February 10, 2011

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Minnesota State University, Mankato

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INDEX

inside

Valentine’s Cards............3 Study Break.....................5 Voices..............................6 World & Nation................8 Sports............................13 Arts & Entertainment....17 Classified.......................23

EGYPTIAN STUDENTS REACT TO UPRISING IN HOME COUNTRY (2) DORM BURGLARIES UPDATE, SUSPECTS USED REPLICA GUN (2) WOULD KOBE + MELO EQUALS DISASTER OR TRIUMPH? (13) WHERE TO TAKE YOUR DATE, OR EAT AWAY YOUR DATELESS FEELINGS (18) THE REPORTER VALENTINE’S DAY MIXTAPE VOL. 3 (19) VAGINA MONOLOGUES RETURN FOR HAITI WOMEN RELIEF (21)

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Page 2 • Reporter

News

Thursday, February 10, 2011T

Egyptian students cope with strife at home

Burglary case under investigation

Gun was replica, still heightened security in dorms

Fear for the safety of friends and family during protests

JOEY DENTON

staff writer

GRACE WEBB

staff writer

internet photo The protests in Egypt have made it difficult for Egyptians in the U.S. to feel their families are safe.

in Egypt because history is being made,” said Rhamy Khalil, another Egyptian who graduated from MSU last year and is living in the Twin Cities area. “It’s not too often you see such a big movement.”

Elkaramany and Khalil said one of the hardest things was when the Egyptian

Egypt / page 8

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Ali. Now, many Egyptians are calling for the resignation of their president, Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for the past 30 years.

Mubarak was elected five times to six-year presidential terms, but the elections have been accused of corruption in recent years.

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For students studying abroad, it can be hard to leave their home country and plunge into the unknown.

But for Egyptian students studying at Minnesota State Mankato, the past few weeks have been even harder for them to be separated from their motherland as Egypt is wracked with turmoil.

“It’s a horrible feeling when you see something huge happening in your country and you’re half-way across the world,” said Nanis Elkaramany, an Egyptian international student, “especially watching the news and seeing all the violence that’s going on right now.”

Egypt’s troubles began three weeks ago when people began protesting in the streets. The protests started after fellow African country Tunisia went through similar public dissent that successfully ousted Tunisian president Zine al-Abidine Ben

On Jan. 23, three armed men tried to rob two MSU students in their dorm room.

The door was open.

According to Detective Matt Durose, there have been some cases of burglary that the victims’ doors are open, allowing easy access for criminals to take their valuables.

Right now, the case is under investigation. The two men who were charged will be assigned a judge in the next few days and find out when their next court date is.

They were both charged with burglary in the first -degree with a dangerous weapon and first-degree aggravated robbery.

“Even though the gun turned out to be a replica, anything that is used to that would lead a victim to believe that it was a dangerous weapon, counts as a dangerous weapon,” said Blue Earth County Attorney Michael Hanson.

The people who are working on this case don’t know yet whether these suspects are

affiliated with the recent burglaries that have been happening in off-campus housing.

Since the incident that morning, the security at Gage Towers has tightened up. Dorm security officers walk around outside and every night the CAs at Gage make rounds to make sure that every door is shut all the way and locked.

According to the complaint, the suspects were just looking for a door that was open. They had no intention on people being in the room. They went inside the first door they saw open, which makes it possible for anyone to be targeted.

“I leave my door open when I feel like I want to talk to people and socialize, and I close my door when I want to be left alone,” said MSU student George Massad.

“When I walk down the halls at Gage, I see a lot of doors open,” said MSU student Joe Jaros. “I usually leave mine open when I am in the room, and most of the time, I lock it up when I leave. Sometimes I leave it open, though.”

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

News

Reporter • Page 3

Flower buyer’s guide Giving more than

Area florists share their knowledge and advice for people on Valentine’s Day ELENA SHUFELT

news editor

On Valentine’s Day, one word comes to mind for many people: flowers.

Florists in Mankato agree that Feb. 14 is the single busiest day of the year. Though Christmas and Mother’s Day also keep them running around, often those holidays mean fewer flowers or a more spread out timeline for deliveries.

Kathy Van Tol, co-owner of Hilltop Florist and Greenhouse, said her store will be working hard over the weekend to accommodate all of the orders. She suggested people get their orders in by Saturday, because Monday it will be more diffucult to get exactly what customers want by the time they want it.

The store has many delivery drivers and connections that allow deliveries as far as the

angela kukowski • msu reporter Hilltop Florist’s spring bouquet.

metro area.

“It’s one of our favorite holidays,” she said. “Even though it’s a lot of work, it’s so fun.”

As far as flowers go, Van Tol said red roses are traditional, of course, but colored roses have become more popular in recent years.

She said the price of roses

has stayed fairly steady in the last five years, but they are still a more expensive flower because of the day.

“Rose production at this time of the year is the least amount with the most demand,” she said.

Other popular flowers are Gerber daisies, tulips, orchards and calla lilies, and Hilltop makes many customs arrangements using them. She said mixed color bouquets have also grown more popular.

“Nothing says spring, I care and happiness than a beautiful bouquet of bright colored flowers,” she said.

Hilltop grows many of its flowers in its greenhouse, but for some flowers it has to go to wholesalers. Van Tol said the store tries to buy within Minnesota and has a few suppliers in Minneapolis.

Florists / page 8

just love

Upward Bound and MSU Volleyball work with Red Cross for blood drive AVERY CROPP

staff writer The American Red Cross is teaming up with Upward Bound and the Maverick Volleyball Team to spread any extra Valentine’s Day love that’s still hanging around campus to the Mankato community with a blood drive Tuesday.

Both Upward Bound and the Volleyball team have done a blood drive every year.

According to Upward Bound Director George Corey, the group started hosting blood drives in 1997 during the summer months because it was usually one of the few student groups

Happy Valentine’s Day! Best boyfriend in the world loves Stacy Anderson!

Alec, A special smile, a special face A special someone I can’t replace I love you now and always will You’ve filled a space no one can fill I love you.

Sincerely, your loving girlfriend Katie!

To My Love Happy Valentine’s Day, Sam! Always, Nikki Marie

MSSA Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Hey BabygirlWe should watch ‘Step Brothers’ again soon ;) From, your Love Dolphin

Keeks, Hit me wit a text.

— Warren G’s Sidekick

Heidi ParsonsWe know you hate Valentine’s Day but we love you!

Dear Arnie Hernandez, Wine ‘em, dine ‘em, 69 ‘em.

XOXO Your sister

Becca You are the 6 to my 9.

Ross

I can’t do anything without my ni-ni!

LaQuisha, I hope you enjoyed ‘The Hulk’ bedsheets.

Love, Cory

Asher, you’re my sweetheart!

on campus.

In 2007, after Amanda Thompson, a former member of the volleyball team, coached an Upward Bound club team, the two groups paired up and have been doing blood drives together ever since.

“You can save a life every time you donate,” Brittany Stamer, a current member of the volleyball team, said. “It’s 45 minutes of your day. It’s not hard, it’s not painful and it’s not as scary as I thought it would be.”

Stamer began donating blood during her freshmen year at MSU during another

Giving / page 4

Becky, I would love to gaze into your beautiful eyes on the Haze dance floor again next weekend!

Love, Adam

I love you cox-alicious

Looking for a Valentine...

I’m a male, 5’7”, Ginger, resemble a Leprechaun and I enjoy doing Irish jigs & Bailey’s Irish Cream. Would like to find a date for Valentine’s Day who enjoys eating at Hooligans & enjoys cutting a rug every once in a while.

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Page 4 • Reporter

News

GIVING Blood is constantly in need because it has a shelf-life continued from 3 blood drive the volleyball team hosted. She learned that she has a very rare blood type, which has encouraged her to donate more often.

For students who haven’t donated before but would like to, Corey, who has been donating for years, had some advice.

“On the day of the event you should eat a good breakfast and get a good amount of water in you before you go to your appointment,” he said.

He added that without an appointment waiting time can be 40 minutes to an hour.

Then, after checking history, temperature, iron and pulse, blood can be drawn.

There are many benefits to donating blood, including helping cancer patients, accident victims, people who deal with major operations and bone marrow transplant patients. The actual donation process takes 10 minutes tops, and donors get as endless amounts of cookies and lemonade at the end of their donation time.

Even though there are many benefits, Stamer would not recommend an intense workout after donating, as she got woozy at volleyball practice after she donated the first time.

“There is a constant shortage of blood, and it has

a shelf-life. People need it all the time,” Corey said. “This year the shortage has been worse than usual because many blood drives have been cancelled because of the bad weather.”

Amanda Beekman, also a member of the volleyball team, said she has never donated because of having small veins, but she feels spending time volunteering at blood drives is a great way to give back.

“I think it’s extremely important to donate blood,” Beekman said. “It is such an easy, effortless task that can make such a huge difference, such as save lives. Who truly wouldn’t want to do that?”

The blood drive will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tuesday in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Appointments can also be made online at www. redcrossblood.org/makedonation. The sponsor code is 5952. If students have never given blood before and want to schedule an appointment online, they may need to make a profile to sign-up. It takes about three seconds.

As volleyball player Chelsea Fogarty said, it’s all about the pay it forward effect.

You never know when you’ll need blood later.

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Thursday, February 10, 2011T

MSSA marches on capitol next week AVERY CROPP

staff writer

The Minnesota State Student Association unanimously agreed to march on the state capitol with other universities to participate in Minnesota State University Student Association Rally Day Feb. 16.

According to MSUSA State Chair Andrew Spaeth, Rally Day is an event where colleges in the MNSCU system march to the capitol to represent student needs.

Its goal is to show representatives that students do care about funding for higher education and the potential cuts to schools and programming. Students will meet with senators later in the day to lobby for the cause as well.

“I feel that since we’ve made our presence known at the capitol, because [MSSA] walked there this summer, that we need to practice what we preach,” said senator Matthew Lexcen, who will be organizing Mankato’s portion of the event. “If the importance of higher education is what we preach, I feel it’s important that

SECURITY continued from 2

Dorm residents have been warned about keeping their doors locked when they leave their rooms with fliers posted on campus by the media relations personnel. Some students still don’t know the situation or don’t care, and continue to leave doors open.

There was also a third suspect in the incident who got away from the scene, but has not yet been identified.

a majority of us can get there, rather than just relying on our constituents. This is really our job as representatives when it comes down to it.”

Bus transportation will be provided. Some seats are reserved for MSSA members, but they are able to fit 50 people on the bus.

As seats are limited, the event is on a first come first serve basis.

Senators encourage students to get involved, and if they run out of space, students can still drive separately. The bus will leave MSU at 8:30 a.m. to walk in St. Paul, and it will return to Mankato around 3 p.m.

“Every two years, students stand at the front of the capitol, usually around budget time, there will be speakers, and senators will come out and speak with us too.

It lends a voice to what we want,” said senator Kelvin Borchardt.

Interested students should contact Matthew Lexcen at matthew.lexcen@mnsu.edu or join the Facebook group “MSUSA February Rally Day!!!”

Other items discussed at the

meeting included a report from senator Mathew O’ Flaherty from a meeting with the Associate Athletic Director of Finance Tim Marshall. O’ Flaherty asked about the proposed referendum to save the the Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams, Women’s bowling and Men’s Swimming. The petition calls for a 75-cent per credit fee increase for athletics. Any money generated from this referendum would go exclusively toward these four sports, which have a combined roster of 53 people.

Marshall mentioned that if this referendum passed they may have to increase the student fee for the whole department to keep everything fair or charge students admission for hockey games.

Marshall’s fear is that this would drive down ticket revenues.

The referendum will be put to a vote by the students at the senate elections in March.

O’ Flaherty reported that Marshall was happy that students had such an interest in saving these programs but said that it puts his department in a tight spot.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

News

Reporter • Page 5

Study Break Thursday, February 10, 2011 www.msureporter.com Across 1. Mouth part 4. Right angle to a ships length 9. In reserve 14. Bustling activity 15. Fate 16. Russian revolution leader 17. Executive director 18. Peaks 19. Spiked 20. Star Trek II: The Wrath of _____ 22. Cloth tissue 24. Commercial spots 25. Female for short 27. Russian spy agency 29. Drifting 32. Blue ____, water birds 35. U.S. President who served the longest 36. Saw logs 38. Tear creating veggie 40. Fees 42. Things you hammer 44. Café 45. Association abbr.

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Voices

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Satisfy your tweet tooth.... compiled by Wale Agboola

What was your worst Valentine’s Day?

Thursday, February 10, 2011

@natebrennan

www.msureporter.com

@kyle_ratke

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My not-so-awesome Valentine’s Day

News Editor Elena Shufelt shares her most horrific experience of the most romantic day of the year Valentine’s Day brings with it a number of mixed emotions.

There are, of course, the people who enjoy the day to its full potential by wishing love upon everyone around them, eating candy and smelling flowers. But I have found that these people generally have someone to give/receive Valentine’s Day gifts. Then there are people who are very passive about the holiday. They may or may not have a significant other, and they don’t typically love or hate the day either way. On the far end of the spectrum, there are those who despise Valentine’s Day. In most cases, these people hate all of those flowers, candies and little hearts because: A. They’ve never had a valentine and, therefore, have never actually celebrated the holiday.

B. They don’t have a significant other at the time and are bitter about it.

C. They had a bad experience once that ruined it forever.

D. They fear love or commitment or maybe just think the holiday is stupid.

I am the product of all four of these categories.

What really put me over the edge, though, was a few years ago — when I had the worst Valentine’s Day of my life.

I’m sure there are people out there who have had it worse, and to them, I’m genuinely sorry.

Here’s a little back-story on the situation. I was 19, my boyfriend was 23, and we had been together for about five months, all of which was long distance, and most of which we didn’t have a chance to see much of each other. We had known each other for a few years prior to dating though, so we were by no means strangers and very much in love.

By some sort of miracle we managed to find time see each other for a few days over Valentine’s Day. It was the first Valentine’s Day where I actually had a boyfriend, so naturally I was very excited about it. I have never been a high maintenance kind of gal, but I did dream of at least getting candy and flowers or even (could it be!) some kind of jewelry.

That dream died very quickly.

Now, before I even saw him that weekend, he told me he had a surprise for me. I was thinking Valentine’s Day surprises are generally the good kind of surprises, so I was very giddy and wondered endlessly about the amazing present I was going to receive.

On the morning of February 14, we decided to exchange gifts. I got him a card and some candy (What are girls supposed to give guys anyway? Something?

Nothing? I wasn’t sure, and I’m still not sure.), and then it was my turn. I was getting... drum roll please…to go to a club in the cities to see a few

bands. Okay. I like music. I had never been to a club in the cities, which is blatantly obvious by the fact that I call it “a club in the cities.”

But I was thinking he would probably give me a different gift at some point in the night.

When we got to the club, the first band was playing some sort of terrible wannabe metal/punk music that sounded just awful. Thinking the next band might be better, I tried to enjoy what I could.

My boyfriend ordered a beer — not a big deal.

Then, a little while later, he ordered another beer. Then another. And another, before he decided he better be more economical and order a pitcher. Then another pitcher.

So after seeing a bunch of the worst bands I’ve ever encountered, in a place that smells like someone just threw up all over the walls and then pissed on it just to show it who is boss, my boyfriend was hammeredfalling-down-drool-runningdown-his-face-groping-me-inpublic drunk.

Disgusting.

I realized this was the only Valentine’s Day gift I was getting, and that I had to take this disgustingly drunk mess of a boyfriend back home.

It was an hour-and-a halfdrive. At 1:30 a.m.

All the way home he blared more metal music and talked about how awesome the last few hours were.

I sat in silence debating whether or not to pull over

Kelsie Scott • Fr •Law Enforcement

“We were supposed to exchange gifts at dinner, and I got him a gift and he forgot mine. Deal breaker for me.”

Elena Shufelt | news editor

and push him out of the car.

But for whatever reason I didn’t, and we made it home.

He immediately grabbed a beer, jumped on his laptop and continued looking up music and playing it at maximum volume. I got into bed and asked him to turn it down, to which he replied, “I’ll grab my headphones.”

As I sat in bed, alone, listening to the faint sound of death metal and watching him bang his head in front of the glow of the computer screen, I started to cry. Then I heard him get up, and he came to bed. I was crying even harder at this point because I felt completely let down by him and the whole day in general, but I decided to try tell him between tears and sobs just how upset I was.

No reply.

I shook him, and he pulled headphones out of his ears.

He was listening to his iPod. When I asked him what the hell he was doing, he said, “How was I supposed to sleep with you crying like that?”

Worst Valentine’s Day ever.

Alex Garlock• Sr • Comm. Studies

“I got infantigo in the Carrie Islands.”

Katie Krebs • Sr • Dental Hygiene

“When my ex dumped me a few days before Valentine’s.”

Lester Cherryhomes • Fr • Bus. Mgmt

“Not having one.”

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

News

Reporter • Page 7

The ‘Do’s and ‘Don’t’s of V-Day

According to the Reporter love expert, Sports Editor Kyle Ratke KYLE RATKE

sports editor

Valentine’s Day is Monday.

Sadly, I won’t be able to celebrate this “holiday,” because I will be at work. I am really disappointed.

Translation: I haven’t done anything for Valentine’s Day ever. I think it’s a stupid holiday mostly because if I don’t fix my lady problem soon, I’m going to start resorting to the girl named Bubba that sits behind me in art. Nobody wants that.

Interestingly enough, I was asked to write the ‘Do’s and ‘Don’t’s’ article. Funny how things work.

If you’ve been dating your

significant other for sometime now, I don’t think you need a 20-year-old, single sports editor lecturing you on how to keep your date interested. But if this happens to be a random or a first or second date, I’d be glad to help … or type 500 words that won’t make sense to you.

Please, go to a decent restaurant. No, Old Country Buffet doesn’t count. I know, reservations suck, but it’s better than being stuck at OCB in between two 400-pound ladies and their cats. Unless that’s what you’re in to. Better yet, cook for your date. I have no idea if this actually works, mostly because I’m a horrible cook, but it sounds romantic.

Maybe some spaghetti and

meatballs? Get a little “Lady and the Tramp” going? I like it.

Don’t overgift. What’s overgifting? Jewlery, a teddy bear and chocolates that you ate half of on the way over.

Unless you cheated on your girlfriend, or have three different dates, this isn’t necessary. If you’ve been with the person for a while, make it simple and make it mean something. You’re a college student, you spend all your student-loan money on booze.

You don’t have money to waste here.

If it’s a first date, don’t be creepy. Don’t get her a $200 bracelet and then tell her in 30 minutes that you love her.

Trust me, been there, done that.

Doesn’t work.

I just re-read those paragraphs. I actually sound like I know what I’m talking about! Psh. And how am I still single?

As for after the date, this is where things get interesting. If you just met, do you go in for the kiss? Do you do an ass-out hug? High five? IS THERE A SCIENCE TO THIS?!!!!

The answer is no. If it’s going to happen, it’ll happen. If the date went well, you’ll get a second shot at whatever you’re looking for.

Ex: I always find myself wanting more after the high five. I go in for the ass-out hug and get denied time-after-time.

This needs to change.

Finding that special someone Students gathered in the CSU Wednesday for speed dating – just in time for Valentine’s Day

But what do you do if you have no date? From what I hear, this happens to a lot of people. It’s not a big deal.

Does it make you a loser?

Yeah, okay, then I am a loser.

Good one. I like to sit in, watch some basketball, maybe play some X-Box. I don’t know if I’ll have enough time.

Occasionally I like to swing by restaurants and see what true love in fact does look like. It’s a beautiful site.

Regardless of what you’re doing over Valentine’s Day, don’t overthink or overanalyze any of it. There’s no need to.

It’s just another day. Unless you’re going on a date, then I guess it’s kind of romantic.

Have a great weekend.

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Page 8 • Reporter

News

EGYPT Parents say not to come home, upset people are persecuted for fighting for their rights

Thursday, February 10, 2011T

FLORISTS Mixing in a few roses with other types of flowers can be a beautiful and easy way to cut costs continued from 3

continued from 2 government cut off Internet and cell phone use in the country, so they couldn’t reach their families to know if they were safe.

“For a while, we didn’t know anything about our family and friends because the government stopped internet and cell phone connection, and all we could really do is pray that they were safe,” Elkaramany said.

The government cut off the Internet and cell phone use because people were using Twitter and Youtube to form protest groups and voice dissent. The three-week protests are the largest Egypt has seen in since the 1970s, spreading from Cairo to other major Egyptian cities such as Alexandria.

At least three people have died and 100 are wounded so far, with riot police using brutal force to push back protestors.

Elkaramany said her family is safe because they live far away from where the protests are occurring, but her sister’s fiancé is in the military, so he is exposed to the violence. Khalil said he wanted to go to Egypt to see his family.

“With my parents being there, it makes me want to be there to make sure they’re safe,” he said.

Khalil’s parents have told him to stay in the U.S. where it’s safer, but he is still considering flying over to see them. He has not bought a plane ticket yet, though.

Elkaramany said she had planned to go to Egypt in May for her sister’s wedding, but now it looks like the event will be postponed.

“It’s not really a good idea for anyone to be visiting Egypt until this crisis is over, hopefully soon,” she said.

Elkaramany said one aspect of the Egypt crisis that really disturbs her is how the government is fighting against its own people — who are trying to win back rights and freedoms.

“What’s the most upsetting is that the protestors are fighting for freedom and democracy, and some of them are being shot for it by their own police,” she said. “I have friends in Egypt who take videos on their cell phones of what’s going on and send it to me, and it’s scary. It’s definitely stuff you don’t see

on the news.”

“These are everyday people going to war against their government to get their everyday rights,” Khalil said.

He said EgyptianAmericans who have lived in the U.S. for some time, and international students who have studied here for a while, don’t remember how terrible Mubarak’s regime was. He said students here should be grateful for the freedoms the U.S. provides that other countries don’t always allow. “[Feel] lucky that you can walk down the streets and not be harassed by the police,” he said.

While there are only a few Egyptian students studying at MSU, Fahad Al-Sogoor, president of MSU’s International Student Association, says the ISA will do everything it can to help students during these troubled times.

“We will be glad if they reach us for help,” he said.

“We are always there to support them.”

Egypt is still uneasy with no sure signs of peace after Mubarak said he would dismiss government officials and not seek re-election, but refused to resign.

“All we can do from here is pray for [the Egyptian people’s] safety and success,” Elkaramany said.

At the hilltop Hy-vee, floral department manager Shelly Walker said her staff really plans ahead for the day.

“We start prepping for Valentine’s Day in January,” she said.

Because the holiday comes on a Monday, Walker said it makes deliveries more hectic because more people want flowers delivered to that someone special’s place of work. The weekend will also be busy, because many people will be celebrating early.

“It’s best to place [orders] as early as possible,” Walker said. “We can make things custom to how [customers] request and we also have things ready to go, so we’re full service and anything they need we can do.”

Jeanie Hinton, owner of Flowers by Jeanie, said at her store, she usually does half custom arrangements and half pre-made, and also sells quite a few plants. She added people should order early and make sure they have the correct address for where the flowers are headed to make the process run more smoothly.

“If you wait until noon on Monday [to order], they might not come at the time you want,” she said.

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angela kukowski • msu reporter Kara Vliem works on a rose arrangement in the Hy-Vee floral department.

and sister to the owner at Becky’s Floral and Gift Shoppee, said roses don’t always sell the most at their store.

Wandersee said they often mix a few roses in with other flowers, such as lilies, to cut the cost of a bouquet for customers. She said this year, white lilies and red roses are one of their most popular arrangements.

Becky’s also has other items, like candy, stuffed bears and balloons, to go with flower arrangements.

Wandersee suggested getting orders in as early as today or Friday. But she also had more advice for men who might not know exactly what to buy.

“Keep it simple,” she said. “You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on something. Most women are just happy with a nice beautiful bouquet or a few red roses in a vase.”

Each shop has an online store to make it easier to order and view arrangements, but they always welcome calls

Thursday, February 10, 2011

News

W &N orld

ation

Thursday, February 10, 2011 www.msureporter.com

Chipotle immigration review goes national

Hundreds of Minn. workers with suspicious documents fired last year DENVER (AP) — An immigration review of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.’s workers has spread to 60 of its restaurants in Virginia and the nation’s capital, the Denver-based chain said Tuesday.

Chipotle fired hundreds of workers in Minnesota after Immigration and Customs Enforcement reviewed employees’ I-9 forms last year and found some with “suspect documents.” The I-9 forms prove whether employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Workers who couldn’t clear up questions were dismissed.

Spokesman Chris Arnold wouldn’t disclose exactly how many workers were fired but said Chipotle has 50 restaurants and about 1,200 employees in Minnesota.

“It’s certainly disruptive to the business and to the lives of employees,” he said.

Arnold said Tuesday that ICE gave a notice of inspection of workers’ documents for the restaurants in Virginia and Washington, but the agency hasn’t said yet whether any are suspect.

An ICE spokesman didn’t immediately return an e-mail seeking comment.

In the past two years, ICE has audited more than 3,200 employers suspected of hiring illegal workers.

At Chipotle, a hiring manager and someone in human resources check employees’ documents, Arnold said, but some employees may submit false identities. Arnold said the ICE checks were “eye-opening” because the company believed it had legal workers.

“It’s difficult and even heartbreaking because these were really good employees,” he said.

The dismissals are indicative of a system that isn’t working, Arnold said.

Employers must walk a fine line between vigorously screening applicants to make sure they are legal without discriminating against potential employees, he said.

He said the company uses the federal E-Verify database to check worker eligibility in some states and has talked to ICE about expanding its use.

Chipotle has more than 25,000 employees.

Meanwhile the chain is fighting a lawsuit filed by some former Minnesota employees who say the company didn’t pay them their wages on time after they were fired for failing to provide documents proving they are eligible to work in the U.S. Arnold said workers were paid everything they were owed.

Reporter • Page 9

Pawlenty and Bachmann compete for White House?

Both consider running for president

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann spent the past decade mostly staying out of each other’s way, two Minnesotans taking very different paths on the rise to national Republican Party prominence from a state better known for its Democratic icons.

Their shared flirtation with presidential politics won’t allow that much longer.

Though each appeals to different segments of their party and they are far from alone in the 2012 mix, some doubt a same-state duo can stay viable very long. And it is a recipe for division among Minnesota Republicans left to pick sides, meaning delay for either Pawlenty or Bachmann nailing down critical support back home.

“The comparisons are going to be inevitable,” said Chuck Laudner, a former Iowa Republican Party executive director. “If one of them is consistently pegging higher in polling as we get into this caucus process, I think it’s a red mark that is going to be hard to overcome.”

Attention to the two possible candidacies is growing as Pawlenty and Bachmann visit states with early contests in the election calendar and make other moves seen as campaign preparations.

Pawlenty, the former twoterm governor, took a traditional route to the race starting line. He governed as a fiscal hawk with a reliably conservative record on abortion, gun laws and other social causes. He methodically traveled to Iowa, New Hampshire and elsewhere to give speeches and launched a political action committee to spread political money to potential allies. And he published a campaign-ready

memoir just as he left office.

Bachmann, a third-term congresswoman, is a provocateur whose White House ambitions seemed to crop up suddenly. She caught the tea party updraft, proved a mighty fundraiser and built a following with unvarnished commentary on cable news shows. Last month, she delivered her own nationally televised response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address — a production that was spoofed days later by “Saturday Night Live” and showed an attentiongetting ability starting to rival conservative contemporary Sarah Palin.

Pawlenty and Bachmann are already appearing at the same events and meeting with the same activists who can make or break a White House campaign.

If both formally enter the race, they’ll dive instantly into a competition for dollars and supporters, including on their home turf where Minnesota contributors have largely fueled their past campaigns. It would put home-state Republicans in a bind, leaving an impression of tepid enthusiasm or even division among the GOP voters who know the Minnesota hopefuls the best.

Before Bachmann entered the 2012 picture, former GOP Sen. Norm Coleman called Pawlenty someone who would make “a great president,” and told one audience he’d sleep better if Pawlenty were in charge.

Last week Coleman softpedaled when asked by an ABC interviewer about a race featuring both Pawlenty and Bachmann.

“I have got a lot of friends out there, I always stick with my friends,” he said. Coleman was traveling out of the country this week and unavailable for additional comment.

Some Republicans, like Reps. Erik Paulsen and John Kline, have lent Pawlenty a hand. Others are hanging back for now. Minnesota House Majority Leader Matt Dean, whose legislative district overlaps Bachmann’s congressional district, said that having both Pawlenty and Bachmann in the same race poses a “very interesting dynamic.”

Beginning Thursday, Bachmann and Pawlenty test their messages in appearances at the important Conservative Political Action Committee conference in Washington, which ends with a straw poll.

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Reporter • Page 11

Drought in China

Puerto Rican gated communities ordered to allow Jehovah Witnesses to come to doors Technically should apply to other states as well

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A federal appeals court in the United States has ordered gated communities across Puerto Rico to grant access to Jehovah’s Witnesses so they can engage in their First Amendment right to proselytize.

The ruling comes nearly seven years after two religious corporations filed a lawsuit against the government of the U.S. Caribbean territory arguing that Jehovah’s Witnesses were being denied several rights, including freedom of speech, religion and travel.

Unlike in the U.S., where streets inside gated communities are private, they are considered public thoroughfares in Puerto Rico even though gates are allowed to be erected to control a neighborhood’s entrances.

William Ramirez, director of the American Civil Liberties Union chapter in Puerto Rico, praised the ruling.

“Door-to-door communication is a vital means of dissemination for small groups with limited resources to spread their message,” he said Wednesday.

A three-judge panel in the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal in Boston called the case “novel and difficult” in its nearly 30-page decision issued Monday.

The panel ruled Puerto Rican gated neighborhoods cannot have locked and unmanned gates that bar access to public streets. It said they have to hire guards, unless the community can provide a substantial justification for not doing so.

“Conceivably, a controlled access area might be very small,

its residents’ resources very limited, or both,” the ruling said.

The panel ordered Puerto Rico’s district court to enforce its ruling and review any objections that communities might file.

While ruling for the rights of Jehovah’s Witnesses to be given access, the appeals panel upheld a 2005 district court ruling that found constitutional a Puerto Rico law allowing neighborhoods with controlled access and giving guards the right to request names and identifications of any visitors.

“Compared to an airport search, a few questions about identity and purpose for entering an urbanization seem tame indeed,” the ruling stated.

The ruling also technically

applies to Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island because they are covered by the 1st Circuit. But it is unlikely to have any impact there since U.S. law considers streets inside gated communities to be private, said Paul Polidoro, assistant general counsel for the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York Inc., which oversees administrative issues for Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Luis Pabon Roca, a lawyer who represented the northern municipality of Caguas, said he considered the ruling a victory because the law allowing for gated communities was upheld as constitutional.

“In my opinion, the lawsuit was not needed,” he said.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses have access just like any other citizen

in Puerto Rico.”

Several attorneys representing other municipalities in the case did not return calls for comment.

The appeal was filed by the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Puerto Rico and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York Inc. They estimate that Jehovah’s Witnesses in Puerto Rico have been barred from entering 587 gated communities in 57 municipalities, representing a total of more than 67,000 residences. They say only about half of Puerto Rico’s gated communities have guards.

Puerto Rico has 318 Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations, for a total of about 25,000 members.

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese officials are preparing for “a severe, long-lasting drought” in the worst-hit eastern province of Shandong, with the national weather bureau forecasting little if any rain for the region through Feb. 17.

The U.N. food agency warned Tuesday that the drought was putting pressure on wheat prices in China. Average flour prices rose more than 8 percent in January from the previous two months.

On Wednesday, the director of emergency relief at Shandong’s weather bureau said the agency had predicted the future trend of the drought, but he refused to give details.

He said only that officials were preparing for “a severe, longlasting drought.”

As is common with many Chinese officials, he refused to give his name.

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Page 12 • Reporter

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PAGE 16

Women’s basketball

Mavericks prepare for final homestand

TIGE HUTCHESON

staff writer

As the Minnesota State Mankato women’s basketball team stares down the barrel of a very important, yet entirely challenging weekend against two of the most motivated teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, there is one important silver lining working in MSU’s favor — this weekend’s games against St. Cloud State and Concordia-St. Paul will be played at home, in Bresnan Arena, for likely the final time this season.

“We shoot well at home, we play well at home and I think the fans will help give us the energy we need to win both games,” said head coach Pam Gohl Back in December, Andrea Walsh hit a game-winning 3-pointer to nudge the Mavericks to a 54-51 victory over the Huskies on the road, barely avoiding

UP NEXT

St. Cloud State When: 6 p.m. Friday Where: Taylor Center-Mankato the upset. But despite their 10-11 conference record, the Huskies are better than advertised, and are sure to be hungry for revenge when they come to Mankato this weekend.

“St. Cloud is scrappy,” Gohl said. “They only have eight or nine kids, but they play their butts off, so we have to be ready for their intensity.”

The Huskies (10-11, 7-10 NSIC) are led by diaper dandy guard Sam Price, who averages 12.4 points per game, and senior guard Talisha Barlow who averages 11.8. The Mavericks managed to hold both Price and Barlow well below their season averages back in December, but

will need to keep up the pressure on Friday night.

Saturday features a challenge of a new kind as the Mavericks prepare for the red-hot ConcordiaSt. Paul Golden Bears (13-8, 12-5). Two weekends ago, the Golden bears beat up on conference powerhouse Wayne State 91-57 and come to Mankato with a conference-best 10 game-win streak.

Concordia is led by senior guards Jineen Williams (15.8 ppg) and Maurika Hickman (15.6), along with feisty senior point guard Zoraa Quoie, who leads the NSIC in steals (3.38 per game) and is among the league leaders in assists (3.57 per game). But despite losing by 15 points in St. Paul, Gohl believes the Mavericks could be the team to break Concordia’s streak.

“At some point in time, they’re going to lose and we really feel that we match up well against

shannon rathmanner • msu reporter MSU hopes to get good production out of Jennie Noreen (25) this weekend.

them,” Gohl said.

With the clock ticking down on the regular season, this weekend is an opportunity the Mavericks need to take advantage of.

“Both games are really important to us as we try to put a big push on to make the conference tournament and get a good seed,”

Gohl said.

With very little room left for error, the Mavericks prepare to face one of the most important weekends of the season as they prepare to take the floor in Bresnan Arena for the final time of the season.

Page 14 • Reporter

Sports

MSU Women’s Hockey Gameday Lee Handel • staff writer

Minnesota State Mankato (7-20-3, 6-17-1 WCHA) at St. Cloud State (0-28-1, 0-23-1-1 WCHA) Friday - 7:07 p.m., Saturday - 2:07 p.m.

National Hockey Center — St. Cloud , Minn.

RECAP: Even though the Minnesota State Mankato women’s hockey team has had to endure its fair share of struggles this season, they have still had enough success to keep them hungry and pushing forward to the finish line. The same cannot be said for the Huskies of St. Cloud State. SCSU is still winless on the season and its chances of cracking the win column are growing thin. The Huskies’ futility and desperation for a “W” is what makes this weekend’s series in St. Cloud intriguing. The Mavericks currently find themselves in seventh place in the WCHA standings, with the Huskies occupying the cellar and in eighth place. MSU is coming off two lackluster performances, as they were swept at home by Minnesota-Duluth by scores of 7-0 and 3-0 last weekend. SCSU was swept by the University of Minnesota last weekend in Minneapolis by scores of 8-0 and 4-1.

HISTORY: The Mavericks find themselves 24-22-5 all-time against the Huskies, and won a pair of games against SCSU in Mankato earlier this season. MSU took the first game 4-1 and completed the sweep the next day with a 4-2 win. Junior captain Ariel Mackley, freshman forwards Kathleen Rogan and Darion Bruyere, and junior forward Moira O’Connor all tallied goals in the 4-1 victory. Senior forward Nina Tikkinen assisted on three of the scores. The following day, freshman forward Tracy McCann paced the Mavericks with two scores and Finnish forwards Tikkinen and junior Emmi Leinonen added a goal each in the 4-2 triumph. Junior goaltender Alli Altmann and freshman goaltender Danielle Butters each earned a win in net as the Mavericks got the sweep.

MSU NOTES: The Mavericks failed to score last weekend and mustered only 40 shots in the two setbacks while going 0-8 on the power play. Rogan continues to lead the Mavericks on offense with a team-high 11 goals and 20 points. Sophomore forward Lauren Smith leads the squad with 10 assists and is second in points with 14. Tikkinen (5-7—12) and O’Connor (6-5—11) have also reached double-digits in points on the season for MSU. Altmann leads the Mavericks in net with a 2.89 goals against average and .902 save percentage.

SCSU NOTES: The Huskies have been outscored an astounding 143-24 on the season and really struggle on offense, with no players having double-digit points. They are led in scoring by freshmen forwards Julia Gilbert (5-3—8) and Molli Mott (4-4—8). Senior Ashley Nixon has struggled with the constant pressure on her end of the ice, posting a 5.02 goals against average and .876 save percentage.

PREDICTION: This seemingly easy series on the road is a very dangerous one for the Mavericks. The Huskies will surely be giving it their all, knowing that this may be their last chance at a victory this season. The Mavericks need to play a winning brand of hockey, or else risk having the dubious distinction of being the only team to lose to SCSU in 2010-11. The Mavericks will sweep the Huskies in St. Cloud.

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Thursday, February 10, 2011T Men’s basketball

THE GLUE GUYS KYLE RATKE

sports editor

St. Cloud State has beaten the Minnesota State Mankato men’s basketball team the last three times they’ve met.

You better believe the Mavericks want to beat the Huskies on Friday night at the Taylor Center.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” said senior guard Taylor Morrow. “It’s a huge game for us. They’ve had our number the last three times, but I think this time we’ll be prepared. It’s really important for us to [win] two games at home.”

The Huskies advanced to the Final Four last season after taking down the Mavericks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They’ve struggled this season with a 12-9 overall record and an 11-6 NSIC record.

The Mavericks (19-2, 15-2 NSIC) are on the verge of clinching the conference title for the second straight season, and have the opportunity to host the NCAA Central Regional Tournament with wins this weekend.

Last season, MSU was in a similar situation, but didn’t advance as far as it would’ve liked to.

“Last year was a lot different,” Morrow said. “We started 17-0 and got really high on ourselves earlier. This season we had a couple losses throughout the season and didn’t get really high on our-

UP NEXT

St. Cloud State When: 8 p.m. Friday Where: Taylor Center-Mankato selves. This year we’re more focused and confident.”

Sure, the Mavericks still have their main stars with Jefferson Mason (18.5 ppg), Marcus Hill (16.3 ppg) and Cameron Hodges (11.1 ppg).

But the Mavericks have other players that have been key this season. They call themselves “glue guys” – players that play their roles well and are willing to do anything the team asks of them.

One of those players is Morrow.

“It’s really important,” Morrow said. “We’ve got our big time scorers in Jefferson, Marcus and Cam. We also have the guys that will do the little stuff, but can score if we need to… It’s the guys on the defensive end as well. We have all the little parts.”

After Friday’s game, the Mavericks will tip off against Concordia St. Paul (13-8, 10-7 NSIC) at 6 p.m on Saturday.

There is hope that there will be a good fan turnout as Friday’s game is being called “Purple Plague” and Saturday’s called “Gold Rush.”

Morrow believes after this weekend, anything is possible for MSU. “This year, everything is clicking.”

Thursday, February 10, 2011

MSU Men’s Hockey Gameday Pat Delaney • staff writer

Minnesota State (12-12-6, 6-12-3 WCHA) at No. 19 Colorado College (16-13-1, 10-10-0 WCHA) Friday - 7:37 p.m., Saturday - 7:07 p.m.

Colorado Spring, Colo.

RECAP: The Mavericks are coming off a series split with Bemidji State and are 2-1-1 in their last four games. The Tigers are coming off a split with Denver and have won four of their last six games.

HISTORY: MSU is 13-28-1 all-time against the Tigers. The Mavericks split with CC in their first meeting of the season.

MSU NOTES: The Mavericks have righted the ship after a stretch of going 0-3-1 against WCHA opponents. MSU is 2-1-1 in its last four games and have moved into a ninth place tie with St. Cloud State. Junior forward Michael Dorr has six points in the last four games and leads the team in scoring with 23 points. Senior defenseman Kurt Davis has 22 points on the season, fourth most among WCHA defensemen. Sophomore goaltender Phil Cook has played the second most minutes in the WCHA and leads the conference in saves with 542.

CC NOTES: The Tigers are currently in sixth place in the WCHA. CC is led by a pair of senior forwards in Tyler Johnson and Steven Shultz. Johnson has 32 points on the season and Shultz has 29, both ranking in the top-12 in the conference. Sophomore goaltender Joe Howe is 13-11-1 in the nets and has a 2.91 goals-against-average.

STAT: The Mavericks have the opportunity to jump up three spots this weekend. MSU is four points behind Colorado College in the standings and will jump up to sixth place with a sweep.

PREDICTION: The Mavericks will find a way to earn one victory this weekend in what should be an evenly matched series.

Sports

Reporter • Page 15

Men’s basketball

NEARING THE END

The Mavericks close out their home schedule Thursday, and with that, only have one dual before regionals DREW CLAUSSEN

staff writer

The Minnesota State Mankato wrestling team is set to close out the home portion of its 2010-2011 campaign.

The No. 8 Mavericks (8-4, 4-1 NSIC) will take on Southwest Minnesota State (5-3-1, 1-3 NSIC) in their final home duel of the season Thursday night. The duel will be the final home appearance by MSU’s two seniors Andy Forstner and Ben Becker.

“To see Andy Forstner and Becker— both five-year guys — they’ve done a lot four our program,” said head coach Jim Makovsky. “I literally remember the days that they came in to visit and all of a sudden they’re grown men and I’m really proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

Thursday will mark the 30th time the two have met, with the Mavericks holding a 21-8 record against the Mustangs. The Mavericks will be looking for a win to snap their two-match losing streak, with losses at the hands of the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation.

“I liked our intensity in 90 percent of the matches (against Nebraska Omaha), it was another step forward those are the positives,” Makovsky said.

“The negatives are, there’s opportunities to get our hands

UP NEXT

Southwest Minnesota St. When: 7 p.m. Thursday Where: Taylor Center-Mankato raised and we’re not getting it.”

The Mustangs are coming off of an upset victory over No. 20 Minnesota State Moorhead for their fist NSIC win. The Mavericks will be looking for a victory to get some momentum rolling for the final duel of the season in St. Cloud and for regions and nationals.

“We just need to keep competing at a high level and believe that we will perform at a high level in March,” said Junior Pat Mahan.

An interesting matchup in the duel is the 184-pound bout that will feature No. 6 Becker against the Mustangs’ C.D. Johnson. Johnson leads SMSU with a 22-11 record and has yet to lose a conference match.

The team is still looking to get over the hump and wrestle its strongest as the regular season dwindles.

“I equate where some of our guys are right now is we’re not good in the red zone from a football standpoint,” Makovsky said. “We get right there, get a good drive going and we’re not punching it in.”

The Mavericks will also be aided by their four nation-

ally-ranked wrestlers besides Becker, including No. 4 Forstner, No. 6 Aaron Norgren and No. 7 Mahan, who made his debut in the rankings last week. One Maverick, Tel Todd at 157-pounds, will be trying to break out of a personal slump, which includes a loss to Nebraska Omaha’s No. 1 George Ivanov last weekend.

“That’s a match where we’ve wrestled that kid three times now and it’s been like a rerun of ‘Seinfeld.’ It’s the same episode, same match over and over,” Makovsky said.

“We’ve got to find a way to change something before nationals, because that’s going to be a guy, that if he wants to be a national champion he’s going to have to beat.”

The Mavericks will also look to combat the loss of desire or passion that can happen as the season nears its end, according to Makovsky.

“The guys that are excited about this are willing to put the work in and they’re going to wrestle with a certain level of excitement,” Makovsky said.

“The guys that are ready for this to be done or are putting too much pressure on themselves don’t have that same pop, that same enthusiasm.”

Match time for Thursday’s duel is set for 7 p.m. at the Taylor Center.

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Page 16 • Reporter

Sports

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Bleacher Banter KYLE Ratke KR: Welcome to your first banter. The initial trade included Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest for Carmelo Anthony and Al Harrington. People seem shocked that the Lakers declined this trade.

Sure, they are a more talented team with Anthony, but my biggest concern is whether or not Kobe Bryant is alright with this.

We all know Bryant is a jackass. Yeah, so was Michael Jordan.

But Bryant is not Jordan. I don’t think Bryant would sign off on this deal to bring in another star.

Especially when this star will take away shots from Bryant. Maybe I’m not giving him enough credit, but I don’t think “anything to win” is in Bryant’s vocabularly if it means averaging five points per game less.

BI: If this were ‘04 — no question. If this were ‘06, back when Kobe was doing the 81 point thing on whatever white foreign dudes the Raptors employed — I’ll agree with you.

However, this is 2011 and Bryant just eclipsed MJ in career games played the other night.

Three knee surgeries down the road, we won’t be seeing him do the Blake Griffin thing anytime soon — or ever again for that matter. Could an extra big-time star really be the worst thing at this point? Especially when you consider Bynum’s knees are 0-for-3 in LA’s past three

Where’s Carmelo Anthony headed? New Jersey? Nope. New York? Apprently not.

Los Angeles? That’s the latest rumor. Here’s Ratke and Beau debating whether or not this trade would be effective if it went through. Let the banter begin! final runs, rendering him effectively a 7-foot version of Brian Scalabrine/Jack Nicholson/fillin-the-blank elite male sideline cheerleader X. KR: I agree, this trade absolutely makes the Lakers the favorite.

But for some reason, I don’t think Bryant can deal with another marketable player on the Lakers.

Pau Gasol doesn’t have it, neither does Bynum. Anthony does.

If this trade goes through, the Lakers have two of the league’s best scorers, but what else does Anthony do besides score? Would he be interested in re-signing in LA knowing that it wouldn’t be his team until Bryant stepped down? Would he be alright with this?

Also, this trade takes away the Lakers’ biggest strength besides Kobe — their size and defense.

Okay, so say this is last year’s finals. Bynum is gone along with Artest. Now you have the two-headed monster of Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett inside making a tougher, but still soft Gasol look like a rookie. And instead of having Artest there to shut down the Celtics’ best scorer, Paul Pierce, you’re stuck with having Anthony guard him. This combined with Derek Fisher’s aging body and Ray Allen making Bryant fight through screens — this might not end well.

BI: I couldn’t agree more about the size advantage. In fact, having Gasol, Bynum and Odom on the roster all but guarantees them a spot in the finals.

Don’t believe me? The Spurs front line outside of Duncan includes 6-7 Dajuan Blair (with B.J. Raji width), who does fine against 90 percent of the league — save for the teams with multiple 7-footers that make him look like a freshman in a varsity game. Also, Matt Bonner (he has red-hair, just sayin) and Antonio McDyess’ corpse.

Oh, but the Mavs have three 7-footers! Well, the Mavs also have Jason Terry in the Kobe role.

I don’t need to tell you how that has worked out. New Orleans?

Please. OKC? Talk to me in a half decade.

If you’re the Lakers, you can’t argue with that. Losing Bynum takes away the one thing nobody can guard (size) and adds one thing everybody can guard (another wing, not to mention one that duplicates what they already have). This isn’t NBA 2K11 and this isn’t the Olympics — you can have too many scorers and the right fit matters as much as talent.

KR: It’s interesting that many people believe that it’s crazy that the Lakers have declined this trade — for now at least. What happens when Anthony bolts for New York after losing in the sec-

ond round of the playoffs with the Lakers? The Lakers lose one of their best assets in Bynum along with their best on-ball defender in Artest. Boom. The dynasty is over, just like that.

And those who says that Denver can’t get more than Bynum and Artest? Are you on crack? Bynum is an oft-injured center that is only as good as he is because he has two players on his team that need to be doubleteamed (Bryant and Gasol). Sure, Artest can shut someone down, but what in the world will the Nuggets do with him other than try to get rid of his contract?

I still think the best-case scenario, for everyone, is the Knicks trade. The Nuggets get a first-round pick (not a lottery, but a first rounder nonetheless), Wilson Chandler, who is a very poor man’s Anthony and Corey Brewer, a free agent at the end of the season. Either way, the Nuggets will need to dish off Anthony somewhere, but instead of taking injured and non-effective players, they should be focusing on expiring contracts and draft picks.

Plus, if Melo would sign in LA after the season, you’re building another empire. The Nuggets can’t take that chance.

BI: As for the logistics of Melo actually leaving LA if he is traded there — it would be quite difficult.

Beau illikainen

No team has been willing to trade for Melo without his signature on that proposed 3-year extension, and LA is no different.

However, one plausible scenario is LA making the trade, Kobe and Melo saying the right things only to step on the court together and realize they fit poorly and fight like Ronnie and Sammi out in Jersey Shore.

Even then, disastrous? No. You have Carmelo Anthony as a trade chip to find someone to pair with Kobe/Pau — cry me a river Tinseltown. As far as the Nuggets end of the deal, our opinions differ. I would take Bynum and his knees over Wilson Chandler and the pu pu platter that was offered any day. When healthy, Bynum’s a star center, which is about as rare in the NBA as me passing math tests. Whereas Wilson Chandler is a dime a dozen type player — big difference. Bigger risk — bigger reward. Bottom line, why hit the panic button?

For all you Laker haters, I’ll save you the pain of mentioning that Deron Williams and/or Chris Paul could be had by LA a year from now if they keep Bynum. We won’t go there.

To give your thoughts, head to Facebook.com/thekidstake and tell us what you think.

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To all you little heartbreakers,

Thursday, February 10, 2011

www.msureporter.com/arts-entertainment

We strongly encourage you to utilize this Valentine’s Day to its principle purposes; spread your love around, make others feel good. Don’t worry about cards, or candy, or sappy movies. Don’t have a date? Doesn’t matter. Show your fellow students how much you dig `em. Hold a door open. Give a ride to someone walking home. Pick up a dropped pencil. Kiss a stranger on the cheek. Get out there and love, damn you, love!

- We love ya

Love is in the Air Happy Valentine’s Day, MSU!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we’ve got your guide to restaurants, fashion, music and the latest from the Vagina Monologues.

Best Mankato Restaurants for Valentine’s Day Pg. 18 Pg. 21

Tenth annual ‘Vagina Monologues’ benefit women of Haiti Laws of Attraction Pg. 20

Valentine’s

Mix tape

Pg. 19

Page 18 • Reporter

A&E

Thursday, February 10, 2011T

The classic dine-out: done right Tips on choosing the best resaraunt for your ‘V-Day’ date Olives

Number 4

Olives is a Medditeranean restaurant located within the downtown Hilton Hotel. The dimly-lit atmosphere, friendly servers and variety of food options ensure you will have a good experience. You can go as expensive or as cheap as you would like here, with a plethora of food options ranging from the famous Massad’s Schawarma Wrap to the New Zealand Rack of Lamb and everything in between.

20 Civic Center Plaza, 507-386-1001 www.olivesmankato.com/

Number 4 is the most recent player in the Mankato finedining scene. It is owned by the same group which owns and operates The Neighbor’s Italian Bistro, Tav on the Ave and Dino’s Pizza. Number 4 refers to itself as a “gastropub, specializing in high-quality cuisine from the North, South, East and West.”

Its Tableside Guacamole and Spinach Fondue are to die for, and the entrée options tend to have very interesting twists on contemporary cuisine (like grilled marinated breast of chicken on a bed of cheddar cheese grits finished with a pancetta and green pea sauce), but it sometimes seems to try too hard at making its food unusual. Unfortunately, some of its entrée items and its service are both pretty hit-or-miss, but the ambiance and appetizers are worth it.

124 East Walnut Street, 507-344-1444 www.number4mankato.com

Charley’s is a fine dining staple in Mankato, and this year it is celebrating its 25th year in business. Unlike Number 4’s twist on contemporary, Charley’s focuses on traditional entrées and gives you bang for your buck with the entrée size, overall ambiance and the service. I am a sucker for its Chicken Kiev…

920 E Madison Ave, 507-388-6845 www.charleysrestaurantmankato.com/

As a west Mankato native, Neighbor’s was always a staple restaurant for our big, fancy nights out growing up. The restaurant is like a high-class Olive Garden (yes, believe it or not, restaurants do get classier than the Olive Garden), featuring signature pastas made from scratch and great desert items. If it is busy on V-Day, which I am sure it will be, and you have to wait for a seat, don’t fret. The restaurant offers a free glass of wine while you wait (as long as you are of age, of course).

1812 South Riverfront Drive, 507-625-6776 www.neighborsitalianbistro.com

MARGARET STECK

staff writer Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, a salacious thought that makes the restaurant industry all antsy in its pantsy. So where will you go to show your main squeeze exactly how much you love them by spending outrageous amounts of money for this Hallmark holiday? Unless you pride yourself on your uncanny ability to drink beer, beat your wife and watch Nascar all at the same time, it is not going to be your local KFC (you probably wouldn’t be reading this publication in the first place, anyway). So here is a short-but-sweet local guide on where Mankatoans go for fine dining in the Greater Mankato area.

Tokyo Sushi & Hibachi

This is the inaugural Valentine’s Day experience for Tokyo Sushi and Hibachi, and I am sure that it will be a busy one. If you feel like being adventurous, or need a little wasabi aphrodisiac, I recommend making a reservation at Tokyo. They have already prepared two Valentines Day “special” rolls, which are not cheap, but are certainly delicious. They include the new Heart Roll, a maki roll that includes spicy tuna, lobster and avocado wrapped in rice and a pink rice paper, and, speaking from experience, it is fabulous. If you are not into raw fish, you and your lover can try the hibachi bar (if there is room). The hibachi bar features live cooks who do neat tricks with your food and cooking utensils prior to putting the food on your plate. You can find pictures of some of their maki rolls on Facebook, where you can also go to read about their specials.

1829 Adams St., 507-388-3338 www.tokyoshushimankato.com

Charley’s Restaraunt & Lounge

$12 Bottles of Sparkling Wine for Valentine's Weekend!

Every Sunday: Happy Hour from 2-10pm OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-2AM 301 N. Riverfront Drive •(507) 345-1516

Neighbor’s Italian Bistro

Restaurants / page 21

Thursday, February 10, 2011

A&E

Reporter • Page 19 1. Sam Cooke — “(What A) Wonderful World” No mixtape about love should be without a Sam Cooke tune.

Dude was like the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. of R&B. I guarantee if you play this for your lover, a change is gonna come.

Will you be my valentine?

2. The Black Keys — “Howlin’ For You” Let’s face it, your love ain’t no whimpering poodle, it’s a wild coyote hungry for flesh. Let your love know exactly how much you’re pining for them.

3. Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris — “Baby” It’s Bieb’s world (2.0), we just live in it. Whether your lover admits it or not, they probably have Bieber fever. Give ‘em what they want.

’s e n i t n e l a V r e t r 3 o . p l e o R V e p a T he T n x i M renna B y e t Da ompiled by Na

4. Ginuwine — “Pony” Maybe this Valentine’s Day, you and your date aren’t looking for love, just some way to pass the time. Ginuwine knows a way.

Oh boy, does he know a way.

C

How do you get that crush you’ve been tirelessly looking for on Facebook to notice you? How do you let that nonplatonic partner know you care?

How do you get that loved one to realize just what they mean to you?

Poems are creepy when you’re just getting to know that special someone and, unless your Lord Byron, are pretty lame even if you’ve known them for years. Flowers are cliché and expensive. You don’t have the money to shell out for

that ring, and who knows what she’d say even if you did. And don’t bother with chocolates unless you want your lover dipping into a shame coma or screaming, “ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME FAT!?!”

For those of us with who’ve watched High Fidelity too many times (and have little money), the mix tape is an all too familiar way to show attraction, affection and love.

Whether you’ve fallen madly for someone, are just starting

out or simply hoping to get the attention of that good-looking student in your law class, the mix tape can be your solution this Valentine’s Day. “But how am I supposed to get them to swoon when I ain’t even know what to do?” asks the comely collegian who doesn’t know how to make a mix tape on iTunes.

Well, mister or miss, who has more problems than what to get that non-platonic partner, would you like it if we did the work for you?

5. Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre & Queen Pen — “No Diggity” Is your lover feeling like you’re drifting apart? Make your love for them known without a diggity, or doubt.

6. The Pixies — “Hey” That first “hello” can take forever, but it can be one of the most special (or awkward) moments of your entire relationship. Either remind them of that first meeting or let this song do the talking for you.

7. R. Kelly — “Bump N’ Grind” Whatever Shawn the Baptist may yell at you, do not fear, R. Kelly is here — to let you know that there is nothing wrong with a little bump n’ grind.

8. Curtis Mayfield — “So In Love” Since we put Marvin Gaye in our Vol. 1 edition of this mixtape series, and forgot about this dude in Vol. 2, we have to mention this sultry diddy from Mr. “Superfly” himself, Curtis Mayfield. Dim the lights, crank this up and, as Chef from South park would say, lay your love down by the fire.

9. Randy Newman — “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” Ideally, you should be a fulltime lover and a full-time friend for your partner, no matter what The Moldy Peaches say. And while this track by one of the most underrated songwriters of all time was written for Toy Story about the friendship between Andy and his toys, we can’t confirm or deny whether it was also about a secret Buzz and Woody love affair (it totally was).

10. Wilco — “I’m the Man Who Loves You” Sometimes the person you’re with may be a bit of dummy.

Hey, you’ve fallen deep and can’t help it. But in this instance, subtlety might not be the best idea. Be blunt.

11. Beatles — “Her Majesty” By this point in the mix, you’ll probably already have a belly full of wine, so just tell ‘em you love ‘em a lot already!

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Page 20 • Reporter

A&E

Thursday, February 10, 2011T

Laws of Attraction: the look of love

ABBY HOLST

staff writer

Are looks really everything?

Maybe not, but looking good can help you land the ladies.

Although we’d like to claim we aren’t shallow beings, it’s hard for anyone to deny that the first thing we notice about the opposite sex is the way they look and dress. How could we when more than 80 percent of human communication is nonverbal?

“It’s that initial reaction and interest,” Minnesota State Mankato mass communications senior Nikki Potts said. “[The way people dress] says a lot about their personality.”

Potts and her boyfriend Tyler Anderson, art major and senior at MSU, have been dating for more than a year but were friends long before. Anderson puts thought into his layers of “hipster” cardigans, v-necks and skinny jeans while Potts pairs preppier articles and accessories.

Their looks may be different, but they appreciate each other’s style.

“I love it when Nikki takes the time to [dress up] instead of rolling out of bed in sweats,” Anderson said. “It goes a long way – if you are presentable, people will react.”

Potts said that artsy Anderson “stood out” to her.

“He picks out my stuff a lot,” Potts said. Adding she feels Anderson has a better fashion sense than she does.

Since style is an opportunity to convey your personality or a certain message, it can also hint at possible compatibility. You notice, “if he dresses sporty and I like sports” or if she has a cute lip ring and he’s into edgy girls.

“The thing I like most is

when a guy has a style of his own it doesn’t really matter what it is. As long as it’s not Tapout gear and as long as he’s confident, he pretty much oozes attractiveness,” single sophomore and theater major Annie Dosch said. “I’m also a huge fan of dark wash jeans and loafers, and since it’s the winter season, a peacoat is put together and sophisticated, which I think is sexy.”

Glamour magazine agrees.

In this month’s issue, they dig lumberjack flannel for men, peacoats and vests, and are down with the hipster look: “newsboy caps and lots of stubble.”

Guys, take a cue from the peacock; he uses his big, beautiful feathers to attract the ladies. Sure, they’re a little heavy, but like Anderson said before, what is love without a little effort?

“People are drawn to other people who differentiate from the norm,” anthropology major and MSU senior Glenn Ojard said.

Ojard and his girlfriend, photography major and MSU junior Keeli McCormack, are obviously in love. Both stand out with each of their striking, individual fashions.

“I’ve been told I look like I found my clothes out of the back of a trunk, but pull it off,” Ojard said, laughing.

That worked for McCormack.

“With Glenn, he wasn’t like everybody else,” McCormack said. “I wear his clothes all the time!”

McCormack, a Marine, rocks the hardcore punk rock look some days, and others she says, “Oh, let’s be pretty today,” depending on her mood.

“Her short hair was a big turn-on,” Ojard said.

Also according to Glamour magazine, which polled 1,000 men in its February issue, guys approve of some of the trends.

The results? They love to see women in over-the-knee boots, red lips and cool tattoos. The ultimate look they love, though, is the classic white tee and jeans.

They said no to headbands, fur and the fake-orange “Snooki” tan.

Now onto a more serious subject: how do women feel about guys in skinny jeans? A lot of girls go crazy, but some are disgusted their guy’s legs fit into a smaller size than they do.

Anderson shared that he recently got a more “relaxed” pair of skinny jeans, not quite as tight as his other Levi’s. Potts says she loves them; Anderson is not so convinced.

“You just like showing off your legs,” Potts joked.

Sometimes it’s not the look that draws us to others, but smell.

According to Brie Cadman of NewHeavenNewEarth News Articles Online, the “smell of love” is something very real and present.

“Though personality and looks definitely play a part in initial attraction, smell may play a larger role than we suspect,” Cadman said.

It’s no doubt that cologne on a man is sexy (note ridiculous

SUNDAY BINGO Games at 6pm & 9pm

MONDAY $1.50 Miller High Life Bottles

Axe commercials), but studies have found that natural scents (without soap or even deodorant) can induce attraction. According to these studies, a person’s body odor gives us clues to genetic make-up and thus potential to be a compatible mate. On a subconscious level, we go for those who will help us produce

the healthiest offspring via an immune system different from our own. So much in just a sniff!

Whether perfume or pants, what you wear can get you noticed. In the end, your guy doesn’t want to hear you ask one more time, “babe, does this make me look fat?”

Angela Kukowski • msu reporter Tyler Anderson (left), and Nikki Potts, fashionably in love.

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

$1.50 Domestic 16 oz. Taps World Poker Tour Free Poker

$2.00 Domestic Bottles 8 to Close

THURSDAY

$2.00 Domestic Bottles 8 to Close

Leadership Scholarship Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Scholarships will be award based on: • Leadership and Service Experience • Personal Statements • Recommendations Applications will be reviewd by MSSA Scholarship Committee.

Applications available in CSU 280 • For more info visit: www.mnsu.edu/mssa

Deadline: March 14

For more information or to buy tickets contact: lizbeth.dominguez-contreras@mnsu.edu or stop by Office of Latino Affairs in CSU 243

MSSA

Thursday, February 10, 2011

RESTAURANTS

‘If you are really looking to impress your date, try this novel concept of actually making them a dinner yourself’

continued from 18

Pho Saigon

If you are looking for good Vietnamese food, but are on a budget, there is Pho Saigon. The entrees are reasonably priced for the amount of food you get, and there is a good ambiance.

The service here has always been quick and reliable.

It is family owned and operated and they have some “Americanized” dishes for those of you out there who are not adventurous—not that anything on their menu is really out there.

1751 North Victory Drive, 507-625-2300 www.phosaigonmankato. com/

Pro Tip on Romance If you are really looking to impress your date, try this novel concept of actually making them a dinner yourself (gasp!). A homecooked meal allows you to stay within your budget and gives you an opportunity to be creative with your meal — permitting you to be as romantic as you would like.

And for all you new-ish love birds out there who insist on touching or kissing each other every three seconds to show how much you care, please, just stay home and celebrate your V-Day in privacy — no one wants to see your excessive PDA or listen to your sappy goochy-goos.

A&E

Reporter • Page 21

Bringing women together Tenth annual ‘Vagina Monologues’ benefits Haiti MARGARET STECK

staff writer

We have all heard about the horrific natural disasters that have struck the island of Haiti over the past year, but attention is not often brought to another issue that is affecting Haitian women of all ages — violence and rape.

The 10th-annual Vagina Monologues performance on Feb. 11 and 12 will bring this issue out of the darkness and shine a light on the trials and tribulations women in Haiti have continued to experience first-hand since the earthquake more than a year ago.

Amnesty International reported in Aftershocks that more than 250 cases of rape were reported in the first 150 days after the earthquake hit. The rape and violence against women has not ceased, and the Women’s Center, including the Violence Awareness Response Coordinator, Som Mongtin, want to help bring attention to the issue through the V-Day production.

“Seventy-two percent of women have been affected by violence in Haiti,” Mongtin said. “That is partially due to the lack of security and safe houses at the camps.”

V-Day is a movement that uses “creative events,” according to its website, to increase awareness, raise money and stop violence against women. The Vagina Monologues, written by playwright Eve Ensler, is V-Day’s largest production, which has been translated into more than 48 languages and performed in more than 140 countries.

Each year, a portion of the play’s proceeds is donated to help raise

awareness and prevent gender-based “The dancing pieces add more to violence. the affect of it, which is different “V-Day is giving 10 percent of than most monologues because they the proceeds of every production are mostly just read pieces, so we to help educate the people of are doing a different representation Haiti on genderof those monologues,” based violence Mongtin said.

“Seventy-two as well as to help The dancing is not percent of women promote grass the only difference. roots education This year there are six have been affected movements to help different directors, which by violence in teach the women means there are going to Haiti,” Mongtin how to protect be six different voices themselves against to add more variety said. “That is acts of violence, and than previous years’ to help educate men partially due to the productions. to prevent violence,” lack of security and The Vagina Mongtin said.

Monologues is organized safe houses at the V-Day also has a and directed by the camps.” deeper connection Women’s Center with to Haiti through one student volunteers -Som Mongtin, of the many women Violence Awareness and from the Men Against who died in the Violence (MAVs) Response Coordinator 2010 earthquake, group. The production Myriam Merlet. is co-sponsored by Merlet, the Smitten Kitten, Asian chief of staff for the Ministry American Affairs, the Coffee Hag, for Women in Haiti, brought the Residential Life, the Nontraditional V-Day Movement and The Vagina Student Center, Pub 500 and YWCAMonologues to the women and girls Mankato. of Port Au Prince.

The spotlight monologue, which touches on what Ensler said she believes to be the most prevalent When: Feb. 11 & 12, 7 p.m. issues, is an ode to Merlet in this Where: Ostrander Auditorium year’s production.

Tickets: $10 for students with The 10th anniversary event will create a more emotional connection a MavCard and $15 general between the viewer and the topic admission through a variety of means. These For more information: Visit include line memorization by the http://www.mnsu.edu/wcenter or actors, a photo-slide show and two stop by the Women’s Center at monologues that incorporate dancing, “Cunt” and “My Vagina was my CSU 218.

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Page 22 • Reporter

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Thursday, February 10, 2011T

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Classys For Rent

CHOICE FOUR BR HOUSE, 2 full bath, large yard, on-site laundry, 2 car garage available, close to MSU. $1,260/mo or $315/mo per person. Available 7/1/11. Call Scott for showing 507-9511974.

3/3 FIND A PLACE TO RENT OR post great looking listings at RadRenter.com.

4/28 C E DA R M E A D OW APARTMENTS. 3 bedroom apartments in new energy efficient building. $900 per month plus free internet and cable, now leasing for fall 2011. Call 507-327-2831 cedarmeadowapartments. com.

5/25 5 OR 4 OR 3 OR 2 OR 1 BEDROOM houses/ apartments available right now. Some for next year.

Many to choose from. Check out our website www.ottoH. com owner/agent or call 507340-3465.

6/22 DOWNTOWN MANKATO DEVINE Towers 4-5 bedroom units. Washer/Dryer/fireplace/ disposal/DW/ceiling fans/ $340/br Available Aug. 1. Call 952-451-5793.

2/24 1,2,3,4,5 BEDROOM APTS FOR summer and fall call 507-382-5858 or visit www.

MankatoApts.com.

3/15

For Rent

3, 4, AND 5 BEDROOM HOUSES available for Aug. 1st. Only a few remain. Go to radrenter.com to view available properties. Call 3851999 to set up a showing.

2/15 HOUSE FOR RENT. AVAILABLE 8/1/11 - 7/31/12.

4 BR, $1,100/mo + utilities.

Includes washer/dryer.

Many upgrades. Some offstreet parking. 381-2111 or MLMRENTALS@live.com.

2/10 4 Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bathroom with washer/ dryer, garage, landlord pays water & trash. $1,375/month.

Available 8-1. markch8@ gmail.com.

2/10 2 TOWNHOMES FOR RENT August 1st. 5 Bed 2 Bath units are 1 year old and on bus route. Call 507-995-5300 for pricing and availability. 4/28 5 BR HOUSE AVAILABLE AUG 1 $1300/mo. +utilities.

Washer/dryer provided. No pets. John 507-381-0888. 3/3 LARGE 5BR FORMER FRAT house at 409 Warren, 2ba, dn room, washer/dryer, lg. parking. $1,100 incl. water/ trash. 507-420-2050. 3872273.

2/15

Classifieds

For Rent

FEBRUARY 15TH

Help Wanted

95.7 The Blaze Official Pre-Party

HOUSE FOR RENT AUGUST 1ST- One Block from MSU 5 People 507-382-2117. 2/22 BARTENDERS WANTED! $250/day potential.

No experience necessary.

Training available. Age 18+ OK. (800)965-6520 Ext 170.

6/22 STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM PAID survey takers needed in Mankato. 100% free to join!

Click on surveys.

5/25

Notices FREE SHOTOKAN KARATE classes offered M/T/TH. 6-8 pm. Room PH 102. Beginners are welcome. Need not be a MSU student to join. For info call Brad @ 507-388-5301 or lostgonzo@gmail or search MSU Shotokan on facebook or yahoo groups.

4/28

Wanted READERS (STUDENT ACTORS or aspiring actors) for local playwrights. Free breakfast. Sign up at www. berworkshop.com.

4/28

SCHOLARSHIPS!!

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS MAJORS

It's time to apply for the 2011-2012 academic year scholarships!

The scholarship application will be available from January 31 - March 11, 2011 and can be found online only at www.cob.mnsu.edu Renting for August 1 5 BEDROOM HOUSE

1 block from campus, washer, dryer, garage. $1650 + utilities.

Reporter • Page 23

Hinder - Saving Abel My Darkest Days

5-7 p.m.

Giveaway: Tickets to the show and backstage passes!

"Porn Star Dancing" Contest

521 S. Front St. • 625-5090 Call for 2011 MSU-M Undergraduate Research Conference Abstracts and Application to Present

2011 Undergraduate Research Conference, April 4-5

Submission Deadline: February 15, 2011 For more information: www.mnsu.edu/urc/abstractsubmissions.html

We Want A House...We Want

5 BEDROOM HOUSE

2 blocks from campus, washer, dryer, central air, garage. $1495 + utilities.

4 BEDROOM HOUSE

Washer, dryer, garage. $1280 + utilities.

3+ BEDROOM HOUSE

Washer, dryer, off-street parking. $995 + utilities.

Call Jim at (507) 345-2049

Contact Jeremy at

507.351.5192

Page 24 • Reporter

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Thursday, February 10, 2011