12.13.2012

The Ithacan APOCALYPSE NOW? Thursday, December 13, 20 12

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Volume 80 , Is s u e 1 4

While some brace for the end, others embrace the hype

The spread of the black plague affected 25 to 50 percent of Europe’s population. The large number of the deaths caused people to think the world was ending.

To interact with this timeline, visit theithacan.org/ interactive/doomsday.

1346-1351 By elma gonzalez and kelsey o'Connor

news editor and editor in chief

The countdown has begun. It’s not to the end of finals but potentially to the end of the world.

Some have predicted, based on the conclusion of the Mayan calendar cycle, that the world may come to an end in eight days, on Dec. 21, 2012. While some are bracing for the potential apocalypse, many are working to discredit the theory.

Around the world, some are bracing for what is believed to be the world's end on Dec. 21. In western Turkey, thousands are pouring into a small village where Christians believe the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven. In the U.S., some believers are ready to run to sophisticated underground bunkers to survive a possible catastrophe.

Christopher Columbus claimed the world would last 7,000 years. Assuming it was created in 5343 BCE, the end of the world would fall in 1658.

Global econo mic chaos would come from the Y2K compute r bug and the Antichrist would use it to rise to p ower.

Y2K

At Ithaca College, some professors have brought doomsday discussions to the classroom. Ron Denson, assistant professor of writing, has taught the honors course, “2012: The End of Time,” for four years. His class focuses on Mayan culture and the famous calendar that ends in 2012 and has managed to spook — at least a little — an entire generation.

“There is this sort of inchoate fear that the end of the world is happening, and [students] don’t quite know where that sense comes from,” Denson said.

Michael Richardson, associate professor of modern languages and literatures, teaches the freshman Ithaca seminar, “Disaster and Dystopia and the End of the World.”

“There’s always a perverse sort of fascination with the end of the world, and some of that comes from a dissatisfaction with the way that society or civilization as a whole is headed,” Richardson said.

2012

Galactic alignment and the end of the Mayan calendar are a few of the many prophecies supported for the much anticipated Dec. 21, 2012.

2000

1658

DEC. 21,

This is not the first time the world has been prophesied to end. There have been more than 150 predicted apocalypses. On Dec. 21, 1954, according to a UFO cult, the Brotherhood of Seven Rays, a flood was supposed to destroy the world. On Jan. 1, 2000, the Y2K computer bug was supposed to cause global chaos. If all doesn’t fail next week, there are more future dates. According to Jeanne Dixon, a 20th-century astrologer, Armageddon will take place between 2020 and 2037.

This year, some people are expecting a planet or brown dwarf called Nibiru, Planet X or Eris to hit planet Earth, which

See doom, page 4 Design by Emily Fuller

Rochon adds student input to budget talks by emily masters staff writer

President Tom Rochon will temporarily add two student representatives to the Institutional Effectiveness and Budget Committee this year —for the first time at Ithaca College — to give input on where the college should allocate its funds.

Along with this change, two additional staff members will be added to the IEBC ROCHON said it's for the course of important to have the Huron Educa- students involved tion Consulting with the review. review, which will assess ways to reduce costs, spend college funds more efficiently and improve revenue and service. This is in addition to the 21 members of IEBC, three of whom are staff and two are faculty members, Rochon said.

“This temporary addition of students

See Budget, page 4

Residential Life to implement housing changes by candace king assistant news editor

With IC 20/20 moving forward, the Office of Residential Life is altering its current housing arrangements and process to coincide with the First-Year Residential Experience.

These changes will include the elimination of Terrace 6 and Terrace 9 suites, remodeling the housing application process and the addition of the option to buy out an entire double in the event of a vacancy.

Beginning next semester, Residential Life will be moving forward with its plans to require first-year students to live in the First-Year Residential Experience.

By 2014, this initiative is expected to be in full effect. Locations of the FYRE have not been finalized yet.

With new resident halls to be sectioned off for freshman, Linda Koenig, assistant director for housing services and communications, said they are eliminating some of the suites in the Terraces to create more space for upperclassmen.

A Terrace suite consists of a sixperson or a five-person mini-apartment. They have a triple room and

Acting out

Student theater group performs controversial shows, page 13

Junior Marissa Osowsky, president of the Residence Hall Association, acts as a liaison during her weekly meetings with Residential Life.

Candace king/The ithacan

a double room positioned around a common living room. Some suites come with balconies and have a private bathroom.

For each suite that is converted, that frees up space for two doubles and one single.

There are 24 suites in the Terraces residential area. Beginning next semester, Terrace 6 and Terrace 9 will no longer

have suites. There are four suites in those Terraces.

This elimination will increase the amount of living space such as doubles and triples for sophomores while increasing the amount of singles for juniors and seniors.

Junior Marissa Osowsky, president of the Residence Hall Association, said the elimination

of suites also comes as a result of National Survey of Residence Hall Student Satisfaction survey conducted by residential life in March, which showed that juniors and seniors are typically interested in those spaces.

“What they found in surveys that they’ve performed over the years is that juniors and seniors prefer that kind of housing and sophomores prefer doubles,” Osowsky said. “They want to give people what they want.”

Other reasons for this decision is the difficulty in filling the triples and frequency of room damage complaints and behavioral complaints from Terraces suites, Koenig said.

Sophomore Jordan Darkow lives in a suite in Terrace 4.

When moving into the suite, Darkow said there were damages, such as dents in the doors and stains on the curtains.

Darkow said he made the decision to live in the suites because it served as an alternative to living in an apartment with friends.

“We heard upperclassmen

See Housing, page 4

Splash shot

close to home

Local underwater hockey club sets sights on new facilities, page 19

College must focus on campus during budget talks, page 10

f ind m or e onl ine. www.t heit hacan.org

[ T hurs day Bri ef ing]

2 The It hacan

Th ursday, Dec ember 1 3 , 2 0 1 2

Nation&World Putin opposes foreign democracy

President Vladimir Putin angrily rejected what he described Wednesday as attempts to enforce foreign patterns of democracy on Russia and vowed to preserve the nation’s identity against interference from abroad.

Putin’s speech was his first state-of-thenation address since winning a third term in March’s election despite a wave of massive protests in Moscow. Putin has pursued a tough course on dissent since his inauguration, with arrests and searches of opposition activists and introduction of laws that impose heavy fines on protesters and rigid rules on civil society groups.

Speaking to lawmakers, officials and clerics who gathered in the Kremlin’s ornate St. George’s Hall, Putin said Russia would follow its own view on democracy and shrug off any “standards enforced on us from outside.”

One of the laws passed by the Kremlin-controlled parliament requires non-governmental organizations that receive foreign funding and engage in vaguely defined political activities to register as “foreign agents,” a move the groups said was aimed to intimidate them and destroy their credibility with Russians for whom “agent” is synonymous with “spy.”

Syria fires missiles at insurgents

Syrian government forces have fired Scud missiles at insurgents, escalating the 2-year-old conflict against rebels seeking to overthrow the regime, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

Two officials said forces of President Bashar Assad have fired the missiles from the Damascus area into northern Syria. These officials asked not to be named because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

News of the missiles came on the same day that more than 100 countries, including the U.S., recognized a new Syrian opposition coalition that has further isolated Assad’s regime and opened a way for greater humanitarian assistance to the forces battling to oust him.

Delayed loan request harms Egypt

Egypt’s political crisis is threatening to plunge its ailing economy deeper into distress after the government delayed a request for a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund that would ease a ballooning budget deficit and reas-

sure foreign investors.

Fear of stoking the street unrest over a disputed Islamist-oriented constitution led President Mohammed Morsi to suspend a package of tax hikes that were key to reducing that deficit — and his government may now have to renegotiate the loan deal that took more than a year to hammer out.

While the government said it wants to delay the request for only a month, the IMF mentioned no timeframe in its statement Wednesday. It only said that it stands ready to “consult with the authorities on the resumption of discussions.”

The tax hike was seen as a key first step in an economic reform package needed to generate revenue and meet conditions for the loan, agreed in principle with the IMF in November.

Nelson Mandela’s health improves

South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela “has made progress” in health after contracting a lung infection, officials said Wednesday.

A short statement issued by President Jacob Zuma’s office announced Mandela’s status, as the 94-year-old leader’s stay in a military hospital near South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, stretched into a fifth day Wednesday.

Mandela was admitted to 1 Military Hospital on Saturday for tests. It was several days before authorities announced that Mandela was ill.

Mandela has a history with lung problems.

He fell ill with tuberculosis in 1988 toward the tail-end of his prison years. While doctors said it caused no permanent damage to his lungs, doctors and experts say it can cause problems years later for those infected.

He won South Africa’s first truly democratic elections in 1994, serving one five-year term.

Mali appoints new prime minister

Mali’s interim president has named a new prime minister after the former prime minister was arrested and forced to resign by the military.

Longtime civil servant Diango Cissoko has been chosen as the new prime minister in a transitional government setup following a military coup in March this year.

Mali’s military overthrew the country’s

Raging in the streets

Greek municipal employees push into the grounds of Parliament during a protest Wednesday in Athens. Municipal employees are angry at government plans to include them on a list of state employees up for forced redundancy under the country’s new austerity program.

Petros Giannakouris/associated press

elected president eight months ago, and a new transitional civilian government with a president and prime minister was established.

The coup leader promised to step aside, but the prime minister’s ouster demonstrates the military still remains in control of the nation.

Hondurans move to replace judges

The Honduran congress has voted to dismiss four Supreme Court justices after they rejected a plan by President Porfirio Lobo to clean up the corrupt national police.

Wednesday’s vote would replace four of the five justices on the constitutional chamber, a committee of the court. The legislature said their conduct was endangering citizens.

Congress earlier approved a measure that would allow the president or congress to put the police cleanup and other issues to public referendum. President Porfirio Lobo has said the justices were colluding with business leaders to undercut his power.

Amsterdam to ban drug in schools

Amsterdam’s mayor said he would ban students from smoking marijuana at school, making the Dutch capital the first city in the Netherlands to do so, Wednesday.

City spokeswoman Iris Reshef said schools have always forbidden marijuana but found it difficult to enforce the policy.

The introduction of a law, that in other countries either already exists or seems so obvious it wouldn’t even require a rule, is the result of the Netherlands’ unique drugs policy. Under the “tolerance” principle, marijuana is technically illegal, but police can’t prosecute people for possession of small amounts of the drug.

After a change in national law, the city will now be able to declare, as of Jan. 1, “no toking zones” — areas like schools and playgrounds where weed-smoking is forbidden — under a public nuisance ordinance. Police can then levy fines against anyone who flouts the rules.

SOURCE: Associated Press

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Th ursday, Decem be r 13, 2012

The I th a c a n 3

Hill Center to undergo improvements

By Nicole Ogrysko Senior WRITER

Extensive renovations to Ithaca College’s Hill Center are expected to begin in full force during winter break.

The project will convert the old indoor pool space into a two-level area with classrooms and athletic training facilities, and it will replace the floor and bleachers in the gymnasium. The project is expected to cost more than $15 million, Rick Couture, associate vice president of the office of facilities, said.

Couture said after the construction of the School of Business building, Peggy Ryan Williams Center and Athletics and Events Center, the college planned to focus on the Hill Center, which was built in the late 1960s.

“Now that we’ve done the new construction, we’re trying to take a look at existing buildings that need renovation work,” he said. “The Hill Center was pretty much at the top of the list.”

Couture said the college hopes to finish all phases of the project by December 2013.

The bulk of the renovations will come when construction crews demolish the indoor pool, a process which Couture said could take four to six weeks. Building the new classrooms and lab spaces is expected to take at least two to three months.

Michael Matheny, clinical associate professor of exercise and sport sciences, said the construction on the athletic training clinic isn’t expected to begin until the end of May. “We’re supposed to be able to move into our new space at the beginning of August, and that couldn’t have worked out for us better because we don’t really have a presence around here over the summer,” Matheny said.

Paul Geisler, director of the athletic training education program at the college, said the upgrades will give students, faculty and athletes more space in the rehab clinics and labs.

“We’re dramatically overdue for an upgrade in our facilities for our classrooms and our major athletic training clinic,” Geisler said. “The one existing now in Hill Center is very small and very cramped.

As it compares to our competitors, other programs, other schools and their clinical facilities and even

by Kacey Deamer Online Editor

The Hill Center’s $15 million renovations include replacing the indoor pool space with a two-level area of classrooms and athletic training facilities. The gym floor and bleachers will also be renovated.

Emily Fedor/The Ithacan

own facilities with physical therapy and occupational therapy, the athletic training program has been behind for a long time.”

Matheny said the renovations will also move athletic training education program offices closer together. Though the A&E Center has given them more space for their clinics, he said the improvements in the Hill Center will fill some of the gaps the clinic now finds in its program.

“The space we have is still small, and it’s not a very good space from a clinical education standpoint,” Matheny said. “We have some treatment areas, but we don’t have any functional rehabilitation space to do the type of functional rehab that we need to do with our athletes.”

Geisler said the construction should have little impact on students, as the athletic training clinic will still remain fully functional.

“The construction shouldn’t affect the students too much,” he said. “It will be more of an inconvenience for the faculty, if anything, because

their offices are going to be noisy and dirty.”

In addition to main projects in the gym and pool area, Couture said the college will work on the building’s heating and air conditioning systems and the locker rooms and bathrooms in the Hill Center.

With construction on the gym set for the summer, Couture said the space is expected to be ready for classes in the fall. If some classroom renovations are not finished, he said the college plans to work with the registrar’s office to move the classes that are usually held in the Hill Center to different locations across campus.

With a project this large, Couture said, the biggest challenge is finding ways to avoid disruptions.

“It’s going to be a bit of a challenge, so we’re going to have to work with the folks who occupy the Hill Center and try to make the project as least impactful as possible,” Couture said. “All I ask is people understand that there’s going to be some inconvenience, but we’ll try to minimize that as much as we can.”

Student group highlights worldwide animal rights

By Gerald Doherty Senior Writer

A group of Ithaca College students have formed a new club on campus, IC Animal Rights, to tackle issues concerning animal rights through campaigns and by holding instructive events on campus.

The club, which has 10 regular members, has begun an online photo campaign against animal cruelty and held a screening of “March of the Penguins” in Williams Hall on Monday. The organization hopes to raise funds for the protection of animals in establishments such as the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen and raise awareness of animal rights to the student body.

Sophomore Heidi Miller, vice president of IC Animal Rights, said while the group is small now, they’re hoping more visibility will increase interest.

“We started late in the game, so we don’t have much of a campus presence yet, but we’re hoping that by raising awareness for animal rights, we get more visibility,” Miller said.

The group also launched its Voice for the Voiceless Campaign, in which students held up informational posters in support of animal welfare.

Photos were taken two weeks ago and uploaded to Facebook on Sunday in support of International Animal Rights Day. The posters included messages of what an animal might want to say

Ithaca mayor supports legal marijuana use

but can’t, Miller said.

Sophomore Dorothea Hinman, the group’s treasurer, said that while the college had student groups like Puppy Love, a group that works with the Tompkins County Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals to help animals in need, as well as raising money for the shelter, there was no club that promoted the well-being of all animals, which she said the campus should be receptive to.

“We’re about all the animals, so we wanted to cater to that crowd,” Hinman said. “There was not a previous animal rights club on campus, which we found strange because it’s a liberal arts campus.

We thought it was necessary to have a club like that.”

According to the Humane Society of the United States, dogs — pit bull breeds in particular — are the most common victims of animal cruelty.

Animal abuse is not limited to household pets. The HSUS estimates nearly one million animals are abused or killed in connection with domestic violence each year. Farming livestock, like horses, cows, pigs and chickens, are commonly excluded from state laws against animal cruelty.

To support animals directly, IC Animal Rights worked this semester to raise money for the Farm Sanctuary. Hinman said they adopted two animals for the club as well.

“We did meal sign-aways in order to raise money for the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen,” Hinman said.

From left, sophomores Karly Placek, president of the Animal Rights club, and Dorothea Hinman, treasurer, screen a movie Monday in Williams 323.

Emily fedor/THE ITHACAN

“We were able to adopt a sheep and a turkey. We have full visitation rights, and next semester we’re going to organize trips over there to visit every few weekends.”

Meredith Turner, media relations specialist for Farm Sanctuary, said her organization works to rescue animals suffering from abuse or neglect. They are then taken to one of the sanctuary’s locations in California or New York, where they become “animal ambassadors” who represent their species. Those who choose to adopt these animals provide them with food and health care and can get full visitation rights.

“We can’t rescue every animal from abuse and neglect, but the ones we are able to rescue, we’re able to tell their story, and they become ambassadors for farm animals

everywhere,” Turner said. “For a monthly gift or donation they’ll be providing the care for the animal who resides at our sanctuary. It’s an opportunity for someone to make a meaningful difference in the life of one of our formerly abused and neglected farm animals.”

Freshman Teresa Clark, who worked as an educator at the New York Aquarium, said she hopes the campus comes to understand the connection between animal rights and the larger ecosystem.

“I’ve always been an animal lover,” Clark said. “Animals are a huge part of the environment, ecosystems and everything. What we do impacts them, and it’s only logical to me that a town like this and a campus this environmentally conscious has something supporting animals.”

Ithaca is joining the national trend toward support of marijuana legalization following an announcement of support from Mayor Svante Myrick last week.

Myrick published a commentary for the Times Union, an Albany-area n e w s p a p e r, on Dec. 3, calling on state law- MYRICK said some Ithaca makers to residents need permit medi- medical marijuana. cal marijuana and consider complete legalization. The mayor of Binghamton, Matt Ryan, announced support of legalization in November.

The commentary included reference to medical marijuana being legalized in other states — 18 in total and the District of Columbia. Myrick said part of his decision to support legalization comes from the need for marijuana for medicinal purposes.

“I know a lot of Ithacans of all ages who rely on marijuana use for medical symptoms, and they feel guilty about feeding the black market to buy the stuff,” he said.

Ronald Brogan, the northeast director for D.A.R.E. America, said the educational program will not change its programs about marijuana even with political support for legalization.

“We are certainly against legalization,” he said. “And the Attorney General has indicated they will continue to enforce the laws no matter what your mayors might say.”

An element of the movement toward legalization is equalization of marijuana and alcohol punishment, a policy that Ithaca College recently enacted after the Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapter at the college pushed for it. Senior Evan Nison, president of SSDP and an intern for Myrick, said the new policy has been effective.

“From what we’re hearing from administrators, they’re happy with it, they think it’s effective, and it’s doing what it’s supposed to do,” Nison said.

SSDP has also established the Marijuana Enforcement Task Force, which includes representatives from SSDP and other administrative organizations like Residential Life and Public Safety. The task force works to develop potential policies for the college and is currently working on an initiative to allow RAs to do write-ups for marijuana, just as they do for alcohol.

Myrick said the punishment for marijuana, especially for youth, can be harmful. “[I] know a lot of young people who see their reputations stained sometimes for a lifetime,” he said.

A Gallup poll that was released Tuesday found Americans are split overall on whether marijuana use should be completely legalized, with 48 percent in favor of legalization. This is a significant increase in support, because the same poll in 2006 showed 36 percent of Americans approved of legalization.

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Remodeling to increase living space housing from page 1

talking about it, and so we thought it was a really cool idea and a great way to stick together,” Darkow said. “It’s just extremely convenient because if we want to be alone and we have people over, we can just go in our room while they hang out in the KOENIG said the lounge or college is making we can all housing changes gather in for IC 20/20. our lounge and watch TV.” Darkow said he is saddened by the decision.

“I find it disappointing,” he said. “It’s better than living in a dorm, not quite at the level of living in a Circle or Gardens yet, which is really great.”

Another addition to housing changes is the apartment selection process, which has been revamped to ensure first priority for juniors and seniors.

Before this new policy, apartments were granted according to a point system rank. Seniors had four points, juniors had three points and sophomores had two points. The point system will still be in effect for the new policy, however 50 percent of the apartment applicants must be juniors or seniors.

Osowsky said class standing will not based on credits but on the number of years a student at the college has lived on campus. Residential Life will look at the past residential experiences for transfer students.

Juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to choose housing in the spring, freshmen will chose housing after orientation and sophomores will pick housing in the summer.

In addition to getting first priority in the apartment selection process, priority will continue to go to juniors and seniors for selection of singles on campus.

However, this rule will not apply to students who are living in learning communities.

Residential Life will offer students the option of potential buyouts. If a student is expecting a potential vacancy, they have the option to purchase the entire room for the semester to ensure that no other student is placed there. This option is an additional cost of $600, however buyout requests will not be guaranteed.

This option was available in the past but was eliminated because of space constraints, Koenig said.

The new housing policies come at a time where the college is implementing new curricular changes. Koenig said communication is the key to ensure a smooth transition.

“My biggest challenge is trying to help students understand what to expect for housing selections,” Koenig said.

“It’s a totally different process.

We’ll do what we can to address concerns.”

Th ursday, Dec ember 1 3 , 2 0 1 2

Scientists say world will live past 2012 doom from page 1

will cause widespread destruction — a prediction originally scheduled for May 2003. When nothing happened in 2003, it was moved to December 2012 and linked to the conclusion of the Mayan calendar.

Other theories are meteor strikes, massive natural disasters and the shifting of north and south poles.

Despite the many claims of world doom, NASA is reassuring civilization on its Earth FAQ page that the world will not end Dec. 21.

“Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012,” the website states.

Back in Denson’s classroom in the, most students are not believers of apocalyptic predictions.

However, some took the course hoping for official proof they would be alive and well after college finals end Dec. 21, sophomore Tom Dempsey, who is taking his class, said.

“They were in there to get confirmation from an instructor that this was false,” he said.

Scholars agree. John Henderson, Mayan calendar expert and Cornell University professor of anthropology , said he does not expect this month to be the last of humanity; the calendar simply marks the end of one of its cycles.

“I like to take the view that the ancient Mayas took, and that is that sometimes people fell so far short of what the Gods would have liked that they have to be redone," Henderson said. "And so maybe it would be a healthy thing to think about whether we are falling short of what we would like to be or what the Gods would like us to be.”

“Falling short,” as Henderson puts it, is popular among “doomsday preppers” who are actually preparing for social unrest and other global catalysts caused by human mistakes.

Thousands of Americans have been preparing for any range of disasters, be it economic or natural.

What is referred to as “prepping” has been brought to the spotlight by National Geographic’s documentary series, “Doomsday Preppers.”

Though not necessarily for the next projected end of Earth, preppers are braced for any number of disasters. Tom Martin, founder and vice president of community development for the American Preppers Network, said prepping has become more common after the Great Recession, Sept. 11 attacks and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and, most recently, Hurricane Sandy. Martin said everyone should be prepared in some sense.

“It’s a movement that spans all political phi-

Michael Richardson, an associate professor and chair of the department of modern languages and literatures, teaches an honors course titled "Disaster and Dystopia and the End of the World. "

Shawn Steiner/The Ithacan

losophies, all religious philosophies," Martin said. "It doesn’t matter your race or your gender or your economic status, everybody should be interested in getting prepared."

Anxiety about any type of calamity is often reflected in American pop culture, Richardson said.

Every time period has had a particular type of social apprehension, such as that seen during the ’70s and ’80s for a nuclear holocaust or in the ’90s for a robot takeover. Most recently, zombies have taken the spotlight with shows like “The Walking Dead.”

In fact, zombies have become so popular, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have actually posted tips on how to survive a zombie threat and what the CDC’s plan of action would be.

“If zombies did start roaming the streets, CDC would conduct an investigation much like any other disease outbreak,” the blog states.

“CDC would provide technical assistance to cities, states, or international partners dealing with a zombie infestation.”

Panic about the extermination of civilization is not completely rooted in fear, Richardson said, it is sometimes a chance for a fresh start.

“I know that sounds strange, but it almost doesn’t seem like they are worried about the end of the world,” he said. “It seems like they are looking forward to the end of the world.”

Disaster anxiety has lead many to spend big on preparations. CNN has found people who have spent more than $350,000 on prepping.

Besides preparing, some are instead choosing to spend their potential last days in paradise, closer to the site of the predictions. According to Skyscanner, an airfare finder, one-way flight bookings have increased for Dec. 21.

However, over-the-top spending and cashing in on the apocalyptic craze can overshadow true Mayan culture. Sophomore Matthew Brooks visited Belize through a Maya research program with the University of Texas. While working at an excavation site near Blue Creek, he met Mayans who expressed their concern with the misinterpretation of their culture worldwide.

“There is profit involved in this; the Guatemalan government is going to be having a doomsday celebration,” Brooks said. “The profit will be going to the Guatemalan government but not to the Mayans, yet they are utilizing the Mayan culture, and on top of that utilizing it wrongly. So not only is it disrespecting the Mayans, they’re not even giving them their cut, and that’s screwed up. That is bad business; it’s immoral, ethically wrong on so many levels.”

Despite the hype, Henderson said there is most likely no cause for alarm.

“The only astronomical thing that is surely going to happen on the 21st is Winter Solstice,” Henderson said. “It happens every year.”

To hear how Ithaca College students are preparing for the potential apocalypse, visit www.theithacan.org/28986.

Huron to present review results in spring budget from page 1

and staff to the IEBC is a response to the importance of the Efficiency and Affordability Review,” Rochon said in an email interview.

Rochon said he wants students to be more involved in the process because they are directly impacted by the results of the review.

“Students have a vital interest in this process because cost savings from reorganization or identifying efficiencies will enable us to slow the future rate of growth in tuition and fees,” Rochon said during an email interview. “Students also have a vital interest because we do not want any possible changes in service levels to have unintended impacts on the quality of the educational experience.”

Senior Rob Flaherty, president of SGA, said the organization lobbied for more student participation in administrative decisions this semester, and Rochon’s decision to include them in the budget committee this year is a huge step toward that goal.

“I asked for an inch, and he gave us a yard,” Flaherty said.

The Huron Review, which many student senators had not known about until a meeting with Huron

representatives Nov. 13, began in the summer.

Bob Nudruff, Huron project director, presented the stages of review and plan of action to SGA members Nov. 13. Flaherty said SGA members raised concerns about the lack of student involvement in Huron’s surveys, as well as with the upcoming decisions on where to allocate resources based on Huron’s review.

“I raised some concerns about the fact that there was only a week [beginning Jan. 17] to comment on Huron things,” he said.

Now, Huron will announce its formal recommendations Jan. 17, and students, faculty and staff will be able to post feedback on the Effectiveness and Affordability Review website until Feb. 11, according to The Process for Campus Review of Huron Recommendations.

In the Nov. 30 Intercom announcement, Rochon said the meetings with the Faculty Council on Jan. 22, Staff Council on Jan. 24 and SGA on Feb. 3 will individually discuss Huron’s recommendations within their respective groups.

Then on Feb. 6 there will be an open house for feedback on the review. Following the open house, IEBC will take February, March and April to discuss the review.

Senior Rob Flaherty, president of the Student Government Association, will serve as one of the two student chairs for the IEBC next semester.

File Photo/the ithacan

Within the new process for recommendations, in April IEBC will make its recommendations to Rochon, and in May Rochon will make his recommendations to the Board of Trustees. The final plan will be shared with the college and then implemented over the next few years, according to the Effectiveness and Affordability Review timeline.

Rochon requested that Flaherty be one of the two student representatives and help him select the second, who can be any student, on SGA or not.

Flaherty said Rochon suggested that

it not be another SGA board member.

“Students on the committee will be full participants,” Rochon said in the email. “They will read the Huron recommendations and the feedback from the campus community.”

Dominick Recckio, freshman senator, expressed interest in being one of the students. He said he is excited for the potential for more student involvement in budget decisions.

“I’m ecstatic,” Recckio said. “This is the kind of thing that SGA fights for and tries to get. Ithaca College made a great choice.”

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Student documents others’ experiences with disease

By Noreyana Fernando Staff writer

Senior Michael Kaneff received his first camera when he was four years old. It was a gift from his mother.

Seventeen years later, his love for the camera remains, but a lot has changed in Kaneff ’s life since that day. When his mother, Judy, was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2004, he saw the world through a different lens.

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition, characterized by the degeneration and death of muscle tissues. It also affects other body systems such as the heart and pancreas.

Patients experience symptoms such as delayed development of motor skills, mental retardation and sometimes death. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.

Kaneff’s mother suffers from myotonic muscular dystrophy, which is characterized by prolonged muscle tensing. Judy, 56, sits on a wheelchair and is tended to by a hired helper at their home in Wyomissing, Pa. Each day is a struggle at the Kaneff residence. “[My mother] has been on a big downslope,” Kaneff said. “Like I tell everyone, it’s always down. It’s not going to get better. That’s the hard reality of it. And there is no more prolonging it.”

Judy cannot be left alone. She visits the emergency room every other week. What once seemed like simple chores are out of her reach.

She can no longer garden, go up the stairs or walk.

A large part of her day is spent lying down on a bed.

But Judy said she has many reasons to smile.

Her voice rings with happiness as she talks about Michael, her only child. She recalls how she reached out to a local Pennsylvania chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 2006.

After his mother was diagnosed, Kaneff who is currently a television-radio major, began producing videos for the national MDA. His videos focus largely on the daily lives of

those affected by the disease and the families of patients.

Kaneff ’s father, Scott, said he is proud of his son, not just because of his commitment to a good cause but also because of his talent.

“He really polished it in Ithaca to the point that, even in a tough job market, I am confident he will be able to get something,” Scott said.

While he has no definite plans for after graduation, Kaneff said he will continue working in the field of video production. He also said that he plans on having a full time job with the national MDA. Kaneff ’s videos are shown at MDA’s annual Black-n-Blue Ball, a fundraiser to help fund MDA summer camps and research. At the event, hundreds applauded Kaneff ’s videos. Kaneff has produced six videos in seven years, one with more than 37,000 views.

Comments on the videos have spurred discussions about possible cures, with viewers from around the world corresponding with American viewers.

His 2006 documentary, which was also his first, focuses on the lives of several young Americans affected by MD. One of the people with MD featured in the documentary, Alexa Dectis, 13, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. Speaking in the video, Dectis described how the MDA’s summer camps make her feel like a normal person.

“Having a neuromuscular disease can sometimes be really hard because all —Michael Kaneff your friends are outside playing hideand-go-seek while you have to go on your breathing machine,” she said in the video.

“You are not really a regular kid sometimes.

But at an MDA camp, you know that you are a regular kid because you are with people who are just like you.”

Kaneff remembers working with the editor

“It’s not going to get better.

That’s the hard reality of it.”

From left, senior Michael Kaneff poses with his mother, Judy. She suffers from myotonic muscular dystrophy, which is a genetic condition characterized by deterioration of muscle tissues.

Courtesy of SCOTT kaneff

of his local newspaper, one of the MD patients featured in his first video.

“He didn’t even get to see the video,” Kaneff said. “He didn’t even live a year past the interview, when the video was shown.

That hit me hard at a younger age.”

Michael’s local MDA chapter helps him in his search for MDA patients for his videos. He then interviews them and picks out the segments that best convey the message of the MDA. Yet, despite the many videos that he has produced, Kaneff worries the world is unaware of the implications of muscular dystrophy.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about it,” Kaneff said. “It’s not something like cancer where everybody knows about it.”

Michael Blishak, senior vice president for community programs at the MDA, said Kaneff ’s work highlights the positive attitude people can have despite the disease.

“Michael is a very creative, intelligent, artistic young man who just knows how to tell a story,” Blishak said. “He is all about people.”

The MDA funds more than 300 research grants globally, where researchers work to find treatments for the 43 different types of MD. Blishak said with his work, Kaneff conveys the message of hope MDA brings.

“The role that Mike plays in using his creativity and knowledge of the wonderful world of video in putting together a story, really truly does help in bringing forward MDA’s message of help through our clinics and hope through our research,” Blishak said.

Michael said his videos for the MDA convey a message of hope for everyone.

“Hope,” Michael said. “That’s the big word that the MDA uses, and I had it in my videos.

Even families said it. All we can do is hope, and that is all we can do.”

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Students fight for green title

By Michael tkaczevski Staff Writer

In a step toward making a positive environmental impact, Ithaca College students are in competition with colleges across the nation in Net Impact’s Small Steps Big Wins campaign.

Small Steps Big Wins encourages undergraduate students to engage in activities that benefit the community and environment by offering points for actions, such as air-drying clothes to save energy and walking or biking to campus instead of driving a car, that add up to rewards. OERTEL said the Rewards include two tick- club is currently ets to Coachella Valley seeking more Music and Arts Festival students to join.

2013 for the student with the most points and 100 t-shirts for the winning campus.

Net Impact is a nonprofit organization sponsored by Alcoa Foundation and Microsoft that connects interested charities and volunteers together online to coordinate nonprofit projects. It has branches in universities throughout the U.S. and other countries, such as Pakistan, Hungary, Taiwan and the U.K., Paul Campbell, director of community growth and engagement at Net Impact, said.

Senior Katie Oertel is campus director and co-president of the college’s Net Impact club and reports student actions and points with a Net Impact Facebook app. Oertel created the club this semester. “[The campaign] motivates social change and making environmental positive impact, but it’s also a competition,” Oertel said. “It’s really easy to participate in the challenge. A lot of the points that they award you are from actions that students already do.”

There are 32 participating colleges, and Ithaca College is in 11th place with 555 points.

Cornell University is in seventh place with 1,783 points. Wartburg College in Iowa tops the leaderboard with 8,964 points. The results

are based on the leaderboard as of Monday.

Oertel was able to get enough points in the final hours of the competition to boost the college from 16th place to 11th, she said.

Students report their points by uploading photos or videos of their actions to the Small Steps Big Wins Facebook page, or they use Instagram and tag the photo with #smallsteps, Oertel said.

Sophomore Rebecca Blondin, vice president of membership for Net Impact at the college, said the club organized a “buy-cott,” in which people buy products from a company only if the company donates all or most of the profits to charity.

As a senior, Oertel will continue with the campaign next semester but won’t be able to participate in Small Steps Big Wins next year.

She also said professors and faculty supported the students but couldn’t contribute any points. Oertel brought up these issues at a national Net Impact conference in Baltimore in October, where she met with the CEO of Net Impact.

Campbell, said the campaign is designed to motivate young people to get involved in social and environmental issues on their own.

“Our planet and its people require a new generation of leaders to solve some really big challenges,” Campbell said. “We wanted to create this challenge to engage students.”

Oertel said the club is struggling to attract new members and encourage activity. According to the Small Steps Big Wins website, there are seven active members at the college.

Blondin and Oertel are trying to recruit more members to the Net Impact club with online advertisements, but not paper advertisements, to cut down on the club’s environmental footprint, Oertel said.

Blondin feels optimistic that new students will be interested in joining because of the campaign’s message of youth empowerment.

“It’s a good thing to be involved in, and I’d love to keep helping,” Blondin said. “Every little step helps in changing things.”

Medical mystery

From left, Ithaca resident Marshal Haynes plays Mr. French, and Amanda Hickey plays Mr. Cox. They discuss cholera outbreaks at a Science Cabaret event, "19th Century Disease Detectives and the Curious Case of the Broad Street Pump," on Tuesday night at Lot 10.

Durst Breneiser/The Ithacan

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College & City IC coordinator to transfer to new job in Wisconsin

Jen Walsh, program coordinator of the Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs, has been selected to be the director of Student Engagement at Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. Since August 2010, Walsh has served as program coordinator. She joined OSEMA in January 2010.

During her WALSH time at Ithaca College, she has expanded several student leadership programs and worked as a senior class adviser.

A farewell reception for Walsh will take place at 3 p.m. Friday in Klingenstein Lounge.

Organizations collaborate to discuss social justice

To increase solidarity on social justice issues, a number of organizations on campus are coming together to find common ground, form meaningful connections and create discussion about social justice struggles through art.

The event, “Unifying Movements: How We All Intersect,” will give clubs the opportunity to present art, including poetry, writing, music, dance and drawing to communicate the struggles and goals of each group.

There will be an open mic for sharing stories or making presentations. Groups are invited to present original works or share

other forms of artwork created by other people.

The event is cosponsored by Students Active for Ending Rape, She’s the First, IC Animal Rights, IC Feminists, IC Environmental Society, Environmental Leadership and Actions Network, Spit That!, StillWater, African Latino Society, Asian American Alliance, Poder: Latino Students Association, the Caribbean Students Association and African Students Association.

The event will take place at 8 p.m.

Thursday in Clark Lounge.

Honors class to discuss ‘Ten Thousand Saints’

Students of the honors seminar taught by Eleanor Henderson, assistant professor in the department of writing and author of “Ten Thousand Saints,” will give a lecture at 6 p.m.

Thursday in the Handwerker Gallery at the college.

The presenta- HENDERSON tion, titled “New York As Text,” will focus on topics including the history of tattooing, gentrification and the Christadora building. Students will also talk about their findings while visiting landmarks from the novel Dec. 2.

About 15 students accompanied Henderson on this trip. The students will display an artifact from the trip.

Henderson is currently teaching the one-credit course, in which students discuss her 2011

novel that was named one of the 10 Best Books of the year by The New York Times.

Office of Facilities to offer winter storage for bikes

The offices of Facilities and Residential Life are working with Bomber Bikes to offer students a space to store their bikes during the winter.

The storage location is the basement of West Tower. Access to the storage room will be strictly limited to ensure security.

Student bike owners will be charged a one-time fee of $20 for storage from winter break to spring break and will be allowed to take out and return bicycles at any time.

Students will be required to provide bike locks and register bikes with the Office of Public Safety before using this service.

The storage room is large enough to house 20 bikes.

Students to screen film on role of African women

The Ithaca College chapter of Food For Thought will show “Africa is a woman’s name,” a 2009 documentary that deals with the power of women.

The documentary will be screened at 6 p.m. Thursday in Textor 101.

The film tells the story of three extraordinary African women working to create change. The film allows them to reflect on their achievements and failures while revealing the gender revolution under way among sub-Saharan women of different backgrounds.

Public Safety Incident Log NOVEMBER 19 UNLAWFUL POSS. MARIJUANA LOCATION: Power Line Right of Way SUMMARY: One person judicially referred for unlawful possession of marijuana.

Sergeant Terry O’Pray.

V&T REGISTRATION SUSPENSION LOCATION: Grant Egbert Blvd.

SUMMARY: During a traffic stop, officer found the driver to be unlicensed and the vehicle had a suspended registration for insurance lapse. Officer issued the driver uniform traffic tickets for Ithaca Town Court for an unregistered vehicle, no insurance, unlicensed operation and a broken tail light. Vehicle plates were removed and the vehicle was towed from campus. Patrol Officer Matthew O’Loughlin.

NOVEMBER 20 SAFETY HAZARD LOCATION: Garden Apartments SUMMARY: Officer reported a bicycle chained to a stair rail. Warning issued.

Fire Protection Specialist Mark Swanhart.

FIRE ALARM LOCATION: College Circle Apartments SUMMARY: Simplex reported a fire alarm.

Activation caused by fire from grease in a burner pan of the stove. System reset.

Fire Protection Specialist Enoch Perkins.

NOVEMBER 25 MVA LOCATION: Terrace/Quad SUMMARY: Caller reported a stuck vehicle. Officer determined the driver had driven over a retaining wall. Tow truck

assisted freeing the vehicle and there was no damage to the vehicle. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke.

NOVEMBER 26 LARCENY LOCATION: Campus Center SUMMARY: Caller reported a person attempted to steal a textbook. One person judicially referred for petit larceny. Patrol Officer Bruce Thomas.

ACCIDENTAL PROPERTY DAMAGE LOCATION: Unknown Location SUMMARY: Officer reported damage was found on a vehicle bumper. Unknown how the damage occurred. Report taken.

Sergeant Terry O’Pray.

NOVEMBER 27 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: Gannett Center SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person damaged a display case. Investigation pending. Sergeant Dirk Hightchew.

MEDICAL ASSIST LOCATION: Campus Center SUMMARY: Caller reported a person with shoulder and chest pain. One person transported to CMC by ambulance.

Fire and Building Safety Coordinator Ron Clark.

NOVEMBER 28 ILLEGAL DISPOSAL LOCATION: College Circle Apartments SUMMARY: Complainant reported a person possibly illegally dumping trash on campus. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Daniel Austic.

selected entries from Nov. 19 to Nov. 28

MEDICAL ASSIST LOCATION: Higgins Field SUMMARY: Caller reported a person injured a shoulder during a flag football game. Person declined medical assistance. Patrol Officer Jeremiah McMurray.

MEDICAL ASSIST LOCATION: Higgins Field SUMMARY: Caller reported a person injured a finger during a flag football game.

Person declined medical assistance.

Master Patrol Officer James Landon.

UNLAWFUL POSS. MARIJUANA LOCATION: Whalen Center for Music SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person left a bag of marijuana. Investigation pending. Sergeant Dirk Hightchew.

MVA LOCATION: Unknown Location SUMMARY: Caller reported damage to a vehicle. Report taken. Master Patrol Officer Christopher Teribury.

UNLAWFUL POSS. MARIJUANA LOCATION: Hilliard Hall SUMMARY: One person judicially referred for unlawful possession of marijuana and warned for noise. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke.

For the complete safety log, go to www.theithacan.org/news.

Key cmc – Cayuga Medical Center V&T – Vehicle and Transportation MVA - Motor Vehicle Accident IPD - Ithaca Police Department TCSO - Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office

The documentary is directed by filmmakers Bridget Pickering, from South Africa, Ingrid Sinclair, from Kenya and Wanjiru Kinyanjui, from Zimbabwe.

NY labor expert to speak about farming practices

Ithaca College Intercambios will host Parker Filer, an agricultural labor specialist, to speak about crop practices on Thursday.

Filer will discuss farming and agricultural practices in upstate New York. A former participant in Peace Corps, Filer will also answer questions pertaining to Peace Corps.

Tellez’s Mexican Grill and Catering in Ithaca will provide free food for attendees.

The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. in Friends Hall 201.

Zimride receives award from Tompkins County

Tompkins Zimride Rideshare Coalition was the recipient of the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council Transportation Initiative of the Year Award, presented last month.

EMC has recognized the county’s Zimride as a valuable and unique program. The program is supported by a partnership between Tompkins County, Way2Go, Ithaca Carshare, Ithaca College, Cornell University and Tompkins Cortland Community College.

The award is given to groups that serve the environment and contribute to Tompkins County’s transportation portfolio.

SGA and comedy group to host “de-stress” event

The Student Government Association and Ithaca College Stand Up will come together to hold “An Evening of Chocolate and Comedy” to help students “de-stress” during finals.

The event will be held at 8 p.m.

Thursday in IC Square.

SGA will provide a selection of desserts and candies. IC Stand Up will be performing comedy sets during the event.

Local blood drive marks holiday season beginning

The “Communities That Care” blood drive will take place Dec. 20, when residents of Ithaca and the American Red Cross will gather at the Ithaca Ramada.

The drive comes in line with the holiday season and aims to engage residents while boosting regional blood supplies.

About every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs blood, according to the Red Cross. One blood donation can take up to an hour to complete and can help save up to three lives.

Asian American Alliance to hold gingerbread event

The Asian American Alliance will host an end-of-the-semester gingerbread competition.

Competitors will have the opportunity to build gingerbread houses that resemble historic Asian structures and buildings.

The competition is at 7 p.m.

Thursday in Williams 313.

Opinion

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editorial

stay focused on the faculty

The administration is taking positive steps toward open communication but must make challenges at home a priority before creating new off-campus programming.

L

ast week, President Tom Rochon took to his public blog to discuss recent college expenses and caution the campus community that the rising cost of attendance may drive away potential students. However, on Nov. 29 the blog spiraled into a forum for faculty discontent and uncertainty about the future.

In response to Rochon’s post, 99 faculty members signed a letter that questioned the need for new initiatives like the China Center, the New York City Center, the new administrative team for advising, new software for ePortfolios and the cost of the college’s new association with Huron Consulting Group — none of these initiatives, they wrote, were a priority for the faculty. Rather the faculty hoped to see funds allocated to improving infrastructure on campus and ensuring faculty have adequate office space. The Faculty Council also raised concerns about salaries and made a request for a 3-percent increment in general merit pay.

To include the college community in financial decisions, Rochon announced the reinstatement of the Tri-Council, which includes students and chairs of the Faculty Council and Staff Council. This is a major step in the right direction and will hopefully produce results that will help the college balance the budget. However, if Rochon hopes to move forward with the lofty goals of IC 20/20, the faculty must be offered a compromise on salary. The administration cannot continue with costly expansions like the New York City and China centers while faculty are asked to tighten their belts. Though these programs are appealing for current and prospective students, the college cannot afford to compromise the quality of education at home. If professors are unhappy in their working environment and are not having their needs met, they cannot be expected to teach at their full ability.

The administration must find a better budget balance and ensure the college’s basic needs are met before taking on costly side projects.

active class

your letters Peggy Ryan Williams responds to coverage of gender pay gap

Bravo on the Nov. 29 editorial, “Time to Market Gender Balance.” I am pleased to see the American Association of University Women research report, “Graduating to the Pay Gap,” get such good attention in a college newspaper. We need to educate undergraduates about the issues raised

in the report and work vigorously to get Congress to pass the “Pay Fairness Act”. The act “…required employers to demonstrate that any salary differences between men and women doing the same work are not gender-related…”

(Huffington Post 6/5/12). In 2012, it is hard to believe that it is so difficult to get agreement on this basic concept of equity. Keep up the good work, and we

will get it done.

Peggy Ryan Williams, President Emerita, Director, AAUW board

SPEAK your MIND

Send an email to ithacan@ithaca.edu if you would like to write a guest commentar y or a letter to the editor.

SNAP JUDGMENT

Students benefit from professors who are openly involved with the social or political movements they teach about.

B

y bringing their activism into the classroom, Ithaca College professors are giving students more than a basic education. They are offering a real-world take on issues that students may otherwise only understand through text and guest lecturers.

The personal experience professors like Beth Harris, Fred Wilcox and Patricia Rodriguez bring to the classroom gives students an opportunity to make connections beyond the campus bubble. For those interested in holding up the activist torch professionally, having a well-connected and truly knowledgeable professor is a major career benefit. For others, knowing someone within the activist circle is a rare opportunity to see inside a specific political or social movement.

While openly activist professors can use their experiences to engage their students, they also have a responsibility to leave intellectual bias out of both classroom discourse and their grade books.

Faculty leaders should ensure professors with a history of activism have different political ideologies. By offering students the opportunity to take courses with professors of various mindsets, the college will better prepare its students for life after graduation.

That’s all folks

What are you doing to prepare for the end of the world?

Watch more Snap Judgments at theithacan.org.

Josh Nelson Cinema and Photography ’13

“I’m going home early so I can stock up on zombie fighting weapons. “ Jonathan Meltzer Cinema and Photography ‘14

“it’s useless to stock up on perishables and whatnot. So I’m doing all the things I never got to do, like skydiving, bungee jumping and rock climbing in the Canyons.”

Demella Batista Business Administration ’15

The Ithacan Kelsey o’Connor editor in chief lara bonner Managing editor Shea O’Meara Opinion Editor Elma Gonzalez news Editor Tinamarie Craven assistant news editor Candace King assistant news editor kacey deamer online editor Allie Healy accent editor

“I plan to go to New Orleans and live it up, and if the sun rises the next day, go out West and plan my future.”

269 Roy H. Park Hall, Ithaca College Ithaca, N.Y. 14850-7258 (607) 274-3208 | Fax (607) 274-1376

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“God clearly tells us He will make it known when the end of the world is coming, and that is very clearly not going to happen any time soon. “

“Staying in shape because if you run fast, they can’t catch you.”

Anthony Ortiz Physics ’14

Jensey Mathew Chemistry ’15

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Guest commentary

Federal government should invest in teachers A pack of gummies may be just a snack to some people, but to others, it may mean the difference between success and failure.

For the past two years, I have been a teacher’s assistant during summer school in my home school district in Virginia. The first summer, I worked with 3-year-olds in an early childhood special education program.

While working with a boy in the 3-year-old class, I discovered he would communicate with me and do his work if he received gummies as a reward. He was calm and focused when he was working toward the gummies, and by the end of the five weeks, I had spent approximately $15 of my own money just for that little boy.

While spending personal money on a child’s education may be admirable, on average teachers spend $1,000 per school year on supplemental materials to help their students succeed, and sometimes those materials come from a teacher’s own weekly personal budget.

Why be a teacher, then, if they don’t make much money, they receive very little funding to run a classroom and there are so few jobs available? Many teachers will tell you that despite all of those things, they do it for the love of seeing a child succeed, even if it means paying out of pocket to do so.

I’ve seen and experienced the importance of being a teacher. I’ve seen their impact on students and how the connection with one teacher can make a lifetime of difference. There is no way that these teachers can have this impact if there is not adequate funding. Having funding means that more teachers can be hired, class sizes can be lowered and the teacher can spend more individual time with each student, making sure he or she is able to grow academically and socially. From elementary school to college, having a class of 30 students versus 20 students has a vast impact on classroom dynamics and learning abilities. Being able to sit down with a student and explain something one-on-one is often imperative to a student’s success.

Though it is often said that the country is in the hands of the youth, the success of our nation depends on our educators. Teachers are the ones who inspire and give the youth the knowledge

rachael Hartford

Budget discussion must move forward

P

Senior Rebecca Neidle witnessed the struggle to fund classroom initiatives as a teacher’s assistant in Virginia and hopes the federal government will realize the importance of education funding.

Rachel woolf/the ithacan

to succeed. First announced in November 2009, President Barack Obama’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign places emphasis on the industries of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). According to www.whitehouse.gov, this is so that all students can learn deeply and think critically in these areas. It is a collaborative effort between the federal government, private sector and the nonprofit and research communities to raise the standing of American students in these critical areas. Though the focus is on the students, this program, and ones like it, will not succeed without the educators.

Federal education programs cannot have an impact if there is not funding to prepare the educators. In Virginia, for example, there is very little funding and few days allotted for substitutes so that teachers can attend conferences and trainings for the teachers to better themselves professionally. Therefore, teachers

must take time outside of work and use money from their own pockets to meet the increasing expectations of parents, the school and the government for the highest quality teachers.

With the reelection of President Obama comes the continued fight for education and the promise of making it a top priority by investing more money, from early child care to the university level.

Obama just proposed a new initiative that includes programs that allow students to simultaneously earn a teaching degree while getting a science, technology, engineering or mathematics degree. It is proposals like this that make me hopeful for the fight for education, the educators and the students whose success is the priority. It is programs like this that may be the gummies the country needs.

Rebecca Neidle is a senior integrated marketing communications major at Ithaca College. Email her at rneidle1@ithaca.edu.

Guest Commentary

Suicide prevention campaign inspires students

L

ast month, my fellow Ithaca College students and I took a stand to help prevent suicide through the “My Reason For Living” project, on campus initiative to highlight the services available through the Tompkins County’s Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services.

I recently began interning with SPCS, where I help run the Facebook and Twitter pages and find ways to raise awareness about suicide prevention services in the community. SPCS’ mission is to promote constructive responses to crisis and trauma and to prevent violence to self and others through direct support and community education.

Since interning at SPCS, I have become more conscious of the statistics on suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 36,000 Americans died by suicide in 2009. These numbers are alarming and encouraged me to actively work to make some kind of a difference.

In brainstorming ideas, I thought of “My Reason For Living,” which would be to encourage the college community to share some of their reasons for living. No one

Checks & Balances

Senior Carly Herschman created the “My Reason for Living” project that asked students to share their reasons for living to help prevent suicide.

Courtesy of carly herschman

can give a person a reason to live, but shedding light on some of the many amazing things that life has to offer is a nice gesture.

I am the vice president of the Student Psychology Association, and when I pitched “My Reason for Living,” the group was more than happy to help and eager to get started. SPA began thinking

of ways to do the campaign and reached out to another club on campus, To Write Love on Her Arms. TWLOHA’s mission is to give people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide hope. Together, we ended up with more than 85 submissions from people around the college who were willing to

be photographed holding their “reason for living” written on a piece of paper. Some of the reasons were funny, like “cookie dough ice cream,” while others were serious, such as, “to achieve everything the world has to offer me.” The pictures were posted on SPCS’ Facebook page. The papers from “My Reason For Living” are being compiled and will be put on display in Williams Hall late next week.

SPA and TWLOHA were both actively involved with this project, and together the clubs helped raise awareness of suicide prevention and the services SPCS of Tompkins County has to offer.

The Ithaca community was kind enough to share some of their reasons for living, and together we can all make a difference.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please take advantage of the services SPCS has to offer. There are so many reasons for living; some people just need help realizing what their reason is.

Carly Herschman is a senior psychology major at Ithaca College. Email her at chersch1@ithaca.edu.

All opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Ithacan. To write a guest commentary, contact Shea O’Meara at 274-3208.

resident Barack Obama’s election victory was met almost immediately by a panic over the potential of the economy pulling a Wile E. Coyote and running off the “fiscal cliff.”

The “fiscal cliff” is a term that is used to describe a bundle of U.S. federal tax increases and spending cuts that are due to take effect by early 2013.

The $500 billion in tax increases and $200 billion in spending cuts, set to take effect in January, could lead to greater unemployment in the long run and fewer social programs, according to the Washington Post.

There would be too much deficit reduction upfront. The sudden austerity measures would save the U.S. government more than $720 billion in 2013, which counts for about 5.1 percent of the gross domestic product. It would be taking money out of people’s paychecks and federal programs instead of letting the government put money into the economy.

Revenue and entitlement programs are the main topics currently up for debate. While both Democrats and Republicans have agreed that the top 2 percent of the nation’s wealthiest will need to pay more to yield greater tax revenues, they have yet to agree on those marginal tax increases that will affect the rich. Democrats have also proved unrelenting against cutting spending for several high-profile entitlement programs that will help decrease the deficit. Both parties will need to concede on certain points so as to avoid letting this go too far into the 2013 calendar year.

If lawmakers do not come to an agreement, income taxes will return to what they were prior to the Bush presidency, ending the Bush tax cuts. The temporary two percentage-point reduction in payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare will expire. Finally, the “sequestion” of $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts over ten years will expire; these are the numbers Congress agreed to as a part of the debt-ceiling deal.

Students can expect to see this austerity crisis impact federal student loans, college tax credits and Pell Grants. If the Higher Education Act is not renewed come 2013, there will be an automatic one-year extension, allowing students breathing room to avoid quick, drastic changes. However, if it is not taken care of with the future of student aid in mind, these quick, Band-Aid fixes will one day run out and prove detrimental to the education system as a whole.

The point is, we still have time, but not much. The U.S. will not plummet into another Great Depression just days after the holidays if this is not resolved.

Rash, last-ditch, fear-driven budget decisions will only result in poor negotiations and bad policy that will affect Americans for years to come.

Rachael HartforD is a senior integrated marketing communications major with a minor in politics. Email her at rhartfo1@ithaca.edu.

Divers ion s

1 2 The It hacan

the here and now alphabet stew

By Caroline Roe ’13

dormin’ norman

By Alice Blehart ’16

By Jonathan Schuta ’14

Pearls Before Swine®

Th ursday, Dec ember 1 3 , 2 0 1 2

sudoku medium

hard

By Stephan Pastis answers to last week’s sudoku

crossword

By United Media

ACROSS 1 Subside 4 Air rifle pellets 7 Bleak 11 Earthen pot 12 Samovar 13 Beowulf’s drink 14 Game plan 16 Practically forever 17 Krishna devotee 18 Unbroken horse 20 Find the sum 21 Euclid or Plato 23 Bossy’s chew 26 Twosome 27 Feint 28 Thin 31 Victor’s wreath 33 Not theirs 34 Arapaho foes 35 Barely manage 36 Ring-shaped cake 38 Skirt bottom 41 Temple city of Japan 43 Gets closer 45 Youngster

47 Getting current 49 Sign of the future 50 -- Speedwagon 51 Name in elevators 52 Smidgens 53 Compass pt.

54 Never, to Wolfgang DOWN 1 Heston title role (2 wds.)

2 Mixture 3 Parade feature 4 Clingy seedpod 5 Greased palms 6 Night noise 7 Feds (hyph.)

8 Keep happening 9 Fleming or McKellen 10 Docs 11 Job-injury org.

15 Foretell 19 Not hurt 22 Moonbeam 24 Luau strummer 25 Mid-Atlantic st.

26 Some, to Pierre 27 Roast beef au -28 Adversity 29 Puffin kin 30 Went on a safari 31 British inc.

32 Hartford competitor 34 Closed 36 Baseball’s Jackson 37 Traffic no-no (hyph.)

38 Papa Doc ruled it 39 One of the Muppets 40 Email contents 42 Longings 44 007’s alma mater 45 Jigger 46 Vocalist -- Sumac 48 Investor’s concern

Need your daily dose of funny?

Head to theithacan.org for more cartoons! last week’s crossword answers

Th ursday, Decem be r 13, 2012

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The I th a c a n 1 3

From left, sophomore Benjamin Bartell, junior Jessica Caracciolo, junior Jake Minter, sophomore Kalina Jasper and freshman Anne Baum sing the finale in “Angels, Demons (and the rest of us).”

Durst Breneiser/The Ithacan

Pushing the Limit Student sci-fi theater group takes on controversial plays

By Evin Billington Staff Writer

Zombies, ghosts and demon vaginas have graced the stage at Ithaca College through the Macabre Theatre Ensemble. After its most recent student-written show, the ensemble has plans for next semester with some twists and turns.

Macabre Theatre, a group dedicated to bringing science fiction and alternate universes to audiences, began with a bite last fall when sophomore Sean Pollock, the founder and artistic director, decided to do a theater production of the 2007 horror film “Teeth.”

“I always thought it would be really funny to see on stage,” Pollock said. “I mean, it’s about a man-eating vagina. I think it’s a great play.”

The members of Macabre Theatre displayed their creativity during the development of the company’s most recent musical “Angels, Demons (and the rest of us).” Production of the show began last spring when junior Ben Viagas came to Pollock with songs about the supernatural, but he had no concrete idea for how to put them together. Viagas continued working on the show, eventually fitting together the songs with a common, supernatural theme and forming them into a cohesive production.

The show surrounded different plotlines about spirituality and the differences between heaven and hell, each played out through song. At the end, the different stories of the songs converge. The cast sat up front, making a semicircle around a center microphone.

One by one, each performer belted out a song in the form of both solos and duets, ending the 45-minute show with a group number.

Viagas directed and wrote the show, which premiered Saturday in Beeler Hall in the Whalen Center for Music. He calls his piece a “song cycle,” which he explained is a musical without a script, a

From left, freshman Josh Rosen and junior Ben Viagas watch the performance of “Angels, Demons (and the rest of us).”

Durst Breneiser/The Ithacan

collection of songs that share a common theme.

This was the first time Viagas worked with Macabre Theatre, but he said he enjoyed the experience. During the casting process, Viagas said he wanted a friendly and relaxed tone with his actors.

During the rehearsal process, the cast interacted with each other and Viagas as if they had known each other for years. They supported each other and gave each other pep talks to pump them up for the show. During one song, which sophomore Kalina Jasper sang, she played the gatekeeper at Heaven’s Gate who passive aggressively judges those coming up to heaven.

Though Pollock holds auditions for students to become part of the group each semester, the current members of the group usually switch their positions depending on the performance. Each member of the ensemble, which consists of more than 15 members, is usually in charge of a piece of the production, but Pollock said they occasionally bring in outsiders to help with more technical elements like audio and lighting.

“What I love the most about it is that we do theater different than any other group on campus,” Pollock said. “I like to think that we are giving opportunities to emerging playwrights and directors other groups haven’t in the past.”

Another original piece Macabre Theatre put on this year was called “You Know What They Say,” a horror-comedy written and directed by sophomore Maxie Mettler, who is the executive producer of Macabre Theatre and has been involved with the group since the beginning.

“We have personal relationships, and we all respect each other as people,” Mettler said. “When it comes down to having to lay down some discipline or make tough decisions in the ensemble, we’re always respectful about it and mindful of everyone’s feelings about everything.”

Mettler’s play was a series of monologues and short scenes that played out in a universe where idioms, like “step on a crack and break your mother’s back,” come true. He said the rehearsals were intense, but he had fun producing the show anyway.

“We do have a lot of fun around rehearsals, but that’s not to say that we’re not professional and we don’t do our jobs as efficiently because we’re all friends,” Mettler said. “We’re all there for the same goal, and that’s to put on a show.”

While most of the productions have controversial content, Pollock said there has been little backlash, outside of a disgruntled audience member’s tweet about “Teeth,” in which he said it was called “heinously offensive.” While he acknowledges that the nature of many of Macabre Theatre’s productions might offend some people, he said not every play or musical should be conventional.

“The fact is, not all theater is ‘Legally Blonde’ or ‘The Sound of Music,’” Pollock said. “Theater’s a broad, broad spectrum, and we need to be exploring and working in the dark because without those works, theater wouldn’t be the full, rich arc that it is.”

Pollock said he was frustrated by the comment because he does not feel that he should only be known as “the guy who directed ‘Teeth.’” However, he believes that the more controversial productions Macabre Theatre does are important because they have something to say.

“I do believe that while there are a lot of absurdist works that we’ve done, they have a purpose in being there, and we want to make sure that that’s clear in the development and in the writing of the shows,” Pollock said. “One thing Macabre really loves doing

From left, sophomores Vanessa Dunn and Owen McIlmail star in Macabre Theatre’s production of “Teeth” last December.

Courtesy of Macabre Theatre

From left, senior Angela Bendeck and sophomore Owen McIlmail star in Macabre’s “Betelgeuse: A Parody” in June.

Courtesy of Macabre Theatre

is asking questions and challenging a lot of what society has in fact taught us.”

Going into next semester, Macabre plans to do more original pieces and fewer remakes, though Pollock said there may be a surprise in the works. The group plans to do more serious shows, beginning with the show “The Receptionist,” which Pollock is directing. He said he wants the show to open early next semester.

Pollock said the goal moving forward is to expand the ensemble’s audience and get more involvement from the community.

“We’re thinking about possibly doing shows over the summer and including Cornell,” Pollock said. “We want to make it a really big, inclusive thing for the Ithaca community.”

Mettler said attendance at the most recent shows has been high. He takes this as a sign that Macabre Theatre will continue to gain success and popularity over the next few years.

“As we continue to do things and continue to put on great shows, people are going to hear about it, and we’re definitely hoping that in the next year or couple of years to be one of the top dogs on the campus, up there [with] IC Players,” Mettler said. “That’s our goal.”

[ a cc e ntuate]

1 4 The It hacan

Th ursday, Dec ember 1 3 , 2 0 1 2

Playlist

The

shopper

Junior Andrew Becker shares a list of his favorite 10 tracks to rock out to

“Everything I Want” – Matthew Pucket “Sunday Best” – Augustana

“Keep Your Head Up” – Andy Grammer “Fine By Me” – Andy Grammer “End of All Time” – Stars of Track and Field “Ships in the Night” – Mat Kearney “Closer to Love” – Mat Kearney “The Longer I Run” – Peter Bradley Adams

Workin’ it in Wonderland

“Dirt Road Anthem” – Jason Aldean

From left, senior Lelia James, junior Ellen Fitzpatrick and sophomore Eliodoro Castillo model student designs as they walk down the runway during the HiFashion Studios’ Alice in Wonderland-themed Fall Fashion Show. The event took place Dec. 6 in Emerson Suites.

“Springsteen” – Eric Church

GRAHAM HEBEL/The Ithacan

snack

attack

Contributing Writer Seth Waters offers his family’s recipe for chocolate cheesecake bars to celebrate the holidays.

Ingredients • 1 ¾ cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies with white filling • ¼ cup butter, melted • 1 oz semisweet chocolate, melted • 8 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped • ¾ cup whipping cream • 1 3-oz package of cream cheese • ½ cup semisweet chocolate pieces • Whipped Cream • Line a 9x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over edges of pan. Grease the foil; set aside. For crust, in a large bowl combine crushed cookies, butter and one ounce of melted semisweet chocolate, stirring until well mixed. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill while making filling.

• For filling, in a small microwave-safe bowl, combine eight ounces of chopped semisweet chocolate and the whipping cream. Microwave for about two minutes or until almost melted, stir once.

• In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Gradually add chocolate-whipping cream mixture, beating until smooth. Spread evenly over crust. Let stand for 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with the chocolate pieces. Chill for four to 24 hours. Cut into bars and serve with whipped cream.

• For a holiday twist, use food coloring, sprinkles or change one of the chocolate ingredients with a colored ingredient (red, green or white) to add a visual flare to the piece. Try it with eggnog or apple cider!

pin this!

nutty ornament adds holiday spice to christmas scene

There’s a new way to decorate your Christmas tree, and it won’t cost you a thing as long as you have the basic essentials: acrylic paint, a permanent marker, a cotton ball and a couple of peanuts. The latest trend in holiday decoration features Santa-styled peanuts to use as funky and festive ornaments. For the best effect, paint the shell with red paint and draw the facial details with the marker. You can use the cotton to make a fluffy beard, and lo and behold, a peanut-sized Santa Claus. You can find variations of the nutty Santa Claus ornament on Pinterest. The only potential problem is snacking on the ornament.

— Rose Vardell

omg!

mustache implants grow among middle eastern men

Plastic surgeons in the Middle East have noticed a specific type of transplant spiking in popularity. CNN’s Tim Hume reports that mustache implants have been growing in popularity among men from various countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Lebanon and Turkey. Pierre Bouhanna, a Parisian plastic surgeon, said he has had many clients from Middle Eastern countries.

Hume says that the procedure costs $7,000 and includes a 15-day, no-shaving recovery period. Bouhanna has seen a demand for thick, dignified mustaches for customers between the ages of 30 and 50. He says the trend is culturally driven from the Middle Eastern view of mustaches as an assertion of masculinity and maturity.

Since the reign of the Ottoman Empire, facial hair has become ubiquitous in the Middle East as an symbol of prosperity. “My impression is more and more they want to establish their male aspect,” Bouhanna said. “They want a strong mustache.”

celebrity SCOOPS! Grimes is tying the knot Wedding bells are ringing for Shenae Grimes! Grimes first announced her engagement to British musician and model Josh Beech on her official website Dec. 7.

Grimes posted, “Thanks for all the congratulations everyone. I’m a very happy lady indeed and all the warm wishes are well appreciated.” The pair began dating earlier this year, but according to a source, they plan to tie the knot next year.

An insider said, “Josh couldn’t see himself being with anyone else, so he asked her and she is over the moon about it.”

Look out West Bev! — Jackie Eisenberg

— Rose Vardell

quoteunquote I like to be free. Sometimes, the less clothing, the better! I’m just comfortable in my skin and my body. bod — Singer Christina Aguilera talks about her lack of inhibition with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres during an interview Dec. 7.

Th ursday, Decem be r 13, 2012

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Taking a new route

The Itha can’s

S T U DE B A N DN T SERIE S

Musical duo forms new band featuring Southern rock sound

By Jackie Eisenberg Assistant Accent Editor

Though their student rock band Erik Caron Connection played its last gig at The Nines on Dec. 1, senior mandolin player Ryan Butler and senior guitarist and lead vocalist Erik Caron are in the process of starting a new band called The Northern Route.

The name came to the pair when they were sitting in Bandwagon Brewpub. They first chose just “The Northern” because north represents a strong direction, Butler said. However, after realizing that The Northern was already taken by another band, they needed another word to come after it.

Butler said they had a theme of going in a new direction, which is why they ultimately chose “route.”

“We played with the spellings of both R-O-O-T and R-O-U-T-E,” Caron said. “And we figured R-O-O-T means where you’re coming from, but at the same time, R-O-U-T-E means where you’re going.”

Caron said ECC split up because two of its members left, so he and Butler decided they wanted to rebrand themselves under a new name.

However, Caron said the band’s sound won’t differ much from ECC’s and will continue to have influences from the Dave Matthews Band. Butler described The Northern Route’s sound as “diverse” with some folk influences, while Caron described it as a “Southern rock vibe.”

“We have a folky song, we have songs that are really rockin’, we have

some nice blues songs,” Butler said.

“We just have so many different influences, so it’s hard to label what the sound is.”

The pair plans to begin recording songs that they want to put on an album over winter break, which they plan on releasing in early March.

However, Caron said fans of ECC will still be able to hear at least three of their old tunes on the new album, including the track “Always.”

“They’re going to be completely rerecorded,” Caron said. “Some haven’t even been released yet, they’ve just been heard [in Ithaca].”

The band’s persona while performing live is “very open” and “like a party,” Caron said. He said the audience often participates with them, but sometimes the audience doesn’t understand the way they perform and can be turned off by it. However, they plan to continue entertaining their fanbase with their performances in The Northern Route.

“We have a very energetic stage presence,” Butler said. “We all interact so much, whether it just be making faces at each other or just doing a groovy dance or something, just very lively and fun.”

Butler and Caron aren’t working alone on this project — they’ve recruited three new members, drummer Alex Cano ’12, who was a drummer for ECC, junior bassist Brendan Duran and violinist Robby Divine, a junior at Cornell University.

“I always play with those guys

From left, seniors Ryan Butler and Erik Caron hang out Wednesday in Ford Hall. Their band, The Erik Caron Connection, played its last gig at The Nines on Dec. 1. They’re forming a new band called The Northern Route.

Shawn Steiner/The Ithacan

because they play off each other really well,” Duran said. “It’s a lot of fun playing with them.”

Caron said their use of instruments like the mandolin, which aren’t as common in typical rock bands, adds to The Northern Route’s sound because it’s the reason they sound so different from other student groups.

“You don’t have mandolins in rock bands, that’s the big thing,” Caron said. “I mean, saxophone? Everyone loves a good sax, but when you put it with a song that it can really have this amazing solo [on], it

adds a new depth completely.”

Butler said their music is different from the other student bands on campus mainly because of their sound.

“Having college students around is huge because college students love lots of different kinds of music,” Butler said.

The band has yet to do any live performances under the new moniker because they want to save it for next semester. Caron said that because ECC just disbanded, they want to establish themselves under their new name before playing a live gig.

“We’re gearing everything toward our official rebrand, re-release on March 1 or whatever day we release the album,” Caron said.

Caron said one show set for next semester is Relay For Life on Mar. 23 in the Athletics and Events Center.

“We’ll be pretty active as a band the first semester — it’ll be really awesome,” Butler said. “It’ll be good, it’ll be fun, we’re really looking forward to it.”

For more information about The Northern Route, visit ECC’s website, www.eccrocks.com.

Blossoming fashion New family-friendly retail store plants itself on The Commons

By Qina Liu Senior writer

“Mommy, someone’s here,” 4-yearold Azalea Koschmann said as a customer walked into Bloom in Ithaca, a new women’s and children’s clothing and toy store and play place at 134 E. State Street on The Commons.

Azalea’s mom, Draya Koschmann, and her friend and business partner, McKenzie Jones-Rounds, said they opened Bloom in Ithaca because of their children.

“My daughter, she loves clothes and she sees that as something that she and I have in common,” Koschmann said.

Jones-Rounds is also a mother, with a 2-year-old son named Arlo and a 5-year-old son named Felix. When Koschmann and Jones-Rounds heard about the Downtown Ithaca Alliance’s Race for the Space competition in February, the concept for Bloom in Ithaca was born.

“We were like, ‘Hey, do you know what would be great?” Koschmann said. “‘If we had a place to do this in the winter, where we could sit and have coffee and let our kids do their thing.’”

Since then, the idea for Bloom in Ithaca blossomed from just a play place to a children and women’s clothing store with only fair trade, organic and American-made products. However, Koschmann and Jones-Rounds said the play place won’t be ready until mid-January. Groups may also be able

to rent out the space to host classes, but all these plans are possibly in the works for the future.

Gary Ferguson, executive director of the DIA, said the concept will thrive in the Ithaca community because there is a void of children’s wear in the market.

“That’s an intriguing idea,” Ferguson said. “That you can make money from both not only selling clothing apparel but also providing a place for families and kids to have a real pleasant experience downtown.”

Leslie Ackerman, director of the Business Community Enterprise Networking and Training Services program at the Alternatives Federal Credit Union in Ithaca, said she also believes Bloom in Ithaca’s business will grow.

“When you go down to The Commons when the weather is nice, and you see the number of people who are down there with their kids in the outdoor play space — this is really an indoor version of that, so I think it will become popular with use,” Ackerman said.

Bloom in Ithaca has already been well-received in the community. Out of the 28 businesses that competed in the Race for Space competition in June, Bloom in Ithaca was selected as one of the finalists and was awarded five months free rent. The winners of the competition were The Art and Found on The Commons and Life’s So

Bloom in Ithaca owners McKenzie Jones-Rounds and Draya Koschmann, center, officially open their store at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 5 at 134 The Commons. Bloom sells both children’s and women’s clothing.

Courtesy of Ed Dittenhoefer

Sweet Chocolate in Trumansburg.

Though Bloom in Ithaca took months of organization, Draya and Jones-Rounds compared the experience to a pregnancy.

“It was actually like nine months between the idea and opening, so it’s like, ‘Oh, we’ve had our baby now,’” Jones-Rounds said.

Bloom in Ithaca first opened its doors on Black Friday, and Koschmann said their store met a positive response.

“You could just see in people’s eyes that they were just ticking through their Christmas lists. They would get

one thing and then think it’s their nephew’s birthday and get another thing,” Koschmann said.

Despite the community’s support, Bloom in Ithaca had some problems before it opened. Sarah Dwyer, operations associate of Renvyle Associates, which manages 134-136 East State Street, said the owners had less than a month to prepare for their opening.

Jones-Rounds said she remembers pulling many all-nighters and sacrificing family time; however, she reminded herself that her family was the main reason she started the store.

“One of the days I was here late

at night, my husband came in with my kids, and my 5-year-old son was like, ‘You know, I feel very special that you’re opening a store. I feel like other moms don’t have jobs like this,’” she said.

Jones-Rounds said the business allows her to spend more time with her children, and she plans to bring them with her to the building once a week.

“It would be different if this was a different business, but the reason this is a children- and family-oriented store is because we’re children- and family-oriented people,” Jones-Rounds said.

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Powerful production revisits tragedy

thursday

by josh greenfield staff writer

With an unparalleled script filled to the brim with comedy, The Readers’ Theatre production of Neil LaBute’s “The Mercy Seat” certainly hits home. Though it’s a staged reading, “The Mercy Seat” is able to brilliantly add real drama to engaging and darkly comical lines to create an intensely believable story.

The production surrounds a man, Ben (Tony Simione), who is engaged in “The Mercy Seat” an affair with his boss, Abby The Reader’s (Anne Marie Cummings). As Theatre Our rating: the play begins, we find Ben HHH on the couch in Abby’s New York City apartment, just having witnessed the events of the 9/11 attacks on the news. Ben was supposed to be on an assignment in the World Trade Center, and because of this, his phone begins ringing non-stop from people attempting to make sure he’s alive. These calls, however, continually go unanswered while Ben plans to use the event to fake his own death and run away with Abby. Though Abby is initially on board with the idea, she becomes hesitant as the couple discusses the logistics of the situation. As the conversation continues, drama unfolds and the true emotions of both characters are revealed.

Both performers succeed in their roles by creating a realistic relationship. Cummings, however, stands out through her gripping portrayal of Abby, who is full of rapidly changing motives and emotions. Cummings, who also serves as the artistic director for The Readers’ Theatre, is able to completely change the audience’s perception of her character with her consistent believability and truth. While at times her character seems antagonistic, Cummings constantly adds raw emotion to quickly gain empathy. While Simione is intense and believable in his role, the quality of Cummings leaves him behind and causes his performance to come off as bland.

Also of note is the production’s ability to work around the limits of being a staged reading. Script readings can come off as simply being a reading of a text, but “The Mercy Seat” proves to be a fully developed story. The show’s natural staging allows the scripts the actors are

“Unifying Movements: How We All Intersect,” an open mic event put on by the Asian American Alliance, will begin at 7 p.m. in Clark Lounge.

The event is free.

friday

theater review

Alternative Gift Fair, a take it or leave it swap and alternative holiday shopping experience, will begin at 10 a.m. in Emerson Suites. The event is free.

Ithacappella, the college’s all-male a capella group, will perform its Block 2 concert at 8:30 p.m. in Emerson Suites.

Admission is free.

saturday

Dreamt, a collective of indie, From left, Anne Marie Cummings and Tony Simione star in “The Mercy Seat.” The show is set on Sept. 12, 2001, while Ben (Simione) attempts to use the attacks as an excuse to run away with Abby (Cummings). courtesy of Wendy Houseworth

holding to simply blend in. At many points in the production, the scripts seem to almost disappear as the actors work around them — they hardly cause a detraction from the story. This skill enables the emotion of the characters’ relationship to thrive and develop.

The direction, by Bryan VanCampen, helps greatly with intimate and simplistic blocking.

Though the set consists primarily of a single couch on a raised platform, VanCampen’s placement and staging creates the illusion of the couple being in a full apartment, complete with windows to the outside world. VanCampen’s affectionate staging helps exhibit this relationship to only increase its truth and connected emotion.

Like most aspects of the production, the lighting and sound is also minimalistic but still succeeds greatly. The lighting is a single hanging lamp that manages to illuminate both actors

completely. The sound, which consists of a score composed by Peter Rothbart, professor of music theory, history and composition, is ominous and immediately places the audience in the serious mood of the play.

Overall, the informal style of the entire production works perfectly to help describe the location and story of “The Mercy Seat.”

Cummings shines in the pair of actors, who together create a believable and captivating relationship. The groundbreaking story of this 9/11 staged reading proves to be highly memorable and may cause viewers to leave the small, ad hoc theater questioning how some of their own relationships would play out when placed under extreme circumstances.

“The Mercy Seat” will be running until Dec. 16 at The Reader’s Theatre.

Confident seductress shines with sassy sounds in album

by Imani Brammer Staff writer

Hitting the pop music scene hard, Rihanna’s new album, “Unapologetic,” is full of catchy hits and a more carefree demeanor than her previous album, “Talk That Talk,” with fist pumping Rihanna “Unapologetic” and dance themes.

The Island Def Within the Jam Music songs “Diamond,” Our rating: “Jump” and “Pour It HHH Up,” the lyrics make it clear Rihanna has found love, is content with her life and couldn’t care less about who disapproves of it. There’s no doubt that “Unapologetic” will have listeners falling in love, and, of course, no apologies will be necessary.

Album Review

hot dates

The album opens with “Phresh Out the Runway,” a track that begins with a rough and edgy hip-hop vibe. Though the backtrack sounds similar to Nicki Minaj’s “HOV Lane,” Rihanna still manages to incorporate heavier dance beats to make for a lively sound.

Some of her other songs include lyrics that describe her love life in detail. On the track “Nobody’s Business,” featuring Chris Brown, she hints to the public that her relationship with Brown “ain’t nobody’s business.” She sings, “Always be my boy/ I’ll always be your girl/ Nobody’s business/ Ain’t nobody’s business.” Responding to Rihanna’s love-stricken harmonies, Brown is introduced on the track by singing to her about infectious love that “is perfection.”

In the world of love, relationships

Check out theithacan. org/spotify to listen to the songs featured in this week’s reviews!

alternative and folk musicians based in Ithaca, will perform music by senior Aidan Boardman at 10 p.m. at AGAVA. The event is free.

“Christmas Through the Years,” a holiday concert performed by the all-female vocal chamber Bella Voce, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Community School of Music and Arts. Tickets cost $7 to $20.

sunday

“Caroling by Candlelight,” a traditional holiday performance put on by the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, will begin at 5 p.m. in St. Paul’s Methodist Church.

Tickets cost from $7 to $30.

Chill tracks commit to ‘Memory’

by JAred Dionne Senior Writer

Keep calm and listen to Memory Tapes. They’re not the actual words Winston Churchill used, but they might as well be true. Memory Tapes, captures the essence of relaxation. On his album “Grace/ Memory Tapes C o n f u s i o n ,” “Grace/ Dayve Hawk Confusion” draws from a Carpark wide spectrum Records of sound.

Our rating: The LP’s HH 1/2 lead-off track, “Neighborhood Watch,” begins with the buzzing of insects but soon melts into a groove. The sixminute cut morphs as heavier synthesizer lines replace the lackadaisical nature of the song.

After “Neighborhood Watch,” the tracks take on a heavy dance

Album Review

Courtesy of the island def jam music

and celebrity drama, Rihanna’s lyrics are strikingly controversial. The songs blatantly tell the public that the pop star couldn’t care less about the negative backlash that she may receive from critics.

The combination of sounds on “Unapologetic” makes the album versatile, pleasing listeners of both pop and rhythm and blues music. Her lyrics are proud, raunchy and unremorseful, sending the message that Rihanna is definitely unapologetic.

vibe through the inclusion of upbeat rhythmic elements and synthesizer accents. Hawk’s clean and pure vocals benefit from a sustained echo effect that give his work a languid and spacey tinge.

“Grace/Confusion” may not make album of the year lists, but it’s successful in its ability to deliver several quality songs that give listeners a chance to escape.

Courtesy of Carpark Records

quickies “O.N.I.F.C.”

“pale fire”

Following the successful “Rollin’ Papers,” Wiz Khalifa’s fourth album sure shows off the rapper’s lavish and luxurious lifestyle. Despite his talent, Khalifa’s album proves that it takes more than catchy lines to produce solid tracks.

An intense combination of percussion and electronic sounds, El Perro del Mar’s newest release, “Pale Fire,” is a confusing mixture of instrumentals. Reflecting its title, the album is a soft compilation of potentially ferocious tracks.

El Perro del Mar El Perro del Mar

Wiz Khalifa Atlantic Records

courtesy of atlantic records

courtesy oF el perro del mar Compiled by allie healy

A ccen t

Th ursday, Decem be r 13, 2012

The I th a c a n 1 7

Dark themes shoot down enjoyment Powerhouse cast revives dreary tone of brutally violent movie

bY James Hasson

]

valid friday through thursday

cinemapolis The Commons 277-6115

staff writer

The holiday season is defined by joy and cheer. Many films around this time tell stories of happiness and hope, such as the Christmas tale “Rise of the Guardians,” the whimsical “Wreck it Ralph” or the grand visual tale in “Life of Pi.” “Killing Unfortunately there Them is little of that in the Softly” The dismal subject matter Weinstein of Andrew Dominik’s Company “Killing Them Softly.”

Our rating: Though the film has HH a solid production and distinguished cast performances, its subject and themes hold too dark a tone to entertain fully.

“Killing Them Softly” begins with slum boss Johnny Amato (Vincent Curatola) persuading Frankie (Scoot McNairy) and his partner Russell (Ben Mendelsohn) to rob a card game hosted by Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta).

They succeed and get away initially, but only because Trattman is accused by the criminal underworld of robbing his own card game. Professional criminal Jackie (Brad Pitt) is hired to find those responsible and kill them in the most efficient way possible.

Despite the film’s setting in a rundown, dilapidated criminal city, there is very little action. It’s exclusively the job of the actors to sell this film with their characters, who are trying to survive in a dismal place. They succeed in this regard but perhaps too well for the film. The sleazy, backstabbing cast fits so well into its setting, with its bare one-story houses and dirty, rainsoaked streets, that it plunges the film into a deep miasma of despair.

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ticket stub

The Sessions 4:50 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. except Monday and weekends 4:50 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.

Film Review

argo HHH 1/2 4:30 p.m., 7:05 p.m. and 9:25 p.m. except Monday and weekends 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:05 p.m. and 9:25 p.m. hitchcock 5 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. except Monday and weekends 2:20 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.

Mickey (James Gandolfini), former hitman and a bitter alcoholic, sits at a bar in a scene from “Killing Them Softly.”

The film follows Jackie (Brad Pitt), an enforcer hired to restore order after three men rob a mob-protected card game.

Pitt holds the most screen time as Jackie. He parcels out cold and calculated lines with a cynical stare, and his angular face and slicked-back hair maintain an impression of an alpha dog in a sad jungle. Liotta also fits well into the cast, and his large eyes help portray the sad and tired Trattman.

Even James Gandolfini from “The Sopranos” makes an appearance as a hit man undergoing an alcohol and sex-fueled midlife crisis. The most notable performance comes from Mendelsohn. Russell’s lines and attitude, alongside his costume and makeup, create one of the most sleazy, scum encrusted, shameless bottomfeeders to ever appear in cinema.

Courtesy of The Weinstein Company

“Killing Them Softly” adopts an exceptionally dark tone. The film is full of gangsters, thugs and prostitutes all trying to make a living through whatever ill-gotten measures they can. The violence and material is not stylized and hyperactive like what could be expected in a “Crank” film, though there is plenty of gore to go around.

“Killing Them Softly” is not soft at all about hammering its message into its audience. The film takes place during the 2008 presidential election and economic crisis, so clips of speeches from former President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama play as the film progresses. In

addition, the film ends very suddenly with Jackie’s speech about the truth regarding the American Way. This punctual ending on a blatant speech about the movie’s moral is obvious and disappointing.

The dedicated performances, merciless writing and powerfully unnerving sets can make “Killing Them Softly” enjoyable as a potential study in craft. The film may not be enjoyable as a piece of entertainment, though, simply because it embraces its dark and despairing subject matter with such totality.

“Killing Them Softly” was directed and written by Andrew Dominik.

Bird takes flight with airy sound

Party princess amps up lyrics By benjii maust

By rose vardell

Leading up to the release of her second fulllength album, “Warrior,” Ke$ha described her new recordings as a combination of ’70s rock and radio-friendly dance music. While it’s clear that “Warrior” is certainly much more focused on the latter, with the infusion of organic percussion and Ke$ha guitars, Ke$ha’s signature talk“Warrior” sing style and unforgettable lyrics Kemosabe makes “Warrior” one of the most Records enjoyable pop releases of the year.

Our rating: However, a good pop star HHH should know that when staging a “musical evolution,” it’s best to pander to your original fan base. Unfortunately, Ke$ha includes a fair number of songs that barely sound any different than her 2010 debut. Tracks like the lackluster opener “Warrior” and the slightly more interesting “Supernatural” are well-worn territory with no new elements or never-heard-before lyrics.

But the slight variation of Ke$ha’s typical hardcore partying narrative in “Warrior” is one that highlights darker elements of the club scene: love and mortality. In the surprisingly vulnerable “C’Mon,” the line “I don’t wanna think about what’s gonna be after this/ I just wanna live right now” stands out as a confession of the fear of what happens once the party is over. This, combined with Ke$ha’s committed vocal turn, makes “C’Mon” sound less like her standard club banger and more like a public diary entry.

That said, her lyrics somehow manage to get smuttier — and therefore funnier — this time around, with gems like “You won’t see me naked/ you had your chance” and “Champagne tastes like piss to me” being completely quotable and

With the help of Mom+Pop Records, Andrew Bird released his seventh studio album, “Hands of Glory,” featuring his delicate folk style.

“Three White Horses” opens the album with the strumming of a guitar, his unmistakable storytelling voice and the experimental orAndrew Bird chestration of a wailing fiddle.

“Hands of The string arrangement in Glory” “Three White Horses” closely Mom+Pop resembles his song “Hole in Our rating: the Ocean Floor” from his last HHHH album, “Break It Yourself.”

The track “Railroad Bill” shows a more playful side of the album, and the Southwesternstyled song “If I Needed You” is an idiosyncratic interlude in the midst of the album.

There is something lonely about Bird’s music that is beautifully crafted by his wavering voice.

A bittersweet note hangs in many of the songs that make them sound like lullabies.

The album itself explores a motif of death, as the first song prepares for death in “Three White Horses” and later expands the theme with the haunting song “Orpheo.” The track is also an echo of the last album, which features the song “Orpheo Looks Back” and expands on the myth in which the poet Orpheus journeys to the underworld to retrieve his beloved. Bird explores the mournful poet and emphasizes the emotion with heart-wrenching violin chords.

With each new album, Bird proves that he’s more than a fluid voice and a talented songwriter, but a true musician who creates music as effortless and beautiful as the songs sung by birds themselves.

Staff writer

Staff writer

album Review

album Review

Courtesy of kemosabe Records

not to mention ridiculous. In short, few pop stars could pull off the line “Them boys/ they want my coochie. I say no/ I’m no hoochie” with any shred of believability, but Ke$ha sells it with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

The organic elements introduced into the production are the real centerpieces of the album, with unexpected surprises plotted out along the way, making the album a sort of production guessing game. The track “Only Wanna Dance with You,” using the Strokes as her backing band, reveals a truly shocking revelation: Ke$ha can sing, and she sounds significantly better growling over guitars than rapping over Dr. Luke’s manufactured dance tracks.

As if the rock-based additions couldn’t get any more interesting, the country-rock ballad “Wonderland” is reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird.” Sounding almost as epic, Ke$ha bemoans the loss of old friends and simpler times over plodding organs and frayed guitar chords.

While “Warrior” may not quite be the gamechanger fans were expecting her to produce, it does bring Ke$ha into a new light and asserts that underneath the loud makeup and obsessive use of glitter lies a heart and a rather effective lyricist.

holy motors 4:20 p.m., 7:05 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. except Monday and weekends 2:05 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 7:05 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.

The Perks of Being a WALLFLOWER

HHH 1/2

9:15 p.m. except Monday and weekends 2:10 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. anna karenina HHH 4:25 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. except Monday and 1:50 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

regal stadium 14 Pyramid Mall 266-7960

the hobbit: an unexpected Journey 3d 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 10:50 p.m., 11:50 p.m. the hobbit: an unexpected journey 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 11:20 p.m., 12:15 a.m. playing for keeps 11:50 a.m. killing them softly HH 11:20 a.m. life of pi HHHH 12:10 p.m. life of pi 3D HHHH 3:50 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 10:20 p.m. red dawn 11:10 a.m. rise of the guardians HH 1/2 12:40 a.m., 8:15 p.m., 10:40 p.m. rise of the guardians 3d HH 1/2 4:20 p.m.

The twilight saga: breaking dawn - part 2 HHH 1/2 1:45 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 10:15 p.m. lincoln HHH 1/2 11:45 a.m., 3:15 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 10:10 p.m. skyfall HHH 12:20 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 11 p.m.

our ratings Excellent HHHH Good HHH Fair HH Poor H

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Th ursday, Dec ember 1 3 , 2 0 1 2

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Th ursday, Decem be r 13, 2012

SPORTS

g n i k a Mwave s

The I th a c a n 1 9

From left, Ithaca Underwater Hockey members Alessandro Farsi and Reid Davis battle for a puck Monday on the bottom of the Athletics and Events center pool during a practice.

Shawn Steiner/The Ithacan

Underwater hockey club tries to bring unconventional sport to campus

by Alex Holt Staff Writer

“Sticks up, ready, go!”

A man in a swim cap, mask and snorkel yells the opening command, and the calm surface of the Athletics and Events Center Pool is suddenly broken by the activity of thrashing arms and legs. Men and women scramble with small, handheld sticks to gain possession of a plastic puck filled with lead.

As the puck slides around on the pool floor beneath them, the players try to flick it into small metal goals at each end and crash into against each other in a tangled knot of arms, elbows and legs before intermittently coming up for air.

This is underwater hockey, also known as octopush, a sport invented in 1954 by British scuba instructor Alan Blake to help improve his students’ snorkeling ability.

The sport then spread to Canada and the U.S. and is now played all over the world.

In 2007, Meghan Cerveny, a former Cornell University employee who had played the sport for the USA Underwater Hockey team, brought it to Ithaca with the creation of Ithaca Underwater Hockey at Cornell.

Two evenings per week, Cornell graduate students and members of the local community gather in a small swimming pool at Cornell’s Teagle Hall for practice.

Here they enjoy a sport that combines the traditional elements of ice hockey — like sticks, a puck and two-minute penalties — with underwater elements like snorkels and bathing suits.

Laura Lange, a fifth-year graduate student at Cornell and president of Ithaca Underwater Hockey, said breath control is one of the game’ most important aspects.

“Once you dive down to reach the puck, the snorkel fills up with water,” Lange said.

“So you have to have enough breath to stay down long enough to play and then to blow the water out of the snorkel once you return to the surface.”

The members of Ithaca Underwater Hockey have been trying to attract members and teach the game to a wide range of potential players but are limited by

their facilities at Cornell. Because Ithaca College has an Olympic-sized swimming pool in its Athletics and Events Center, the club’s officers want to bring their sport to the college as well.

“It’s a perfect pool, five meters by a yard, so it’s the perfect size,” Alessandro Farsi, vice president of Ithaca Underwater Hockey and a fourth-year graduate student at Cornell, said.

Farsi said they would like to stage some underwater hockey clinics at Ithaca College, but he said they would first need to build up interest on campus, which has no underwater hockey presence.

“It’d be nice to use [the A&E Center pool] for special events,” Farsi said. “The problem is finding people who like to play the sport because if you have enough people who want to do that, they can set up their own student association.”

With a larger pool, the team hopes to increase its numbers. Individual players on the team like Farsi and Lange have played on other teams in tournaments against schools like Penn State, but the Cornell group has never been large enough to field a team in competition.

There are 63 club teams in the U.S. listed in Underwater Hockey Tourist, an informational site about the sport.

While it has been difficult for Ithaca Underwater Hockey to find and maintain a roster, the number of players on an underwater hockey team is smaller than an ice hockey team. Ten players are allowed per squad in underwater hockey as opposed to 19 or 20 for an ice hockey team.

The smaller rosters play an important role because only six players on each team are allowed in the pool at a given time.

However, with the smaller roster, substitutions are much more frequent, which can factor into a team’s game strategy.

“Sometimes the attackers are substituted more often than defense because they need to have a very quick rush to the goal to score,” Farsi said. “Other times you use the field and play different sides, on

the walls or playing the middle, but there’s not any one strategy that wins the games.”

Like many of the club’s members, Farsi said he first began attending practices because he thought it was such a bizarre idea, and he had to find out what it was all about.

“Of course, I was attracted by the silliness of the name underwater hockey,” Farsi said. “I thought it was one of those very fun, ridiculous activities, and then when I tried it, I started really having fun [with it] as a game.”

Not everyone in the club joined just for laughs, though. Vincent Kiernan, an engineer at Global Tungsten and Powders Corp. in Towanda, Pa., first began playing the sport competitively as an undergraduate at Georgia Institute of Technology and joined the Cornell club as soon as he moved north.

Kiernan hopes that the Cornell club will expand and eventually start playing competitively. He said he thinks that others

would enjoy the game because of the parity it presents.

“The fact that you have to hold your breath, it kind of puts most people on equal playing fields whether you’re brand new or whether you’ve been playing for a long time,” Kiernan said.

Lange said underwater hockey allows her to make use of the skills she developed as a competitive swimmer in high school and college.

“I used to swim in high school, and I did synchronized swimming in undergrad, so it’s kind of like putting the two together,” Lange said. “[It combines] the speed of competitive swimming and playing on a team.”

While they have never been able to field a full team, Lange said she and her fellow club members are still trying to make attending practices one of their priorities.

“Over the years, I have made it a priority to be here,” Lange said. “This is something that I’ve set aside time for because if you don’t have fun, you’re going to go crazy.”

Members of Ithaca Underwater Hockey pose at the Athletics and Events Center Pool. The club hopes to bring the sport to Ithaca College and add members in the upcoming year.

Shawn Steiner/The Ithacan

S ports

2 0 The It hacan

between the lines

Nathan bickell

Boxers bond with running As part of my Documentary Workshop class with Professor Ben Crane, I have learned not only that I have the ability to stay awake until 6 a.m. editing but also that working out is the best way to form a connection with someone.

The documentary I worked on, “Cornered,” which premieres at 7 p.m. Thursday in Park Auditorium, is about UMAR Boxing, a gym in a rough part of Baltimore, Md., that emphasizes education as much as it does boxing. When we first pitched our idea to Professor Crane, we were met with tepid interest — which was a step up from his usual immediate refusal.

Three members of the group and I traveled to Baltimore in early October. After a day in the gym we had met an 18-year-old fighter named Antwain Robinson, who had returned to boxing after two years of what he told us was “bad stuff,” but our interaction had only lasted a minute or so, and we hadn’t made a connection with any other boxers at the gym. We stood in a grungy stairwell and wondered if we had wasted our time driving six hours to Baltimore.

The next moment a large group of boxers walked by us, and someone said something about going for a run. Making a splitsecond decision, I asked them if I could join and quickly handed my phone and wallet to my partner as I went out the door to run with people I had never met in a dangerous neighborhood I had never been to before.

The boxers seemed to eye me warily as we ran. Understandably so — I was just some skinny guy in jeans and a button down shirt who wanted to run with them for some unknown reason. We arrived at Frederick Douglass High School, where the boxers and I went through a series of pushups and wind sprints followed by hill sprints. After I was able to keep up with the fastest among them with relative ease, I seemed to earn some respect from the group.

As we walked back to the gym I began to talk to one of the boxers out on the run, and he turned out to be the same Antwain we had met earlier. He was much more relaxed than when we first met him. He asked me how I liked college, and he told me he wasn’t interested in college because he planned to move up to professional boxing.

When I got back and told my partners about the run, we pretty much knew that Antwain was the character we were looking for. Although I was not able to meet Antwain again, he opened up to my partners and gave our documentary the depth and personal feeling we hoped for after the shared connection formed by a run. I realized that no matter the circumstances you come from the language of running is universal. nathan bickell is a senior documentary studies major. Contact him at nbickel1@ithaca.edu.

Th ursday, Dec ember 1 3 , 2 0 1 2

Wrestlers tinker with new techniques

By Steve Derderian staff writer

While the wrestling team defeated Rochester Institute of Technology on Dec. 5 with a dominance reminiscent of their earlier meets this season, some of the wrestlers tried moves that were not quite as familiar.

In their 43-3 rout of the Tigers, the Bombers won nine of the 10 matchups with five pins and four decisions. Junior Chris Ramirez, who wrestles in the 285-pound weight class, had one of those pins a little more than three minutes into his match. While grappling with his opponent toward the edge of the circle, Ramirez was able to grab hold of his opponent’s leg, drag him back toward the center and drop him down for the pin.

Ramirez said it was one of the newest counter moves that Head Coach Marty Nichols has had the team practicing, and he knew the matchup with the struggling Tigers presented a good opportunity.

“What Coach wants us to do is to try out these new techniques and not worry so much about winning,” Ramirez said. “We try to take these new moves that we’re learning so we can master them when we get to the bigger matches later in the season.”

Nichols said his team is trying to focus on fundamentals and sometimes is more reluctant to try different moves. “[Ramirez] tried something that we’ve been going over with, and he was nervous to do it at first,” Nichols said. “Once he saw the opportunity to try it, he executed, and it’s exactly what we’re looking for out of him.”

Junior Shane Bartrum, who won the 197-pound weight class during the season-opening Ithaca Invitational, said he has been enjoying the ease of the early season and using it to try out new techniques.

“Early in the season, you try to relax and once in awhile try some new something new and mix it up a little bit,” he said. “We’ve taken control of a lot of our matches early, and we’ve done a lot better in staying on top of our opponents and not letting them get back into it.”

The Bombers closed out the weekend with a 27-9 win against SUNY-Oswego, which saw several underclassmen with a chance to compete on the mats. Freshmen Henry Beaman and Dan Glinko were each able to pick up a victory in their respective weight classes. Beaman said he has learned a lot of new moves, especially with the help of fellow

From left, Springfield College junior Devin Biscaha grapples with Ithaca junior Brett Sanko during the wrestling team’s second-place finish at the Ithaca Invitational on Nov. 2-3 in Glazer Arena.

carl heyerdahl/The ithacaN

teammate senior Ricky Gomez.

“It’s difficult practicing against some your own teammates sometimes,” Beaman said. “It’s nice when you can get out there and use some of the different moves you learn during the year against some other teams.”

Senior captain Jules Doliscar has gotten off to a fast start, winning his previous two matches in times of 1:47 and 2:17. In both bouts, Doliscar was able to stay on top of his opponents, giving them little opportunity to go back on the attack.

“Sometimes you don’t know who you’re going

to face, but you have to come in knowing that you can beat your opponent and not give them chances to steal a match from you,” Doliscar said.

After these wins, Doliscar said the team is right where they should be but said he knows the team has a lot to improve on before stepping back in the ring again in January.

“You want to do well and work to see what you can improve on in these types of matches,” he said.

“You enjoy your victories, and it really makes it easier when you have other teammates working hard and hopefully keep it going the rest of the season.”

Shooting struggles cancel out defensive success By christian araos senior writer

After leading the Empire 8 Conference in 3-point field goal percentage and finishing second to last in points allowed last season, it was expected that outside shooting would be relied on to offset a weak defense for the men’s basketball team. Seven games into the season, the opposite is holding true for the Bombers.

The Bombers ranked secondto-last in scoring defense last year, giving up an average of 73.5 points per game. This season, however, the Blue and Gold have given up an average of 64.6 points per game through their first six matchups, the team’s lowest average since the 2007-08 season.

The South Hill squad’s new emphasis on pressuring its opponents has improved the team to 3rd in the conference in steals, with the Bombers averaging nearly two more steals per game than it did for all of last season.

Senior guard Eli Maravich is one of four Bombers with 10 or more steals in the early part of the season.

Maravich said while the team is going to keep attempting to improve its shooting percentages, it will continue to develop a defensive identity that involves pressure and physicality.

“We recently began pressuring

From left, senior Andrei Oztemel passes while SUNY-Oswego sophomore Rashawn Powell tries to draw a charge during a game last Saturday.

emily fedor/the ithacan

a lot more, and we’ve seen a lot of success with that,” Maravich said. “It speeds up the game and helps our offense get easy buckets.”

Their defensive success is a noticeable contrast to their deflated 3-point shooting, which is just more than 26 percent. This is nine percentage points

lower than the 35 percent shooting percentage they had during the 2009-10 season, the rookie season of sharpshooting senior forward Andrei Oztemel. So far this season, Oztemel is shooting just over 28 percent from outside. His drop-off has Head Coach Jim Mullins befuddled.

“I have no explanation as to what’s going on with Andrei,” Mullins said. “He’s one of the best shooters I have ever coached, and he’s really struggling this year — and it’s not because of a lack effort.

He’s practiced daily, putting up hundreds of shots, and I can’t see anything wrong with his stroke.”

Oztemel said he has to stay positive throughout this struggle.

“Shooting is a funny thing,” Oztemel said. “It’s mental, but at the same time there is a mechanical aspect. The mechanics are there, and I plan on getting the mental aspect resolved.”

Oztemel is ranked second on the team in 3-point shooting, trailing Maravich who is shooting 50 percent.

The Bombers are second-to-last in the Empire 8 in the category.

The Blue and Gold have been trying to implement a motionbased offense to add variety to their offensive system. Oztemel said this new offense could help him break out of his struggles.

“I look at the new offense as an opportunity for me,” Oztemel said.

“I’ve been scoring a lot more inside than I have in previous years. Versatility can only help since it’ll open up more shots for me on the outside.”

To read the full story, log on to theithacan.org/29029

Th ursday, Decem be r 13, 2012

S ports

The I th a c a n 2 1

Role players ignite Bombers’ engine By danielle d’avanzo Senior writer

The women’s basketball team has started off 6–1 this season with help from a group of role players that have provided a spark off the bench.

The Bombers’ second unit has already made big contributions this season, totaling 25 steals and averaging 20 points per game after the first six contests — the highest scoring bench in the Empire 8.

Junior guard Elisabeth Wentlent said the bench players have already been able to make an impact this year “In practice, we’re all held accountable to the same standards, so when it’s game time, we’re definitely comfortable having everyone in,” Wentlent said.

Three of the biggest sparks coming into the game for the Blue and Gold are from the sophomore class.

Forward Geena Brady and guards Samantha Klie and Ally Mnich have been able to provide size and energy on both sides of the ball. Mnich said she, along with the other non-starters, have embraced their positions on the team for the 2012-13 campaign.

“We knew coming into the season that we had to become these role players,” Mnich said. “If we’re going to win a national championship, we all have to accept where we are on the team because there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’”

Head Coach Dan Raymond said the coaching staff met with players last spring individually to discuss what improvements each player needed to make. He also said the performances

from Brady, Klie and Mnich reflect how hard they worked in the offseason to improve skills like shooting, dribbling and footwork.

“They took it upon themselves to get better,” Raymond said. “It’s so obvious to anyone who saw [Brady, Klie and Mnich] last year and watched us this year so far that there’s significant improvement, and it’s on them.”

Last year, the sophomores averaged less than 11 minutes each per game. Their amount of playing time has increased, with at least one of the three players being the first substitute of the game since the season opener against Hamilton College.

Brady is the tallest player on the roster at 6 feet and 1 inch, and is currently 5th on the team in scoring with 52 points. Wentlent said Brady has really stepped up this season. “[Brady’s] really starting to realize how much of an advantage she has over everybody just because of her body type, and she’s got a great hook shot she’s been developing,” Wentlent said. “If she can keep developing her post game, then she’s probably going to be unstoppable.”

Raymond said Klie and Mnich have improved on both sides of the ball. Klie and Mnich are two of the team’s top on-ball defenders and are third and fifth in steals, respectively.

On offense, Mnich said she has become a more confident shooter, while Klie’s grows as a distributor. Klie, who currently leads the team in assists with 22, said the difference between last season and this season is confidence.

From left, sophomore guard Ally Mnich defends senior guard Brittney Rowland during a 63-41 victory over the Mavericks on Monday in Ben Light Gymnasium. Mnich tallied three assists and two points in the game.

Pat Sullivan/the ithacan

“It’s less nerve-racking to get in the game, and it’s about making things happen rather than filling in for a quick second,” Klie said. “Our role has changed this year, and we’ve been trying to take it more seriously and make a difference.”

Raymond said he likes to mix up the team in practices rather than having the starters play the non-starters all the time, because he wants different

players to play against each other.

“I know a lot of coaches don’t feel that’s the best way to go, but it’s something I feel enhances our chemistry,” Raymond said. “I think it’s a good thing that our players get a chance to play with each other and not just always the same kids all the time.”

Having a deep and reliable bench could be beneficial for the Blue and Gold, especially late in the season

when fatigue starts to become a factor, Wentlent said. She also said having strong role players to relieve the starters gives the Bombers a significant advantage.

“Having fresh legs that are contributing so much, it’s really going to make us that much more threatening to everybody else because we can just compete at so many different positions on the floor,” Wentlent said.

Look online for game stories from these sports: FRIDAY • 7 p.m. Women’s Basketball at SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica, N.Y.

SATURDAY

• 1 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. La Roche College in Ben Light Gymnasium.

Bold = Home game TBD = To be determined

Follow us on Twitter: @IthacanSports The Ithacan File photo/the ithacan

online | theithacan.org/sports

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Th ursday, Dec ember 1 3 , 2 0 1 2

[The buzzer]

Th ursday, Decem be r 13, 2012

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Top Tweets The funniest sports commentary via Twitter from this past week Faux John Madden @FauxJohnMadden BREAKING: Pete Carroll pauses game, offers “mercy” to Ken Whisenhunt.

Tom Brady’s Ego @TomBradysEgo Mark Sanchez will throw for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Then shut off his xbox and head to the stadium.

Referee Logic @RefereeLogic Tim Tebow should have showed up to the Heisman presentation. I mean, what is he doing?

Getting ready to play tomorrow?

Not Bill Walton @NotBillWalton For those rooting against Army today, why are you against America? #ThingsToPonderAtNight

Sports tidbits for the less-than-casual sports fan Staff writer Emily Hull offers a few sports topics to use at the bar, a party or an awkward lull in conversation

• Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger channeled Iron Man this past Sunday in his game against the San Diego Chargers. He has missed the past three games because of an injured right shoulder, but Sunday he returned to the field wearing a custom-made protective military-grade vest.

The armor contained a compression shirt that has composite battle-tested Kevlar padding. Meanwhile, 38-year-old backup quarterback Charlie Batch shakes his head and reminisces about the days before Kevlar was even invented.

• The University of Wisconsin­-Madison listed a vacancy for the job of head football coach. Applications are due at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 19. In the listing it stated that a bachelor’s degree was required and that a “minimum of five years of successful collegiate football coaching experience preferred.” Other duties were also listed. It’s a sad day for the Badger nation when the university has to crowdsource their coach. How the mighty have fallen.

• The NFL has instituted a program that allows for players in cities all over the country to call for a designated driver if they have been out drinking.

It’s like the Green Hornet but free.

Kickin’ it freestyle

Senior Melissa Schwartz practices her freestyle stroke during a swim club practice Sunday evening in the Athletics and Events Center pool. The swim club meets on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday nights in the pool for free swim.

emily fedor/the ithacan

On this 13 day in...

Staff Writer Emily Hull breaks down some of the most important events in pro sports and Bombers sports history that has occurred Dec. 13.

DEC

PRO SPORTS HISTORY

1983

The highest-scoring NBA game happened when the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184. At the end of regulation, the score was 145-145. The game then went into three overtimes. Kiki Vandeweghe had a stunning 51 points for Denver, while Isaiah Thomas put up 47 points for the Pistons.

BOMBERS SPORTS HISTORY

2007

The No. 11 wrestling team improved to 3–0, defeating Empire Wrestling Conference rival Rochester Institute of Technology 33-12. The Bombers won seven of the 10 weight classes. Freshman Blaine Woszczak earned a second-period pin at 149 pounds. This raised his team leading totals to 16 wins and six pins. Twenty-five of the 32 team members were underclassmen, and no seniors were represented on the team.

start ‘em / sit ‘em Start:

Marques Colston

Despite having a bad game against the Giants last week, Colston should have a much better outing for fantasy owners next week. The Saints go up against the Buccaneers, who are coming off a game during which they gave up 381 passing yards to rookie quarterback Nick Foles. With the Saints going up against one of the statisticallyworst secondaries in NFL history that is missing former Buc Aqib Talib, expect Drew Brees to have a field day and Colston to be the benefactor.

Fantasy football is all about matchups.

Even fantasy superstars can lose you points in a bad matchup. Contributing Writer Cole Tessler gives the scoop on who has a good matchup and who to bench this week.

Sit:

Stevan Ridley

The Patriots and Ridley will be facing off against the 49ers this week, which will be a tough task for the ground game. Currently, the 49ers rank 3rd in rushing yards allowed in the NFL. In the past four weeks, the most rushing yards the 49ers gave up to a running back was Reggie Bush with 65 yards.

The 49ers have also only have given up two rushing touchdowns all season to opposing running backs. Expect the Patriots to air it out more and Ridley to have a quiet game.

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this i see

Th ursday, Dec ember 1 3 , 2 0 1 2

On right, Lotsie Cash of the Ithaca Ballet, dances among angels at the start of Act II during the Sugar Plum and Cavalier scene of “The Nutcracker” on Sunday at the State Theatre.

Baby, it's cold outside

rachel woolf/The Ithacan

The Winter Festival ushered in holiday spirit with a flurry of activities. Local artwork was on display, world-class ice carvers sculpted intricate creations for the Ice Wars Competition, and on Saturday Ithaca’s restaurants faced off in the annual Chowder Cook-off.

Collegetown Bagels featured a meat chowder, which placed first in its category at Chowder Fest on Saturday. Other categories were vegan, classic and seafood.

Durst Breneiser/The Ithacan

Stephan Koch, from Indiana, who has been ice carving for 12 years, torches his flamingo sculpture during the first round of the 20-minute speed carving elimination challenge Friday.

Durst Breneiser/The Ithacan

Rabbi Dovid Birk lights a candle on the menorah on the fourth of day of Hanukkah on Tuesday in Center Ithaca. Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, will conclude Sunday.

rachel woolf/The Ithacan