Cayuga Street Spacious 3 bedroom, 3 baths Elevator, laundry, A/C 607-273-9462. www.ithacarenting.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 $1,320.
It’s all online.
NEW LISTINGS! Two and Three bedroom apartments, just renovated at 513 S. Aurora Street (South Hill, 4 blocks from Commons) Excellent condition, free parking. Available late May or June 1. Visit PPMhomes.com. 1 bdrm apt Grad student, no smoking 5 min to campus private entrance furnished utilities inc. 272-0059 Clean, quiet, half block Bus stop. 8bdrm. house. Large rms. Furnished; 3 1/2 baths; laundry rm; parking. Available in Aug. $3,160 plus. 222 S. Geneva. Call CSP at 277-6961.
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Thursday, M ay 6, 2 0 1 0
The Ithacan 25
Divers ion s
26 The Ithacan
dilbert®
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
sudoku
By Scott Adams
Easy
Medium
4 9 1 5 6 9 3
2 5
Easy
1 3 9 1 5 7 6 9 3 5 8 5 1 3 8 7 5 4 6 8 9 7
Medium
2 5
9 2 7 8 5 2 1 8 6 1 5 2 7
4 9 1 5 6 9 3
9 5 2 6 9 7 8 9 3 4 5 2 6 1 2 8 8 5 4 6 1 7 5 2 3 5 6 2 7 2 7 1
1 3 9 1 5 7 6 9 3 5 8 5 1 3 8 7 5 4 6 8 9 7
answers to last week’s sudoku Medium
4 6 8 1 7 2 5 3 9 1
2
3
4
11
5
6
7
12
14
18
19
22
26 28
29
23
24
25
38
39
40
27
30
31
33
32
34
35
36 41
45
10
16
17 21
9
13
15
20
8
46
37
42
43 47
44
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
crossword ACROSS 1 Took cover 4 Science class 7 Fuel cartel 11 - Linda, Calif. 12 Literary miscellany 13 Stylishly elegant 14 Speeches 16 Jai 17 Financial backer 18 Ticket info 20 Lawyer’s charge 21 Cays 23 - -jongg 26 Chapeaux 27 Turkish currency 28 Far East temple 31 Appalls 33 Wagon part
34 35 36 38 41 43 45 47 49 50 51 52 53 54
9 3 5 6 8 4 7 2 1
Very Hard
1 7 2 3 9 5 8 6 4
5 8 7 9 6 1 3 4 2
2 1 6 7 4 3 9 8 5
3 4 9 5 2 8 1 7 6
8 2 3 4 1 9 6 5 7
6 5 1 2 3 7 4 9 8
7 9 4 8 5 6 2 1 3
7 8 1 5 9 4 3 6 2
6 9 3 1 8 2 4 7 5
2 4 5 7 3 6 1 9 8
4 2 6 8 1 7 5 3 9
1 5 9 2 4 3 7 8 6
8 3 7 9 6 5 2 1 4
9 1 2 4 7 8 6 5 3
5 6 8 3 2 1 9 4 7
By United Media
“The Sunshine -” Grassy field Hesitate Stomach muscles Finalizes More up-to-date Pisces or Libra Long-tailed game bird Cattle mover Part of a giggle Bigger than elite Somber evergreens Everybody Utmost degree
DOWN 1 “One for My Baby” singer 2 Picture 3 An evening out 4 Philosopher - -tzu 5 Chronicles 6 Bandleader Count 7 Gemstone 8 Political tract 9 NASA counterpart 10 T’ai - ch’uan 11 Sit around 15 Helen of Troy’s story 19 Retiree’s income 22 RR terminal 24 Joan Van 25 Contains 26 Furrow maker 27 Part of UCLA
28 29 30 31 32 34 36 37 38 39 40 42 44 45 46 48
Buddy Logging tool North Atlantic port Distress signal Scavenging animal Orchard unit Squawkbox, briefly - Centauri Hold off for Park amenity Mex. miss Boundaries Sports network Mole, maybe Vexation Sushi morsel
answers to last week’s crossword S NUG KO F I I VOR T MA CH OWE S A F R NU T S L I C F U B R I B MOE WE S
I O U C H I N E S E
T O T E HWY S E S C A E Z ON CORN P L O T R AMS A N S F NG WA K GA B MA RR I AM I A V E C
R E F E C T O R Y
E P T C E S O R I O N
B I L G E
I E D D E E A K E
3 7 4 6 5 9 8 2 1
sports
Upping the tempo Thursday, M ay 6, 2 0 1 0
Junior Katie Hurley contributes leadership and scoring on the field
The Ithacan 27
From le Amand ft, junior attac k a Sulliv an in th Katie Hurley fi e wome n’s lacroghts for posses s sse tea m’s 15–ion against Alf red Univ 2 win A pril 1 ersit Daniel 6 at Carp W y senior le D’av ood Fie anzo/ ld. the it hacan
By KEVIN MCCALL Staff Writer
Junior attack Katie Hurley dashes through the 8-meter arc, dodging three defenders, and finds the back of the net for her second goal of the game April 16 against Alfred University — joining an elite group of Ithaca women’s lacrosse players. With the goal, Hurley became the 15th Bomber to reach the 100-goal milestone in her career. Hurley’s achievements in women’s lacrosse include captain of her high school team and the third-highest single-season goal total in Bombers’ history with 55 last season, but her initial experience with the sport was playing on a boy’s team in fourth grade. She said the boys on her childhood team sometimes complained about her, but that it only toughened her mentally. “Whenever we lost a game the boys would say, ‘We lost because we have a girl on our team,’” Hurley said. “I had thicker skin when I first started playing with the girls because I was used to getting yelled at by the boys.” Early in her career, Hurley drew inspiration from local collegiate players at Nazareth College and St. John Fisher College. Growing up, Hurley attended a women’s lacrosse camp at Nazareth for six years through elementary school to help her adjust to the women’s game. Hurley said the women’s game, which is based on finesse, is less physical than the men’s up-tempo playing style.
The women’s game also involves less equipment and playing with a shorter stick. When Hurley was in eighth grade at Honeoye Falls-Lima High School in Honeoye Falls, N.Y., women’s lacrosse Head Coach Kevin O’Connell moved her up to play on the high school varsity team. O’Connell believed Hurley’s superior passing and catching skills, along with her scoring ability, qualified her to play on a team mainly composed of juniors and seniors. Hurley said the early move to varsity allowed her to develop her athletic skills and adjust to the mental aspects of the game. “I got to play with older and more skilled girls at a young age, and that picked up my game, made me more mentally tough and more of a skilled athlete overall,” Hurley said. “The only way to get better is to play with better people, get skills from them and learn from their example.” O’Connell said Hurley’s happygo-lucky personality off the field and intensity on the field helped her quickly earn respect from her peers and teammates, who nominated her captain her senior year of high school. “One of her greatest strengths was her passion for the game,” O’Connell said. “When she walked into practice every day, she made everyone else happy and always had something nice to say, but once we stepped on the field she was as ferocious as anybody.”
Despite receiving offers from Division I schools, Hurley made a verbal commitment to Division III Union College before changing her mind at the last minute to come to Ithaca College. She said the academic and team environment at Ithaca fit her personality more. “The girls I met at Ithaca were so much more down-to-earth,” Hurley said. “The team atmosphere seemed so much more like a tight-knit family.” Hurley, a communication management and design major, has a couple of connections to home in senior midfielder Sarah Cox and freshman defender Hillary Cox. The three athletes are childhood friends and played together as Honeoye Falls-Lima Cougars. “It’s fun to talk about stories from high school and make fun of our old coach when he comes to our games,” Hurley said. While Sarah influenced Hurley’s decision to come play for Ithaca, Hurley said she played a role in convincing Sarah’s sister, Hillary, to play for the Blue and Gold. Hillary said that Hurley motivated her during offseason workouts and helped ease her transition into the program. “Anytime I had a question about team atmosphere, team protocol or what to expect from the upcoming season, she was always more than willing to talk to me about it,” Hillary said. Conference road games provide opportunities for Hurley’s friends and family to
Junior Katie Hurley cradles the ball in the Bombers’ 15–2 win over Alfred University on April 16 at Carp Wood Field. Hurley leads the team with 37 goals this season. danielle d’avanzo/the Ithacan
come to watch her play against nearby Empire 8 rivals such as Nazareth and Fisher. Hillary said Hurley’s mother, Gina Hurley, even invited the team over for dinner between
View a video of Hurley in action at theithacan.org/go/10hurley.
back-to-back games at Nazareth and the University of Rochester. Both Sarah and Hillary provide a familial bond for Hurley, who finds it difficult to maintain a similar connection with her sister Emily Hurley, who is currently in West Africa volunteering in the Peace Corps. Emily is stationed in Mali running a cross-country camp for underprivileged children. Hurley visited Africa last summer and hopes to eventually do volunteer work for Fields of Growth International, an organization that brings lacrosse to Third World countries in Africa. Hurley said her sister’s experience has helped her put her own life into perspective. “After you lose a tough lacrosse game, it’s the worst feeling in the world,” Hurley said. “But then I think about what I saw this summer and the real struggles people went through and I realized I have to have fun with everything and be grateful that I have the opportunity to go to college and play on a team.”
Sports
28 The Ithacan
The inside Pitch Cory Francer
The final pitch of the at bat
W
ell, here it is. It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to face the fact that this is the last time my name will appear in The Ithacan. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m honored to have helped bring sports news to Ithaca the past four years. I honestly can remember like it was yesterday, sitting at The Ithacan rush night, determined to join the sports section but never expecting to become so involved with the paper that I’d eventually edit the sports section and have my own column. Over the years, I’ve covered some stories that really have made me love what I do. We always joke in The Ithacan office that it’s hard to fill the paper each week with news about Ithaca College, but with sports that wasn’t the case. My freshman year, when I was just learning what it means to be a college journalist, I had the honor of telling great stories about great athletes and citizens of our community. I’ll never forget the way the members of the women’s cross country team spoke about their beloved captain Rachel Blasiak ’07 and how much she meant to them as a role model. It seems that with every team I covered during my tenure here there was a player like that. But when I covered the women’s soccer team during their incredible 19–4 run in 2007, it was hard to really pinpoint one essential leader of the team. Instead, this group truly proved how when a team comes together and operates as a unit, it is a perfect recipe for success. Sure graduate student Chelsey Feldman broke scoring records, but without help from other dynamic athletes, including Colleen Masterson ’08, senior Winnie Adrien and senior Amy Scheffer, the team’s success would not have been possible. When I covered the baseball team, I got to report on some of the best pitching South Hill has ever seen. That year Nick Sottung ’08 sat players down left and right with his nasty off-speed stuff, setting strikeout records in the process. On top of that, it was the final season for Shane Wolf ’08 and Bryan Gardner ’09 who have been playing professionally since then. Then came men’s basketball. The 2008-09 season was an incredible team and group of people to cover. A 24–3 record and NCAA tournament berth, and I got to be on the sidelines for the whole show, reporting on the final seasons for Sean Burton ’09, Jeff Bostic ’09 and Brendan Rogers ’09 as they packed Ben Light Gymnasium night after night with screaming fans. It’s impossible to sum up my entire experience with The Ithacan in this small space, but, believe me, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. It’s been an honor to write for you all. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. Cory Francer is a senior sport studies major. Contact him at cfrance1@ithaca.edu.
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
Seniors hope for Cinderella ending By Bryan Shay Staff Writer
Opportunity comes every time the ball is placed in senior Tom Fishback’s hands. But for Fishback and his three fellow senior teammates, opportunity runs scarce as the season winds down on the baseball diamond. “These last few weeks means everything to me,” Fishback said. “I’m so competitive, and this is the The Bombers one aspect of my life where I have won nine get to bring my competitiveof their last 12 ness out. I want to keep the games after goseason alive and fight for eving 6–11 to start erything we can.” the season. Seniors T.J. Abone, Jon Krakower and Mike Armstrong join Fishback as part of an unusually small senior class of players. Fishback and Abone are the only seniors on the squad who have been in the program all four years. Krakower transferred to the college in his sophomore season and Armstrong in his junior season. Abone spent his freshman season with the junior varsity team, leaving Fishback as the only player having been on the varsity roster for all four years. While this class of seniors has not quite made the four-year journey together, they still share a close-knit bond on and off the field. It is a bond that has Head Coach George Valesente confident in his group of leaders. “They are a group that really gets together and goes over things we have done right and wrong,” Valesente said. “It’s good to have seniors that are focused and have more of an understanding on how to set the tone for the team.” While Krakower and Armstrong have not been around quite as long as their fellow senior teammates, they have found a way to make up for lost time. The group lives together off campus, which Abone says has really helped to form the same bonds on the field as they have off the field. “We are like one big family,” Abone said. “There is no other thing in the world that you can beat than being associated with a team. The bond is really bigger than I realize. In 10 to 20 years, I know I’ll look back as this being the most enjoy-
stat Check
Senior Tom Fishback throws a pitch during the baseball team’s 10–5 win over SUNY-Brockport on Saturday at Freeman Field. Fishback is one of four of the Blue and Gold’s seniors this season. Claudia Pietrzak/The ithacan
able aspect of college and growing up.” But before leaving, they still aspire to leave their mark. This opportunity comes with a sense of urgency, though, as the team is only 16–15 and has just seven regular season games remaining to make its statement. It is the type of adversity that Fishback said he has grown accustomed to facing throughout his collegiate career. “The biggest thing I’ll take away are the life lessons,” Fishback said. “Coach will tie every experience on the ball field into a real-life situation, like having to stare failure in the face of defeat, and how you’ll have to do that in the workplace
someday. Things don’t always go your way, but you still have to fight back.” The Bombers start their fight this afternoon against East Hill foe Cornell University. The intown duel marks the first of the Bombers’ final seven games to be played in Ithaca. While the exiting senior class may be small in size, they are not afraid to be bold. “We still have a shot of getting into the playoffs, and if we do, I still think we have a good shot of winning regionals,” Abone said. “I’d love to make a Cinderella story here in the last few weeks.”
Blue and Gold’s Empire 8 fate left up to coin toss by Casey Musarra Sports Editor
After clinching at least a tie for the Empire 8 regular season title with a sweep over Elmira College on Saturday, the softball team’s fate as the potential No. 1 seed in the conference tournament lay in the The Bombers hands of St. John take on St. Fisher College. John Fisher The BombCollege at ers have been 1 p.m. Friday in tied with Alfred the Empire 8 University in the semifinal. conference since the two teams split a doubleheader April 10. But with Alfred’s matchup against Fisher on Sunday, all the Blue and Gold needed was one win from Fisher to be crowned the lone champions of the Empire 8 regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the Empire 8 Championship tournament. But Fisher was unable to come through for its conference rival, leaving the No. 1 seed in a deadlock with nothing to decide the winner but a coin toss. And with that, the Bombers dropped to the No. 2 seed as Alfred won the toss. “When you’re going head-tohead, a coin toss just doesn’t seem right,” junior Allison Greaney said. “Especially when it’s down between two teams, so I think the least they can do is look at run differential.” Had the Empire 8 chosen to look at runs for and runs against like the
Next up
Senior first baseman Caitlin Ryan makes contact during the softball team’s sweep over Buffalo State College on Sunday at Kostrinsky Field. Danielle D’Avanzo/the ithacan
conference does in other sports — such as soccer, where the tiebreaker includes least goals against and most goals for in head-to-head competition — the Bombers would have clearly come out on top as they outscored Alfred 10–5 in their doubleheader. Chuck Mitrano, commissioner of the Empire 8, said that the coaches in the conference recommend tiebreakers and they look at them on a yearly basis to see if they want
to make modifications. “It’s never come to this,” he said. “We certainly hope that in the future that modification will come forward so that a coin flip would not decide who would be the top seed, or any particular seed for that matter. We certainly prefer it be determined on the field, but, unfortunately, this is the way it played out this year.” Junior Kait Dolan said the team is upset about the outcome but that
the players are not going to let it affect how they perform on the field. “At this point, there’s nothing else we can do but joke about it,” she said. “That’s the only way we’re going to be OK with it is if we laugh it off and just say, ‘You know what? It’s a coin toss.’” The decision leads the South Hill squad to travel to Alfred instead of hosting the tournament and puts them up against No. 3 seeded Fisher instead of No. 4 Rochester Institute of Technology. With some recent history against the Cardinals, the Bombers are pumped for another rematch. The Blue and Gold swept Fisher during the regular season this year after losing to the Cardinals in the Empire 8 tournament final last year. “Fisher is a very different team than they’ve been the past three years,” Dolan said. “They lost a lot of key players and when we played them this year, the second we started hitting the ball against them, they just fell apart. We’re not that team to deflate if another team scores first. We try to be that team that comes back even though we’re scored against, and they didn’t have that attitude at all.” While the Bombers are disappointed that they will not be playing with the comfort of home field advantage, Dolan said a softball field is a softball field. “No matter where it is, it’s still 60 feet to first base, and it’s a bunch of left turns,” she said. “That’s all it is.”
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The Ithacan 29
Raising the bar Bombers’ two pole-vaulters push each other to succeed By Tim McQuade Staff Writer
Senior Andrew Brown has grown accustomed to being the only pole vault member for the men’s track and field team. “Most of the time, it has been just me,” Brown said. “I got used to that in my first couple of years. Luckily I had a few goals I wanted to achieve, and those goals kept me motivated to succeed individually when I was practicing.” However, this year was different. Freshman Jeff Willis joined Brown in the pole vault. “Having Jeff around has been good,” Brown said. “Having him around in the weight room and during practice has really pushed me, and I think I have helped him.” Willis said having an upperclassman around to show him the ropes helped immensely. “[Brown] is a coaching minor, and he wants to be a coach,” Willis said. “He is like a second coach to me. He knows what he is talking about.” Willis said meeting his expectations early on as a freshman was a challenge. “I’d say I was kind of disappointed at first,” Willis said. “The transition from high school to college can be difficult.” Brown’s love for pole-vaulting runs deep, and he continues to infect his teammates with his passion. “If there was a pole vault major
here, I would do that,” Brown said. “I really love the sport and everything about it.” Pole Vault Coach Matt Scheffler said having Brown and Willis around each other has paid off during practice and training as well as at meets. “Andrew Brown took Jeff right under his wing,” Scheffler, who has been the pole vault coach at Ithaca since 2006, said. “Jeff hadn’t done a lot of lifting in high school and so Brown showed Jeff how he could utilize the weight room.” Coming into the season, expectations were high for the team. But like any sport, the pole vault squad has had its ups and downs during the year. “You always want more than you usually get, but you have to set goals high,” Scheffler said. “There was a little bit of a lull dealing with the injuries, but they both have qualified for the [Eastern College Athletic Conference] Championship, and Andrew has qualified for nationals provisionally.” Willis and Brown both agreed that strong coaching has helped them this year. “We have a really talented pole vault coach,” Willis, who also had Scheffler for a coach in high school, said. “He is one of the best in the state, and his dedication is great. He keeps us motivated, and he pushes us all the time.”
Senior Andrew Brown tries to clear the bar during the pole vault event last weekend at the New York State Collegiate Track Conference Championships. Brown helped the team take the state title with a second-place finish in the event. Brian McCormick/The ithacan
Brown said the relationship he has with Scheffler extends beyond pole-vaulting. “Matt has been a great coach,” Brown said. “He’s very technical. I’m good friends with Matt, and it helps to have a coach you can talk about so much with.” This year Brown has had five firstplace finishes and has broken his school record for both the indoor and outdoor season. But Brown said he hopes to raise the bar one more notch.
“I’m not really worried about the school records,” Brown said. “Really, my overall goal is to go to nationals and be Ithaca’s first ever All-American in the pole vault.” Willis is transferring to Clemson University after this year but said he will take what he has learned at Ithaca with him to the Division I level. “The DIII training here has been intense,” Willis said. “So hopefully Ithaca has prepared me.” With the season winding down,
Brown said the team is focused on the remaining meets. “The one big meet we have left as a team is the ECAC Championship,” Brown said. “We got third last year, and then we got first indoors this year. I think we can do really well outdoors this year.” As a senior, Brown said he hopes to end his last season positively. “It’s been a good trip,” Brown said. “I’ve made a lot of good memories, and I hope to go out with a bang.”
sports
30 The Ithacan
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Men’s crew looks to regain championship status you going just as hard you are, it gets the adrenaline flowing, and that’s where crews really shine.” Few crews have gotten Ithaca’s adrenaline flowing more in the past few years than Marist College. Last year at the New York State Championships, Ithaca was ahead of Marist for the entire race but had to fiercely protect its lead from the 1,000-meter mark and ended up winning by inches. The previous weekend, Marist had beaten Ithaca. Though last year’s ECACs were cut short before the two teams could compete in a rematch, this year the Red Foxes defeated the Bombers in each of their last two regular season meets of 2010. “They’re definitely looking for blood this year,” Curtis said.
By Alex Holt Staff Writer
When heavy winds caused last season’s Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships to be canceled on the first day, after only two races, the men’s crew season and championship run came to an unexpected finish. This season, barring any circumstances beyond their control, the Bombers will look to dictate their outcome at the ECAC regatta scheduled for Sunday in Worcester, Mass. Senior co-captain Chris Lisee said the squad is using last season’s abrupt ending as a motivating factor going into this year’s championship meets. “We would really have liked to test ourselves at ECACs last year,” Lisee said. “That’s the last race of the season, and everyone wants to race there. You can really show yourself against national teams. I’d say there’s unfinished business there.” In order to compete against national teams at this year’s championship meets, the Bombers have been making a couple of changes to their premeet regimen. “The biggest change is that we are doing a lot more higher-intensity workouts with less distance covered, so it’s shorter [distances] at a faster pace,” Lisee said. Another change, according to senior Brian Erickson, is a greater focus on the team’s special moves for races, especially at the start. “We assume if we jump off from the start, we can pull from the pack,” Erickson said. “So if we’re up in the pack and we’re out there with them, we can continue going rather than
Ithaca College at New York State Championships - May 1 and 2 at Whitney Point, N.Y.
Members of the men’s crew row against the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology on April 3 at Cayuga Inlet. The Bombers’ varsity 8 boat won a bronze medal at the New York State Championships this weekend. Andrew Buraczenski/the Ithacan
being behind and having to work back that lost time.” The Blue and Gold haven’t changed every part of their routine, though. Every rower still tries to get at least eight hours of sleep the night before the meet, the same as during the regular season. Sophomore Dan Curtis said going into this year’s ECAC regatta the Bombers are confident with the course, after competing there almost a
month ago during the regular season. In the regatta April 17, in Worcester, Mass., all three varsity boats finished in the top three in their respective races against boats from five other schools. With no fewer than 20 schools competing on the men’s side in the ECAC this year, the field is by far the largest of any meet the Bombers have competed in this year. The average race at the ECAC features five to
seven boats as opposed to the usual three to four boats per race at Ithaca’s earlier meets. That even extends to the novice races, which are more unpredictable and evenly matched than their varsity counterparts. Lisee said he is excited about the larger field. “It’s awesome to compete against five other crews at one time,” he said. “That’s what we row for. When there’s a crew right on either side of
Look online for game stories from these sports: TODAY
• 4 p.m. Baseball at Cornell University
TOMORROW
• 2 p.m. Men’s and women’s track at Last Chance Meet at Randall’s Island • 10 a.m. Softball at Empire 8 Championship semifinal vs. St. John Fisher College at Alfred University • Men’s lacrosse at Empire 8 Championship semifinal vs. St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y.
SATURDAY
• 1 p.m. Baseball vs. Rochester Institute of Technology at Freeman Field • Noon. Women’s lacrosse hosts Empire 8 Championship semifinal vs. Nazareth College at Carp Wood Field • TBA. Men’s tennis at Empire 8 Championship semifinal vs. TBA in West Windsor, N.J. • Men’s and women’s track at Last Chance Meet at Randall’s Island
SUNDAY
• 7:30 a.m. Men’s crew at Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships
Thursday
• 2 p.m. Men’s and women’s track at ECAC Championships at Springfield College
May 14
•9 a.m. Men’s and women’s track at ECAC Championships at Springfield College Bold = Home game
The Ithacan
online | theithacan.org/sports
Claudia Pietrzak/the ithacan
Time Varsity 8 Final 1 Marist College 6:01.56 2 Hobart College 6:03.32 6:05.59 3 Ithaca College 6:08.15 4 Rochester Institute of Technology 6:16.88 5 Saint Louis University 6:22.06 6 Army Novice 8 Petite Final 1 Ithaca B 2 SUNY-Geneseo 3 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Novice 8 Final 1 Hobart College 2 Army 3 Saint Louis 4 Ithaca A 5 RIT 6 University of Rochester
6:55.30 7:05.62 7:05.87
6:24.41 6:25.75 6:30.97 6:33.69 6:33.89 6:37.78
Source: Sports Information
[the buzzer]
Thursday, M ay 6, 2 0 1 0
all-ithacan team baseball Junior Trevor Wolf
Wolf is hitting .364 on the year and has the highest on-base-plus-slugging percentage on the team at 1.044 percent. Wolf leads the team with 14 extra-base hits including two homers and is tied for second on the team with 24 RBIs. He also has the best fielding percentage in the starting infield at .976. Wolf is a career .385 hitter for the Bombers and has started 44 of the 52 games he’s played since 2009.
The Ithacan 31
With the spring season ending, The Ithacan’s sports staff picks the season’s best Bombers.
men’s crew First Varsity 8
The Bombers’ first varsity 8 boat has certainly lived up to its billing as the No. 1 boat on men’s crew this season. In three of the first five regattas this season, the varsity 8 finished in first place and never finished worse than third overall. The Bombers competed against strong boats from the University of Virginia, Bucknell University and Hobart College.
women’s crew
golf
The women’s crew first varsity 8 boat has dominated the competition this season, recording four first-place, one second-place and one third-place finish through five regattas. As the No. 2 ranked boat in the country, the varsity 8 won a gold medal at the New York State Championship last weekend, posting its second-fastest time of the season in 6:50.38.
Young set the tone for the golf team during its inaugural season, leading the Blue and Gold to a second-place finish in the Empire 8 Championship. Young recorded a fourth-round score of 86, finishing third overall at the invitational and was named Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. Young’s score of 86 was the lowest score among all Empire 8 freshmen.
First Varsity 8
Freshman Jackie Young
men’s lacrosse
women’s lacrosse
Gal was Ithaca’s constant force in goal this year, especially in the second half of the season. In the month of April, only one team, SUNY-Cortland, was able to notch double digits in goals against Gal. Of the four goaltenders in the Empire 8 with more than 13 starts, Gal’s .606 save percentage was first in the league, helping the Bombers to an Empire 8 tournament bid.
McClure finished third on the team with 30 goals and six assists totaling 36 points for the season. She tied with junior attack Katie Hurley for the team lead in draw controls with 23. The Columbus, Ohio, native scored her 100th career goal in a home win April 16 against Alfred University. McClure scored on eight of 13 free position shots during the regular season.
Junior David Gal
Senior Kylie McClure
softball
men’s tennis
Lillie was a dominant force for the softball team. Usually hitting in the three-hole, she provided a spark of power for the Bombers offensively, leading the team with six home runs. She started in all 38 of the South Hill squad’s games and had team-highs in hits (40), doubles (10) and RBIs (28). On the mound, she made 18 appearances, going 6–3 with a 2.00 ERA and 62 strikeouts.
Borda’s contributions to the men’s tennis team have been immeasurable during his four years as a Bomber. Borda has dominated opponents as the reigning Empire 8 Player of the Year for the past two seasons. Borda is 18–3 this season and will finish his collegiate career as the winningest men’s tennis player in Ithaca College history.
Junior Brittany Lillie
men’s track and field Junior Max Orenstein Orenstein posted six first-place finishes this spring — four in the 200-meter dash and two in the 100-meter dash. He qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships in the 100- and 200-meter dash events. Orenstein provisionally qualified for the NCAAs in the 200-meter dash at the New York State Collegiate Track Conference Championships on Saturday.
Senior Taylor Borda
women’s track and field Sophomore Emma Dewart
Dewart continued her dominant indoor season outdoors, where she took home four individual titles at states and three Empire 8 titles. Dewart leads the nation in the heptathlon, with 4,724 points and is sixth in the 100-meter hurdles. She will look to better her second-place finish in the pentathlon indoors April 27-29 at the NCAA Championships in Berea, Ohio.
they said it It’s been a crazy ride until this point. I’m just delighted to get here. To get my first win in the U.S. is special. Twenty-year-old professional golfer Rory McIlroy on winning his first PGA Tour title Sunday.
32 The Ithacan
photo finish Capturing the Bom bers at their be s t
Thursday, M ay 6, 2010
A shot at the tournament
From left, Stevens Institute of Technology freshman Sean Phelan defends sophomore midfielder Billy LaPerch as he makes a pass in the Bombers’ 11–8 win Saturday at Upper Terrace Field. The Blue and Gold got off to a slow start but turned it on for conference play, going 5–3 in the Empire 8 to clinch a spot in the Empire 8 Championship on Friday in Rochester, N.Y. Jesse Cases/the ithacan