February 16, 2012 - Issue 3 Spring '12

The Beacon investigates reports of administrative raises

BSU hosting Black History Month Events

Jungle Work Rocks PUBLIC Eat + Drink

See the schedule of events on page 5

Local band plays classic rock

Women’s basketball rock senior night with 80-67 victory Dobrovolc nets 1000th career point in game with Framingham

covers to packed house OPINION, page 14

Student Newspaper of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, Mass.

NEWS, page 4

Arts and Entertainment, page 8

SPORTS, page 9

The Beacon

Volume 75 Issue 3 Thursday February 16, 2012

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Grant and Charon field SGA’s questions on gun implementation

By Ed Damon Editor in Chief

President Grant and Public Safety Director Joseph Charon attended Monday’s Student Government meeting Monday. Grant and Charon answered questions from Senators and the audience, which mainly surrounded the implementation.

“No one’s happy with the outcome of this decision.

Happiness wasn’t the goal,” Grant said. “One of the things we are charged with is thinking about public safety at the highest level possible. And unfortunately in a changing world we need to change the way we think about that.”

Something that’s important to understand is that MCLA police officers are trained police officers, she said. “They are true profes-

Photo by Aaron Crawford/Beacon staff

President Mary Grant speaks with Student Government Monday night. Grant told the Senate and the audience campus police won’t be armed before August or September.

sionals.”

Grant told the Senate that Public Safety won’t be armed before August

or September. “There are several months of work that must be done,” she said.

This includes general train-

ing, psychological checks, and updating policies and procedures. “And if we aren’t ready, we aren’t going

to do it,” Grant said.

“Part of the process is looking at what firearms are already professional standards,” Charon said.

Another concern from students was whether or not ammunition would be loaded with the gun.

“The weapon will be ready to use right out of the holster,” Charon said.

“It’s professional standard is all police officers carry a loaded firearm on their side ready to use if there is a lethal threat,” Charon said, adding that will be the way campus police will be armed.

Senator Catt Chaput questioned whether it was possible for someone to grab a gun from an officer’s side. Charon said campus police would be equipped with the maximum industry standard.

GUNS, continued on page 5

Laptops, other valuables stolen from Townhouses Ed Damon

Editor in Chief Students are in shock after laptops and other valuables were stolen from Townhouses this past weekend.

Resident students were first alerted to the robberies Monday though an email announcement from Director of Public Safety Joseph Charon. The alert notified residents of five reported cases of theft from unlocked Townhouses since Saturday.

Through interviews with resident students, campus police received information describing a suspicious person in the Townhouse Complex when the recent burglaries occurred.

The person is described as a white male between 20 to 30 years old, five foot six to eight inches tall, with messy, light brown hair, scruffy facial hair, and missing front teeth and/ or crooked bottom teeth. The suspect has a thin or skinny build, and is reported to have

worn a backpack, jacket, hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap.

Students reported him knocking lightly on Townhouse doors and asking if a person named “Jeff ” was home before walking away.

Junior Sara Katz told The Beacon her laptop was stolen from her Townhouse on Monday morning. “The house was not disrupted, but when I saw that my computer and its charger were gone I knew something was wrong,” Katz said. “I was not in the house when it happened, but one of my housemates was in the shower.”

Katz said the burglary has been a major disruption. “I used my laptop all the time and I was shocked that someone would do this. I eventually realized that I was upset not because my laptop was stolen but because I lost all my photographs and everything that was important to me. All my memories were gone. A laptop can be replaced but memories can’t.”

Katz said her whole house

feels affected from the break-in.

“Someone came in and invaded our personal space and privacy,” she said. “It’s not something that you can get over right away.”

Bernadette Lupo, Coordinator of Marketing and Communications for the College, said Wednesday afternoon the investigation is ongoing.

Students are being encouraged to lock their doors and keep track of their keys. Fliers have been placed on Townhouse doors to notify them about the break-ins, she said.

Campus Police warns anyone who sees someone matching this description or exhibiting the behaviors described to not approach them or keep them from leaving. They should contact Public Safety by dialing the emergency line, (413) 6625100.

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News

Thursday, February 16, 2012

SGA Briefs Monday Feb. 13

– President Mary Grant and Director of Public Safety Joseph Charon attended the meeting to answer questions about firearm implementation.

– Senator Jacob Fennell, chair of the All College Committee, discussed changes for Biology majors. If new policies are approved, Biology majors with a GPA below 2.0 would be “strongly advised” to change their major. Fennell cited professors’ concern of a difficult and competitive job market for the changes.

– Food Committee Chair Senator Korinna Dennehey updated the Senate on ARAMARK and the Campus Center. A new flavored water station has been set up near the brick oven pizza station. “It’s an alternative to sugary sodas,” Dennehey said. Subway and the convenience store will be open in about a month, The Starbucks is also looking to open earlier in the morning.

– Senators debated ARAMARK’s proposal of eliminating to-go containers on weekends. Dennehey said the provider was considering this because traffic on campus is lower on weekends since there are few classes. Senator Brendan Peltier said it may be a good idea, since a college dining hall makes people socialize. This is not effective if people take meals and go back to their rooms to eat, he said.

Senator Kate Moore said to-go containers were used by people who worked or had sports or other practices on weekends.

– Sustainability Coordinator Caroline Scully updated the Senate about the Sustainability Committee’s goals for 20122013. These include clarifying the committee’s mission, establishing wider membership, encouraging faculty to include sustainability in their curriculum, and addressing concerns in campus landscaping. The College should focus more on community outreach than research, since MCLA is already a community leader.

– Vice President of Administration James Stakenas told the Senate that he will take over Scully’s position in March when it ends. Scully’s position is ending because grant money has run out.

– The Senate approved supplumental budget requests from Black Student Union and Nexxus. BSU requested $6,420 and the BFC recommended $1,400. Nexxus is requesting $1,284.90 and the BFC recommended $100.

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Tom Alexander to students: challenge yourself Basketball and summer camp taught him life lessons on diversity, mother taught him strong work ethic.

By Holly Johnston Staff Writer

Thomas Alexander, coordinator of the African, Latino, Asian, and Native American programs (ALANA), remembers basketball as one of his earliest inspirations.

“When I was in the fifth grade I was selected to play as a starter for the number one team in the state,” he said. “I played on that team for three years. I gained confidence as well as leadership skills.”

Alexander was born in Pontiac, Mich., but grew up in Harlem, N.Y., as well as the Bronx. His mother, Debbie, and grandmother, Hattie, were role models during his youth.

“From them, I learned how to respect and how to gain respect,” Alexander said. “I watched my grandmother work hard all her life cleaning houses. She taught me strong worth ethic. She was always helping others.

“She made sure of it that every summer I attended camp. There, I was exposed to children of different walks of life,” he continued. “I learned to value the diversity of people.”

In addition to camp, living in the Bronx presented Alexander with life-changing situations.

“Some were good, others weren’t,” he explained. “I’ve been in restaurants where I’ve been asked to leave because of the way I look. I’ve been called racial slurs.”

Yet, Alexander emerged stronger.

“I don’t regret these experiences,” he said. “I believe it is important to learn how to deal with crisis. It made me very levelheaded.”

That level-headedness carried on into Alexander’s college years.

He attended Temple University in Philadelphia, where he studied physical therapy, then SUNY Brockport where he became certified in physical education.

He eventually went on to graduate school at Brockport, and gained a Masters in Counselor education.

A Masters would have been more than enough, but a wife came with the deal.

Alexander met his wife Joiel at Brockport, and after three years they married. They have three children together.

About six years ago, Alexander visited MCLA. He received a warm welcome.

“I was impressed with the focused people who were really involved and cared deeply about

Photo courtesy of Celia Norcross

Tom Alexander, coordinator of the ALANA programs and veteran affairs services, spoke about his role models and passions. the students,” he said.

Alexander explained that the MCLA community is one in which students and faculty truly care about one another.

In addition to acting as the coordinator of ALANA and Veterans Student Programs, Alexander is also coordinator of the Multicultural Educational Resource Center.

“Opportunities don’t present themselves until you test your-

self,” Alexander said.

“If I could give one piece of advice to the students of MCLA,” he said, “it is that everyone should challenge themselves to take on new experiences and meet new people. Be uncomfortable because it will be the only way you grow.”

Campus police investigates disturbances, tows vehicles Excerpts from Campus Police logs Feb. 5 – 11

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Sunday 2/5 7:37 p.m. – Public Safety was called to Hoosac Hall for a medical call. Transportation to the hospital was provided.

Monday 2/6 4:19 p.m. – Public Safety responded to a medical call in Hoosac Hall. PS referred to an outside agency.

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Tuesday 2/7 Vehicle was towed from Townhouse lot 3.

Wednesday 2/8 12:53 a.m. Public Safety investigated an accidental alarm in the Townhouse complex.

10:26 a.m. Vehicle was towed from Hoosac Hall resident student lot.

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Thursday 2/9 6:06 p.m. – Public Safety responded to a report of a disturbance in the Amsler Campus Center. Report was investigated.

Saturday 2/11 5:41 p.m. – Public Safety investigated a report of a disturbance in the Amsler Campus Center. Report ultimately was unfounded.

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

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Marketplace to be completed by March New furniture has been delivered, and the College is looking into purchasing flat-screen televisions.

By Skyla Seamans Staff Writer

The Marketplace renovations are nearly complete, with 70 percent of the furniture in place and equipment installation well underway.

James Stakenas, Vice President of Administration and Finance, said students will have access to the new Subway and expanded C-Store by Mar. 1.

“There will be a lot of activity in the Marketplace at the end of February in order to finish the area on time,” Stakenas said. “I also did not expect furniture until the end of the month, but it was delivered on Feb. 9.”

He said the College is looking into purchasing flat-screen televisions for the Marketplace, but the budget still needs to be reviewed.

“The previous televisions will be reinstalled into the Cafeteria and Marketplace by the end of the month,” he said. “But the College has yet to determine the expenses for newer and larger televisions.”

Celia Norcross, Director of Student Development, said the new seating in the Marketplace provides students and faculty with a casual meeting and dining location.

“The new Marketplace is like the living room of the campus,” Norcross said. “We designed it to provide space for everyone: commuter students, faculty, and staff.

If students order to-go meals in the cafeteria, they can bring their

Photo by Takeya Lee/ Beacon Staff

Vendors and club tabling have returned to the Marketplace. The Subway and convenience store, the “P.O.D.”, will open next month. Starbucks and Bowman Hall’s Grab-and-Go are expected to change hours, with Starbucks opening earlier in the day. food to the Marketplace to enjoy.”

She said vendors and tabling will still take place in the new space, along with Bowman Hall.

If students have any suggestions as to how they wish to improve the space, they can contact Celia Norcross via FirstClass.

John Kozik, Director of Dining Services, said the Marketplace renovations are meant to provide students with more dining options and to meet all of their needs.

“The Provisions on Demand

Free workshop outlines alternatives for chemical pesticides Press Release PITTSFIELD – Aric Brown, Outreach Specialist for The Center for EcoTechnology (CET) will be providing a free “Healthy Homes and Gardens Workshop” where attendees will learn what integrated pest management entails and the importance of managing your environment with fewer toxic pesticides and herbicides.

Are fertilizers and pesticides costing too much? Do you ever wonder what toxins you are spreading on your lawn?

If you would like to use effective and alternate lawn and garden treatments, it is best to have a management plan.

A solid integrated plan draws on knowledge, experience and techniques from many different fields, to promote healthy plants, soils and tolerable pest levels. Us-

ing a management plan for one’s garden or home helps reduce the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, and restores your natural landscape. By using trusted homemade recipes and tips, you will reduce the amount of wastes accumulated in landfills, prevent chemical contact health risks, and greatly reduce the amount of toxic run-off in local watersheds.

This workshop will be held Feb. 28 at the Lee Library at 6:30 p.m., and Mar. 8 at Rural Lands at 7 p.m. in Williamstown.

For more information, including how to register, visit cetonline.org or contact Aric Brown at (413) 445.4556 ext. 30 or email aric.brown@cetonline.org.

This service is available at no cost to towns with populations under 10,000 through funding from USDA Rural Development.

store (P.O.D.), which is ARAMARK’s branded convenience concept, blends the features of ‘corner store’ quick convenience with modern market style and services,” Kozik said.

He said the P.O.D. store (the newly expanded C-Store) will offer a variety of fresh food and produce, prepared meals, and everyday essentials. The inside of the new store will also feature wood and stone finishes.

“The Starbucks kiosk will also be assessing student needs and

will be adjusting the hours accordingly,” he said.

The products offered at the P.O.D. will also be different from the items offered at the café, he said. The current convenience store located in Bowman will transition into its new P.O.D. location. However, the Bowman store will continue to operate with new hours once the new store opens.

“We know that the Bowman location is an important resource for students and we will continue

to keep the store open to meet students’ needs,” Kozik said.

Stakenas, Norcross, and Kozik are all excited for the new space and hope students will be satisfied with the completed renovations.

“We feel that students will enjoy the new Subway and P.O.D. location and the additional variety of dining and convenience choices on campus,” Kozik said. “We are extremely pleased with the renovations as it gives the space a new, modern, upbeat look.”

FINANCIAL AID ANNOUNCEMENT IT’S TIME TO APPLY FOR 2012-2013 FINANCIAL AID! MARCH 1ST PRIORITY DATE! * Log onto www.mcla.edu/aid and click on Application Forms for the links to complete the Institutional Application for Financial Aid and the FAFSA. REMEMBER TO CHECK YOUR FIRSTCLASS COLLEGE EMAIL FOR ANY REQUESTED INFORMATION FOR YOUR FILE!!

FILE EARLY AND DON’T MISS OUT ON MONEY! MARCH 1ST PRIORITY DEADLINE!

News 4 BSU sponsors several events to celebrate Black History Month Thursday, February 16, 2012

Jess Gamari Staff Writer

Although February is almost gone, the Black History Month celebration is far from over.

Black History Month is a national observance held every February to recognize African American heritage. MCLA’s Black Student Union (BSU) says their purpose is bringing the campus together and building a community through the different events on campus. This year’s events were sponsored by BSU and the African Latino Asian and Native American Association (ALANA).

BSU President Christine Brandao said so far the events have been successful. The events are chosen through E-board brainstorming and collaboration with other colleges. This

year, MCLA and Williams College co-sponsored a play called, “Renaissance in the Belly of the Killer Whale,” which was held at Williams College on Feb. 11.

Other E-board members include Vice President Roberta Campbell, Treasurer Tyeson Bell, and Secretary Asia Andrews.

Thomas Alexander, ALANA and International Student Services Coordinator, has been a part of MCLA’s Black History Month for six years. His interest in the month’s history began back in college when he had, in his words, the “opportunity to connect in a meaningful way as a student.”

Black History Month kicked off with the Harlem Children Zone Overnight on Feb. 2. According to Alexander, this event is a special program in itself. Children from Harlem, N.Y. are

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invited to stay over at the College and learn how to be successful in schools, in careers, and at home. As a result, the College has been able to recruit a good number of students from that region, Alexander said.

Each year the BSU adds new guest speakers to their events list.

“We’ve never had this many speakers, and we’ve never had something going on almost every day of the month,” said Bell.

Previous guest speakers were Dr. Frances JonesSneed, Jamele Adams, and Domingo Guyton. There were also a few dance parties, games, plays, and many workshops, including, “Journey to Manhood and Allies to Women,” which talked about raising men to be successful in many BLACK HISTORY MONTH , continued on page 5

Photo by Takeya Lee/ Beacon Staff

The N-Word: Why Blacks Use It and No One Should, featuring speaker Domingo Guyton. Event was hosted by Black Student Union (BSU).

Hoosac Hall to get new rooms, entrance not in a working order,” Genest said.

“The fact that they want to expand on the building to have more students in it is weird to me because after this past year, most of Hoosac Hall isn’t being occupied, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to add more rooms when the rooms that exist now are mostly empty,” he added, when asked about the expansion.

The new renovations and construction should be done by the start of the Fall 2012 semester.

By Amy Cubello Staff Writer

Hoosac Hall is getting a makeover.

The renovations include 14 new rooms: 12 doubles and two singles in the space which is currently the lobby.

The overhaul has been ongoing since last summer, when all the existing bathrooms were fully refurbished and new bathrooms were put in on the lobby level.

Dianne Manning, director of Residential Programs and Services, says the second phase of the Hoosac Hall renovations will start later on this spring and continue through the summer.

“The lower level of Hoosac Hall, where the Harbor was located, will become the new main floor,” she said. The plans for this floor include a multi-purpose room, meeting room, laundry room, kitchenette, offices for the Resident Director, Resident Advisors and more lounge space for students.

“A new entrance to the

Photo by Takeya Lee/ Beacon Staff

Hoosac Hall will undergo renovations later in the spring and throughout the summer.

lower level and a new security desk will also be constructed,” Manning added.

The Harbor, a lounge in which students used to watch movies and play pool, has been closed since Fall 2010.

“It is completely closed off and totally under con-

struction,” sophomore and Hoosac RA Sydney Dionne said. According to Dionne, the construction that is going on in Hoosac Hall is not a hindrance to its current residents.

“The freshmen now do not even know what The Harbor used to be. To them, it does

not exist so they do not really care,” she said.

Sophomore Adam Genest thinks Hoosac Hall does not need to be renovated to the extent that Dianne Manning has said.

“Bathrooms were a key thing because most of the bathrooms were essentially

Exclusive online content To see how the ground and first floors Hoosac Hall will be layed out, visit us online at TheOnlineBeacon. com

News

Thursday, February 16, 2012

BSU celebrates Black History Month BLACK HISTORY MONTH, continued from page 4

areas of life and to treat women with respect and as allies. Nexxus performed at the men’s basketball game on Feb. 3, and the following day there was a Blues and Funk festival on featuring Blitz the Ambassador. Nexxus will also be performing on Feb. 25 at Williams College at the “Looking Back, Steady Steppin’ Forward” Step Competition, which begins at 8 p.m.

“I feel blessed to see national renowned speakers educate all of us in the community,” Alexander said. “The focus is on how important it is to contribute and build a community. We are exposed to individuals who have achieved success allows everyone to realize something in all of us. We need to step up; be active in addressing things that are wrong.

Pursue something right. It’s an opportunity to get engaged and make a difference.”

Brandao believes that events like these are important because they help others remember the past. “I feel like a lot of people forget about Black History Month and African American culture, and how everything’s progressed since a long time ago,” she said.

Alexander said that it’s important to recognize African American contributors in American History.

“We belong in American History, but society has a habit of overlooking contributions, and focusing on what’s exciting or negative,” he said. “Black History is something we should look at not one day, not one week, not one month, but every day of the year.”

One event that many students on campus look forward to each February is the campus-wide Soul Food Dinner, which took place on Feb. 10. Each year, a guest chef from the south works with ARAMARK in the kitchen to prepare soul food, and this year was followed by a poetry slam in the Centennial Room.

This year’s guest chef was Velma McAdoo.

“Soul food originated in the south, said Bell. “It’s called ‘Soul Food’ because a lot of heart and soul is put into it. There [was] fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, red velvet cake, red beans and rice collard greens.

We don’t see food like that at all on campus except for this event.”

For more information, or to confirm the schedule, contact Tyeson Bell, Christina Brando, or Thomas Alexander on First-

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Admissions completes Russian move to Smith House radio station comes under pressure

By Andrew Roiter Managing Editor

In a semester marked by renovations, new buildings, and other changes, the Admissions department at the College has shifted its offices to the Smith House.

“It’s our signature building on Campus,” said Denise Richardello, vice president of Enrollment and External Relations.

The switch was made for a variety of reasons, ranging from aesthetics to convenience. The Smith House, named in 1967 for former College president Roy Leon Smith, was one of the original buildings on campus, built in 1898, and is located more towards the center of campus than the previous admissions building, which was on Blackinton St. “It feels homey in there, so families feel welcome even before they start their tour,” said Gina Puc, assistant director of

freshman admissions. “I think it gives a clearer view of a student’s day.”

In the past, the building has been used to house events and classes, and until 1991 the historic house provided a home for the College’s presidents.

The admissions staff said they are enjoying the new area and the move, which happened in mid-January, was quick and easy thanks to a concerted effort by students, faculty, and staff.

Currently, there is not a plan for the old Admissions building.

But Richardello said the College is working on one and they should have a decision within the next few weeks.

In addition, Admissions is planning an open house so students and faculty can see the new offices and become acquainted with the set-up.

Black History Month Schedule of Events Thurs. Feb. 16

*Movie Night: “Glory” (Hosted by Black Student Union) 7 p.m. Sullivan Lounge

Wed. Feb. 22

*Karen Jones Meadows: One Women Play “Harriet Tubman” 8 p.m. Church Street Center

Fri. Feb. 24

*Sekou Sundia: Evening of Spoken Word & Poetry featuring the voices of MCLA & Williams students 6 p.m. Gallery 51 *Dominican Independence Day (Noche de Carnival) Latin Dance Social (Hosted by Latin American Society) 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sullivan Lounge *After Party 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Sat. Feb. 25

*“Looking Back…Steady Steppin Forward” Step Competition featuring Nexxus!

8 p.m. Williams College

Tues. Feb. 28

*The Power of An Illusion - Part 1 5:15 p.m. Images Cinema 50 Spring St., Williamstown

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Photo by Andrew Roiter/Beacon Staff

Admissions completed its move to the Smith House this January.

GUNS continued from page 4

“Officers will have a three-level threat holster,” Charon said. Charon said he couldn’t explain in detail how the holster worked as it’s an officer safety issue.

Charon said officers will also receive defensive training to stop someone from grabbing a gun.

“We’re calling on people who have started firearm programs,” Charon said.

“We aren’t reinventing the wheel.”

President Foy reassured students the student voice will not be ignored and

students will be included during the implementation.

“I’ve had more meetings with President Grant in the past week than I have in my entire career here,” Foy said.

“President Grant constantly reassured me that she wants to meet with you and hear your concerns,” Foy said.

“It’s time to move on,” he told the audience, adding that students will play a big role in implementation.

Associated Press MOSCOW (AP) _ The editor of Russia’s leading independent radio station said Tuesday that its management is being changed in an effort to restrict on-air criticism of the government ahead of the March 4 presidential election.

The media arm of state-controlled natural gas giant Gazprom, which holds two-thirds of the shares, is tightening its hold over the board of directors, editor Alexei Venediktov said.

Gazprom Media took the action after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin last month accused the station of serving the foreign policy interests of the United States and “pouring diarrhea’’ on him all day.

Putin is seeking to return to the presidency by winning the election.

Ekho Moskvy, or Echo of Moscow, has long been among the few news outlets to provide air time to Putin’s harshest critics and it has provided full coverage of the anti-Putin protests that began in December.

Shortly after coming to power in 2000, Putin imposed state control over all national television stations. As part of that process, Ekho Moskvy was passed into the hands of Gazprom, but Venediktov has retained full editorial independence.

The station has served as a safety valve for Moscow’s liberal elite, but as opposition to Putin grows, the government may see it as posing too big a threat.

Venediktov announced Tuesday that Gazprom Media was removing two independent directors from the nine-person board and that he and his deputy were resigning their board seats in protest. The journalists own the remaining 34 percent of shares.

“I consider it a clear attempt to change editorial policies,’’ Venediktov said.

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A&E

Thursday, February 9, 2012

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NBC’s newest show SMASH is a hit

By Nora Weiss

Photo by Carly Samach/Beacon Staff

A&E Writer What do Steven Spielberg, Marilyn Monroe, and Debra Messing all have in common? It’s NBC’s SMASH and it debuted Monday after the Super Bowl.

It’s a refreshing take on theatre, the creation of musicals, and good old fashion singing. SMASH finally puts Glee where it belongs: away.

Yes, Glee is good and stands for positive messages, but SMASH, ladies and gentlemen, is for adults. We see the struggles of not just actors trying to get that breakout role, but also the challenges producers, writers, and directors face. With elite dancing, phenomenal voices, and graceful acting, SMASH makes theatre for everyone without becoming corny and ditzy.

What is SMASH about? Presently, we’re watching the evolution

of a brand new musical from the ground up. The musical is about Marilyn Monroe and SMASH perfectly mirrors the struggles on getting into showbiz with the hurdles the star actresses face through auditions, call backs, and inappropriate late-night meetings at the director’s apartment.

Basically, SMASH is the eloquent way of saying that we’ve all problems and we’ve all got dreams.

Taking place in quintessential New York City, we follow the lives of wannabe actress Karen Cartwright (American Idol runner-up Katherine McPhee), playwright and absentee mother Julia Houston (Debra Messing), and divorced-now-broke Eileen Rand (Angelica Huston).

The show opens up on Karen belting out “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at an audition only to be cut off by a rude. We can al-

ready feel the rough times ahead for Iowa-born Karen who makes rent by playing the cute coffee waitress. Then there’s Ivy (played

by Megan Hilty of 9 to 5: The Musical), who is also vying for the Marilyn part with Karen, but SMASH doesn’t make Ivy the foil to Karen; instead we see an independent, but lonely girl.

SMASH, it itself, is a hit. With new and original music, the entertainment doesn’t cease. Directed by renowned theatre director, Michael Bayer, this NBC show brings a new way to enjoy theatre.

Think less uncomfortable seats and expensive tickets, and more of your own couch, your own snacks, and your own mirror in which you will dance in front of later when no one is watching.

Produced by Spielberg himself, SMASH is airedMonday’s at 9 p.m. on NBC. You can catch the pilot on Hulu right now.

Ginger Erlz first in series Ken Borter keeps of artist talks in Bowman Ken Borter is a student leader, but most recently has been in charge of the Spring Concert through SAC’s Concert Comittee.

busy with Student Activities Council and other clubs

By Tano Holmes

A&E Writer Ken Borter is a graduating senior and a student leader for the College and surrounding community. But the road to this leadership position wasn’t always easy.

Borter left MCLA his sophomore year to attend Hudson Valley Community College while looking to transfer to another four year college. Although he was accepted into a few prestigious institutions, Borter ultimately decided to return to MCLA the next semester.

“I guess I had a notion that the grass was greener on the other side,” Borter said. “But in the end, I realized that this is a really great school for people in my major and people like me” Since he has been back, Borter has been more involved in campus life than ever before. Borter is a Ski Club member and the secretary for the Education Club on campus. In previous years, Borter acted as a Peer Advisor for incoming freshmen. At the top of Borter’s list of involvement is being as a Resident Advisor (RA) for the Flagg Townhouse complex. “I like to be a community leader,” Borter said about his RA duties “When you are an RA, you have the opportunity to connect with other students, whether it is just a friendly conversation or something deeper.”

Borter also acts as the Concert Chair for the Student Activities Council (SAC). Recently, Borter decided which two bands would be performing at the annual spring concert: Four Year Strong and Mayday Parade.

“We had two votes. One on genre, which ended up being both pop and rock, as well as a follow up vote on which bands to actually invite to MCLA,” Borter said.

“I feel that by being democratic I gathered the students’ voice and I feel confident they will approve of the choice.”

“I’ve known Ken for almost four years, and I can easily say he is one of the most determined and hard working people I have met,” Dylan Glaser, a close friend, said.

“He has gone to great lengths to ensure he gets the most out of his education, while still giving plenty of energy and affection to the people closest around him.

I’ve never seen anyone balance work and play quite like Ken has.”

Borter hopes to become a teacher after graduating and is currently practicing for his goal by being a student teacher at the Berkshire Art and Technology Charter School teaching 8th and 11th grade history classes. He will graduate from the College this semester with a degree in Education and History.

Photo by Marissa Zelazo/Beacon Staff

Ginger Erlz, sculptor in residence at Mass MoCA’s Kid Space, spoke to students and community members last Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Bowman Hall. This talk was part of a series called MCLA Creates Artist Talks. The next talk is on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in Bowman 204.

Helen Hiebert will be speaking on the business side of being an artist.

A&E

Thursday, February 16, 2012

theonlinebeacon.com

Punch Brothers’ third album progressive bluegrass at its finest A Review by Mary Redstone A&E Editor

Punch Brothers are the current forerunners of bluegrass, and they’re trying to change the game up a bit. On their third album, “Who’s Feeling Young Now?” the quartet sounds more like a band than ever, rather than being another spotlight for mandolin prodigy Chris Thile to stand under. Not to discredit their former albums, but sometimes you had to wonder.

Each member has the ability to dominate each track on the album with virtuosic solos and jawdropping melodies, but they don’t.

Instead, they play off each other, creating sweet harmonies and smooth-sounding runs. There are even chances for different instruments to showcase, such as Gabe Witcher’s fiddle breakdown in the album’s title track.

They’re a progressive-bluegrass band, but not progressive in the sense of bands like Rush or Dream theater. Think bluegrass that has one eye on the rear-view mirror and one foot on the pedal moving forward. Their combination of mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar

and bass does not overwhelm, but each compliments the other as evident in the opening track “Movement and Location” where Thile’s mandolin trills trade measures with Witcher’s fiddle drones.

Since they have that one foot on the pedal, their songs sometimes toe the line into other genres, such as indie rock on “Hundred Dollars” or old-world Klezmer on “Patchwork Girlfriend.” What sets them apart still from the other genres is their absence of drum or electric guitar; the listener cannot forget that this is still rooted in traditional bluegrass because of these absences, no matter how far they stray into other genres.

Like previous albums, and previous bands, Thile handles most of the vocals; his higher-registered singing fluctuates from airy and comforting in songs like “Soon or Never” or the heartbreakingly sad “Don’t Get Married without Me” that is also urgent and pleading like “This Girl” and “New York City.”

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the entire album is the cover of Radiohead’s “Kid A,” where the robotic blips and beeps are turned into mandolin runs

and banjo trills.

Thile has dipped his fingers into many bluegrass pies, not only his claim to fame Nickel Creek but also his Appalachain-soaked duo with Michael Daves, that perhaps Punch Brothers is his way to branch out while still doing what he does best, and what sounds best. Because Punch Brothers are more than just bluegrass, and this is more than just a bluegrass album. It could even be considered bluegrass for those who don’t like bluegrass, or a stepping-stone of sorts.

Either way, this is an album that probably won’t receive much attention when it really should.

“Who’s Feeling Young Now?” is an album that could shape a genre, or maybe even spawn a new one, and no one wants to be left behind when something new comes to life.

Their album is available through their website, punchbrothers. com, iTunes, and Amazon.com.

They are currently on tour, including dates in Somerville, Mass and Burlington VT. More information can be found on their website.

Photo Courtesy of AOL Music

Punch Brothers combine bluegrass and a variety of other genres to create their unique sound, heard prominently on their newest, third album “Who’s Feeling Young Now?”

7

Photo Courtesy of AMC

AMC premiered the newest season of its award-winning show The Walking Dead Sunday night

Walking Dead comes back to TV

By Nora Weiss

A&E Writer Mid-season premieres can be ho-hum, especially when they air during the Grammys. However, with that heart pounding end to the November episode of The Walking Dead, it’s hard not to tune into AMC and experience the continuation of survival during a zombie apocalypse. It is 2012 after all, maybe we can all learn a few tips if nothing else.

If you’ve seen the show and kept up with it, this episode was an interesting one to watch. We pick up exactly where we left off: hero Rick Grimes, with a smoking gun in his hand, staring at the dead walker body of little Sophia. If you feel like anything was ruined for you with the previous information, you really only have yourself to blame; you had two months to catch up.

This episode shows the beginning of the end when it comes to living on the farm. People take off, there’s a car crash we’re left hanging out on, and new characters emerge with the certainty there’s more to follow. The original group is beginning to focus on what the reality of their situation is: there’s

little hope left. Feelings grow cold and acting on instinct becomes key, despite the negative consequences that may follow. Sympathy is shrinking and aggression within the group grows heavily in the hour-long episode. The crew is at a brick wall, and they’re only using their fists and frustration to knock it all down.

This is what we call, not a filler episode, but a transition episode.

We are left with questions, but these aren’t detail questions, these wonderments are going to be answered slowly throughout the rest of the season. Will the group move on from the farm? Will Laurie’s pregnancy be more problematic than miraculous? How dangerous is Shane at this point?

And what is really going through Darryl’s mind from bearing that crossbow?

All in all, The Walking Dead had this slow episode to regain strength from an absent winter.

The rest of season two looks to bring intense answers, emotional scenarios, and ultimately an out of control set up for the third season.

The Walking Dead is Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC.

Grammy Wrap-Ups Album of the Year Adele - 21

Record of the Year

Best Pop Solo Performance

Best Dance/Electronica Recording

Best Alternative Music Album

Best Country Album

Adele - Someone Like You

Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Lady Antebellum - Own the Night

Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Best Pop Vocal Album

Song of the Year

Adele - 21

Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Best Dance Recording

Best New Artist Bon Iver

Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

Best Rock Performance Foo Fighters - Walk

Best Rock Album Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Best R&B Performance Corinne Bailey Rae - Is This Love

Best Rap Album Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Best Americana Album Levon Helm - Ramble at the Ryman

8

A&E

Thursday, February 9, 2012

theonlinebeacon.com

Jungle Work rocks Public

Are you a musician?

Do you want to spread the word about your music?

The Beacon’s A&E Department wants to give you the chance to get yourself noticed on campus!

Fill out the list below and send an email to either the Beacon Mailbox or Mary Redstone on FirstClass Name:

(Or name of Band)

Genre: Sounds Like: Years Active: Recorded Music Available:

(Such as EPs or full albums)

Where Your Music Can be Obtained:

Mary Redstone A&E Editor

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

Photo by Mary Redstone/Beacon Staff

North Adams local Blues and Funk band Jungle Work played to a full crowd at Public Eat + Drink last weekend.

By Mary Redstone

A&E Editor North Adams’ Public Eat + Drink was at standing-room-only Saturday night as local band Jungle Work performed their signature blues and funk. The audience was more than happy to stand, crowding around the small alcove where the band was set up, because they wanted to dance anyway.

They started at 9 p.m. and while their first set wasn’t low-key by any means, they started off in a way that allowed them to only go up for the rest of the night. The area in front of them and around the bar filled up quickly, with students and community members alike, and everyone was itching to start dancing.

While the area was full, and there were people dancing, the amount of people continued to increase until everyone was shoulder-to-shoulder and no one was left standing still.

“Thats the kind of energy we

feed off of,” said drummer Jack Demming, “and it makes us play with even more energy, and it also seems to make our setlists a bit more toppy.”

This is only the second time that Jungle Work has been to Public; previously they were most frequently found playing at The Pitcher’s Mound.

“Public is a crazy atmosphere because we bring all of these instruments into a resturant and these folks having their dinner dont know what to expect,” said Demming, “and by the end of the night we have 100 people there rocking in their seats or up shakin it.”

Jungle Work played a blend of classic rock, including “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by The Band and “Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum, as well as newer songs such as “Wake Up”

by Arcade Fire. They also played a liberal helping of jam songs like “Fire on the Mountain” by the Grateful Dead.

They branched out from their typical covers as well, playing “Bottle of Beam,” an original they wrote about drinking whiskey.

They took a few short set breaks during the evening, but other than that they filled Public with around three hours of music.

Just before midnight, they brought everyone, band and audience member alike, together to sing “I Shall be Released.” It was a fitting ending to their set, but the audience wasn’t satisfied. A chant of “One more song” started up and spread throughout the restaurant.

They picked up their instruments again and indulged the audience with The Beatles’ “Hey Bulldog.” No one seemed ready to go home yet though, and they obliged the insatiable audience with just one more song.

Jungle Work is set to play at The Pitcher’s Mound on Saturday night. The bar is on Ashland Street and is 21+.

Upcoming Gigs:

You may also submit up to 150 words of additional info on you or your band as well as one or two color photos each no bigger than 2x3 inches.

Photo by Carly Samach/Beacon Staff

Jamele Adams captivated his audience during BSU’s soul food dinner. He showcased not only his exquisitely written poetry, but his incredible talent of reciting it in a gripping and entertaining fashion.

“I’ve heard that one before,” and “That’s been done a million times” are just two of the gripes I constantly hear about Hollywood today. But the weird thing is that’s what everyone says about original movies. Why aren’t they saying the same things about the dozens of remakes constantly being produced?

My housemate showed me a trailer to a horror movie the other day called “Silent House.” It’s about a girl and her father whose cabin is inhabited by unwanted guests who ultimately try to kill them. Seems relatively original, until you go to its IMDB page and realize it’s not only a remake but it’s a remake of a foreign film that came out just last year.

Someone is remaking American Psycho. And Dirty Dancing. And Carrie. And Evil Dead.

I could go on for a while - there is actually a website that lists the upcoming 50 remakes - but I only have so much space to fill.

Why is Hollywood doing this?

All I hear from their end is that they’re not making enough money, there’s not enough box office draw, and that the interest in Hollywood is waining.

Maybe it’s not because of pirating or illgal downloading. Maybe it’s because viewers are sick of paying $7 for a ticket to see a movie they’ve already seen before with more than likely a better plot and better actors.

There’s a reason independent films are making more money than ever: they’re original. You almost never see an independent film company backing something like the remake of Never Ending Story.

Hollywood needs to start looking beyond its safe port of “movies-that-did-well-the-firsttime-around-so-they-must-dowell-this-time, right?”

There are thousands of us writers out here who are looking up to Hollywood with scripts in our outstretched hands begging, “Please, just read the first ten pages I promise you’ll like it!”

Here you go Hollywood, here you go America, let’s fix two big problems right now. Hollywood needs original ideas, Americans need more jobs. Now, hold on because here’s where it gets tricky.

What if we take all the writers who need jobs, and give them to Hollywood? Everyone would be making money, because people would actually want to go see original ideas, and the starving script writers can actually stop starving.

But then again, maybe we’ve all heard this before.

Sports

Thursday, February 16, 2012

theonlinebeacon.com

9

Women’s basketball rock senior night with 80-67 victory Dobrovolc nets 1000th career point as Trailblazers race past Framingham State Brendan Foley Sports Editor

Saturday night, February 11th, was Senior Night for the Lady Trailblazers of MCLA. For seniors Alie Dobrovolc, Olivia McMullen and Jen Wehner, the game was their final regular season home game as Trailblazers.

The Trailblazers were taking the court opposite Framingham State, a fellow MASCAC team that shared MCLA’s 12-10 record going into the game.

The Trailblazers have already qualified for the MASCAC tournament that will decide whichteam in the league will walk away as champion of the season.

On that Saturday night, the gym was packed almost to capacity with family, friends, fans and members of the faculty and administration littering the bleachers and filling the Campus Center gym to its rafters with cheers and applause. The cheerleading section in the front row raised twinkling spirit fingers to mark every free throw attempt.

At the front desk, volunteers passed out popsicle sticks with black and white cut-out pictures of various seniors tapped on.

Fans waved these faces as they watched those very same players fight mightily against the opposition.

MCLA took an early lead, capitilizing on Framingham’s struggle to sink baskets.

The Blazers played an excellent passing game in the early goings

The game resumed and with it, the Trailblazers resumed their almost complete domination of Framingam. in the first half, keeping the ball in constant motion and off the fingers of Framingham hands.

At 14:46 the entire game was halted and the crowd roard into a standing ovation for senior Alie Dobrovolc. The guard from Little Falls, NY had just crossed the 1000 career points marker.

Dobrolvc was embraced on the court by head coach Holly McGovern and presented with flowers by her teammates.

The game resumed and with it, the Trailblazers resumed their almost complete domination of Framingham. By the time Framingham called a time out with 12:52 left to play, MCLA had pushed its lead 14 points.

Framingham would not cross into double digits until over twelve minutes into the game.

When halftime finally rolled around, the Trailblazers were far ahead, with the scoreboard reading 36-26.

The second half shwoed the Trailblazers in far less control than they had been. The team found themselves struggling to make baskets and maintain control of the play in the face of increased Framingham aggression.

At 13:47, Framingham had cut MCLA’s lead down to five, 45-40.

As the half wore on, both teams ramped up the intensity, accruing numerous fouls that kept the play shuttling back and forth between teams.

Halfway through the second half, Framingham began a full court press which seem to stymie the Trailblazers at first. Framingham crept up the scoreboard, causing tension and anger among the fans watching the game.

MCLA eventually realized how to play around the full court press, pulling away from Framingham.

As the minutes ticked away, the MCLA seniors were sent back onto the court, greeted with thunderous applause by the devoted crowd.

WOMEN, continued on page 11

Photo by Will Casey/Beacon Staff

Alie Dobrovolc nailed her 1000th career point on Senior Night.

Men’s basketball’s cold streak stretches to five As the regular season comes to a close, men’s Trailblazers have not won a game since January 25

By Kayla Koumjian Sports Writer

The men’s basketball team has lost their last five games.

MCLA men’s basketball team lost in a valiant effort to Framingham State, 71-68 on Saturday’s home game. It was also the team’s last scheduled home game, and their senior day.

The contest would be the last regular season home game for Connell Brown, Chris Harris, Tim Fish, Pedro Ferrer, Michael Robinson, Jamal Brown, Michael Young, and Tyrell Mosley.

Sophomore Ray Viches wanted to have a good game for his seniors, saying, “We needed to win and send the seniors out on a good note for their last home game.”

Senior Tyrell Mosley agrees with Viches’s mixed feelings saying, “I felt good and was happy but upset that we lost to a team we should’ve beat.”

Saturday’s game could be the last home game for Mosley. He said, “It feels good to be a senior but the season went by fast and

I’m upset we might have played our last home and we loss that’s leaving on a bad note.”

“It was a tough loss, a real heartbreaker,” explained Ray Viches.

Framingham State was able to get out to a commanding lead, 15-4, in the early minutes of the game. Their lead would increase to 29-18, with 6:42 left in the half.

The Trailblazers would rally to close the half down only a single point, 29-28.

Adeyemi Ajao of Framingham State led all scorers with 11 points in the half, while MCLA senior Jamal Brown led the Trailblazers with 8 points. The second half would see more intense, contested basketball.

The two teams would share the lead for the first ten minutes as the game saw three ties and eight lead changes.

MCLA rallied again to take a late lead, 64-63 with 3:04 remain-

ing. Unfortunately for the Trailblazers, their effort would fall short.

Framingham would take control using a 6-0 run and would never give up the lead, winning 71-68.

For the Framingham Rams, Rico DePaolis and Andre Santana would score 33 points between them.

The Trailblazers fought to the last minute, with Chris Young’s failed three pointer in the final seconds their last attempt at tying up the game.

“It was a tough loss, a real heartbreaker,” explained Ray Viches about the game on Saturday.

Jamal Brown paced the Trailblazers with 18 points and seven rebounds, while senior Chris Harris was the only other ‘Blazer in double figures, notching 12 points.

Despite this Mosley was optimistic, saying, “We had our ups and downs but we came together and I feel like anyone on our team will fight or play hard for their brother in the same jersey.”

Basketball, continued on page 11

Photo by Will Casey/Beacon Staff

Senior Chris Young lined up a free throw shot during the Trailblazers Saturday night loss to Framingham State.

Sports 10 Former sports writer Kaitland Hager balances school, sports and volunteering Thursday, february 16, 2012

By Ariana Tourangeau Staff Writer For senior softball player Kaitland Hager, taking a capstone turned out to be more than just a required course. What started out as a class project is a now an unforgettable experience that has left a permanent mark on her.

Hager, an English and education major, took the capstone course, “Service Leadership” taught by Myles Whitney during the Fall 2011 semester. The students in the class were given a major assignment: to start a project that would benefit someone else or a group of people.

Spencer Moser, Director of the Center for Service, was looking to expand his “Building Bridges with Youth Project” and went to the class to pitch some ideas.

With the hope of someday becoming a teacher, Hager took the class with the intentions of getting some hands-on experience to benefit her later in life.

“I want to teach high school and this program made me realize there is so much going on in kid’s lives that I never would have guessed,” Hager explained. “I’d still like to work in a traditional classroom, to begin my career, but I can definitely see myself transitioning into working more in-depth with kids like the ones in the CTP program.”

The CTP (Community Transition Program), which started out

of Drury High School, was designed to handle the overflow of kids at Drury who were either in in-house suspension or facing external suspension. The children’s ages range from 15-17. Because the kids are suspended from school, Hager mentioned that they were also “suspended from learning.” When the kids return in fall they are frequently behind in their classes and later have to repeat that year.

“These kids suffer from emotional and behavioral problems that some people just don’t want to deal with.” Kaitland said.

Volunteers from CTP help in these situations. The staff at CTP is made up of teachers and clinical counselors, people who are trained to handle emotional or behavioral problems.

“They take students, long-term and short-term, and keep them on the learning track,” Hager explained. “It’s a really a great place.

They’re doing something amazing there with kids.”

Kaitland was referred to Moser by fellow student Jaclyn Ford. The two were asked to start programs within the community. Hager was asked to start a tutoring program at BaRT Charter School in Adams. Ford was asked to jumpstart a mentoring program at the Community Transition Program in North Adams.

“Since Jaclyn is an elementary education major,” Hager explained, “and I am focused on secondary education (high school),

theonlinebeacon.com

we just sort of switched the jobs.”

After meeting with Abby Reinsnyder (A clinical counselor at CTP) it was time for Hager to find volunteers.

“I found really amazing volunteers,” she said. “I would have rather had those three volunteers than a hundred other ones.”

Caitlin Powers, Tyson Luneau, and Liesa Lajeunesse all volunteered to help with the program.

They were advised to visit where they would be working before committing to the program.

“Abby and the rest of the staff at the CTP were very clear about one thing: the volunteers had to come and see the CTP for themselves before committing to the mentoring program, because it’s not a typical high school,” said Hager. “Caitlin, Tyson, and Liesa were even more excited about being a part of the program than they were before, which was really awesome.”

As a softball player, Kaitland had to juggle her duties as a mentor while maintaining her status as an athlete and student.

“The initial start to the program was difficult, absolutely,” she said.

“I wasn’t able to go with the other three volunteers weekly, but I stopped by on Fridays and hung out for a bit, just to stay in contact with Abby and Marty and see the kids. I live a planner-lifestyle. So if it was in the planner and it fit in the planner, I found a way to do it.

It was really just a lot of planning ahead and sticking to a schedule.”

Photo courtesy of MCLA.com

Kaitland Hager works with at-risk youth to keep them in school.

The program is not just about teaching and instructing. It is an interactive program that lets the volunteers become close to the kids. The Life Skills block is a time for the kids to relax from school including a room where the kids can just hang out.

“On my first day there, I was taught that my skills at Guitar Hero were even worse than I thought,” Hager recalled. “One of the kids, a sophomore, challenged me to a game and about halfway through the song, he was already ahead by about 150 points.”

The volunteers and staff members participated in an array of activities with the kids including, card games, basketball games, arts

and crafts and more.

“My first trip there, I came back with a friendship bracelet,” Hager said.

Going into the program with a business mindset, Hager came out with more than she thought she would.

“We went in with the intention of being mentors and we absolutely accomplished that, but what was more important was that we formed bonds with the kids,” she said.

Would she partake in another program like this one, if given the opportunity?

“It’d be an honor,” Hager responded.

Coach Holly McGovern guides Lady Trailblazers to MASCAC heights in 2011-2012 season

By Andrew Hodgson Staff Writer The MCLA Women’s basketball team currently sits in third place in the Mass. Collegiate Athletic Conference with a record of 11-9 (4-3 conference). The team is coming off two big wins against Sage and MASCAC rival Salem State.

“Our players caused disruptions of Sage’s offense through defensive pressure and rebounding,” Coach Holly McGovern said in an email interview.

Last Saturday, Sage was unable to crack MCLA’s defense for most of the game. The frustration was visible throughout the gym as Sage struggled in both a halfcourt offense and had any hopes of transition points smothered by the constant pressure by MCLA defenders.

Although in the second half they were able to push the tempo more, once the Trailblazers established their half-court defense the game crawled as Sage attempted over and over to get good shots from inside the paint. With Jen Wehner

and freshman Tashari Rainwater disrupting traffic through the middle, Sage’s offense could only be described as stagnant.

“We go into our games wanting to determine the tempo of a game.

Our players have the ability to change from an up-tempo style of play, into a half court setting without becoming disorganized,” McGovern explained On the offensive side Sage was overwhelmed by the Trailblazers offensive rebounding. In the second half Sage tried a 3-2 zone look to disrupt the Trailblazer offense. In response, the Trailblazers hit a handful of three-pointers to further extend their lead. The team never looked back, cruising to a 23 point lead.

The success of the team’s starters has also allowed younger players to get some experience on the court. Toward the end of the first half, the Trailblazer’s star point-guard Alie Dobrovolc, who led the team with 26 points and 12 rebounds, quarterbacked for the second squad while stars like Jen Wehner and Lucy Tremblay cheered on their teammates.

On Tuesday against Salem State, both Wehner and Dobrovolc put up double doubles to lead the Trailblazers to the win. Again the defense was the trump card for the team, holding Salem State to a dismal 27.5 percent field goal percentage. The Trailblazers offense was able to exploit the Salem defense, they shot 42 percent including three three-pointers from Lucy Tremblay.

Saturday the Trailblazers travel to Worcester State hoping to stretch their winning streak to three games. Only once this season has the team put together three wins in a row, back in early December. That winning streak was followed by an ugly four loss streak.

February will prove if the Trailblazers defense-first philosophy can pay off. In February the Trailblazers play five games, all of which are MASCAC games and four of which are road games. If the Trailblazers can make a run to end the season, they could easily climb the MASCAC rankings though Bridgewater sits with a commanding lead atop the MAS-

Photo by Will Casey/Beacon Staff

Head coach Holly McGovern embraced Allie Dobrolvoc after the latter’s reaching of 1000 career points.

CAC with a 7-1 conference record.

If the Trailblazers can continue to play stifling defense and continue to improve, the end of the season could prove to be an exciting and successful one.

“We’ve put an emphasis on our on-ball defending and contesting more shots in the last few weeks.

We still need more development in those areas,” McGovern said about the recent team focus.

Sports

Thursday, February 16, 2012

theonlinebeacon.com

Women’s basketball loses on road

Sports Editor

I never set out to be a sports writer. Sports editor? Forget about it. The thought never would have occurred to me while I was doing my time in Writing and Reporting the News.

I liked playing sports as a kid, sure, but the games never really held any deep interest for me, even at a really young age. I thought the work would be methodical and straightforward and I’d eventually move on to other things.

And yet…and yet here I am in my senior year and I can’t even begin to find the words to thank my advisors and my fellow Beaconeers for my time on the paper and what it has given me.

Yeah, yeah I know we’re supposed to save this gooey emotional look-back stuff for the end of the semester, but what the heck it’s Valentine’s week and I’m feeling sentimental. If anyone has any complaints, feel free to let me know in your own weekly columns.

I am not the type of person who can be referred to as a “go-getter.”

I’m more the kind that needs that last kick in the pants to really commit to something and put myself out there to take a chance, no matter what the payoff may be.

And what a payoff it has been.

Honestly, the sports are the least important part of the things that have impacted me in my time with this paper.

It’s the people I’ve met that I never would have thought to speak to unless I was on an assignment.

It’s the days that I spent walking beneath the clear blue sky (or the rainy, cloudy sky) when I otherwise might have just sat on the couch watching Netflix or some crap. But no, instead I was outside, wandering the back roads of this crazy town. I was out, smelling the seasons as they changed, feeling the road twisting beneath my feet.

Once I almost got run down by a horse. That was interesting.

And the moments, my God the moments. Standing in a crowd with a couple hundred people all screaming and cheering in raptorous mania as that basket goes in, or watching the players tear up with pride as they take the court or the field or the diamond.

I didn’t get sports when I took this job. Over a year later, I think back on the faces I’ve seen and the lives these crazy games we play have impacted and changed, and I think that maybe, just maybe I understand why we give so much of ourselves to them.

Will wonders never cease?

Standings

(As of Press Time)

Men’s Basketball

WOMEN, continued from 9

Brendan Foley

11

The scoreboard read 80-67 as the backboard flashed red and the buzzer rang out on the last regular season home game for the Women’s Basketball team.

Jen Wehner led the Trailblazers in points, notching up 29 points for the night. Wehner also led the team in rebounds, recovering the ball a total of 14 times.

The road would not be as kind to the team as the Campus Center had been.

The team travelled to Fitchburg State and found themsleves struggling with both fouls and injuries.

Senior Jen Wehner went down with an ankle injury early in the first half.

Dobrovolc and sophomore Kaitlyn Chenevert led the team in points with eight each. Dobrovolc also led the team in rebounds with ten for the game.

Fitchburg went on to handily defeat MCLA with a final score of 81-54.

MCLA will go on to the MASCAC tournament that will determine the winner of the MASCAC conference for the 2011-2012 season.

As of press time, the schedule for this tournament has not been made available and it is unknown if the Trailblazers will be allowed to play at home.

salem bridgewater westfield worcester MCLA fitchburg framingham

All

Conf

16-7 13-10 15-9 8-16 7-17 12-11 9-16

9-2 8-3 7-4 5-6 4-7 3-8 3-9

Women’s Basketball bridgewater MCLA salem worcester westfield fitchburg framingham

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Conf

16-7 11-13 13-11 12-12 11-13 16-7 12-12

9-2 7-4 6-5 5-6 5-6 4-7 3-9

Women’s Basketball 2/18 @Bridgewater 1:00 p.m.

MASCAC Tournament TBD

Men’s Basketball 2/18 @Bridgewater 3:00 p.m.

Photo by Will Casey/Beacon Staff

Kaitlyn Chenevert eyed the court during MCLA’ senior night.

MASCAC Tournament TBD

Men’s basketball team prepares for MASCAC tournament in coming weeks Basketball, continued from 9

Viches agreed with Mosley’s positive attitude, saying, “We did good for the most part, just a couple of critical turnovers during the final minutes.”

The Trailblazers are now 7-16 overall and 4-6 in conference.

They have already qualified for the MASCAC conference tournament. Now it’s only a matter of seeding.

“We are in the tournament already. We are just fighting to get a good seed and one home game for our home fans,” Mosley said.

The team needed to win their last two conference games to have a better chance of having a home game for the MASCAC conference tournament.

“We are going to finish the season strong, get one home game for the playoffs, and then we hope to achieve our goals and bring the title back to the Mountains,” Mosley said, expressing optimism in his team.

The Men’s Basketball team’s last game before the conference tournament will be against Bridgewater State on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 3 p.m.

Mosley is proud of his team and is positive they will succeed during the tournament.

“We may have not seemed like

Photo by Will Casey/Beacon Staff

Jamal Brown passed the ball across court during the men’s Trailblazers loss to Framingham. a team at first, but now we are a family and we all got nothing but love for the guy next to him wearing a Blazer jersey. And watch out everyone because we’re going to shock the League and win the MASCAC this year,” Mosley said.

The Traiblazers’ fortune was not improved when they faced off

against Fitchburg State on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 67-48.

The away game agaisnt Fitchburg marked the fifth straight loss for MCLA. None of the MCLA players were able to reach break double figures in the points, with Michael Youg leading the team with just nine

points.

The team committed 21 turnovers during the game and shot 20-64.

The team’s final game of the regular season will be on Feb. 18 at Bridgewater State.

12

Opinion

Thursday, February 16, 2012

President Grant’s raise comes from Department of Higher Education housing allowance

By Andrew Roiter Managing Editor

At the Beacon we’re often on the receiving end of rumors.

Either someone asks us to look into something, or we happen across something in the process of looking for leads. In this case we were alerted to a rumor of President Mary Grant receiving a substantial raise within the last year. The reason we’re printing this editorial piece is not to play “gotcha” or expose some supposed wrongdoing by the administration, but to provide context for what otherwise might be interpreted as some shocking numbers.

The Massachusetts State Government Web site has a feature called Open Checkbook which lists the salaries of state employees amongst other state financial information. The site reported in 2010 Grant made $190,237 and is going to make $214,484 in 2012.

This perceived $24,247 change in salary drew the attention of some students and faculty, who in turn reported it to the Beacon.

In our investigation we spoke with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) and the administration to find out why this change occurred. We found that in 2011, the Commissioner of the DHE Richard M. Freeland authorized a three percent cost of living raise to all state college presidents, to be approved by the colleges’ individual boards of trustees.

“The [DHE] through the commissioner authorized the 3 percent raise [for college president salaries]. It is then up to local campus boards to decide wheth-

theonlinebeacon.com

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er to move forward,” DHE Associate Commissioner for External Affairs Katy Abel said.

Three percent of Grant’s 2010 salary is $5,707, which leaves $18,540 unaccounted for. I took this information to MCLA Vice President of Administration and Finance James Stakenas and asked him about it.

“All of the presidents get a housing allowance and the housing

allowance being approximately $18,000 the board of higher education basically determined that with changes to payroll and tax status it was appropriate to take that housing allowance and move it onto the base salary,” he said.

I checked this information against the other state colleges and found all of them, except for Framingham state, moved the

housing allowance into the base salary and gave their presidents at least a three percent raise. The Mass. College of Art, Worcester State and UMass all got new presidents in 2011 and the employees’ salaries reflect the position changes.

Stakenas also answered my final question. If President Grant received a raise in 2011, when did the board approve of it?

“Each board does it differently, and in our case the authorization from the Board of Higher Education was signed by the chair of the [MCLA] Board of Trustees, but it did not require board approval. It did not require [MCLA] board approval because it came directly from the board of higher education. And it was more like a cost of living increase.”

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Opinion

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Midwives catch, pizza men deliver

Skyla Seamans Columnist

Before Jennifer Rush was even five years old, she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up: a midwife.

Rush’s office is located in Bennington, Vt, and after ten years of being a certified midwife, she has attended over 300 births. However, she still receives the occasional raised eyebrow when she talks about her profession.

“By definition, a midwife means ‘with woman’ and that is what midwives are trained to do,” Rush said. “When a woman decides she does not want to have a hospital birth, she contacts a midwife. My job is to empower women, to let them be in control of their births, and to support them throughout the process.”

“When I talk about having a midwife attend my births someday, no one seems to fully understand what a midwife does or even that the practice is legal,” she continued. “To me, I could not imagine a more empowering experience than giving birth to my child in my home with no medical interferences. I would be in complete control.

“The reason why the over-

whelming majority of births take place in hospitals in the United States is simply because of fear,” Rush said. “Women are afraid of their bodies, afraid of pain, and afraid that something will go wrong. However, over 85 percent of births are low-risk or normal births and do not need to be delivered in a hospital, where obstetricians are only trained in the abnormal.”

Rush said this is why the cesarean section rate in the United States has skyrocketed, with one out of every four births performed this way, according to an article in USA Today. Hospitals are a business and obstetricians are trained surgeons. Most of them have never even witnessed a natural birth, Rush said.

Midwives deliver over 70 percent of babies born in countries that have lower infant and maternal mortality rates, lower cesarean sections rates, and lower health care costs than the U.S., while the U.S. is ranked 28th in maternal and infant mortality, according to the Midwives Alliance of North America.

In the U.S., midwives attend less than eight percent of births. However, this percentage is rising as more women are making educated and informed decisions about how they want to give birth.

“I think natural birth is better for both the mom and her baby,” Rush said. “After all, we don’t induce deer and give them epidurals. I am of course being silly, but you have to understand that

the majority of mammals on this planet give birth naturally and normally without outside interference. Human beings are the only species that tries to ‘improve’ upon a natural and evolutionary system that was never broken to begin with.”

April Pitroff Varselles, a local doula and midwifery student, knew she wanted to be a midwife after graduating from MCLA. She said Sumi Colligan and Michele Ethier’s Women and Health class exposed her to other birthing options, such as midwifery.

“As a doula, I provide nonmedical support to women and families during labor,” Varselles said. “After giving birth to my first baby in a hospital and my second at home, my husband told me I could do this. I could empower women through birth. I’m the kind of person that likes to jump in head-first.”

It does not matter which way a woman chooses to give birth to her child, but her choice must be her own. In a hospital with medication, naturally with a doula, or at home with a midwife, women have a right to make an educated decision as to how they wish to experience labor and no one can take that away from them.

To read more on the topic of midwifery or about women’s reproductive rights, look for the next Women’s Center newsletter, coming to campus in March.

Attention MCLA Clubs!

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Looking to spread the word for an upcoming event?

Did you know that The Beacon offers you a

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That’s right! Each semester, your club or organization is eligible to run one free advertisement in The Beacon newspaper!

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theonlinebeacon.com

“The Wright Way”

13

Campus could do with a little weeding Look around campus.

Those shrubs that had such vibrant red foliage last fall? Burning bush. Most of the big shady trees you like to sit under? Norway maple.

Both are invasive plants, exotic flora whose introduction causes ecological and/or economic harm.

There are others, which I just don’t have the space to describe to you. Wintercreeper. Barberry.

Oriental bittersweet. Buckthorn.

Border privet. Honeysuckle.

All of them grow right here on campus. Many of them were intentionally planted, and are routinely maintained by landscapers.

These plants look pretty harmless… on campus. You aren’t going to see Murdock Hall covered in barberry and honeysuckle anytime soon. No, where these plants really wreak havoc is in forests, fields, and other such environs.

They outcompete native plant species for space and sunlight, and as a result, displace all the animals that depended on those native plants. They disrupt the wildlife community that once resided there. These plants spread and spread and spread some more until they all you are left with.

MCLA contributes to that: animals eat the seeds and fruit off of the plants on campus and leave their seedy droppings in the wilderness, we carry some organic material on our clothes, or perhaps the wind carries some seeds or pollen. The invasive plants we keep here have far-reaching effects.

So why do we keep them?

“Because they look nice” isn’t a good enough answer. There are plenty of wonderful, native alternatives to just about every invasive plant we have on campus.

Certain selections of highbush blueberry, for example, have the same vivid fall foliage as burning bush, with the added bonus of producing fruit that both humans and animals can enjoy.

I hear “But they’re such nice shade trees” a lot when it comes to our Norway maples, and my

Jessie Wright Columnist

answer is always “So what?” Just because you think that, say, an oil refinery or a slaughterhouse really adds something special to the view outside your window, doesn’t mean they belong there.

Remove the offending trees, and put other trees in their place.

Yes, it will take years and probably decades for the new trees to reach the same height, but the future denizens of MCLA will get to fully enjoy them. And perhaps they’ll thank their predecessors for being so intelligent and having such foresight.

Cost shouldn’t even be much of an issue, especially if you get volunteers to help get rid of the invasive plants. I know plenty of people who would jump at the opportunity. Yours truly included.

As for paying for the native plants, well… MCLA is going to be paying thousands of dollars for Public Safety’s gun program.

Surely somehow, SOMEHOW the budget can make an allotment for a few hundred bucks to spend on some nice native bushes that have the added bonus of… not being guns.

Of course, it would have to be baby steps. One species at a time, and eventually we can have a beautiful campus landscape filled with native plants that everyone can be proud of.

MCLA is, most of the time, a great community. North Adams too. But community is not just about people. It’s about flora and fauna and biodiversity too. And through sheer neglect, we’re doing our part to destroy that.

Look out your windows. Look at the forests, the mountains. Look at that community!

It’s high time we stopped taking it for granted.

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14

Thursday, February 16, 2012

World and Science

Norway’s free speech faces test from threatening Iraqi cleric Associated Press OSLO, Norway (AP) An Iraqi-born Islamist cleric goes on trial Wednesday for allegedly making death threats against politicians and encouraging suicide bombings in Iraq, and some see the case as a test of Norway’s terror laws and its freedom of speech.

Prosecutor Geir Evanger described the charges against Mullah Krekar, 55, as serious and said Tuesday the defendant could receive up to 20 years in prison if he’s convicted in Oslo District Court.

Krekar arrived in Norway from Iraq in 1991 and was given refugee status. He made several visits to Iraq and during them founded the Kurdish Ansar al-Islam, an al-Qaidalinked group listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and other nations. It is suspected of organizing suicide bombings against U.S.led coalition forces in Iraq.

A local court declared Krekar a national security threat and ordered him deported in 2005, but later postponed the move because of concerns he could face execution or torture in Iraq.

Two years ago, Krekar told foreign reporters in Oslo that if he were deported to Iraq and killed, Norwegian officials would “pay with their lives,’’

according to a transcript included in the indictment.

Prosecutors say the defendant violated Norwegian terror laws because the threats were meant to cause fear in society and force officials to halt the deportation order.

Charges also include comments Krekar made on NBC’s news program ``The Wanted’’ in 2009. He said the American people deserved the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, and encouraged suicide bombings against Americans in Iraq. He also is charged with making death threats against others on various websites.

Krekar’s lawyer, Brynjar Meling, said Krekar rejects the charges and stands by what he said, but that he did not break the law.

“It should not be looked upon as threats,’’ Meling said, adding that the trial will be “a test case’’ for drawing the line between Norwegian terror laws and freedom of speech.

Evanger, the prosecutor, disagreed.

“Krekar gave his interviews in Norway, so he can be charged for such threats under Norwegian law,’’ Evanger said.

“Under no circumstances can plain death threats be protected by freedom of speech.’’

Krekar has denied links to al-Qaida and has said he no longer leads Ansar al-Islam.

PA. Suspect hid crack cocaine in mouth

56-year old spat out 23 pieces of crack cocaine when hit with stun gun.

Associated Press

AMBRIDGE, Pa. (AP) _ A western Pennsylvania man is jailed on drug charges because police say something other than a confession came out of his mouth when he was hit with a stun gun.

The Beaver County Times reports Tuesday that 56-year-old Frank Lee Turner was mumbling when Ambridge police stopped a car in which he was a passenger on Feb. 5.

Police say Turner was mumbling before he struggled with police and was hit with the stun gun _ only to have 23 individually wrapped pieces of crack cocaine fall out of his mouth.

Online court records don’t list an attorney for Turner, who faces a preliminary hearing on drug possession, resisting arrest and other charges.

Turner remained in the county jail Tuesday, unable to post bond.

States seeking waivers from “No Child Left Behind” Associated Press

KANSAS TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Board of Education is receiving one more update about the state’s proposal for seeking a waiver from some provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind education law.

The update is planned for Wednesday during the second day of the board’s two-day meeting in Topeka. Kansas officials plan to submit the request by Feb. 28, the deadline for the second round of requests.

Ten states were granted waivers last week from the first round of requests.

States excused from following the law no longer have to meet a 2014 deadline for ensuring that 100 percent of their students perform well on state tests. Instead, they had to show how they will prepare children for college and careers and set new targets for improving achievement among all students.

WASHINGTON SEATTLE (AP) Washington education officials said Monday they have decided to request a waiver to the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The law expects every child in the nation to be at grade level in math and reading by 2014. If granted, the waiver would give Washington state more leeway in reaching the goals it set for itself.

Although Washington students are nearing the goal for reading, they are far from reaching their math goals.

Last week, President Barack Obama granted waivers to 10 of the 11 states that have applied so far. Many others, like Washington, were waiting to see the results of the first applications before deciding whether to apply for a waiver.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn said on Monday that he wasn’t ready to share the details of the state’s waiver request, but some details about Washington’s plans have been online since mid-January.

Dorn said he would announce the state’s plan on Wednesday.

According to a 269-page draft

proposal posted on the OSPI website, Washington will likely ask for 10 waivers from the federal law. They would include the following: -Time to develop new “ambitious but achievable’’ learning goals for Washington students.

-Exemptions from the requirement to adopt federally approved turnaround plans for dealing with failing schools.

-Loosening of rules around how some federal school improvement dollars can be spent, and on moving money from one program to another.

Dorn said the state may decide to apply for its own waiver or join a group of states asking for a general waiver for all.

The federal government has said states applying for waivers must meet certain requirements, including making a commitment to design, pilot and implement a teacher and principal evaluation system that is based significantly on “student growth measures.’’

Washington state does not meet that requirement, but a proposal making progress in the Legislature this session could change that.

Lawmakers on Monday were working on a compromise bill to change the way state teachers are evaluated, and improvement in student learning would be factor in teacher evaluations if a proposed compromise bill becomes law.

ARIZONA PHOENIX (AP) State Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal says the state will seek a waiver from the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind.

Huppenthal (HOOP-en-tall) says that’s because it appears that Congress won’t revise the Elementary and Second Education Act this year.

He says that would leave in place a federal accountability structure that is both burdensome and lacking in scientific foundation.

Huppenthal says obtaining a waiver would allow Arizona to use good science to drive its education policy.

Huppenthal discussed the issue during an address to a joint meeting of House and Senate

Study: No wind risks Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) A recent Massachusetts study that found no serious health risks associated with living near wind turbines has received both sharp criticism and strong praise at a Statehouse hearing.

The report from a panel of stateappointed experts found no evidence that noise or low-frequency vibrations could trigger what’s been called “wind turbine syndrome,’’ a set of health issues including headaches, dizziness and ringing in the ears.

Neal Anderson said Tuesday he experienced those symptoms after a wind turbine began operating near his Falmouth home.

He and others who live near existing or proposed wind turbines criticized the panel for relying on scientific data without interviewing residents who claim to be affected.

But wind energy advocates told state officials the panel’s findings were a strong endorsement of wind as a safe, clean alternative to fossil fuels.

Police search for UMass Rioters Associated Press

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) Police are trying to identify five more people they say were involved in a postSuper Bowl disturbance at the University of Massachusetts.

Campus police have released photographs of the five people captured on campus surveillance cameras.

Deputy Chief Patrick Archbald tells the Daily Hampshire Gazette they are expected to be charged with disorderly conduct, inciting a riot and failure to disperse. One man wearing a Patriots jersey seen punching someone wearing a Giants jersey could face assault and battery charges.

Fourteen people, including UMass 13 students, were arrested during the disturbance in the Southwest residential area that involved an estimated 1,500 people following the New York Giants’ 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots on Feb. 5.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

This Week in MCLA History Feb. 16, 1984

The Beacon reported that the Campus Center swimming pool was losing about 5,000 gallons of water each day. “According to Caprari, each inch of water on the top of the pool is equivalent to approximately 2,000 gallons. The pool lost seven inches of water this weekend or about 14,000 gallons.” The pool started losing about 500 gallons a day in 1978, and was losing about 2,500 gallons a day by 1983. “Caprari says, ‘We haven’t found a leak but we suspect there is one.’”

For Fun Sudoku Fill in the empty cells, one number in each, so that each column, row, and region contains the numbers 1 through 9 exactly once.

15

Horoscopes

Aries: March 21-April 19 Your emotions are ruling your actions today, which could get somewhat embarrassing if your timing is off. Just try to focus on stuff that means something to you and leave the rest for tomorrow.

Taurus: April 20-May 20 You are feeling quite sensitive today -- so much so that you might snap at someone who means you no harm. It’s a good time for you to pull back a bit for socializing and reflect on your own interior needs.

Gemini: May 21-June 21 Today is great for starting off on a new project to monitor your health -- or even to take positive steps toward improving it! Make sure that you know what you’re doing, or get well informed before starting out.

Feb. 13, 2003

SGA’s Winter Carnival featured an opening campfire on Taconic lawn, toboggan and snowshoe races on the Quad, midnight skating, a snow tubing trip, and sled-making on the hill behind Hoosac Hall.

Cancer: June 22-July22 Legal documents are more treacherous than usual -though more likely by mistake or accident than because of anyone’s ill will. All this means is that you need guidance from an expert.

Feb. 14, 2008

The Beacon reported that MCLA’s radio station, WJJW, would purchase a new transmitter to replace one which was 20 years old.

Courtesey sudoku.au.com

Leo: July 23-August 22 You’re on your own a bit today, but the good news is that you can still get stuff done. At least one friend or colleague flakes on you, so see if you can get by using only your wits.

Virgo: August 23-Sept. 22 Go in somewhat deeper today -- things need to come to the surface and you should be able to pull them out if you try. Don’t let yourself take the first answer you receive as gospel, though!.

Libra: Sept. 23-Oct. 22 You’re changing things up today, and may find that your energy is better spent on futurethinking than on shoring up past successes. You’re full of mixed feelings, but that’s a sign of good things to come.

Scorpio: Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You heal an old would today. It may be physical, though it’s much more likely to involve an old relationship with a family member or former romantic partner. You are stronger for the experience!

Sagittarius: Nov. 22-Dec. 21 It’s a great day for reflection, but not so much for direct action. If you can get a clue into your deeper needs, you are sure to find that things start to make a lot more sense by this time tomorrow.

Capricorn: Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You’re feeling a surge of attention coming your way that might make a huge difference in your activities and projects.

Others see you as a problemsolver, and that rep can help you out quite a bit.

Aquarius: Jan. 20-Feb. 18 You are feeling slowed down so much that you can hardly believe the pace of those around you. Sometimes you’re just a little out of sync, so don’t bother freaking out -- yet!

Comic by Aurora Cooper

Pisces: Feb. 19-March 20 You are in the middle of a big fight -- but you may be able to duck out and just let the others tear each other to shreds. If any of the players matter to you, go ahead and take their side.

Horoscopes courtesy of Yahoo.com

16

Photo Essay

Thursday, february 16, 2012

theonlinebeacon.com

Senior Chris Harris fights for a rebound. Harris finished the game with 12 points, two rebounds, and an assist.

Forward Ramon Viches goes up against a Framingham defender.

Men’s basketball drops a close game to Framingham, 71-68 Photos by Will Casey

Forward Jamal Brown dribbles down the court. Brown led the Trailblazers in scoring with 18 points.

Guard Michael Young goes up for a layup.

Young finished with six points.

Guard Bilal Shabazz defends a Framingham player.