The Beacon
Student Newspaper of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, Mass.
For more content, visit online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Volume 78 ◆ Issue 3
Th u r s d ay, F e b rua r y 1 3 , 2 0 1 4
Getting funky with it.
Warren’s proposal to refinance loans By Alexander Moore Staff Writer
Photo by Shannen Adamites/The Beacon
Jazz trumpeter Antonio Gambrell took the stage to perform at this semester’s Blues and Funk Festival Friday and Saturday. See page 6 for the full story.
WinterFest is coming to town By Nick Swanson Staff Writer
North Adams’ annual WinterFest celebration will be held Saturday in downtown North Adams, beginning at 10 a.m. “The main purpose of WinterFest is to give the community a fun-filled day to go outdoors in the winter and enjoy some free food and multiple activities,” Veronica Bosley, director of tourism & community events in North Adams, said. As is tradition, ice sculpting and a chowder competition will take place during the all-day event. The chowder tasting will take place at 107 Main St. from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Food businesses such as Aramark, Williams College food, Boston Seafood, Gramercy Bistro, Adams Ale House, and others will take part. The college’s food provider, Aramark, won the first place people’s choice chowder award last year. “There are two different awards given out: the people’s choice award and the judge’s choice award,” Bosley said. “In the past, businesses have made very creative chowders, like bacon wrapped scallop chowder and jalapeño corn chowder.” All information booths and vendors will be on Main St., but some WinterFest events will occur on Holden Street.
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Ice sculpting will kick off WinterFest and continue until the end of the event at 4 p.m. Gallery 51, at 51 Main St, will host bracelet and headband making activities. There will be hot chocolate, cookies, and face painting in the lobby of MountainOne bank at 93 Main St. until 12 p.m. MountainOne Bank, along with the Adams Community Bank, is funding and sponsoring WinterFest. DeMayo’s Bonnie Lea Farms of Williamstown will offer pony rides costing $5 on Holden Street, where a community campfire with marshmallow roasting will also be available to the public until noon. The Blueberry Buckle Trio is set to play music at the Berkshire Emporium and Antiques, located at 59 Main St., from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. Psycology Professor Thomas Byrne started the Jazz/ Celtic/Blues music group with his two daughters, playing at different events around western Mass. and southern Vt. Music will also be played throughout the day at Eagle Street Music shop, located at 81 Main St. A fun run/walk, organized by Amanda Chilson from Mass in Motion and affiliated with North Adams Walking Loops, is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. starting at 85 Main St. According to the Mass in Motion website,
the organization is a statewide movement to combat obesity in Massachusetts. “This is not a race, but a friendly two-mile group run where people can walk if they want. But it is to mainly promote fitness in the community,” Bosley said. The Once Around the Block Consignment Shop is having an open house during WinterFest from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The new consignment shop is located at 18 Holden St. and is run by a local couple. The Berkshire Black Bears hockey team, North Adams’ newest sports team, will be present to share information about their new league and upcoming events. The North Adams SteepleCats, the city’s collegiate baseball team, will also be there to fundraise by selling food at a concession stand. The team’s mascot, Slider the cat, will be there to support. Tickets to the East Coast SnoCross snowmobiling race will be available at the MVP Promotions stand. The race takes place Feb. 22 and Feb. 23. Horse-drawn wagon rides from MountainOne Bank will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. during the day. The last event will be a skate party at the North Adams Skating Rink, beginning at 4 and ending at 7 p.m.
Senator Elizabeth Warren hopes to introduce a bill which will allow students borrowing federally subsidized Stafford loans the chance to refinance them at a lower rate. The Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) is encouraging Student Government Association (SGA) members as well as members of the student body to sign a “Statement of Support” for the bill. “We are going directly to SGAs and asking them to sign on for support for a student refinancing bill,” Marc Walsh, MASSPIRG assistant organizing director said. “We just want to bring this to the attention to student government. It isn’t our realm to get into tuition and other fees, we don’t want to step on their toes. We just want them to have the opportunity to sign on.” Walsh added while all students can sign on, SGA members
STAFFORD LOANS, continued on page 3
Foundation offers incentive to interns By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Staff Writer
An Internship Incentive Program is available to students through the Center for Student Success and Engagement (CSSE). The program offers sponsored internships through the Massachusetts State Univerisyt Internship Incentive Program and the MCLA Foundation. According to the College’s academic page, funding for internships include tuition, fees and travel expenses, but limited and available to only those who qualify. The award amount varies depending on the credits offered: for three credits, $2,000 will be awarded; for six credits, $3,000; for nine credits, $4,000 and for twelve credits, $5,000. “A student will sit with their advisor and go over learning goals,” Dean of Academic Affairs Monica Joslin said. “We want to see the students succeed. Even if a student couldn’t qualify, he or she could still do the internship, just not for credit.”
Demonstrating their leadership skills
Art major aspires to illustrate kid’s books
Men’s Basketball takes two wins
Students present at the annual Leadership Conference
Senior Georgia Costigan draws from her interests
The Trailblazers’ record moves up to .500
Arts & Entertainment, page 7
Sports, page 9
News, page 3
represent the entire student body, and if they sign on, it is as if all students are showing support. “Debt is a huge problem for graduating college students, so I think student governments will be likely to support something that lowers that debt.” Walsh said. On July 1 of last year, interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8. In early August of the same year, a compromise was reached by congress which lowered the percentage rate to 3.8. Warren wants the borrowers who took out loans during the price hike to have the option to refinance their loans at the new interest rate. “Somebody knows somebody with loans. Even if it doesn’t affect you, your friends may be affected,” Jake Powers, President of SGA said. “We are here for the students. Anything that can benefit them, we support.” SGA Treasurer Kelley Bryant, who has signed the statement of
Photo courtesy of Manat Wooten
Manat Wooten is the program contact for students. Manat Wooten, an assistant director at the center for student success and engagement, said she believes every college student should be able to have the handson learning experience of an internship at some point. The program makes it easier for students to get away, work and earn career-oriented experience. The program currently only covers internships in Mass. As part of the program, the state has
INCENTIVE, continued on page 3
News Arts & Entertainment Sports Campus Opinion Local Events Photo Essay
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Campus News
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Weekend Weather
Towels cover up conversation at SGA By Jess Gamari
Forecast from Weather.com
Managing Editor
Thursday, February 13
The Student Athletics Activity Council asked SGA for $50 to purchase small white towels for fans to wave at the White Out event on Feb. 22. These towels would feature the mountain lion mascot in the corner of the towel and cost 70 cents each. During a White Out event, Student trustee Alyson Stolz said fans pack into the gym wearing as much white clothing as they can to support basketball players. SAAC is trying to make this event a tradition. “The idea behind this is to start a tradition and come together to make it work,” she said. “It’s an incentive for those who might not always go.” Stolz said this event would be held once a year at a home game and senior day, typically right before playoff season begins. The first 100 fans who attend the game will receive a towel. “We need more school spirit at games,” Cozzaglio said. “I’ve been there and there’s not that much school spirit. He believed the towels would be enough to get more people interested. Coordinating Vice President Hannah Sterrs believed this is also a great concept. “My only hesitancy is that students who go to the games…already and have a lot of MCLA apparel, I worry that these may not be given to students who may not otherwise have MCLA apparel.” Cozzaglio said that most students own yellow and blue apparel. Having something white for the event would promote the unifying intention of White Out. “The idea of starting tradition is laudable, but I still have a few issues,” said Senator Rochefort. “I’m not convinced that small gifts like these are an incentive to go to an event. Speaking from my own personal experience, I’ve never gone to a SAAC event to get a bag clip for my potato chips or a hackey sack, but they’re there. For me as a student who appreciates sports but doesn’t want to go to a game, I’m still not going to go to a game [with this incentive].” Cancilla said the games are usu-
Snow High: 33° Low: 24° Precip. Chance: 100%
Friday, February 14
AM Snow Showers High: 35° Low: 21° Precip. Chance: 30%
Saturday, February 15
Few Snow Showers High: 27° Low: 8° Precip. Chance: 30%
Sunday, February 16
ally well attended, but towels will help the crowd to seem bigger and more aggressive. “This towel is not like a bathing towel, it’s small towel you just whip around,” said Cancilla. “It’s like, you see a bear in the woods and you take off your coat and try to make yourself look bigger than you really are. I think the people that we have will seem like a bigger crowd and the people that come in who don’t normally go will Photo by Jess Gamari/ The Beacon say, ‘Oh my god there was so Above, Student Trustee Alyson Stolz many people there it was so explains how towels could enhance much fun!’ and then they’ll the white out event on Feb 22. tell their friends and it may Right, Secretary Christopher Cozzaspark something.” glio addresses the issue of parking Stolz said the senior’s final home game is typically expenses for students. well attended. “The Lion’s Den will be packed,” she said. operates differently than other “We have flyers posted and half schools. time events planned. There will “One thing MCLA does that’s be competitions, trivia, bean-bag different than other schools is toss and more.” we sell enough permits to fit the The request to money to pur- number of spots we have which chase was granted. Money will is probably why it’s more expencome from SGA’s operating bud- sive as opposed to other schools get. where they give out more permits, leaving less parking spaces or it’s Parking permits cost too high? a first come first serve basis,” he said. Secretary Christopher CozzaSenator Roscehfort said in his glio, SGA representative on the opinion, the price should be lowResidential Program Services, est possible fee the school can afsaid that, currently, resident stu- ford. He reminded the cabinet dents pay $100 and commuter that there is no sort of guarantee students pay $30 per semester. of safety of vehicle while parking “I know some of you have talk- on campus. ed about [the cost] and how it’s “We shouldn’t make it to the too expensive, especially consid- point where only students who ering commuter students pay a can afford $100 a semester delot less,” he said. “This is more of serve a spot,” he said. an SGA problem than it is an RPS Senator Anthony Cancilla problem. RPS does not collect the agrees parking should be cheapfunds for the permits.” er. “There’s one parking spot for Powers said he would look into townhouse,” he said. “I love that, I where the money collected from think it’s great, but…there should permits goes. “In my personal be a lottery system…seniority opinion it is a little high but you should be a factor. I would like to need to take into account those see some numbers on what kind parking spaces are being used by of revenue they’re getting.” resident students overnight, during the weekend, for events,” he Copier and Transportation said. issues Senator Nicholas Hernigle suggested each residential parking Currently, the copier in the liarea have its own cost to ensure brary is on the fritz, according to prime parking spaces for each Powers via Senator Stephan Rolot’s respective residents. chefort. “If it’s not working, you Cozzaglio said the College can go to the copy center and they
will be able to copy things you.” SGA is looking into this issue in the meantime. In a previous SGA meeting, Senator Ama Adwetewa-Badu asked if there was something SGA could do in regards to limited availability of the van shuttles, saying it would be helpful if there were extended hours. Powers has contacted Vice President of Student Affairs, Charlotte Degan and will report back to the senate at the next meeting. Queer Identity course coming Senator Rochefort met with the All College Committee last week and confirmed a new course for the English department. Queer identity in contemporary literature is awaiting final approval and aims to be on a list for the fall semester. This course would fulfil the 300 level diverse voices requirement in the English department. Senator resigns President Jake Powers read a resignation notice from Senator Aloysius Street. In the letter, Street apologized for resigning but due to a class conflict he did not have enough time to remain in SGA. Reminder, there will be no SGA meeting next week due to the President’s Day holiday.
Campus Police Logs Week of 2/2 - 2/8 Sunday, February 2
Partly Cloudy High: 20° Low: 2° Precip. Chance: 10%
Beacon.MCLA.edu
◆ 10:21 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a call about vandalism at the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation. The incident was investigated.
Monday, February 3
Thursday, February 6
Saturday, February 8
◆ 4:40 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a harassment issue at the Campus Police Office. The subject received a warning.
◆ 8:35 a.m. - Public Safety responded to an animal issue at Murdock Hall. The call was completed.
◆ 1:15 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a call about a disturbance on Montana Street. Peace was restored.
Friday, February 7
◆ 8:17 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a call about suspicious activity at the Athletic Complex. The subject received a warning.
Wednesday, February 5 ◆ 12:47 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a call about an unwanted guest at Venable Hall. Services were rendered.
◆ 10:37 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a fire alarm at the Berkshire Towers Complex. The cause of the alarm is unknown.
Campus News
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Beacon.MCLA.edu
‘Leadership: Your role of a lifetime‘
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By Gabriel Kogel
education, so I’m trying to teach ways everyone can improve.” The featured workshop, called Red curtains decorated the keysimply “Symbolic Path,” was a binote podium along with the playbill ography of one man’s struggle with inspired guidebook. After passing mental illness, and a lesson on the the ticket booth at the entrance, healing power of art. Jeffrey Sparr, attendees saw posters for ‘Les Misco-president of PeaceLove Corp, erables’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ spoke about the overwhelming strung with lights in the Amsler anxiety he felt due to his Obseshallway. sive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Saturday’s nineteenth annual Through teaching himself to paint Leadership Conference was named and taking medication, he has been ‘Leadership: Your Role of a Lifetime’, able to lead a productive and happy and the conference organizers clearlife in spite of mental illness. ly put effort into capturing the flavor “I was diagnosed at 23 with of a Broadway theatrical. OCD,” Sparr said during the preThe keynote address by Dennis sentation. “I found painting gave me Rebelo, president of Alex and Ani peace of mind, and a sense of conUniversity Professional Developtrol that I desperately needed. It’s ment Center LLC, encouraged perbecause of my OCD, not in spite of sonal reflection and the power of it, that I get to communicate hope, storytelling. acceptance and support for people Photo by Ben Mancino with mental illness.” “We believe leadership is the capacity to think critically, along with Sophomore Alexandra Kadell presents to her peers during one of the sessions that took place Sparr provided everyone with an ability to raise our voices to help during the Leadership Conference. a card containing four symbols: a others, with ease, grace, and honor,” horseshoe for luck, a lightening bolt Rebelo said. Sophomore Lucille Germain spoke about how to im- for inspiration, a bull’s eye for goal orientation, and an Recounting his own inspirational anecdotes, Rebelo prove presentation skills. She advised the audience to “be empty frame to fill with dreams for the future. also encouraged the audience to reflect and find leadership yourself; have personality. Be aware of your body language He handed out canvases, paint dishes and foam brushes themes within their own experiences. and try walking around the room when you’re nervous.” for everyone to visualize their dreams for the future. After“Remember the power of free will. There is meaning all During her presentation, Germain handed out choco- wards, he allowed participants to share their dreams while around you, and in all the interactions in your life,” he said. late, used humor, and asked questions to keep the audience holding up their completed masterpieces. “Create positive stories you can share with others.” engaged. “I think the Leadership Conference is wonderful,” Sparr The presentations were divided into four sessions, most “I’ve had experiences where I’ve even seen professors said. “This is what it’s all about, speaking to young people of which took place in Murdock Hall. give bad presentations,” Germain said. “I want to work in and trying to right the wrongs.” Senior News Editor
Benefits for interns
Support for student loan refinancing
INCENTIVE, continued from page 1
STAFFORD LOANS, continued from page 1
matched what is offered by the MCLA Foundation, Inc., which is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth, development and support of the college and its faculty, staff, and students. Joslin and Wooten both spoke highly of the projected outcome of the program. “It’s a nice foundation, regardless, for students to think about aspirations,” Joslin said. “It is a learning experience that is invaluable, and makes the student draw from disciplines.” The Internship Incentive Program was generated last year, and since then, there has been a 20 percent increase in students utilizing the program through outreach. “It’s a normal part of college
Minimum Requirements: -Massachusetts State Resident -Full time matriculated student -Minimum 2.75 overall GPA -Completed FAFSA application life,” Wooten said about internships. “It is a nice incentive and also fulfills a requirement in some departments.” Wooten has frequently posted paid internship opportunities, mostly through First Class. She said she believes any internship will give students the experience it takes to get, at least, a foot in the door. Internship applications and more information on the internship incentive program can be found in the Financial Aid Office or at mcla.edu.
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support, said she believes that with cooperation from SGA and MASSPIRG, important issues like student debt can be pushed to the forefront. “We have an obligation to do what’s best for the students, and I think supporting this would be best for the students across Massachusetts,” Bryant said. “Everyone who is striving for
a higher education faces this challenge.” According to the statement of support from MASSPIRG, student debt has hit $1.2 trillion. Many students are refinancing on home loans, car loans, and private student loans, while it is impossible to refinance a subsidized Stafford loan. The College’s website states more than 76 percent of students receive need-based aid through loans, grants and part time
employment. Walsh said with MASSPIRG’s presence on 13 campuses, support can be shown across the state. “We have a presence at 13 campuses so we are a good group to spread this to a bunch of campuses at the same time,” Walsh said. “We want Senator Warren to be able to show that this has wide support from college students, and the best way to do that is for student elected representatives to show their support.”
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News 4 Italian-US Mafia drug trafficking ring busted Thursday, February 13, 2014
MCT Campus The FBI and Italian police said they had broken up a global heroin and cocaine trafficking ring Tuesday after stumbling upon a fledgling alliance between a Calabrian Mafia group and associates of New York’s notorious Gambino crime family. Twenty-four arrests were made in Italy and the United States after a two-year operation that relied on both wiretaps and an American undercover agent named by investigators as “Jimmy,” who is said to have infiltrated the Gambinos and fooled Italians into believing he was a heroin dealer. Seventeen of the arrests were made in Italy and seven in the United States. Those arrested in the U.S. were arraigned before a federal magistrate in Brooklyn, N.Y. The men, some of them suspected of being members of the Gambino and Bonanno “families,” were listed as
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using various street aliases such as “Lello,” “Freddy” and “Charlie Pepsi.” The coordinated sting halted the planned shipment of more than a ton of cocaine from Latin America to Italy in liquid form, smuggled with help from Mexican cartels in coconut and pineapple cans, law enforcement officials said. They put the street value at $1 billion. Speaking at a news conference in Rome, U.S. and Italian officials said the mob alliance was also planning to smuggle heroin into the United States, encouraged by the revival of the drug, which now is cheaper than cocaine. Its resurgence was highlighted early this month when Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York City apartment, apparently from a heroin overdose. The reported transatlantic teamup rekindled ties between American and Italian organized crime syndicates, which date to the
“Pizza Connection” trafficking of drugs by U.S. mob groups and Sicily’s infamous Mafia families in the 1970s and ‘80s. “The international trafficking of drugs is almost monopolized now by the ‘Ndrangheta,” Italian antiMafia investigator Raffaele Grassi said Tuesday. Officials said the Mafia alliance was forged at a meeting in Brooklyn. “What we see here is an attempt by the ‘Ndrangheta to gain a foothold in the New York area. We stand ready to prevent the ‘Ndrangheta from gaining that foothold,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Marshall Miller. George Venizelos, the FBI’s assistant director in the New York City field office, said U.S. agents became involved after picking up signs that ‘Ndrangheta members in Italy were working with the Gambino operation in the United States. “Little did they know there was
LA Times Photo
U.S. prosecutor William Nardina speaks during a news conference about the anti-Mafia operation. an ongoing collaboration between ‘Ndrangheta had initially been the FBI and the Italian National suspicious of “Jimmy,” the AmeriPolice to investigate and identify can undercover agent who made their scheme,” he said. trips to Calabria, “but he worked Gennaro Semeraro, chief of po- well and eventually he entered lice of Reggio Calabria, said the into their confidence.
Universities doing more to track graduates MCT Campus
College students put years and, potentially, thousands of dollars into their education, so many of them are asking an important question: Will this degree lead to a job? Amid horror stories of unemployed or underemployed recent college graduates and crushing student loan debt, colleges and universities have turned more attention to answering that question with hard data to discover if their alumni are finding work. “What’s most important is that we can answer the questions, with documented data, which are always on the minds of parents and students and, increasingly, government,” said Mike Goldman, director of career services at Miami University in Ohio. “When I graduate, will I get a job? Will I get into graduate school or pro-
fessional school? Will I be able to pay off my student loans, if I have any?” Miami went further than ever this year to track down their recent graduates, and found 91 percent of them were employed or in graduate school; nearly one-third had a starting salary between $50,000 and $60,000. The University of Dayton and Wittenberg University, in Ohio, are even more candid. They share graduates’ job titles and employers - whether a student used their political science degree to become a campaign manager or ended up a barista with an international studies degree. “We believe in transparency,” said Jason Eckert, director of career services at the University of Dayton. “It’s to our advantage, if our students are doing well, to talk about those things. Clearly
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you’re going to see some examples that weren’t tremendous ... but I’d rather be transparent.” For now, colleges are not required to report the jobs or salaries of new alumni, but the federal government is asking for more information. The average earning of graduates who borrowed federal student loans will soon be added to the College Scorecard. “There is a push nationally for colleges to become more and more accountable for the outcomes of graduates,” Eckert said. “Part of that has to do with the really sincere problem of college student debt. Students are increasingly asking. ‘What is the return on investment?’” Americans owe more than $1 trillion in student loans, and those of Ohio’s graduates in 2012 who borrowed took out an av-
MCT Campus Photo
Miami University students learn about creating resumes and cover letters during a workshop. erage $29,000, according to the Project on Student Debt. Nationally, 87 percent of graduates from 2011 were employed
or in graduate school six months after graduation, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Saturday, February 15, 8pm
BURNING SPEAR Burning Spear fires up intoxicating rhythms for a legendary reggae dance party so hot you’ll see smoke.
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National News
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Nation and World Briefs
Nation
LOS ANGELES -- Two sushi chefs who served whale meat at a now-shuttered Santa Monica restaurant pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor charges for their part in a scheme to import and sell cuts of whale including tail meat and “whale bacon.” -Los Angeles Times Justice Department recognize lawful same-sex marriage WASHINGTON--Same-sex married couples nationwide now will receive many more of the same legal protections and benefits enjoyed by other couples, under new Justice Department policies formally unveiled Monday. From prison visitations to joint bankruptcy filings and beyond, the new Justice Department policies extend a host of federal benefits to same-sex couples even in those states that prohibit such marriages. -McClatchy Washington Bureau
World Arabian republic transformed into federation CAIRO-- Yemen is to be divided into six federal states, a committee chaired by President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi decided Monday. The decision comes three weeks after a national dialogue conference agreed that the Arabian republic should be transformed into a federation. -dpa Mudslide killed 14 people LA PAZ-- Bolivia A mudslide killed 14 people in the Bolivian indigenous community of Chullpa K’asa Chico in central Bolivia’s Cochabamba province. The mudslide caused by heavy rain had buried 15 homes in mud and rock late Saturday. -dpa
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Shirley Temple Black, child star, dies at 85 MCT Campus
Whale meat served in sushi restaurant
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LOS ANGELES -- Shirley Temple Black, who as the most popular child movie star of all time lifted a filmgoing nation’s spirits during the Depression and then grew up to be a diplomat, has died. She was 85. Black died late Monday at her home in the San Francisco suburb of Woodside, according to publicist Cheryl J. Kagan. No cause was given. From 1935 through 1938, the curly-haired moppet billed as Shirley Temple was the top boxoffice draw in the nation. She saved what became 20th Century Fox studios from bankruptcy and made more than 40 movies before she turned 12. After she sang “On the Good Ship Lollipop” in “Bright Eyes,” the song became a hit and the studio set up Shirley Temple Development, a department dedicated to churning out formulaic scripts that usually featured the cheerful, poised Shirley as the accidental Little Miss Fix-It who could charm any problem away. Her most memorable performances included four films she
made with Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a black dancer 50 years her senior and a favorite co-star, she later said. They were first paired as foils for cantankerous Lionel Barrymore in 1935’s “The Little Colonel,” in which 7-year-old Shirley tap dances up and down the staircase, remarkably matching the veteran Robinson step for step. “I would learn by listening to the taps,” Temple told The Washington Post in 1998. “I would primarily listen to what he was doing and I would do it.” Their dance routines in such films as the Civil War saga “The Littlest Rebel” (1935) and “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” (1938) reflected their off-screen rapport. They were the first mixed-race musical numbers to be seen in many parts of the country, according to “Who’s Who in Musicals.” Two of her films released in 1937 were among Temple’s favorites _ the John Ford-directed “Wee Willie Winkie,” in which she wins over a British outpost in India, and “Heidi,” a hit film that became a classic. In her first film aimed squarely at children, Shirley sang “Animal
MCT Campus Photo
Shirley Temple Black went from being a child film star to a diplomatic career serving the United States in the United Nations and as an ambassador. Crackers in My Soup” to fellow orphans in 1935’s “Curly Top.” She danced with Jack Haley in “Poor Little Rich Girl” (1936), one of her best films and “a top musical on any terms,” according to movie critic Leonard Maltin. She “felt neither disappointment nor anger,” Temple wrote in her 1988 autobiography. “Perhaps years spent ignoring such matters had insulated me from disillusion. The spilt-milk parable surely played a role in my equanimity,
as did the power of bloodline and family ties.” When Shirley was barely 3, her mother enrolled her in a Los Angeles dance studio run by former Ziegfeld girl Ethel Meglin, who trained young children to work in film and advertising. In publicity interviews, her mother always claimed that Shirley was accidentally “discovered” in a dancing class that was for recreation, but from the start, Gertrude made the rounds of casting direc-
Winter weather forces Sochi officials to tap snow reserve MCT Campus
SOCHI -- The motto for the 2014 Winter Olympics is “Hot.Cool.Yours.” Unfortunately, it’s getting a little too hot in subtropical Sochi. After Monday’s temperatures reached the balmy upper 50s and Tuesday’s temps appeared headed toward that direction, Russian officials went with Plan B and broke out snow stored from last winter. They applied it to courses that needed it at the mountain venues in Krasnaya Polyana. “I cannot tell you how much. I just don’t know,” said Aleksandra Kosterina, spokeswoman for Sochi 2014, in an article from Olympic News Service. “I mean I don’t know the specifics but I know that we did.” Some athletes were appreciative. “It’s nice out,” joked USA snowboarder Shaun White. “The sun’s out. I don’t know what the temperature is.” It was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and fans were crunching by in slush. White said that after the grooming, the halfpipe was in much better condition during of-
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The United States’ Devin Logan on the first run of her silver medal-winning day in the ladies’ ski slopes. In a scathing report last May detailing alleged corruption in around the construction of the Winter Games, frequent Putin critic Boris Nemtsov wrote: “Russia is a winterly country. On the map, it is hard to find a spot where snow would never fall, and where winter sports would not be popular. Yet Putin has found such a spot and decided to hold the Winter Olympics there: in the city of Sochi.”
Microsoft hopes users will leave Windows XP MCT Campus
5 O’Clock $5 Nachos!!!
ficial qualifying runs Tuesday than it had been during the informal training on previous days. “I’m so thankful for that,” said White. Temperatures dropped as night fell on the halfpipe finals Tuesday, and Seamus O’Connor of Ireland said the snow was better because the bottom of the pipe had re-frozen. White, meanwhile, crashed on both of his runs in the finals, fell to fourth place and missed out on a medal. Snow is a tricky business for the Winter Olympics Too much of it, like the near whiteout conditions at the 1998 games in Nagano, Japan, isn’t a good thing. Too little of it organizers of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver were praying for snowfall isn’t a good thing, either. Sochi is a large area with a dual identity. The Black Sea coastal area, where the skating sports arenas are located, has palms and fir trees. It’s there where the weather has been balmy. Less than an hour away are the mountains, which have natural snow at the higher elevations that’s been augmented with artificial snow.
Microsoft plans to end support for Windows XP on April 8, but there are still many users whose computers run the outdated software. That’s why the company has asked techsavvy users to encourage their friends to upgrade their computers or buy new ones. In a recent blog post, the Redmond, Wash., company said readers of its Windows blog are likely running a more modern version of the operating system, but their friends and family may not be. “We need your help spreading the word to ensure people are safe and secure on modern up-to-date PCs,” Microsoft said in its blog. Microsoft will no longer
run tech support for users of the 12-year-old Windows XP software or issue updates that protect the operating system from viruses after April 8. The problem is many users still run Windows XP and either don’t want to upgrade their machines or don’t know that they need to. In the post, Microsoft said tech-savvy users should encourage their friends to check and see if their computers are capable of upgrading to Windows 8.1, the latest version of the computer software. Users can run the Windows Upgrade Assistant to see if their machine can upgrade to Windows 8.1, the company said. But Microsoft is also quick to point out that users who upgrade their machines will not be able to keep any files, settings
MCT Campus Photo
Joe Belfiore, Corporate Vice president Microsoft Corp., introduces Windows 8 to audience. or applications. They’ll have to back up their files. Instead, the company suggests that users simply get a new PC. “The easiest path to Windows 8.1 is with new devices,” Microsoft said. The company does not men-
tion that users can also upgrade to Windows 7, which is an older version of the software but one that is still supported by the company. Users whose computers can’t run Windows 8.1 may be able to upgrade to Windows 7.
6
Arts & Entertainment
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Beacon.MCLA.edu
Photos by Shannen Adamites/Arts & Entertainment Editor
Who’s got the blues? From left to right: Jesse D performs old school blues for the new age on Friday night, emcees Marli LaGrone and Ryan Walters announce the next performer, Walter “Wolfman” Washington smiles as he plays a song on Saturday night.
Rising star and living legend headline annual festival
By Shannen Adamites and Raanan Sarid-Segal Arts & Entertainment Friday Night
At precisely 7:30 p.m., the College’s Jazz Band started playing at the ninth annual Blues and Funk Festival in the sparingly lit Venable Gym. Colored lights placed to illuminate the tables put off to the side of the room glared into the eyes of people entering. The Jazz Band played only three pieces. The clashing sounds they used can be thrilling, especially when paired with sufficiently subversive or anarchic music. However, they limited themselves to basic playing, making their mix of sounds feel crowded, not energized. As an act, they either need more venom or more coordination. In contrast to the lackluster opening, local act Rebel Alliance added a bit of hard edged rock noise to the night. They weren’t any different or unique enough to be anything but a decently fun and entertaining act. Many of the college students in attendance filtered on and off the dance floor during their set. Name checking both the Beatles and Bob Marley, the band wears their influences on their sleeve. A tin drum sound infiltrated their modern rock quality of electric guitar riffs, with bits of a settled country twang occasionally rearing up. Most people in attendance had fairly positive things to say about the night. “Both bands were well prepared and had good personality and crowd interaction,” said junior Josh Farland during the break between the opening acts and the main show. “I was kind of surprised about how long it took
to get to the main performers, though.” After Rebel Alliance finished, Jesse Dee took the stage with an old-school sound. The seven piece band exhibited a level of control which rendered them instantly pleasant, but with a sound big enough to justify some wildness. “I thought the show was really good,” freshman Romeo Gray said. “There were a few good bands, but the main act was really great. Jesse Dee and his entourage know how to play.” Dee’s performance exhibited an old-style energy, and the show was elevated by this and their ability to put themselves into the songs and movements. It is clear from this night that live shows are where this performer thrives. His spirit of fun is infectious and he isn’t afraid to risk looking silly for putting so much energy into the moment. “I like the transition of the show, from jazz to a lot of rock. And Jesse Dee knew how to transition between beats. I also like the incorporation of the crowd,” freshman Niko Colon said. “It was a good end to the week and a good start to the festival.” Saturday Night Saturday night’s music contrasted dramatically with the young, punky, and fresh sets of Rebel Alliance and Jesse Dee. From rising stars to living legends, Saturday night’s headline featured Walter “Wolfman” Washington, a prominent figure in blues and funk genre since his heyday in the 1970s. The College’s jazz band opened with a brief set once again, before local blues trio T Bone Daddy, from Pittsfield, took over for the remaining half hour until the headline act. T Bone Daddy fea-
tures Trustee Tyler Fairbank on guitar and vocals, music professor Jeff Link on bass and vocals, and Lou Perrault on drums. Arts Management major and Performing Arts Management (PAM) class student Ryan Walters was pleasantly surprised by the band’s gritty simplicity. “They were really good; they had a lot of fun covers,” Walters said. Other attendees agreed with this sentiment. Kevin Hill-Williams also enjoyed their set and unique musicianship. “[T Bone Daddy] had some really good guitar, and they had a really great stage presence throughout their set,” he said. “I just wish there were less chairs so people would be less afraid to get up and dance!” Amber Hardaker, a visitor to the College, stood by the speakers while she watched T Bone Daddy, but her excitement for Wolfman seemed more prominent. After a brief intermission and a few minor technical difficulties, Wolfman was ready to perform. Students and community members excitedly flocked closer to the stage as Washington began his nearly two-hour long set, transporting the audience to four, sometimes five decades ago. Disco-esque funk tunes got people moving. Old friends greeted each other mid-dance with hugs and high-fives. As the set progressed, the lights began to flash different colors and students formed a circle close to the stage as if to show Wolfman their finest choreography. Students jazz squared and spun around the circle, pointing at each other to determine who would go next. At one point, saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter and trumpeter Antonio Gambrell came down into the audience and lead a conga line around the gym.
Photo by Shannen Adamites
Seniors Georgia Costigan and Tyler Scatliffe dance to Wolfman’s set on Saturday evening. Walters, along with fellow PAM student Marli LaGrone, announced each of the acts just before the sets began. The two were also in charge of organizing the various talks and other formal interactions between the student body and the musicians.
“We helped arrange talks for our [PAM] class and for professor Michael Dilthey’s ‘Meet the Artist’ class,” he said. “Students got to talk to Wolfman and Dee before their shows about music and management. We got a lot of really useful information out of that.”
Photo by Shannen Adamites
Antonio Gambrell and Jimmy Carpenter blare their horns in a solo during Wolfman’s set.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Arts & Entertainment
Beacon.MCLA.edu
7
Professor engages Art major dives into the community through art world of illustration By Rachel Fitterman
By Jenna O’Connor
Arts & Entertainment Writer
Arts & Entertainment Writer Seamlessly portraying the mysteries of the aquatic experience, senior art major Georgia Costigan has spent the last four years growing and evolving with her colorful and vivacious artwork. “For right now, what inspires me the most is ocean life, and all of the different kinds of sea creatures,” she said. “I scuba dive, so I’ve been exposed to different underwater life forms. Because of that, I want to express my feelings for ocean creatures in my work.” “A great deal of her artwork deals with themes of water and fish,” Art Professor Gregory Sheckler said. “Her paintings often have a whimsical flair that delights in colors and reflections.” Technically speaking, Costigan has been creating works of art since she was a little girl. However, it wasn’t until high school that she really started getting serious about her work. “I was in the eighth grade when I started taking art lessons at a studio close to my hometown,” she said. “They were offering charcoal lessons, and from there I progressed into more classes when I entered high school.” Now creating art with mainly charcoal and acrylic paint, Costigan hopes to move her audience in the best possible way—to “just be happy.” “I think that’s my main goal in making art— I just want people to be happy,” she said. “It’s hard to find work that can give that effect to people, so that’s what I want to do. I want people to have a fun bubbly feeling when they look at my work.” “I have known Georgia for several years now, and she’s one of the sweetest, and most selfless people that I know,” friend Jessica Wheeler said. “Her work is lively, colorful and fun. Essentially, Georgia captures attributes of herself in her artwork.” At last year’s Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) Undergraduate Research Conference, Costigan was able to present her artwork to more than one hundred participants belonging to the council. It was at this conference when Costigan received memorable feedback on her work. “I’m surrounded by art majors all the time, so it was really nice to hear other people’s feed-
Photo by Amy Modesti/Beacon Staff
Costigan takes a break from her artwork during a class at Mass MoCA. you have your mind set on.” Costigan said that she thinks everything can technically be viewed as artwork, and in some ways, she uses it as a therapeutic tool. “I like the fact that you can do anything with it. You can do so much with the unknown, and you have no limitations with art at all,” she said. “Art is very forgiving.” “I just want to try new things and figure out my own personal style,” she said. “I really want to experiment with my work more.” “One of the best parts is how Georgia’s attitude is both positive and adventurous,” Sheckler said. “She’s always ready to try new techniques, methods and ideas for her art and illustrations; artistic challenges are met with a smile.” “I think that the professors have really influenced me. They have taught me everything that I needed and wanted to know,” Costigan said. “They have inspired me to become the best that I can be, and they really gave me the extra push I needed.”
“You can do so much with the unknown, and you have no limitations with art at all.” -Georgia Costigan back,” she said. “I felt really happy that day.” Progressing over the past four years with her work, Costigan hopes to continue her passion for art by becoming a children’s book illustrator. “I want to illustrate children’s books so much,” she said. “I think that the way I’m making art right now is allowing me to pursue that goal, and that’s ultimately where I want my art to go.” When Costigan runs into trouble while creating art, she finds effective solutions by mapping out where she wants certain things to be, and through a process called “layering.’ She critiques her work and adds onto it until she gets the desired end product. “I remember last semester I was feeling pretty done with what I was doing,” she said. “One of my professors just came up to me and told me to go for it. Just let it go, and do whatever
Photo by Jenna O’Connor/Beacon Staff
Much of Costigan’s art work features aquatic life, and a bright, whimiscal color scheme.
Fine and Performing Arts professor Lisa Donovan has a clear passion: working to integrate the arts into education, and engaging students and the community in “the creative process.” This semester, Donovan is teaching Introduction to Arts Management, Grants & Fundraising, and a newer class titled Developing an Arts-Based Educational Program, conceptualized last year by Donovan. The class focuses on articulating students’ particular passion in the arts and figuring out how to apply it to an educational program using their own existing interests and strengths. “I taught a version of it at the graduate level at Leslie University, and it was so helpful for students to spend time on really identifying what their work is that I decided it could be really powerful at the undergraduate level,” Donovan said. Donovan was also successful in teaching a Digital Storytelling class last semester, which gave students the opportunity to write case studies on a Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) youth summit. Parts of the students’ work were later posted on one of MCC’s blogs, “Seen and Heard.” Though Donovan lives in Lee, Mass., she was previously commuting to Boston every day to work at Leslie University, where she was Division Director for the Creative Arts and Learning Division. “I was doing lots of education and community-based work, working with teachers across the country, commuting back and forth every day. Then I found out that there was an arts management position in my own backyard [at MCLA], and I have a background of working with a variety of arts organizations in the Berkshires, so it was an opportunity to work in my own community,” said Donovan on coming to work at the College. Although she originally wanted to be an actress and participated in theatre during her college years, Donovan received her undergraduate degree in psychology from SUNY Oneonta, after her father urged her to major in something she could “make a living at.” “What I realized after I graduated is that [theatre] was where my passion was, so it took me years to kind of get back into that thread. I went on to do my masters at Boston University in communication, and then I received my doctoral degree at Leslie University in educational studies, looking at how theatre education can develop a sense of voice and identity in adolescence,” Donovan said. “That’s why I’m so driven to engage students now in that conversation, because I feel like all of the clues about our own work are there already—you know what you want to do when you’re a kid—we just we don’t necessarily pay attention to them,” she added. Besides teaching at the College, Donovan is involved in a number of “passion projects,” as she calls them. She is the author of a five-book series on arts integration and is currently doing professional development for the series and working with teachers
Photo by Amy Modesti/Beacon Staff
Donovan recently published an article in the “International Journal of Education and the Arts,” which focused on sixth graders sharing their poems with students in South Korea. to help incorporate arts integration into curriculums. “This summer, I’ll be doing a weeklong program at the Higher Order Thinking (HOT) schools in Connecticut, I’ll be working with the Boston public schools in April around arts integration and the books, and I’m hoping to offer a professional development class for Berkshire County teachers,” Donovan said. In addition to books, Donovan has been involved in writing “interview theatre,” which produces scripts from research. “I had a piece a couple of years ago called ‘The Voices that Matter’ that was comprised of interviews of high school students and teachers. I’ve also done work in theatre, no longer as a performer, but more in terms of creating community-based scripts around social issues,” she noted. She is also working with the College’s Readiness Center and former Adams superintendent Bill Ballen to incorporate the vivacious culture and arts community in the Berkshires into K-12 educational programs. “One of the things that’s incredible about the Berkshires is that there’s this incredible sense of creative economy and the power of the arts as an economic driver, and this movement towards creative place making. There’s great work happening, but education has often been pushed to the margins, if it’s mentioned at all. So we’ve invited all of the different cultural groups, the education directors, to come together to think, ‘How do we connect the dots to promote arts education across Berkshire county?’” she said. Donovan’s community-based work also extends to Mass MoCA, where she is working with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (NBCC) to transform and add to the museum’s “Kidspace.” “Mass MoCA wants opportunities to increase visibility for the museum with teens, and to expand the reach of their Kidspace, and the NBCC has amazing programs for a teen network and they need space, so we are collaborating. The idea is: could we create a space downtown or at Mass MOCA that would be sort of a laboratory space for the arts for teens.” Donovan said.
8
Sports
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Fair territory
Beacon.MCLA.edu
Men’s Basketball gains steam By Kaleigh Anderson Sports Writer
The Winter Olympics are decadent and depraved By Jesse Collings Sports Editor
The Winter Olympics are more of a news story and less of a sporting event. The biggest stories of the Winter Olympics will hardly be about men like Ole Einar Bjørndalen, the most decorated Winter Olympian in history making another run at the gold. No, the games will be more about how strange Russia is, how Russia has strict anti-gay laws, and various other political themed topics that have no place at a sporting event. The Summer Olympics are a much more divine event for a number of reasons. Thewinter games, with the a few exceptions like ice hockey, are mostly boring, judgment based events. Snowboarding, freestyle skiing and figure skating certainly all take a large amount of skill and athleticism, but to the casual fan, it is hard to figure who was the best unless someone falls. The Winter Olympics lack the raw athleticism of the summer games. Nearly all of the events involve people on skis, skates or sleds. The bodies that propel them to do such elite maneuvers are covered up by winter clothing. As great as their feats are, we never are able to see the pure athleticism that we get to see in Michael Phelps doing a breaststroke or Usain Bolt running the 100-meter dash. Another thing that makes the Winter Olympics boring is that they lack the star power that the summer games have. While Summer Olympics have celebrated legends like Phelps, Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis, the most memorable Winter Olympian is Tonya Harding, and that is for all the wrong reasons. The most popular Olympian this year is Lindsay Vonn, and she isn’t even competing in the games. The Winter Olympics are only a big deal because they take place during a dead time for for sports. Basketball and hockey are in midseason, football season is over and baseball hasn’t started up yet. If the games lack storylines naturally, then the media will just talk about how awkward Russia is and how Putin looks strangely like a super-villain. The winter games become less and less about sports and more and more about the culture and politics of the world, and that simply is not in alignment of the Olympic ideal.
MCLA picked up a key conference victory on Tuesday, traveling to Framinham State and upending the Rams, 8575. The win brought the Trailblazer’s conference record to 5-5 and moved them within a game of Salem State for second place in the conference. John Jones continued his stellar play, recording a double-double and leading the team with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Todd Hunt added 17 points, and Paul Maurice scored 13 points and had a team high 5 assists. MCLA led right from the opening tip, starting the game on a 7-0 run. MCLA never looked back and took a 37-29 lead into halftime. Photo by Richard LaRocque/The Beacon Framingham came out of Jones rises above the defense to finish off a lay-up. Jones is averging a team high 17.2 PPG this year. the half fast and cut the lead to within five, but strong play from Jones and Maurice helped MCLA push the lead back into double digits and nursed it until the end of the game. MCLA shot a season high 55% from the floor, led by Jones who had his most efficent game of the season. shooting 7-10 from the field and 6-8 from the free throw line.
Photo By Richard LaRocque/The Beacon
Junior Jeremic Bennett launches a shot over the outstreatched arm of a defender.
Photo by Kayla Degnan/The Beacon
Jones tries to shakes off a denfender. Framingham was led by sophomore Tim McCarthy who had 18 points. Framingham fell to 7-15 overall and to 2-8 in MASCAC. The Trailblazers traveled to Fitchburg State Saturday, where they defeated the Falcons 8078 in a nail biting MASCAC game. “I thought we played really well as a team, we moved the ball well and held the lead for most of the game. Fitchburg played us tough in the end and even took the lead late in the second half but we showed a great deal of resilience which helped us get the win on the road,” junior Kraig Page said. MCLA was paced by John Jones who was 1014 from the floor and collected 25 points. Bennett added 14 points off the bench while Ramon Viches ended with 14 as well. Paul Maurice scored 13 points for MCLA, and although Ruben DelRosario had a season high of 8 assists. The Trailblazers led by 11 points in the second half following a pair of Ramon Viches free throws with 14:22 left on the clock making the score 49-38, however the Falcons scored 8 straight points to get right back into the game. With the score now at 65-58 in favor of MCLA Fitchburg started on a 10-1 run to take the lead at 68-66 with seven minutes left. As the game remained close, neither team led by
Photo by Richard LaRocque
Junior point guard Ruben DelRosario knifes through the defense for an easy lay-up. more than 4 points the rest of the way. The Blazers chose to foul Fitchburg in the With 4:10 remaining, Lincoln Wright backcourt rather than let them attempt a knocked down three free throws to push the game-tying three point shot. Mike IngramFalcon’s lead to 77-73. Todd Hunt pushed Rubin made the first shot and intentionally MCLA back within a point with a free throw missed the second. Trailblazer Jeremic Benof his own with 2:32 left and the score at 77-76 nett grabbed the rebound and MCLA won the in favor of Fitchburg. match. After a Falcon turnover, John Jones gave The Trailblazers are set to play Keene State MCLA back the lead with another layup to tonight at home in a makeup non-conference make it 78-77 with 2:05 left to play. In the fi- match. nal two minutes, Fitchburg committed a pair “I think the Keene State game will give us an of turnovers and missed a three point attempt opportunity to gain some motivation headshortly after. ing into the final stretch of conference play,” The Falcons had the last possession seeking Kraig Page said. “As long as we play team dethe final shot of the night, but after some in- fense and move the ball on offense we will give tense defensive pressure, John Jones blocked a ourselves a great chance to win the MASCAC. three point attempt and got the ball to Ramon That’s what we are doing now and we’ve won 3 Viches. Viches was fouled with four seconds out of our last 4 [games], so we hope to keep left and swished both free throws to lengthen it going.” the lead to 3 points.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Sports
Quidditch anyone? By Kelsey Marini Sports Writer
For those who have watched the Harry Potter movie series or read the books, Quidditch is familiar as the sport featuring flying broomsticks, head-bashing bludgers, and the mysterious golden snitch. But the game isn’t confined to movies and books anymore. Students are trying to form their very own Quidditch team at MCLA. Freshman Colby Harvish is working hard to get an organized club where students can play Quidditch. His love for the Harry Potter series sparked the idea, and he has been running with it ever since. He has already gained a following of 30 students who are interested in the sport and has had numerous meetings with the Student Government Association (SGA). But so far the club has not been successful in getting the SGA’s approval. The main reason is the lack of knowledge about the sport. “I am constantly talking to SGA and giving them details about quidditch,” said Harvish. According to senior and member of SGA’s Constitution Committee Stephan Rochefort, one problem is figuring out if this sport requires a certified coach. If it does, Harvish would have to find someone certified to coach the club. But since this is not a common sport, finding a coach is not easy. “This is a complex topic,” said Rochefort, “and that is because of the lack of knowledge about Quidditch.” Another problem is deciding whether or not Quidditch is a contact sport. Like Rochesfort,
sophomore Alexandra Kadell, parliamentarian of SGA, does not know enough about the game to vote on it being a club just yet. Once she and the other SGA members determine if there is physical contact, then it can be decided if the team members would have to sign a liability form. “Right now we are not saying it cannot be a club,” said Kadell. “If it does not end up getting approved because of liability reasons, then we hope they look to intramurals.” Other schools, such as Westfield State and University of Massachusetts (Amherst), have organized their own Quidditch clubs and are playing competitively against other schools’ teams. The way non-fictional Quidditch (also called Muggle Quidditch) works is rather different from the sport with the flying broomsticks. Each team consists of seven players: three chasers, two beaters, one keeper, and one seeker. Each has their own duty. For example, the keeper protects the goal or hoop, and the seeker needs to find the golden snitch. There is no time limit to the game; it is over once a seeker catches the snitch. Broomsticks are still used and must stay between players’ legs during the game. The most peculiar and different part of the game is the golden snitch. It is not a ball, but a person dressed in gold. Tucked into the back of their shorts is a gold tube sock holding a tennis ball. This person must do their best to avoid getting caught. As of right now, Quidditch is not a club on campus. But Colby Harvish wants to change
Beacon.MCLA.edu
9
Scores Women’s Basketball
February 8th, 2014 Fitchburg St. 73, MCLA 43 February 11th, 2014 Framingham St. 68, MCLA 48 Men’s Basketball February 8th, 2014 MCLA 80, Fitchburg St. 78 February 11th, 2014 MCLA 85, Framingham St. 75
Photo by Kayla Degnan/The Beacon
Freshman Colby Harvish is interested in starting up a Qudditch team at MCLA. that in the near future. He plans on getting the word out about this new and unique game across campus to gain more followers. “[It’s a] fun way to stay active in a cheap and unique way,” said Harvish when asked what students will get out of the sport. He hopes that a larger following will improve the chances of finding a coach and getting SGA’s vote of approval.
Women continue to struggle By James Hunter Sports Writer
It was another tough week for the Trailblazers with a 20 point loss to Framingham State coming on Tuesday. Losing 10 games straight this season, the Trailblazers are out of the playoffs. The last few games of the season Coach Holly McGovern has put the minutes towards the younger players on the team, getting them prepared for the future of this program. “We have enough talent to win with the seven freshmen on the team. We all have gotten to play with each other and understand each other’s pros and cons,” freshman Brayleigh Hanlon said. The Trailblazers are 0-10 in league play this season. Framingham State has won six of their last seven conference games, placing them in second with a 6-4 conference record. Photo by Kayla Degnan/The Beacon With seven minutes to go in the first Sophomore point guard Mariah Brown manuevers past a defender on her way to the basket. half, the Rams were down 15-13 until Framingham sophomore Kerry Coyne started a 10-0 run to give her team a comfort“With one non-conference game and two achieved by Kaitlyn Chenevert and Courtney able lead over MCLA. At the half the Rams conference games left, we just want to play to McLaughlin each finishing with eight points. lead 41-28. With both teams shooting well our abilities, keep getting better and finish the With the season coming to an end for the from the field; MCLA 46.2 percent and Fram- season off strong,” Hanlon said. Trailblazers freshman Michaela Siver says she ingham 45.7 percent. However, Framingham “With these home games coming up, we plan plans to work in the off season on her “game”. forced 17 turnovers from the Trailblazers in to get revenge on these teams that beat us at “Individually I plan to work on my ball hanthe first half. their place,” junior Tashari Rainwater said. dling and be a gym rat this off season to get “We are very team oriented and our team The Trailblazers struggled in another confer- myself better as a player and as a teammate,” chemistry is improving on the court as well as ence game this past weekend, losing to Fitch- Siver said. off the court,” freshman Michaela Siver said. burg State 73-43. Predominantly made up of all freshmen, it In the second half the Trailblazers could not Fitchburg forced 32 turnovers from the looks like the season will be devoted to buildget within single digits. Shooting just 19 per- Trailblazers, scoring 37 points. The Falcons ing better team chemistry and preparing these cent in the second half, the Trailblazers strug- held their guests to 22 percent shooting from young athletes for the future of this basketball gled to make shots. the field compared to Fitchburg’s 48 percent. program. By their senior year they will hopeThey were supported most of the way by seFitchburg’s Amy Fahey led with a game high fully be well experienced basketball players. nior Kaitlyn Chenevert and Michaela Siver, of 20 points along with Laura Cote who fin- They can learn and develop from this season who scored 13 and 10 points respectively. ished with 12 points. as a team and as individuals as well. Freshman Courtney McLaughlin added eight There were no double digit scores com“Even though we have been losing, we still points. ing from MCLA. Highest point scores were stay positive,” Hanlon said.
Standings Men’s Basketball Bridgewater St. Salem St. Westfield St. Worcester St. MCLA Fitchuburg St. Framingham St. Women’s Basketball Bridgewater St. Framingham St. Fitchuburg St. Westfield St. Salem St. Worcester St. MCLA
7-3 6-3 6-3 5-4 5-5 2-7 2-8 8-2 6-4 5-4 5-4 5-4 4-5 0-10
Schedules February 13th Women’s Basketball MCLA @ Suffolk 5:30 PM Men’s Basketball MCLA vs Keene St 7 PM February 18th Women’s Basketball MCLA vs Westfield St. 5:30 PM Men’s Basketball MCLA vs Westfield St. 7:30 PM February 22nd Women’s Basketball MCLA vs Salem St. 12 PM Men’s Basketball MCLA vs Salem St. 2 PM
10
Opinion
Thursday, February 13, 2014
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“What are your plans for this Valentine’s Day?” “I’m celebrating my friend’s birthday with her.”
“I’m going home.” – John Passaretti, 2017
–Alicia Reep, 2015
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In my humble opinion...
Foul play in the NFL By Nicholas Arena Editor-in-Chief
So, according to the NFL, the world might not be ready for an openly gay football player just yet. In a report from Mother Jones on Sunday, Defensive End Michael Sam, who is coming up on this year’s draft, announced he is gay. In response, a number of NFL personnel saw this as a bad move on his part. Their position on his announcement is problematic as a whole, but there were two particularly disappointing statements, each illustrating how some people remain stagnate despite a progres-
sion of equal rights. The first was a quote stating football is “still a man’s-man game.” Exactly what does being gay have to do with masculinity? We are still face-to-face with a stereotype that gay man are somehow less of a man than heterosexual counterparts. The second was a question to whether or not “you want to be the team to quote-unquote ‘break that barrier?’” The simple answer is yes. Yes, and that team should be celebrated. In a time of people becoming more accepting of equality and adapting progressive attitudes, why wouldn’t a team want to be the pioneer of another step toward equality? It’s baffling some major organizations still think homosexuals are detrimental to an organization, or even a lesser party of individuals. Unfortunately, I can understand how small groups like the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) still see things this way, but these people, as they should, occupy a minority. They are the equivalent of a ragged doomsayer waving signs and shouting to themselves, hoping for a few helpless sheep to get behind them unquestioningly. If anyone is concerned what an organization like the WBC that has to say about them, then they certainly need to reevaluate their priorities. Here’s to wishing Michael Sam the best of luck during the draft, and here’s to hoping the only thing he’s evaluated on is his playing skill.
Editor-in-Chief Nick Arena
“I’m a lot of fun at parties, I swear!”
Secretion secrets By Jess Gamari Managing Editor
Before you head out to the store and grab Valentines cookies and candies for your sweetheart, you may want to double check the ingredients list for inclusion of artificial vanilla flavoring. Unless you’re using pure vanilla extract, it’s possible you may be consuming the secretion from a beaver’s anal gland as part of the artificial flavoring. Yes, you heard correctly. According to a Weird and Wild article on National Geographic online, “Castoreum is a chemical compound that mostly comes from a beaver’s castor sacs, which are located between the pelvis and the base of the tail. Because of its close proximity to the anal glands, castoreum is often a combination of castor gland secretions, anal gland secretions and urine.” Sadly, this is not a new trend. Food and perfume manufacturers have been using castoreum in their products as an alternative
for the last 80 years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regards castoreum as “a safe additive,” and manufacturers may list “natural flavoring” instead of castoreum on the ingredients list. Most anal secretions stink due to the odor-producing bacteria in the gut, but this is not the case for beavers. Joanne Crawford, a wildlife ecologist at Southern Illinois University, says the brown goo, similar to but not as thick as molasses, has a musky vanilla scent because a beaver’s diet mostly consists of bark and leaves. Beavers use this goo to mark their territory. Collecting this substance is difficult and “unpleasant for all parties involved,” so only about 292 pounds are collected yearly. Extraction experts typically “anesthetize the animal and then ‘milk’ the nether regions,” said Crawford. Both male and female beavers produce castoreum. According to a 2007 safety assessment published in the International Journal of Toxicology, the consumption of castoreum poses no health risk to consumers. “The extract is nontoxic by both oral and dermal routes of administration ...use as a flavoring and fragrance ingredient has resulted in no reports of adverse reactions.” On that note, you won’t be poisoning your Valentine by feeding chocolate covered strawberries to them, although I apologize for ruining the moment. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss...
Sports Editor Jesse Collings
Managing Editor Jess Gamari Photography Editor
A&E Editor Shannen Adamites
Kayla Degnan Web Editor Michael Dahlroth
Copy Chief Avery Finnivan Advertising Manager Darcie Sosa
Senior News Editor Gabriel Kogel
Staff Staff Writers Kaleigh Anderson Rachel Fitterman
James Hunter Marc Latour Chunyu “Judy” Leng Kelsey Marini Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Alexander Moore Jenna O’Connor
Photographers Nathan Buchanan Richard LaRocque Amy Modesti Andrew Ricketts
Design Team
Shannen Adamites* Nick Arena* Jess Gamari* Raanan Sarid-Segal Nicole Ngoon Nick Swanson Copy Editors Yvonne Camacho Rominda DeBarros Nicole L’Etoile
Advisers
Jenifer Augur Gillian Jones Jim Niedbalski
*Holds more than one position
Online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Facebook.com/MCLABeacon Twitter.com/MCLA_Beacon
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Bigger than biceps.
Weighted confusion By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Staff Writer
The understanding on campus is that students want to work out and be healthy, but are unsure of where to start and how to operate equipment, etc. One of the ways to get around these awkward obstacles is to educate yourself on the things that you don’t know about. An easy way to take a step into the world of fitness is by researching and comprehending what you’re looking to get out of a healthier lifestyle. If you want to tone your muscles, then alternating 20-30 minutes of cardio with strength training at least three times a week is ideal. To lose weight, you want to increase your cardio during the week and decrease weights to only two times a week while focusing on total body exercises. One of the fitness stereotypes involving lifting weights is that you will end up looking like a
Opinion & Announcements huge muscle head—but that’s not the truth. When you balance cardio and weights over a course of three to five days, your body will have time to adjust to the change and your muscles will have time to rest and recuperate. The best way to research exercises appropriate for your body type is through various fitness magazines and websites such as bodybuilding.com or shape.com. These sites are just references, but they are great ways to get started and eventually create and adapt your own workout routine. In a gym environment, it is best to ask a trainer or an experienced person for help with an exercise or machine. Everyone is there for similar reasons; no one has room to judge you for bettering your body and health! Exercise of the week: Plank-topushup: Start in plank position, back straight, abs tight and butt down. Most of the weight will be sitting on the elbows, so it is important to shift your weight so that your shoulders are relaxed. Start a timer for 30 seconds to a minute (however long you wish) and begin in the plank position, but then push off your elbows into a push-up position, one elbow up, then the other. Hold for one second and then go back down onto your elbows. While holding your abs in tight, repeat the movement for a desired amount of time, for three sets. This exercise targets your core and upper body the most, but also the lower body as long as it is tight and still throughout the entire time. Wiggling around without balance will defeat the movement’s intention.
MASSPIRG to hold bottle bill publicity event Emily Jeffers
Special to the Beacon Massachusetts Public Research Interest Group (MASSPIRG) will hold an event to gain publicity for their Bottle Bill campaign on Monday, February 24 in the Campus Center, at a time to be announced. MASSPIRG is a consumer group founded in 1972 that seeks change regarding issues of safety, financial security, and public health. Their Bottle Bill campaign is designed to add a 5 cent deposit to water, juice, and sports drink containers, so more consumers will be inclined to recycle these beverages. Last semester,
MASSPIRG collected 130,000 signatures in support of the Bottle Bill, which gives the bill the possibility of being on the ballot in November. “If the bill passes, we can increase recycling by over 60 percent state wide,” said Tess Geyer, MASSPIRG campus organizer at MCLA. The tabling event will feature a 7 foot tall costume of “Bottle Bill” and will include photo opportunities with the mascot, free merchandise, meetings with officials of MCLA, and photo petitioning to show students’ involvement with the Bottle Bill. The event is free and open to the public.
Under the bodhi tree Finding true love this Valentine’s Day By Gabriel Kogel Senior News Editor
With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, as a clerk at a pharmacy, I’m living through a swirl of boxed chocolate hearts and rose-colored cards. Despite a definite flowery nausea that settles on me by the end of it, I think it’s important to celebrate love. Romantic love lifts and inspires our very being. It lies at the heart of much music, and can be the most rewarding part of living. It’s only appropriate we devote a holiday to it. At the same time, Valentine’s Day is an ideal time to contemplate the many ways love is present in our lives. Consider the unconditional love of a parent, a faithful friend, a significant other, or even your non-human companion. No matter who you are, feeling loved by others, and reciprocating that love in return, is likely a significant force in your life. But, how often do we consider the importance of loving ourselves? Rarely do we consider saying: “I love myself so much.” In a culture that is often hypercritical, self-love can easily be perceived as vanity or narcissism. Yet it’s true, if we only take pride in our superficial qualities, if we receive pleasure from bragging to others and feeling self-important, we’re merely
overcompensating for feeling undeserving of being loved for who we truly are. Take a moment to ask yourself: “what’s keeping me from loving myself?” Do you feel unworthy of being loved? Many of us, being immersed in a culture in which our original state has been mythologized as sinfulness, have deeply held beliefs that something is wrong with us. We need to challenge the idea that our natural state is shameful, nothing could be further from the truth. I’m writing this column to advocate meditation. By practicing awareness of the moment, we’re able to see past the temporary nature of thoughts, which do not define our true selves. Our true essence is unlimited cognizance and compassion. Once we are aware of this reality, healthy self-love becomes inevitable. Through regular mediation practice, the love and compassion naturally extends to others. Consider the children, some as young as nine years old, enslaved and regularly beaten on the Ivory Coast of Africa, forced to pick the cocoa beans that will be made into the chocolate hearts meant to express love. Think of the dairy cows, their milk also destined for chocolate, milk that must be kept flowing by yearly artificial insemination. They feel the same love that we feel toward our offspring, and their heartache is no different than a human parent’s would be, when they’re separated from their calves soon after birth. The Dalai Lama once said: “everyone wants happiness, nobody wants to suffer.” Of course, he wasn’t only referring to people. As simple as it seems, only by extending our love and compassion can we heal ourselves, those suffering because of exploitation, and the natural world. Thanks to Tara Brach Ph.D. for inspiring this column. Namaste.
Attention clubs!
FINANCIAL AID ANNOUNCEMENT IT’S TIME TO REAPPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID FOR 2014-2015! *MARCH 1 PRIORITY DEADLINE* Log onto www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the federal form. Note that we no longer require an institutional application for financial aid. File early and don’t miss out on money! Any questions? Call the Financial Aid Office at 662-5219 or visit us on the main level of Eldridge Hall. *** Scholarship Opportunity The HotelsCheap Scholarship Deadline April 15 Apply at www.hotelscheap.org/scholarship
The Beacon wants to help promote your club! We will print one free advertisement per semester. Also, keep us updated on club events! We want to cover you! Email your press release and information on First Class to MCLA Beacon Mailbox, or message us on Facebook.
Beacon.MCLA.edu
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Check it out!
Upcoming events on campus! Today, Feb. 13 The Write Stuff Amsler Campus Center 3- 5 p.m. Peer Advisor and Orientation Leader Application Tabling Amsler Campus Center Marketplace noon- 1 p.m.
Valentines Day Galla Ticket Sales Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 11 a.m. 7 p.m. Recycling Fashion Show Venable Gym 7- 9 p.m. 413 STEM Science Center Conference R128 10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. St. Judes Children Fundraiser Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. MCLA Presents! The Chronicles of Rose puppet workshop 107 Main Street 6 p.m. Come work with David Lane on the principles of puppetry. Creating Equality Series Murdock Conference Reception Room 218 6:45 -9 p.m. Peer Advisor and Orientation Leader Application Tabling Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 5:30 -6:30 p.m. Green Living Seminar Murdock Conference Reception Room 218 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 14 Career Fair Prep Session Amsler Campus Center 4- 5:15 p.m. V-Day Rising info table Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Degrees of Separation Info Table Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 11 a.m. 2 p.m. Valentines Day Galla Ticket Sales Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 11 a.m -7 p.m. Art Sale Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 9 a.m. 6 p.m. President’s Day Bus Trip to Boston Feb. 14-17, 4 p.m. departure and return time
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Thursday, February 13, 2014
Photo Essay
Murdock Hall stands behind a freshly powdered lawn along Church Street.
Beacon.MCLA.edu
Stalactite shaped icicles hang from a townhouse roof.
Snow blankets the College Photos by Richard LaRocque
Snowflakes redecorate the face of Hoosac Hall.
Townhouse Block B receives a frosted makeover.
Footprints carve a shortcut through the quad despite a winter coating.
The Feigenbaum Science Center’s outdoor classroom gets the glazed donut treatment.