WEDNESDAY | 4.20.2016 | MACEANDCROWN.COM | Vol. 59, Issue 12
WHAT’S INSIDE
MONARCH MADNESS
ODU GRADUATE
MAKING AN
IMPACT Teaching English in Colombia
“I like the fact that I am really providing a service that the students otherwise would simply not have the resources to obtain. A foreigner teaching English is a luxury that is normally only available in elite private schools.” - Brett Martinez, ODU alumnus making a difference overseas
INVADES THE TED
READ MORE: A5
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BASEBALL
DEFEATS UTSA
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FIRST GAMING FESTIVAL HELD IN NORFOLK
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Face in the m ace Use #ODU to see your face in the m ace
SOCIAL MEDIA
Mace & Crown Mace & Crown is a newspaper published by and written for the students of Old Dominion once a week throughout each semester and once in the summer. Originally founded in 1930 as The High Hat, the paper became the Mace & Crown in 1961. The Mace & Crown is a primarily self-supporting newspaper, maintaining journalistic independence from the university. All views expressed in this collegiate paper are those of the author, not of the University, Mace & Crown or the editors.
EDITORIAL BOARD Amy Poulter Editor-in-Chief editorinchief @maceandcrown.com Stef Wasko Copy Editor swask002@odu.edu Jonah Grinkewitz News Editor news@maceandcrown.com
Ross Reelachart Technology Editor technology@maceandcrown. com Matt O’Brien Sports Editor sports@maceandcrown. com Sabrina Brooks Graphic Designer sbroo029@odu.edu
Adam Flores Arts & Entertainment Editor artsandentertainment@ maceandcrown.com
Jason Kazi Assistant Digital Editor Advertising Manager advertising@maceandcrown. com
Joshua Boone Photography Editor photo@maceandcrown. com
Jugal Patel Digital Editor jpate016@odu.edu
STAFF WRITERS Kimberly Bering Richard Gabrintina Shannon Jay Lindsey Lanham Ben Maxie Zachary Moeller George Plank Elizabeth Proffitt Megan Snyder Erin Sudek
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Jonathan Harding Josef Hicks Shamon Jones Jomar Pablo Brian Vliet
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News
For updated community crime information, visit maceandcrown.com. CRIME LOG
LOCAL NEWS 10th Annual Taste of India Festival at the Ted Center The Hampton Roads Indian community will host the 10th annual Taste of India Festival on April 23 at the Ted Constant Center. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will showcase the diversity and pageantry of Indian culture with food, vendors and a Bhangra dance competition which includes nine college teams.
APRIL 3-4
A burglary was reported at this approximate location between April 3rd at 6:00 p.m. and April 4th at 7:00 a.m. ODU Police is investigating the case.
APRIL 12
An assault was reported to have occurred at this location on April 12th at 5:22 p.m. ODU Police are investigating the case.
APRIL 6
ODU Entrepreneurship Team Advances to National Competition Social entrepreneur club “ODU Enactus� is one of 24 teams selected to compete in a national championship for collegiate social entrepreneurship. This is their second year competing in the national event, and they finished in the quarterfinals last year.
A hit and run incident was reported at this approximate location on April 6th at 6:33 p.m. ODU Police are investigating the case
APRIL 1
A hit and run incident was reported at this approximate location on April 1st between the hours of 7:40 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. ODU Police are investigating the case.
APRIL 10
An aggravated assault was reported to have occurred at this location on April 10th between 1:05 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. ODU Police are investigating the case.
Norfolk City Council Approves Purchase of the Schooner Virginia The Norfolk City Council has approved plans for the Nauticus Foundation to purchase the schooner Virginia for $1 million. The wooden sailboat, which belongs to the Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation, is a 122foot replica of a 1917 Virginia pilot vessel. The vessel has required considerable amounts of money for repairs over the years, but the deal ensures it will stay in Virginia waters.
COURTESY OF MACE AND CROWN Date/ Time Reported
Date/ Time Occurred
Location
Category
Incident Number
Disposition
Unity Fest to Take Place on Kaufman Mall
04/01/2016
03/31/2016 8:30pm 04/01/2015 11:00am
1000 blk W 49th St
Hit and Run - Property Damage
16-ODU-00405
Active 04/05/2016
04/01/2016
04/01/2016 10:43pm
1400 Blk W 49th St
Destruction of Property
16-ODU-00414
Active 04/05/2016
On Thursday, April 21, ODU will host Unity Fest 2016 on Kaufman Mall from noon-2 p.m. The event will celebrate a day of Monarch unity. There will be inflatables, bubble soccer, T-shirts and giveaways, and lunch. Big Blue and the Monarch dance team will be there as well as many student organizations.
04/01/2016
04/01/2016 3:22pm
1200 Blk W 45th St/Kaufman Hall
Larceny from a Building
16-ODU-00408
Active 04/05/2016
04/01/2016
04/01/2016 7:52pm
4700 blk Elkhorn Ave/Scotland House
Narcotics Violation
16-ODU-00410
Judicial referral 04/05/2016
04/01/2016
04/01/2016 8:06pm
1000 Blk W 49th St/Lot 11
Trespassing
6-ODU-00411
Clear by Arrest 04/05/2016
04/01/2016
04/01/2016 9:57pm
1700 blk W 48th St/Whitehurst Hall
Narcotics Violation
16-ODU-00412
Judicial referral 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/01/2016 9:30pm - 04/02/2016 1:00pm
800 Blk W 47th St
Destruction of Property
16-ODU-00423
Active 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/01/2016 9:30pm - 04/02/2016 1:00pm
800 Blk W 47th St
Larceny from a Vehicle
16-ODU-00423
Active 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/02/2016 01:40am - 02:00am
800 Blk W 40th St
Hit and Run - Property Damage
16-ODU-00422
Active 04/05/2016
Community Leaders React to Norfolk Gun Violence
04/02/2016
04/02/2016 11:22am
1700 Blk W 48th St
Narcotics Violation
16-ODU-000421
Judicial referral 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/02/2016 12:10am
1300 Blk W 40th St
Disorderly House
16-ODU-00416
Clear by Arrest 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/02/2016 1:52am - 3:20am
1400 Blk W 45th St
Public Intoxication
16-ODU-00415
Clear by Arrest 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/02/2016 2:00am - 7:30am
1300 Blk Melrose Pkwy
Larceny from a Vehicle
16-ODU-00420
Active 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/02/2016 2:00am - 7:30am
1300 Blk Melrose Pkwy
Destruction of Property
16-ODU-00420
Active 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/02/2016 3:00pm - 8:27pm
1700 Blk W 48th St/Whitehurst Hall
Rape
16-ODU-00427
Active 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/02/2016 3:14pm
1000 Blk W 41st St
Larceny from a Vehicle
16-ODU-00424
Active 04/05/2016
04/02/2016
04/02/2016 5:53am
4600 Blk Elkhorn Ave
Concealed Weapon
16-ODU-00419
Clear by Arrest 04/05/2016
04/03/2016
04/03/2016 2:38am
800 Blk W 47th St
Assault - Simple
16-ODU-00428
Active 04/05/2016
04/03/2016
04/03/2016 6:14am
1200 Blk W 49th St
Destruction of Property
16-ODU-00429
Inactive 04/14/2016
13 people have been killed so far in Norfolk in 2016, according to the police department. With numbers this high in April, many are worried what it will mean for the rest of the year. Joe Dillard, president of the Norfolk NAACP plans to hold a forum to address gun violence on April 23 at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Norfolk.
FOR COMPLETE CRIME LOG VISIT: HTTP://WWW.MACEANDCROWN.COM/INTERACTIVE-CRIME-LOG/
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NEWS
For more updates on the ODU Board of Visitors meeting, visit maceandcrown.com.
A recent nighttime view of the new College of Education building under construction. Photo by: Jason Kazi
A chart provided by the Office of Academic Affairs showing the considerable drop in graduate student enrollment that the university has experienced since 2002.
Board of Visitors to Appoint New Faculty and Staff at April Meeting
Jason Kazi Staff Writer The Old Dominion University Board of Visitors will be discussing new faculty and staff appointments and receive updates on ongoing campus construction projects. Audit Committee: The committee will be discussing audits at the university currently in progress and upcoming. Current audits include: the Office of Counseling Services, Strategic Communication & Marketing, NCAA Compliance - Recruitment, Title IX and Academic Advising, Third-Party Hosted Systems, Distance Learning and Accounts Payable - Vendor Payments. Upcoming audits include: Campus Network, Payroll Processing, Sensitive Data Federal/State IT Compliance and the Virginia Modeling Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC). Academic and Research Advancement Committee: The committee is expected to recommend 30 faculty appointments, 28 administrative appointments and 24 emeritus/emerita appointments. Faculty appointments planned are made up of 12 instructors in the College of Arts and Letters, six instructors in the College of Sciences, five instructors in the College of Business, three instructors in the College of Educa-
tion, three instructors in the College of Health Sciences and one instructor in the College of Engineering and Technology. Mr. Charles Bankin will be appointed as assistant football coach and instructor with a proposed salary of $100,000. Bankin comes to ODU from Vanderbilt University. Mr. Robert E. Clark will be appointed as director of the military activities liaison and special projects office with a proposed salary of $125,000. Dr. Mandalyn Gilles will be appointed as director of assessment and planning for student engagement and enrollment services with a proposed salary of $78,000. Dr. Gilles comes to ODU from the Virginia Beach Public School System. Mr. Christopher Harmon will be appointed as assistant men’s soccer coach with a proposed salary of $38,000. Harmon was previously an assistant women’s soccer coach and director of soccer operations for the men’s and women’s soccer programs at ODU. Ms. Julie Hodge will be appointed as assistant field hockey coach with a proposed salary of $42,342. Hodge previously served as volunteer assistant coach for the field hockey team in 2015. Mr. Darius James will be appointed as assistant director of athletic development with a proposed sal-
ary of $45,000. James has served as athletic coordinator for Florida State University. Ms. Joy Jefferson will be appointed as associate vice president for alumni relations with a proposed salary of $130,000. Jefferson has served as vice president for external relations at Hampton University. Mr. Christopher Malone will be appointed as offensive run game coordinator with a proposed salary of $85,000. Malone has served as an offensive line coach and run game coordinator at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Ms. Jacki Stein will be appointed as director of research development with a proposed salary of $75,000. Stein has served as a grant development specialist in the office of research at ODU. Ms. Dennisse Thillet will be appointed as director of student outreach and support with a proposed salary of $57,000. Thillet has served as director of hispanic/latino outreach at Hampton University. Mr. Philip Walzer will be appointed as editor of Monarch Magazine with a proposed salary of $78,000. Walzer was a lead writer for the VirginianPilot for over twenty years. The committee will also be reviewing a proposal to rename the office of graduate studies to the Old Dominion University Graduate School. The creation of a graduate school will dem-
onstrate that graduate education is an integral part of the university mission, provide for strategies to more efficiently devote resources to graduate education, enhance student support initiatives for graduate students, strengthen the University’s identity as a research institution, and assist in the coordination of interdisciplinary graduate programs.
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Administration and Finance Committee: The committee will hear a progress update on campus capital projects. These include the new student union design project, the basketball practice facility, the L.R. HIll Sport Center expansion, the new education building, the new residential dining facility and the football stadium study. The university awarded a design contract in November of last year to Moseley Architects with WTW Architects. The design team has been gathering student, faculty and staff input since winter and continues to do so. The team is also looking into swing programmatic space while construction is underway. The schematic phase of the building’s design is expected to be complete by the middle of summer with the full design being completed by late 2017 and construction starting shortly after. Construction of the $8 million basketball practice facility behind the Ted Constant Convocation Center is
now underway with vertical construction beginning in May and substantial completion of the building by the end of the calendar year. The $4 million expansion of the L.R. Hill Sports Facility is now underway with under-slab and foundation work currently underway and substantial completion expected by the end of the calendar year. Finishing touches are being given to the new $42 million College of Education building on the intersection of Hampton Boulevard and West 43rd Street. The building will be substantially complete by August with faculty moving in in the fall and classes in the new building starting in the spring of 2017. Installation of food service equipment at the new $25 million residential dining facility is expected by the end of the current month. Substantial completion is expected by July 1st, with the facility opening to the ODU community by the beginning of the 2016-2017 academic year. Populous and Moseley Architects have been involved with the new stadium design study. Initial results of the study were presented to the stadium design committee in January and a final report with recommendations is expected to be presented to the committee next month.
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NEWS
Check back next week for two international student profiles! The Tale of a Monarch Hero: Jared Walker’s Bravery in Service Girish Sreevatsan Nandakumar Contributing Writer
Jared Walker stands in front of the Lion Fountain on Kaufman Mall in his Navy uniform. Photo by: Girish Sreevatsan Nandakumar
Old Dominion University recently ranked second for best veterans programs by the military/veteran advocacy organization CollegeRecon. com. Approximately 25 percent of current ODU students are military-affiliated. This means we share our campus with many real-life heroes. The Mace talked to Jared Walker, whose selfless act of exceptional bravery earned him the Joint Service Commendation medal. Jared moved to Virginia Beach when he was eight years old and lived there until he was 19. He decided to join the United States Navy after seeing his younger brother, Elijah, graduate from a Navy boot camp in Chicago. Jared was living in Mississippi at the time and was volunteering after Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast region. Jared wanted to do more to serve his country and also travel around the world, just like his father did. Jared was in the first week of boot camp when his father passed away from an accident, being hit by a drunk driver. This did not deter Jared from gradu-
ating. After bootcamp, Jared attended training at Fort Meade, Maryland and became a mass communication specialist. He then deployed to Afghanistan from September 2010 to August 2011 as a photojournalist in the Navy. On April 27, 2011, the base where Jared was stationed came under attack from a renegade Afghan air force officer who opened fire, shooting seven U.S. Air Force airmen and one American civilian contractor. Jared rose to the occasion in the aftermath of the shooting displaying initiative, competence and courage, even though he could have stayed in a safe location. “This was literally one of the worst days of my life, but luckily many of the members of my unit and I had great leaders like Chief Master Sergeant Max Grindstaff,” Walker said. Walker’s transition from the military to civilian life was difficult. Before he left the Navy, he had become a single parent to a 2-year-old boy and achieved full custody of him. He also went to Tidewater Community College and signed up for classes. While attending TCC, his mother would help him watch his son. He would not be where
he is today without the help of his mother and younger sister Sarah who have helped watch his son while he attends school and took part in drill weekends for the Navy Reserves. Walker’s experience at ODU has been positive. He has enjoyed his time here and the people he has met. He has joined student organizations such as Model United Nations, the Political Science Honor Society, College Democrats and Kappa Alpha Order. By joining MUN, he has been able to travel to Montreal, Philadelphia, Charlottesville, Washington D.C. and Columbus, Ohio. When he joined PSHS, he became the group’s treasurer and then moved on to become the society’s president, his current position. In terms of his fraternity, KA, he was able to serve as the parliamentarian and a founding father of the fraternity, which he is certain will grow and prosper for many years to come. Jared describes himself as more of a ‘dove’ than a ’hawk’ and strongly believes that war should always be a last resort. As of now, he plans to continue his journey in the military. Right now, he is an E-5, petty officer 2nd class, but he would like to be an officer.
Kevin O’Connor Speaks On a Brewing Entrepreneurship Ben Maxie Staff Writer Kevin O’Connor founded O’Connor Brewing in 2009 with the help of his wife and family. On April 14, he spoke to the community at the Strome Entrepreneurial Center about how he became involved in brewing and starting his business. O’Connor, a Norfolk native, knew early on his calling was drinking good beer. “I’m not Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg,” O’Connor said. “What interests me is craft beer.” While attending Radford University in the '90s, O’Connor used a fake ID to get craft beer, hard to find at the
time, at the Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg, Virginia. The owner of the store, Kenny, eventually realized this, but stopped carding him because of his taste for beer. After a while, Kenny asked O’Connor if he was interested in brewing his own beer. O’Connor was intrigued and bought a homebrew kit. He started brewing beer on his hot plate almost daily. Kenny wanted to start a brewery, which O’Connor thought was a bad idea due to the lack of a craft beer market in Southwest Virginia at the time. After dropping out of Radford and returning to Norfolk, O’Connor started working his way through classes at Tidewater Community College and
then Old Dominion University for a business degree, while working at bars and brewing at home. He then had the somewhat unorthodox idea of volunteering at a local brewery to learn about industrial scale brewing. The brewery went out of business soon after, and O’Connor started working for a credit card processing company. His main clients were restaurants and bars, incidentally building a future network of places to market O’Connor Beer. O’Connor then started working for a corporate distributor in Richmond, refining his sales ability. “No matter what you do, you’re always selling something, yourself, your ideas,” O’Connor said. “Make
sure your passion is there.” During this time, O’Connor realized he hated working for corporations. His dream was to open his own brewery, despite being told by his entrepreneurial family that this was a bad idea. “At the time, people in the area were drinking Bud Light and Coor’s,” O’Connor said. “Big beer and imports were king.” He pulled brewery start-up funds together from family and friends just before his family’s wealth vanished overnight with the 2008 stock market crash. After gathering all available resources, he bought used brewery tanks and equipment and leased a building for the brewery. O’Connor
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worked 18-hour days after opening the brewery and wired most of the building himself. The first batch of O’Connor Beer was brewed on St. Patrick’s Day in 2009, despite equipment which barely worked and faulty wiring in a major pump. O’Connor later helped to lobby a bill through the Virginia Senate to allow breweries to have tasting rooms, a landmark bill for the industry. “Don’t ever worry about failure,” O’Connor said. “Everyday is a struggle. There are fires to put out all the time.”
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NEWS
Know a student making a difference in the ODU community? Tell us more at maceandcrown.com/roar-submission.
ODU Graduate Making an Impact in Colombia Teaching English Jonah Grinkewitz News Editor Whether working as a chaplain’s assistant in the military, studying at ODU to become a history teacher or travelling to Colombia to teach English, Brett Martinez has always had the motto “people helping people.” Martinez came to ODU in 2012 right after leaving the military with the plan of becoming a history teacher. When he started, he thought he wanted to teach U.S. history, but after taking a course on Latin American history, he became interested in learning more about the countries. “I am embarrassed to say, up until that point, I kind of assumed that all Latin America was basically just Mexico,” he said. “It really ignited an area of interest I never previously considered.” After studying abroad for a summer in Buenos Aires, Martinez realized he wanted to live abroad, so he receieved
his certification to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL). “I knew I wanted to do something that would allow me to continue to serve a greater cause,” Martinez said. “For me, teaching English abroad was a natural transition which would allow me to live abroad.” He was able to find a program in Colombia through the Ministry of Education, which accepts foreigners and pairs them with Colombian English teachers to help them teach English in public schools. Martinez was drawn to the option because he is not fluent in Spanish and also because the program dealt with public schools. “I like the fact that I am really providing a service that the students otherwise would simply not have the resources to obtain,” he said. “A foreigner teaching English is a luxury that is normally only available in elite private schools.” Martinez graduated from ODU in
December 2015 and left for Colombia the next month. He was placed in the city of Pereira, which has about 400,000 to 500,000 people and is the commercial center of the country’s coffee region. He said there is “always a stock of premium coffee available at the cafes.” He teaches three ninth grade classes and two 10th grade classes. The class sizes are large with 30-40 students on average. His co-teacher Marleny studied in London and is fluent in English. “We work very well together,” Martinez said. “I will often present information in English, and she will present complex concepts in Spanish.” Martinez has enjoyed his experience and said, “They are some of the most gracious people I have ever met. They love their country, and it is easy to fall in love with it.” He added there are some cultural differences and personal relationships have a bigger emphasis. When
a student asked him if he was their friend, he said, “I like all my students, but I am not your friend. I am your teacher.” He said this is standard in the United States, but to them, it hurts their feelings. Martinez thinks he and the other teachers in the program are having an impact there. “In the U.S., people talk ad nauseam about increasing access to education, but very little gets done. Here, I am actually providing that access to education,” he said. He encourages others to use the program because of the benefits and experience of living abroad. In addition, it is an opportunity to learn a new language and culture. He thinks a program like his bridges the gap between perception and reality for people in other countries. “For many of my students, I am the first person from the U.S. they have ever met, and that comes with responsibility,” he said. “I am an ambassador
from the U.S. who is there to show them that every preconceived notion they may have about our country is not necessarily accurate. Just like I am learning many of my preconceived notions about Colombia were wrong.” As for the future, Martinez wants to become fluent in Spanish and to continue teaching abroad or come back to the U.S. and work for Teach for America or a study abroad office. In addition, he is preparing to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship. “Regardless, I am going to do something in the field of education,” he said. “This opportunity has truly opened up so many avenues for me. I am so grateful and humbled by my experiences here in Colombia, and I wholeheartedly recommend everyone to participate in a program like this–not just for the experience, but to serve a greater cause. It’s all about people helping people.”
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Arts &
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E N T ER T A I NM E N T
BITS OF A&E Shakespeare and the Americas The Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries will present “Shakespeare and the Americas: A Look Back to the World of “The Tempest”” in the Self-Taught Gallery April 16 – Sept. 25. In conjunction with “Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event,” this exhibition explores “The Tempest,” one of Shakespeare’s final plays and one for which he may have derived inspiration from a shipwreck off the coast of Bermuda in the New World. The Art of Derek Webster The Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries present “The Art of Derek Webster: Selections from the Marilyn Houlberg Collection” in the Self-Taught Gallery April 16 – Sept. 25. In 2013, ODU acquired the late Marilyn Houlberg’s collection of works by Derek Webster, one of Chicago’s prolific and celebrated AfricanAmerican self-taught artists. Kathleen Aguero Poetry Reading The ODU Virginia Beach Center will host a poetry reading and book signing by Kathleen Aguero April 21, 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Room 244. Her book, “After That,” addresses the complicated emotions and confusion in caring for parents with advanced dementia. This event is part of National Poetry Month at ODU Virginia Beach. Graphic Design Review Graduating graphic design seniors from the ODU Art Department will present their final portfolios in the ‘Spring Graphic Design Exit Review’ in the Changing Gallery of The Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries April 21-22. A reception will take place on April 21, 6-8 p.m. 20th Anniversary International Tattoo The ODU Choir, Diehn Chorale and Virginia Symphony Chorus, directed by Nancy Klein and Craig Jessop will take part in the 20th Anniversary International Tattoo, Virginia Arts Festival, April 21-23, 7:30 p.m. and April 24, 2:30 p.m. at Scope Arena, 201 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk. For tickets, please visit vatattoo.org.
GABRIEL IGLESIAS BREAKS EVEN AT THE TED George Plank Staff Writer Someone passing by the Ted Constant Convocation Center on Saturday night, April 9, might have wondered what was so funny with the uproarious laughter coming from within. Those on the inside enjoyed comedy from the talented Gabriel Iglesias who tours the country through the fall promoting his new show “Fluffy Breaks Even.” Prior to taking the stage, Iglesias invited his co-stars to warm up the audience. Martin Moreno, Alfred Robles and G Reilly made it clear no subject matter was off limits that evening. Jokes about marijuana, Michael Jackson and Bill Cosby followed. After a brief intermission, the curtains were pulled back to reveal Iglesias. The audience instantly knew they were in for a great time.
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“It’s a pretty good show,” Iglesias insisted. “I’ve seen it four times and I know how it ends.” His set consisted of mostly new material and covered every topic from Batman and false death reports to the time he met Arnold Schwarzenegger and his potential ABC sitcom. Nearly every moment was infused with his trademark voices and silly sound effects. Iglesias warned the audience early on the show was going to run long.
During each reprise, audience members shouted out the punchline in unison with the comedian. “When did my jokes become songs?” Iglesias asked. Once each joke was finished, the audience offered other suggestions. “Now you guys are yelling my jokes at me like I’m a comedy mariachi,” Iglesias said. Among these suggestions was Iglesias’ famed joke about a racist gift basket in which he surprises his black friend with a basket filled with ste-
“When did my jokes become songs?” His set, which was only supposed to last 45 minutes, ended up 47 minutes over his time limit before Iglesias unplugged the timer. In addition to his new material, Iglesias performed a number of encore jokes from his earlier specials.
reotypically “black” gifts. Since the original telling of that joke, Iglesias has received several racist gift baskets of his own. Iglesias recounted the time he was in Mobile, Alabama, when a fan rushed the stage with one such basket.
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Inside were such things as gardening supplies, a Home Depot gift card and an application for U.S. citizenship. The sort of dalliance was nowhere to be seen at the Ted. Iglesias maintained complete control of the audience throughout the evening. At one point, he succeeded in leading the audience in a chant for one of the security guards named Anthony. Iglesias has seen incredible success as a comedian. “I started comedy… it will be 19 years at midnight,” Iglesias announced. According to Iglesias, he started doing comedy on April 10, 1997. He hinted at a potential sitcom on ABC in the near future, but promised no matter the result of the endeavor, he will never stop doing comedy. As evident by their standing ovation, the audience can hardly wait for the next time Fluffy comes to town.
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Arts &
Stream this week's albums at maceandcrown.com!
E N T ER T A I NM E N T
MONARCH MUSIC MINUTE Hell YES!
I’ll Listen to it Twice, Even.
We’re Getting There...
RICHARD GABRINTINA
Eh...
Face Palm.
M83
‘Junk’
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
M83 frontman Anthony Gonzalez is known for gravitating toward dreamy synthpop, saxophones and nostalgia. Named after Messier 83, the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, the band redirects its command of crafting strong, cosmic ballads and lush soundscapes with “Junk,” released on April 8. The French electronic band has risen to mainstream recognition since their formation in 2001. M83 was featured in a Victoria’s Secret commercial, comprised the soundtrack to the film “Oblivion” and appeared in 2014’s “The Fault in Our Stars.” In 2011, M83 released “Hurry Up,
We’re Dreaming,” earning the band a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album in 2013 and recognition in Pitchfork’s 2014 edition of “The 100 Best Albums of the Decade So Far.” The level of acclaim left many assuming a worthy followup album would be an impossible task for M83. Gonzalez said despite the challenge, he was able to experiment and have fun on “Junk.” The album opens with the playfully erie “Do It, Try It” and enlists the help of Mai Lan, Susanne Sundfør and Beck. An epic pursuit of lost love, the album picks up with Lan and a guitar solo performed by Steve Vai
in “Go!” “For the Kids” showcases melancholic beauty through gentle piano melodies, a tender saxophone and Sundfør’s wistful timbre. The ballad “Solitude” is Gonzalez’s heartfelt plea for company. The rest of the album shifts in energy and concludes with “Sunday Night 1987.” Inspired by the sounds of ’70s and ’80s television, “Junk” is Gonzalez’s invitation to experience a full range of emotions, his ambitious reinvention and his reaction to modern art as ephemera—as “junk.”
Deftones ‘Gore'
Today’s world of rock seems to lack the prominence, variety and vitality it once exhibited on radio waves several decades ago. In response to this, veteran rock band Deftones resurfaced and supplied listeners with their eighth studio album “Gore” on April 8. Initially associated with the nu metal movement, the alternative metal band formed in 1988 and has consistently experimented with its sound. Critics and fans alike cite their 2000 album “White Pony” as their most engaging record. Sixteen years later, however, “Gore” competes for that position with its evolved yet
definitive Deftones sound over the years. “There’s a new strange/Godless demon awake inside me/There’s a forced divine/Terrorizing the angels I keep/While we dream” opens the album in the song “Prayers/Triangles.” Lead singer Chino Moreno and fellow bandmates leave each track on “Gore” with beautifully juxtaposed, gory-romantic atmospherics. Aggressive riffs and thunderous drumming charge forward in conjunction with Moreno’s tranquil vocals on “Doomed User.” After a steady buildup, “Hearts/ Wires” grips the listener’s heart as
Moreno belts out the hook, “Cut through/This razor wire/And dine on your heart/Mine ‘till the end.” In its entirety, “Gore” stands as a cohesive body of work that exposes audiences to Moreno’s innermost feelings. The final song “Rubicon” accurately depicts Deftones’ current stage in life with the lines, “Embrace the power we have/The record’s ours to break/ And the more we build/The crowd goes wild.” Moreno achieves mastery of lyrical symbolism in “Gore.” Even after more than 20 years, the alt-metal band remains relevant in the realm of rock for both new and old fans.
Courtesy of Barsuk / City Slang
TWENTY88 ‘Twenty 88’
Courtesy of Atlantic / Rush
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Jhené Aiko and Big Sean collaborating isn’t a novel idea. The two worked together on tracks such as “Beware” and “I Know” off of Big Sean’s “Hall of Fame” and “Dark Sky Paradise” respectively. The self-titled album released on April 1 marked the pair’s official debut as a hip-hop duo under the moniker TWENTY88. A week later, they released a 15-minute visual accompaniment directed by Lawrence Lamont. As individual artists, Jhené soulsearches and indulges in the melancholy while Big Sean raps about his personal accounts and lavish lifestyle. Through shared experiences in love, lust and liquor-filled and faded esca-
pades, the two artists explore those themes with a dual perspective on “Twenty88.” In addition to a shared sense of emotional awareness, the caress of Jhené’s smooth crooning and Big Sean’s calculated, staccato-punch delivery complement one another to enhance their strong chemistry. The production behind “Twenty88” provides the perfect backdrop for each sonic narrative and is handled by KeY Wane, Cam O’bi, Amaire Johnson, Flippa, Jproof, Steve Lacy, Detail, Sidney Swift and Tommy Brown. “Déjà Vu” opens the album up with Big Sean and Jhené Aiko reflecting
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on past relationships. “On The Way” expresses the longing experienced from the perspective of both sexes. A sexual declaration of unbottling repressed desires, “2 Minute Warning” features R&B icons K-Ci & Jojo. “London Bridge” closes the album out with a call for romantic restoration. On the first listen, “Twenty88” might seem like scattered singles but ultimately tells a cohesive love story. The duo works in harmony to deliver the emotions felt at various stages of a relationship through clever wordplay, catchy choruses and raw, sensual energy.
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Arts &
Watch trailers of this week’s featured movies on our website.
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MONARCH MOVIE MINUTE Mind Blown
A Must See
Add to my Queue
MEGAN SNYDER
Well, there goes 2 hours of my life
Straight to DVD
‘Ten Thousand Saints’ 2015 | R | 113 min.
Based on Eleanor Henderson’s 2011 novel, “Ten Thousand Saints” transports viewers back to 1980s New England where a young Jude Keffy-Horn (Asa Butterfield) learns from his matter-of-fact, drug-dealing father Les (Ethan Hawke) that he is adopted. The news, which may not have been shared had Jude’s best friend Teddy stayed the night as was originally planned, naturally changes the trajectory of the already withdrawn boy’s life, a theme this film explores in depth. Several years later, Jude and Teddy (Avan Jogia) are teenagers. Jude’s
half-sister Eliza (Hailee Steinfeld) visits from New York, and the three attend a New Year’s Eve house party, do drugs and bond over their love of hardcore punk music. On their way home, Jude and Teddy huff Freon and pass out in the snow. The next morning, Teddy is found dead, and a few weeks later, Eliza discovers she is pregnant with his child. “Ten Thousand Saints” examines the darker side of the '80s, a time marked by the War on Drugs and the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The film culminates with Jude and Eliza caught in the crossfire of the
Tompkins Square Park riots of 1988. This scene speaks poignantly to the vulnerability of children during tumultuous times. Hawke’s portrayal of the unstable but well-intended Les is chillingly authentic, and an almost unrecognizable Emile Hirsch delivers an impressive performance as Teddy’s older brother Johnny. 19-year-old Butterfield, who played the lead in 2008’s “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” shows great promise and narrates the film. This film is available on Netflix.
‘Hell and Back’ 2015 | R | 86 min.
Who says stop-motion animation is just for kids? Don’t be fooled by its cartoon guise. While “Hell and Back” may not give your little ones nightmares, this totally inappropriate, boundary-pushing, politically incorrect work of art will surely get them sent to the principal’s office. Starring Nick Swardson, Mila Kunis, T.J. Miller, Rob Riggle, Susan Sarandon, Danny McBride and Bob Odenkirk as the devil, “Hell and Back” is as entertaining as it is offensive. When their best friend Curt (Riggle) is dragged into the pits of hell
(don’t ask how), the bewildered Remy (Swardson) and dopey Augie (Miller) go in after him. There they see that hell is run much like a business, and a struggling one at that, with Satan berating his demon workers for failing to meet the monthly quota of lost souls. Desperate for clues as to where Curt could be, Remy and Augie eavesdrop on a conversation between the devil and his crush, Barb the angel (Sarandon), who has come to hell to rescue the three mortals. Eager to please Barb, Satan orders his band of hellions to find the boys in what turns
‘Ayanda and the Mechanic’ 2015 | Unrated | 105 min.
In spite of mixed critical reviews, “Ayanda and the Mechanic” earned a total of seven nominations at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards and won Best Writer of a Movie and Best Makeup Artist. Starring newcomer Fulu Moguvhani as the film’s title character, this audience favorite tells the heartfelt story of a young woman’s efforts to preserve her father’s memory, all while maintaining her budding sense of self. An artist, Ayanda sees potential life in the old, rundown car parts of her father’s struggling auto shop. After his unexpected death, the 21 year old took over the business, running
it with enthusiasm and her unique flare. But when her mother and her new love interest threaten to sell the money-guzzling enterprise, Ayanda begs for one more chance to save this last piece of her father. Set against the bustling backdrop of the South African suburb of Yeoville, “Ayanda’s” bright and warm color palette is as rich and vibrant as the culture the film portrays. The mid-sentence switching of languages and a diverse cast add interest and dimension to this coming-of-age tale. Told within the framing device of a fellow artist’s photo documentary, “Ayanda” is a multimedia production
which combines film, interviews, still frames and animation. The result is a visually arresting ode to the arts, a cinematic love letter to all things creative. Some critics question South African native and white director Sara Blecher’s choice to use a predominantly American folk soundtrack for the film. Others feel that the inclusion of a love triangle cheapens Ayanda’s professional endeavors. These are no less minor pitfalls in a skillfully made and layered drama. This film is available on Netflix.
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into one hilarious wild goose chase. Unfortunately, “Hell and Back’s” visual splendor and all-star cast fail to compensate for its lack of wit. The script, likely heavily influenced by Swardson, is ridden with tasteless jokes and feels more like a series of unrelated stand-up bits than dialogue. Underwhelming and clearly an afterthought, the initial action that sets the plot in motion offers little to elevate this animated dud. This film is available on Netflix.
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California native rapper Casey Veggies and Washington D.C. native rapper Shy Glizzy headlined the annual Monarch Madness concert at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on April 8. Photos by: Josef Hicks
MONARCH MADNESS: SHY GLIZZY AND CASEY VEGGIES
INVADE THE TED
Anika Williams Contributing Writer
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Old Dominion University’s Student Activities Council held its annual Monarch Madness concert on April 8 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The evening’s lineup featured up-and-coming duo ASTR opening for rappers Casey Veggies and Shy Glizzy. Students and other concertgoers arrived early to claim an ideal spot on the floor or a comfortable seat close to the stage. As always, students dressed to impress. Many defied the cold weather in dresses, shorts and backless ensembles. Unsure of what to expect from the relatively unknown band, the audience took in ASTR’s combination of electronic, dance and R&B music as they awaited the main acts. Casey Veggies took the stage next, ready to go. The 22 year old enthusiastically motivated and interacted with
the crowd, pumping up fans and snapping pictures with them throughout his set. After a brief intermission and demanding chants, calls and hollers from the crowd, D.C. native Shy Glizzy graced the stage with other members of the “XXL” 2015 Freshmen Class. Calm, cool and ready to deliver, the relaxed group of hip-hop’s hottest rappers and singers seemed accustomed to life on the road with Glizzy. The “Young Jefe” rapper was upbeat and expressed a strong desire to have a good time with his fans. Glizzy performed favorites like “White Girl” and “Awwsome” from his 2014 album followed by “Funeral” from “Law 3,” his latest 4.5-star rated mixtape. As the evening went on, truly dedicated fans came closer together, competing for the perfect spot to vibe to Glizzy’s catchy lyrics until there was hardly any space to move. Still, some managed to squeeze their arms
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up above the crowd to record videos and take pictures of the energetic performance. Audience members connected with each other over the high-energy music, singing the words to every song, from the underground to more current singles. Like the performers, the crowd was filled with people of all backgrounds, displaying the diversity of ODU. Full of energy, they mingled and danced with each other to current hits between acts. After the show, no one wanted to leave, including Glizzy, who decided to chill out on the stage as the crew packed up. This offered fans the opportunity to take in the post-performance atmosphere and observe the artist up close and personal. Shy Glizzy’s mixtape “Law 3” and Casey Veggies’ debut studio album “Live & Grow” are available on iTunes.
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Arts &
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MONARCH STYLE
WHAT TO WEAR FOR A JOB INTERVIEW Kimberly Bering Staff Writer Preparing for a job interview can be exceedingly stressful. Employers like to be impressed by both the professional qualifications as well as the individual personality of a potential job candidate. Interviews are a socially acceptable time to promote your unique qualities and achievements through the way you dress. How to answer tough questions and hold your own in a professional setting are just a handful of worries people face when interviewing for a job, but what to wear doesn't have to be. With concerns such as coming across qualified, educated and friendly, finding an appropriate outfit often
falls to the bottom of the list in prepping for the interview process. You want to appear professional without looking too formal or squandering your personal style. There are a few things to consider before meeting with your future employers. The foremost rule of interview friendly apparel is to never arrive underdressed. Denim, flip flops, tank tops or tennis shoes should never be worn to an interview. Even if you’ve applied for a position in food service or industry work, looking put together shows your future employers perseverance for the position and a professional state of mind. It is important to consider the position for which you are applying. Interviews are all about convincing
the employer you are perfect for the position. Depending on the kind of work, piecing together an appropriate outfit can have a huge impact on the employer’s decision. If you aspire to work for a creative job, such as photography, graphic design or writing, including hints of color and personal flair shows your artistic inclinations. Being overly colorful with too many accessories or patterns, however, can be overbearing. Pairing neutral colors with one or two brighter pieces works perfectly. An employer wants to see your individuality and creative potential. If you plan on working in a public service career, like finance, law or medicine, employers seek highly educated and qualified candidates. This is
where subtle colors and minimal patterns come in handy in showing your intelligence and practiced demeanor. A tailored blazer pairs excellently with flats and a pastel top. The key is to look sensible, yet fashionably put together. Edith Head, one of the most iconic fashion designers of all time, said, “You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.” Winner of eight Academy Awards for fashion, Head took this statement seriously and pursued her dreams to become a world class costume designer. This inspirational quote demonstrates the power of clothing in attaining your perfect job, or anything else you want in life. In a work environment, style should reflect how creative and
unique you are amidst a sea of other employees. Everybody has different preferences and styles that define his or her personal taste in clothing. Dressing fashionably and professionally is attainable, even when wearing jeans is not an option. The take-home message in preparing for a job interview is: Be yourself. Showing originality and creativity while still displaying a professional demeanor is possible. Employers seek individuals who can improve the company and represent its values. Strive to impress your future employers by dazzling them with your sharp and polished appearance.
Lemongrass Grille's “build-your-own-bowl” entrée offers customers the option of selecting one base, one protein, up to three veggies, unlimited garnishes and a choice of sauces. Photo by Shannon Jay
LOCALLY-OWNED LEMONGRASS GRILLE BRINGS FRESH CUISINE TO GHENT Shannon Jay Staff Writer
Lemongrass Grille is the latest addition to a long line of tasty eateries on 21st Street in Ghent. After success with their location in Greenbrier, owner Robert Brennan decided to grace another city in Hampton Roads with their fresh cuisine. “You either grow or you diminish,” Brennan told the Virginian-Pilot last year. Since then, the build-your-ownbowl joint has won Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Best of 2015 Readers’ Choice Award for best new restaurant
and best vegan/vegetarian restaurant, recognizing their tasty options for all diets. Brennan’s classically-trained background as a chef and 20 years of restaurant experience ensures Lemongrass Grille is the real deal. The concept is simple — begin with a variety of bases such as citrus lime rice, salad or noodles. Next comes the protein, including tofu or a juicy meat option, marinated and seasoned to perfection. Then, top the bowl with your choice of veggies and house-made sauces. A great go-to is the spicy red or mild green curry sauce, and the chili sweet potatoes are a must. A
variety of garnishes are available to add the perfect pinch of flavor to finish off your dish, including cilantro, pickled ginger, raw veggies and fruits. All ingredients are fresh and locally grown. The “all natural” food philosophy hits close to home for the Brennan family. The Brennan family researched foods filled with antibiotics and growth modifying hormones, grown and raised in filthy CAFO’s (confined animal feeding operations). They learned how these foods negatively affected a member of their immediate family with autism in a major way. The more they learned, the more
the Brennan family found foods have the potential to affect all families with many potential health problems. After these conclusions, Brennan and his family strived to create a unique restaurant, providing cuisine that was healthy and fresh, yet flavorful and fast, at an affordable price. The atmosphere of the new location is rather bland. While the Greenbrier store has lots of windows and natural light, 21st Street’s large, lime-green walls have only a few generic art pieces, making the large store feel a little empty. Once the shady patio opens up for summer, Lemongrass Grille may become Ghent’s new, warm weather
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hot spot with it’s refreshing dishes. No matter how the restaurant looks inside, the food — and the amount you get for your money — more than make up for the interior design. The rice bowls are great leftovers, and generous portions ensure tasty bites for days. Lemongrass Grille’s new spot is located at 725 W. 21st St. and is open everyday at 11 a.m. except Sundays. They’re open until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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“ROOM” REVEALS TWO FRIGHTENING WORLDS Tyler Passarge Contributing Writer
Last year was a unique year for film. The new Star Wars movie which was a monster success, news spread of the trials Leonardo DiCaprio went through for “The Revenant,” and the explosive blockbuster “Mad Max: Fury Road” became a hit with critics and audiences alike. The biggest surprise this year, however, was a little movie called “Room.” The film not only became a favorite among critics, but also a contender for several awards. For this, “Room” may be one of the best, if not the best movie of last year. It’s an emotionally gripping movie– a must-see-
to-believe drama. The movie tells the harrowing tale of a mother and son fighting to hold their bond through the horrors of their reality. The reality? Being held prisoner in a small 11-by-11 shed. The mother, Joy (Brie Larson), has been held prisoner in the room since the age of seventeen and struggles to keep herself and her child safe from her captor. Her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay) has never experienced life outside of the small room. All he knows are the four walls surrounding him, the window of sunlight they have to share and the stories his mother tells him about the outside world. When Joy devises a plan to
escape, she tries to prepare her son for a world outside of room, but he’s initially resistant. When the two finally make their heart-pounding escape, both Joy and Jack have to adjust to the change in their own ways. “Room” may be the best movie of last year with its intensity and theme of a tested mother-son bond. It’s also a movie which will stick with you, leaving you reeling from everything afterwards even days after finishing the movie. The movie depends on the relationship of Joy and Jack and how believable they are as a mother and son dynamic. When watching the two leads on screen, it’s easy to see each
share a natural connection, which translates very well on film. The amazing script of the movie allows Larson and Tremblay to breathe life into their characters. Jacob Tremblay walks away with the best performance of the movie, giving us a character who never falls into the trappings of the “cute kid saying cute things” cliché. Tremblay acts like a real kid who throws temper tantrums, lets curiosity get the better of him, but freezes up in petrifying circumstances. And when the character is forced to interact with a new world, Tremblay plays it beautifully. After escaping, Joy goes through an emotional journey,
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which actress Brie Larson embodies well. Larson becomes a mother sacrificing her wellbeing in order to keep her son protected. The cost of this characteristic is something Larson never plays up with theatrics, but with compassion and brutal honesty. Watching her perform this feat, it’s easy to tell how she won the leading actress Oscar for her role. With all the buzz surrounding other movies last year, it was easy to overlook this tale of a mother and son. However, “Room” deserves to be seen for its amazing performances and sheer honesty in storytelling. It’s an unforgettable film, which hopefully will be rediscovered as time moves forward.
Arts &
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Terri Binion Releases First Album in Over a Decade
Jesse Andrews' 'The Haters' Offers Lesson in Humility Lindsey Lanham Staff Writer
Ever wonder what it’d be like to embark on a summer tour with your best friend and a girl you just met? Or how you’d survive an entire two weeks with no cell phone or Internet access? Want to know why Thundergarment is a terrible band name? Jesse Andrews’ 2016 young adult novel “The Haters” has you covered. Protagonist Wesley and Corey are best friends. When the chance to escape their summer jazz camp hell presents itself, they take off with ring leader Ash on an impromptu summer tour of the American South. The three 19-year-olds bring with them only their instruments, leaving everything else behind, including their cell phones. Much of their tour consists of smoking weed and playing music at tiny Chinese restaurants. Wesley and Corey hang on cool-girl Ash’s every word as she leads them on their journey. Together they stay at strangers’ houses and drink with country singers.
Over the course of the summer, conflicted bass player and quintessential follower Wesley finds himself in a constant state of uncertainty. His quest is to find music so good, it can’t be “hated on.” From Vampire Weekend to Kool and the Gang to Kanye though, Wes is here to tell you all of the reasons your favorite musicians suck. Somehow, there’s a character even more pretentious than Wes. Ash is the edgy, alternative girl Wes and Corey meet at camp. She’s self-destructive and sexually confused and not your stereotypically pretty girl, and for some reason, guys in young adult novels always think that’s hot. A simple story of a boy and a girl in a not-so-typical situation, “The Haters” is Andrews’ second book. After the success of his first, “Me, Earl and the Dying Girl,” Andrews began writing “The Haters,” which was released on April 5, 2016. Reminiscent of John Green, Andrews’ writing style is authentic and full of personality. If you ignore the typical “awkward-guy-falls-in-love-with-coolgirl” trope and the overabundance
of dick jokes, “The Haters” is a story centered on music and its power to bring people together. A group of self-appointed experts who actually play very little music talk a big game. Wes can spend three pages debating what makes Pharrell a bad musician but fails to articulate what makes a good one. The story wraps up in about five pages. This abrupt ending doesn’t afford the reader, let alone the characters, enough time to experience closure. It’s as if Andrews never bothered to think of an ending, panicked and then jotted something down to get it over with. Even though the story comes across unsophisticated, this is intentional of its characters. “The Haters” is a commonplace coming-of-age tale written for those, well, coming of age. Andrews explores the struggles of three young people through the lens of music and Southern culture. He keeps readers entertained with wit and humor. “The Haters” is a fun and charming story that just about anybody who’s been 19 before can enjoy.
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Julia Creamer Contributing Writer Florida-based alternative folk singer-songwriter and producer Terri Binion released “The Day After The Night Before,” her first album in over a decade, on March 25. A unique blend of folk, Kentucky bluegrass and country, Binion’s musical style is reflective of her upbringing in the South. Her brilliant songwriting, emotionally raw lyrics and soft, soulful voice are the driving forces behind her new album. Each song chronicles Binion’s grief-stricken journey through the loss of both of her parents, the tragic death of her wife and her struggle for marriage equality. Though the tone of this album is sorrowful and may result in a few shed tears among listeners, it is important to note the elements of love, hope and healing that can be heard throughout. Written in the form of a traditional country ballad, “A Long Way Back” opens the album. The lyrics contain a wealth of emotions yet provide a positive message of hope for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The song also speaks on the previous marginalization of samesex married couples and their ongoing battle to obtain spousal rights. “Walking in Circles” is a bluesy folk composition that also addresses the confusion, sorrow and lack of
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purpose a person feels after losing a loved one. “Grace in Mid City” has an entirely different sound. A wonderful blending of slide guitar, bayou banjo picking, screaming violins and haunting vocals, this song is Binion’s ode to New Orleans and its relaxed, easygoing atmosphere. Prior to “The Day After the Night Before,” Binion released two albums, “Leavin’ This Town” in 1996 and “Fool” in 2004. The subject matter of both these albums is more lighthearted than that of her new release but they still contain Binion’s honest lyrics and trademark musicianship. Her unique style and beautifully penned lyrics gained the notoriety of singer-songwriter greats Lucinda Williams, Jim White and Jim Webb after Binion released “Leavin’ This Town.” She then went on tour and in 2004 opened for the Indigo Girls. After traveling the country for several months, Binion decided to go back to her job as a costumer for film, television and stage. Through the loss of her parents, tragic death of her wife and painful marginalization under the Florida gay marriage ban, Terri Binion found her way back to her musical roots and turned her darkest hours into a musical work of art that is deeply human. Her positive outlook and determination are nothing short of inspirational.
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Purchase "My Melanin" products at mymelanin.bigcartel.com.
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Student Launches 'My Melanin': Hats with a Message Anika Williams Contributing Writer
In January 2016, ODU junior DeMontaz Brown launched his brand "My Melanin," which offers a line of hats bearing the word “Melanin.” With his line of products, Montaz focuses on delivering a culturally relevant message. His brand "My Melanin" has been a hot topic on campus and Twitter and continues to gain momentum. It all began with his attendance at the University of Missouri's protests against racial discrimination on campus. He grew irritated of people showing up to demonstrations just to snap photos and be seen. “I made my brand so we can spread the movement every day,” Brown says. “If someone were to ask you where your hat came from, you can not only tell them where but also why and explain its meaning.” The meaning can be found in Brown’s poem “My Melanin” on the brand’s website. He writes, “its the melanin in my skin that sets me apart.” The frayed edges and distressed look of Brown’s hats not only add a cool element to the wearer’s outfit, but also represent “the wear and tear
we all experience daily,” Brown said. The sleek, bold lettering attracts the eye and appeals to a wide range of consumers, an intentional move on Brown’s part to target a diverse market. The hats are for any and everybody because, according to Brown, we all have the ability to turn out trials into something powerful. Brown began his entrepreneurship with common knowledge and utilized simple resources around him to propel his vision into reality. The Fredericksburg native says he didn’t want to make T-shirts but rather something different and new. Brown says everything he does has meaning behind it. He describes creating his hats “like [crafting] an essay.” He started brainstorming, advanced to the rough draft and ultimately assembled a final product that resonates within society. The CEO admitted he initially didn’t want to name his brand "My Melanin" because he didn’t want to be associated too closely with other brands bearing the same concept. Brown stuck with the name though and focuses on providing a strong message behind it. Brown handles nearly every aspect of production from design to sales to physically distressing every hat indi-
vidually. This process ensures no two hats are alike and results in a product made with love and passion. The entrepreneur also writes in his poignant poem lines that embody the company’s mission statement. “I carry the whips on their backs with the rips in my hats,” Brown writes. He says he always pays attention to detail and decided to put all his creative qualities to work in building his business. Even more impressive than Brown’s artistic talent, is the rapid rate at which his brand's success took off. Using only e-mail, Brown sold all his hats within ten minutes. Brown has restocked plenty since then and successfully sells out on a regular basis. Humble and kind, Brown doesn’t concern himself with the money. He says his work is about the brand’s message, one Brown wants everyone to understand. You can purchase a stunning and unique "My Melanin" hat at www. mymelanin.co. Brown’s hats are also sold at Rootz in MacArthur Center by the owner’s request. Brown says this partnership took him by surprise and stands as a testament to the strength and resonance of the hats and their message.
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Sports
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SPORTS RECAP Baseball ODU Baseball takes on conference foe Louisiana Tech on Friday April 22. This comes after the Monarchs split a pair of games with UTSA. The Monarchs are now 24-11 and an even 7-7 in conference play. ODU looks forward to Louisiana Tech. They swept the series last season. Men’s Golf Nick Rencis was named C-USA Golfer of the week after winning the Greenbrier Collegiate invite. He placed first out of 89 participants. It was just Rencis’ fourth collegiate event. ODU golf looks forward to the NCAA tournament that begins on April 24. Men’s Tennis The team looks forward to the C-USA tournament that begins on April 21. Men’s tennis finished the season on a very strong note winning 16 out of their last 17. On April 10, the team cruised to a 6-1 victory over UNCW putting them at 18-4. Women’s Lacrosse Women’s Lacrosse will host Howard University on April 23. The Lady Monarchs took a tough 16-6 loss to Jacksonville last weekend. It was their first loss in over a month. At 10-3, they are off to the best 13 game start in school history.
Guard Trey Freeman at the ODU Men's Basketball versus UTEP game on MDY at the Ted Center.
Photo by Josh Boone
Freeman Showcases Talent at Portsmouth Invitational Harry Howard Contributing Writer Last week, college basketball’s top seniors got together for the 64th Portsmouth Invitational. The invitational is a 12-game tournament lasting four days and drawing NBA and international scouts. NBA scouts first came to the tournament back in the 1970s for players like Rick Barry, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe and John Lucas who traveled to Portsmouth to par-
ticipate. Former Old Dominion standout Kent Bazemore put his name on the NBA radar back in 2012 at the Portsmouth Invitational and Monarch pride was back again this year with guard Trey Freeman showcasing his talents. Tournament director Mahlon Parker said, “We’ve probably got the best field we’ve had in 10 years. We know the NBA has called and said
they’re pleased with the field. So, if they’re pleased, we’re pleased.” Freeman has proven he can score, averaging 22 points a game this past season, but has to show scouts he can be a true point guard by scoring second and distributing first. Freeman finished his career as a Monarch with a bang, leading the team to a championship in the firstever Vegas 16 Tournament. But the championship wasn’t the only trophy
Freeman took home. He was named the MVP of the tournament and placed on the All-Tournament team. During the Portsmouth Invitational, Freeman averaged 9.3 points, a team-high 7.3 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals per game. In game one, Freeman had his tournament-high with 15 points. Over the course of the three games, by far the best stat Freeman posted was only three turnovers.
Monarchs Win First of Series 5-2 Over UTSA Michael High Contributing Writer The Old Dominion Monarchs (24-10, 7-6) extended their winning streak to five games, including four Conference USA victories, with a 5-2 victory over the University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners (12-21, 3-10), Friday at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. The Monarchs scored two runs in the fifth inning with two errors on one play. Justin Hayes and Nick Walker led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Zach Rutherford laid down a near perfect bunt, causing UTSA
pitcher to rush the throw, which ended up in right field. The right fielder mishandled it and when the dust settled, Hayes and Walker both scored safely with Rutherford on third base. He was erased at home
lowed one run on three hits, while allowing two walks and fanning eight in 5.2 innings. The normal Friday starter, Sam Sinnen, replaced Nick Hartman with one out and one on in the fourth
struck out five and walked one, while tossing 117 pitches. UTSA jumped out to the 1-0 lead in the first inning. Leadoff man Skylar Valentine doubled and stole third. C.J. Pickering struck out, which
The Monarchs' bullpen shut down the Roadrunners' offense. as he attempted to score on a fly ball to left field. However, Ryan Stacy fired a strike to the catcher and Mason George applied the tag to end the inning. The Monarchs' bullpen shut down the Roadrunners' offense. They al-
inning. He tossed 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one baseon-balls, while striking out four. UTSA starting pitcher, Aaron Burns was the tough luck loser. He scattered nine hits in seven innings of work. Burns allowed five runs,
would have ended the inning. However, when he advanced to first base on a dropped third strike, Valentine scampered home during the throw. Old Dominion would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the first inning.
Nick Walker, who was hit-by-pitch to lead the game, came home on a one out single by Connor Myers. The next two batters were retired, ending the threat. “We have scored runs in the first inning all season long,” Old Dominion head coach Chris Finwood said. They would add one in the seventh to extend the lead to three before UTSA registered one of their own in the eighth. The Monarchs' Morgan Maguire struck out the two batters he faced in the eighth to stop the rally. He allowed one hit in the ninth before retiring the next three batters to earn his second save of the season.
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Technology
Attend Norfolk's startup job fair - 'Circuit - The Job Fair That Doesn't Suck' this Thursday at Slover Library!
TECH IN A SEC Apple, FBI Encryption Fight Continues The privacy versus security fight which began in February between Apple and the FBI will continue in Congress. Even after the FBI dropped the suit against Apple, and cracked a terrorist’s iPhone on their own, both parties will be testifying in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee regarding encryption and law enforcement. AMC Theaters to Allow Texting? In an interview with Variety, AMC CEO Adam Aron suggested that AMC theaters might allow cell phone usage in their theaters to cater to the millennial audience. Two days later, AMC officially retracted that notion after fierce backlash from cinema-goers and film enthusiasts. Compliance with Court Orders Act of 2016 An anti-encryption bill introduced by a pair of senators is now readable online. The bill would force U.S. companies to compromise their encryption systems. Technology experts, advocacy groups and even other senators are against it, as it clears misunderstandings how the technology actually works. “This legislation would effectively outlaw Americans from protecting themselves,” Senator Ron Wyden said. “Dark Souls 3” Sells Big
NORFOLK’S FIRST GAMING FESTIVAL, “PIXELFEST” On April 8-10, Norfolk held its first gaming festival at Slover Library known as “PixelFest.” The festival included multiple independent companies showing off their games, workshops and even a Super Smash Bros. tournament. The festival ran from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon and was sponsored by a number of local restaurants, gaming communities and the Slover Library itself. The festival was for all ages, and multiple events were targeted toward a younger audience, but included some older arcade games including “Tron,” which was released in 1982, for the older generation. The festival was the brain child of
Jeremy Alessi who runs a gaming design firm in Virginia Beach. His firm, Midnight Status, originally intended to show off an indie game they are currently producing at the festival, but when the idea was introduced to Slover Library, the two organizations decided to partner in hosting the festival. Alessi said, “This event is designed for everyone from kids to professional designers, all based on their love of games.” He said he hoped the festival would help teach children to code for game design, which was why a Minecraft education workshop along with other game design boot camps were included in PixelFest activities. The festival consisted of five floors filled with events and game demonstrations. There were two gaming tournaments, four gaming work-
shops and two arcades. One arcade was dedicated to classic games, and one sponsored by GameStop showed off new generation console games. Newer games were displayed in the GameStop arcade, including Tom Clancy’s The Division and Street Fighter V, and included a wide variety of consoles including Xbox One, Playstation 4, Wii U and a virtual reality experience. A number of indie game developers were also at PixelFest to show off their games, which included Swap Fire, Clash Cub Turbo and other games still in development. Aside from the tournaments and arcades, the festival also had a few free-roaming events such as a Mario Maker Jam, a Minecraft playroom and a game jam. Most of these activities involved bringing your own console or hopping on a computer in
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Infamously difficult and atmosphere-rich dark fantasy game “Dark Souls 3” released on April 11. In just four days, it managed to sell over 500,000 copies on the PC distribution service Steam alone. “Dark Souls 3” is reportedly the last of the “Souls” games from developer FromSoftware. Fossil Fuels Could Be Phased Out in Ten Years According to a peer-reviewed paper in the Energy Research and Social Science journal, fossil fuels could be phased out globally in a decade. Professor Benjamin Sovacool from the University of Sussex warns, however, that it would take a collaborative effort to do so.
the library. These events were simply to allow the gaming community of Norfolk to come together and enjoy great games. Multiple local gaming shops showed their support including Videogame Heaven and That Game Store. Videogame Heaven brought along two Retron consoles, which play games from older consoles including Nintendo, SEGA Genesis and Super Nintendo. That Game Store brought along merchandise from their store to sell such as games “Pop! Funko” figurines and other gaming collectibles. It has been reported over 4,500 people attended over the course of PixelFest and vendor registration for PixelFest 2017 is already being arranged, officially making this festival an annual event.
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Technology
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Attend Norfolk's startup job fair - 'Circuit - The Job Fair That Doesn't Suck' this Thursday at Slover Library!
THE INDIE GAMES OF PIXELFEST 2016 Ross Reelachart Technology Editor
“Swapfire” by Midnight Status What began as the result of a seven day game jam, “Swapfire” is a new take on the first person shooter by developer Midnight Status. Like Valve’s dimension-bending hit “Portal,”“Swapfire” introduces a simple puzzle mechanic which serves as the core of the game. Instead of killing targets or enemy players, shooting them causes the player and the target to swap places. This unique twist makes competitive multiplayer an exercise in calculated risks, as throwing yourself off a ledge and then quickly swapping with another player is the only way to score points. The game’s story has the single player as a contestant on a game show trying to sell the idea that the swapping weapon is okay for people to use. “Timebomb” by Isoteric Games Developed by Galan Montgomery, “Timebomb” is an endless runner game where the player guides a ball through an infinite series of different-sized obstacles for as long as possible while a timer counts down to zero. The ball’s size is controlled by the player, and by resizing the ball so that it just barely fits through an obstacle, time can be added to the clock. While simple in both look and play, “Timebomb” is a wonderfully minimalistic game which rewards quick skill and precision.
“Signal to Noise” by Solanimus Games Similar to the game “AudioSurf,” the player pilots a cyber spaceship along a path with layout and design created on-thefly by music from the player’s own library. The colors change and the entire game world pulsates in time with the beat of the music as the game attempts to lull the player into a state known as synesthesia where the senses are blended. The Solanimus team emphasized the algorithm for interpreting music into gameplay is completely custom designed.
“Clash Cup Turbo” by Root76 Sporting a bright, colorful and cartoonish art style, “Clash Cup Turbo” aims to win over the local multiplayer community with its take on competitive sports. As what can best be described as a mash-up between air hockey, pinball and Super Smash Bros., the goal of “Clash Cup Turbo” is to smack a sliding puck into an opposing goal. The little cartoon characters handle well and use their own special attacks to block or control the puck, which can bounce erratically around the many arenas. While it’s possible to hit other players, the puck and goal keeps the focus squarely sports-minded.
“Vegas Prime Retrograde” by Open Form Games Unlike most of the other games at Pixel Fest, “Vegas Prime Retrograde” had a narrative focus over raw gameplay. What started as an underground comic, “Vegas Prime Retrograde” became a first person exploration and puzzle game which challenges players to explore the life and world of a woman who lives in a utopic future, but is unable to fully enjoy it because of her own trauma and the mysteries the world hides.
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“Silent Earth” by Remote Games Inspired by the classic game “Missile Defense” and the current state of nuclear weapons in the real world, Remote Games brings an updated version with interesting twists. Played on a mobile device, either iOS or Android, the player is tasked with defending a pair of cities from incoming missiles with their own missiles. “Silent Earth” switches up the formula by not only adding different kinds of weapons for the player to unlock, but also adding boss fights. As the first independent project from Remote Games, the modern twist on a retro classic made for an intriguing and fun mobile game.
“That RPS Game” by Philosoplay A local, multiplayer take on the classic game of Rock Paper Scissors, “That RPS Game” is a simple and fun competitive game with rules everyone should know. Players choose to be the titular rock, paper or scissors and then are set loose to chase their respective prey. Players run from their respective hunter in an arena for points. There’s an elegant tension to chasing your target while also being hunted in a cyclical manner. Of course, there are power-ups, special attacks and varied modes to add new wrinkles to a tight central mechanic.
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Technology
Attend Norfolk's startup job fair - 'Circuit - The Job Fair That Doesn't Suck' this Thursday at Slover Library!
IMAGES COURTESY OF ROBOCOPP
DETERRING CAMPUS VIOLENCE WITH THE ROBOCOPP SOUND GRENADE Ross Reelachart Technology Editor The widespread problem of sexual assaults and violence on college campuses across the country is one with no single solution and requires a change in the foundational perception of campus violence. In the meantime, a myriad of personal safety devices have been developed in an effort to give the individual some amount of peace of mind. ROBOCOPP is one such device which aims to be usable and practical for anyone. ROBOCOPP is an unassuming plastic device (a “sound grenade”) that can fit on any keychain. But when
the ring is pulled, it emits a 120-decibel siren which deters attackers and alerts any non-deaf person in the vicinity to trouble. The origin for ROBOCOPP, like many anti-violence devices, was personal. The sister of Sam Mansen, the founder of ROBOCOPP, felt unsafe while walking around the Bay Area while attending UC Berkeley. Originally, Mansen had gone online in search of some kind of personal safety device that was not the usual choice of pepper spray, taser or some other kind of would-be weapon. But other than LifeAlert bracelets, he found no other personal “alarm” that sufficed. That was when he chose to make his own alternative: ROBOCOPP.
Mansen’s reasons for making a personal alarm over some kind of defense gadget was rooted in practicality of the user in the heat of the moment. While it was easy and simple to imagine using pepper spray or an eyegouging keychain, Mansen argued that most people were unprepared to commit such acts even for their own safety. He also argued that having a “weapon” also armed the attacker, who would most likely be more aggressive and stronger than the victim. The idea behind the sound grenade, however, is to deter an attacker, instead of attacking back. The 120-decibel siren is piercing and nearly impossible to ignore, which should scare the attacker with increased risk of getting
caught. ROBOCOPP has already seen success, especially on college campuses. Not only is the sound grenade popular with college students, but the administrations as well. A few colleges have been working together with ROBOCOPP to distribute sound grenades to students or give discounts. Sometimes neither the administration nor ROBOCOPP were the ones to initialize the relationship, and it was the students who advocated their use. “Students are our biggest allies,” Mansen said. Now the sound grenade is on over a hundred campuses nationwide. Also important for Mansen is the
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sound grenade was neither designed nor sold specifically to females, as some personal safety devices are. The sound grenade is supposed to be a device for all people, and Mansen is proud that there is nearly a 50-50 split between male and female users. It was a “clear decision to not be a femaleonly product,” Mansen said. He believes the split is a sign of the change in culture and perspective regarding men and personal safety devices. Anyone interested in the ROBOCOPP Sound Grenade can check it out at ROBOCOPP.com.
Opinion
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Pro Feed: Supporting Moms in the Right to Breastfeed Katherin Dodge Contributing Writer After nine months of carrying another life and the intense process of labor, women deserve the respect to breastfeed in public. You and I are not asked to leave a public place such as a restaurant or mall to be forced to eat uncomfortably in a compact car or behind a dingy building. Women should not feel embarrassed or intimidated to breastfeed in public or be humiliated when they do. Mothers are being shamed everywhere for this natural act. The sexist mentality towards breasts is reproduced every day when people deem the normal and humane task of breastfeeding as unacceptable. Individuals who think mothers who breastfeed belong in the bathroom should try eating their meal while hovering over a filthy toilet. Breastfeeding should not be shamed by our culture. By denying mothers the right to
breastfeed in public and scaring them away from doing so, risks the health of both the mother and child. There are astronomical health benefits to breastfeeding as opposed to using formula. According to research, breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers the baby’s risk of asthma or allergies. In addition, babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses and instances of diarrhea. Taking away the right for women to breastfeed in public results in deterioration of a baby’s health, Samantha Olson says in Medical Daily. The absence of breastfeeding puts the future generation at risk. However, it is not exclusively the baby that benefits from breastfeeding. Kelly Bonyata from KellyMom explains for the mother, breastfeeding protects against numerous diseases and reduces the risk of
several types of cancer including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and endometrial cancer, which forms in the linings of the womb. Along with the abundance of health benefits breastfeeding provides, financially, it is dramatically less costly to breastfeed than to use formula. It is blatant sexist for women to be treated like their breasts are not resources. Breastfeeding helps solidify the relationship between a mother and a child. People who are against the publicity of breastfeeding are taking away the valuable and irreplaceable connection joining a baby and his or her mother. Dr. Susan Kutner, a breast surgeon at Kaiser’s San Jose hospital, vocalizes the message has been getting out about the value to babies who are breastfed, but not the value to the moms who breastfeed. It is impossible for women to feel secure and protected if the public does not support her. Babies should have the right to
eat just as you and I do. It is unfair for infants to be excluded from the freedom to eat when they are hungry. Breastfeeding experts at Ameda remark that at minimum, a mother should spend 12 months after birth dedicated to supplying her child with food whenever and wherever the child dictates. At five months, the infant is feeding on average seven times a day. On the 27th of June, my sister-inlaw gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Emmitt. One month later, she and I took Emmitt and the dogs for a walk. It was an overcast Monday in late July as she sat alone on the park bench and breastfed as I played with the dogs. From yards away, a woman briskly walked towards us, red in the face. The dogs barked forcefully. She got closer only to begin waving her finger in the air and screaming at my sister-in-law for allowing her son to eat at a time when he was hungry. The woman had no right to talk to someone she had never met before
in such a disrespectful manner, especially while my sister-in-law gently held and protected her newborn child. The precious bond my nephew and his mother share is irreplaceable, and the connection should be publicly accepted. A mother should never feel personally segregated from her everyday life. American culture is making breastfeeding more difficult than it needs to be. Daily, mothers are forced to feed in less-than-ideal conditions. Breastfeeding is not a disrespectful act, nor is it indecent exposure of the mother. Nursing is a natural necessity and should be viewed as just that. It is not right to take the comforting relationship you once had with your mother away from children and their mothers today. Moms deserve to be recognized, and the very natural act of breastfeeding should not only be tolerated, but welcomed.
University Should Reconsider Ban on Concealed Carry Christopher Tucker Contributing Writer From the very beginning of our time here, the university has assured us that safety is of the highest priority. They have created policies to protect students, but do these policies protect us? From what I have observed while attending this school, these policies just further place us in danger. The major policy I am referring to is the university’s ban on concealed carry. I myself am a conceal carry permit holder and every time I am forced to leave my gun at home to come
to school I feel vulnerable. I am a Marine Corps veteran and I know the severity of needing a gun and not having one. The school must allow qualified students to carry on campus for their safety and the safety of the university as a whole. There is one simple fact that we must take into account and that is criminals don’t obey the law. This is true by virtue of the definition of the word alone. Criminals don’t care what policies or laws the school has in place. If a criminal wants to brings a gun onto campus to kill people, they will find a way. Policies alone will
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not stop them. Even building a wall around the whole campus and metal detectors at every entrance would not keep guns out. The only thing that stops a bad person with a gun is a good person with a gun. What about the police? The police have a responsibility to protect and keep us safe. The police can’t be everywhere at once. Walking around campus on a daily basis, I am lucky to see a police officer once a day. According to the university, the police patrol the 251-acre area of the campus and surrounding areas. Can so few officers cover such a large area?
Students must have a way to protect not only themselves, but their fellow students. You wouldn’t just let a criminal come into your home and kill your family while you wait on the police to finally arrive. No, you have an obligation to fight back and protect your family from harm. We are a family here at Old Dominion and we must take care of each other. Will allowing people to legally carry firearms lead to an increase in violent crime and death, or will it make us safer? Step back and look at the data. Guns save lives. Dr. Gary Kleck, a Criminologist
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from Florida State University boasts, “Guns prevent an estimated 2.5 million crimes a year or 6,849 every day.” Most times, the gun is never fired. If the gun is never fired, there is no bloodshed. Think about that! With the lack of police presence and the university not being able to provide a reasonable level of safety through its policies, there is only one clear option: Allow me, a firearmtrained Marine Corps Veteran, to protect my fellow students.
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Summer is a great time to spend at Thomas Nelson! Finish Fast
Summer Classes 2016
Our short 10-week, 8-week, and two fast 5-week summer sessions are a great way to complete classes in a fraction of the usual time. And with classes offered in Hampton, Williamsburg, and online, you’re sure to find a class that fits your busy life. So hit the books and the beach this summer with Thomas Nelson.
Hit the books and the beach.
Priority registration for currently enrolled students starts: March 28 Open registration starts: April 4
Classes start May 23, 31, and June 28. View the complete class schedule at tncc.edu
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement Thomas Nelson does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
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tncc.edu/summer (757) 825-2700
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ODU 85TH ANNIVERSARY COOKOUT
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PHOTOS BY KAM NEDD
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HOUSING RESIDENTS AWARDS BANQUET 2016
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PHOTOS BY KAM NEDD
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RELAY FOR LIFE 2016
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PHOTOS BY JOSH BOONE
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