2015 Spring Fever

Inside this issue Outdoor activities on and off campus Hayes Stadium profile Spring event calendar And more!

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UNC Charlotte Geese Super foods Spring cleaning Op-Ed: Internships Outdoor activities Hayes Stadium Spring event calendar Apartment plants

Editor-in-Chief

Megan Van Emmerik Spring Fever Expo Coordinator

Morgan richards

Niner Media Adviser: Wayne Maikranz

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@Niner_Times

Writers and Contributors

Eden Creamer Creative Director

Follow us on social media

Edward Averette, Patrick Bogans, Sara Carson, Matt Chapman, Ben Coon, Salina Dickie, Amanda Duke, Alyssa Fronk, Sean Grier, Diane Gromelski, Jessica Hubbard, Benjamin Robson, Leanna Pough, Jordan Snyder, Sydney Stephens, Linnea Stoops, Vivian Westra, Joshua Wood

Marketing Adviser: Kelly Merges

Business Manager: Laurie Cuddy

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Circulation team

Student Union Loading Dock Team

Marketing Director Emmanuel Loredo

Marketing and Sales

Natalie Chan, Sean Grier, Andrew Hocutt, Kayla McCall, Dylan Robison, Tia Warren

Graphics & Production: Pete Hurdle

Office Manager: Mark Haire

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Photo by Ben Coon

Tame the winged beast Ever wondered why there are so many geese on campus? Wonder no longer Edward Averette staff writer

During the spring, you may see tan and brownbodied geese occupying ponds and walking across grassy fields at UNC Charlotte.

Based on estimates over the past three years, 30 to 40 of these birds permanently call the university home, with the potential for more every year.

“We think it’s our campus. Well, they don’t care.

They think it’s their territory,” said UNC Charlotte professor and animal behaviorist Stan Schneider.

Known for their characteristic honks and flying V-formations, Canadian geese often travel in pairs or flocks and sometimes bring traffic to a stop near Hechenbleikner Lake, and that’s just outside of breeding season.

“You know they’ve laid eggs when they start to chase students away from their nests, though students after just think the geese have personal vendettas against them,” said UNC Charlotte biology professor Aaron Kampe.

In April 2014, Hunt Hall Residence Coordinator Leigh Prouty sent out an email warning of a goose hissing, charging and flapping its wings around a nest outside the residence hall. Schneider says these signs of aggression are common during breeding season (March to June), because geese are “defending their nest.”

The international Canadian goose population today is quite different than it was back in the early 20th century, when the species was in decline due 4

to overhunting and loss of habitat.

As the migratory wintering population of this species declined rapidly in North Carolina, conservation efforts were introduced to stabilize the numbers of geese.

“In the end, ironically enough, the populations established from conservation efforts have now exploded beyond control, which has resulted in large populations of feral geese,” said Kampe.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission estimates that the population of resident Canadian geese exceeds 100,000 with a migratory population of 10,000 to 12,000 during the winter.

“We’re creating the problem of more and more Canadian geese, then we turn around and complain there are more and more Canadian geese,” said Schneider.

For Schneider the solution starts with allowing the geese to find their own food instead of feeding them, which can interrupt their migratory cycles and displace other species of waterfowl.

“My bottom line is we should treat them with respect because they live here too,” he said. “Part of treating them with respect is not interfering in their natural lives. Don’t feed them, don’t pester them and let nature reassert itself, and over time that can help bring the crowding under control.”

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PEANUTS AND POPCORN SPRING IS THE PERFECT TIME TO START EATING HEALTHY, SO TRY SOME OF THESE SUPER FOODS Eden Creamer

Editor-in-chief

Avocado By now you’ve already heard that avocado is a super food. If you were to eat an entire avocado, you’d get about 975 mg of potassium, 14 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. Not only that, but avocados are rich in Vitamins B and C. One of the easiest and yummiest things you can do with an avocado is make a mash on any sort of breading. My favorite is lightly charring some pita in the oven and mashing an avocado over top with goat cheese and paprika.

Grilled cheese with baked avocado and egg can be a delicious and healthy spring breakfast. Photo by Joshua Wood

Cranberries

Kiwifruit

One of the less appreciated berries, cranberries are very good for you. One cup of cranberries is only 46 calories, but is packed with potassium and Vitamin C. For ladies, specifically, cranberries can help fight the bacteria that cause urinary track infections and have been proven to ward off breast cancer.

If you love cranberries like I do, you might consider not even cooking them. Dried cranberries are delicious snacks during the day, and drinking 100 percent cranberry juice can be very refreshing.

Tiny and delicious, the kiwifruit or just kiwi, is super low in calories, super high in nutrition and super adorable. If you were to eat a whole kiwi, you’d get about 215 mg of potassium, 106 percent your daily dose of Vitamin C and only 42 calories.

Kiwis can make perfect spring desserts. You can make a delicious faux-ice cream by taking two kiwis and a cup of strawberries (all frozen) and pulse them in the food processor with a little water and sugar. Easy and refreshing.

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Clean up your act spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a pain. make it easy with these simple tips Jessica Hubbard intern

It’s that time of year again. The flowers are starting to bloom, the sun stays out later and we are all working to finish the semester.

This time of year also means it’s time to declutter our lives and do some spring cleaning.

If you are like me, cleaning is not a fun activity. It can be boring, tedious and occasionally confusing.

How do we decide what to keep and what to throw away?

Start with making a list. The list should have categories organized by rooms or areas of your home and should be as detailed as possible. The more details you have, the more you will be able to check off as you go.

After you make your list, pick a reasonable time frame and decide where you want to begin. A time frame will give you motivation, but make sure it’s doable. You don’t want to end up disappointed.

It may also help if you make a cleaning playlist.

Try to make one that gets you energized.

While you are cleaning, it may be fun to “reminiscence” on old photos or memorabilia. Give yourself a 30-second nostalgic moment, then keep going. Getting focused on one item for too long will set you off pace and cause stress later on.

The hardest thing may be throwing stuff out.

Old magazines must go. After you read it once,

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you probably will not read it again, so throw them out.

Go through your books, too. Consider donating any books you no longer read or may not have liked. There are plenty of people out there who would love them.

Getting rid of clothes you never wear can also be extremely challenging. Don’t give yourself more than five seconds to decide what to do with a piece. If you haven’t worn it in a year, then it’s gone.

You may want to limit the number of hangers in your closet. Pick a number, and this will keep your closet neat and your chaos downsized.

Don’t forget to make the bed when you leave the bedroom. A messy bed can make the room appear messier than it is.

You can also throw away receipts and unnecessary bills or documents. If you aren’t a fan of throwing those documents away, there are many applications you can use to keep track of finances, and documents can be stored in an organizer.

While you are working on decluttering your home, think about the rule of five. In every room plan on throwing away at least five items, whether it is a magazine, an old toy, some trash or just something you haven’t used in a while.

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Opinion: Quit clowning around

Internships can be a great way to get meaningful experience while in college, so don’t waste your time this spring. Start looking now Sean Grier

staff writer

Students enrolled at UNC Charlotte are in an unique city that allows them to chart their own course. Internships are a great path to take during the normal academic year and over the summer.

Students can gain experience while engaging in some of the best business practices, learn how to be socially aware and how to market themselves for the future.

Students in the Queen City are surrounded by diverse industries that appeal to most majors offered on campus. Whether you are a criminal justice major or communication studies major with a concentration in mass media, you can find relevant experience in Charlotte, and it helps that one of our bus lines connects University City to Uptown.

It doesn’t matter if you are interning at Bank of America, Ally Financial or the Charlotte Hornets.

What does matter is putting your best foot forward to make sure your résumé either reflects or improves upon your transcript. There is a relevant saying on this matter: “Who you know will get you in the door, but what you know will keep you there.”

This is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest laws, regulations, business practices and, in some cases, shifts in personnel. Students forget the importance of presenting themselves as wellrounded, and internships can help showcase that characteristic.

Don’t forget, your professors and advisors are some of the most important people in your life.

Go to their office hours, email them regularly and maintain communication with them even after you’ve excelled in their course.

Most professors have extensive insight into your career field of choice and can help guide you. Most of my internships and volunteer opportunities happened because a professor either referred me or because they wrote a letter of recommendation on

my behalf. It is all about networking and excelling.

Never forget why you are in school. The university wants you to graduate. Your mom wants you to graduate with honors. But in the end, the goal is to be better prepared for a 21st century workforce and create a platform of knowledge and experience that makes the real world less of a challenging journey and more of an adventure.

Go see your professors and advisors. Check course listings for internship courses. That way you can receive academic credit and work experience, getting the most out of your college career. There are multiple paths to take in college; make sure the path with internships is one of them.

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ways to l and th e p o sition

Beef up your résumé. Without lying,

make sure your résumé really sells you and your qualifications.

Cover letter like a pro. Since your cover letter is going to be the first thing potential employers see, learn how to be polite and respectful while showing off your ambition.

Network. Professors and staff on campus have been involved in their fields for long enough to know some people. Never underestimate the power of that relationship. look around. Check online job boards, classified sections and company websites. You never know where the internship of your dreams will be posted.

Don’t limit yourself. Temporary or for-hire work can sometimes be a great substitute for a summer internship. Don’t just limit yourself to the title “intern.”

Dress to impress. You wouldn’t show up to a full-time job interview looking not put together, so why would you go to an internship interview like that?

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NT File Photo

Think outside the big top There are plenty of fun things to do outside, you just have to know where to look

Sydney Stephens staff writer

Spring in the Carolinas is one of the best and most refreshing times of the year. The end of the academic year is finally in sight and the weather, no matter how unpredictable, is beginning to show days of blissful warmth. On the nice days, there is nothing better to do than take a break from a dorm room, an apartment or the stuffy library and go outside to lavish in the sunshine or stare at the Carolina blue sky.

There are plenty of things to do outside, whether on-campus or off. Make the most of the spring season and experience the outdoors.

If you are in a hurry between classes and only have a few minutes, eat lunch outside. There are plenty of spaces on campus that have picnic tables and benches so you can take a few minutes out of the day to create a relaxing time for yourself while enjoying the weather.

If you live on campus and have limited access to 10

transportation, there are plenty of outdoor activities that do not require leaving school.

UNC Charlotte has many fields available for student use. While the recreational fields have limited hours, the front fields at the main entrance

The Botanical Gardens on campus are beautiful places to enjoy Mother Nature close to academic buildings. Photo by Ben Coon

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Photo by Linnea Stoops

to campus are always open to students. Many students lounge on the fields with friends to work on their suntans, while others throw Frisbee or play pick-up games of soccer. This informal area is a prime spot on campus for leisure or competition.

Campus organizations frequently host events here as well, such as the Holi Moli event hosted every spring by the Campus Activities Board.

If you enjoy playing sports outdoors, there are a few places on campus you can go with friends to have a friendly challenge. There are tennis courts on campus near the front fields, basketball courts by East Deck and a sand volleyball court on the south side of campus.

Reedy Creek is a fantastic off-campus option, with plenty of walking trails and a dog park. Photo by Sydney Stephens

If you enjoy walking, the Toby Creek Greenway is a two-mile greenway that goes through campus.

This is a great way to enjoy UNC Charlotte as well as the surrounding areas, as it connects to the Mallard Creek Greenway.

If you have an appreciation for nature, explore the Botanical Gardens. The outdoor gardens are open every day during the daylight hours for visitors to enjoy the plants and flowers.

Off campus, there are plenty of local fun things to do outdoors.

Reedy Creek Park, located just minutes away from campus, is a great place to spend a day. It has almost everything a college student could want in an outdoor venue for a fun afternoon.

There are miles and miles of different hiking trails where people can walk or jog. There is a dog park to take furry loved ones for an outing. There are also sand volleyball courts and basketball courts available for public use. Perhaps one of the greatest attractions this park has to offer is the disc golf course. This 18-hole course is fun yet very challenging and is a popular weekend destination for UNC Charlotte students.

Each of these outdoor places is free and accessible for students. Get outside and enjoy the final month of school before exam week.

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Photo by Benjamin Robson

Inside the grandstand Robert and miriam Hayes stadium has plenty to offer for fans of the great american ballgame Matt Chapman sports editor

Nothing symbolizes spring and warmer weather quite like an afternoon at the ballpark watching the Charlotte 49ers baseball team compete against some of the best competition in the country for nine innings. Robert and Miriam Hayes Stadium has been the home of Niner baseball since its opening in 2007, providing an outstanding venue for fans of America’s game in University City.

StadiumJourney.com named Hayes Stadium the best college ballpark in North Carolina, and the No. 22 overall collegiate stadium in the country.

“Charlotte baseball provides the perfect complement to the culture of athletic success on the campus,” said Brian Wilmer in his review for Stadium Journey.

“With over 100 49er victories in the facility since the first fans walked through the gates, Charlotte fans enjoy a relatively modern facility in which to watch their home nine enjoy a home-field advantage.”

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The home of the Niners not only plays host to every Charlotte home game, but has also housed multiple North Carolina high school state championship games and the 2013 Atlantic 10 tournament. The stadium capacity is listed at 3,000, but the largest crowd recorded grew as high as 3,236 with standing room only space available on the lawn down the left and right field lines.

The facility features one of the best concession stands in the country, including several items from Bojangles’ that bring a true North Carolina taste to the ballpark. Niners fans can also enjoy cheeseburgers, Philly cheese steaks and bratwurst, listed as “All-Star Items” on the menu.

The dimensions at Robert and Miriam Hayes Stadiums are marked at 335 feet down the left and right field lines and 390 feet to straightaway center field. Bermuda grass grows in the outfield, but like most other parks in America, Charlotte is planning on installing field turf in the coming years.

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Photo by Benjamin Robson

The stadium underwent a $55,000 renovation before the 2013 season, extending the two dugouts and adding a batting cage down the right field line. The scoreboard experienced an improvement prior to the 2008 season, and in-game promotions create a quality game day experience for the Niner faithful.

“Many of the school’s athletic facilities are visible in the distance, including those for softball, basketball and the shared facility for soccer and track and field,” said Wilmer.

“These views, along with the accompanying academic buildings in the background, really give the fan a sense of location and an attractive visual interest.”

Not only do fans in University City enjoy some of the nicest amenities in the nation, the product on the field has enjoyed a good bit of success throughout the 36-year history of the program.

Charlotte has reached the NCAA Tournament five times, most recently in 2011. The 49ers have also won seven conference titles, including two in the Metro Conference and five in their recent stint with the A-10.

Head coach Loren Hibbs has been at the helm of the program for 22 seasons and is closing in on 700 career victories. Hibbs has earned two Conference Coach of the Year honors during his tenure and his 689 wins rank him in the top 50 amongst winningest active coaches in the country.

The Niners have also produced quite a few professionals since their inaugural season in 1979.

Forty-six former players have been selected in the Major League Baseball draft. Most recently, starting pitcher Ryan Butler was selected in the seventh round of the 2014 draft, after just one season in Charlotte.

The 49ers have struggled the past two seasons after joining Conference-USA as Hibbs continues to build a roster fit for one of the best baseball conferences in the nation. The 2015 squad is loaded with talent, but lacks playing experience with 23 underclassmen on the 30-man roster.

Considering the hazing investigation that resulted in the departure of four key players, this year’s Niners have been impressive despite just a 7-12, 1-8 record midway through the season. Charlotte posted a 1-0 shutout over recent powerhouse N.C. State early in the season.

True freshman Brett Netzer has been a pleasant surprise, starting all 19 games this season and posting a .361 batting average with 11 RBIs. Sean Geoghegan and Josh Maciejewski have been solid on the mound for the Niners, each posting a sub3.50 ERA through five starts this season. Logan Sherer has been lights out in the closer role despite struggling at the dish after leading the team in home runs during his freshman year.

Anyone who’s been following the 49ers this season can see the potential all over the field.

Another year of experience and a solid recruiting class should generate some excitement for the Niner faithful at Robert and Miriam Hayes Stadium in the years to come.

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IN THE CENTER RING AS THE SEMESTER WINDS DOWN, TAKE SOME TIME TO DO SOMETHING ENTERTAINING Patrick Bogans staff writer

Ah spring, the unofficial beginning of great entertainment for the masses. And the official beginning of Benadryl flying off the shelves. But let’s stick with the former. Here is a list of some events happening in entertainment up until the end of the semester.

LIVE MUSIC

Tyler the Creator - Fillmore Charlotte - April 29 The far too wild, and lyrical flamethrower Tyler the Creator is stopping at the Fillmore at the end of April. The ring leader of alternative hip-hop powerhouse Odd Future will present his aggressively creative persona in person with Taco Bennett.

Fried” roots, incorporating electric guitars and surrounding vocals in new singles like “Heavy is the Head” and “Homegrown.” Looks like “Jerykll and Hyde” will have some good southern rock ‘n’ roll tracks, and Charlotteans can make sure to catch them in June at PNC Music Pavilion.

Mumford and Sons - Wilder Minds - May 4 It’s time to be happy for two reasons. One, Mumford and Sons is actually releasing a new album after a hiatus-type-thing. And two, the new album won’t be the “Sigh No More” sequel that “Babel” ended up being. Just look at Marcus Mumford and his sons looking super suave and

Needtobreathe with Ben Rector - Uptown Amphitheater - May 9 On what is definitely the opposite side of the music spectrum, Christian folk/country rockers Needtobreathe are swinging by the venue at the NC Music Factory for the Tour de Compadres. Listen to their even more gospel-infused revamp of “Brother” featuring Gavin Degraw and tell me it’s not great.

ALBUMS

Zac Brown Band - Jerykll and Hyde - April 28 That fun country from Zac Brown Band is back again with “Jerykll and Hyde.” But the band has come a long way from their country “Chicken 18

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Zac Brown, of the Zac Brown Band.

Photo courtesy of Southern Reel

MOVIES

Avengers: Age of Ultron - May 1 A sequel to “The Avengers,” one of the highestgrossing and generally awesome films of alltime, is finally being released. Teaser trailer after teaser trailer has been released to fans and casual moviegoers alike, and the day for “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is almost here. Hold on to your butts, ladies and gentlemen.

Even after all those trailers, all we know is that Ultron is attempting to destroy the world, and more importantly, the Avengers. After all those trailers, we still know relatively nothing. And that’s awesome and exciting.

Unfriended - April 17 The “Paranormal Activity” franchise will more than likely be transforming into an “Unfriended” franchise really soon. But remember how the first “Paranormal Activity” was actually pretty good

Photo courtesy of The Avengers official Facebook page

well, electric, in the promotional photos for “Wilder Mind.” One track, “Believe” is already out on the SpotiTunes, and promises a nice, Killers-type vibe from a band with soulful beginnings.

and innovative for the modern horror genre?

That’s what this movie promises to be as well, with its strong appeal to its demographic. After a party girl gets cyberbullied and humiliated to the point of suicide, she hauntingly comes back with an vengeance, looking to find exactly who was responsible for her utter humiliation. “Unfriended” looks like a movie that won’t buffer at the box office.

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Showstopping plants It couldn’t be easier to have healthy, beautiful plants in your apartment or dorm this spring Vivian Westra

staff writer

The flowers and trees are beginning to bloom and liven up campus, so why not liven up your room too? Plants and flowers can automatically brighten up any room they are placed in.

Cacti One of the best and easiest plants to have in your living space would have to be cacti. They are very independent because they only need minimal care and attention. Cacti are also very beautiful when they bloom in the spring and summer and can really brighten up a room.

There are many different types of cacti depending on where you live, but the best kind to get are usually from home improvement stores. Most already come with a pot and instructions to care for them.

Snake plant Snake plants are perfect if you do not have a green thumb or have never been able to keep any type of plant alive. It does not need very much attention and handles neglect very well. They can withstand little sunshine and are do not require much water. This plant is very nice to look at because of its cool shape and unique colors.

Zeezee plant These plants are commonly called the eternity plant because they stay alive for such a long time.

It does not require much sunlight or water. The Zeezee plant grows very slowly and is a very cool looking plant. This plant is also perfect if you travel often and do not have time to care for it.

Spider plant Spider plants are one of my favorite indoor plants because they are so lively and bright. They come in so many different colors and varieties. They can come as a plain green or even have cream and white stripes. These plants are very appealing to the

eye and are also very low maintenance.

Jade plant The jade plant is one of the most interesting looking plants I have ever seen and one of the easiest to take care of. It can literally withstand years without water as long as it has light and stays dry. The jade plant is more of a tree than a plant due to its independence and cool branches.

All of these plants are perfect for a dorm or apartment and are also beautiful and unique. Also convenient about these plants is that if you go on vacation or just go home for the weekend, the plants will be completely fine for a couple days without attention or water.

I have a bunch of cacti in my room and it makes a world of a difference. It brings such life to my room and always makes me happy when I see them. If you have the luxury of having porch or patio, the options for plants are endless. If you want to see more life around your patio, try planting flowers outside and start to see bees, butterflies and hummingbirds stop by.

Cacti are easy windowsill plants. Photo by Eden Creamer

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