Sidelines Online - 10/31/12

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

OCT. 31, 2012

EDITORIALLY INDEPENDENT

Candidates campaigning last-minute for close election season

CONTENT

Sidelines Lens

NEWS

manufactures engineering job opportunities for 3 Nissan grads

By Quint Qualls

creates, sustains No. 1 business in ‘Boro 4 Student

By Jessica Kryza science building becomes more than plan 5 New

By Amber Dougherty

FEATURES

overcomes circumstance to win Fulbright 6 Howell

By Mary Margaret Weatherford

COVER STORY

candidates campaigning for student, swing 8 Presidential state votes

By Alex Hubbard and Emily West

RANTS AND RAVES

out local happenings 10 Check

By Nick Georgiou

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

money, be creative with Halloween 12 Save costumes

13

By Claire Osburn Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’ a different color than signature style

By Jane Horne

OPINIONS

me policy and honesty: Debates need fact 14 Give checkers

By Richel Albright

SPORTS

soar for MT basketball after historic 15 Expectations prior season

By Jordan Powell

2 SIDELINES |Oct. 31, 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com

Island Wren, who will be performing at Just Love coffee shop on Nov. 16, practices in the quad. From left to right: Ben Godley, Chris Godley, and Clay Young. Not pictured: Cole Maness. Photo by Matt Masters.

This edition designed by Christine Craft

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NEWS

Nissan manufactures engineering job opportunities for grads continue to grow.”

Nissan has been an economic juggernaut in Rutherford County and the greater Middle Tennessee area since the Smyrna plant was constructed in 1983. It produces approximately 550,000 vehicles a year and brings a $440 million annual payroll to its employees in Middle Tennessee, according to Saia.

“Nissan has now added over 2,000 manufacturing jobs in Tennessee since mid-2011,” Saia said. “With recent growth, employment

Middle Tennessee State University owns two LEAF cars. Photo by Sarah Addleman.

By Quint Qualls Staff writer Nissan’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant revved up its production force, adding a third shift, 810 new positions and an increased demand for MTSU engineering technology graduates.

Nissan officials and Gov. Bill Haslam announced the expansion of its Smyrna facility’s workforce on Oct. 19.

Its assembly of vehicles is now a 24-hour operation for the first time in the history of the plant.

“The 810 manufacturing jobs have been added in support of the company’s aggressive growth and demand for its products in the marketplace,” said Justin Saia, Nissan North America spokesman.

Additionally, the extension of the plant’s hours and labor force will create opportuni-

ties for the university engineering technology students who have been working with Nissan for a number of years to provide post-graduate work and projects for students, according to a partnership announcement between the two institutions.

Opportunities for students at Nissan range from internships tocooperative education programs. Students are able to apply their experiences to real world problems and tasks for part-time and full-time employment.

“Our engineering technology department has worked with Nissan for many years by supplying graduates, class projects and co-op opportunities,” said Walter Boles, Department of Engineering Technology chairman. “We do have many students working

at Nissan, and the new expansion will provide opportunities for many more of our engineering technology graduates.”

The expansion represents part of Nissan’s current plan to localize vehicle production. According to a company press release, Nissan intends to have 85 percent of all merchandise sold in the United States produced in North America by 2015.

“Nissan continues to be a driving force in the local and regional economy,” said Holly Sears, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce vice president of economic development.

“The continued growth of Nissan has a significant economic impact due to the new jobs and payroll being created. In addition, as Nissan continues to grow, their suppliers

at Nissan’s Smyrna manufacturing facility exceeds 6,000 employees.”

The Smyrna plant manufactures the Nissan Altima, Maxima, Pathfinder and Infiniti JX. Later this fall, it will begin producing the fully-electric Nissan LEAF when it a new plant opens in Smyrna to make the vehicle’s lithium-ion batteries. It will be the first plant of its kind in the United States, according to a company press release.

The company donated two Nissan LEAF cars

to MTSU in late August.

The partnership between MTSU and Nissan North America will likely continue to create more opportunities for students, both educationally and in the workplace following graduation.

CRIME BRIEFS MISCELLANEOUS Davis Science Building Lot Oct. 22, 7:22 p.m.

While assisting a student with a vehicle problem, an officer was notified that an individual had a gun on campus. The complainant reported that this occurred in the parking lot of Beasley Hall. The complainant could not provide a name or description of the suspect.

DRUG ABUSE McFarland Health Services Lot Oct. 23, 2:09 a.m.

Authorities arrested Malik Armstrong, 18, on the charges of simple possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

ASSAULT Alumni Drive Oct. 25, 1:42 a.m.

Murfreesboro Police reported a robbery behind the Shell Station

on Rutherford Boulevard and broadcasted a description of the suspects. MT Police made contact with individuals fitting the descriptions.

While identifying the suspects, a struggle ensued. The suspects were arrested, and a handgun was recovered. Murfreesboro Police is handling the investigation, but MT Police is charging Charles Robertson, 19, with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and carrying a weapon on school property.

Murfreesboro Police is charging him with aggravated robbery, along with Shamari Cooper, 18.

ASSAULT Student Union Building Oct. 25, 12:52 p.m.

Authorities arrested Thomas Upchurch, 23, on the charge of domestic assault and issued a trespass warning.

THEFT Peck Hall Oct. 25, 5:05 p.m.

A complainant reported that her bicycle was stolen.

ALCOHOL Rutherford Boulevard Oct. 25, 11:30 p.m.

Authorities arrested Neil Clark, 18, on the charges of simple possession along with Matthew Presley, 19, on the charges of driving under the influence and simple possession.

VAGRANCY Student Union Building Oct. 25, 1:57 a.m.

Authorities escorted a non-student from campus. The subject was sleeping in the restroom.

SIDELINES | Oct. 31, 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com 3

NEWS

Student creates, sustains No. 1 business in ‘Boro

By Jessica Kryza Staff writer

To Timothy Meredith, graduation date is not an obstacle standing between him and the real world – he keeps one foot in academia and the other in the workplace as a local businessman.

Rutherford County citizens recently voted Meredith’s business the No. 1 Best Computer Services, winning one of the Daily News Journal’s 18th Annual Ruthies Awards Oct. 25.

A Murfreesboro native and junior at MTSU, Meredith owns and operates Cornerstone Computers. Taking his learning experience to a different environment, he learned about the industry at Computers Plus, a locally owned company that went out of business.

“I was the head technician there for about a year, and I worked there for about two years,” Meredith said. “I was actually the youngest technician in the company. I considered myself to be pretty successful there.”

During his work at Computers Plus, Meredith built the computer for the head of computational sciences department for the graduate program at the university.

Though Computers Plus went out of business, and Meredith lost his job, he reversed the situation and seized the opportunity to open a new store August 2011.

“I still had a good client base that I was able to bring with me [from

Timothy Meredith spends his time running a business and studying at MTSU. Photo by Briana Mailley.

Computers Plus] because I had done such a good job for a lot of people there that they would ask for me every time,” Meredith said.

Meredith said that he has a variety of customers who use his services, such as networking, pickup and delivery, computer repair and on-site services.

“I’d say, most often, it’s probably for virusrelated problems. I mean, when it comes to service like basic computer repair service, it’s probably the most com-

4 SIDELINES |Oct. 31 , 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com

mon issue just because, unfortunately, viruses are only going to keep on going up every year,” he said.

Meredith runs his business daily, and he juggles work and school, double majoring in computer science information and psychology.

“I definitely think that a degree is worthwhile to get,” Meredith said. “I do think I’ll keep learning things in the business that I may not learn with my degree, but it’s inevitable

that I’m going to learn a lot in my degree that I wouldn’t be able to in the business, and of course, it’s always nice to have that piece of paper if I ever do need to worry about a job in the future.”

In addition to his educational goals, Meredith is thinking of business plan that will further the business, while also checking websites such as Tom’s Hardware and Wired to research the latest advances in the computer world and avoid falling

behind in his studies.

“I like to have goals for short term and for long term,” Meredith said. “My short term goals are to obviously increase revenue as much as possible to maximize my location and make everything at this location as efficient as possible. Long term wise, my plans that I would like to see is in the service related area where there would be satellite locations in different towns. We would basically be centralizing the repairs and keeping

the repair center at one place.”

Cornerstone Computers is located at 810 N.W. Broad St., Suite 126 in Murfreesboro.

The store hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Students receive a 10 percent discount.

NEWS

New science building becomes more than plan

ability to be more active.

The building will have spaces for students to form groups and study.

There will be a white board in every nook and cranny, TV monitors for group interaction, and places for students to sit and do homework and research.”

Gov. Bill Haslam granted $126.7 million for the construction of the building, leaving the university to fund the other $19.3 million.

“Not just one person is in charge of the building,” said Greg Van Patten, the chemistry department chair. “The state has a lot of interaction along with several

he science building’s frame is standing to the left of the James E. Walker library. Photo by Matt Masters.

By Amber Dougherty Contributing writer Steel beams went up in early October, standing tribute to the progress of the four-year construction project that will eventually be a 252,000-square-foot science building, 30 years in the making.

Between the Davis Science Building and Wiser-Patton Building, the two science facilities no longer accommodate the space to house all of the professors, students and equipment needed for a top-notch learning environment. The building was designed for fewer than 10,000 students in the 1960s, but enrollment has tripled since then.

“The new building will change the way students learn,” said Tammy Melton, chemis-

‘‘

“The new building will change the way students learn,” said Tammy Melton.

try professor and member of the new building’s committee. “The space this building provides will not only enhance student-teacher interaction, but will correct issues with the equipment. Professors are there to teach students and ensure safety. We have fume hoods breaking and broken electrical outlets. Our students will acquire a new experience in science.”

While the new facility

will enable faculty projects and research, the purpose of the building is for students and will provide multiple benefits to university students.

“Let’s not forget the bottom line of MTSU – to educate students,” said George Murphy, professor and retired chemistry department chair.

“Science buildings must be designed as a science building.

Students will have the

persons at MTSU. Then you have the contractors, builders [and] movers. It is a group effort that will change science at MTSU for the better.”

The building will be comparable to other science facilities at universities across the state.

“It will be state-of the-art and as nice as anyone’s,” said Melton.

“We aren’t ordering technology until just before the opening. It will measure up nicely to any science buildings in the Southeastern region.”

The $146 million dollar building is slated to be fully functional in January of 2015.

FEATURES

Howell overcomes circumstance to win Fulbright

By Mary-Margaret Weatherford Staff writer “The first week of chemistry class I wrote in the notes about the “atoms,” the a-d-a-m’s,” said Kaitlen Howell, MTSU graduate.

Her large silver hoop earrings wiggled and swayed as she laughed at herself.

“After about a week my teacher wrote ‘atom’ on the board and I was like, ‘What is that word?’ I thought it was a play on words, you know, ‘Adam and Eve,’ the first beings,” she said, grinning widely.

Howell, 25, did not have the same educational background as most of her peers. She finished kindergarten and first grade, but she hardly attended school until coming to MTSU in 2006.

Despite her unusual educational background, she was awarded the Fulbright research grant in 2010 and was the third person in university history to achieve this award of academic merit.

About seven years ago, Kaitlen Shanna Howell of Murfreesboro didn’t exist. Her name was changed shortly before her eighteenth birthday, when she joined her adopted family. Prior to that, she lived with her biological family.

“It was a pretty miserable time in my life, to be honest. I was basically not allowed outside of my house, had no contact with the outside world, had no sense of safety,” Howell said.

She said that multiple people inside and

she was in and out of foster homes, and by 15, she entered Mercy Ministries of Nashville, a home for girls with life control or abuse issues. Here, she found a place to live, referring to it as a “house of healing.”

“I got a lot of healing from my past but also learned just how to address the issues in my life, even the hurts I carry,” Howell said.

She began moving toward gaining an education at Mercy, but was “terrified” of school.

Howell would pick up a dictionary and read it aloud, page after page.

The only real instruction given to her before she took the GED was how to write an essay. Despite this, she passed the GED, far exceeding the state requirements and her own expectations.

Howell remembers the first assignment she did in general science before taking the GED – it concerned human physiology.

“I remember learning about the valves on the veins – your blood has to go back to your heart and has to go against gravity,” she said with childlike curious excitement.

Howell rebuilt her life and succeded as a Fulbright Scholar. Photo courtesy of Kaitlen Howell.

This was the moment outside of her family was so bad that we had Howell began to consider her family did attend abused her throughout no choice but to have church on a regular basis. an academic career in her childhood. She said something different,” Church was the source of medicine. that she and her brother Howell said.

“I just thought it was Howell’s eventual freewere the “scapegoat” of It was critical for incredibly beautiful. It dom from her detriment the family, meaning they Howell and her brother was just stunning to me through the support of were targeted more than to escape. how functional and how her church community. other family members.

“I knew I wasn’t going well designed it was, and “With time, people a However, they were to survive if I didn’t get little bit forced their way that was kind of really a the only two who escaped out,” she said. “I had a continuation of my pasin, and I forced my way the destructive situation will to survive.” sion for medicine develout, and we met in the to become successful.

Though Howell oping,” she said. middle,” Howell said, “It’s almost like, for wasn’t allowed to have When she first came regarding the people of us, it was so bad — not social contact with the to MTSU, Howell didn’t her church. even normal bad — it outside world, she and skim chapters or skip From ages 13 to 15,

6 SIDELINES |Oct. 31, 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com

class. She would often study 16 hours a day, she said.

“It was almost an understanding that it is an impossible goal; I will never get there, but dang it, I’m going to give all I have to trying,” she said with gusto.

Howell said she didn’t want her past to affect her future.

“It was unfair — I was free, but then I wasn’t free, and so I had this motivation to get truly free from my past,” she said.

Howell’s first two years at the university fostered doubts, but by her senior year, she began to see progress.

“I was actually really shocked when I realized I’m there. You know? I made it,” Howell said.

She learned how to add fractions in calculus, and cried because she thought she had a ‘B’ with a 96 average in one of her classes.

“I had never been to school,” she said.

“I thought you had to get 100 percent to get an ‘A,’” she exclaimed with unashamed glee.

Needless to say, she did not have the typical college experience.

Howell tutored students throughout her college career. She said the best way to learn is to teach, and she still tutors today.

“I relish in getting to share that with someone else and helping them not to have a deficiency in their education and their learning,” she said.

She sees tutoring, teaching and mentoring as always being a

FEATURES

Howell and friends enjoy Afghani food while studying in Germany. Photo courtesy of Kaitlen Howell.

part of her life, and one day hopes to teach in medical school. Currently, she is applying to medical schools and hopes to attend Vanderbilt University.

Howell began her Fulbright journey with the application process, which considers grades, academic qualifications, relevant experience and personal character.

Howell said the absolute goal of the Fulbright’s existence is for mutual understanding between countries through research and to serve as an American ambassador.

Through the 10-month research grant, she completed the largest neurological study as of yet on cardiac arrest patients who were in a coma or a decreased state of consciousness.

She predicted patient

outcomes and observed whether they would wake up, recover or regain function. This led to the decision of whether to maintain life support after a patient goes into a coma.

“The brain is absolutely fascinating to me because it innervates every part of the body,” said Howell, explaining why she chose to focus on neurological functions.

Up to three of the 250 Fulbright students are chosen for a Fulbright internship, and Howell received the internship in addition to the research grant.

With this, she stayed in Germany an additional six months.

“I think that being an [American] ambassador in Germany was a very important part of my life. It’s something that I gained so much from,

and then I bring that back to America. I’m glad to carry that with me here.

I’m a different person because of my Fulbright experience,” she said.

Howell was originally planning to stay three to 10 more years in Germany for a master’s program, but love got in the way.

“We actually decided to get married before we decided to date,” she said, chuckling at the way she and Nathan, her husband, came together.

The two started dating six months after she had been in Germany. He was in Tennessee, and she was in Germany.

“Skype is a wonderful thing,” Kaitlen said smiling in an almost bashful way, her fair freckled cheeks turning a soft pink.

They married six weeks after she came

home from Germany, and they’ve been happily married for five months now, she said.

Recently Howell’s research was accepted by an international epidemiological conference in Portugal; there, she presented her findings from the study.

She said this in such a quick manner, like it was a normal thing for anyone to have presented before a congress in Portugal.

Howell said her professors truly made a difference in her life and contributed to her success – in particular Dr. Victor Montemayor of physics and Dr. M. Gore Ervin of biology. “[They] really helped me to get to the point where I was no longer just striving and feeling like I was just trying to make up for this gap but to really seeing what I loved and seeing my passion for learning and

for academia,” Howell said fervently. “They both teach with such passion and such skill.”

Howell confessed her favorite memories at the university are of her upper division biology and physics courses.

“I just felt like my brain came alive in those,” she said, giggling at that fact. “I know that I’m a nerd. I’m perfectly comfortable laughing at myself for being a nerd,” she divulged, tickled at the idea.

Howell advised current students to focus on what they need and love – not expectations of others.

“Really find your passion and pursue that. Pursue who you are and what you want to do yourself.”

COVER STORY

Presidential candidates campaigning for student, swing state v

By Alex Hubbard and Emily West Campus and community news editors With leads in five of eight true swing states, President Barack Obama could be a short distance away from reelection.

As both Obama and his Republican challenger, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, focus on the economy and gaining the preference of undecided voters in competitive states, the voter turnout is well underway.

“I wanted to have a thought process before I voted,” said Justin Cousineau, sophomore math and physics major.

“I am simply an American, and I try to have social philosophies and in-general thinking. I am a big fan of public programs and activism.

I consider myself left wing, and I plan on voting for Obama. Romney is in the complete opposite direction.”

After the secondlargest turnout of voters aged 18 to 29 in 2008, both candidates have devoted resources to the youth vote, but often the

issues for younger voters are the same as their older counterparts.

“I was brought up conservative,” said Abby Good, senior mass communication major.

“Even though my parents had those beliefs, I have formed my own, and I am for Romney.

He says he will cut spending, and I’d really like to see him be right about that.”

In addition to spending, education throughout the nation consumes another big portion of both candidates’ campaigns, as both try to figure out the most productive way to allocate money for schools and student loans.

“I think the fact that Obama is putting effort into a plan for student loans is a good reason for students to consider voting for him,” said Judy Whitehill, chairwoman of the Rutherford County Democratic Party. “Both he and Michelle had to have loans, and both had

debts they had to repay.

Obama realizes modern day students can’t ask parents for money as a lot of those parents are no longer in work, which means a lower possibility of them helping with the cost.”

But former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney used a spirited series of debates to narrow the race after debating all of those issues in several key states.

“If the election were today, President Obama would be reelected,” said Kent Syler, political science professor. “The question is what’s going to happen over the next 13 days – has the Obama campaign been able to stabilize things and stop the momentum that was building for Gov. Romney?”

Obama has leads in five of eight Sidelinesselected swing states, according to the Real Clear Politics average of polling numbers in those states.

Obama leads in Ohio,

Dale Sikkema represents the Republican party in a mock debate. Photo by Emily West.

8 SIDELINES |Oct. 31, 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com

Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and Wisconsin, while Romney leads only in Florida and Virginia. The two candidates are tied in Colorado.

Both the Tennessee Democratic and Republican parties heavily participated in rallying for their candidate by sending advocates for knocking door-to-door or making phone calls.

“From our standpoint, we want Tennessee volunteers to help with the swing states, whether it be making

phone calls or going door-to-door,” said Adam Nickas, executive director of the Tennessee Republican Party. “We are trying to use people as our primary resource and have been doing so, especially in the swing state of Ohio.”

However, the Tennessee Democratic Party headed east toward North Carolina and

Virginia.

“Over the past few weekends, we have taken teams of two or three dozen people to go knocking on doors,” said Brandon Puttbrese, Tennessee Democratic Party communication director.

“We want the voice of the president heard, and we know his campaign trail has not rested for a minute and are on the

COVER STORY

votes

Red states representative of Republican majority Blue states representative of Democratic majority White states representative of swing states

move for voters like gangbusters.”

While Romney leads in Florida, which contains the most electoral votes — 29 — of any of the swing states, most observers agree that Ohio is the key state.

No Republican presidential candidate has seen victory without the votes of Ohio, and a Democrat has done so

only twice.

But with a diverse range of interests and people, Ohio’s 18 electoral votes are tough to claim.

“Demographically, Ohio is very similar to the nation as a whole,” said Dan Birdsong, a political science professor at the University of Dayton. “What is more, the mix of urban, suburban and rural areas

make Ohio difficult to pinpoint issues that resonant with voters as well as coordinate get-outthe-vote efforts.”

Ohio cities such as Cleveland and Cincinnati often bring divergent political agendas to voting. These urban interests coupled with rural voters who come from coal-mining country means that many

candidates struggle to reach out to the entire state.

While the state’s TV airways serve as the primary conduit, the three presidential debates that have brought Romney within three points of Obama in Ohio and closer in other states, Syler said.

“The first debate gave him an opportunity to kind of step out of the 30-second attack ads and demonstrate to the people that he wasn’t as scary as he was made out to be and gave him an opportunity to appear presidential,” Syler said.

“I think the second and third debates, President Obama probably did better in both of them, but the first debate kind of set the tone, and Governor Romney has been able to ride that to a lead in most national polling.”

But national voting will not decide the race.

Instead the Electoral College, a system whereby individual states cast a number of votes equal to that state’s Congressional representation, will determine the next president.

In most states, the winner of the popular vote in that state will take all electoral votes the state can cast.

According to the Washington, D.C.-based Politico newspaper and website, which included North Carolina in its calculations to make nine swing states, Obama needs 33 votes to gain a 270-vote majority, while Romney requires 89 votes to get to 270.

The data assumes that all non-swing states will

2012 Election Viewing Party What: Students can participate and watch the votes and live coverage of the 2012 election Nov. 6. Sidelines, MT 10 and WMTS will be there making sure your voice is heard in this year’s election.

Admission is free and food is provided.

Election coverage will include the local elections along with the national broadcasts coverage streaming live. Multiple social media sites and news coverage will be screened on TVs The event is sponsored by MTSU Liberal Arts, Student Programming, Honors College, American Democracy Project and Center for Innovation in Media.

When: November 6 Time: 5 p.m. til 10 p.m.

Where: Student Union Ballroom not defy current trends and vote for the opposite candidate.

Even if Romney finished election night with Florida and North Carolina – once a swing state that many observers expect is now safely for Romney, a win will not be easy without Ohio.

Romney would have to win five of six remaining swing states, all of which voted for Obama in 2008.

SIDELINES | Oct. 31, 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com 9

RANTS AND RAVES October 31

Halloween Freak Fest 12th and Porter 114 12th Ave N., Nashville 8 p.m.

Ages: 18+ Admission: $5.

November 1

CMA Awards Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway, Nashville 7 p.m.

Admission: $114.50 - $551

November 1

The Kicks w/ The Black Cadillacs & Sequoyah 12th and Porter, 114 12th Ave. N., Nashville 8 p.m.

Ages: 18+

November 2

Oakland’s Mansion 900 N. Maney Ave. 9 a.m. to noon All Ages Admission: $5

November 4

Musicians Corner Album Release Show 3rd and Lindsley, 818 3rd Ave. S., Nashville 7 p.m.

Admission: $8 All Ages 10 SIDELINES | Oct. 31, 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com

Get your freak on – in costume, mind you, in Nashville at 12th and Porter for a Halloween Freak Fest. Gimm and Icky, a Nashville based rap/pop duo, will headline the dance party. Also, Nashville-based singer/ songwriter, Alyssa Bonagura, will be performing

songs off her latest record released earlier this month. Grim and Icky put on a high-energy show and are no strangers to the local bar scene. They frequent the infamous Monday night tradition, the Whiskey Jam at Winners bar near downtown Nashville. Expect to

jump, sway and put at least a hand or two in the air. To reiterate: dress to impress.

If you have an affinity for large crowds, cowboy hats and the secondhand stench of Marlboro Reds, then head up to Nashville for the CMAs at the Bridgestone Arena.

The top talent here in the country music capital of the world will be there in all their studded glory to

receive recognition and/ or playful scrutiny from their respected peers.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will be hosting the 46th annual event with performers such as Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Vince Gill, TSwift and people you’ve probably never heard of.

This is Brad and Carrie’s fourth year hosting together, and if you’ve ever watched the awards ceremony, you pretty much already know what to expect. If you don’t want to spend $551 on a ticket to the “biggest night in country music,” just buy some popcorn.

If you like good rock n’ roll, this is a show you don’t want to miss. Hailing from Little Rock, Ark., The Kicks put on a heavy show. They blend metal, pop and elements of punk with a sound you would expect from a power pop-punk band.

They’ve toured with

acts like The Donnas and Motley Crue, and they’re currently touring with The Black Cadillacs and Sequoyah, who will be opening up for The Kicks. From Knoxville, The Black Cadillacs are a more classic sounding rock band, claiming influences from The

Rolling Stones and The Who. And lastly, hailing from South Carolina, Sequoyah, who used to be Sequoyah Prep School until 2010, is a rock band that will start the night off right. Rock n’ roll.

The end of October and the beginning of November is arguably the most beautiful time of the year.

The leaves are changing, and the weather is getting cooler. Put on those old long sleeves, scarves and that jacket you forgot you bought last year to head out to Autumn in the

Oaks in Murfreesboro on the grounds of the Oakland’s Mansion. If you’ve never been, you’re in for a treat. You’ll be able to explore autumn-themed science, history and nature, all of which and that highlights the best parts of this time of year.

You can bring a picnic,

blanket and someone you care about for an unforgettable time in the fallen leaves. Your favorite pumpkin-spice latte is highly recommended.

You’ve probably heard of Musician’s Corner, the nonprofit that presents free music to the public.

To add to the awesomeness, the organization will be releasing an album featuring some awesome local acts and some nearby ones, as well. There will be the

local band, Colorfeels, and Atlanta’s own Nathan Angelo. Over the course of the Musician’s Corner season this past summer, the nonprofit recorded its first full-length album featuring 16 different artists. The profits from the album sales will keep free music events hap-

pening around Nashville.

Damien Horne will be performing along with other soulful acts, as well as an acoustic round featuring country bands like The Farm. If it’s in true Musician’s Corner fashion, it should be a good time with lots of good music.

RANTS AND RAVES November 3

Art Crawl Downtown The Arcade, 15 14th Ave. N., Nashville 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

November 3

An Evening with Anthony Bourdain TPAC, Andrew Jackson Hall, 505 Deaderick St., Nashville 8 p.m.

Admission: $15 & up All ages

For more news, sports and entertainment visit

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One of the best things about Middle Tennessee is the appreciation most for the arts. Not just music, but the visual arts as well. The first Saturday of every month, The Arts Company hosts an event in which visitors can browse galleries by artists

from all over. You’ll be refreshed and encouraged by the enormous amount of talent that can be found here, gallery after gallery. You won’t be disappointed. As advertised on the website, most galleries have free wine and other refreshments.

Usually you’ll find street musicians (all of them have homes and are very talented) littered along the road, hosted by the gallery they play in front of. They may not guarantee it, but you’ll gain some new perspective on art after a solid evening in downtown Nashville.

Is your stomach growling? It probably does when you watch Anthony Bourdain’s show on Food Network, and it might after An Evening with Anthony Bourdain where he’ll be sharing dispatches from his travels.

He’ll be in rare form at the Andrew Jackson Hall

in Nashville as he shares stories from the road and bits of his life’s work.

There will also be an open question and answer session where audience members can ask Anthony anything – like how he makes everything he eats look so darn good.

Anthony’s “No Reserva-

tions” is in its ninth season on the Food Network on Monday evenings.

If you still have no clue who he is, think food and travel hosted by “the bad boy of cuisine.”

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Save money, be creative with Halloween costumes

By Claire Osburn Contributing writer

Kara Anthony, a freshman liberal arts major, browses the racks at All Things Possible bargain center for costume ideas. Photo by Taylor Humphrey.

Following the masses into the nearest costume surplus store for your annual Halloween garb can leave you with little else but a $50 hole in your wallet and an unimaginative outfit.

So this year, get creative instead.

With so many places to draw inspiration from, and so many thrift stores to scour, why not this year go a little less “hot referee” – which you’re also freezing in, ladies – and get a little more original?

Perhaps the biggest appeal of DIY-ing it is that it is very cost effective, especially for us penny-pinching college kids. Most of the suggested costumes to follow can be created uniquely to your individual style with items you or a friend already have at home.

For those who want to participate, yet aren’t

particularly into costumes, get the best of both worlds by sporting a costume requiring little other than a hat and a color-coordinating outfit. For the traditional Halloween route, dress as a witch, a pumpkin or candy corn. Or go the animal path (via animal-ear headbands) by being a butterfly or a peacock, among the other basic animals. A rainbow, a Greek (god) dress, or even “paper, rock, scissors,” can all be achieved by simply pairing the right

headpiece or mask with solid-colored apparel. Same goes for the popular “flower child” choice, only try going more Hendrix and Joplin, rather than fake and commercialized with a ridiculous afro wig and a plastic peace sign necklace.

However, for those who want to throw back to the more classic nature of Halloween costumes, characters from “Mario,” the “Harry Potter” series or the currently huge superhero genre, are also

very doable. You do not have to spend a fortune on the generic, themed attire manufacturers create, when making it at home is far more cost efficient and will be just as effective. This outfit route is also a better option because you will avoid the disappointment of someone at the same party wearing the exact same thing as you.

If iconic is what you’re looking for in a costume, go for Wendy Adams (braids, peterpan collar and black), or an Edie Sedgwick

(late 60’s-black tights, big earrings, heavy eye makeup, cigarette) and Andy Warhol (hipster glasses and sleek, dark clothing). And we’re all at least familiar with the classic “Nightmare before Christmas” characters of Jack (black suit with white pinstripes – skeleton accents would help) and Sally (patchwork dress, red hair if possible). Margot and Richie Tenenbaum from “The Royal Tenenbaums,” would only require black eyeliner, straightened hair with a

Curtis Clark, a freshman behavior and human sciences major, tries on a wig at All Things Possible. Photo by Taylor Humphrey.

12 SIDELINES | Oct. 31, 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com

side clip and a faux-fur jacket for Margot, with Richie being complete with blublockers, a tennis headband and a suit jacket. Other cult classic films such as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Zoolander” also contain an array of fabulously weird characters one could easily imitate with a variation of their own wardrobe or thrift store finds.

Television shows, however, can also prove to be excellent source of inspiration, especially with themed shows such as zombies from “The Walking Dead,” vampires from “True Blood,” and medieval characters from “Game of Thrones.” All can be recreated with small purchases, such as fake blood, vampire teeth, fake swords and drab vintage clothing.

If worse comes to worse, you can ensure that “Green Man” and the hugely popular Psy from the “Gangnam Style” music video will always be greatly appreciated.

So, whatever Halloween costume idea you end up settling on, this is simply a request that you at least attempt at some form of originality and self-expression. This way, we won’t have multitudes of Lady Gaga’s running around, and more importantly, so you can save that green.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’ a different color than signature style

By Jane Horne Arts & Entertainment editor

Taylor Swift changes her style with new album. Photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Nashville’s countrypop princess Taylor Swift has made another mark on music history after her fourth album, Red, broke platinum in less than a week.

With her single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” being the only one off the album to gain considerable radio attention, fans weren’t sure what to expect from Red. There’s no denying that Swift is becoming more broadened in the musical genre, and her songs have less country music influences. Even her personal styling since the announcement of Red has become less girl-next-door, and more classy-meets-trendy.

While some may extend criticism for this, it comes as no surprise.

At 22, Swift is still taking chances with her music and discover-

ing who she is, which she’s done in fine form with her newest album.

As compared to Speak Now, which was written solely by Swift, Red is a mixture of Swift songs and collaborated songs with successful and celebrated songwriters in the pop music genre.

The mixture of purely Taylor-written songs with artists such as Max Martin and Shellback, both of who have written with Britney Spears, Maroon 5 and other pop artists, is noticeable. The pop sounds definitely come from the collaborated songs, while the Swift-written songs can still be noticed as purely Taylor.

“State of Grace” opens the album and was at the top of the iTunes charts when it was released a week before the album. It’s about the unexpected

arrival of a new romantic interest, and carries themes heard through the rest of the album, while still giving that fun, dance-around-yourroom feel that is typical of any first release of a Swift album.

The title track, “Red” is a perfect example of a Taylor Swift song.

Passion and heartbreak are paired with a chorus that makes you want to get up, sing along and momentarily reminisce on all your past relationships. “Treacherous,” “All Too Well,” “I Almost Do” and “Begin Again” are melancholic songs that don’t disappoint, and will make the favorite lists of Taylor fans everywhere.

Perhaps the most noticeably unique and outstanding songs on Red are “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “The Last Time.” There were

rumblings that there was a dubstep-influenced song on the album, and that made Swift fans everywhere a little nervous.

But “I Knew You Were Trouble” blends flawlessly with the rest of the songs. While the sound may be a little different than what fans are used to, the lyrics remain completely Taylor.

They are reminiscent of songs we saw on Speak Now, looking back on knowing that a guy was a bad choice, falling for it anyway.

“The Last Time” is a beautifully written song, and it makes complete sense that the voice featured on the track is Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol. While Swift has been criticized

for songs that have immature themes of love and heartbreak, this makes up for it with the simple message of demanding to be important to your romantic partner.

It’s also a nice follow-up on the album to “Stay Stay Stay,” a track that brings back memories of “Mean” on Speak Now with the simple, and fun lyrics.

And what would a Taylor Swift album be without the one track that has nothing to do with love? Where its only goal is to produce fun, dancing and a little bit of hope? “22” does just that with lyrics like “we’re happy, free, confused and lonely in the best way/ it’s miserable and magical.”

The song takes pride

in being young and having as much fun as you can with the friends that matter.

The success of Swift’s fourth album is just another reassurance that she is here to stay. Red is yet another album that belongs in any music lovers library that appreciates heartbreak, fun and moving on.

Fans aren’t quite sure what is coming next from Swift, but then again, the 22-year-old probably doesn’t know what she has planned next either. Until then, Swifties everywhere will be anxiously awaiting the announcement of the Red U.S. tour and for the cycle of music and love to “Begin Again.”

OPINIONS

Give me policy and honesty: Debates need fact checkers going to be honest and not your parents, but

By Richel Albright Managing editor

The election is less than a week away and Americans are either going to reelect President Barack Obama or give former governer of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, a chance to run things.

Either way, you have a choice to make.

Over the course of the past three weeks, Americans have watched Obama and Romney take cheap shots at one another in an election tradition we Americans like to call a debate.

Each night as I tuned in to see what each candidate would say next, in a desperate hope to figure out what they stood for, more times than not I found myself shaking my head at the television.

These debates are a waste of time and truly do not educate the undecided voters.

In a fast-paced society, many people don’t have the time or energy to sit down and truly look into each candidate’s campaign, along well as their past actions, to make a well-informed choice as to whom to elect.

So we turn to the news.

Well…we know Fox News isn’t going to air anything positive about Obama and MSNBC will undoubtedly find something to harp on the Republican party about. Now what?

So then we turn to the debates, to hear it straight from the pro-

Richel Albright

verbial horses’ mouths, though these days all they say seems to come from another end.

In the first debate Romney came out and took Obama, and America for that matter, by surprise. But aside from

‘‘

“lower taxes on middleincome families,” without explaining how he could do so without also increasing the deficit, according to FactCheck. org.

In the second debate, which was a town hall style, there were intense moments where I was fully expecting punches to fly, but instead the candidates stuck to the sparring of words.

Again, what did we really take away from this?

In what was possibly the most intense moment of the debate Romney criticized Obama’s response to the terror attacks in Benghazi, Libya, being spontaneous and not

Middle East.

This is where I’d like to propose the introduction of fact checkers at the actual debates.

This year has seen a flood of fact checkers calling out each candidate in nearly every speech, campaign ad and post-debate reports.

Sadly, most people don’t care enough to look into what was true and what wasn’t after the debates are over with.

Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing if each time a candidate was wrong or misleading a buzzer sounded and someone actually set them straight?

As a voting citizen, I want to give my vote to the person who is

I think it’s time we stop accepting their false statements and vague policy explanations and hold them to higher standards.”

learning that Mittens has an affinity for Big Bird and Obama’s claim that Romney has proposed a $5 trillion tax cut, what did we really learn in that first debate?

First of all, that $5 trillion tax cut isn’t true.

According to FactCheck.org, Romney claims to offset his rate cuts but not add to the national deficit. In the words of my favorite College Gameday anchor Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend.”

Romney also promised to “not reduce the taxes paid by highincome Americans” and

14 SIDELINES | Oct. 31, 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com

an act of terror. Obama fired back telling him to “check the transcript.”

Though Obama did call these attacks an “act of terror” on the day of said attack, he refrained from using the term again for a couple weeks until it was confirmed.

The third and final presidential debate was much more civilized than the previous two but still full of falsities, with mentions of naval ships and bayonets and just how many troops each candidate said should be left in the

Comic by Matt Masters.

straightforward with me, but how can we expect them to do so when no one is holding them accountable for blatantly lying each time they take the stage?

I know it will be years– at least four, but I anticipate many more– before any sort of talks to introduce an idea like this occurs. But I think it’s time we stop accepting their false statements and vague policy explanations and hold them to higher standards.

If you’re going to ask for my vote tell me point blank, without criticizing your opponent, what your policy is and how you expect to achieve it and don’t make excuses for anything you have or have not done.

I’ve already cast my ballot, and I encourage you to do so too. But take a deep look at each candidate and yourself.

What do you stand for? Not your peers,

you. Make an educated and informed decision, you’ve still got time to take a good look at each candidate, you may be surprised by what you learn.

In the words of Tony Snow, journalist and former press secretary to President George W. Bush, “Voting is a right best exercised by people who have taken time to learn about the issues.”

SPORTS

Expectations soar for MT basketball after historic prior season

By Jordan Powell Staff writer

The Middle Tennessee men’s basketball team is looking to keep the momentum of last year’s historic season going as they prepare to enter this season as the unanimous selection to win the Sun Belt East Division.

The Blue Raiders’ historic 27 wins in 2011-2012 marked the most wins in a season in school history, earning them a spot in the National Invitation Tournament. MT went on to make a deep tournament run, falling only one game short of a trip to Madison Square Garden for the NIT semifinals.

The team has won two Sun Belt Championship in three years overall.

This year, expectations are again sky high, as MT was unanimously elected to win the Sun Belt East Division by the Sun Belt Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Blue Raiders have even received votes in a pair of national Top 25 preseason polls.

“We’ve got 11 of our top 13 back. We lost two seniors . . . but I feel really good,” said Head Coach Kermit Davis.

One of the two seniors was LaRon Dendy, the 2012 Sun Belt Player of the Year who joined the Washington Wizards’ summer league team and is currently playing for the Greek team Kolossos, a member of Europe’s A1 League.

The returning group is led by Marcos

Knight, a senior guard and the only returning player to start every game last season.

Knight averaged 11.8 points a game last year, making him the Blue Raiders’ top returning scorer. Joining Knight is senior forward JT Sulton and senior guards Bruce Massey and Raymond Cintron. The four seniors also represent Middle Tennessee on the preseason All Sun Belt team.

“We’re going to need a lot of those guys to make up for Dendy,” Davis said. “Dendy’s got this ‘it’ factor. He just has this swagger that, you walk into an arena and are playing UCLA, Ole Miss or Tennessee, he just brings that ‘we’re fixing to win the game.’ Bruce Massey has it. Marcos Knight has it. We’ve got a lot of toughness on our team and they play with . . . personality and . . . enthusiasm.”

Also looking to bolster the team’s success this season will be University of Texas El Paso transfer Jason Jones, who returns after an injury-plagued 20112012 season. Jones was hampered in preseason practice by a hamstring injury, but will look to return the form that saw him finish eighth in the Sun Belt in scoring his sophomore season.

After last year’s victories over UCLA, Ole Miss, and Tennessee and a hotly contested loss against Vanderbilt in Nashville, the Blue Raiders have March Madness in their sights.

“For me, the biggest thing is making, and

winning, the NCAA tournament,” Knight said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”

Junior guard Kerry Hammonds expressed his expectations to win a third conference championship in four years and earn a NCAA tournament berth.

“If you don’t get that, it’s a bust,” Hammonds said.

Although, like many other coaches, Davis does not necessarily buy into preseason projections. The all-time winningest coach in school history received a new five-year contract earlier this year and welcomes this season’s expectations.

“Our expectations are obviously to get a little bit better every single day,” Davis said.

“We just got picked to win our league, which doesn’t mean anything, but it’s always great to have expectations.”

While many seasoned Blue Raiders return to the court, MT has a pair of newcomers in juniors Neiko Hunter and Trantell “Tweety” Knight, who are ready to make an immediate impact similar to the way that Marcos Knight, Dendy and Massey did after transferring in last season. Tweety, the younger brother of Marcos, is likely to add some chemistry to the team in joining his brother on the court and in the locker room.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen two brothers that are so much alike.

And they just like to be around each other,” Davis said. “They’re just good. They really enjoy

Guard Bruce Massey was a crucial part of the Blue Raiders’ 2011-2012 season, including the NIT win at Tennessee. Photo Courtesy of MT Athletic Communications.

playing with each other on the court.”

Davis said that the junior has been challenging Massey at the guard position.

“Tweety brings a lot to the table as a point guard Bruce (Massey) is a great defender and Tweety is just as good, if not a better defender, than Bruce,” Hammonds said.

Knight will have to prove himself on the court in order to take the starting job from Massey, who had 131 rebounds and 134 assists last year.

The Blue Raiders do not just play to win; they play for their fans.

“One of the most pleasing things for our players and I was seeing the student body come

back in great numbers, and we had one of the best student sections in college basketball last year,” Davis said.

Last year, MT fans helped the team post the sixth largest increase in college basketball attendance in the nation.

Davis said that one expectation for this season is to see the fan base and the support of the student body increase and continue to grow.

Davis also said that he wants to run a student-friendly program that encourages attendance.

“We hope [attendance] picks up on Nov. 9 where it left off,” Davis said. “The student body is absolutely the most exciting thing in that arena. It helps our

players win games.”

The Blue Raiders have a tough, nonconference schedule this year. MT will face the 10th-ranked Florida Gators in addition to again playing Ole Miss and Vanderbilt this season.

The Florida and Vanderbilt games will be held at a neutral location and the Ole Miss game will be held at the Murphy Center.

MT will host its first exhibition match at home against the Auburn-Montgomery Senators Nov. 5 at 7 pm.

The Blue Raiders’ first game of the regular season will be against the Alabama State Hornets Nov. 9 at the Murphy Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

SIDELINES | Oct. 31 , 2012 | www.mtsusidelines.com 15

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