2006-2007 Peru State Times (Peru, NE) - issues 1-10

Improved AWAC ·coming to Peru in 2008

PHUONG TRAN

'Assistant Editor

basketball. A full court basketball court will exist within the reconfiguration. The track will be reduced to a walking/jogging configuration around the edges of the three courts.

After graduation in May 2007' A second floor will be added to the Peru State College will start the Al AWAC. This floor will house coachWheeler Activity Center (AWAC) es' offices, athletic training facility, renovation/addition proiect to traris, reception's offices, a conference form the building into a multipur- room, storage rooms for athletic pose facility for students, faculty, equipment and the health center. staff and Peru residents. The new Because AD Majors is on unstable AWAC will be ready for graduation footing, a new parking lot, which in May 2008. . accommodates about 76 parking

The first floor of the renovated _ spots will be put in the building's · AWAC will contain four team spac:. rooms for volleyball basketball· ''The estimated budget for the renteam_s and a new weight A ovation is $5,304,605. The funding room will be is from Legislative Bill 605. That bmlt for v1s1ting teams, pool and bill has a plan whereby the Board of community usage. Trustees of the Nebraska State

The first floor will also feature a new wooden competition floor, which will be recessed into the allpurpose surface, for volleyball and

Colleges will sell revenue bonds to raise the funds for the construction project and then the State will pay half the debt service on the bonds

for the next 14 years. The other half is paid from the Capital Improvement Fee paid by students," wrote Linda Jacobsen, vice president for Administration and Finance.

The Clark Enersen Parmers, who designed the new lil)rary, the Academic Resource Center (ARC), and the Hoyt Science's addition, are the architects for the AWAC project. They have assured the college that 12 months is a sufficient amount of time to complete the renovation. The architects are working on the design and the construction documents, and plan on completing the documents by March l, 2007 so that the bidding process can start. On April 2, 2007, bids will be received; and the project will be opened on the same day.

Plans have been made to manage sport events that happen between May 2007 and May 2008. Away

games are scheduled as often as possible. The college also worked with Johnson-Brock High School, Auburn High School and Tarkio College to host some of the games.

Jacobsen has revealed on an e-mail that a practice facility will be built on the south of the baseball field for all sports to use during this period of time; afterward, it will be the indoor practice facility for the baseball and softball teams.

Regarding the AWAC renovation, President Ben Johnson is the chief decision maker and final authority.

He has reviewed the plans and has participated in the planning sessions. And Jacobsen is one of the people who made this project come true. She has consulted with Richard Speas, the Athletic Director, and other coaches. They are working together with the architects to solve problems and make decisions about theAWAC project.

"It is very important for students to attend the on-campus activities that include the athletic events. They need to come out and support their teams," said Jacobsen.

Peru State College is making changes to satisfy its current students, attract prospective ones, and respond to its impressive increase in enrollment. Some major projects are: the Hoyt building's Vrtiska Addition, which was completed in the spring of 2002; the completion of the new library in mid April of 2003; the transformation of the old library to the new ARC In the spring of 2004; and most recently is .the AWAC renovation.

Jacobsen has mentioned that .the college plans to do some more renovations on Morgan and Delzell as funds become available. PSC students and the community are looking forward to seeing the college's transformation.

Hurricane Katrina and the healing of our nation

MICAH HILL Staff Writer

Hurricane Katrina was one of the most deadly and expensive hurricanes in the history of the United States. It was the sixth strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the third largest to actually move across American soil.

Hurricane Katrina formed in late August 2005 over the Bahamas and devastated the Caribbean before moving over parts of Florida as a Category One· Storm. It then strengthened rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico before unleashing its fury as a Category Five hurricane on the U.S. coast, causing catastrophic devastation to Louisiana and most notably New Orleans, La. and Biloxi, Miss. Katrina's sheer size devastated the. American coast 100

miles from its center.

This storm not only affected people ,who lived. in its path, but also American trust in the government's ability to respond to disasters. The nation watched stunned, as days went by with no official government assistance while the people of the devestated areas became desperate for clean water, food, clothes and other basic necessities.

Of the 60,000 people stranded in New Orleans, the Coast Guard rescued over 33,500. Approximately 58,000 National Guard personnel were activated to deal with the storm's aftermath, with troops coming from all 50 states.

Early _in September, Congress authorized a total of $62.3 billion in

Pluto gets downgraded

TUYET-VAN SANSONE Staff Writer

Determined by vote at the meeting of the International Astronomical Union in Prague, Pluto has been reclassified as a dwarf planet, leaving our solar system with eight planets instead of nine.

Although the IAU has decided that Pluto is no longer a classic planet, many people still count it as one. Protests have been erupting worldwide in favor of reinstating Pluto as a planet.

There is much debate about the new definition of what a planet is, and a petition protesting the redefinition is currently being signed by astronomers and scientists. The petition was drafted by Mark Sykes,

the director of the Planetary Science Institute in Arizona and S. Alan Stem, of the Space Science and Engineering Division of· the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado.

The new definition of a planet has three conditions: it is an object that orbits the sun, round in shape and its orbit does not interfere with that of another planet. Pluto meets two of the three conditions. On its journey around the sun it shares Neptune's orbit and therefore, although it orbits the sun and is round, it falls short of its celestial siblings.

Pluto is not the only dwarf planet in our solar system. Other objects in our system classified as dwarf planets include Ceres, the largest known asteroid, and UB 313, also known as Xena, an object that is larger than Pluto.

aid for victims. FEMA provided housing assistance (rental assistance, trailers, etc.) to over 700,000 applicants - families and individuals. However, only one-fifth of the trailers requested in Orleans Parish have been supplied; resulting in an enormous housing shortage in the city of New Orleans. As of early July 2006, there are still about 100 ,000 people living in 37 ,7 45

FEMA-provided trailers. ing.org, a project of MoveOn.org, The American Red Cross, you can offer free housing to hurriSalvation Army, Oxfam, cane victims. If you want to offer Common Ground housing specifically to a teacher, Collective, Emergency school support staff member or colCommunities and many lege faculty member, you can make other charitable organiza- that notation in the description portions provided housing, tion of the form.

food, and water to the vie- American Red Cross: tims of the storm. These Victims of Hurricane Katrina are organizations raised $4.25 billion in donations by the public, with the Red Cross receiving over half of the donations.

You can help heal the nation by giving financial donations, provideing short-term housing, food gifts, clothes and other items that U.S. citizens might need in their road to recovery. Below is a short list of relief organizations can be contacted to give donations.

Offer Housing

Through www.hurricanehous-

attempting to recover from the massive stom1. American Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to the hardest hit areas of Katrina ·s destruction, supplying hundreds of thousands of victims left homeless with critical necessities. Donations allow the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

https://give.redcross .org/donationform.asp ·

THE PERU STATE TIMES

Editor-in-Chief

Senior Staff

Assistant Editor Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Distribution Manager

Layout Staff

Ashley Albertsen

Pamela Bouterse

Phuong Tran

Randi Schmid

Stephanie Hoffman

Jenifer Epting

Ashley Albertsen ·

Pamela Bouterse

Phuong Tran

Tuyet-Van Sansone

· Linze Thummel

Micah Hill

Jolyn Gydesn

Amanda Erwin

Contributing Staff

Jennifer Epting

Colin Kehm

Mackenzie Otteman

Whitney Gobber

Heather Wells

Lisa Curtis

Colin Kehm

Laura Osborne

{)nly helped to further the decline of the exam, which was already suffering after the scoring mishap that occured earlier.this year. Nobody is sure how, but moisture in some SAT answer sheets caused pencil marks to bleed or fade, producing more than 5,000 tests with false scores. Despite the fact that corrections were made<and sent out some uni: · versities still reported a sharp drop in applicants' average scores. It has notyetbeen discovered why scores have been so low and, at this time, the GolJege plans to with the new version even with all the problems. Current high .stude!lUl will have to.r\°lly on tlfoirteacherst6.instruct them on the skills n'eces&ii;y t6 complete the newestversion of the SAT ;· ····>.· ::: ·:, ·':: :· -· ..:. ·. ·:

The Times, the official student newspaper of Peru State College, is published five times per semester by Peru State College students. The Times office is located in the College Publications Office in the AV Larson building.

The opinions expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial staff. The Peru State Times is an independent student publication funded by student publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College.

All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters need not be students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be signed by the individual(s) submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words in length. The Times reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach the Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctimes@yahoo.com, or send material to the Peru State Times, Campus Mail, Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421. View us on the web at http://www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

Facebook and Myspace create onlinehazzard

LINZE THUMMEL Staff Writer

Sites like MySpace, Facebook, Tagged and High5 are generating a lot of public speculation. Numerous cases of abductions, assaults, propositioning of minors, stalking or soliciting minors has caused much of the concern. These sites were made in order to communicate between friends. But there can also be predators lurking online. Information that users make available online, such as enticing pictures, and revealing biogs, is another thing that adds to the concern. In

addition, the users of MySpace and similar sites, as well as their parents if they are younger, lack education about proper online use.

One Peru State College student who uses both MySpace · and Facebook for the use of communicating with friends, commented that "there are no dangers unless you're a ten-year-old child," which is only partially true. Indeed children are at a higher risk, as there are at least 13 million registered teens on MySpace and 41 million adults; however, no one is completely safe when they are sharing information about themselves publicly.

People used to think that Facebook

was safer than MySpace and other such sites because it was a site only for students, but recent changes have made users feel less protected. Students complain about the new features, one of which includes a "news feed" area which displays information about who a user has added as a friend, whose page they commented on and other personal actions.

Another problem is that Facebook has been opened up to Angie's city and asked her to meet high school students and even some with him for drinks. businesses. When students think He said, "I know you're kind of that they are meeting other students scared and not quite ready for this online, they Jet their guard down, but I will treat you so much better and when they. are mislead by a than your boyfriend doe'S girl." predator that has made it through Angie was smart and declined the the cracks, it may causes trouble. invitation. She said it was not a "ter-

According to the students who rible" situation but had she not been were surveyed, the majority said so disturbed by the information that they have never had a bad expe- Omar had disclosed and so cautious rience with these online sites. and unwilling to meet with a However, one participant said that a stranger, it could have been. man on MySpace asked her nine Further research was done on the year old niece to meet with him. idea of teenagers not being educated The participant said that she thinks or thinking about what is appropriMySpace and other such sites are "a ate. This involves going straight to playground for predators." And that the source, MySpace. participant is not alone; many peo- While numerous examples could pie shared stories about bad online be given it is enough to say that experiences. these networking sites. are filled

Another student agreed to share with inappropriate pictures and her story about a guy that she met · comments that put teens of both online. Angie* said she met a guy, sexes in danger. Which creates Omar*; on Myspace while attending another important point: that these college in Nebraska. She said she teens are not only not thinking about had exchanged messages with Omar what is appropriate, but rather what for a few days and he told her that will get them the most attention. he was not shy about meeting and Many just wantto feel attractive and dating girls he met online. He said desired, but they are only attracting so far he had met at least five girls the wrong kind of attention. online, sometimes he even drove to So you may be thinking that you western Nebraska to meet them. He do not come into contact with these

told Angie stories apout some pictures, you are only online interof the girls he had met in person. In acting with people that you already one of Omar's next messages he know and that this has nothing to do said that he would be coming to with you. However, if you have a

younger brother or sister, it's never

too soon to start talking to them about their online social life.

A twelve year old from a local school, who has a MySpace account has even found a way around the protective settings that ·MySpace has set up. Her age is set as 14 because MySpace does not allow people under 13 to get an account, and they do protect those who are under 16 by making their profiles private and not viewable by the public. The student said she does not even want people to see what city she is from and that her sister and brother, who also use MySpace, have told her about the dangers. But that has not. stopped her from generating an account

Another student responded, "I think it is the parents' responsibility to educate their children about these dangers. I realize that doesn't always happen though, and it becomes easy for online predators to stalk children and such." Online use is not going to stop, and parents cannot be looking over childrens' shoulders every second, so parents or relatives should start talking to children early, even if the teen or child does not have a MySpace account yet.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when talking with a relative or friend about online social sites:

- Do not post any personal information, such as your phone number, address, last name or where you go to school. It may sound like common sense to you, but it is good to remind your loved one.

- Do not put anything online that you would not want your parents, teachers, the police, or pastor to see

- Do blogging about where you were. or how you are feeling.

Predators can use this against you saying "I met you at the mall today" or "I see you wrote that you were feeling lonely and that no one listens to you; I'll listen to you."

- Do not put pictures of your body online.

- NEVER agree to meet with anyone you "meet" online, even if they say they are your age or a friend of a friend.

- PEOPLE LIE.

*Names have been changed for security purposes.

Avoiding the Freshman 15, 20, 30 ...

JENIFER

EPTING Contributing Writer

Have you ever noticed your older siblings or classmates· go away for college and come back with dunlap (Dunlap: when your belly "dunlapped" over your belt)? I know most of us have seen it, and the reason for that may be what is called the freshman 15. I have witnessed the freshman 15, 20, 30, 40 and even the 50!

I have some suggestions on how to prevent the freshman 15 from happening to you. Some say that it is a myth and that is up to you to decide. However, researchers at Cornell University found that students gained an average of four pounds during the first 12 weeks of their freshmen year. Freshmen, please do not become another statistic.

The reasons for this weight gain are as follows: students find themselves away from home with more freedom than ever. With that freedom comes an all-you-can-eat buffet. everyday! You are free to eat

whatever, whenever and however you would like, without any parents telling you that is enough or what foods to have.

Many students are busy and tend to skip meals, this leads to binging later on unhealthy "Stay away from the ice cream machine," said senior Cody Witt.

Regular exercise and activities will help to decrease the freshman 15. In high school a lot of people participated in sports o{ at. least had a physical education class they had to attend. In college, you have to get up and work out on your own.

Here are my keys to beating the freshman 15:

Do not skip meals, especially breakfast. It is hard to eat a fullcourse breakfast when you are waking up at 7:45 for class but even something quick can work.

Multigrain bars, yogurt, oatmeal to go, or some fruit are healthy, and filling, ideas, Get something in your system so you do not have the urge

to pig out at lunch. Make sure you are eating on a regular basis; skipping meals will not get you anywhere. Make betchoosing your meals. Get some vegetables and fruits to go along with whatever else you are having; it can make a

difference.

Do not hang out in .the cafeteria. I know many of us are guilty of this but it is really a bad idea to use the cafeteria as a hang out because you will be tempted to go back for more servings that you do not need. Plan how long you want to be in the cafeteria, eat and then leave.

·Drink plenty of water. Even Peru water, it will not hurt you. Much. Take advantage of the fitness facilities that are offered. You are paying for them so you may as well use them. Not too many students have a teacher or coach pushing them to work out. You have to get up and do it yourself. Better yet, have a friend go with you. A lot of people are afraid to work out alone, so grab a friend, some music and head to the Student Center or AWAC.

Join intramurals. This is a fun way

to get involved in athletics without having to be on a college team. Get enough sleep.

Stay away from the keggers. There is a reason it is called a beer BELLY.

Stay away from the mashed potatoes. This is the one thing my mother stressed to me before I left for college. She told me that mashed potatoes are a woman's worst enemy in college. They are served on a very regular basis and are full of carbohydrates. They taste good with everything and that is why they are served so regularly. But, eating them all the time can really add inches and pounds to your waistline. Thanks mom for that advice.

Gaining weight your first year in college is not inevitable. You just have to make better decisions when it comes to your health. Again I say, do not become another statistic. Take care of yourselves.

A call for action in the Middle East

LISA CURTIS Contributing Writer

With the previous passing of the fifth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, we as a nation have had the opportunity to reflect on the war happening in the Middle East.

Within the past few years and even today, the war has impacted our lives as an entire nation. However, what is being done to facilitate the end of the war? President George W. Bush is fronting an effort to help the war c.onclude and to disarm all nuclear weapons throughout the Middle East. Many government officials and White House Representatives are continuously going to the Middle East in order to make peace with other countries' government officials.

However, what happens when these peace talks do not work? Do we just keep fighting and hope that

everything will work itself out and become better? Fighting is not going to solve all problems. I think that the United States government officials should work around the clock to solve the problems in the Middle East, just as all branches of the military are. Yet, without our support as United States citizens, some parts of the war may not get accomplished due to our lack of support for the effort itself.

How is it that some people can support the troops but not the war while others support the war and not our troops? These troops are fighting for everything that we as a nation believe in: freedom, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; everything that the Declaration of Independence states that we should have. If these troops are willing to put their lives on the line for us and what we as a country believe in, then can we support them in their efforts whether we are for or against the war?

As the war gradually progresses, it

will have its good and bad moments. Operation Iraqi Freedom is giving us a chance to have the kind of country that we so deeply love and cherish, the kind of country that we have always fought for.

From the Revolutionary War to Vietnam to the War in the Middle East today, we must stand together and support one another and fight for what we have and what we are. We are the United States of America, and we will fight this war amongst ourselves and overseas. We should stand strong and willing to win this war and get through this troubling time in out nation's history.

"We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." -Preamble of the Declaration of Independence.

Galardi named editor of journal

Peru State College Criminal Justice Instructor. and retired Papillion , Neb. Police Lt. Greg Galardi has been appointed editor of the Lambda Alpha Epsilon Journal of the American Criminal Justice Association and chair of the Multimedia Education Resource Learning for Online Teaching Consortium (MERLOT) Criminal Justice Advisory Board for the 2006-07 academic year.

Lambda Alpha Epsilon is a criminal justice association comprised of faculty and students involved in the study of criminal justice, with a primary focus on law enforcement.

There are 218 Lambda Alpha Epsilon chapters at universities and colleges throughout the United States.

Among the objectives of Lambda Alpha Epsilon are to improve criminal justice through educational activities, foster professionalism among law enforcement agencies, increase public awareness of issues relevant to the field, and encourage

the expansion of education and professionalism in policing.

Lambda Alpha Epsilon offers a host of academic and practical opportunities to its membership, including its annual academic paper competition and conference for students. Participation allows students to compete with their peers from across the United States. There are annual academic competitions in the disciplines of corrections, policing, general law enforcement and crime scene investigation. There are also physical competitions in obstacle courses and marksmanship.

The Multimedia Education Resource Learning for

Online Teaching Consortium (MERLOT) focuses on the research, development, and production of online resources, lesson plans and research among criminal justice faculty at academic institutions throughout the United States and internationally. Among Galardi's primary duties are development of

PSC publications earn design award

Peru State College President Dr. illustrates the caliber of our art stu- PricewaterhouseCoopers and Apple Ben Johnson today announced that dents, as well as our staff. I congrat- are among the other winners of the five PSC brochures aimed at student ulate Becky on this tremendous competition. recruitment ha\le earned a 2006 honor," said Johnson. Winning entries have been pubAmerican In-House Design Award. Organized by Graphic Design lished in a 200-page annual that will

The pieces were designed by PSC USA , a 43-year-old monthly trade be viewed by more than 100,000 Publications Technician Rebecca publication, the competition cele- creative and marketing professionJohnson, a 2004 PSC graduate who brates the work of "in-house" als throughout the country. has worked in the school's designers from a variety of compa- Johnson, a southeast Nebraska Department of Marketing and nies, colleges and other organiza- native, resides in Auburn with her Public Affairs for the past two years. tions throughout the country. PSC's husband, Tony. She is the daughter entry was one of only a few hundred of Chris and Joyce Oetjen of Stella. "We are fortunate to have found an selected from more than 4,000 sub- For more information on the comincredibly talented graphic designer missions. Forbes Magazine, Time petition, visit www.gdusa.com. from among the ranks of our own Magazine, Harvard University , student body. Winning this award Apple, Pepsi-Cola,

Peru offers graduate exam in Sept.

Peru State College will offer is located in southwest Omaha at emphases in Teaching and Leaming, prospective graduate school stu- 7011 S. 109 St. (La Vista). Instructional Technology, or Higher dents the opportunity to take the PSC will accept a MAT score for Education and Organizational Miller Analogies Test (MAT), a students interested in pursuing the Management is also available national exam widely used for college's new online Master of through PSC. admission to graduate schools, at Science degree in Organizational All graduate courses to complete PSC's Graduate Center in Omaha at Management with a concentration the degree with either Teaching and 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 and in Entrepreneurial and Economic Leaming or Instructional on campus at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Development. For more informa- Technology are offered at the Sept. 28. tion, visit Graduate Center. The degree is also Seating for the MAT is limited and www.hpcnet.org/peru/schoolofpro- available entirely online for all three pre-registration is required. Contact fessionalstudies/programsl or con- areas of emphases. For additional Carla Patterson at 402-872-2283 or tact School of Professional Studies information, contact the Graduate cpatterson@oakmail.peru.edu to Dean Todd Drew at 402-872-2394. Center at 800-742-4412 or visit register. Cost for the test is $55. A Master of Science degree in www.hpcnet.org/peru/graduate. Enrolled PSC students will receive a Education with majors in $10 discount. The Graduate Center Curriculum and Instruction and

Auburn Sport Shop

Athletic equipment and apparel, all your sporting needs

Good Luck Peru State Athletes!

©M®U@[ii]i) ®lfil©l 826 Central Ave Auburn, NE 68305 Ph:(402)274-5236 Fax:(402)274-5379

PREGNANT?

What's your next decision?

·"Covenant''attracts teen moviegoers

MACKENZIE OTTEMANN Contributing Writer

When Sarah, a college student, transfers to a new school, she is introduced to an interesting group of boys. Caleb, Pogue, Reed, and Tyler, arrive at a party, and as Sarah develops an attraction to Caleb, her roommate, Kate, tells Sarah the story of these "sons of Ipswitch."

In 1692, in a Massachusetts colony, five families who possessed a secret power formed a covenant of silence to protect themselves from the Salem witch hunt. From then on, the first born male of every generation in these five blood lines is born possessing the powers. As the descendents, Caleb and the rest share a bond of sacred ancestry. The powers develop as a possessor matures, and at the age of 18, he "ascends," in which his powers grow significantly stronger.

Unfortunately, the powers have some very negative side effects. They are extremely seductive and can become very addictive to those

"Don't

who hold them. The ultimate con- that Chase is not the friend they

sequence is that the more they use them, they cause themselves to age more rapidly. Some can handle it, and some, like Caleb's father, cannot.

The fifth family that was a part of the covenant was said to have been banished and disappeared dur-

thought he was, they must do what it takes to keep the covenant from being broken.

If you're the type of person who thrives on surprises, "The Covenant'' may not hold your interest. as it is a bit predictable. Regardless. the story did keep me entertained. Rated PG13, the movie is available to many ages. The cast. however is targeted toward tecnagl'. girls. Whiie the actionpacked fight sccnes full of special effects will satisfy their maie counterparts.

ing the Salem affairs-until now.

When the boys become friends with a new transfer student, Chase Collins, they begin to learn shocking details about the history of this fifth bloodline. When the boys learn

caught. .. uncovered!"

The plot and characters of the mov ic relate in many ways to the lives of teens and college students. with an added sci-fi ckment. In a sub textual way, the plot addresses the addiction-risks and long-term consequences of drug usage in youth today, by comparing it to the usage of the powers.

"The Covenant" holds a fairly intriguing story line, and the end will leave you in anticipation.

SANSONE

Staff Writer ,

Date .of. Birth: January i3, t 977

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Not all supermen are bulletproof

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Auburn, NE 68305

(402) 274-4096

Movies nightly at 7.30 p.m.

KITTY BOUTERSE Senior Stqff

It's a hard life in Hollywood, even for the iconic Superman himself. "Hollywoodland" is all about the first actor to play the role of Superman and the controversy surrounding his death. George Reeves was shot in his bedroom shortly after leaving a party downstairs, whether or not it was suicide or murder is a mystery Most would say suicide considering the position his body was found in and his depression over the lack of work. Some say Reeves would never kill himself and that there were plenty of motives for his death Jo have been murder.

In "Hollywoodland," detective Louis Simo (Adrien Brody) believes it was murder and sets out to prove just tha.t. Many motives were presented, such as the jealous ex-girlfriend, Toni Mannix (Diane Lane), who gave him everything from a house to job opportunities, The big time executive, Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins), who just so happened to be Toni's husband and who could possibly be responsible for past murders, Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney), the young and ambitious girlfriend whom Reeves refused to marry, Though many motives are present, in Hollywood, many powerful and wealthy people have the, power of doing what it takes to discourage bad publicity_

Ben Affleck is very convincing as Reeves and does an exceptional

job at being charming, motivated, desperate and lonely, It also helps that he looks remarkably like Reeves, especially with his cleft chin and widow's peak.

The story of George Reeve's death is an intriguing and mysterious one that should be told carefully, "Hollywoodland" does a good job at being accurate as it examines who George Reeves was, what his world was like, and what impact he had on those who knew him and those who only knew of him. It also does a good job at including ideas of what could have happened and not limiting any possibilities,

Along with the depiction of George Reeve's life, detective Simo deals with his child who mourns the loss of his hero Superman, The movie does a good job at traveling back and forth in time without confusing the audience,

This movie has a lot of great things going for it, namely its accuracy and compelling story, but the movie itself isn't engaging enough to ever awe its audience. It still, however, has the ability to leave its audience captivated in the life and death of George Reeves,

.How to decorate your dorm room

RANDI SCHMID Copy Editor

Your donn room. Where you spend much of your time: studying, sleeping, eating, watching movies. This should be a place where you are comfortable, where you feel at ease. Another way to look at it is that your donn should be your home away from home.

Well,this is a nice way of looking at it, right? But does it feel like home? Does it look like a place that you would show off? Decor is the prime way to make your dbnn room become your home.

In order to do this, you must realize that these are not nonnal conditions. You cannot paint your walls or drill holes into them. So, you must improvise. First, however, you need to think about how your personality will be reflected in your donn; a theme, if you will. For this, I will give you a few examples and how to incorporate these themes into your donn room.

Example #1: Athlete. Whether you play volleyball, football, bas-

ketball, run cross country, or cheer on those teams, this is a huge part of your life. Collegiate athletes are immersed in their sports of choice much of the time; why should their donn rooms be any different? In this case, you may want to start out with your bed. The sheets and bedspread should be neutral with not a lot of design (unless you can find softball print sheets). Most of the time, the choice color will be Peru blue. Moving on to the walls, the · design for this robm is simple: sports memorabilia. Post pictures of Jenny Finch, Babe Ruth, Tommy Fraiser, or Halle Berry (for the cheerleaders, not the male athletes).

Pin up inspirational posters or calendars. If you have an old jersey from high school or a junior college, incorporate that into your room by making it into a pillow case. If you keep reaching for this goal of a ,sports-oriented room, you will be ready . in no time.

Example #2: Music major. This creative career choice requires a realm of freedom. Wall hangings may include pictures of Mozart or the Supremes. Your DVD collection should include Frank Sinatra

movies, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, and High School Musical. Instead of using picture frames to place tures of your friends around your room, take old CDs that are scratched or you've lost interest in and glue or tape the pictures to the back of them. You may also search thrift stores for classic records to hang on your walis. With this idea, you could also put these on strings and hang. them from the ceiling. If this is your idea of a fun room, just

take this idea and let your creative JUlces flowing.

Example #3: Party animal.

Obviously, you cannot store a keg in your room or have a table made from beer cans as the centerpiece in your living room, but there is a style to be seen here. Movie posters are a good start, such as Van Wilder, Animal House, and the recently released Accepted. The idea for your bedspread is "the wilder, the better." Another option is to get

glow in the dark paint that will come off when you want it to, and find a friend who is a good artist to create a wall that looks like it's from a rave.

There are so many ways to decorate your donn, just start with finding out your personality. It does not matter if you are a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal (preferably a rebel without a cause), there are ways to make your room look like an extension of yourself. After you find out your style, think of ways to see that concretely. For instance, if you are an English major, pin up quotes from books you enjoy or have a bookshelf with many leather-bound books. Good places to shop for cheap decorations or ideas are The Good Will, Salvation Anny, thrift shops, or consignment stores, and, if needed, WalMart

The most important aspect of designing and creating a room all your own, is to have fun. It does not matter if your parents do not like it, or if your little brother thinks it's stupid because this is your place, your home away from home.

American Cancer Society asks for your voice

LAURA OSBORNE Contributting Writer

Dear Editor and fellow citizens of Southeast Nebraska's 1st Congressional District: September 19-20, I will be serving as an American Cancer Society (ACS) and ACS Cancer Action

Network (ACS CAN) Ambassador to the Celebration on the Hill in Washington, D.C.

The event will bring together more than 10,000 people like me - some who are cancer survivors, some who are doctors; some researchers, some caregivers and some who are simply advocates, like me.

Many of you may know me from

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my last three years as Chairperson of the Nemaha County Relay For Life. There are many reasons that the defeat of cancer is important to me, not the least of which are the cancer survivors I have met these past three years.

To help further cancer research and patient program funding by the U.S. government, I joined ACS CAN, a sister organization to the .American Cancer Society. Membership is only $5, but the insight and infonnation you gain is more than worth it! This network of volunteers across the country has been established to track the actual voting records of our representatives in both the Senate and House in Washington, D.C. ACS CAN also keeps its members aware of pending cancer-related legislation Through these efforts, ACS CAN members are able to contact their representatives to express their opinions on these bills. This has created a powerful voice. I hope that each of you will consider joining your personal voice to this group. You can. do so at www.acscan.org.

When I go to Washington D.C., I, along with my fellow ambassadors, will be meeting with our representatives to request a renewal of funding for cancer research, early detection programs and cancer patient services. We also want them to sign the Congressional Cancer Promise if they haven't already done so. This Promise pledges four things: 1) to make health system refonn a priority; 2) to elevate cancer prevention, early detection and survivorship; 3) _to increase. our commitment to

research; and 4) to expand access to care. The full Promise can be viewed at www.acscan.org.

As I prepare to take this journey, please take time to help me by contacting Congressman Fortenberry, Senator Hagel and Senator Nelson. Tell them that you want this funding to continue, and encourage them to meet with me at Nebraska's state tent on September 20 in Washington, D.C.

Thank you for your support of efforts to defeat cancer!

How "Final Fantasy" stole my boyfriend

KITTY BOUTERSE Senior Staff

When the original "Final Fantasy" was first released on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, no one (least of all the com-· pany who developed it and released it as a last ditch effort to make some desperately-needed money) could have predicted the effect it would have on the world. Men of all ages would become engulfed in the epic RPG (Role Playing Game), and women of all ages would experience that nagging feeling that something is missing... something has changed

The eyes of their men clouded over from lack of blinking or sleep Their thumbs became raw, stiff, and callused Their attention for anything else split in half and then in half again .I am one of those women My man is one of those men

Upon its initial release, "Final Fantasy" was a stunning success. It commanded the attention of an ever-growing populace of admirers, and, even in the U.S., where the reception of the game was certainly less stunning than it was in Japan, a loyal following developed.

As more "Final Fantasy" games were produced, the series become available on more and more · and newer and newer consoles, and each game in the series· set the graphical and· audio standards for each successive generation of games. The series is almost universally celebrated as being one of the greatest and most influen.tial gaming series ever, according to not only its loyal fans, but also to the numerous and diverse game-reviewing resources today.

To th.is date, the core series consists of twelve. games, with .a thirteenth one in the making. Besides the core series, there also exist numerous compilations,· collections, remakes, direct sequels and prequels (None of the core "Final Fantasy" games are actually directly related to one another; with each game, the setting, characters, and plot changes.

There are some threads that do run throughout the whole series, but they are usually just included to

.selves demos for the next "Final Fantasy" release.

My boyfriend is just like the rest of them. Every little thing reminds him of "Final Fantasy" and his gaming experiences, and every trip to the outdoors ends in a walkthrough of Gamers or EB Games. Every where we go he mumbles half-formulated battle plans in preparation for the next time he can escape to his Playstation 2.

be released, if your boyfriend finds out that you are writing a "Final Fantasy" article and demands to check it to make sure all facts about the game are accurate, and last, but not least, when your boyfriend has an unhealthy fear of turtles or lizards, or anything really that resembles the dreaded Tonberry

If you find yourself wondering where the day has gone and are suffering from the symptoms described above, you might unknowingly be

becoming a "Final Fantasy" nerd (which is, believe it or not, a horribly contagious condition). There unfortunely is no official gaming addiction center, but my best advice is to spend some time on other games such as "The Legend of Zelda", "Oblivion" or even the ever classic "Pac-man", anything that will help keep your mind off saving the world one random battle at a time.

please the fans· of previous·· titles), spin-off games and entire spin-off series, and even movies and television programs.

The game play of (most of) the series revolves around tum-based randomly-

Due to the fact that my boyfriend is this way, I find myself involuntarily learning more about the games, as he requires me to remember at least one original or revolutionary aspect of each of the "Final Fantasy" games so that I can repeat it back to him at any time. His reasoning is that if I'm dating him, I ought to show some knowledge of at least one of his favorite nerdfriendly past-times.

encountered battles. The g a m e party (the multiple characters controlled by gamer) to increase in ability, thus enabling the player to move onto more challenging battles and advance the plot.

for the

In order to make sure e'very girl has the chance to recognize if their significant other has a "Final Fantasy" addiction, and thus, prevent themselves from falling prey to its life-consuming evil, the following signs should be watched for in their boyfriends: exhaustion due to lack of sleep, stiffness from sitting still for too long, starvation from not trusting the pause button, constantly wearing t-shirts that refer to actions such as attack, magic, summon, item, or run, unable of going through one conversation without mentioning th.is awesome random battle he endured today, finding him trying to convince you that a Moogle would make an awesome tattoo, or, at the very least, a good costume for Halloween, finding EB games on his speed dial around the time that a new "Final Fantasy" will

The main attracting points, so I'm told, are the emotionally ln'1nhrmrr and dramatic story lines, the surprising plot twists, and the surprisingly well fleshed-out cast of characters. Each game in the series is also noted for its own unique .and often beautiful art style. ·

When all of this is taken account, it isn't too surprising girlfriends all over the globe find hard to tear their men away the TV (or computer) to go outside,. especially when they find them-·

New coach has big plans for PSC

MICAH HILL Contributing Writer

the most successful season in the school's history, reaching an impressive 25-2 record and a number two NAIA national ranking.

Coach Kevin Dobbs is the latest addition to the Peru State College coaching staff flS the women's basketball and golf coach. Kevin Dobbs is a native of Weeping Water, Neb. and earned a B.S. in 1995 from

that "women are much easier to coach."

Dobbs has a theory about coaching ·men's teams verses women's teams; he states that "women want to be taught. They have a desire to learn and to .be part of the team. Men want to be the star and autoDoane College, majoring in busi- matically assume they're the best ness administration. He then took athlete on the floor." Thus he says graduate courses at the University of Nebraska-Kearney where he earned a masters degree in physical education in 1997. Dobbs played collegiate basketball at Doane and was a graduate assistant coach for the men's basketball team at UNK from 1995-1997.

After trying unsuccessfully to find a men's basketball head coaching job, he was offered a head coaching job for women's basketball at Black Hills State College in South Dakota.

Dobbs was hesitant at first and mostly disagreeable about coaching women, as he had never done so previously, but worked with the team for about a week and "fell in love" with coac:hing women's basketball. He quickly found his niche at Black Hills college, compiling

potential and are anxious to prove it," said Dobbs. He has played golf recreationally and is very familiar with the game. He once again goes to his philosophy that sports are all about psychology and golf "is one of the most psychological of all sports."

his team has the talent to go deep into post season. Dobbs states that to tum the win/loss ratio from last

PHUONG TRAN

Assitant Editor ·

This fall, Peru State College welcomes Richard Speas as the new Athletic Director. Speas is originally from Union, Iowa. He earned his Bachelor's degree from William Penn University in social science, his Master's degree at Truman State University in the discipline of sports administration. Speas has had 13 years of experience with numerous roles at the collegiate level.

Speas' role as the athletic director includes managing the athletic staff: coaches and support personnel. He is also in charge of event and budg-

After five successful years at Black Hills College, Dobbs decided a change of scenery was needed and to_ok an assistant coaching position at West Virginia Tech College, an NCAA Division II program. He was named head assistant women's basketball coach and recruiting coordi- against and for championship nator. He quickly found WVTC was teams; I know the caliber of play not the place for him. Eventually and what it takes, and !believe this offered the head coaching position program is knocking on the door," at the college, Dobbs turned it down said Dobbs. According to him, windue to the lack of support for athlet- ning and playing well is all psychoics from the school and community. logical, and his group of girls has Dobbs is very positive about the the talent and hunger to win big in the future. future here at PSC, and believes thatHe also coaches the women's golf team and "although there's only four girls on the team, they are good golfers and they have loads of

year around, his team has to win a few close games. "I've been in these situations before. I have coached

Dobbs plans on recruiting potential Bobcat athletes strictly in the Omaha and Kansas City areas, saying that both geographical areas have tremendous athletes and he wants to give local athletes the first chance at scholarships. "If I can't get enough high-quality athletes locally, then I'll recruit in other areas," said Dobbs. In order to recruiter these players, he plans on going to high school meets and really spreading the. word around about Peru State College. "The faculty, staff and Alumni at PSC are so helpful; they tell me if they have seen a potential athlete, which is just wonderful to have ·so many people involved in Bobcat athletics," said Dobbs.

Dobbs states that he is very excited about the opportunity that has been handed to him, and he believes that this is where he is meant to be.

Peru welcomes new Athletic Director Speas

et management, recruiting issues, facility enhancement, athletic training,, etc. Speas also teaches three classes: Principle of Physical Education, Wellness, and Walking and Jogging.

"I have been familiar with Peru State for a number of years, we competed against Peru State in some sports while I was at William Penn University in Iowa," said Speas. When asked about his per-

sonal assessment of working at the college, and living in Peru, Speas responded: "I very much enjoy the rural environment, especially for our children. Working in a small college environment is also my niche; and I have had several years experience working in institutions affiliated with the NAIA."

Speas is currently living in Auburn, Neb., and is looking for housing to bring his wife, Karma, and six children from Iowa.

Speas is one of the people who have contributed a significant amount of time to the Al Wheeler Activity Center renovation/addition project. "The new AWAC is a multipurpose facility which will serve the entire community. Students, athletic and non-athletic, should definitely experience these benefits. They are welcomed to use the pool, play tennis, run track, play basketball, volleyball, and many other activities, Parents and community members will enjoy the new model look of our activity center when they attend games,'' said Speas.

Bobcats drop four in volleyball classic

The State volleyball squad opened the 2006 Fall season dropping four hard fought matches in the prestigious Red Raider Classic held at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Hastings topped the Bobcats in the opening match by scores of 18-30, 21-30, 21-30. Host Northwestern took the Bobcats 3-0 in the Friday finale by scores of 2330, 23-30, 13-30. In action held Saturday, Concordia topped the 'Cats 19-30, 16-30, 21-30 before the Bobcats concluded action falling to Briar Cliff 16-30, 21-30,28-30. Hastings, a nationally ranked team from 2005 proved to be a tough opening match up for the Bobcats. "We came. out strong with our defense and continued it throughout the match," said Bobcat Head Coach Lexie Turnbull. "We knew it would be a tough battle and it was." Turnbull had praise for setter Keshia Seiko. "Keshia did a nice job of running our offense and as a

result our 'Outside hitters made an impact." Alison Slager and Ashleigh Ravnikar had 12 and 11 kills respectively while Seiko handed out 28 set assists. Afton Burr led the defense with 20 digs.

In the second match the Bobcats faced Northwestern College, another nationally ranked opponent. The Bobcats stayed with their hosts in the opening two games before dropping hard fought 30-23 sets. "In the first two games we played probably our best volleyball of the tournament. Our blocking was phenomenal and that kept Northwestern from making any huge runs on us," said · Turnbull. Slager again led the offensive with 14 kills, the best for a 'Cat during the tournament.

Saturday's competition began with a match against Concordia. A sluggish start set the tone for the match. "We .weren't working as well together as we should have been and it came back. to haunt us. Our serve

receive was very good but our hitters struggled to put the ball away," said Turnbull.

An attacking Concordia offense resulted in four Bobcats reaching double digits in digs. Jessica Wetzler led the way with 11. Burr, Slager and Seiko added ten each.

The ·final match of the Classic against Briar Cliff featured a strong defensive effort again from the Bobqi.ts. "Defense was definitely the name of the game. Everyone played hard. Our blockers took care of things at the net and our .other defenders did a great job of picking up what did get through," said Turnbull. Burr recorded 20 digs with Seiko adding another 17. Slager finished with 13 kills. This weekend the Bobcats travel to Bellevue for the Bellevue Tournament. The Bobcats will face Morningside at 3:00 p.m. on Friday and then battle Dakota State at 5:00. On Saturday the Bobcats face Avila

'Cats show improvement despite loss

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

Despite the Bobcat loss at the Oak Bowl on Sept. 9 the team has shown some real improvement over last year. Cody Smith rushed for 114 yards on 19 carries. This is Smith's second game this season of rushing for over 100 yards. Mike Mertens ran for 51 yards on 16 carries. Overall Peru rushed for 152 yards, with 347 yards of total offense. But despite these impressive statistics the 'Cats still lost to Valley City State 36-10.

The VCSU Vikings scored 26 first half points, scoring on their first two possessions of the game while the defense limited the Bobcats to a 38yard field goal by Bryan Miller. The Vikings scored on a 13 yard run, putting them up 12-0 where the score ·would stay as the attempt for two points fell incomplete.

Peru answered with their best drive of the day, advancing to the VCSU three-yard line before a holding penalty pushed the Bobcats back to the eleven-yard line. Jim Dawson was sacked for a twelve-yard loss, setting up Miller's 38-yard field goal.

VCSU missed an opportunity to pad their lead twice just before half time as a dropped pass stalled the drive and they missed left on a 39-

yard field goal attempt. The Vikings The Vikings answered with an got another shot with just under a eight minute drive capped off by a 'minute remaining with an intercep- 26-yard field goal that ended the tion, but they missed and Rusty scoring, making the final 36-10. Fuller picked off the pass to end the The Bobcats have a schedule that first half. will work in their favor this season. Long, established drives were the Playing teams like Haskell and norm in the second half as the Ottawa University in upcoming Bobcats first three drives lasted 13, weeks. The team has shown a lot of 11 and ten plays but failed to result improvement on both sides of the in any points for Peru while VCSU ball over last year. While the offense converted on their ten play drive did struggle in the red zone against and carried it in from five yards out the Vikings, they were able to move to make it 33-3. the ball up and down the field easiIn the fourth quarter Peru's Derek ly outside of the 20 yard line. Falor connected with Jimmy Cotton The next Peru State home game on fourth down and ten from 15 will be the Homecoming game yards out, bringing the score to 33- against Northwestern Oklahoma 10. State on Oct. 21.

"Has anyone else noticed that their private life doesn't seem so private anymore? All anyone has to do anymore is log on and they can find out anything about anyone. And there are definately some things I could go without knowing about some people. In order to bring attention to the potential embarassments and dangers that this can cause 1 am posting my own page for all of campus see. Enjoy. (The following characters are entirely fictional and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Some of the characters may have certain traits and/or mannerisms that may seem to suggest actual persons but we make no claim that these traits exist at all or in this combination in any person, living or dead.)

PSC Yearbook is "Ready, Set, Grow"

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Editor

The Peru State College yearbook has appeared since 2004 after an I Iyear absence. Presales of the full color 2006-2007 yearbook, titled "Ready, Set, Grow," are currently taking place.

Before 2004, the last yearbook issue was published in 1992. Funding from Student Senate, private donations and advertising money have brought back the book, which illustrates students' best memories during the time they attend college.

A major difference in the yearbook this year is its full-color feature; increasing revenue bas enabled this transformation. Yearbook Advisor, Renee Mathews, and her staff, made · up of PSC students, are working hard to complete 124 pages of the book by Feb. 19, 2007.

The 2006-2007 year book offers a special edition. For a minimal fee of $20, parents can send graduating seniors a special message to be printed along with a baby photo and a photo of them participating in campus activities during their senior year.

Designing and layout are completed using an online program on the Jostens company website. Dr. Korinne Tande, vice president of Students Affair and the dean of Art and Sciences, has recently approved and helped Mathews to purchase Adobe Photoshop software which greatly assists with various layouts and allows more creativity for the

yearbook.

Mathews bas emphasized that students who want to be in the year

look," said Mathews.

Two years ago, the 2004-2005 yearbooks generated much attention

way to preserve the best time of my life in college. I think bringing back the book is deeply appreciated by Peru State students and parents. Many of us. who will be alumni years from now, are happy to know that we are able to purchase this special memory-keeping book," said Jessica Codr. a senior psychology major.

book can contribute their memories by submitting their own pictures to her. The sooner she gets the pictures, the better the chance they will be used. It is the same for faculty/staff who are interested in sharing the good times they have had at PSC.

During the year, photographs and information are gathered. Presales are going on until Jan. 31, 2007; after that, the cost increases from $35 to $45. Jostens will finish printing and deliver all the books on April 24, 2007.

Recent and future issues of the yearbook are official records of students' activities, clubs/organization, sport events, faculty/staff's portraits, scenery of campus and the town of Peru and much more.

"Working on the PSC yearbook is very enjoyable to me because I get to work with students and do what I majored in college. I look forward to seeing a memorable yearbook in full color with a new and creative

and support from students, alumni, parents, faculty/staff, surrounding businesses and others. The 2004-2005 yearbook sold 80 copies total. Kimberly Pate and J

yearbook design contest. They successfully created the cover of the book and named it "Paws for Reflection." The 2005-2006 yearbook sold 135 copies, a huge jump over the previous year:.

"The yearbook is a meaningful

Mathews' office is in the Hoyt Science building in room 114. For those who are interested in working in the yearbook or buying yearbooks, she can be contacted through email at rmathews@oakmail.peru.edu, or by phone at (402)-872-2255.

Saril Hunt, both junior educa- Sample Yearbook pages provided by Renee Mathews

Bird flu not the danger that some make it to be

AMANDA ERWIN

be fatal. If you eat a bird that's infected with the deadly strain,

you'll get infected.

Staff Writer Symptoms of the bird flu are rather typical flu-like symptom and There has been a big deal in the include fever, cough, sore throat, news lately about the bird flu, also and muscle aches. It'll hit fast, and known as the Avian Influenza or usually within 48 hours of contractA(HSNl). While many are worried ing it, a human with the bird flu will that this virus could spread to be ill enough to ,be in a hospital. · humans it seems that it is not the Truthful!, though, the bird flu isn't threat that some perceive it to be. something that truly needs to be According to the CDC, Center for worried about. It's not possible to Disease Control and Prevention, 3o catch it from another human that has percent may become sick, but that it it. The only way to catch it is from is extremely unlikely that that many an infected bird. In the U.S. it is not will. Truthfully, as of July I4, 2006 , something that needs to be worried only 246 human cases of the bird flu about, yet. Only two reported cases have been reported. of the bird flu have been reported in The bird flu exists, yes, but it this country. affects birds more then any other No, the reason that people have creatures. It occurs naturally in birds been so worried about it is that the who carry it in their intestines. bird flu has all the characteristics of They carry it with no detrimental a pandemic. A pandemic is a worldeffects to themselves. Sadly, there wide epidemic. 'l'he only thing stopis a new strain that is turning out to

ping that from happening the fact that it has no transmissibility. Meaning that if a human were to get it, he or she couldn't pass it .on to someone else. Doctors are worried about the possibility of the disease transforming again into a different strain. A strain that is transmissible from human to human and not just between birds. The CDC says that up to 30 per-

cent of all humans may catch it if the bird flu reaches pandemic proportions. If that happens, though, it won't be the very young or the very old that need worry about it. It will be college age adults. Of all humans who have caught the bird flu, those who have died tend to be within the ages of 16 and 25. The reason for this has to do with the way that the bird flu kills. It uses

the human immune system agains' itself, so the stronger the immum ·system the more likely it is for tht person to die if he or she manage tc be unlucky enough to catch the bird flu.

There are places to go for information, or to find out how to prepare for the possible eventuality of a pandemic. Check out the CDC's website and e-mail them at cdcinfo@cdc .gov or www.pandemicflu.gov.

Truthfully, in order to avoid catching the bird flu, all people need do i" remember the basics in hygiene and cooking. When cooking fowl, make sure to cook it all the way through. and make sure to wash your hands before and after cooking and make sure to wash the surfaces used to cook on. If these simple rules are followed, people should have no real need to worry about the bird flu.

North Korea startles with threats of nuclear testing

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

On Oct. 3 North Korea startled the world by announcing that it would begin conducting a nuclear test. Despite the fad that this is a key step in manufacturing atomic bombs the country has also stated that it is committed to nuclear disarmament. This is yet another example of North Korea's contradictions when it comes to its willingness to negotiate.

This was the first time North Korea had every publicly announced its intentions to conduct a nuclear test. Although the country had previously warned the United

States that it might conducting tests based on the U.S.'s actions. While the country's leader, Kim Jong II, did not specify when the tests would take place the mere threat of them brought rebukes from many countries, including the U.S. and Japan. North Korea's actions did not elicitan immediate response at least from its ally and chief benefactor, China.

China has however been involved with South Korea, Russia, Japan and the United States in what are being to as six-party talks with North Korea for over a year. North Korea has refused to attend these talks, saying that the United States has made a de facto declaration of war by cracking down on their supposed money counterfeit-

ing and laundering. Based on what is currently known about the situation it is believed that the worst that could happen is that Japan will feel threatened into creating its own nuclear defenses. This would of course increase the tension between Japan, China and South Korea. The United States must also worry that North Korea's testing will put strain on their alliance with South Korea.

While North Korea has used this tactic before to get attention from other countries it is uncertain whether they are bluffing now or not. The United States currently has no military action scheduled, and probably will not resort to such action unless it is absolutely necessary.

THE PERU STATE TIMES

Editor-in-Chief

Assistant Editor

Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Distribution

La.yout Staff

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Randi Schmid

Stephanie Hoffman

Jenifer Epting

Ashley Albertsen

Pamela Bouterse

Phuong Tran

Linze Thummel

Micah Hill

Jolyn Gydesn

Amanda Erwin

Marcus Ackley

Contributing Steff

Mackenzie Otteman

Heather Wells

Jacob ThompsonKrug

Tuyet-Van Sansone

Micah Hill

Sam Scheinost

The Times, the official student newspaper of Peru State College, is published five times per semester by Peru State College students. The Times office is located in the College Publications Office in the AV Larson building.

The opinions expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial staff. The Peru State Times is an independent student publication funded by student publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College.

All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters need not be students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be signed by the individual(s) submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor not exceed 250 words in length. The Times reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach the Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctimes@yahoo.com, or send material to the Peru State Times. Campus MaiL Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421. View us on the web at http://www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

"Wild West" homecoming

PHUONG TRAN AMANDA.ERWIN Staff Writer

Students at Peru State College are looking forward to Homecoming Week, which will last from Oct. 16 to Oct. 21. The week begins with no classes on Monday and Tuesday.

The theme of Homecoming 2006 is "The Wild West". And on Wednesday all of the activities that CAB is hosting will start.

There will be an outdoor picnic from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., er permitting. If the weather does not cooperate, the activities will be moved into the cafeteria. There will be plenty of fun and games to be had as well as a live band. Sheila Greenland with Canyon Run will be there to entertain students.

Non-meal plan students will only have to pay $2.50 to eat because CAB will pay the other half. The charge is $5 for faculty/staff.

Students will have a chance to participate in the Antique Photos and Mega Flix (for students to make their own music videos) from 11 :00 am to 2.:30 pm on Thursday.

"I am most excited for two specific Homecoming events this yearthe Mr. Peru Pageant and the Powder-puff football game," said Student Activities Coordinator and Admissions Repre'sentative Sara LaBrie.

She also encourages students to office in the Student Center. It is participate in all Homecoming good for those who are interested in events as free tee shirts will be these activities to sign up as soon as given out. possible.

Mr. Peru Pageant

is a spoof of the Miss America Pageant. The competition will involve several categories including: evening wear, swimsuit, and sprit/talent. On Friday, the girls will get a chance to show their football skills in the Powder-Puff football game.

A sign up sheet will be available for students outside of the CAB

day of antici-

Saturday is the pation. CAB is participating in "Nebraska's Toughest Mile".

The race will start at 9 a.m. after registration at 8.a.m. A $20 participation fee is required, and all participants will receive a tee shirt. The starting line (and race ·day registration) is at the Peru Fire House and the finish line (and aw'ards ceremony) is in front of the T.J. Majors building on the PSC cam-

The media Nebraska's foughest Mile race is simple: one mile, three hills. The middle of the race will take competitors up the infamous "Gut-Buster Hill' just north of the campus."

Afterwards, "The Wild West" Parade will take place, followed by the long-awaited Homecoming Football Game at 1:00 p.m. versus Oklahoma State. To finish up the night and end the week with a bang, a dance will be held in .the Student Center from 9:00 p.m. to midnight.

Band brings pep back to Peru

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Staff Writer

As Peru State College football fans find their way into the Oak Bowl this season, they will discover something that has been missing at games in recent years: a little pep. It is the sights and sounds of Peru's own pep band, under the direction of Dr. Patrick Fortney, in the southeast comer of the stands. Peru has the second oldest college band in Nebraska, dating back to 1889. The oldest college band in Nebraska belongs to the University of Nebraska.

The pep band's last appearance was back in 2004, but with

increased interest from students and administratio.n, the pep band will be rolling out the tunes at every home game this season. Fortney would like to see the 22-member band increase in size to the point where a marching band could be reestablished on campus.

"The band should be part of the community because that's where it gains its support," said Fortney, who is new this year to Peru State College and directs all of the bands on campus.

In his previous teaching jobs at the University of Miami and Nebraska Wesleyan there have been pep bands and Fortney feels that Peru should be no different. In fact, he is an avid sports fan himself, and loves attending college sporting events.

The part he loves the most is watching the game, and figuring out what piece of music he can fit into the breaks between plays and timeouts on the football field. To some, he is only directing the band, but actually he is coordinating the entertainment of the game on the field and the music while preserving the attention of the fans.

Songs such as "Louie Louie" and "The Hey Song" are only a couple of the tunes fans might hear along with Peru State's two fight songs, which Fortney believes that most students will not even recognize.

Be ready for the band to expand their playing to the AWAC this.winter as the men's and women's basketball teams hit the court.

Searching for the perfect Halloween costume

MACKENZIE OTTEMANN

Contributing

Writer

How To Find Your Perfect Disguise

Yes, for those of you who haven't checked your calendar lately, October is here. Aside from homecoming and mid-tenn break, October brings harvest, haunted houses, scarecrows, candy, and the best part-costume parties. And, just like every year, the time is upon us when we must go through the mind-numbing challenge of finding the perfect Halloween costume.

Whether you want to go for cute and cuddly, fierce and frightening, or sexy and sultry, here are a few tips that will hopefully lead you to that perfect costume:

·

-Search Ebay or one of m;myother websites that sell costumes. Although ordering fonn the Internet can get a bit pricey with the added costs for shipping and handling, it is usually a reliable way to search for what you're looking for.

If cost is an issue, find a friend to order from the same site and split the shipping and handling costs. Try these websites to get you started: buycostumes.com, www.extremehalloween.com, and costumeexpress.com, or simply Google any costume ideas that you

have.

-Make a trip to Good Will. Lowbudget used goods stores can be a great place to find supplies needed to create the look you 're going for. It may take a little more creativity, but you're sure to save some money and come up with a unique disguise. With a pair of black boots and pants, a white shirt and vest, and a strip of material to tie around your

head, you can be the perfect pirate. Put on a bright-colored sweat suit and suspend a hula hoop from your shoulders that has some white tooling attached to it to become a Care Bear. Get a pair of leather pants, a jean jacket, a bandana, and a cheap pair of gloves with the fingers cut out to be a rocker/biker. These are only a few of the endless possibilities wait-

Higher security will save innocent lives

TUYET-VAN SANSONE

Contributing Writer

· In 1999, there was Columbine. Two boys walked into their high school and fired on their fellow students, killing several including a teacher.

Then last month there was Montreal. A. man walked into Dawson College and killed one student and 19 others. The shooting at Montreal was followed closely by Platte Canyon High School in Colorado, the shooting of a principal in Wisconsin, and an Amish school shooting by a milktruck driver in Nickel Mines, Pa.

That is three schools in one week!

School shootings are popping up all across the country like daisies and something has to be done about it. There has to be a better way to pre','.ent all of this from happening. And it seems like there is only one way to do it. The answer in

security.

High schools seem to be the main target when it comes to school · shootings. Therefore, high schools should boost security measures to stop these kinds of incidents from happening. There should be metal detectors and more security guards on campuses. Teachers should be better trained, if they are not already trained, to handle these situations.

Security is expensive, yes, but isn't a person's life worth more than money? If the security was better, these incidents could have been prevented. After Columbine happened,

ing for you at your local Good Will!

-Search your parents' closet. Dig out your dad's old bell-bottoms or one of your mom's old dresses and create a retro look. Find a group of guys and a bunch of 70's suits to become the cast of "Anchonnan".

If your parents don't mind you raiding their closet it should be easy to come up with a hippie outfit. Or, if you have older siblings, search their closet and pick a character from your favorite 80's movie to transfonn into. Remember-every-

one looks pretty in pink!

With only 21 days until Halloween, and even less than that until the party weekend, these ideas should get you rolling if you are in that annual slump of what to be.

If all else fails, you can always dig through your own closet and be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or a cheerleader from your childhood. You could also go through your friends' closets for the perfect costume. Just remember to be creative, unique, fun, and safe!

all of the schools across the country should have been more alert. If it · happens in one place, it might just happen in another, and it did!

The officers and SWAT in Colorado did the best they could in the situations that they had. They did an excellent job working under that kind of pressure. But there is always room for more precaution. Not just in high schools but in all schools. No where is safe any more and all that can be done should be done to prevent these horrific incidents from occurring again.

TV and gaming are harmful to grades

CHICAGO - Parents now have scic ence to back them up when they say, "Tum off the TV. It's a school night."

· Middle school students who watch TV or play video games during the week do worse in school, a new study finds, but weekend viewing and gaming doesn't affect school performance much.

"On weekdays, the more they watched, the worse they did," said. study co-author Dr. Iman Sharif of Children's Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx. "They could watch a lot on weekends and it didn't seem to · correlate with doing worse in school."

Children whose parents allowed them to watch R-rated movies also did worse in class, and for boys, that effect was especially strong. The findings are based on a survey of 4,500 students in 15 New Hampshire and Vermont middle schools. The study appears in the October issue of Pediatrics.

Weekend viewing and gaming slightly hurt school performance, but only when the students spent

Ideas to shake up college

WASHINGTON - Handed a plan to shake up college life in America, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings is endorsing some of its key ideas and promising to get moving on them.

Her overarching theme is to make everything about college - choosing one, affording one, succeeding in one - easier for families. Parents should be able to shop for a college as simply as they shop for a car, she said, with a clear expectation of what they will get.

High on her list is the creation of a massive information system - a way to judge how colleges and universities are doing in helping students succeed. It would require a vast collection of data on students. with a promise that their privacy will be protected.

and states on the others.

"I'm for it," Spellings said. "But obviously I understand that Congress needs to weigh in."

Spellings said she also wants to:

- Provide matching federal money to states, colleges and universities that report how well their students are performing. The money will be offered as an incentive for candor.

- Call together groups that accredit universities and try to change the standards upon which schools are judged. The goal would be to put more emphasis on student performance.

One, for example, called for a total restmcturing of financial aid. It would mean consolidating dozens of programs that the commission found to be confusing and inefficient.

more than four hours each day at it over the \yeekend.

The study didn't look at grades or test scores, relying instead on students' own rating of their performance from "excellent" to "below average." Sharif said other studies have shown .that students generally ·inflate their actual school performance when askecl. But since both good and bad students overrate their performance, she said, self-reporting is reliable.

Researchers took into account the possible effect of different parenting styles as reported by the students, and they still found weekday TV viewing, video games and R-rated movie-watching harmful.

The researchers did not ask specific questions about homework rules at home, said Sharif, who has three children, ages 7, 11 and 15. Her children watch about an hour of TV after school and then "it goes off and they do homework," she said.

The researchers didn't speculate on why boys might be more affect-· ed by R-rated movies than girls. But Douglas Gentile, who does

similar research at Iowa . State University, said boys may be watching more violent R-rated movies that make them more aggressive. The aggression may lead to poor school performance, said Gentile, who w.as not involved in the new study.

"This study should hammer home to parents that this is really serious," Gentile said. "One question all parents are going to be faced with (from their children) is, 'Can I have a TV in my bedroom?' There's a simple two-letter answer for that."

Previous studies have found links between the ability to learn and TV watching, including a study that found that· children with TVs in their bedrooms scored about eight points lower on math and language arts tests than children without bedroom TVs.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that older children watch no more than two hours daily of "quajity" programming and that televisions be kept out of children's rooms.

The Education Department would work with states and colleges to make that happen, Spellings said Monday, commenting for the first time on a national commission's ideas.

Align high school standards with college work. another commission recommendation. But Spellings wants to do this by extending the No Child Left Behind law into high schools. The Bw;h administration She abo pledged to make apply- hao been i·m l 1• (' ing for financial aid easier and vears 11 ilh liuk imerl'St from speedier.

"Some of this stuff is 'o u1n1nionsensical. and the urgency is so great," Spellings told The Associated "We need Lo get going on this."

Spellings would not commit to one of her advisory panel's most specific ideas: increasing Pell Grants to cover at least 70 percent of in-state tuition costs. Pell Grants, the main form of federal aid for low-income students, now cover less than half the costs.

The idea would cost billions of dollars, either in new spending or cuts elsewhere.

Spellings said she supports more financial aid for poor families. But she would not get specific, wary of pre-empting President Bush before his next budget plan is released.

Ultimately, Spellings said she embraced recommendations that she can do something about. She said she will work with Congress

ThL lll\ C!wlcs 1\1illcr.calk:d the! .S er education s1 stern one oi' :he: nation's biggest successc's. Bul ir also called it complacent and mcrly expensive, with little accountable for its students and poor access for minority students.

Spellings walked that line, too. She called higher education here the envy of the world, but then said the nation has turned into a leader, not a follower, in education competition.

·Miller said he thinks Spellings has responded fairly to his group's recommendations.

"People tend to think you can mn over to the Capitol and everyone there gets to decide," Miller said. "We have a national system, but it's not a federal system. She's got the right balance on that. She needs to get help from a lot of others. I think she'll engage them."

Auburn Sport Shop

Nelly Furtado a recommended play

MICAH HILL Contributing Writer

Nelly Furtado is a singer and songwriter. As a daughter of Portuguese parents who immigrated to Canada, she has been exposed to different genres ever since she was a child; including P011uguese folk and religious music. Having no musical boundaries, she has developed limitless taste.

Nelly Furtado broke into the music scene in the fall of2000, winning critical acclaim for her debut record titled, "Whoa Nelly!" It cont.ained many hits, including Top 10 Billboard hits such as: 'Tm Like a Bird" and "Turn Off the Light". By then she was a young Canadian singer who presented to fans a whole new, hip-hop/Portuguese/ fa do/ sou l!B raz il i an/folk/ dance genre, all combined together to fonn lovely and emotional songs.

Many critics did not believe that Furtado had what it takes to make it in the :U.S. music industry, but while

album sales in the USA where slow, Nelly caught fire on European radio waves. She won the "Best New Solo Artist" and "Best Songwriter" at the 2001 Juno Awards. 'Tm Like a Bird" won the "Best Female Pop Vocal" at the 2002 Grammy Awards.

"Whoa,Nelly!" remained a presence in the marketplace for 2 years, which equals a lifetime in pop music standards.

While performing her 2002 tour. she began working on her second album, "Folklore". "She understood that. working alone wipes out the fun of the music so she returned to work with Track and Field, the two that worked with her on her first album. Her· second album symbolized her maturity. The first one was, as she says, happy and energetic, because she believed she wouldn't be able to perform behind a microphone and with a melancholic melody. This one is different. Now she is more decisive. Still adventurous, but having the thir.st for the reality of folk and different music forms.

Nelly's latest and third album,

Photo courtesy ofwww.sepiamutiny.com

"Loose", is a mix of pop with a sort of Latino vibe added to the album. The first track called "Afraid", has a pop beat with Nelly stretching .her vocal talents with a mixture of rap and singing using her multicultural background limitlessly. The second song on the eel is called "Maneater"' and is a funky sounding tune that's sure to get you rocking.

"Jackass" painful to watch

MARCUS ACKLEY

Staff Writer

can be, but this is a misgu'ided assumption on the part of the viewer. Knoxville was actually knocked unconscious three times during the filming of the movie according.

, Nelly's current single released on Radio called "Promiscuous" has Nelly rapping as well as singing, and has an interesting collaboration with Timbaland to create a nifty sounding tune that's doing quite well on the charts. Track four is called "Glow'' and is followed by the aptly titled tune, "Showtime", · where Nelly finally slows it down a little with more of a slow dance .tune.

In track six called "No Hay lgual", · the Miami Latino sound really pops out. And in track seven, named "Te Busque'', Nelly again uses a very Latin sound, mixing it with English lyrics to create an interesting and catchy tune. ·All the while Juanes adds his vocal talents in the background singing in Spanish. This is a inultilingtial tune that is a lot of fun to listen to.

Track eight, named "Say it Right", is my persohalfavorite. It has a very smooth sounding beat, but conveys a serious message. Track nine, titled "Do it Right"; is a very catchy pop sounding tune that everyone's sure

too enjoy.

Track 10, named "In God's Hands", obviously has a religious theme to it, and is atune that moves rather slowly but the vocals are soothing and the message clear.

Track 11 named "Wait For You", is very unique and has an almost Middle East sound to it mixing the sound with western pop, to create a very interesting tune. Track I2 named, "All Good Things Must Come to an End", is the final track and is another love song but with an upbeat ring thus creating a very interesting catchy tune and one of my personal favorites.

Nelly states that the reason for here very Latin sounding album was a direct results of having worked on the album in Miami. All in all, "Loose" is an okay album. I would suggest that only those who enjoyed Nelly's previous work purchase it.

Too me personally, Nelly Furtado is an artist that I never tire of. I can listen to her music over and over and find myself singing along each and every time.

Johnny Knoxville

Jackass gang are back with another dose of stupidity. "Jackass 2" is by far a much more superior movie than the first, with many more bumps, bruises and brands. Definitely one of the most idiotic scenes in the entire film consists of Barn Margera getting a brand shaped like a male reproductive organ on his rear end. The question is, where do these guys come up with these stunts? Barn Margera says, "Whenever I have an idea, I just draw a picture and fax it to Hollywood."

"Jackass 2" does have a rating of R, but was on the brink of a NC-17 rating. The male nudity and language was enough for the R rating, but if the scene of Chris Pontius drinking horse semen was not edited by the producers, it would have received an NC-17 rating for pornographic material.

It may seem that the star of the movie, Johnny Knoxville, walks away from every stunt as healthy as

Due to current Issues in America today, the guys had planned to pull a prank on a taxi driver and dress a member of the gang as a terrorist going to the airport. Little did Danger Erhen know that the taxi driver was an actor and was going to rough him up a bit. On top of the prank, Danger Erhen's terrorist

beard was made up of a few of the Jackass cast's pubic hairs; one cast member also had crabs at that time. After viewing the movie for a second time, I watched the audience walk out of the theater with three different faces: one of disguised, one of joy' and one of what the heck just happened. I only wonder how many of the viewers went home wondering wh.at it felt like to have a snake bite your genitalia and for that thought, I give the movie 3 stars out of 4.

''Gimme That,"thegirls went wild.

Cheers and screams escalated when the crowd was told, "Chris is look· ing fora girlfriend," in the.opening actof•iyo (ExcusemeMiss).'' The ·noise got ev.en loUder when the ·audience,·was asked,"Who wants to i rising star; be Chris Brown;s baby mama?" €lose am:! Personal The excitement did not stop there. ifoµt\'rJtr<<fue <Omaha· Civic Brown threw out towels covered in Auditorium onSeptember 18 for a sweat, as well as two tank tops, show that was "poppin." The "Up which he ripped off his body. The Close and Personal Tour" included crowd loved it, fighting for a tiny acts by ·dem Franchize Boyz, Ne- scrap of his discarded clothing. yo, and the quartet Cherish. Brown showed the crowd that be Ne-yo got the party started, while was not just a romantic singer but a Cherish's performance was not good "popper" as well. For those what was expected. Dem Franchize unfamiliar with popping, it is a Boyz had people of all ages dancing dance sty le very popular in the rap to ''Lean ·wit it, Rock wit it" and and R&B music scenes. The boy ''White T". has moves, including a single unBut .17-year-old Chris Brown, duplicable move of his lower body who gained most of his fans from that the crowd went crazy for. His his debut album, was the show the performance made this .concert a came for. And it doesn't hurt show worth seeing and fans will t Brown is an attractive guy and continue to follow this rising star hislyrics are.catchy, with a bright future.

When he emerged wearing a white suit and black tie singing

Monday Oct. 9, 2006 '

"Guardian" sinks· under pressure

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

and he has a chip on his shoulder the size of an Olympic pool. Naturally Randall and Fischer end up hating each other. Randall has Despite all of the cliches that "The this desperate need to teach Fischer Guardian" uses to get from begin- to work as a member of a team. ning to end it is still a fairly good While Fischer tries just as hard to movie. The scenes in the water are prove that he deserves to be a Coast excellently choreographed and Guard swimmer. filmed, although they do lack some In order to complete the cliche the of the action that audiences would two men eventually prove themexpect from a movie based on a selves to each other and become the branch of the armed services. best of friends. Forming an almost

cue him. I won't give away the ending, but suffice to say it wasn't very inspiring. It seems that the writers found themselves in need of rescuing.

Audiences might not leave the movie disappointed, but they should have been able to expect more from

director Andrew Davis who brought us "The Fugitive". The acting is acceptable, as is the plot. But it seems like no one, including the young Kutcher, really gave this film their all. Instead of going to see this movie in theaters rent "An Officer and a Gentleman"

The movie revolves around Ben father-son relationship. After graduRandall (Kevin Costner), a decorat- ation Randall returns to Alaska and ed Coast Guard rescue swimmer. Randall looses his entire rescue team within the first 15 minutes of the movie during a freak accident · out at sea. His commanding officer decides that he needs a break, and orders Randall to take a job as a teacher at one of the Coast Guard's academies.

This is where Ashton Kutcher's character, Jake Fischer, comes into play. He is a hotshot student who knows that he has skills in the water. Unfortunately he isn't a team player

his job as a rescue swimmer, and Fischer soon follows. Things are looking good until Randall's flashbacks of the accident interfere with a rescue mission. Unable to deal with his own perceived shortcomings he retires, leaving Fischer to take the reigns.

The movie should have ended right here and offered up a lesson on passing the torch to the next generation, but it doesn't. Fischer's very first rescue on his own doesn't go well, and Randall has to come res-

SPOTLIGHT A:shton Kutcher

in engineering and Nominations: 2000 - Award· Best Male Newcomer. for· "Dude, •Where's·

My Car?" :

,..,The Grudge 2

'

·}{attest, Stars' Under 25 (2000 & 2002),, .· Movieline's Most Iowa, ma" Ravis:hingly Cute Young. Actor his roadto (2000), Teen People's 21 Hottest stitrdom asamo(le\. He walked the Stars Under 21 (1999) catwalk in runway shows in Milan Ashton on modeling career: and Paris and was even featured in "I didn't even know guys modeled ads for Calvin Klein jeans. His act- before that. r thought Fabio was ing debut was made in a Pizza Hut .the only male model, and I really commercial and his film debut was didn't fit that bill." an NYU student production called Trivia: Aston has a fraternal twin "Distance." . brother with cerebral palsy.

Kutcher is now best kriown for his role as Kelso on "That '70s Show" and his marriage to actress Demi Moore. But before he became a star on the silver screen, Kutcher attended University of Iowa, where he majored in biochemical engine ing and was a member of the Del Ch.i fraternify.

Filmography: "Dude Where's My Car". (2000), "My Boss's Daughter" (2003}, ·"The·,Butter(! Effect''· (2004); "Guess Who' (2005), "The Guardian" (2006) TV: ''That '70s Show" "Punk'd"

,..,The Marine

,.., Man of the Year

,...,flags of our Fathers

-The Prestige

,...,Marie Antoinette ,..,Flicka

27

"'Saw III

,..., The Santa Clause

3:· The Escape Clause

What's the insurance for you?

HEATHER WELLS Contributing Writer

All automobile insurance companies think alike, really, and choosing what type of auto insurance is good for you can be extremely difficult. There is some terminology you will probably need to know when looking at the different policies available.

Collisibn protects against the damage caused to your car from an accident with another car or object. Regardless of who is at fault, collision insurance covers it. Comprehensive insurance protects your vehicle against theft or other damage it may take. This damage includes weather damage, vandalism, and those pesky things like f a l l i n g · objects.

Bodily Injury /Property damage insurance protects you if you happen to damage someone else's _property while driving your vehicle.

_Uninsured/Underinsured insurance protects you and those in the vehicle with you in case of injury:

This, though, is only if the other· vehicle is legally liable and does not have insurance. The NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) has a brochure that can help with these terms and what they might mean to you.

With the rise of auto insurance companies there are many more factors to look at than just price. Auto insurance companies are now able to offer a wider variety of policies. for you to choose from. Doing your homework on what they can offer you could possibly save you a lot of money in the long run. You need to get quotes from as many different insurance companies as you can.

thefts, and repairs. Understand, though, that you want an insurance company that has a long, ciean history and good standing. You want a company that you can trust so you don't have to change your auto insurance often. According to autoinsuranceindepth.com, the Nebraska law requires that every driver carry auto liability insurance. Nebraska also requires the liability insurance to be a minimum of 25/50/25. This means that you need $25 ,000

You· should never base · for all, your decision on only one a n d quote. You need to $25 ,000 compare the cover- for any a g e , property monthly

populous. Companies will take the cost of insuring· all drivers and divide it among the drivers. This is not so evenly distributed, though. Insurance providers put drivers into categories of cost and decide on premiums according to the combined driving record. of all the people in the group.

NCIA gives nine areas where you can save money on insurance. One very important thing to do is to ask 'about any discounts that the insurance company can offer you.

Some discounts that may be offered include driver education courses that you've taken, good student driver under 25, having airbags in your vehicle, and having antitheft devices on your vehicle.

Also you may want to consider the cost of insurance before you

a n d the terms of the policy in order to find the policy that is best for you.

You will want a policy that covers all eventualities such as accidents,

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Call for an appointment. Peru clinic available.

property. Nebraska also requires you to purchase uninsured

The key to and underinsured motorist bodily this is that not injury coverage. The required min- all insurance companies group the imum on this is 25/50. same way, so it is very important to According to autoinsurancein- shop around. depth.com, Nebraska decides the There are things that you have

insurace companies will charge a higher premium for cars that will cost more to fix and if they offer less protection from accidents. They also look at cars that tend to .do more damage such l a s

price of insurance by the outcome control· over when trying to keep SUV's and other cars and behavior of the whole driving auto insurance costs down. The that have a high left rate such as

sports cars. Best of all, the better your driving record the better your insurance may be.

Some questions to keep in mind and to ask: Did you offer me the lowest price and if not, why? How can I get a better rate? Are there any discounts that I qualify for? Are any discounts included in this :tate? What payment plans do you offer? Websites that offer free auto quotes:

Creating a resume and interviewing made easy

LINZE THUMMEL

Contributing Writer

Creating the perfect resume is the _ first step in nailing that perfect job · you have been searching for. Once you have compiled all of the content ·needed, you can begin. This content includes past job experience, personal references, educational information, other related experiences, and any personal achievements you wish to include.

The best way to create a simple resume is just to use Microsoft Word, or a similar program's, resume creating function. This will ensure a well-formatted, clear and easy to read resume It will also provide you with· a basis for where informatio11 should be located on the resume.

Remember, you can always change and personalize your resume later. What is important is getting that information laid out on paper. A resume is an ongoing process which needs to be updated and revamped for each position applied for. You would not want the same resume for applying at a fast food restaurant as you would use for a teaching internship or an accounting position.

Here are some tips to best showcase your job qualifications for a basic

part time job and to make an interview an easy and stressfree procedure:

1. Think about how you will answer questions like: Why do you want to work here? Why should I hire you? and What would you bring to our team?

2. Set aside plenty of time to get ready.

3. Dress appropriately to show professionalism.

4. Arrive early.

5. Be polite and patient.

6. Be yourself, but within the limits of the business situation. This means using proper granimer and dialog and using an "indoor" voice.

7. Sit with good posture and use good eye contact.

8. Afterwards, thank him or her for their time artd firmly shake their hand.

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Donn world vs. real world: the difference is .vast

RANDI SCHMID Copy Editor

Ppr the first two years of my college life, I lived with four to five other girls in a three bedroom suite in the dorms. I had different roommates each year and different experiences with all of them. For the most part, I was. used to living with females. Having grown up with two sisters and my mom, we outnumbered my dad by a lot (even thecat

was a girl). the estrogen levels did not bother me for the most part, but there were times when I needed, a little less drama in my life.

Dorm life at the Centennial Complex .differed a lot from Morgan or Delzell, beyond just the co-ed experience. Siire, having guy neighbors was obviously different from Morgan, but it really did not influence my life a lot. In my suite, we were mostly a clean bunch my first year, but there was .one of us who

was like our mom. She was the only one not in a sport, so she took it upon herself to do a lot of the cleaning, including the bathroom. We all had long hair, so one time our er drain clogged up, and she unclogged it by pulling out this massive clump of our hair. It was gross, but she really was like our mom and took care of us. Trash duty, for both years, generally was taken on by everyone. We would just take the trash out on our way to class, so it was not usually a big deal. Most chores in a dorm like

manner; everyone takes care of their mess. I know for most living out there, this works, as it did for me and my roommates.

Having been married in the last few months, my husband and I moved into the college-owned Oak Hill apartments. The transition from single female habitation to married co-ed really has not changed much for me. Luckily, I married a graduate who seems to have a bit more free time and ambition than I do. Anthony is really wonderful in the fact that he takes care of most of the Mathews are taken care of in this chores. He cooks, cleans, and does

PREGNANT?

What's your next decision?

Reliable

laundry. Do not get me wrong, I help too, but he just tak:es it upon himself to have a larger workload so I can do homework. So, for me, being married and not living in the dorms is a lot like my freshman year in the dorms;. I have someone to look out for me. But now, it's a partnership, a commitment.

Anthony does laundry on weekends; I do laundry during the week. I do dishes on weekends and Wednesdays; he does them the rest of the week. He generally makes the bed, but that's because his arm span makes it easier for him.

If I had to choose, I would defic nitely take my married life over living with a bunch of girls again. Not saying there are not days when I would love an estrogen filled house, but this way I have someone who will forever care for me, be there for me, and cuddle with me: And trust me, there is a lot less drama when it comes to living with your husband!

The above diagram is by Linze Thummel.

Fired up and ready to spi e

JACOB THOMPSONKRUG

Contributing Writer

The Peru State women's volleyball team dropped two matches out of three at home, beginning with their Sept. 22 win against Central Christian and ending with a loss Sept. 27 to Bellevue University.

The Bobcats played well against Central Christian, despite dropping the first game 24-30. The team rallied to win the final three games, allowing no more than 21 points in each game. This was due to a great effort by defensive specialist, Afton Burr, who finished the game with 28 digs, and a dominating front that put up blocks throughout the night. While the defense kept Central Christian at bay, starting setter Keshia Seiko, who led the team in set assists with .523, put the ball where it needed to be, and tallied 45 set assists. Outside hitters Allison Slager and Ashleigh Ravnikar slammed down 17 and 12 kills respectively, and helped improve the Bobcats' record to 6-10.

Unfortunately, the next match on the morning of Sept. 23 against the Newman Jets did not produce the same results. The Bobcats seemed shocked the first game because before they could realize what was happening, they had just lost 16-30, and starting setter, Selko, was out with an injured ankle. The second game was worse than the first, with the 'Cats losing 14-30, but they prowled back to win game three, 3024. Seiko's back up, Jessika Wetzler, was thrown into the line up, but Newman was tough, and finished off Peru State with a 23-30 score.

With only a couple days until the next match on Sept. 27 versus Bellevue University, the' Bobcats prepared to play and adjusted the line-up knowing Selko would con-

tinue to remain sidelined. This did not keep the 'Cats from giving it their all; added Slager, "I we played really hard last night."

Peru State did very well defensively with 17 digs from Burr and 10 from Wetzler, but it seemed again that an effective offense was lacking from Peru as they were swept 20-30, 16-30, and 17-30. A· positive was Ravnikar's 12 kills with only three errors in the match, but it was the small things that prevented the Bobcats from playing as well as they. had against Central Christian.

It is hard to compare Bellevue and Central Christian, especially with

Bellevue's last week ranking of 21st in the National NAIA II poll. When it comes to winning, it is all about execution.

"We had trouble hitting around the blocks," said Coach Lexie Turnbull, whose team is now 3-2 in MCAC "'play, and.fr·J2 overall. "We made a lot of mental mistakes that definitely hurt us, andI'm hoping that having time to recover from soreness and refocus will help us."

The next match will be Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00

p.m. against the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Neb. That following weekend, the women will be at the Lindenwood Tournament in St. Charles, Mo.

Wheri the Bobcats return home to -the AWAC on October 11, they will be taking on in-state rival, York College, who is currently sixth in the conference. This should stack up to be a great game with all the fixings that come with a rivalry match.

Close call leads to Bobcats' tough loss

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

With a toss play to the left on second and goal, conference foe Southern Nazarene scored a touchdown and ruined any hopes of a Peru State victory in overtime in Bethany, Okla. on September 30.

''It's really a sick feeling when you know you should have won." said free safety Dan Strobel after the game.

The Bobcats jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead after only seven minutes of play. Fullback Lynn Meyer's 71yard scamper took the 'Cats down to the Southern Nazarene one yard line, setting up a short jump for quarterback Derek Falor into the end zone. After a missed field goal by the Crimson Storm, Falor connected deep to wide out Jared Gerdes, for a 79-yard touchdown.

Southern Nazarene responded with two touchdowns as Peru State failed to respond with any points of their own as the first half came to an end.

An interception by cornerback Devin Wright, his second of the day, gave Peru a first down on the Southern Nazarene 34-yard line to end the Crimson Storm's opening second half possession. From there, the Bobcats drove the remainder of the field- with crisp passes from Falor. He was six of 11 passing with 172 yards and one touchdown. Running back Mike Mertens pounded the ball two yards to end the drive, and put the Bobcats up by seven.

Southern Nazarene quarterback, Schneider, threw his third

interception Ryan picked off the pass. This eventually led Bryan Miller to kick a field goal on a controversial fourth down. A personal foul on a S.outhem Nazarene player on first down put the 'Cats half the distance to the goal line, and what should have been another first down. The game officials neglected to change the down marker, and Peru was forced to kick on fourth down, when it was supposed to been. only third down.

A lack of scoring in the fourth quarter for Peru State, and a Southern Nazarene offense that continued. to run the ball, aided the

biggest play came on a 21-yard field goal by Southern Nazarene kicker Brady Frenchak to.tie the game with three seconds remaining.

The game was sent into overtime, and after a five-yard run by Mertens, the Bobcat offense stalled, and was forced to try for a field goal. Miller nailed a long 44-yard kick to put the Cats up by three. Then, within three plays, the game was over,. and the Crimson Storm emerged victorious. As he reflected about the last play of the game, strong safety Tyler DeBuhr said, "Ii instantly hurt. I didn't even want to get off the

field." schedule.

The tough loss comes after a win The Bobcats look to bounce back at home against Waldorf College against Ottawa University on two weeks ago and a by the week- October 7 and Bethany College on end before on September 23. Peru October 14. State is now 2-3 overall, and 0-1 in MCAC play, but two non-conference opponents are up next on the

Random famous quotes to live _by

"Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is Conan Doyle, 1859-1930) "Happiness is good health and a bad memory." forever."

- Napoleon Bonaparte (17691821)

"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid."

- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, .and I'm not sure about the former."

- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."

-Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

"Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."

"You can only find truth with logic if you have already found truth without it."

- Gilbert Keith Chesterton (18741936)

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being selfevident."

-Arthur Schopenhauer (17881860)

-Ingrid Bergman (1917-1982)

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."

-Mark Twain (1835-1910)

"I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve immortality through not dying."

-Woody Allen (1935-)

"Always do right- this will gratify some and astonish the rest." ''.Perfection is achieved, not when -Mark Twain (1835-1910) there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

-Antoine de Saint Exupery

"Copy from one, it's plagiarism; copy from two, it's research."

-Wilson Mizner (1876-1933)

"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom "Being on the tightrope is living; listens." everything else is waiting."

-Henry Ford (1863-194 7) -Jimi Hendrix -Karl Wallenda

"Do, or do not. is no 'try'." "A witty saying proves nothing."

-Yoda ('The Empire Strikes -Voltaire (1694-1778)

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized." Back')

"I don't know.. why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves."

- Ludwig Wittgenstein· (18891951)

"Problems worthy of attack prove their worth by fighting back."

-Paul Erdos (1913-1996)

"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."

-Plato (427-347 B.C.)

"Talent does what it can; genius does what it must."

- Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873)

''He who has a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.''

-Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900).

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

- Thomas Alva Edison (18471931)

"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable. must be the truth."

- Sherlock Holmes (by Sir Arthur

"Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance."

- Will Durant

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at yoli, then they fight you, then you win."

- Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

"Wit is educated insolence.''

-Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler."

- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

-Sun Tzu

"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."

- Niccolo Machiavelli (14691527), "The Prince"

"Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame."

- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them."

-Mark Twain (1835-1910)

"Everything has been figured out, "The truth is more important than except how to live." the facts."

-Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) -Frank Lloyd Wright (1868-1959)

"When ideas fail, words come in very handy."

-Goethe (1749-1832)

"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths the-

"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing."

- Wernher Von Braun (1912-1977)

ater." "There are only two tragedies in -Gail Godwin life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."

"You can to be serious; - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) you can't pretend to be witty."

-Sacha Guitry (1885-1957) "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though noth-

"When choosing between two ing is a miracle. The other is a;; evils, I always like to try the one though everything is a miracle."

I've never tried before."

-Mae West (1892-1980)

-Albert Einstein ( J 879-1955)

2008 election already heating up

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

The mid-term election isn't done and already the field for the 2008 Presidential election· is beginning shape up. While the two front-runners so far are Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican Senator John McCain ·· the race is still very much. open at this stage. Especially since this is the first time in several decades that neither a President nor a Vice President are running in the election.

Potentiar candidates have learned from experience that the Internet can be a powerful tool and that it is important to begin the process as early as possible. McCain, for example, has already begun to build bis campaign strategy by recruiting Republican,

gists and policy experts as well as financial backers. Since his 2000 presidential campaign came up short in the eyes of Christian conservatives he is going out of his way. now to bring them over to his side_ by enlisting political figures with strong evangelical followers, such as Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. McCain's early start for nomination in 2008 has left his potential Republican rivals struggling to catch up. His main competition in this race for the Republican vote seems to be Rudolph Giuliani, former New York City Mayor, and Governor Mitt Romney.

Supporters of Giuliani are quick to point out how well he rallied the city and the nation after 9/11. Even though he has a lot of support there are several major drawbacks. to his election in the eyes of some Republicans. For one thing his stance on abortion is pro-choice. He also has a fairly liberal record when it comes to the subjects of gun con;trol and gay marriage. Another possible obstacle in gaining Republican support is his highly publicized relationship with Judith Nathan. She later

Giuliani is still a strong potential candidate. He was is well liked and respected in New York City, which is impressive. since the state has become. overwhelmingly Democratic lately. His popularity as a Mayor was well-earned thanks to his success at reducing New York City's crime rate and improving its economy.

Romney has taken advantage of his position to establish action committees in every state. He is allowe_d to do this because his office is not a federal one. He has already spent a considerable amount of time in key primary battleground states giving political speeches Romney is a very strong candidate, with his religious affiliations being his only apparent hurdle. He would be the first Mormon President if elected. The potential problem stems from the fact that the Republican Party has a very strong evangelical base making up of about 30 percent of tJl Party's electorate. And evangelicals consider Mormonism to be practically a cult.

While it is clear that some of the other potential Republican candidates are more in sync with President Bush's views, none of them approach the level of popularity that McCain currently does. It seems that, while McCain has not officially decided to run for President in 2008 at this time, he is looking more like he will be the Republican's candidate.

Clinton, like all of the other candidates, claims that she has not decided whether or not she will run for the 2008 nomination. But, whether or riot she intends to run.

Even

Cheney believes that she has a chance of winning the presidency if his own party isn't careful.

Clinton doesn't just have Republican hopefuls to worry about though; other members of her own party are looking like potential candidates. Of particular interest to the public and media alike is Illinois Senator

Despite these drawbacks

wife, but it is widely believed that they seeing each o t h e r while he was still married to his second wife. Images

considering it. His change of heart comes mostly from the responses he has received from the general public. In fact many Democratic Party Barack Obama. Obama is a fresh- be an excellent candidate for those man Senator, and has a very thin voters who are seeking the most political resume, having spent seven change. years as an Illinois State Senator, If Clinton and Obama both decidand two years in Washington. ed to run it won't leave much room However he has already gathered a for the other hopefuls, which large fan-base thanks to his tremen- include John Kerry, Senator Joseph dous talents as a speaker. Eiden Jr. and Senator Russ Obama first gained national atten- Feingold, as well as several others. tion in 2004, when as a senate can- Although none of the hopefuls didate he was the keynote speaker at have actually thrown their hat into the Democratic National the presidential ring it is obvious Convention. There seems to be a that several of them have every general consensus in the political intention of doing so. Particularly world that if Obama chooses to run when we take into account all of the for the Democratic nomination, he effort they have already invested in will provide the most competition increasing their visibility. While it for Clinton. His combinatioi!'uf whit seems that Clinton .and McCain are wit, poise and political savvy make the most likely to represent their him a noteworthy candidate. respective parties in the 2008 elec-

While Obama originally had no tion it is stiil too eariy to tell. intentions of running for the mesishe is the leading potential candi- dency he has changed his mind in date so far for the Democratic Party. recent months .and is now least

SHERRY KVASNICKA Contributing. Writer

R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me, R-E-S-P-E-C-T take care, TCB... Business students dancing along to Aretha Franklin 9

The Fall Leadership Conference in Hastings on Oct. 2 had business students from all over the state grooving to a new move. Nebraska Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) officers who were elected at the State Leadership Conference in April definitely put a new twist on the recent conference in Hastings. Bringing back the RESPECT dance they learned from motivational speaker Bill Cordes at their State Officer Leadership Academy (SOLA) training was more fun than anyone could have expected. This icebreaker helped students to meet other members and break out of their comfort zone.

"The RESPECT dance put us all on common ground. We were all given a chance to loosen up and be silly. It was so much fun, but it also

Phi Beta Lambda in conference

helped us to be uninhabited with each other which in tum allowed us to relax and comfortably interact with otl1er members for the rest of the day," said Wende Bergmeier

Seven Peru students, along with Nebraska State Phi Beta Lambda advisor Ted Harshbarger, made the. threehour drive to Hastings to participate in the conference. The conference was fun and there were definitely games, but there were also workshops to help PBL students with their local chapters as well as with their upcoming careers.

"Going to the FLC helps to network with fellow members of the state chapters. so when we go to nationals, and are surrounded by several states, we see familiar faces and are more comfortable with our surroundings. We can begin to work and network with other chapters from other states," Christina Wusk said. The conference had many differ-

ent activities for students to participate. This year; along with the

mini- career fair were minimock interview sessions. Herc students could bring their resume and go through a J 0-15 minute interview process with a local PBL advisor. Each state officer presented a workshop topic beneficial to students. Topics included how to get more members involved in PBL. how to run for a state PBL officer position. and how to put a speech together.

"Workshops help us to not only be better speakers, but also prepares us for the future we will have in the business world," Christina said.

The National Fall Leadership Conference will be held in a variety of locations for PBL members across the country to attend. The closest conferences for Nebraska students are Denver, Colorado Nov. 3-4 or Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nov. 17-18.

Jack Critchfield is crowned Mr. Peru of Homecoming 2006

DONNA NEEMAN Staff Writer

On ,every other Thursday night in Peru, Neb., and the campus is usually quiet and empty. On the Thursday night of Oct. 19, it was anything but quiet. At 7 p.m. in the college theatre, the Campus Activities Board sponsored an event called The Mr. Peru Pageant.

Dr. Bill Clemente was the host for the night and did a great job of keeping the audience enthusiastic. There were three judges: Ted Harshbarger,

Glenda Haley, and Kristi Nies. The contestants were Justin Keuten, Tyson Wessel, Kaleb Newman, Brent Wrinkle, Jack Critchfield, Noal1 Whitmore, and Jordan Haas.

The competition started off with formal wear event. Audiences saw things that were not expected; the competition promised to be exciting.

The swimsuit competition was next. Overall, the contestants who received much support were Keuten in black and Critchfield in rainbow. Critchfield wrote his phone number on his body and the' quote, "You Like?"

The last event was talent. If there was a trophy for 'most painful stunt,' it would be given to Wessel. He had assistants wax off his leg hair. The most talented performer would have to be Whitmore. He played the piano arid sang a song he wrote himself entitled 'My Song.' However, due to the nature of the competition, I would have to give best talent to Critchfield. He did a beautiful impersonation of Marilyn Monroe, singing 'Happy Birthday' to the jt1tlges. When Haas did his talent, he sang and danced to the song Tm coming out' which fit the way he was dressed.

THE PERU STATE TIMES

Editor-in-Chief

Senior Staff

Assistant Editor.

Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Distribution Manager

Layout Staff

Ashley Alberts.en

Pamela Bouterse

Phupng Tran

Randi Schmid

Stephanie Hoffman

Jenifer Epting

Ashley Albertsen

Pamela Bouterse

Phuong Tran

Brandon Schumacher

Amanda Erwin

Contributing Stq,ff

Jennifer Epting

Sherry Kvasnicka

Donna Neeman

Chelsea Merrit

Heather Wells

Tuyet-Van Sansone

Jacob Thompson-Krug ....

The final three contestants were Critchfield, Whitmore, and Haas. They were asked a final question, "Why do you think we should crown you Mr. Peru?"

The first to answer was Critchfield. "Um um well I have a lot of school spirit, I play football I love this town," he answered awkwardly. The next contestant to answer was Whitmore. "Colleges have.to have one loud and annoying person, if I'm chosen, I will make sure PSC has Noal1 Whitmore, the inost loud and annoying person you will ever meet!" stated Whitmore proudly.

And finally, Haas had the stage.

"Well, there's a facebook group I'm pretty smart I practiced for like thirty minutes right before this I'm not done yet, world peace I'm done now." As Haas gave his answer he threw the microphone down and pulled it back up like Elvis.

The second runner up was Whitmore while the first runner up was Haas. The 2006 Mr. Peru is Critchfield.

This was a great event for everyone on campus; students are looking forward to seeing this to be an annual PSC homecoming tradition.

The Times, the official student of Peru State College, is published five times per semester by Peru State College students. The Times office is located in the College Publications Office in the AV Larson building.

The opinions expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial staff. The Peru State Times is an independent student publication funded by student publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College.

All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters need not be students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be signed by the individual(s) submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the stafL Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words in length. The Times reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach the Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctimes@yahoo.com, or send material to the Peru State Times, Campus Mail, Peru State College. Peru, NE 68421. View us on the web at http://www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

OPEC decided to cut oil production

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Editor

Responding to a sharp decrease in oil prices, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has decided to boost prices by cutting production by 1.2 million barrels per day tomorrow, Nov. 1.

The OPEC met Oct. 19 in Doha, Qatar to discuss this reduction

which is considered to be a temporary solution by OPEC President Edmund Daukoru. ABC News stated that further cuts are possible when the organization meet again in December in Nigeria.

OPEC's plan has received different responses and assumptions.

The Bloomberg report predicted that the cuts, which come from actual production levels, would affect all countries except Iraq.

USA Today magazine recorded U.S. oil rose 73 cents to $59.23.

Crude oil continued tQ rise since Oct. i 7

\1S".iBC llC\\ \ rhai Prc,idcnt Bush has warned OPEC produci;;rs that curbing production irl an effort 1(·1 oil prices high could backfire.

Also, Bush said that, America will

still need to continute to invest in new technologies and develop alternatives to fossil fuels.

The last time OPEC reduce its production to boost up oil price was December 2004.

OPEC is a permanent, intergovernmental organization created at the Baghdad Conference on Sept. 10-14, 1960. This group of oil

•· ASHLEYALBERTSEN 'Editor-in-Chief

On 2-:L 2006 lhc House voted bill law. HB 1215, also known as Women's Hca.lth and .Human Protection Act, makes.it a woman in South unless is necessary to save the woman's life. While a woman an

exporter countries produces about 40 percent of global supply.

OPEC has the following members: Iran. Iraq, Kuwait Saudi Arabia, Venezuela. Qatar, Indonesia. Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, United Arab Emirates. Algeria. Nigeria, Ecuador and Gabon.

According to OPEC, "the organiregretted them.

w Hunt an cl Unruh have po.inted <mt that the bill does allow for emergency that can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of the bill arc cager lo that South Dakota also that allows maci'ts lo refuse to fill tions for contraceptives.

As a tc:stament to the state's stance abortion it shou Id be noted

zation 's objective is to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers: and efficient. economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations: and a fair return on capital to those investing in the industry."

similar bills. In foci.

that 1hcre is one abortion cl in· overturned by tbc: ic in the tntire state, and that it is

Good

Pies, Cakes, Snacks, Breads, Rolls, Jams & Jellies, Candy, Sweet Treats, Cookies

Menus

9 am Brunch: Cinnamon Rolls

II am-1 pm Lunch: Sloppy foes, Salads, Desserts 4-']pm: Ham Balls, GreenBcans, Salads, Desserts

Rafile

Money not necessarily key to winning

ry, there had always been a crane or JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG construction equipment around the Contributing

Writer

Last year, the Nebraska Legislature passed a bill that granted Peru State College millions of dollars to update the Al Wheeler Activity Center. Over the summer, the University of Nebraska completed Its multi-million dollar addition to Memorial Stadium including new practice facilities for the football team. Although private donations were made to the University of Nebraska, the same theory applies to both PSC and UNL: that creating better athletic facilities produces a more successful athletic program by attracting better athletes.

Improving stadiums and building new sports facilities has become a never-ending task for most college campuses. I remember attending football games at Memorial Stadium and for most of this centu-

outside of the stadium. The secondlargest football screen in the Big 12 is now sitt\ng atop the north end of the stadium, but how does something like that win games or championships?

Well, technically, it cannot win games, but it is impressive; especially to a recruit who is still trying to decide where he should go play football and attend college. Ajumbo screen will not win him over, but the idea that the school is improving the stadium and updating facilities shows that they care about their athletes.

This also has a positive effect when it comes to hiring coaches; showing the dedication that the university has to athletic programs. Scholarship money and coaching salaries can bring in some of the top players and coaches around the country, which can only increase the team's chances of winning· a cham-

pionship.

Unfortunately, these types of scenarios are not true for most of the colleges throughout America.

According to Peru State Athletic Director, Richard Speas, out of the 282 NAIA schools, only a select few give out their full allotment of scholarships due to budget constraints.

"Most of the successful programs, in terms of wins, do tend to have higher investments in scholarships, coaches salaries and facilities," says Speas.

Although Peru State isoifiot known for having dominant programs, the oldest school in Nebraska can still churn out a couple championships once in a while.

Great recruiting helped the 1990 Bobcat football team win the NAIA National Championship, and a hard working women's basketball squad was named Division II National Champions back in 2000. Let us not forget last year when the young

Bobcat softball team won the MCAC Championship for the first time ever. During these championships, no new additions or aweinspiring improvements were made ·to the Campus of a Thousand Oaks; maybe a couple new trees here and there, but that is about it.

So how is it that lower budget teams can be successful? An important building block is a good coach, one who can effectively manage a team and knows how to talk with players. It is also necessary to have the right players in the right system. The coach does not need to be a great strategist, but he needs to know the abilities of his players and emphasize mechanics. Even great athletes make mistakes, but coaching players to be disciplined in the way they play can prevent errors. The chemistry of players can also make a team successful, and all of these things can happen with a lower budget athletic program.

With the new and improved

AWAC, it will be interesting to see if there will be an increase in the quality of athletes that attend Peru State. The effects are evident this year, especially in football where the team has already won more games than they have in the previous two years. The AWAC should at least be finished by the Fall of 2008, and many of the incoming student athletes in the next couple of years will be able to experience it for most of their college careers. Whether or not the money flow and investments into Peru State's athletic programs continue, there cannot be an excuse. Just because the Oak Bowl does not have lights or the AWAC only has one hardwood court does not mean that the Bobcats cannot win games.

We may not have the private donations that surrounding NAIA schools receive, but we still win. We win because we play hard, and we play hard because the feeling of being victorious is priceless.

Don't lose your momentum to work out

JENIFER EPTING

Contributing Writer

Classes, homework, studying for exams, extracurricular activities, work and many more things provide excuses for not working out. With such busy schedules, not many of us college. students have the time or energy to exercise. However, we need to make time. Maybe the probJem is not our schedule, but our motivation level to exercise.

Exercise is vitally important to a healthy lifestyle. Just because some of us are young, or feel young, does not mean that we are healthy enough to avoid exercise. No matter what your size or weight you need to exercise! Your health may and should be the key motivating factor.

However, most of us know about how important it is to exercise. So here are some helpful tips on how to get and stay motivated while in college to get up and do it!

Work out with a partner. Studies have shown that people that exercise with a partner are more successful at exercising consistently. You and your partner can keep each other accountable to working out.

Setaspecifictimetoworkoutand goalofrunningonatreadmillfor20 hour by November 30, 2006. Be stick to it. The best way to look at minutes at a speed of 6.0 miles per sure that your goals are quantitative,

Another motivation technique for many is music. Grab your mp3 player or cd player, put on your headphones and get to work! When you put the music you love on, you can get a lot done and be in your own zone. Use this time to get away from everything and enjoy your workout.

Whatever it is that motivates you, use that to get to the student center or AWAC and workout. I hope that these tips have given you an idea of what you may need to do to motivate yourself to working out with this busy college lifestyle.

written down and maybe even posted in your room to remind yourself ,,..-------------. of them everyday. working out is to make it a ..-------------part of your schedule that can not be interrupted. Try to look at your work out time as a class or work, you have to be there. You should also let it be known to friends and family that your workout time is set in stone, that way they will not bother you to do something during that time. Set challenging and specific goals. Setting goals that are challenging will help you to want to achieve them more and give you something to look forward to. One thing that is truly important when setting these goals is to make them specific and set a time when they are to be achieved. For example, you can set a

Brownville Concert Series presents Annie Sellick

The Brownville Concert Series in conjunction with the Mid-America Arts Alliance and the Nebraska Arts Council presents Nashville Jazz sensation Annie Sellick in cabaret Friday and Saturday, November 10 and 11 at 7:30 pm and in concert Sunday, November 12 at 2:00 pm. Don Heckman of the LA Times Jazz Spotlight writes, "there's more than Joplin in Sellick's well-formed style, which also includes traces of Anita O'Day's roughhewn rhythms, Ruth Brown's blues and - even more - her own utterly unique musical personality She sings everything with an ineffable perky enthusiasm."

Annie Sellick's jazz journey began auspiciously when she sat in with guitarist Rolan Gresham's group at a club near the college she attended. After her performance, the crowd rose to their feet cheering, and it was clear she had found her calling. After working with the trio for four years, she moved back to her hometown of Nashville and honed her skills at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. After just a few years in her hometown she won a devoted following, became a

mainstay at the major jazz venues, was profiled in every major Nashville paper, and gave celebrated sold-out performances backed by the Nashville Symphony. Her career in jazz has taken her through three recordings on her own label (one with jazz organist Joey De Francesco), stardom in Nashville and regular appearances

in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and Montreal to sold-out audiences. Perhaps Annie Sellick's best quality as a singer is her ability to make people happy. An unusually engaging performer, she has won a large, devoted following and earned rave reviews, winning numerous Best Jazz Artist awards in the Nashville Media. Her third CD, "A Little

Piece of Heaven -An Evening With Annie Sellick" recorded live at The Vic in LA and released in 2005 is as free-spirited and full of attitude as she is.

For ticket information and reservations for the concerts please call 402-825-3331 or 402-274-3661. Cabaret tickets are $20, concert tickets are $13 ($10 for students).

For more information on the Brownville Concert Series or calendar of this season's performances go to the website at www.brownvilleconcertseries.com. The Brownville Lyceum Cafe will be open for lunch, dinner and desserts prior to the performances. The Whiskey Run Creek Winery m Brownville is also open.

Sirigers

Peru $tate qoUege (PSC) Director: · .K-12 Vocal/Instrumental Music of Choral Dr. Thomas Milford Ediger anpounced the name!; of 16 stqdents as Madrigal Singers.for the academic year.

The group will present "A Holiday Jyladrigal Dinner" at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9 in the PSC Student Center Tickets for that event go on sale Nov. 3.

Members of the ensemble are listed below alphabetically by hometown, along with their year and major.

Nebraska

Bea:tr\ce

Patterns emerge at Audubon Center

"By Nature's Design: Finding Shapes and Patterns on the Prairie" will be presented on Saturday, November 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Spring Creek Prairie Au.dubon Center. This program will offer opportunities to explore new ways of seeing the natural world.

Participants will develop observation and prediction skills while finding examples of patterns along the beautiful prairie trails. They will discover how patterns in nature influence human design in architecture and engineering, and how some from our everyday lives have been inspired by these natural patterns.

This program is designed for ages 10 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is $5 .00 per person. Space is limited. Preregister by Nov. 2 by calling (402) 797-2301.

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is an 808-acre tallgrass prairie nature preserve located 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln,

Nebraska. Visitors can enjoy miles of walking trails, nearly 650 acres of native (never plowed) tallgrass prairie, ponds and wetlands, wildflowers and grasses, a diverse assortment of birds and other wildlife, historic wagon ruts, peaceful surroundings, and beautiful scenic vistas. Volunteer opportunities are available and education pro-

grams for all ages are offered yearround.

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is located twenty minutes southwest of Lincoln (follow SW 98th Street south out of Denton for three miles).

For further information, contact Deb Hauswald, (402) 797-2301

Whitford, Senior - K-12 Vocal/Instrumental Music

Omaha

-Amber Kushner, Senior - History

Plattsmouth

-Deena Whitford, Senior - K-12 Vocal/Instrumental Music

-Noah Whitmore, SophomoreUndeclared

Shickley

-William Polk, Freshman Undeclared

Stella

4trp.rl:n;nraF · •· ·•• •Music

Auburn Sport Shop

Athletic equipment and apparel, all your sporting needs

Good Luck Peru State Athletes!

@ll'il@I 826 Central Ave Auburn, NE 68305

Ph:(402)274-5236 Fax:(402)274-5379

"Prestige" proves magical

KITTY BOUTERSE Contribuitng Writer

To perform a successful magic trick, some say that the key is to get your hands dirty. That sacrifices are needed to become the best.

In "The Prestige," the competition to be the best is between Rupert Angier, played by Hugh Jackman, and Alfred Borden, played by Christian Bale. Once partners, the magicians are rivals in search of revenge. This is started by the death of Rupert's wife during a failed magic trick. Rupert is convinced that it is Alfred's fault and becomes determined to steal and better Alfred's magic tricks.

This feud fuels the magicians in challenging themselves and each other to perform the best magic trick of all time. Alfred becomes so determined that he risks his family as Rupert spends a fortune in search of the perfect magic trick. When Alfred performs the ultimate magic trick, Rupert tries desperately to find out the secret behind the trick. This obsession fueled by jealousy and deceit, leads Rupert to sacrifice whatever it takes to become the best.

The rivalry between these two men is unlike those found in other movies as each man goes to an extreme to figure out the other's mind. Sure, some of the audience only came to the movie to see what it would be like to see Wolverine and Batman battle it out without their abilities or expensive gadgetry. But the real attraction of this movie is the extraordinary acting of the entire cast. Although Scarlett Johansson's role was not as big as the advertisements made us believe, her time on screen was mesmorizign. Even David Bowie provides his presence in this movie. Along with the acting, the plot of

this movie is defiantly unique and refreshing after a long line of remakes. The only questionable move by the director. Christopher Nolan (also known for Batman Begins and Memento), is the use of science fiction in one part of the film. In order to use science fiction effectively, it is either all or none. Although it was not perfect. ''The Prestige" is better than most of the movies that have been released so far this year. It helps transform magic from a tacky, overdone performance to an intricate display of witt and a profession worth any sacrifices necassary.

Photo courtesy of

"Employee" slacks with lack of creativity

STEFF HOFFMAN Contributing Staff

"Employee of the Month" was lost in all the hype about Dane Cook. For those who are use to the-humor · of Cook's stand-up comedy, you will be truly disappointed.

Super Club, a discount warehouse store, awards deserving employees with the title of employee of the month. Well, this month is all too different with the prize of a car and, quite possibly, a woman's heart.

Dax Shepard's character Vince Downey is the number one cashier, known to have the fastest hands in the Southwest. He has been employee of the month for 17 months straight and is working on lucky number 18. However, when the gorgeou.s new cashier, Amy (Jessica Simpson) starts, rumor has it she only dates the employee of the month. This pushes slacker, boxboy Zack Bradley (Dane Cook) to work harder than ever before.

After changing bad habits to good ones, such as being to work on time and putting effort into his work, Zach is still not receiving any recognition. This calls for some serious action. Friends Russell (Harland Williams), Lon (Andy Dick) and Iqbal (Brian George) add not only humor, but help for their friend in need. And yet, nothing seems to work.

Right before quitting his crazy

charade, Zach falls upon a little luck. Everything begins to go his way. He is being recognized at work and has the girl of his dreams. However, he lost his friends somewhere between being a jerk and becoming a new Zach. This is what he wants right; to be a different person?

This cliche story of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and boy ·gets girl again is tired and uninspiring. The funny antics and one-liners of costars Efren Ramirez and Tim Bagley help the audience to get a few laughs, but cannot be expected to save the movie from being a subpar film. In all fairness, what this movie lacks is not due to bad acting, but poor dialogue.

If you are looking for a wannabe romantic comedy, this movie is for you. Packed full of humor and cheesy moments, this movie is overall an average film.

.

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-Stranger Than Fiction -AGoodYear -Harsh Times

STATE THEATRE 1221 J Street

Auburn, NE 68305

(402) 274-4096

Movies nightly at 7.30 p.m.

,.;.;Casino Royale -Fast Food Nation

,..,Happy Feet , ,..,Tenacious D in 'The Pick of Destiny'

with Murphy.

What does your costume say about you?

RANDI SCHMID Copy Editor

- Hugh Hefuer: If a man dresses as the originator of Playboy magazine, he. wants the kind of power that only money can buy. He wants to be surrounded by women and parties. A real life o!the party type of guy, a downside to his enthusiastic personality may be how friendly he gets towards other women.

- Vampire: This costume wearer is trying to woo you, but, how, you may wonder, is a vampire outfit appealing? Well, think of Interview with a Vampire (Brad Pitt and a pre-Katie Tom Cruise) and you get the idea. While you may think this is attractive, beware because this could just be an excuse to put his mouth on your neck.

- Superman: A man in a cape and tights? Well, there may be more to this costume than you think. At first glance, it appears that he just wants · to be your hero, your Clark Kent. However, maybe this is a walk down memory lane him. Every · little boy wants to be Superman and

this may be his way of reliving his childhood. Beware of this man because his flashback to the good old days may just be your Kryptonite.

- Caveman: Hello testosterone city! Ladies, this Fred Flinstone-ish getup may be cute in Geico commercials, but do remember that cavemen used to drag their around by their hair.

- A woman: A man in drag on Halloween is safe if the clothes are borrowed from his sister. In this case, this "hunkette" may just be looking to have a good time. Jhis is another one to be aware of...especially if he's playing close attention to his figure - and yours!

- Pirate: Jack Sparrow may be

horse. She wants the whole she- this girl; she wants jewelry from bang: the fairy godmother, the.glass Tiffany's. slipper, the happily ever after. Be - Barbie: Ah, the perfect woman or prepared to give her the happy end- the woman who demands. perfecing. tion? Seeing as there is no such

- Kitten: Meow! This costume, thing as perfection, you had better like most girls, is flexible: it can be be on your toes in either case. a sexy-kitten or a cuddly cat. With However, this may just be a simple the sexy-kitten type girl, be careful case of a girl who loves pink clothes that she doesn't dig her claws in too and blue eye shadow and had no far: Cats tend to be picky about who other Halloween ideas. able to pull off the eyeliner look but they do or do not like, so watch out This Halloween season may be your be sure that this man doesn't have to see if you get a purr or a hiss. season for love. No matter what more make-up on than you do. A swash-buckler like this may be a handful, especially if he has his eye on your booty.

With the cuddly cat, this girl just your horoscope says, don't judge a wants love, but the right kind of book by its cover because what you love. Be careful or the fur will fly! may see as a devil on the outside

- Movie Star: Awoman dressed as

input on almost everything, you will have to put up with other men in her life. Charlie ahd Bosley are never too far behind when the angels are concerned.

- Charlie's Angels: This girl likes may just be an angel looking for its to hang out with her gal pals, while wings. a movie star can play a good girl or fighting crime, of course. Not only ..--..,,,,....., the bad girl. AMarilyn Monroe cos- do you have to handle her friends' tume ensures more maintenance than, say, a Audrey Hebum costume. Whether the girl dresses as Angelina Jolie or Drew Barrymore, be aware that a woman dressed as a movie star may tum into a demanding diva.

- C::inderella: This classic costume warrants more than a fling. This woman wants you to be her Prince Charming, riding in on a white

- Goddess: Whether this means Grecian or Egyptian, this woman likes to be worshipped. She is used to being in the lime-light so you had best be prepared to dote on her 24/7. No hand-made cards for

More to Halloween than candy

now considered the. Pagan religion, BRANDON SCHUMACHER once called witch craft, would caII for their lost love in

Contributting Writer

"Trick-or-Treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don't, I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear." Growing up in the city; I remember hearing this all the time on Halloween, the one night of the year where everyone gets to eat as much candy as they want without having to worry about going to the dentist. Dressing in costume as the scary, funny or just plain weird makes Halloween one of the most popular holidays of the year. However, Halloween was not always about fun, games and candy, nor was it called Halloween. All Hallows Eve was the one night of the year when the dead could supposedly return to the realm of the living. The living used to fear the All Hallows Eve, and thought ·that it might bring with it a vengeful spirit in search of justice. · Others thought it would life to decayed corpses, wliilst other seized the opportunity to communicate with a dead loved one. In what is

door? Or Bloody Marry appearing if you say her name 13 time_s in a room with a mirror and all the lights

search of hope that there is life after are off. Then there is my personal death and a new way to live life. favorite, the Halloween Campus Though some people believe that Mass Murder. A legend spread they have reached the spirit world from, get this, but none other than with such things as tarot cards and the Oprah show. Although there Ouija boards, it was just the subcon- never was really a broadcast. the scious mind telling them what they legend went like this: want to hear. Just for those who are A psychic on the Oprah show preunfamiliar with the word Ouija, it is dieted a mass murder on a campus, pronounced wee-gee. The famous not telling the campus's name or Ouija board was the most popular where it was. The murders would way to try to contact the dead. happen in the dormitories. The Speaking from personal experience, murder would be dressed in a the Ouija board is not all that excit- Little Bo Peep costume, and murder ing; it just sits there. the students left in the dorm while Tarot cards are a tricky subject to the others went out to party. talk about. Most people ask the Now there are many different verTarot cards a question and expect a sions of this story, this one being my yes or no answer. What they do not favorite, due to the fact consider is that there is no "yes or that the murder does not go after no" answer. The Tarot is hard to just girls, but those who stay behind. read. It does not give a direct It is these little pleasures of adrenanswer, merely a suggestion. The aline rushes that make life worth Tarot will talk about the past, pres- living Halloween may be fun and ent, future, the person as a being and games, but do remember, all of what an answer might be. · these myths, legends, games, and Does anyone remember any good fun were started by the world of All urban legends? How about the man Hallows Eve, where anything could with a hook scraping across thercar happen.

Recognize renters' right

HEATHER WELLS Contributing Writer

College for many students is a journey in self discovery. This journey includes moving out and finding an apartment for the first time. Never having had to worry about what rights a renter is entitled to, this may be a bit of a challenge. Every state has their own rights for renters and landlords alike. Nebraska has many state statues that cover both renters' and landlord's rights and duties.

When deciding what apartment to get, be sure that you read the lease thoroughly. Your rental agreement may contain provisions that are unacceptable for you. Some leases contain restrictions on guests, pets, alterations to the apartment and having a home business. Never sign a lease with blank spaces or rely on promises. Also keep in mind that a lease sometimes will include clauses that are not legally enforceable. These may include locking the tenant out if there is a failure to pay the rent. The lease also does not cover all of your rights but the Nebraska statues do. For instance, if the property is sold, the new owner is bound by the existing lease.

You also want to make sure that you get everything you want in writing; make copies of everything.

Sometimes originals get misplaced or lost. This includes keeping any letters you receive from your landlord and making a copy of any requests that you write. If there is oral agreement between you and your landlord, follow up with a written copy confirming the oral agreement.. Always have a paper trail. Concerning repairs, keep in mind that unless you have a written contract for reimbursement with your landlord, hey or she does not have to pay you for these repairs.

According to NOLO .com the three biggest disputes between tenants and landlords are over rent, security deposits and the landlord's right to enter the apartment.

The landlord can only enter your apartment for three reasons: the need to make repairs or to determine if repairs need to be made, in an emergency and to show the property to prospective renters or purchasers. The state of Nebfc!Ska states that.the landlord needs to give at least a one day notice. You do not

have to let them in without this Although this still does not give the unless it is an emergency. Also, the landlord the right to lock you out of landlord should only enter at rea- the apartment or take possession of sonable times. your property, if you still fail to pay, Keep in mind that you as a renter the landlord must then file a suit to have a responsibility to not destroy have you evicted. According to the the apartment, and the landlord has Nebraska State Bar Association, the responsibility to keep the apart- your landlord does not have the ment habitable. According to the authority to shut off eiectric, gas, Nebraska Landlord-Tenant Act, ,water or any other essential serviclandlords are required to comply es. with minimum housing codes con- A landlord much also give a 30cerning health and safety or, in case day notice to a renter with a lease to of no local codes, the state mini- raise the rent. Make sure that your mum standards. You have a right to lease does not state otherwise. report your landlord to the local As a renter, you may withhold rent housing office if the landlord fails to in some circumstances. According follow these standards. to the Nebraska Bar Association, A landlord cannot take any money you may withhold rent if your landout of your deposit for normal wear lord fails to provide services such as and tear. To make sure this does not heat or running water. You are also happen before moving in, take pie- able to withhold rent due to damage tures and make a list of anything caused by fire or other catastrophe. that shows existing defects or dam- For more information: age and date it. Get this signed off - Lincoln Commission on Human by the landlord before moving in Rights 440 South 8th Street, Suite and keep a copy for yourself. Also 101 Lincoln NE do this upon moving out. The land- - Nebraska Equal Opportunity lord must give you· the remaining Commission 5th Floor 301 balance of your deposit within 14 Centennial Mall South Lincoln days, if demanded. If a resolution NE 68509 402-471-2024 can not be met by both parties on - Omaha Human Relations your deposit refund, you may take Department Omaha/Douglas Civ your case to small claims court. 1819 Farnam Street Omaha

If you have not paid your rent by NE 68183 402-444-5055 the designated day, according to the - Family Housing Advisory Nebraska Landlord-Tenant Act, the Services, Inc. 2505 North 24th landlord must then make a demand Street, Suite 219 Omaha NE in writing that the rent must be paid 68110 402-934-6675 within three days, and only at this time will the landlord be ahle toterminate ·the rental agreement.

Do y.()qbaye any sccretfalents?

r havb.tw0 "talents'' l guess you <:ould calhhem. one is this weird dicky noise I can make with my .mouth. J can my chin on command. I

Are you, an bird or a I .tNight <;rawler'!

Volleyball team hard hitting

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

To start off another fun filled Peru State Homecoming weekend, the Bobcat women's volleyball team went 1-1, losing to Park University and then defeating Haskell University.

The Friday. October 20 game with Park was a rematch from earlier in the season when Peru Stale lost a close one after a fi vc game match.

\0 fight, and came out ning the First game 30-2+. Passes were and

Center as ihc (\;:ills rained down onh1 Park\ rnit: 1A the court.

After close second game 25-)U. Park University continued to roll. evcnlUally winning game three, 20-30, and game four, 21-30.

It was good to see, though, how more Bobcat players were involved in the offense, which helped prevent the scores from getting too out of hand. Sophomore Allison Slager continued to lead the team in kills with 13, and junior Ashleigh Ravnikar bad 12. Sophomore Sara Kenne and Freshman Kaitlin Morrow both had 8 kills, and helped contribute on the offensive end of the game.

ing," said Wetzler about how the games can sometimes get out of hand.

Thankfully, the Bobcat alumni and fans weren't disappointed when they returned the next day to the AWAC to watch the women face. Haskell University on October 22. The first game wasn't even close as Peru State's starteis dominated with

Saturday, and all but one had a dig. It really shows how the players' fundamentals allow them to perform efficiently at every skill level. Plus, the alumni and fans always enjoy a good thrashing of the opponent on Homecoming.

The hustle that the 'Cats displayed on defense was much improved since their last home game, and made the game more exciting. Sophomore right side Jessika Wetzler led the team with 17 digs, followed by Junior setter Keisha Seiko and Kenne who each had 14 a support.

against Bellevue University in Bellevue, Neb. Be sure not to miss the last home game of the season when the College of St. Mary travels down to the AWAC on November 1. The 'Cats will be looking to avenge a loss from St. Mary that occurred earlier this season, so come out and show your a score of 30-10. Haskell was no

piece. match for the Bobcats who were

"It seemed like when we would consistent in every aspect of the give up a point, we would get down · game throughout the whole match. on ourselves, even if we were still A lot of the players who had not winning. A few mistakes are made, played the previous night were able and then we have trouble refocus- to get some more game experience,

and finished off Haskell University with scores of 30-24 and 30-16.

"Everyone was able to get into the game since it was obvious that we could defeat them after 'the first game. I think Coach (Lexie) Turnbull did a great job of getting all of us in the game, and helping our confidence," said Sophomore defensive specialist Kelley Scanlan. All but two Bobcats had kills

Peru State is now 7-6 in the MCAC, and 10-20 overall with their next match corning up on October

Game starts as shut-out but ends in defeat

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

On a cold, windy Homecoming Saturday afternoon, Peru State's defense couldn't prevent Northwestern Oklahoma State University's running attack from scoring late and winning the game with a score of 30-20.

After scoring with about four minutes left in th.e game, the Bobcats cut the Rangers' lead to a three, and were hoping for a huge defensive

·stop. Through the mud and sleet, the defense couldn't bring down the Ranger runners who totaled 348 yards. They forced their way through and around the defense on a late scoring drive that capped the game off. The offense had a chance with a couple minutes remaining to score, but were unsuccessful, and

the Rangers ran the clock out. Even before all of the fans were nice and warm in the Oak Bowl stands, Peru State wide receiver Jared Gerdes burst through the wedge of players after receiving the ball on the kick-off, and went 92 yards to the end zone. The Northwestern Oklahoma sideline didn't know how to react being down 7-0 with only a few seconds into the game. The shutout didn't last long, and after a couple threeand-out series for each team, the Rangers tied the game on a long run along the sidelines.

The Bobcat offense struggled through the fast half, with only short runs up the middl.e. Fullback

Lynn Meyer and running back Mike Oklahoma wasn't allowing much Mertens only rushed for 64 and 62 interior running. Their speed and the yards respectively. Both players had slippery conditions made it difficult over 100 yards rushing last week in for the Peru State offensive line to Peru's 35-17 dismantling of stay oh their blocks, and created Bethany College, but Northwestern trouble for the Bobcat ru11ning

backs to tum the comer on outside runs.

By Halftime, Peru State was only down by the score of a field goal, and was looking to regain the momentum. The Bobcat offense finally began clicking, and by mixing up the play calling, the Rangers were caught off guard. The offense line was giving quarterback Derek Falor just enough time to dump the ball off to his receivers, and finished the game 7-16 with 105 yards passing. Both running backs Cody S.mith and Mertens caught screen passes that went for 21 yards and 25 yards.

Spreading out the defense loosened up the Ranger defensive interior, and allowed for big gains on tough runs by Meyer and Mertens who contributed heavily to the 162 rushing yards. The two scoring

drives in the third and fourth quarters showed the versatility of the Bobcat offense, but were pounded in on the ground by Mertens for touchdowns. Peru State had a nice drive during the fourth quarter, but after coming up one yard short on the third down, the 'Cats were forced to attempt a field goal by Bryan Miller. Unfortunately, the kick came up short, and Northwestern wore down the clock, but couldn't score after putting 13 points on the board during the third quarter.

The quiet and cold Bobcat faithful errupted into applause when Peru State scored on the last of Mertens' touchdown runs late in the fourth, but it was the last time much noise was heard from the crowd. Even as the Northwestern Oklahoma running back did his best Reggie Bush impression by jumping and somersaulting into the south end zone to put the garne out of reach, it was as quiet as a funeral. It w.as a close loss with a touchdown that only adcled salt to the wound,

and ended Peru State's two game winning streak.

After totaling over 400 yards of total offense during the past month, the 'Cats could only manage 267 yards.

"I thought our offense performed fairly well, but they (Northwestern Oklahoma State) had a lot of great athletes on defense," said Peru State offensive coordinator Dick Ramsey. "If we can compete at the level we played at on Saturday, we will definitely win some more games. There were some good things happening for our offense that helped us, especially in that fourth quarter."

The Bobcats are now 0-2 in the Central States Football League conference, and 4-4 overall. The players and coaches pian to regroup, and look to the future as they face Haskell University October 28 in the Oak Bowl. On November 4, Peru State travels to Muskogee, Okla. to battle conference foe, Bacone College, and then ends the season when Texas College travels north to Peru.

We. Offer quality, health care · and.ecjucati6n for both men'.and. women; Medical Services. include: pervici:d cancer screening,. sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment,. pregnancy testing, dispensing of contraceptives··and emergency contraceptives. Charges are based upon income and family size on a sliding-fee scale. All Services are Confidential. Call for, an appointment. Peru clinic available.

The Wild West Homcoming Parade

CODY Wm

Decorated Vehicles

L Peru State Softball Team

Contributting Writer 2. Phi Beta Lambda (Business Club)

Student Senate held the annual 3. The Multicultural Club omecoming parade on Oct. 21, 6 with a theme centered around "I didn't let the weather affect my he Wild West. attitude and it was great to see PSC Students as well as members of the The weather, which turned out to be cold and dreary, did not stop the spirits of all the students that helped ith the parade and everybody atchfugit

There were approximately 33 ntries. in the parade and here were the following winners: Floats

community. come out and support the parade," said Austin Reisig a junior elementary and special education major.

VOL. 84 ISSUE 4

support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people.

The Unite<:! States sent m.ore than 100,000 U;S.. trQ{)P$ 9ver sea to lrilqi on 2Q03; and this invasionoflraq.b¢gtlfl the lra%War.

Bush's decision a very high support from U.S. dtize11s at the beginning of the war, though it declined later after theinitfaiionS: of Numerous polls were ted by CBS news, the New and CNN news to 61t oftbe

Shi'a Muslims. OnJan. 2005; after examine hun()fdocl.lments, U.S. inspectors and Iraqi scientists with expertise in WMD ended their search beeause no WMDs were found in Iraq. to many. U.S. citizens, the war had lDst its purpose.

.The Iraq war is going on despite ofthe public disapproval. And the increasing number of deaths. of both Iraqi and U.S.'s troops, has been captured by the media.

A new study, which was published online by BritiBh medical journalel, suited: that "

Americans, Iraqis, and the rest of Thousand of Iraqis are homeless the world are asking the same ques- and suffer from hunger and severe tion: "When is the war going to be diseases. They are wondering over?" where the peace that they were Experts predict that the growing promised is. doubts among GOP lawmakers

A m<\ior concern is that the about the Iraq strategy, pressure American economy might be from the publie and media will soon deeply hurt after the war is over. It force the Bush administration to has cost an enormous amount <if change its commitment to the war. n;ioney, which could have been used Bush has been given about three 'fo tter health care or been years to create a stable; put ucation.

Iraq and he was not able to do T.Ui:::'!IBN news concluded· that The news has reported even if the lJ .S. exits Iraq within Nov. 14. ,another three years, total direct and indirect costs to U.S. taxpayers will likely by more than $400 billion, one estimate puts the total eco, impact at up to $2 trillion.

Fo er, Saddam cqnvicted of humanity and senth by hanging. was ever found in Iraq. Two outofthtee missions Of the war have been. acc9mplisbed,. still there is no clear plan or sign of U.S. , troop withdrawal.

Afthe. end, many questions are left unanswered bythe government.

Bush has been given .about three years to create a stable, de Iraq

PSC student senior art exhibitions

Nov. 12 to Dec. 14, 2006.

Drew has spent five years growing as an Artist at Peru State College. He told me that, though he is happy to move on, he is going to miss the community of the Art Department and the atmosphere of learning that it has created. He has plans to continue and grow as an artist while seeking his master's degree.

Drew has proved to many people that art is very time consuming and · hard. He has spent on an average 24 hours a week getting prepared for this capstone show. Keep in mind while looking at his painting that he has spent an about 25 hours painting each one.

Another Peru student is about to complete his capstone class in front of anyone who is looking. All art majors must complete a senior show that exhibits their best work from their years at Peru State College.

Bryan Drew will be putting his work on show for all to see in the Peru State College Art Gallery from

Drew also reveals that he sees the senior show as· the keystone to expression and the way to show everyone just what you have been accomplishing and working toward for the past few years. This shows your accomplishments; and so Drew wants to show what he has done, what he has been working toward, and where he will be going.

Drew's art work will be on sale.

Drew also offered up some valuable advice for students who still working toward our senior show. He reminds students that the sooner they can start their prep works the better they know what they will need for the art show. He also advises student to concentrate on one medium of choice, but to always keep in mind that a student needs to have enough pieces for a show.

"Thinking about your senior show and keeping it always in mind will help with finding direction and concentration," said Drew.

Drew is an accomplished artist; his show is just touching on what he is capable of. Hopefully students and community will see more of his work once he has progressed through a master's program.

THE PERU STATE TIMES

Editor-in-Chief

Senior Staff

Assistant Editor

Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Distribution Manager

Layout Staff

Ashley Albertsen

Pamela Bouterse

Phuong Tran

Randi Schmid

Stephanie Hoffman

Jenifer Epting

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Brandon Schumacher

Amanda Erwin

Linze Thummel

Contributing Staif

Cody Witt

Heather Wells

Tuyet-Van Sansone

Jacob Thompson-Krug

The Times, the official student newspaper of Peru State College, is published five times per semester by Peru State College students. The Times office is located in the College Publications Office in the AV Larson building.

The opinions. expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial staff. The Peru State Times is an independent student publication funded by student publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College. All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters .need not be students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be signed by the individual(s) submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words in length. The Times reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach the Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctimes@yahoo.com. or send material to the Peru State Times, Campus Mail, Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421. View us on the web at http://www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

HEATHER WELLS

Contributing Writer

Sfudying for finals: advice to live by

RANDI SCHMIT Copy Editor

Anxiety. Fear. Sleep. These may be a few of the things on your mind with finals coming up soon. For those of you who are thinking about sleep, you are smart. One ·tip that can help you study is to get plenty of rest. You will not be able to think clearly if you are tired, so hit the sheets a little earlier than normal to be sure that you get at least eight hours of sleep. For the rest of you who are feeling anxious or are scared of finals, here are some study tips that will be sure to help you at least use your study time wisely.

1. Do not procrastinate. This is so important. If you know about papers or that are due durc ing your finals time, begin on them as soon as possible. At least schedule a little time every night to work on part of that project so that the due date does not sneak up on you.

2. Find a place where you can actuaily study. You may be thinking that the obvious choice here would be the library, but that is not so. Some people cannot concentrate with so much silence surrounding them. The important thing here is to find a place where you can concentrate and get work done. This may mean Cotty's during a quiet afternoon or your dorm room with music blaring. Try to get rid of as many distractions as possible because if you have a party going on around you, chances are you will not read that chapter that is due on Monday. Get a study partner. This may mean going to the ARC and getting

with that cute girl or boy that sits in front of you in your history class that you notice takes amazing notes. Even if it is just your roommate, find someone to stUdy with so that you can keep one another accountable for actually studying.

4. Unplug the PS2 or DVD player. As mentioned earlier, get rid of distractions. Roommates playing Mario Kart, which happens to be your· favorite game, is going to tempt you to put off that research. Ask them if they can play a little later when you can play, too. Or ask the girls. to wait for you so you can watch Just Like Heaven or Click with them. Studying does not mean that you have tQ put off fun, just study first.

5. Do make time to swim, run, walk, or dance. Exercising will. wake you up so that after your shower, you are just rearing to get to that homework. Okay, maybe not rearing, but at least wide awake. The endorphins produced during your sweatfest will help make studying seem like less of a drag/

6. Ask your teachers (gasp) for help. If you do not understand what they are talking about, ask them. Chances are they will be able to explain it better one-on-one than they woulc! in class. This way, they know that maybe if you did not understand, that maybe your classmates did not either. And you get the laymen's version of Shakespeare.

7. Stay away from the Starbucks Frappicino and Hershey's bars. You may think that sugar or caffine is the best thing to keep you a'Wake at night, but finals time is not the someone to tutor you just so you time for you to start stressing about have a specific time when you have extra weight. If you get the to work on your psychology paper. munchies, put out carr-0ts or apple Or this may mean getting together slices that will keep you awake but

not cause an overload of junk food. Plus, you need your extra cash for Christmas presents, not for the dentist.

8. Take breaks. Staring at your computer for five hours is not going to get you an A in zoology. Get up, take a short walk, or watch 15 minutes of your favorite TV show. Whatever you do, just make sure that it takes your mind off of studying for a little bit. As long as your breaks do not turn into an all-night Gilmore Girls festival, you will be fine.

9. Study in small bits. If you start studying far enough in advance, you will not have to study for three hours straight. Instead, break up assignments into smaller parts that you can do between 'classes or before you go to work.

10. The early bird gets the worm. names for botany or the vocabulary

That is, unless you are a night owl. words for Classroom Management. Do you like getting up in the morn- It is also helpful for whatever you ing and an early bed time? Or need to memorize, and if it is catchy would you rather stay up late an'd enough, maybe you will get a record roll out of bed for your 11 :00 class? deal or your own poetry reading. Whatever your time of day, use it

12. Have someone quiz you. wisely. If you are a morning person, This goes back to studying with a get up an hour earlier and study · partner. Whether you use flashcards then. Or if you are a night owl, or just ask questions, having somestudy then. Do not force yourself to one quiz you will most likely help study when your body is telling you you to remember what you need to to sleep. Use your internal clock to know for your music appreciation your advantage. final. You can do this in pairs or in And for those who put off study- small groups, but be sure to switch ing until the very last minute, here who is asking the questions so that are some tips that may just help you everyone has the same opportupity pass those finals you are so anxious to learn. about.

13. Quit procrastinating! This is

11. Turn topics into songs or self-explanatory. So, what are you poems. This memory device will waiting for? Go! Study! And good help you memorize those Latin luck.

Back away from the capitalists' consumerism

AMANDA ERWIN Staff Writer

Once upon a time Christmas was a religious holiday set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ. Once upon a. Christmas was th holiday meant a celebra tion of family. Once upon a tim.,._,....-"""i...

Christmas was so

is no longer · a religious holiday, it's a capitalists' holiday -------

Now Christmas is no longer a time to celebrate family, it's a time to celebrate how many gifts you've received and how varied they were.

Now Christmas is a time to wave your gifts in front of other people's faces and say, "Ha-ha, I'm so much better then you because I got gifts that are so much

then yours."

Nowadays Christmas has been taken over by consumerism

I know people who start buying gifts as early as right before Thanksgiving. I also know· some people who take it a step farther and start buying Christmas gifts as early as right after the Christmas. Now, that wouldn't be so bad if the gifts· were bought for the right rea" sons. Too bild iriost people don't really buy those gifts for the right reasons.

People nowadays seem to be buying presents as a way to buy emotion. That is to say, they seem to think, "If I buy you this thing that you've wanted all year;. you'll like me best of everyone who's bought you gifts this year, right?" To bad it doesn't work that way.

A season of learning for players

ERIK SCHULT

Contributing Writer

13 weeks and somewhere between 79 and 55 practices later, depending on whether or not you were a redshirt, football has finally come to an end.

Coming to Peru on August 11 for two-a-days, I had only a vague idea of what I was getting myself into. But once I stepped onto the field for the first time and heard the whistle blow I knew that there was no turning back.

All the advertisements certainly your money on gifts that aren't realdon't help. Just the other day I saw ly appreciated and a time to receive an ad on the television about this gifts that you don't really apprecinew gift for little kids they suggest- ate. Maybe it's time to bring some ed that if you loved your kid you of that old family spirit back into would get him/herlots of toys. Now things. Maybe it's time to take a what kind of message is that to give step away from the capitalists and out to impressionable new parents? consumerism.

Not a good one, let me tell you. Don'tbuy any big, expensive gifts Nowadays people seem to be buy- this year. Don't try to· prove your ing presents as a way to gain status. love with money; Instead; spend as It's a way to show off how much much·:furie as you possibly can with money you have and how imagina- ' your family and show them how tive you can be. Too bad those gifts much you love them by gi_ving them are rarely appreciated. the gift of your love.

Holidays have lost that special The gift of your time and love is enjoyment they used to hold·for so the best gift you could ever give many people. In today's holiday them despite what the capitalists atmosphere, more and more people would have you and everyone else are depressed because holidays believe. no longer what they used to be.

Now it's just a time to spend all give help thesea-

· giving blood an fot ..· •.You'll make all the donbrs .are neeiled difference in the world.

en&'Ure Student Senate and PBL wm be give a c-0-sponS.oring the next campus anotb:er:cnance·atlife; Inthe.spirit blood drive; which will be on of the holidfl,y season; .p.lcl!S¢

Tuesday,November 28 from 10:00 ..ooa ······•' thi.·s··. alrn;-;-4:00 p,m, in tlie Live Oak · :Alfhtlligll ·Illany )}lii)k R6'oni; 'focaied ·'in the Student · · ¢enter.'

Getting up at 6:30 every morning was ·hard enough, but then we didn't even get a break from all of our running around until 9 p.m. We were on our feet going to practices and meetings all day. I think at that point that all of the freshman had the same

But by the time classes started and we were down to one practice a day I was finally starting to get the hang of things. It almost felt like I was skipping practices. Thanks to the two <IJld three-a-days I finally knew exactly what to do when I got to practice, and I was even starting to thought: "Whathavelgottenmyself get the fundamentals down. I was into?" even used to getting up early.

For ten days sl:raJ.ght we did noth- I have definitely learned a few ing but eat, sleep and drink football. - things from my first season here at After the first day I knew that the Peru. I know that even though I didonly down time I'd have would be when I turned off the lights at night and crawled into bed. But even that relief was short lived since I knew that all too soon my alarm clock would go and we would start all

During ·those ten days I was sorer than I've ever been. Practices were grueling and confusing. It's not easy learning how to work with a new teain of players.

n't get to put on a game uniform every Saturday, and I didn't gef to make any plays, I was still part of the team. I was still there every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for practice. I see this season as having been a chance for me to improve myself. To prepare for what is in store for me. A year of learning and a year of motivation.

.Peru is "best buy" for distance learning

Peru State College has been named fourth in the nation for affordable accredited distancelearning graduate degrees.

"GetEducated.com recently completed our biannual survey of 101 accredited distance-learning grad degrees in education and education allied fields in the USA," said Vicky Phillips, CEO and founder of GetEducated.eom, LLC. "Peru State College's distance masters program has been awarded a "Best Buy" designation by our independent editorial team based on a review of competing options available nationwide."

In a letter to Peru State officials, Phillips said ''A Best Buy designation indicates that Peru State's program has been found to offer a high quality, accredited, distance degree at a cost well below the national average. In an age when college costs are skyrocketing you should be proud of your program's success at making higher education more accessible to working adults through the double merits of distance learning and affordable pric-

ing,'' she said.

"We are proud to get this kind of national recognition," said Dr. Ben Johnson, president of Peru State College. ''We know that besides offering an excellent accredited program with a flexible schedule, tuition cost is a major-factor to our students. I think this is one strong reason why students are turning to Peru State in record numbers."

Peru State was listed fourth place in the survey, ahead of all other Nebraska colleges and universities, including the University of Nebraska-Kearney (ranked 5th) and the University of NebraskaLincoln (ranked 9th).

Peru State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and has con- · tmumg accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Peru State is Nebraska's leader in online degree programs, featuring the online masters degree in education and six bachelors degrees, as well as online certificates of achievement.

Peru State's School of Education and Graduate Studies offers innovative choices for the prospective graduate student, including the Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. Students may enroll· in one of two options in this 36credit hour program, Teaching and Leaming and Instructional Technology. Both programs are aimed.at classroom teachers seeking to improve their skills.

Many students have ·expressed interest in the Higher Education and Organizational Development track that exists within the Teaching and Learning option. The track is aimed at those who work with adults in other learning situations outside the P-12 school environment.

Besides the masters degree, Peru State offers six online bachelors degrees. These online degrees include School of Professional Studies disciplines such as Bachelor of Applied Science in Management-a degree geared towards persons who have previously earned technical associates degrees or the equivalent; Bachelor of Science in.

Homecoming royalty crowned

Seniors Cody Wi.tt and Jari Weqmeier were crowned Peru State College's (PSC) 2006 Homecoming king and queen by President Ben Johnson during half-time of Saturday's football game against Northwestern Oklahoma State. The duo was elected by members of the PSC student body.

Wehmeier, a senior criminal justice major from Hampton, is the daughter of Wayne and Deb Wehmeier. She is the senior resident assistant at Morgan Hall and has been a member of the PSC cheerleading squad for three years.

Wehmeier is vice-president of the Peru State Criminal Justice Club and is a member of the Campus Activities Board, Student Senate, PILOT Club and is a peer mentor for Student Support Services. She also competes in intramural athletics and was a high school to college transition mentor.

Witt, a senior computer and man.agement information systems, business management and marketing, and human performance and systems management major, is the son of Leonard and Julie Witt of Falls City.

He currently serves as president of the PSC Student Senate, a position

he has held for two years. Witt is a resident assistant in Delzell Hall, a student ambassador and a peer mentor for Student Support Services. Witt is involved in PILOT Club, Phi Beta Lambda and Photography Club. He also competes in intramt1ral athletics, was a high school to college transition mentor and served as a Top Cat for New Student Weekend.

Management; Bachelor of Science in Marketing; Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Peru State's School of Arts and Sciences offers the online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts degree, which features concentrations in psychology/sociology/anthropology, history/political science and English/journalism. This degree can open numerous career opportunities in a wide variety of professions.

The School of Education and

Graduate Studies expanded its outreach this Fall by offering both options in the Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction in an accelerated cohort format. A cohort is a group of students who stay together as one class throughout the required courses leading to a degree. Students gain from the networking and bonding with colleagues in the class and have a chance to focus on the real school issues from a practical as well as a theoretical point of view.

: Choirswel'.ejudged hyguest ell't1icia11 and ,adjudicator Paul , aµ exp1;rienced choral chorr expert from ·onalaska,Wiscpl)'sin;who worked ·with each group. individually. Auburn

''The 0 .C ." kids • are growing up

TUYET-VAN SANSONE Contributing Writer

With "The O.C." it's always drama, drama, drama. Kids living secret lives hidden from their parents and parents living secret lives hidden from their children. Last season ended with a nasty car crash and heartbreaking death of Marissa, played by Mischa Barton. This season starts with no less drama than what it ended with.

The first episode of the fourth season finds everyone trying to adjust to life without Marissa. Summer (Rachel Bilson) is attending Brown University in Rhode Island, where she has turned into a tree-hugging activist under the influence of environmentalist Che (guest star Chris Pratt). Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie) has moved out of the Cohen house and is dealing with Marissa's death in the only way he knows how, reverting back to his old ways. Seth (Adam Brody) finds him on the wrong side of the tracks and calls Summer for help. Amidst the teenage drama, Julie (Melinda Clarke) will do anything - even yard work and a secret rendezvous with Ryan - to avoid dealing with Marissa's death. Kaitlin earns a new pair of boots from Dr. Roberts in true Cooper fashion; and Taylor hides out in the diner trying to convince her friends she's still in Paris in "The Avengers" episode of "The O.C."

While this show has tended to focus on fashion and the extrava-

gant lives of Orange County teens this season might find the show going in a different direction. It seems that the loss of Marissa has changed all of the characters. The first few episodes of this fourth season deal at least partially with the grieving process that everyone is going through after Marissa's death.

Of course the show needed to be revamped for its forth season because ratings fell considerably during the third season. Teen dramas are usually short lived, but "The O.C." isn't going to give up without a fight. Perhaps viewers will be drawn back into the series now that there is some deeper drama (AKA: someone actually died) as opposed to the usually drama that is solved neatly in an episode or two.

The original lure of the show is defiantly still present, and long-time fans will not be disappointed in the changes. Unless of course they were only watching to see Mischa Barton. Teens will still be able to look to "The O.C." for exactly what is hot in the fashion industry. The · show also still offers a great track.

All in all it seems that the show is trying to grow with its audience, and only time will tell if the writers have succeeded. But it won't be easy with their time slot. "The O.C." has to compete with both "CSI" and "Grey's Anatomy."

Don't miss the addicting drama on"The 0 .C.", which Thursdays at 8 PM.

Get that hot Fall look for less

LINZE THUMMEL Staff Writer

This year fall fashion isn't so much about what you buy, but more about what you recycle, revamp and reuse.

This fall Beyonce and Kelis are back trench coats, just like Justin Timberlake is bringing back sexy. is also a hit. While the pointed toe boot is out, the pointed toe ankle bootie, is accepted. As well the round toe boot with a wooden heel is hot.

Skinny jean, which was totally out in seasons past, has been brought

back.

This fall mainly focuses on a look that is functional. Ajacket will dress up an outfit during the day; and can be quickly removed to spice up a nighttime ensemble.

The same goes for guys.

A button up shirt can be added or removed to change the casual daytime look at night, or vise versa.

Vintage t-shirts are also popular this season.

Green, and brown are the purple and pink this season,

This year instead of buying a whole new wardrobe, just buy a few trendy items that will bring what's already in your closet up to date.

A new belt, earrings, or jacket can help to complete the look.

Job titles: Adress,Model

Kirsten began acting at the age of :three .iri television commercials. She actually made more than 70 commercials! Her first feature film role was in a segment of Woody Allen's 1989 film "New York Stories". But her breakout role came in 1994 when she appeared in "Interview with a Vampire" alongside· Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

Movies in 2004: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", "Kaena: The Prophecy", "Spiderman 2", and "Wimbledon".

Movies in 2006: "Elizabethtown", "Marie Antoinette"

Awards: 1994 YoungArtistAward for by a Young Actress : Co';.Starring in a Motion Picture for "Little Women", The 1995 MTV Movie Award for. Best

Breakthrough :Performance for "Interview with a Vampire", The 1002 Teen Choice Award fo Choice Lip Lock in a Film for "Spider-Man", and the Mar. del Plata Film f'estival · Aware! for Best Actress in "The Cat's Meow".

Movies nightly at 7.30 p.m.

Quotes:

-"I'd like to grow up and be beautiful. I know it doesn't matter, but it doesn't hmt."

,_f'J il.w(lys . >play

Pacts for fans: name is pronounced

"Keer-sten" (not

-In N-Out Burger is a regular stop for Kirsten at home in LA.

-Kirsten presented at the 2002 and 2005 Academy Awards, both times she received a goodie bag valued at $50,000

NDunst appeared in the music video for Savage Garden's "!

Knew I Loved You" as the love interest of Darren Hayes.

-Kirsten was paid $5 million for her role in Wimbledon (2004)

NShe got her nickname Kiki because when she· was young she couldn't pronounce Kirsten.

,..,She wore a red wig in "SpiderMan 2".

,.,,Deja Vu

,.,,The Fountain

,..,Bobby ,.., Tenacious D in 'The Pick of Destiny' "'Deck the Halls

"'Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj -Turistas

,..., 1OItems or Less

,..,Blood Diamond

-Apocalypto

- The Holiday

I can't believe kids stillwant to do it."

What are Peru students thankful for?

RANDI SCHMID Copy Editor

With Thanksgiving upon us, many may be thinking of what they are truly thankful for. For some, it may be a significant but for others it may just be i:he opportunities that their parents. never got. Whatever you are thankful for, be thankful for something.

the

all over.

bed to lie down in. I'm thankful that Maybe it's the holiday cheer or the I have a more comfortabfo living sitcold weather that makes you smile uation than I deserve and'. that I don't bJJt be sure that on November 23, have to worry about having to work you say thank you to someone 20 hours of overtime just to make it important in your life or be thankful by. I'm thankful that I always have for something that has meant a lot to food to eat (even if it's Ramen and you. Here are a few things that your Easy Mac). I:m thankful for my fellow Peruvians are thankful for: fariiil.y-as dysfunctional· as it may Erik Miller: I am thankful for my be. I'm thankful for my friends who God. My God paid the ultimate sac- take care of me and. conifort me rifice and not only gave up His life when I'm in need. I'm thankful that for me;-but He took the ultimate I'm blessed beyond belief. punishment that should have beert Kathleen Bt'bwn: I am thankful on me. He then conquered the pun- for the opportunities that the Lord isher in order that I would never has blessed me with Jooking at my have to be separated from my God. life, God has given me so much I can now have eternal life fellow- from the people in my. life to the shipping with Him in paradise. things that I have, and it is all based Being thankful for any- on opportunities. I am thankful that thing less than that Ii am able to do the things that I can seems silly in compar- and know the people that I know.

Lisa Curlis: I am thankful for everything that God has blessed my thankful for my life with. With great friends that are family, friends, supportive of all your decisions and and good health. a wonderful family. I amjust thank-

Laura Drier: ful in general for God being a part of I'm thankful my life.

for a house Heather Hurst: I'm thankful for and a warm my family and friends. Without my

loving and supporting· parents, grandparents, brother, and boyfriend I would not be the person that I am today. I believe that every person I meet changes me in some way.

Giselle De Koning: I'm most thankful for my freedom. I know that many individuals have paid a high price, so that I can live my life to the fullest. I wouldn't have the quality of life I have, without the bravery of those men and women .who fight so hard to preserve freedom.

Melissa Crom: I am thankful for the amazing and encouraging friends that God has blessed me with while I've been at Peru. I couldn't ask for more.

Renee Carlson: I'm thankful for. .I am thankful for my family always supporting me in what I choose to do. I am thankful for my little brother who is a constant reminder of what a miracle children are. I am thankful that when I fall short of some goal or destination, my God is willing to pick me up and carry me the distance. On a less emotional note, I am thankful for football! I love it to pieces!

Valerie Smith: I am thankful fo1 life in general. Everything abou: life makes it exciting. I am thankfu. for the good and the bad tha: get thrown at me because they hel1 me learn and move forward. I arr, thankful for all the opportunities I have been given, because without these opportunities, there would be so much missing from my life. I am thankful for my family and friends because they keep me down-to· earth and are always there to help me whether I ask for help or not.

Jari Wehmeier: I am thankful for all of the opportunities that I have been able to take advantage of, the friendships that I have, and for my boyfriend!

Jon Laubert: I am thankful for my roommates Wade· "touchdown" Coulter and Michael "the teddy bear" Winter. If it weren't for those two kind and compassionate souls and our hours of male bonding time spent in Palmer 14 I don't know if I would be the man that stands before you today.

Marie Poole: I am thankful for my family and friends. I don't know what I would do without them.

Start early and stretch that Christmas budget

Linze Thummel

Staff Writer

spend,:they just need to make the best use of the money they have. Here is a list of possible people to buy for and gift ideas for under $20: For Mom: Think of some kind of Yuletide spending can get a little out of hand, especially when you lotion or body spray from Bath and want the perfect gift for your Secret Body works, a comfy pair of slip- Santa but don't have the spending pers, or two of her favorite scented money. candles. If your mother is into jew-

This year, instead of blundering elry, check out wallmart's jewelry about at the last minute, think about section for nice watches and earstarting early by making a list and a rings. budget. Determine how much to For Dad: Shop for sales or disspend and make purposeful choices count retail stores such as Steve and on gifts. Barry's where they sell reasonably

Instead of spending a few dollars priced sports apparel. Here you can afford a t-shirt and a hat for under on several small presents, consider spending the budget for each person $2Q. If Dad isn't the type for sports. on one larger item. Never sacrifice consider John Deere and quality for quantity. It is also okay apparel or maybe buy him his to make gift baskets or bags with a .._newest favorite book few related items but the items For brother: $20 gift card, a CD, sho;ld be at least semi-practical. ?r a DVD he might.like. There

By starting with a list, and with is the option of buymg a s:veatpurposeful intentional gift choices, shirt or a few lo?g-sleeved t-shirts at while at a store, gifts will be chosen a reasonable pnce. Also, check out for a reason and not randomly and the Bobcat for clearance impulsively bought. The main thing on Peru. t-shirts other appare!. to remember is that a person does For sister: Think super cute Jeans not have to have a lot of money to (make sure it's in the right size or she might be upset) or warm shirts

that are just this side of trendy from Gordmans or Dillard's. Or if she's still young enough to :enjoy that kind of thing, head to Wiillmart and look through their doll section. There are always new Barbie;s and other cute dolls to be had.

For the baby: This is an easy one because babies are not hard to buy for. With babies you doh't have to really worry over whether or not they'll like what you get them. Think of what a baby needs. Ask parents if the baby needs sleepers, blankets, books, or toys. Maybe think about baby clothes. Another good option is to find dut how big the baby is and buy diapers. Gifts for babies don't always need to be fun. I'm sure his or her parents will thank you.

·For Grandma: Again, if you are not sure, ask the person what they want. Grandma's usually have pretty much everything so consider clothing, a homemade cookie jar mix, something she collects or a fun calendar.

For Grandpa: Though the usual socks seem to make Grandpa happy, this year you could try to get

ative. For example, get him a pair of Christmas suspenders or something not too technical that he can still use. Maybe a universal remote or a back massager from Walmart would be appreciated. He may also enjoy a homemade pie or cookies.

For cousins: There is always the option of a funny t-shirt but a $10 gift card or something small will usually do for cousins. If you're close to them, you might want to get them a gift following the same guideline as for brother or sister.

For the girlfriend: If you've been together for a long time and want to spend the extra money to get her a sentimental gift--don't sacrife quality. Stores that specialize in jewlery are your best bet if buying jewlery. Other options would be books, sweater, Victoria's Sectret body spray, or something thoughful

For the boyfriend: If your budget includes spending a little extra, consider colongne or a watch. For a more budget savvy shopper, find him a pair of basketball shorts or a jersey with his favorite player or number on it.

For Aunt and Uncle: By this

time, the budget is running really slim so try something easy and thoughtful, such as a popcorn tin or a four-piece set of ice cream accessories. If you're really close to them, you could take a look at Bath and Body works. Most aunts tend to like the same kinds gifts that mothers do. Uncles might also like all the same gifts that you would get for Dad.

It is always fun to try to make something for people. One fun idea to consider is homemade potpourri boxes. Buy the mesh plastic sheets and cut to size and simply sew together with embroidery thread. Leave one side open for inserting potpourri. Buy a bag and fill several boxes.

For everyone on your list the possibilities are endless. First and foremost, though, try to find something that they like as well as can use. For instance, if your step-mom collects handbags, get her a handbag. You cannot go wrong with something thoughtful that you know they like. You might want to get gift receipts, though, just in case.

Blockbuster vs. Netflix

KITTY BOUTERSE Contributing Writer

When it comes to renting movies, several companies have made it as easy as ordering movies online, several c.hosen movies in _ and easilyjetlll11ing them by envelope whenever the customer· chooses. This system is known as simple and easy to use, but figuring out which company is the best at using this system may not be as simple.

Two of the major companies that provide this service are Blockbuster and Netflix.

Blockbuster originally started as a rental store and has expanded to indude online rentals as well. Through the Blockbuster website, customers are allowed to choose from over 60 ,000 DVD movie titles. The customer is also provided with user ratings, top rental lists and can get personalized recommendations when choosing movies.

The company offers several plans for their customers that include renting one movie at a time with unlimited rentals per month including two free in-store coupons per month for $9 .99 a month, two movies at a time with unlimited rentals per month including one in-store coupon per week for $14.99 a month, and three unlimited rentals for $17.99 a month. Blockbuster offers a two week free trial for all plans.

Since the customer's plan limits how many DVDs they are_ allowed to rent per month, multi-disc sets are separated so that each disc is counted as a separate rental. Examples of this include bonus discs, television shows, television miniseries and movie box sets.

Movies that are originally intended to be seen in their entirety and require two discs to complete viewing are considered exceptions and are counted as one rental.

Blockbuster ships the rentals Monday through Friday with free shipping both ways. The customer is allowed to keep the movies as long as needed ;is there are no late fees, The companfs website offers an online option-for cancellation, but does continue membership for 15 days after the customer's billing cycle. This is due to the customer paying for each month in advance. All movies must be returned within IO days after the

account has become inactive.

Blockbuster's website offers an a time with a limit of four per month at$11.99 a month, two movies rented at a time with unlimited rentals per month at $14.99 a month, three movies rented at a time with unlimited rentals per month at $17 .99 a month, and four movies rented at a time with unlimited rentals per month at$23.99 a month. The variety of plans offer the customer more options than Blockbuster, bu_t does not include coupons for in-store rentals.

The customer is allowed to keep each movie with no late fees and the over company provides free shipping questions pre- both ways. Netflix offers a 2 week sentt!d by cus- free trial for all plans. The compatomers and is ny allows its customers to cancel the easy to use. The membership at anytime online withcoupons that come with certain out cancellation fees. Netflix's plans may also prove useful for website is easy to use, but does not those that use Blockbuster stores to provide the customer with as many rent movies as well as the online answers online as the Blockbuster service.

Netflix was founded in 1999 solely as an online DVD movie rental service. The company offers their customers over 65,000 movie titles to choose from along with movie recommendations based on how customers rate movies, member reviews, critic reviews, top rented lists and special collections. Customers choose from six different plans depending on their needs. The plans include the following: one movie rented at a time with a limit of two per month at $5.99 a month, one movie rented at a time with unlimited rentals per month at $9 .99 a month, two movies rented at

website. Customers cannot easily find the procedure of multiple -disc sets or lost packages unless they call the toll free number provided on the site.

Overall, Blockbuster and Netflix both offer their customers options that are very similar, but with differences that may prove more useful depending on the customer. Blockbuster seems better for those that also use local stores for renting by providing the customer with incoupons while Netflix offers a bigger variety of plans that may include a more convenient plan for the customer.

Bobcat basketball has begun

JACOB

THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

With colder temperatures just around the corner, Peru State College athletic entertainment looks to move to the hardwood for Bobcat basketball.

So far, the men's team has played two games, and the women's team has played three. So far all the games have been non-conference ones, with the women's record at 12 and the men's record at 0-2. The Bobcat basketball squads look to improve on their losing records from last year.

"I think our tough non-conference schedule will help us prepare for when we· start MCAC (Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference) play," said women's coach Kevin Dobbs.

The Lady Cats lost their first game of the season on October 31 in a close one against defending NAIA National Champions, Hastings College, at the Al Wheeler Activity Center.

"I felt we played well, and it

was great to see our team compete with such a quality opponent," said Dobbs about the Hastings game. On November 4, the Lady Cats earned their first victory of the season as they effectively dismantled Ashford College, 90-64 in a home court advantage. Peru State used long-range three-pointers that would not allow Ashford any chance of overcoming point deficit.

Freshman Keri Ann Shimerlda led need to have some players emerge the team with three-pointers, and that will step up in order to be sucwas 6-16 behind the arch. Lindsey cessful in conference play." Carlson, also a freshman, was 4-4 in On the men's side of the ball, there her three-point shooting. are similar feelings about improving Unfortunately, the good feeling and getting better. quickly went away on November 7 "We are still trying to find the as Concordia showed the Lady Cats right combination of players that why the Bulldogs are one of the top creates good chemistry on the NAIA teams in Nebraska with a 70- court," said senior Brandon Barrett. 46 defeat of the Bobcats. The In the Doane tournament on the Bulldogs out-hustled, weekend of November 3. the outplayed and Bobcats dropped both of their outscored Peru State, games: one to Hastings. 83-66. and which was evident by one to Doane, 94-72. Barrett led the the lack of effort by team with 35 points over the weekthe Cats shown in just end, and senior Martis Lovelace the first half of the showed his worth offensively by game. Things did not scoring 20 points against Doane. get much better in the Last year, Barret was a unanimous last half, and by the selection for the All-MCAC team end of the game, Peru and Lovelace received Honorable State had even been Mention. out-rebounded 38-21. "!think our off-season lifting and "I think part of the conditioning will really benefit us as problem is that some a team," said sophmore Brett players aren't getting Spiker, who is looking to step up his enough playing time play this year.

which makes it hard The weekend of Nov. 10, the for them to get into a Bobcats host the MCAC-MCC chalrhythm when they're lenge at the Al Wheeler Activity Center.

What's your next decision?

Cats'have winning season despite loss

JACOB

THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

On Saturday, November 11, as the final seconds ticked off the clock at the Oak Bowl, tears began streaming down the faces ofthe Peru State Bobcat seniors.

Their last game as Bobcats ended in a loss to the Texas College Steers, 16-29, and was an unfortunate end to such a successful season. The score, though, did not indicate how close the game actually was. In fact, Peru State broke the 0-0 tie when fullback Lynn Meyer took the ball, and darted his way for a short, fouryard touchdown. This was set up by an interception by defensive end Jeff McQuin who gave the offense great field position, and a short field to work with. Texas College's next possession in the second quarter resulted in a 68 yard pass in which the Steers' receiver weaved his way through th_e Bobcat secondary for a touchdown.

After punts by both teams, Peru State was looking to make a return on the ball, but a fumble by receiver Jared Gerdes allowed a Steers'

Two turnovers in the first half by for their defensive teammates. Peru Peru Statewere costly, and allowed State was down.10-21 when Texas Texas College to gain some momen- College had the ball, and attempted tum. The Bobcats would commit a pass near the Steers' sideline.

four turnovers by the end of the Senior cornerback Rusty Fuller read game compared to the Steers' two. the quarterback like a book, and Coming out the second Half, the jumped in front of the receiver.

Peru State intensity was huge, but Fuller returned the interception all unfortunately that enthusiasm slow- the way back for a touchdown as the ly deteriorated as the Texas College Bobcat fans erupted in excitement. offense kept the Peru State defense After a missed extra point by Miller, on the field, and scored on a drive the Bobcats were down by two that chewed up a lot of the clock. scores.

Once the Bobcat offense finally Another great defensive effort by began compiling a nice drive, they Peru State led to a Texas College were held to fourth down in Texas punt, and a chance for the Bobcats College territory, and settled for a to take the lead. After a nice first 32 yard field goal by Bryan Miller. down conversion by running back

recovery in Bobcat territory. After another Texas College touchdown, the Bobcats headed into the locker While the Bobcat offense failed to Mike Mertens who finished with 73 room only down by seven points, mount any more successful scoring yards, Peru State's drive stalled. but not playing up to standards. drives, they did provide some rest Then on the third down, quarterback

Derek Falor ihrew into double coverage, resulting in an interception which gave the Steers perfect position to run out the clock.

Not only did they burn a lot of time, they even scored, and converted a two point conversion. The Bobcats refused to give up, and on a deep pass by Falor to receiver Wade

Coulter, Peru State was deep within Steer territory. After a pass interference call, the Bobcats had a first down with under a minute left on the two yard line when Falor threw another pick in the endzone which was returned to midfield. From there, the Steers let the clock run out, and gave the Bobcats a bitter loss.

"It would have been nice for us seniors to end our career on a win," said Coulter who finished the game with two receptions for 70 yards. "I'll never forget all of the fun memories, and the great guys I played with."

As the pain wears off, and the tough losses of the season become distant memories, players and coaches will build on the success of a winning season; something that hasn't been accomplished in Peru since 2003. Although there is plenty to work on in before next fall, having six wins under your belt is not a bad way to start an off-season.

Random laws you never would have guessed

We've searched every legal resource we could find to bring you these funny laws. One from each state. You can find more stupid laws at www.dumblaws.com.

Alabama: It is illegal to flick boogers into the wind.

Alaska: It is considered an offense to push a live moose out of a moving airplane.

carrying sufficient supplies of unless more than six are for one for s:P.ooting your dog on food and drink. sale at-once. your property.

Florida: If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.

Louisiana: It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol.

New Hampshire:

On Sundays citizens may not relieve themselves while looking up.

South Carolina: A permit must be obtained to fire a missile.

Georgia: · It is illegal to use profanity in front of a dead body which

Maine: You may not step out of a plane in flight. lies in a funeral home or in a Maryland: coroner's office. It's illegal to take a lion to the movies.

Hawaii:

New Jersey: It is against the law for a man to knit during fishing season.

New Mexico: Idiots may not vote (define idiot)

South Dakota: No horses are allowed into Fountain Inn unless they are wearing pants.

Tennessee: The definition of "dumb animal" includes every living creature.

Arizona:

All residents may be fined as Massachusetts: Donkeys cannot sleep in bath- a result of not owning a boat. Snoring is prohibited unless tubs. all bedroom. windows are

Arkansas: The Arkansas River can rise no higher than to the Main Street bridge in Little Rock. (How do you charge a river with a crime?)

California:

It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.

Colorado:

It is illegal to loan your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor.

Connecticut:

In order for a pickle to officially be considered a pickle, it must bounce.

Delaware:

· Idaho: closed and securely locked. It is illegal for a man to give his· sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than 50 pounds.

Illinois:

The English language is not to be spoken.

Indiana:

One may not sniff glue.

Iowa:

Kisses may last for no more than five minutes. Unless you have a mustache in which case you cannot kiss anyone in public at all.

Kansas:

If two trains meet on the same track, neither shall proceed until the other has passed.

Kentucky:

It is illegal· to fly over any One may not dye a duckling body of water, unless one is blue and offer it for sale

Michigan: It is legal for a robber to file.a law suit, if he or she got hurt in your house.

Minnesota:

A person may not cros3 state lines with a duck atop his .head. And you may not enter Wisconsin with a chicken on your head.

Mississippi: Private citizens may personally arrest any person that disturbs a church service.

Missouri: It is not illegal to speed (But that probably won't stop the police from writing you a ticket.)

New York: The penalty for jumping off a building is death.

North Carolina: If a man and a woman who aren't married go to a hotel and register themselves as married then, according to state law, they are legal1y married.

Texas: Law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.

Utah:

It is illegal to cause a catastrophe.

Vermont: Women must obtain written

North Dakota: permission from their hus-

Beer and pretzels can't be bands to wear false teeth.

served at the same time in any bar or restaurant.

Ohio: It is illegal to get a fish drunk.

Oklahoma: Dogs must have a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate in groups of three or more on private property.

Oregon:

Montana: It is illegal to buy or sell marIt is illegal to have a sheep in ijuana, but it is legal to smoke the cab of your truck without it on your own property. a chaperone.

Nebraska: It is illegal to go whale fishing (In Nebraska where would you find a whale anyway?)

Pennsylvania: You may not catch a fish by any body part except the mouth.

Rhode Island:

Nevada: No one may bite off another's It is still legal to hang some-

Virginia: State law prohibits 'corrupt practices" of bribery by any person other than candidates.

Washington: All lollipops are banned.

West Virginia: Whistling under water is prohibited.

Wisconsin: While all cheese makirig requires a license, Limburger cheese making requires a master cheese maker's license.

Wyoming: You may not take a picture of a rabbit from January to April without an official permit.

Date auction is successfully held

DONNA NEEMAN Contributing Writer

On Monday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m., PSC students were buying each other for a good cause. The Multicultural Club put together a date auction to raise money for an event in the Spring 2007 term.

Students went to the Benford Recital Hall in the Fine Arts building and had a great time.

The only set-back was that there seemed to be more people being auctioned off than there were in the audience. One of the students suggested some ideas for next year.

"If there was more advertising and flyers up, like around the complex, maybe more people would've shown up," said Art Rose a PSC student.

Hopefully this year's event will spark more interest and it will become an yearly event.

A total of 17 daters were auctioned off. Two of the daters were auctioned off as one date, a "two for the price of one" deal. The Carlson twin sisters pulled in the most money with a bid of $23. A close second was Rachel Bridges with a bid of $20.

Dr. Bill Clemente helped the Multicultural Club out and did the auctioneering. Just like every other event Clemente supports, he did an outstanding job. The audience really enjoyed him.

"You could tell by the audience's reactions that they were having a good time and laughing with Dr. Clemente." Paul Moses, a PSC student, said after the show. Because there were so many people being

auctioned off, the show took a bit longer than it is expected. But overall, things ran smoothly and students did have a really good time.

The night started off with Jennifer Epting being auctioned off. But those who attended could agree that the most entertaining dater to be auctioned cff was Nate Lygrisse. Lygrisse got up and worked the stage. He was entertaining and kept the audience interested. He did a little dance and you could definitely tell the audience like it.

"I thought it was hilarious! And .it takes guts to go up there and have all those eyes on you, you could tell people thought it was funny," Tuyet-Van Sansone, a PSC student, said.

The actual date was that following Monday, Dec. 4. It was held in the Live Oak room in the Student Center. There were games and music for the daters. A table was set-up for food and drinks while people got their pictures taken as a momenta.

Prizes were given away for some of the games. Cody Witt and Daniela Santos teamed up and won some chocolates and pop.

"This turned out good, if there was more advertising, there would've been a lot more people," Witt suggested. "You guys should've put up a big banner in the ·cafeteria like CAB, that would've gotten a lot of people's attention," Santos added to Witt's statement.

All in all, it turned out to be a great event and hopefully next year, with more advertising, the audience will have a great time buying a date.

Play Station 3 lives up to th hyp .

CODY WITT Contributing Writer

The launch of the new Sony PlayStation began on Thursday, Nov. 21 at all major retail out-. lets and stores, including some of following: WalMart, Target, Best Buy, Circuit City and GameStop. The launch of the

sive Blu-ray player on the market. trailers can still be used even when Xbox doesn t offer mot10n sensmg For those gamers who are charging. And the controllers do not at alL

interested in quality offer vibration or rumble control. Unlike the Xbox 360, which uses

The PS3 controller does offer one a traditional disc tray for loading interesting advantage; it is equipped games, the PS3 has a front-slot loadwith SixAxis motion sensing. A fea- ing drive. Although how this will ture that has been incorporated into hold up over time is still to be seen.

time. Sony spent $150 million on the ad campaign by TBWA, which has done all the ads in the United States for the videogame console since the launch of the · first PlayStation in 1995.

Despite the delays, the shortages, the unprecedented high price - $599 for the premium 60-gigabyte model and $499 for the substandard 20gigabyte, assuming·you can find one - and the small number of available higli-definition games that take advantage of its powerful new Cell processor, the PS3 , sets new standards; not just for video game play but also for multimedia entertain-

ment in the· digital era. The only problem is that right now the number of games is not only low, but also the entertainment quality of the games is no match for Xbox 360's wide variety.

The PS3 does reaffirm that Sony is at the top of its game when it comes to designing advanced technology in stylish packages. Sleek and gleaming black, it blends in with the most sophist(cated of living-room home-theater systems, which sets it apart from the alien designs of its two main competitors, the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the new Nintendo Wii.

In the ongoing DVD fohnat war, it also gives a huge boost to Sony's push to make the Blu-ray Disc the dominant standard for high-definition DVD players and movie titles (over rival HD-DVD), since the PS3 becomes, for now, the least expen-

new PS3 delivers, but unknown glitches could be just around the comer. Many gamers will have a hard time forgetting all of the problems that the Xbox 360 had when it first came out.

PS3. purchasers will be impressed by the fact that the console does not need a power brick like the Xbox 360 does. You just plug the power cable into the back of the console. While the PS3 only comes with one controller, gamers will be impressed with the fact that it can support up to seven wireless controllers with rechargeable batteries. Unfortunately the wireless controllers don't come with a removable battery and a replacement controller runs around $50. But the con-

THE PERU STATE TIMES

Editor-in-Chief

Assistant Editor

Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Distribution Manager

Layout Staff

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

· Randi Schmid

Stephanie Hoffman

Jenifer Epting

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Brandon Schumacher

Amanda Erwin

Linze Thummel

systems new games. With SixAxis the controller is able to

word, backward, left, right, up, and down. If this sounds lot like the

motion sensing is more· integral in the Wii the technology is much more sophisticated. It can sense spatial movements as well as tilt and can even sense changes in speed. And of course

Contributing Stqjf

Cody Witt

Heather Wells

Tuyet-Van Sansone

Jacob Thompson-Krug

Pamela Bouterse

Donna Neeman

Sherry Kvasnicka

Of course with PS3 being in such high demand consumers will be fighting over them this holiday season because Sony only shipped 400.000 units to North with between 1-1.2 million only expected to ship by the end of calendar in 2006. It seems that eBay will definitely profit from the launch of the PS3, and . if you would like to get your hands on one of the units, you had better be wi IIutrageous who waited in line for days and braved the bitter, cold weather, you can expect to find their PS3 listed on eBay, If you are a serious gamer dying to have a PS3, then make your way to eBay and place your best offer.

The Times, the official student newspaper of Peru State College, is published five times per semester by Peru State College students. The Times office is located in the College Publications Office in the AV Larson building.

The opinions expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial staff. The Peru State Times is an independent student publication funded by student publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College.

All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters need not be students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be_ signed by the individual(s) submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words in length. The Times reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach the Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctimes@yahoo.com, or send material to the Peru State Times, Campus Mail, Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421. View us ori the web at http://www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

PBL members attend Wisconsin conference

SHERRY KVASNICKA Contributing Writer

The National Fall Leadership Conference (NFLC) in Milwaukee, Wis. was held on Nov. 17 and 18.

NFLC is the only FBLA-PBL conference to have both Future Business Leaders of America high school students and Phi Beta Lamda college students in attendance.

Christina Wusk, Peru State College PBL treasurer and Sherry Kvasnicka, PSC PBL president and Nebraska State PBL assistant vice president, made the ten-hour drive with Wayne State College student and Nebraska State PBL Vice President of Finance, Adam Krause, to Milwaukee.

The first day's events included workshops on overcoming fears of public speaking as well as business etiquette and, of course, networking. PSC PBL members attended the workshop, Maximizing Your Empowerment Skills by Empowerment Specialist Andre Johnson.

'commercial.'

Johnson said students should make a 'commercial' with information such as skills and expertise, as well as their communication level and then be ready to sell themselves to anyone. He stated there are four looks for corporate America-business, elegant, clas-

sical, and casual-and business students should be able to identify. each.

PSC PBL members reacquainted with friends made from different conferences, as well as met keynote speaker Bill Cordes. new members from different Cordes combined humor, enthusiThis workshop had several point- ·regions and states. asm and several life experiences into his program. ers on connecting with the business The first evening concluded with world and developing a personal the opening general session and During this session, Nebraska

PBL was recognized for winning more than 30 individual awards at the 2006 National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

The second day of the NFLC, PSC members attended the Who is in your Network? workshop presented by Bill Cordes. They also networked with other FBLA-PBL members as Cordes addressed the topic of stepping out of one's comfort zone. PSC members were able to help Cordes with part of his presentation when he demonstrated the RESPECT dance.

"It was cool seeing Bill Cordes speak. I've seen him several times and this time was especially neat because we got to help with his presentation and he let us sell his

books afterwards," Wusk said. The NFLC concluded at the closing general session with keynote speaker Ed Gerety. He is a leadership trainer for several groups of people, and his speech was focused on respect, responsibility, goal setting, communication and leadership.

The next PBL conference, the Nebraska State Leadership Conference, will be held on April 13 and 14, 2007 at the Ramada Inn in Kearney, Neb.

Phi Beta Lambda is a national organization for college students who have an interest in business. The main goal of the organization is to develop competent, aggressive business leaders.

(660)744-5464

"Full gas tank is $20. Last minute items at Wal-Mart were $15. Supper at Subway was $6. Experience gained was priceless! II"

-Sherry Kvasnicka

and we will give you , a discount ()nyour student I.D: 17482 HW 136 Rock Port, MO 64482

Stop smoking will beautify PSC campus

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

This article is based on the writer's point of view and does not reflect the PeruState Times' opinion

As a sophomore here at Peru State College, I have noticed how even the slightest things have changed so far this school year.

For one, I do not think there are as many parking tickets, but I have seen a considerable amount of boots on vehicles illegally parked. I do not know if this is due to students getting smarter and not parking where they should not or what.

It has also been a pleasant surprise to have clear water coming out of the pipes for the majority of the weekdays.

One thing that should change- let me rephrase that- has to change is the smoking on Peru's campus.

I am not against' people smoking. If people want to encompass their clothes with that not-s9-pleasant odor of smoke and destroy their lungs, they should go ahead and do it.

My problem is the location in which they choose to take a puff.

With about five to ten minutes before class starts, you can find at

least one student or faculty member standing outside of the entrance to almost every campus building. There, they are hurrying to get one last breath of that cigarette smoke that keeps them "calmed down" and "stress free."

But everyone else, including nonsmokers, has to go through that same entrance, breathing in those intoxicating fumes. I know the last thing I want to smell like before I get into class is cigarette smoke.

Some people might not know it, but there is actually a campus rule that prohibits smoking within ten feet of any campus building. What I cannot understand is why those "conical cigarette trash bins" are .Positioned right in front of the doors to buildings. You would think that

they would at least be in the back of the building or along an area that is not traveled through by many students. ·

; I am shocked that adm,inistration has not done more to change the smoking situation on campus. The image that Peru State College is giving to incoming students and any individual whc visits the campus is not very positive. Those wonderful, student-guided tours show those kids interested in becoming a Bobcat through every building, and all around campus. I do not eyen want to know what the poor kid is thinking as he or she passes through a cloud of smoke, coughing and try- · ing to clear his or her chest of the fumes

If PSC wants to spend a lot of

money on beautifying the campus, the college should start with beautifying tlie air.

I realize people cannot just quit smoking and many do not even want to, but that gives them no excuse to pollute the air I am required to breathe. Sure, I could hold my breath every time I go in and out of a building, but I shou\d not have to. If I wanted to tum blue in the face from lack of oxygen, I would go run up and down the stairs of the Oak Bowl.

So, please, everyone who is reading this that is one of the smokers who take a puff right before entering

into a building, find a better place to light up. Smoke your cigarette someplace else, and then dispose of your butt in the container.

And to those on campus, who are also annoyed like I am, encourage your fellow Bobcats to respect your health and welfare. Together we can make this beautiful campus healthy for everyone who wants to have clear lungs and smoke-free smelling clothes.

Deadly typhoon damaged Philippines

GUINOBATAN, Philippines (AP)

Officials could only apologize Monday when asked about the prospects of finding survivors in the towns and villages that were swamped by mudslides on the slopes of the Mayon volcano during a catastrophic typhoon last week.

"At this time, no more. I'm sorry," said Juan Garcia, mayor of devastated Guinobatan town. "It's almost impossible. They have been buried under sand and boulders. I don't

boats capsized in strong winds as the typhoon approached, disaster official Duong Van Huong said.

As the extent of the disaster in the Philippines became clear, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday declared a.state of national calamity, allowing the government to more rapidly release funds needed to bolster aid efforts.

"We are no strangers to this kind of tragedy, and we have always been able to recover and become think they can survive. It's impossi- stronger," she said in a statement ble for anyone to survive." Monday.

Sen. Richard Gordon, head of the Arroyo said she instructed the national Red Cross, said he believed Department of Environment to step more than 1,000 died in the thou- up a project to map al) hazardous sands of homes that were buried areas, like Mayon, to warn comunder five feet of volcanic debris, munities of possible dangers. mud and flood waters. Official fig- "We must not leave things to fatal ures showed 450 dead, 507 injured luck when we can develop the and 599 missing, with no survivors tools to prevent harm," she said. pulled from the.muck since the first Fernando Gonzalez, governor of few hours after Typhoon Durian• worst-hit Albay province, said the roared ashore last Thursday. ground was too slippery for back-

Authorities in southern Vietnam, hoes.· meanwhile, evacuated tens of thousands of residents from the south central provinces of Khanh Hoa, ·Ninh Thuan and Phu Yen where Durian was expected to hit Monday night.

Two fishermen died and another was missing in Phu Yen after their

up to 165 mph, dislodged tons of volcanic debris from Mayon's slopes. Walls of mud and boulders destroyed nearly every standing structure in their path.

Many bodies, mangled, unidentified and decomposing in the tropical heat, were quickly buried in mass graves.

Wangyu Abiera, leader of a search-and-rescue team, said volcanic rocks and sand buried houses in Albay province so compactly that air could not enter and breathing would be impossible:

All but two dozen of the deaths occurred in Albay. Four other provinces reported fatalities.

"There's no c_hoice but to dig by hand," he told Radio DZBB. "Practically speaking; we are not very optimistic we'll find survivors."

Witnesses said the five-hour downpour Thursday, brought by Typhoon Durian packing winds of

Comedy Central orders "Lil' Bush" cartoon

LOS ANGELES, California

(Hollywood Reporter) Comedy

Central has ordered "Lil' Bush: Resident of the United States," a cartoon satire that re-imagines President Bush and key executives in his administration as elementary sc]lool misfits.

The title character is surrounded by dose pals like Lil' Cheney, who grumbles unintelligibly, and Lil' Condi, who pines for Lil' Bush and does his homework for him.

"Bush" is not without its risque moments. When Lil' Bush's school serves falafel instead of hot dogs for lunch in one episode, he and his pals torture the cafeteria employees with methods made famous during the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

Six episodes from writer-producer Donick Cary ("The Simpsons") have been ordered to air on Comedy Central next year.

"Bush" got its start in September as six five-minute clips offered by Amp'd Mobile, a U.S.-based wireless service that packages video entertainment programming with cell phone service.

"Bush" represents an unlikely

reversal of the one-way flow of programming from television to other digital platforms, where networks and studios are attempting to extend franchises in search of new revenue. That said, many a programmer has cited the Internet and mobile arenas

per and ringtones that emerge from the series in any region Amp'd operates.

"Bush" has gotten traction on viral video sites like YouTube, where the original episodes has drawn more than 230,000 streams. It won't be as potential breeding grounds for Comedy Central's first foray into fare that could translate back to TV. devoting an entire series to poking Amp'd is licensing "Bush" to fun at Bush. In 2001, the live-action Comedy Central while retaining spoof "That's My Bush," from rights to air the series on its Comedy "South Park" creators Trey Parker Central-branded video channel as and Matt Stone, had a short-lived well as an exclusive hold on wallpa- run on the network.

Athletic equipment and apparel, all your sporting needs Good Luck Peru State Athletes!'

"The Nativity Story" gathers five star review

RANDI SCHMID Copy Editor

"The Nativity Story" chronicles the miracle of the birth of Jesus from the immaculate conception of his -mother, Mary, to her and her husband Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.

"Whale Rider" actress Keisha Castle-Hughes stars as Mary. This actress portrays the mother of the Lord well due to her humble appearance. Although some reviews said that she did notshow enough joy at being chosen to conceive this child, one must look at her situation. Historically, she was young, only about 16, and she was married at the time of her conception However, Joseph; her husband, iind Mary had never slept together because the first year of their marriage was to be one

of purity Maiy traveled to see her cousin, Elizabeth, who was old but carrying a son' who would be John the Baptist.

Showing her struggles to go back home with a large belly maybe explains more \YhY she did not show more outward joy but trust in the Lord that all would be well.

Director Catherine Hardwicke wanted everything in this movie to appear authentic to the actual story. What a beautif\Il job she did. The actors and actresses did not. have blonde hair or blue eyes and the scenery was just beautiful. Writers and producers $pent hours research-

ing the era in order to recreate the affect of the time. Historians and theologists have helped to make the culture stand out and the authenticity of the traditions. The setting for the movie was in Italy, the saine location that "The Passion of the Christ" was shot in due to its unchai:iging scenery. Morocco was

the location of the scenes for King Herod's castle and the temple of Jerusalem, in likeness of the movies "Gladiator" and "Kingdom of Heaven".

"This story means so much to people all over the world. I hope ences can relate to the film on a personal level and find some ·inspira-

tion to get through some of their own challenges and difficulties," said Catherine Hardwicke on thenativitystory.com.

Not only does this story show the struggle of Mary but the stmggle of Joseph and also the Wise Men. Both journeys are incredible to watch visually and to think of internally. The trust of God shown in the characters in this film is amazing and to see their hope played out is fantastic. Although some people may expect a really intense movie with all drama, they get more than they paid for. This movie has some humorous moments so you get to laugh and enjoy the story of the birth ofthe Lord.

I would give this movie five gold stars because of the great acting and filming and just a great story line. Information about the movie is found at http://www.thenativitystroy.com.

"The Fountain" is sci-fi love story

PAMELA BOUTERSE Contributing Staff

"The Fountain'' is a visually appealing story of a man, Hugh Jackman. desperately trying to make his love with a woman, Rachel Weisz. last forever. This story is not only aboul love though, as il explores death and spirituality through a span of 1,000 years shown in three stories.

Jackman does an exceptional job throughout the movie making the audience believe in love again. In this movie, Jackman puts himself through anything in order to keep Weisz by his side, even if it means facing the impossible. Jackman's anguish and desperation is heartbreaking, but is counter balanced by the inner peace and acceptance portrayed by Weisz.

Director Darren Aronofsky was heard to say in many interviews. that with this film, he hoped to leave a significant mark on the sci-fi movie genre. I think that perhaps he forgot that other similarly-themed movies such as the original "Solaris" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" had already been there and done that. "The Fountain" basically covers a lot of the same ground as the two older, exceptional films me.ntioned above_ But inten-

tions were good, and the film, though far from perfect, possesses an unreal beauty, both visually and acoustically. If it weren't for the occasionally clumsy dialogue and melodramatic script, this movie would certainly present a memorable experience for movie-goers to lose themselves in.

The film also would have been better if Aronofsky had played it straight; the shuffled chronology of the film does nothing to enlighten the viewer or to highlight certain moments. It just feels as if it's there because it's the cool thing to do in movies nowadays. What it all adds up to is that it feels as if Aronofsky, for his entire unbridled prowess as a filmmaker of importance, such as his movie "Requiem for a Dream,"

simply got to deep in this one. and he couldn't ultimately even the film out. He throw:; around too many ideas. but offers no substantial payoffs. He weaves science and myth and the result is just... strange:. His directing lends itself to making the plot appear more confusing lhan the mm ie actually is. Indeed, it is considerably more concrete than "200 l: A Space and actually suffers because of its firm foundations in reality and greed, instead of more abstract subjects. This film, despite its faults, is one of the better films of this year. However, the film is nowhere near the immense, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual stimulation that it could have been. Though, the movieis compelling and short enough to keep one's attention, and to even involve one in its characters' plights. I'd recommend that if you have an open mind and appreciate good music (Mogwai is featured on the soundtrack), and jaw-dropping visuals, that you check out this movie. Those that have a soft-spot for science fiction and a love of philosophy, especially philosophy of religion and death, might enjoy "The Fountain" as well.

Man of steel returns for a sixth season

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Editor

After so many twisted plots and heart-breaking scenes, "Smallville" has come to its sixth season. Before going deep into the secret world of Clark Kent - the Man of Steel, some of the major events in previous seasons need to be recapped.

Season five started with the two familiar main characters, Clark .Kent and Lex Luthor. However, their relationship has become quite different and complicated. They are not best friends any more, not after the death of Jonathan Kent and the involvement of Lana Lang with Lex.

The show has lost its interesting Superman theme and turned into a frustrating and annoying romantic · drama and teenage soap. opera often found on nighttime television.

Clark Kent's not so mysterious secret was never discovered by Lana Lang. The WB, now CW, chose to lengthen this love and lies relationship between Clark and Lana into a tiresome full season. Smallville has gone a long way with its creativity, which kept the audience's interest for a long time, however, the boring love story does nothing but annoy loyal fans.

The first two seasons developed Clark's character and powers, setting a foundation for the next sea-

sons.

Season three fascinated viewers with a cave full of wall-drawings and the mysteries of Clark's past and future.

Season four further revealed his origins and how it related to the crystal hidden on earth. As each season came by, "Smallville's" fans enjoyed Clark's growth into adulthood and getting closer to his destination: becoming a Superman.

Instead of continuing the show the way it shouJd be, the fifth season disappointed its fans with many unoriginal, uninspired characters and very plain and repetitive story lines about the relationship between Clark, Lana and Lex.

For the first time, Clark Kent and the cast enters a new phase of lifegoing to college, but the show writers did not make any new character development.

Tiresome season five was the low point of a great series.

Season six started with Clark trying to clean up the destruction created-by Zod, who took over Lex's body in season five. Lana moved in with Lex; and Chloe reunites with Jimmy Olsen - an old flame at the Daily Planet. Clark discovered a new power - super breath, and a lot more went on in the show.

The sixth season does hold promise. Good thing, as it might be the show's final season. It also gives CW a great chance to gain or loose its viewers' interest. Hopefully, it will be the season that Clark Kent's transformation takes place. After all, no matter how hard he tries and how much he might wish it, Clark Kent is not human.

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The Story of a Murderer

How the world celebrates a new year

the Diwali festival, everything is decorated with lights and lamps. Bottles of colored water may also be placed in front of the lamps to · give them color. One special thing about the festival is the children often receive sweets, ice cream, and toys in the shapes of houses, boats, people, and animals because they are a sign of good luck for the new year.

three days of new year will decide if a person has good luck or bad luck for the rest of the year. Therefore, many people clean their houses to get rid of last year's bad luck so that they can start a brand new fortune. The feast on new years is always big. If the new year falls on the year of any particular animal, the Chinese will try not to eat that animal's meat.

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Editor

In less than a month or to be exact, in 20 days, people in the United States will celebrate the new year. What about the rest of the world?

People in different parts of the world have their own cultures and calendars; which means their new year is not necessarily on the first day of January.

For those who love travel and New Year's celebrations, it is possible to do it all year long; you just have to keep moving around the world.

Many people are surprised to find out that, when we are watching the ball drop in New York and counting down minutes until a brand new year it is just another normal day for people in China, Israel and Scotland.

Here are some examples of how people all over the world celebrate

I think I

the same holiday - New Years, with their unique ways during a different time:

- Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year festival. It is celebrated on the first two days of the seventh month, according to the Jewish calendar - Tishri, so that the farmers could visit Jerusalem before winter rains came. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with a variety of foods such as fresh fruit of the season, especially grapes, honey cake and honey jar, bread known as challah, and fish. In Israel, Rosh Hashanah is the only holiday kept for two days; both days are considered one long day of 48 hours.

- Diwalian new year is celebrated by the North-western Indian state of Gujarat in October or November. According to the New Year Traditions collection of the Fathertimes magazine, Diwali is one of the most ancient Hindu festivals, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. On the night of

- Yuan Tan is the Chinese new year which takes place between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. The date is determined by the lunar calendar, in which a new moon marks the beginning of each new month. New year celebrations are based on bringing luck, health, happiness, and wealth. It is believed that first

- Songkran which is the Thai new year lasts for three days from April 13 to April 15 according to the Gregorian calendar. Like the Chinese, Thai people believe that good luck at the beginning of the year is a great sign for a new year. A custom to bring luck is to release birds from their cages or 'fish from

their bowls. People also throw water over one another because it will bring good rains in the coming year. They also visit the monastery to pray and offer gifts of rice, fruit, sweets and other foods for the monks.

Shopping is a competitive sport

TUYET-VAN SANSONE Writer

Shopping should be considered a sport. It takes endurance, stamina, muscle strength, energy, and practice; everything that professional sports such as football and baseball require.

The day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, would be the Super Bowl of shopping. It is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. This is the day that many consumers begin their Christmas shopping. All across the nation thousands of people get up before the crack of dawn and wait outside shopping malls and department stores to get to the sales.

If you are not physically fit, you will not be able to survive this experience. People have literally shopped till they dropped to get their savings.

"We started right when the mall

open and didn't stop until the mall closed. I almost passed out from fatigue. It was so tiring to go from store to store and carrying all of our bags!" comments PSC freshmen, Brianria Zahua.

Like in professi0nal sports, there are also injuries. People have been injured and trampled in the rush at opening time. "It can be dangerous but the savings are worth it," says Zahua.

,Peru students share their Christmas wishes

RANDI SCHMID

Contributing Writer

Thanksgiving has just left us and already Christmas carols are on the radio waves. Mistletoe is being hung and Christmas lights are being strung. Cold weather is upon us and warm fires are in the library. Yes, Christmas is so close you can almost hear Santa's sleigh bells ringing in the distance. With this time of year also comes the time of gift giving. So, I decided to see what Peru students were asking for this Christmas:

Emily Morgan- I think that I would really enjoy for Christmas .is a brand new laptop. I have an okay one, but I could go for a better one!

Clint Zost- I want an UNLIMITED amount of Christmas Tree Brownies!!!

Emilee Simpson- Nothing special, just money for clothes and gas and stuff.

Raven Robertson - For Christmas I want a really nice digital camera like the ones you take professional pictures with· so I could take better pictures and also take pictures of Bo on the field when he plays games. Other than that scrapbooking stuff,

I'm a picture nerd.

Austin Reisig- I would like for Christmas just to be able to go home and see my family. I have been home once and it would be great to spend time with them and tell them some great RA stories.

Miranda Williamson- For Christmas, I would like a Coach purse and an iPod. Hope I get them!!!!

Lindsey. Poole- A new digital camera would be great.

Misa Misa, Jr.- To spend Christmas with my family. What more could you ask for?

sweatshirt and maybe a radar detector so I don't get pulled over so often.

Joe Stillman- Tickets to the Tostita Fiesta Bowl when then Huskers win the Big 12 championship, but if they don't win, I want tickets to the Cotton Bowl.

Seth Amen- Definitely a Nintendo W1i.

Shane Ryan- World peace! And season tickets to Peru state football games! Go Bobcats!

Saril Hunt- The main item I want for Christmas 1his year is a new computer because the one I have is about as old as they get! We eall it the dinosaur!

Robert Lindsay- New ZUNE Mp3 player froth Microsoft (30 gigs of memory), "Rainbow Six: Las Vegas" video game for the PC, gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, etc., brand new Porsche 911 Turbo please!!! That's about it other than socks and underwear.

realize them. I don't need any wrapped, because when I'm with my family, Christmas tree or not, it's one of the best times ever!

Steffi Hoffman- My two front teeth (Ha, ha)

JoLynn Gydesen- Well, I might be a little different than most people, but what I would like is a cattle guard for my pickup. Other than that, I would take a digital camera maybe.

ly.

Jamie Wolbert- I actually really want the Motorola phone tools which allows you to put the songs from your computer on to your phone and crop it for your ring tones!

Bright Norris- The best thing I could ask for for Christmas would be spend it with the people I love, but as far as gifts go, I need a new

Tim Crawford- What I would like for Christmas is just to be with my family. The last time the whole family was together was when I was eight. It's funny how your presents have been there the whole time. And that we all have "gifts" that the Lord has for us, ifs a shame a lot of people don't see them, or

Alicia Miller- This year for Christmas, I just want to be able to relax and time with my fami-

With this list of gift ideas, I am hoping that Santa brings each of you exactly what you are wishing for whether it is a family Christmas or a warm pair of socks. Just remember that this is the time of miracles so let your heart speak for its desires and you never know what you may find wrapped under the tree.

Also, do not forget to help those less fortunate than you are by donating gifts or volunteering your time. This can also be dumping your loose change into one of those Red Kettles for the Salvation Army. Let us this Christmas be thankful for our belongings, friends, and family and also be generous during this holiday season.

As for my Christmas wish? I wish nothing more than a peaceful world and happiness spread everywhere.

Fall sports making the grade

This off-season, coaches and players will look to the upper c!assmen

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG to step up into leadership roles.

Comributing Writer Peru State is returning 16 starters,

Football (6-5)

Grade: B

After ending the previous two seasons with a 1-10 record, the Peru State football squad noticeably improved this year.

Ending with a 6-5 record, and a 13 conference record showed the program has developed with the addition of a new Offensive Coordinator, Dick Ramsey, and Defensive Coordinator Brent Pradia. The success of the team this year can also be measured by the number of All-Conference selections from Peru State. A total of 12 Bobcats were selected to be included on the All-Conference team.

Leading the group of eight first team players was junior running back Mike Mertens who totaled 843

and the large senior class next year will look to extend the success of this season. Of the 12 AllConference players, nine will come back next year, hoping to improve and finish the job that started this season when the Cats had a winning record for the firs.t time in three years.

"Peru State's goals for the upcoming season are to win the Central States Football Conference, be nationally ranked and to participate in the Post-Season Playoffs," said Ramsey. Recruiting will obviously be a contributing factor to how successful the team will be next year, but the leadership, and work ethic of the soon-to-be seniors will give the team confidence and maturity.

cess of the team.

Seiko still managed to earn Second Team All-Conference honors along with sophomore hitter Allison Slager. Seiko had a team high this year with 1025 set assists and provided leadership while running the Bobcat offense. Slager led Peru State with 345 kills and was consistent through each match on the front line. Libero Afton Burr received Honorable Mention for her efforts this season recording 663 digs and a 94% serve receive efficiency.

At times this year, the Cats looked like they were the top. team in the conference when taking away one or two games from some of the best teams in the MCAC. Unfortunately, they could not retain their success from game to game.

by sophomore Allison Stockstell and junior Leisha Tennal, the Cats were always competitive in each race. Stockstell, who was the most consistent runner throughout the season, had a personal best at regionals with a time of 21: 10. "However, a number of other runners consistently improved throughout the season," said Head Coach Johann Murray.

Fielding such a young team with

rushing yards. On the defensive

side of the ball, junior defensive end Women's Volleyball (11-23)

Jeff McQuinn showed consistent Grade: D+ dominance while leading the Cats in After finishing last season with a sacks with 11.5. wmnmg record, the Bobcat

·They were more of C or C+ foot- women's volleyball team was only ball team on the field, but the team's able to manage an 11-23 overall academic success must be recog- record, but placed fifth in the. nized. The Cats. also had six Midlands Collegiate Athletic Academic All-Americans which Conference with a 8-8 record. means they carried a grade point • This was coach Lexie average of 3.5 or higher. Success in ·Turnbull's first season at the helm in the classroom has always been Peru and she .did not know quite stressed by Head Coach Terry Clark what to expect. The Cats struggled and he takes pride in their academic at times adjusting to a new system achievements. "My goal by the end and coach. Injuries to key players, of this May is to have an average such as junior setter Keshia Seiko team GPA oU.00," said Clark. and Christina Dewey, hurt the sue-

Looking to recruit more heavily this off-season, Turnbull hopes to see improved success both in conference and non-conference matches.

This Peru State team overall was a below average team but did finish with a .500 winning percentage in the conference.

Cross Country (NIA)

Grade: C+

The cross country team had a · strong end to their successful season. Placing third in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference and ninth in the regional championship to end the season, the Cats were pleased with their performance. Led

many of the runners being sophomores or juniors, Murray feels that there is much to look forward to in the seasons to come. In fact, it was a welcoming surprise to him that there were new runners this year willing to compete for Peru. Training in the off-season is the key to achieving goals during the season. "In order to step it up and run at a higher level, the team needs to have a solid base of running over the summer, including distance running, pace running and hill running. Most of all, they need to prepare psychologically, especially in terms of desire to compete at a· higher level," said Murray, who is helping the team train for a marathon this spring.

This team was not great but they had runners who improved throughout the year. They continued to race and work hard, no matter what. The team is about average due to their standings, but their heart and work ethic earns them the bonus points to make the grade a C+.

Basketball heating up

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

After sloppy starts, the Peru State men's and women's basketball squads both earned wins the first days of December at the Al Wheeler Activity Center.

The men's squad defeated Dana College 89-74, and after being down 0-2 in the first couple minutes, Bobcats took the lead and never looked back. Led by senior guard Brandon Barrett, who scored a game high 24 points, t h e 'Cats

the tempo most of the game.

Six Bobcats, including Barrett scored in doubledigits, en route to their second win in the last three games.

With a great shooting percentage of 55% from the floor, and a 6-14 three point mark, Peru State kept Dana from ever get too close to pull off an upset. Hustle up and down the court, and dominant rebounding by senior Marli Lovelace and Brett Spiker allowed for more second chance shots for the Bobcats, and fewer put backs by the Vikings. Along with Lovelace's eight boards, he also managed to score 13 points, and applied great defensive pressure.

"We started off kind of slow in the first half, but came together to pull out a victory in the end,'.' said Lovelace.

The Bobcats are now 3-7 so far this season, and look to improve before heading into the Teammakers Tournament in Mitchell, SD Their final tune-up game before break will be in Peru on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

The women's team, after a tough loss against Dakota State on Dec. 1, came back and defeated Park University.

"I was.a little worried that the girls had fought so hard the night before against Dakota State that they wouldn't have anything left in them for Saturday's game," said Coach Kevin Dobbs. "We were only down by three points with about four minutes left, and the final score (68-58) didn't indicate the closeness of the game."

Thankfully, the defeat did not hinder the Lady Cats' spirits as they out hustled and outplayed Park. Starting the game off with lots of defensive pressure, and half court traps, Peru State created turnovers, and points. Although the first couple sc;ores for the 'Cats were tough to come by, the lead continued to build, and by halftime, Peru was up 34-16.

Men's basketbalLsonedule

DEC

14 BriarCJlff

To open up the second half, the Lady Cats built on their lead with increased half court pressure leading to 26 Park turnovers. Also, a dominant inside presence by P.J. Miller, leading the game in scoring with 13 points, couldn't be stopped. She also tacked on six rebounds, but it was Brandi Olberding taking control of the glass with a total of 12 rebounds.

Peru State ence games just around he corner which will next semester. Before t h e n , though, the Lady Cats must face .in-stat.e, Division II opponent, University of Nebraskato Oskaloosa, Iowa to play William Penn.

Peru St.ate will end its first part of the season witp a game against Briar ·· Cliff at the AWAC on Dec. 16 at 6:00 p.m. A rematch with Park after Semester Break on Jan. 9 will conclude Peru's non-conference schedule.

29 Teammakers Tournament

30

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pregpancytestit1Q, •·aispen.sing:· -of and contraceptives. Charges are based upon income .and. family size on a sliding·fee scale.

.Services are. Confidential. Gallfo.ra.n Peru cHniq<a.vailable.

25 tips· for successful holiday shopping

1) Shop with others. Just 10) Know the law. This way like in the animal kingdom, a you can break it. or bend it. pack is more efficient.

2) .Carry walkie-talkies. Communication between the pack is highly important.

3) Start a wicked gnarly game of charades. Distract the enemy while other mem- · hers move in for the gift.

4) Wear five gold rings. When punching through the crowds, you are more effective.

5) Attach a metal door to the top of your cart. No one is getting in and nothing is getting out.

6) Wear camouflage. They will never see you coming.

7) Be intoxicated. This is not a time you want to remember, plus, your gifts will be more creative.

8) Wear skates/skate shoes. That's just to roll.

11) Have a few members of the pack take off in a mad dash for a dumb item. This way other members can run and get the good ones.

12) Yell fire. Since everyone is running out of the building, no one can prevent you from getting the items you went there for.

13) Don't shower for days. The smell will help you push your way through the line.

14) If someone grabs an item that you want, follow them store leaving them virtually no breathing room. This will make them feel awkward and drive

9) If plan A fails have a plan them to give you the item.

B. Like in the Boy Scouts, one must be prepared.

everybody hugs and saying I· love you. They'll feel so uncomfortable that they'll just leave you alone.

16) Dance around saying the end is near and quoting movies. People don't like crazy individuals so they will leave you be and possibly give you money.

17) Pretend-to pe EMT's. Run in with a gurney, grab all the items you need, and run back out.

18) Carry a whip so you can prevent others from grabbing your future gifts. You must always whip it, whip it good. an emergency, when the building is fully evacuated, state that this has only been a test.

20) Stay in the store over night and pretend to be a mannequin. All you've got to do is strike the pose.

21) Create an assembly line from the merchandize items wanted to the checkout station. Ford had a good idea.

22) Send a decoy child to the merchandise area that you want claiming that they are lost. While those who are there try to help, you can raid the items you want.

23) _Carry a supersoaker and threaten anyone in your path. Trust me, supersoakers are ask the wicked witch.

24) While waiting in line, claim that you have diarrhea. If you carry fart spray and a fart machine this approach can be very useful.

25) Start a conga line leading everyone out of the store. More room for you and your pack.

Minimum wage: we're movin' on up

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-In-Chief

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Jan. 10 that will raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 in three steps over the next two years. According to the Economic Policy Institute the increase would affect 5.6 million workers, or five percent of the workforce, who are currently earning minimum wage. It might also affect the 9.2 million workers who are currently emning just over minimum wage.

First, let's do some math. The current Federal minimum wage is $5.15 an hour. If you work full 40 hours a week, with two weeks off, that works out to exactly $J0,300. Just as a reference, the poverty level for 2006 for one person overthe age of 18 was $9,800. An adult earning the minimum wage must work full time ·to stay above the poverty line. It should be noted that, at this level, employers often do not schedule workers for 40 hour weeks as making them 'full time' would mean that benefits would typically be paid.

The absolute poverty line is defined by the United States Government as: "The threshold below which families or individuals are considered to be lacking the resources to meet the basic needs for healthy living; having insufficient income to provide the food,· shelter and clothing needed to preserve health." In other words, at minimum wage someone has to work full time just to survive.

Now that the bill has passed in the House it has moved on to the Senate, where Democrats have a much smaller margin of control. Assuming it passes, how will this bill affect the American worker and employer?

Economists have given answers ranging from hardly at all to devastatingly. The Cato Institute has said in no unce11ain terms that: "if the government coercively raises the price of some (such as labor) above its market value, the demand for that good will fall, and· some of the supply will become 'disemployed'. Unfortunately, in this case, the 'disemployed goods' are human beings."

Of course not all economists agree this statement. But many of them do. According to a survey of

Federal level. Several of these states have taken the additional step of automatically adjusting the minimum wage for inflation. Even if the bil1 passes IO states will still have minimum wage rates at or higher than the Federal rate.

Of course no matter what the repercussions of the increased minimum wage the Senate would have a lot of explaining to do if they don't pass it. After all, since the last time minimum wage was increased in 1997 Congress had raised their members of the American of some laws to protect small busi- ·wages eight times. They currently Economic Association in 2000 46 nesses. make $165,000 a year (which is percent agreed that having a mini- Current Federal law states that about $80 an hour for a 40 hour mum wage raises unemployment business that earns less than week). Since the minimum wage among young and unskilled work- $500,000 a year in revenue doesn't currently has its lowest buying ers, while only 27 percent dis- have to pay their employees mini- · power in 50 years, and there are agreed. The other 28 percent partial- mum wage. There is also a "youth important Congressional elections ly agreed with the statement. sub-minimum wage" which allows as well as a presidential election

Those who disagree often site a an hourly rate of $4.25 for newly coming up in 2008 the Senate has to study conduGted by two professors hired employees under the age of 20 weigh their decision carefully. at Princeton University who looked for the first three months. In addi- If the Senate passes the bill but at the impact of the 1992 increase in tion, an overwhelming majority of makes changes to it they will have New Jersey's minimum wage. They small business owners - 91 percent - to reconcile it to the House bill ·found that there was little or no said in a SurePayroll survey that before it can go to the President for impact on the labor l!larkets. minimum wage laws would not his signature. Since any tax-related

Of course the economy doesn't affect them because they already changes have to originate from the necessarily follow the paths that pay their employees more than the House, there is the opportunity for economists predict they will. And minimum wage. more complications. odds are good that the bili won't Currently, 26 states have set the pass the Senate without the addition minimum wage higher than the

The current Federal minimum wage is $5 .15 an hour. If you work full time, 40 hours a .week, with two weeks. off, that works out to exact! y $10 ,300. Just as a reference, the poverty level for 2006 for one person over the age of 18 was $9 ,800.

Bush sought solutions in State of Union

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Editor

President George Bush delivered his State of the Union address on Jan. 23, 2007 targeting important issues such as the economy, education, health care, immigration, energy/alternative fuel, war on terror, Iraq, and AIDS/Africa.

Through the 50-minute speech, Bush encouraged the public to come together, to "work through differences, and achieve big things", to "make life better for fellow Americans, and help them to build a future of hope and opportunity."

Bush pointed out three economic priorities for the Congress. He sought to balance. the budget without raising taxes, cut the number and cost of earmarks at least in half by the end of this session, and take on the challenge of entitlements.

The president was quite positive about American education because he saw that students were performing better ii). reading and math, and minority students are closing the

achievement gap. "We must increase funds for students who struggle and make sure these dren get the special help they need," said Bush.

Bush sought two new initiatives for health insurance

"Families with health insurance .will pay no incor_ne or payroll taxes on $15,0'00 of their income. Single Americans with health insurance will pay no income or payroll taxes on $7,500 of their income," recommended Bush. He thought of this tax deduction for health insurance as the standard tax deduction for dependents.

The CNN news found this idea to be playing to mixed reviews, with many wondering how the plan would extend coverage to tens of millions people without insurance.

Respond to the debating topics regarding immigration, the president pushed on border security. He suggested doubling the size of the Border Patrol, funding new infrastructure al)d technology. Besides, he felt the need to enforce immigra-

tion laws at the work site, resolve the status of the illegal immigrants. His new plan, which will let foreign workers temporarily \\'.Ork in the U.S., is believed to prevent them from "sneaking" across .the border and would free up border agents to chase down" drug smugglers, and criminals, and terrorists.

Discussing the energy and alternative fuel topic, Bush insisted that the U.S. should reduce gasoline consumption by 20 percent over 20 years to cut dependence on oil. He also plans to tighten fuel economy standards on automakers and produce 35 billion gallons of renewable fuel like ethanol by 2017. The president asked Congress to double the current capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as well.

Bush started his topic on the war on terror by calling upon Americans to protect people of this country from danger.

·"Our success in this war is often measured by the things that did not happen," said Bush. He listed success in stopping an al Qaeda plot to fly a hijacked airplane into the

tallest building on the West Coast, breaking up a Southeast Asian terrorist cell grooming operatives for attacks inside the United States, uncovering an al Qaeda cell developing anthrax to be used in attacks against America.

Bush evoked his·new strategy in Iraq, a plan that would demand 21,000 more troops to Baghdad and the country's western province of Anbar to create "a democratic Iraq that upholds the rule of law, respects the rights of its people, provides them security, and is an ally in the war on terror.

"We will show our enemies abroad that we are united in the goal of victory," said Bush after asking Americans to work together.

"We have met challenges and faced dangers, and we know that more lie ahead. Yet we can go forward with confidence - because the State of our Union is trong our cause in the world is right and tonight the cause goes on," that's how the president ended his speech.

TCityNews believed Bush used his speech to defend his war-time decisions, and attempt to ease tensions among angry Congress-controJling Demorcats intent on illuminating his many perceived gaffes.

The CNN news reported that twothirds of poll respondents said Bush has made them angry.

THE PERU STATE TIMES

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Ashley AlbertsenContributing Staff

Phuong Tran Kurt Lockard

Randi Schmid Tuyet-Van Sansone

Stephanie Hoffman Jacob Thompson-Krug

Jenifer Epting Marcus Ackley

Ashley Albertsen Randi Schmid

Phuong Tran Johann Murray

Linze Thummel

Amanda Erwin Braridon Schummacher

l;i':30AM- 12:30· PM fo the Men1 s and Women's Basketball, Dining Hall. (If you wmit more Garnes in York. Bus Departs at info on them you can look at 3:15 PM. There are only 47 seats www.missionimprovable.com) available so contact Sari! Hunt at February 28th - Marcoux Corner x2329 or Sara LaBrie at x2252 as Acapella Singers, 12:00 PM - l :00 soon as possible if you are inter- PM in the Dining Hall (lf you want ested. more info on this group you can February 14th Mission look at Improvable http://www.bass-schuler:com/marcouxcorner.php4)

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The opinions expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial staff. The Peru State Times is an independent student publication funded by student publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College

All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters need not be students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be signed by the individual(s) submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words in length. The Times reserves the right to edit al! letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach the Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctini.es@yahoo.com, or send material to the Peru State Times, Campus Mail, Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421. View us on the web at http:l/www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

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Peru State students attend Dever confere nee

KURT LOCKARD Contributing Writer

Imagine, if you can, 2,000 college students in one hotel. Not any hotel, but the four-star Adam's Mark hotel in downtown Denver. As student Cale Lang put it, "It is a place poor college students have no business spending the night, let alone spend the greater part of a week." But that is exactly what happens every single Christmas break and has happened for the last fifteen years. The Adam's Mark opens its doors to Campus Crusade for Christ for five days where students from all around the Midwest gather for one common purpose- to learn more about the Christian faith and how to apply it in their lives and the world.

For me this was my sixth conference and my first one as a sponsor of sorts. There are many differences from conference to conference, but one thing that always remains the same is those that go, come back a different person than when they left. It all starts with a grueling bus ride there with 32 very uncomfortable people. Once you finally arrive you hit the ground running.

Beyond the seminars and nationally renown speakers, it is the fellowship they experience with 2,000 people the same age as them who have the same passion about Christianity as they do that truly impacts them. Speaking from experience, -in today's college world it can be difficult to be a Christian and

stand for the principles and creeds of Christianity without feeling like some sort of a religious radical. Going to this conference gives everyone that attends a confidence that most people really do not think that, and if you just be what you are, then most of the time people are okay with that. In addition to this, there is a theme that challenges each student that asks them to search out ways to positively impact their campus, their families, their communities, and even the world. Whether this is through a summer mission trip in Russia or staying at home and serving your parents by watching your little siblings all summer, the one thing you cannot find is an opportunity to let your summer waste away.

Two of Peru's own students right here from Peru took this very literally and felt a pressing need to help the many homeless that live in the streets of downtown Denver. Tim Crawford and Josh Sinnot forged a plan together to get as many students and supplies as possible to go out to the homeless and serve them. Josh Sinnot said, "It something that I will never forget! Getting to help these people who have nothing was such an amazing feeling and it will forever impact my life." These two regular students organized 50 volunteers to go out to the streets and with donations made, they were able to give out 70 care packages including blankets, gloves, socking hats, and food along with countless coats, sometimes from their own backs.

With temperatures drawing close to zero degrees, it was a blessing that the homeless will never forget because for some of them these gifts of love may have saved their lives.

In the midst of all of this action you could attend seminars that were much rq.ore specific to personal problems and questions students have had, such as how to cope with death, with being a victim of abuse or rape, or even how to maintain a healthy relationship that focuses around respect and love as well as how to enter into marriage prepared for all the difficulties that lie ahead. During the entire conference you can be sure there was a crazy

amount of fun being had by all that were there as long as they had not crashed from a lack of sleep. There are literally people up at all hours of the night playing cards, Spoons, Settlers of Catan, or even a game of indoor soccer or two. Not to mention the countless relationships that were forged between people who, prior to the conference, may have

hardly known each other but now will be lifelong friends. It is said that the friends you make in college last a lifetime, and this conference is a catalyst for that.

The conference ends much in the same way it began, with a long bus ride home but for many they are filled with a new outlook on their faith and future.

We celebrate King by remembering his dream

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG

Contributing Writer

For most students at Peru State College, Monday, January 15 was the beginning of winter with the first school cancellation of the year. The few inches of snow that came down throughout Sunday and into the night created slick roads and possible hazards in areas where commuters to the college would be coming from. Students spent the day outside in the snow, sledding, making snowmen, and others remained in their rooms, huddled underneath a blanket to keep warm, and ward off the single digit temperatures. Campus was closed, and the on-campus activities planned for that day were cancelled or postponed. Now you might be sitting there, thinking to yourself, "What activities were being held?"

Well, not only was January 15 a snowday, but it was al.so the third Monday in January which is celebrated as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A ceremony atthestudentcen-

ter honoring the African-American civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner was to be held, but never happened due to the weather conditions. "Soul FoOd Night" at the cafeteria was also the theme for dinner that evening, and is to be held at a later date. The opportunity to write a personal 'dream' about how to makithe world a better place was done in recognition of King's famous "I have a dream" speech given in 1963 at a march in Washington D.C.

King spent a lot of his short life preaching equal rights for all through nonviolent behavior. His courage and bravery to stand up for what he believed was right gave confidence to others. In fact, he was thought so highly of, that the third Monday of January is a

federal holiday in recognition of the awe inspiring individual. Every federal and many state institutions are encouraged to take the day off and recall and celebrate everything

that King did for America. So why were classes scheduled for all the state colleges on January 15 while the University of Nebraska colleges had the day off?

I was curious as to why we needed to go to class on a day honoring this great · AfricanAmerican leader, so I sent an e-mail out to someone who would know the answer. I was then informed that administration had met, and decided that another day of classes was necessary.

This is a federal holiday, and administration thought we needed to have school?! We had Martin Luther King Jr. Day off in past school years so why is this one any different?! What's going to happen next, classes on Labor Day or Memorial Day?!

"Yeah, you didn't

work hard enough !his year so were going to need you come in on Labor Day."

"You're not a veteran, right? Well, I don't see why you ooed to take Memorial Day off

I'm not saying that we shouldn't have to go to :school on every holiday that is marked on the calendar, but federal holidays are set up by the federal government. !the most powerful fom of government in our country. A possible solution could be to push back winter break one week and iocorpome Martin Llilher King Day into our wmler break. It's not like the government i:s tdlirig Peru Srate College to have winter · break during a specific time period. We are part of the sltale wllege system, and sboold fullow similar rules to other stare funded univer:sities within oo.r own stare.

Remembraooe and reflection are some of the best ways to learn, and I don't ihmt it would hurt anyone to miss a day of classes due to understanding toleraoce and equal treatmentfor all.

Unfortunate event shouldn't cost teen 40 years

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN years-old the cops would have laughed and told me to have a good Editor-in-Chief night. But since this 17-year-old lost STEPHANIE HOFFMAN control of his vehicle, he's being Contributing Writer tried as an adult for two felony counts. of homicide. Which means Matt Robinson, a 17-year-old sen- he could face up to 40 years in ior at Gretna High School was prison 40 years after losing two of recently charged with counts of his friends.

felony mot<)r vehicular homicide. As college students we all know He is being tried as an adult for the that drinking and driving is irreaccident that took place around sponsible, but this would be the 180th and P!atteview Road. equivalent of having a beer at 10 pm Apparently he and two of his and leaving the bar at midnight.And friends, also Gretna High students, yet the drinking is what the prosecuwere in a car driven by Robinson tion is harping on as the reason that that was being chased by someone he should be tried as an adult. they were afraid was going to harm · Adult is such a tricky word. In them. Nebraska you have to be 19 to be

contract for an apartment or car until then. And it isn't until 21 that you can actually drink. I have always thought that the age of adulthood, like the drinking age and driving age were arbitrary. Chosen based on what is best for the average person. So, if they are going to consider this average 17-year-old an adult then maybe they· should consider all 17-year-olds adults.

Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said that: "If it's careless, it's a misdemeanor. If it's reckless, it's a felony, and I believe there was recklessness involved in this case." What recklessness? Trying to get away from danger? It's completely reasonable to flee from danger; it's animal instinct. And since he wasn't Robinson admits that he sped up in considered an adult. You can't sign a order to escape the other vehicle and

he lost control. He had been drinking, but only blew a 0.03. At that level, according to habitsrnart.com, Robinson would have been feeling mellow and slightly less inhibited. It isn't until you reach 0.05 that you begin to have coordination impairment.

I'll admit that it was wrong for Robinson to have been drinking, but even by our states standards he wasn't too intoxicated to drive. If I'd been pulled over with a 0.03 at 21-

impaired how can anyone say that he was being reckless?

If you have ever driven yourself home after having a beer or two then I think that you owe it to Matt Robinson to go to http://thiscause.org/p/menu.php ?p=

Buchheit768lODB and sign the petition :saying that he shouldn't be tried as an adult. It just doom 't seem fair that bis life should be over because of an accident that could have happened to any of us.

Phi Kappa Alpha Dog is the lowdown

MARCUS ACKLEY Staff Writer

Alpha Dog is a well told story full of all of the young Hollywood stars you know and love, the cast is a roll call of some of the most talented young actors in the business right now, including Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and, yes, Justin Timberlake.

The picture is rated "R" for good reason, nudity, language, and violence. Kurt Loder an MTV personality did a great piece on Alpha Dog that unveiled the movies true makings.

On August 6, 2000, a 15-year-old boy named Nick Markowitz was abducted off a San Fernando Valley street - pushed into a van after some light beating and kickingby a young marijuana mogul, Jesse James Hollywood (his real name), and some associates.

At the age of 20, Hollywood was already living in a $200,000 house (for which he'd made the down payment in cash) and driving a Mercedes. He ran a no-nonsense business, and when one of his dealers, a childhood friend named Ben Markowitz, stiffed him for $1,200, Hollywood decided to take drastic action to force repayment.

Kidnapping Ben's half-brother Nick was a whim, an opportunity that suddenly presented itself.

Nick was a personable kid who admired his brother and his drugworld associates as definitively cool guys. His captors immediately took a liking to him, and for two days they fed him drinks, got him high and turned him on to the hot chicks who thronged their scene.

They planned to free their "stolen boy," as they jokingly called him, as soon as his brother came up with the money he owed. But he didn't. And

when Hollywood learned from his lawyer that the penalty for kidnapping was life in prison, he ordered his dimwit street soldiers to kill their captive.

They marched Nick into a national park, duct-taped his hands, hit him in the head with a shovel and sprayed him with a TEC-9 machine pistol. His body was discovered four days later.

Over the course of his brief captivity, Nick Markowitz had been paraded around in front of what turned out to be 38 witnesses.

The four members of the killsquad were quickly apprehended, eventually tried, and given sentences ranging from eight years in a lod:up lo !he death penalty.

Hollywood, however, who had not been present at the scene of the murder, had disappeared, and he imme- ·

diately became the youngest fugitive on the FBI's Most Wanted list, where he remained for the next four and a half years until he was captured.

There was a lot of controversy about releasing Alpha Dog due to the fact the head DA gave confidential records to the director for the purpose of bringing Hollywood to

justice.

But, as usual the film company prevailed and the release date was not compromised. After seeing the movie I will say that Justin Timberlake is a decent actor, much better than his ex Brittany Spear:,. I would recommend this film to anyone that is open to see the harsh realities of the youth of today.

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·2007 Golden Globe awarded the worthy

AMANDA ERWIN Staff Writer

The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards was a big hit this year. The awards brought the public's attention to many small-time movies with all the awards that went out to them. The Miramax drama, "The Queen," is now doing fabulous, with a 233 percent jump in the box office when its star Helen Mirren winning two Golden Globe awards.

Besides "The Queen", "Babel" and "Dreamgirls" also got a boost from wmnmg an award. "Dreamgirls" is now headed towards making 100 million dollars in the bok office.

Best Motion Picture

Drama: "Babel"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture

Drama: Helen Mirren - "The Queen"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture

Drama: Forest Whitaker -"The Last King Of Scotland"

Musical or Comedy: Meryl Streep - "The Devil Wears Prada"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture

Musical Or Comedy: Sacha

Cohen - "Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan"

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Jennifer Hudson - "Dreamgirls"

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture:

Eddie Murphy - "Dreamgirls"

Best Animated Feature Film Cars

Best Foreign Languge Film "Letters From Iwo Jima" (Japan, United States)

Best Director Motion Picture: Martin Scorsese"The Departed"

Best Original Song

Motion Picture: "The Song OfThe Heart" - "Happy Feet" Music & Lyrics By: Prince Rogers Nelson

Best Performance by an Actress Best Television Series in a Motion Picture

Drama: "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC) ,

STATE THEATRE 1221 J Street

Auburn, NE 68305

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Movies nightly at 7.30

Live up the single life on Valentine's Day

HEATHER WELLS Contributing Writer '

Not everyone has a date for Valentine's Day and those that.do may find themselves dateless, too. This is the National Break-Up sea·son (between Christmas and Valentine's Day).

According to Yahoo! Personals,. people are more than twice as likely to break up now than at any other time of the year. There are more people that are single on Valentine's Day then in a relationship.

So what do you do when you find ·yourself alone on the most romantic day of the year? Have a blast, that is what! Pamper yourself with a gift. Take yourself out on a date. Get · together wit!i other single friends and celebrate yourselves. Go .to a dinner and a movie. You

could also have a party and invite all your friends. Show them how much you care with good food and good company. So instead of thinking about the fact that you do not have a date for Valentine's Day, spend the day enjoying those people that you do have.

How to say I love you in different languages:

Norwegian: Jeg elsker deg Pronounced: yie elsker · ' die

Polish: Kocham cie

Pronounced: cock em chell

Spanish: Te amo

Pronounced: tay ah-moe

French: Je t'aime

Pronounced: sheh tehm ·

German: Ich liebe dich

Pronounced: eek leebah deek

Finnish: Mina rakastan sinua

Pronounced: min-neh roek-ah-stah sin-you-ah

Chinese: Wo ai ni Pronounced: woll-eye-knee

Italian: Ti amci

Pronounced: Tee

Hindi: Main Tum Se Pyaar Karta White rose: You are heavenly or I Boon am worthy of you. Innocence and Pronounced: main tum say pie-. purity are also inferred.

yar kartah hoon Yellow rose: An offering of joy

Dutch: Ik hou van jou and gladness. Sometimes it means Pronounced: ICK How Yahn yow jealousy or I am sorry.

Japanese: Aishite Iru Red rose: I love you, as well as Pronounced: eye eee she tay having respect and courtesy for you.

eee ru Burgundy rose: You are bestowed icelandic: Eg elska thig with unconscious beauty

Pronounced: ahg ellskah Pink rose: You have grace and ig gentility.

Irish: Ta' in gra' !eat Dark pink rose: An offering of Pronounced:. Tah may in gratitude and appreciation.

GRAW LATH Light pink rose: An offering of Bulgarian: obichamte admiration or sympathy

Pronounced: Oh-bay-cham- Coral/orange rose: A sign of tay enthusiasm. and desire for the recipThinking of saying it with flow- ient (most often given to men by ers? Roses have long been the women). flower of choice for St. Valentine's Day. They are closely linked to Photo courtesy ofhttp://www.forlove, but beware, each color sends ever-florist-thailand.com out its own message, so choose wisely.

The evolution and traditions of Valentine's Day

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

While there is no question that Valentine's Day is namecl after St. Valentine, there are many who don't know why.

The widely accepted story says that Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius, who banned marriage. Claudius believed that men would make better soldiers if they didn't have families.

Valentine defied the emperor by mariying young couples in secret.

Whe.n the emperor found out he had

Valentine imprisoned.

Despite Claudius' rage ·many young couples came to visit Valentine to let him know that they stiUbelieved in love. Including his jailer's daughter, who befriended him. She told him that she was proud of him for standing up for marriage and love; that he had done the right thing.

Unfortunately, Valentine was still beaten with clubs and beheaded on Feb. 14, 270 AD. On the day he was killed he \Yrote a letter to the jailer's daughter and signed .it "From Your Valentine".

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The story says that the day he died had already been devoted to love lgtteries. Love lotteries were a celebration of young men's rite of passage. The young men drew names of teenage girls from a box. Whichever name they drew, that girl was their sexual companion for the remainder of the year.

You can see why the Catholic church wanted to make some changes. The first thing Pope Gelasius did was to change the ,lottery itself. Names of saints were put into the boxes instead of the names of young women. Both men and women drew names from the box, and then they were to try and, behave.as the saint who's name they had drawn. Then the Pope went about finding a better patron saint of love than the pagan god Luercus. He chose Valentine.

Eventually St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers, and Feb.

14 evolved into a day of exchanging love letters. Commercial Valentine's Day cards were introduced in the 1800s. The spirit has spread to all ages, with everyone from children to the elderly sending gifts and cards to family and friends.

Here are some fun Valentine's Day traditions:

In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be.

They would these names on their, sleeves for one week. ·To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

In some countries, a young woman

may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead Qn Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

A love seat is awide chair. It was first made to seat one wol)1an and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together but not too closely!

Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.

Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.

If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

Students sound-off on New Year's resolutions

RANDI SCHMID

Copy Editor

for someone else each day.

Jeremy Pfaff - My New Year's Resolution is to never make another New Year's Resolution.

Chelsea Merritt - I guess my New Year's Resolutions are to a) be a better Mommy, b) to be a better student, and c) not let the small/ridiculous things bother me (as much).

New Year's Resolutions are something you are supposed to think up before the new year begins in order to fast from something for that coming year. I myself have never really gotten into making resolutions because when I do, I end up breaking them. Unfortunately, many of our colleges here at Peru State College seem to have the same thoughts. They may not break them, but they certainly do not make resolutions. So, this article is a little sparse on commentary from students, but here are what seems to be Brittany Hergottthe minority of resolution makers My New Year's have resolved not to do (or to do) Resolutions are I) to. this year.

· not procrastinate on · my homework, 2) to Ryan Bartels - My resolutions are li ·t th t f nu e arnoun o to try to exercise enough to build up caffeine I consume, and 3) to work out at least three days to be to fight less wit:ta my father. a week. And to stop w0llk:ing so much so I can have an actual h!ilbby or two.

.my muscles a bit and endurance. Apparently, you have to be able to bench press 68% of yoµr weight to be a Park Ranger! And the other is to graduate and get myself on the road to getting a good job that I love!

Brandon Schummacher - My New Year's resolution for this year is to have no regrets. And world peace, Bob.

James My New Years resolution is t<>get a six pack by the end of the year.

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New Year's celebrations go back over 4000 years

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

"Happy New Year!" Sure, we say it every year, but why do Americans celebrate the New Year on Jan. I? The date itself has no astrological or agriculture significance, so where did the date come from?

New Year's is actually the oldest of all holidays, having been celebrated since the time of the ancient Babylonians, some 4000 years ago.

The Babylonian New Year began with the first new moon after the Vernal Equinox, or the first day of spring, and lasted 11 days. Which makes a lot of sense considering that spring is when everything returns to life.

The Romans continued celebrating the New Year in late March, but their calendar ended up out of sync with the sun because of changes made to it by various emperors. It wasn't until 153 BC that the

Roman senate named Jan. 1 the beginning of the New Year, and not until the time of Julius Caesar in 46 BC that the tampering was finally put to an end.

And in truth the celebration of the New Year on Jan. 1 has only taken place in western nations for about 400 years.

Not only can we thank the Babylonians for the creation of the New Year's celebration, we can also thank them for creating New Year's resolutions. Of course their resolutions probably involved finding a better way to farm as opposed to losing a few pounds.

If you've ever wondered why we use a baby to signify the New Year you can look to the Greeks. At around 600 BC they had a tradition of celebrating Dionysus, their god of wine and fertility, by parading a baby around in a basket to symbolize the god's rebirth: Of course the Egyptians also used a baby to symbolize rebirth. Even the early Christians finally gave into the

sented Jesus. The ncliitiOJJJ Came: to America via the Gennans, who had been using a baby to represent the New Year since the 14th centucy. In many cmtures it is believed that what you do on the first da:y of the New Year will affect the entire year. Of special interest Jhat is the reason that w.e celebrate New -Year's by _going to p<mties with friends and family. It was once believed that t:ne first wis:itor of the New Year wotdd decide whether you had good .or :bad luck for the year. The £l!lclciest .tJpe. of person: a tall dark-hai:Fed man.

Anoilier aspect of the New Year's ceiebralii©n is the type of food that is >C<mSumed For many cultures food in the shape 0f a ring would bring geod. luck: fuecaase it symbolizes "ecumng flill circle". Which meansilllmt we shm1M be chowmg <ilew.n on dollligl;mm,. onion rings and LifeSavers. S€11ille foocls that are considered l'ucky ii.n America are: black-eyed peas. (which symbolize 1uck) hain. (pigs

Men's volleyball starts season with talent, ambition

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG

Contributing Writer

January 20, the Peru State College men's volleyball began their season with an unfortunate loss to #2 rated Lindenwood University at the Al Wheeler Activity Center.

With only seven eligible players on the roster, the Bobcats were undermanned, and were facing a very talented Lindenwood team that placed first in the conference last year. All three games were fairly close, but it was a decisive victory for Linden wood even though the Bobcats never quit fighting. Peru State even had a lead in the third game, but Lindenwood made a late rally to cap off the win with the games being 20-30, 24-30, and 25-30.

"I'm so proud of those guys," said Coach Lexie Turnbull, who coached the women's team this past fall. "It's never good to lose, but that's the happiest I've ever felt after a loss because they played so hard."

It was difficult for the players running a six man rotation without any substitutes, but their

scrappy play kept them in the game. Led by returners Miguel Pena, Brian Van Ness, and Bryan Weise. the Bobcats were able to keep focus without letting the games get too out of hand. The three starters from last year contributed heavily to the team, and will be looked to for leadership throughout the rest of the season.

Pena, who played libero last year, had 28 receiving attempts, seven digs, and two kills. Weise. the only senior on the team, picked up where he left off by leading the Bobcats with eight kills and two solo blocks.

Setter, Van Ness. had a total of 78 set attempts and 28 assists to lead the team.

The biggest surprise of the night

was Trace Venable. Not only did his athleticism help him notch seven kills, but his knowledge of where he is at on the court really paid. During the second game when the ball was headed out of bounds near the referee stand, Venable was able chase it down, and hit it back into play. The location on the court where he hit the ball was out of the playing area, and the ball sailed along the net and over to Lindewood. The ball was volleyed back to Peru where it was set by Van Ness. and then spiked by Venable who hustled from across the court to make the play. "That was an incredible play that Trace made. Not only being able to put the ball over the net, but then getting the kill just topped the play off." said Turnbull.

Intensity and effort were shown in the first game, and although it was a loss, the confidence of the players has to be high. Be sure to catch more of the fast paced action at the end of the month as the Bobcats host Graceland University on January 30 and Newman University on January 31. Both games will be held at 7 p.m. at the AWAC.

Peru's cross country team still going strong_and steady

JOHANN MURRAY

Contributing Writer

Cross Country in its latestmanifestation has existed for abouthalf a decade. A marathoner by the name of Pam Grey created a coed cross country club at Peru State College in 2002. It was taken over by Brian Lee in 2003. That year the coed team became a men's club and an official women's team for the MCAC conference of the NAIA. The men's club and the women's team competed together at invitational cross country meets during the fall of 2003. Lee, the son of a Jllarathoner, decided to train the team to compete in a marathon at the end of the spring semester. After a year as assistant coach to Lee, Dr. Johann Murray became the head

coach of the women's cross country er group of runners from Peru State Marathon, with the majority of runteam in 2005. He has been assisted College this June. Stockstell and ners in the full marathon. · during his two year tenure by James Schaefer will return for another shot Peru State College is not new to Cole, a runner formerly from Pam at a medal (which is actually a hand the marathon. The college has a Grey's coed squad. In the first year painted railway spike in honor of plaque from the NAIA that indicates of serious training for the marathon the history of .the Mickelson Trail). that the PSC women were the NAIA (2005), only three runners "stepped They will be joined by freshman Regional marathon champions in up" to log the many miles necessary, Kelsey Kunc!. Coaches Murray and 1984. The NAIA still includes the coaches Cole and Murray, and Cole wiU also return to run the full marathon as an event for the nationPSC's top runner Kasey Young. Due marathon. In the half marathon,jun- als in Track and Field.A runner may to injuries only Cole actually ran the ior Leisha Tennal will run with her qualify for the nationals by running Mickelson Trail Marathon in sister, PSC alumna Anna Tennal. a qualifying time in a half marathon Deadwood, SD that year. Last Anna was Lee's top runner in his or a full marathon. Tasha Price, the spring (2006), however, in spite of inaugural year and she still holds top cross country runner for the injuries, coaches Cole and Murray, records for some of the fastest times 2005 cross country season, missed and sophomores Allison Stockstell on a number of cross country cours- qualifying in the marathon for the and Brittany Schaefer, ran in the es. Peru's eighth runner, Sara NAIA nationals by merely one Deadwood marathon. Stockstell and Carney, will compete in the 5K that minute at the Lincoln Half Schaefer tied for third place in their takes place the day before the full Marathon last May (2006). She ran age division-18 to 25-remark- and half marathons. 2007 appears to the 13 mile course in 1:37. It should ably finishing in a dead heat. be a banner year, in that PSC will be not be long before the Bobcat Finally, PSC was on the marathon represented in all three races at the women make their mark in the map. Deadwood will see yet anoth- Deadwood Mickelson Trail marathon once again.

Bears and Colts headed to Super Bowl

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Wrtier

On a very cold and snowy day in Chicago, the Bears knew they had the elements. on their side. In Indianapolis, the Colts had a feeling that it was Peyton Manning's time to shine.

It was on Sunday, January 21, when the two teams to meet in the Super Bowl were decided. And no, there were no computer systems or humarr voters involved with the decision either. Overcoming adversity and playing hard is what the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis

did best this year. The two teams will square off on Feb. 4 to determine who gets · the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Both the Bears and Colts had firs round byes in th playoffs, an played at throughout th post season. So i these teams didn' have to travel an only had to pla two games in order to reach the Super Bowl, what adversity did they have to overcome? How about the fact that Peyton Manning had never won an A F C Championship game since he entered the league .in 1998? Or how about Rex Grossman being an erratic quarterbaek that has had to rely on his defense to bail him out of games? There are too many points to hit that should not have allowed these two teams to meet in the championship, but"' they have proven to be the best.

issue was their offense. They had been so inconsistent throughout the season, but the

nd Grossman ade very few 'stakes. New For the Colts, an Orleans exploemphasis on speed on defense and sive offense pursuit of the ball allowed them to with Reggie shut down the Baltimore Ravens iri Bush and Drew their first playoff game, and a Brees put up match-up with their archrival New 375 total yards, England Patriots ended up being a hut couldn't classic. The Patriots and Tom Brady escape the had had the Colts' number in recent C h i c a g o playoff history, but this game would ·· defendt:rs who be different. After being down by looked like the 18 points, the Colts clawed their old 'Monsters way back to tie the game. The of the Midway' from back in the whole second half was a back and '80's. Bush did have one long forth ball game, and with less than touchdown in which he made about two minutes left, Manning led his half the Bears defenders miss, and team down the field for what would out ran the others, but it was the end up being the winning touch- Saints turnovers that led to their down. Then it was Brady's time to defeat.

have the most dangerous players in the AFC, and quite possibly the NFL, while the Bears have had trouble getting the ball in the end This will also be the first time ever that an African-American head coach will be in the Super Bowl, and in fact both Tony Dungy of Indianapolis and Lovie Smith of Chicago are both AfricanAmericans and very close friends. No matter the outcome of the

do what he does best: bring his As for the Super Bowl match up, team back from a deficit as time · it will be very competitive, and expires, and win another playoff · close. Both defenses are fast, and game. Unfortunately for New don't allow many big plays. The England, this wasn't that time Bears defense has been dominant all d d f season long and are the best in the game, both teams have played well, because Bra y was mtercepte. a ter NFC while the ·Colts have been and deserve respect for all of their driving Colts territory, and doing much better since the playoffs accomplishments this season with Indianapohs ran out the clock. started. The o""enses aren't even only one team achieving the biggest As for the Bears who were facing ur c.omparable, though. The Colts accomplishment of all; winning the the New Orleans Saints, the biggest Super Bowl.

Lady 'Cats Split with MCAC foes York and St. Mary

out seven assists. The Bobcats hit on a cool 18 of 57 from the field, but knocked down 10 of those from outside the arc. Jenna Rempe connected on three of six from three point land in a reserve roll.

York controlled the glass with a 52-36 advantage.

The Bobcat women's basketball boards. In addition, Hill dished team entered last weekend's action unbeaten in MCAC play. Leisha Tennal's three pointer in the final seconds clinched the 58-55 nailbiter win over York College. The same type of shot, however, would not stay down the next day, and College of St. Mary left Peru with a hard-fought 71-68 win. The ·Bobcats are now 5-14 overall, 2-1 in the MCAC.

Tennal led the Bobcats offense on Friday connecting for a game high 24 points as the long-range specialist nailed six of 12 shots from beyond the arc. Alison Hill added a double-double performance with 10 points and the same number ·of

"The win against York was one of the greatest accomplishments of any team I've coached," said Bobcats head coach Kevin Dobbs.

"They had advantages in every facet of the game with the exception of quickness and athleticism, yet our undersized team found a way to scrap together a win."

The Bobcats battled MCAC neme-

sis CSM on even terms throughout setback. Jennifer Epting led the the contest, however, this time the Bobcats with 12 points while final shot would not stay in the riet Lindsey Carlson added 11 ·and resulting in a disappointing 71-68 Rempe nine. The 'Cats hit 20 of 56

shots and were nine of 30 from three point range. The Bobcats were out-rebounded by a 47-30 advantage. Hill had another excellent floor game and handed out seven more assists.

"Saturday's game was a great game to watch, however impossible to coach. We spent so much energy on Friday to pull out the win that the tanks were just empty when we needed a push," said Dobbs. "I can't fault a single player for effort, but with the style of ball we are now forced to play for 40 minutes, Saturday's games will be a challenge unless I truly spread the minutes amongst the entire 11 plf!yers we haye re!llajning."

Kelli Cooney, freshman*

Robert Remmers, junior*

Hamburg

Cassandra Barrett, freshman

Reva Benefiel, junior

William Shirley, senior

Malvern

Marie Sukup, senior

Red Oak

George Miller, senior*

Sidney

Melissa Crom, sophomore*

Michaela Stamer, senior*

Winterset

Janice Frank, senior

Kansas

Horton

Kyley Kidwell, senior*

LeRoy

Samuel Carter, senior

Morrill

Leisha Tcnnal, junior

Sabetha

Kimberly Aberle, junior

Topeka

Alec Gorynski, senior*

Vermillion

Jayson Tynon, senior

Wetmore

Kari Stallbaumer, junior*

Massachusetts

Spencer

Justin Thompson, sophomore*

Minnesota

Minneapolis

Lee Campbell, sophomore

Missouri

Fairfax

Zelmardeeda Raison, sophomore

Rock

Port

Jill Davis, junior*

Brenda Lutz, senior*

Nevada

Las

Vegas

Miguel Pena, freshman*

Oklahoma

Sallisaw

Michael Gentry, senior

South Dakota

Rapid City

Laura Cann, senior*

VOL. 84 ISSUE 7

consumers s and early erf (according to Rodgers iliinovation Adoption, Curve).

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TIWarmer weather brings diamond season Page 10

Peru State students show appreciation to faculty and staff

CODY WITT Contributing Writer

The Peru State College Student Senate sponsored a Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night at the women's and men's basketball games on Friday, Feb. 9 at the Al Wheeler Activity Center. Approximately 48 faculty and staff members attended the event, which turned out to be a huge success.

Most of the faculty and staff members in attendance stayed for both games and all enjoyed a sitdown meal cooked by the Creative Dining Service which consisted of spaghetti, salad, and bread sticks. All of the faculty and staff members in attendance were recognized in between games for their hard work and dedication to Peru State College.

Half-time entertainment consisted of a free-throw competition between four faculty and staff members. Heath Christiansen (admissions representative), Glenda Haley (operations director

for Creative Dining Services and cheerleading coach), Dr. Bill Snyder (professor of Economics, and Vicki Melvin (adjunct instructor) were kind enough to volunteer for the free-throw competition. Melvin was the ultimate winner of the competition and received some certificates to the Pizza Hut in Auburn as well as a Peru State baseball hat.

The Bobcat cheerleaders, the Bobcat mascot and the PSC pep

band were instrumental throughout the entire night. The crowds really got into both games from the excitement displayed by both the cheerleaders and pep band.

"The event was a wonderful idea; a great time to meet some of the Student Senate members; a great time to visit with faculty members and staff; and a great time to cheer on our Bobcats!" said Dr. Judy Grotrian, an instructor of Business.

Residence Life staff attends UNI Confere nee

CODY WITT Contributing Writer

There were 13 members from the Residence Life staff that attended the 18th Annual Resident Advisor Conference at the University of Northern Iowa over the last weekend in January. The theme of the conference was "RA's Anatomy: Head, Heart, Hands, and Humor!"

The six-hour drive to Cedar Falls, Iowa, did not put a damper in the moods of the staff members. There

were countless activities and sessions held throughout the conference so everyone was able to participate. On Friday night (Jan. 26) of the conference, the Peru Residence Life staff checked in and attended Half-Masted, a local Improv Troupe which consisted of University of Northern Iowa students and recent alumni. Another added bonus at the University of Northern Iowa was the opportunity to hang out and bond with all staff members.

"I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with the rest of the staff members as well as bringing back some

The entire Student Senate would cheerleaders, the Bobcat mascot. the like to send out a special thank-you PSC pep band and all the people to Athletic Director Richard Speas, behind the scenes for helping make Head Baseball Coach and AWAC Faculty and Staff Appreciation Manager Jason Cronin, game Night a huge success. announcer Wade Coulter, the entire Creative Dining Staff, the PSC

Student Support Services is active in providing help

LINZE THUMMEL Layout Staff

According to www.peru.edu, Student Support Services (SSS) "has been the most active retention program on the Peru State College campus since 1990. SSS is a TRIO ptogram and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Peru

SSS project serves over 23'0 students annually."

Student Support Services has beert ·on ··campus for ·nearly two decades helping students to succeed.

available for all Peru State students. One of the other benefits that Student Support Services offers is mentoring. Mentors give students updates on important upcoming events and help them to stay ontrack and motivated.

"Student Support Services hasl allowed me to grow both as an indi-·1 vidual and as a professional by giving me the opportunity to mentor! and tutor other individuals." said! Chelsea Merritt, a patticipant, men-1 tor and tutor , Student Support Services also 1 1 offers career or academic guidance, and enrichment/cultnral activities. i

In addition to .i:!U these things. tudent · rt }!so

·· o.ps which ill&hrdiitg:

new creative ideas that. I will hopefully implement at Peru," said· Mathews Residence Hall Mentor Kira Farris.

"Being surrounded by hundreds of other Residence Life members who understand the demands of the job made UNI an exciting time for me. The programming sessions were extremely beneficial to me, and I plan to use what I learned at UNI to help me advance as an RA," said Morgan Hall Resident Assistant Renee Carlson.

THE PERU STATE TIMES

Editot-in-Chief

Assistant Editor

Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Distribution Manager

Layout Staff

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Randi Schmid

Stephanie Hoffman

Jenifer Epting

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Linze Thurnmel

Brandon Schummacher

Amanda Erwin

Kellen Sailors

The Times, the.official student newspaper of Peru State College, is published times per semester by Peru State College students. The Times office is located in the

Contributing Stqff. College Publications Office in the AV Larson building.

Jacob The opinions expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial Heather Wells staff. The Peru State Tunes is an independent student publication funded by stuTuyet-Van Sansone dent publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily Kurt Lockard reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College.

Alan Jackson All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters need not be Cody Witt

Marcus Ackley students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be signed by the submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words in lengtb. The Times reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach the Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctimes@yahoo.com, or send material to the Peru State Times, Campus Mail, Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421. View us on the web at http://www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

Water tower catastrophe surpises students

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

Everyone on Peru State's campus knows that sometimes water has been an issue, but what happened on Monday, Jan. 29 was totally unexpected.

As many observers noted, the Peru water tower had been leaking for almost a week prior and nothing had been done about it. Concerned students, staff members, and residents of Peru wondered what was going to happen, because as the temperatures dropped below freezing every night, huge icicles began forming on and around.the water tower. Obviously, there was a leak that needed to be fixed, but in order for the hole to be welded together, the tower needed to be drained.

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on Jan. 29, President Ben Johnson, Vice President of Administration and Finances Linda Jacobsen, and Campus Services Director Paul Pate, met and decided that at 3:00 p.m. on that same day, school would be cancelled. Pate informed Johnson and Jacobsen that there was

not enough water pressure to keep the toilets running. Water was still being pumped into the pipes by the water plant north of Peru, but .this was not enough to supply water to the heaters in the Complex. Feeling that this couid become a problem throughout the rest of the campus, students were asked to leave and to return on Thursday.

the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, custodial staff began siphoning water out of the swimming pool to be put into buckets. Those buckets were then carried to all of the toilets on campus to be bucket-flushed. The staff worked through the frigid January temperatures, hauling water throughout Peru State's campus. Other members of the maintenance crew remained throughout the night, including security, to keep replenishing the tanks that feed the boiler that keeps campus heated.

"We realized that we had to do whatever we could to keep enough water going to the boilers," said Jacobsen.

By Tuesday, Jan. 30, the cause for the sudden lose of water pressure was discovered. A water main that feeds the Al Wheeler Activity

Center had rqptured and was flowing into a storm drain. The valve was immediately turned off, and water pressure increased throughout campus except for the AWAC

"At that point we 'could have'· reopened," Jacobsen stated, and felt that it was amazing that. the ruptured main was even discovered.

Peru State woulq have held classes on the following days, but because the insicie of the water tower was ·frozen, a steamer had to melt all of the ice before the hole could be welded shut.

Students sent cards to Veterans

CODY WITT Contributing Writer

There were a number of Peru State College Students who participated in making Valentines for veterans.

The handmade and purchased Valentine's Day cards exceeded 200 and have been sent to Nebraska's hospitalized veterans.

The cards were sent as part of the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, which took place between Feb. 11-17. Hundreds of thousands of cards and letters were expected to be delivered to hospitalized veterans across the country. The Valentines from Peru State College were delivered to the VA Medical Centers in Lincoln and Omaha.

PSC students involved in Peru's Individual Leaders of Today (PILOT) Club, a community service group, and Phi Beta Lambda, a state and national business organization, were involved in the project.

"Getting the.opportunity to give back to the community even by doing something small such as making a Valentine's Day card is amazingly rewarding. Taking time out of my day to help with a small project like this shows the dedication and comilli.tment the PILOT Club

and PBL members have for others, and that is why I am a member of both clubs," said Amanda Knickman, a member of both clubs.

Unfortunately, the steamer did not arrive until late Wednesday afternoon. Although the broken water main in the AWAC did not prevent campus from having classes, Peru State felt it would be better to run the water from the tower through their system in order to be tested, recertified and made safe to drink. It took the water tower approximate 72 hours to be refilled, and during that time, the Complex was on a boil alert, along with the ·rest of the city of Peru, which is on a different filtration system than the

On-campus classes resumed on Monday, Feb. 5, but there were not many students who complained about the early but cold Spring Break.

"I loved having a couple extra days off from school," said Ben Davis, a junior who lives in the Complex.

All and all, another catastrophe at Peru State College was averted. Administration and those who make the important decisions did a good job handling the problem. The water tower, which is the city's responsibility, had to be handled by the city, although it affected the college. Johnson, Jacobsen, and Pate kept in good contact with the city in order to resolve the matter in the most effective way. The Campus Services Department, the maintenance crews, and the custodial staff all worked very hard and spent many long days working to get this campus up and running.

"I think we performed admirably in the face of pretty difficult circumstances," said Jacobsen on how the college handled the situation.

Once again,. peace is restored, classes go on, and hopefully next month our official Spring Break will be a little warmer.

.High school business contest creates competition

CODY WITT CQntributing Writer

13 high schools from and Iowa competed for scholarships and awards during Peru State College's 34th Annual High School Business Contest held on Feb. 14. Due to the inclement weather and other busy schedules, 10 high schools were not able to attend but the Business Contest still proved to be a successful day.

The morning began with a General Session in the College Auditorium.

The high school students were welcomed by Dr. Judy Grotrian, contest director, as well as Dr. Ben Johnson, president of PSC. Students then proceeded to their respective classroom for taking their tests.

"Mission IMPROVable," sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, provided special entertainment during the lunch hQur.

High school instructors and college personnel attended a noon luncheon and listened to Dr. Bruce Batterson, associate dean of the •

School of Professional Studies, and Dr. Jodi Kupper, dean of the School of Education, give their take on why and how high _school students would benefit by attending PSC in the future.

"As in previous years, we had another great group of students competing in the Annual High School Business Contest at Peru State College! It is an honor to be ·the Contest Direcfor and work with so many faculty, staff, and students

to ensure the contest is a success," said Grotrian.

Peru State College's business faculty and staff had been working extremely hard on the business contest since early last fall. Approximately 170 students from 13 high schools attended. Schools could enter up to three students in each of 15 contests, and each student had the opportunity to take up to three tests.

Students participated in

Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Business Communications, Business Law, Business Math, Computer Concepts, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Introduction to Business, Job Interview, Keyboarding Objective, Keyboarding Skills, Marketing, Personal Finance, and Web Design.

The Awards Assembly was held in the Al Wheeler Activity Center (AWAC) at approximately 1:00 p.m. and members of Phi Beta Lambda handed out ice cream to all the contestants as they left the AWAC and headed back home.

Schools in attendance including: Auburn; Douglas County West,;Fairbury; Fremont-Mills, Iowa; Heartland; HTRS; JohnsonBrock; Norris; Plattsmouth; Platteview; Southeast Consolidated; Tri County; and Waverly,

First-place winners in each of the 15 categories received a $500 tuition scholarship to PSC. In addition, medals were also awarded to first through fifth place winners in each contest.

Business Contest Winners

Accounting - Joel Jantzen, TriCounty

Advanced Accouting - Ben Laun, Heartland Community Business Communications - Amy Wenzl, Auburn

Business Law - Shane Lowe, Norris

Business Math - Josh Stubbendick, Syracuse

Computer Concepts - Kyle Versaw, Waverly

Economics - Shane Lowe, Norris

Entrepreneurship Chelsea

Christensen, Johnson-Brock

Introduction to Business - Issiaih Yott, Auburn

Job Interview - Tara Meyer, Johnson-Brock

Keyboarding Objective - Jessica Grable, Johnson-Brock

Keyboarding Skills - Alexis Seelhoff, Syracuse

Marketing - Joel Jantzen, TriCounty

Personal Finance Hans

Christensen, Johnson-Brock

Web Page Design - Jon Harper and Ben Sailors, Southeast Consolidated

Faculty sponsors alcohol awareness on campus

LINZE THUMMEL Staff Writer

Assessment Coordinator Ted Harshbarger and Student Support Services Tutorial Coordinator Kristi Nies are co-chairing what is at this time being referred to as the "At Risk_ Drinking Task Force," along with faculty and staff members including Director of Housing and Security Les Stonebarger, Associate Dean. of the School of Professional Studies Bruce Batterson, Athletic Director Richard Speas, and Sara LaBrie of the Admissions Office and Student·. Programs. Student Senate Vice President Cori Harmon also serves on the task force.

Harshbarger stated, via email cor-

respondence, "Last spring, Dr. Tande, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, asked se.veral individuals on campus to become part of a campus effort to provide assistance to her in looking at alcohol issues on campus. This was not necessarily in response tQ any particular issue on campus at that time, but rather to begin to do more for alcohol awareness for the college community."

The goal of this task force, according to Nies, is to use various methods to give students information so they can make smart decisions about drinking.

Harshbarger also wrote, "The committee, which does include Student Senate Vice President Cori

Harmon, has met regularly throughout the year and is putting together a series of events which take place this spring. It is the intent of the group that the efforts will continue on an annual basis."

The group has been discussing ways to reach students, including possible activities during Spring Fling, a guest speaker in March, and educational posters or demonstrations.

LaBrie added, by email correspondence, that "CAB (Campus Activities Board). also has a high impact drinking-and-driving awareness program planned for April 10 called the "Save a Life Tour." The program features a drunk driving simulator, which "transports" pat-

ticipants to driving in a virtual world. It is designed to reveal to students how much drinking impairs one's driving and the devastating consequences that can result. We anticipate and hope that this pro-

gram will serve to meet our committee's goal of creating alcohol awareness to the students."

Look for more information to come as some of the planned activities do include prizes.

Annual District History Day coming to PSC

More than 200 students from eight area junior and high schools will compete in Peru State College's (PSC) 23rd Annual District History Day Contest on Wednesday, Feb. 28. This year's theme is "Triumph and Tragedy in History."

The contest, which will begin at 9:00 a.m. in various buildings on the PSC campus, is free and open to the public. It will conclude with an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in the College Theatre, located at the south end of Hoyt Science Hall.

PSC President Dr. Ben Johnson said, "This contest has grown enormously thanks in large part to the dedicated teachers who utilize it as the culmination of a longer learning process. We're looking forward to a great turnout this year."

District History Day Director and PSC Social Science Professor Dr.

Sara Crook said, " Peru State's annual History Contest is about teaching students that history is not something we find only in textbooks. It is a living, evolving thing that embodies who we are, where we've been .and what we've done. The contest affords area students a unique opportunity to engage in research and learn about the people, ideas and events that have helped to define who we are as a community, state and country."

Unlike science faits in which students present their research in an exhibit, History Day contestants have five different modes of presen- · tation, including: paper, perfonnance, documentary,, exhibit or web site. Some entries are by individuals, where others are in groups of two to five students. For a complete schedule of events, visit

www.peru.edu/ArtsAndSciences/D ept/HistDay/HistDay.htm.

First-place winners in each of the senior division categories will receive $500 "Tested for Excellence" tuition scholarships to PSC. The top three winners in each entry category will be eligible for the statewide contest held in Lincoln on April 21.

Participating schools include: Conestoga Public Scaools, HRTSUnified · ·School District #7, Johnson-Brock Public School, Louisville Public School, Lourdes Central Catholic, Nebraska City High School, Saint John the Baptist School in Plattsmouth, and Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Public School.

PSC Music department seeks Pianists for Piano Extravanganza

The Peru State College (PSC) Department of Music is inviting pianists from across the region to participate in its.; annual Piano Extravaganza, which will be held on campus Saturday, April 14.

More than 150 pianists gf all ages ranging from beginners to advanced performers from Nebraska, Iowa, Kruisas ·and· Missouri took part in

the event in 2006. fonnance had to be_ postmarked by Pianists obtain and learn duet Feb. 13. Detailed infonnation and music on their own in advance of entry forms are avatlable on the the event. Following a day of Peru State College web site at: rehearsals on April 14, tight www.peru.edu/ArtsAndSciences/Ar will present a final concert at 7 p.rri, ts&Sciences.htm. For. more inforin the College Theatre. The conceit · mation, contact Dr. Thomas Ediger, and rehearsals are open to the pub- music and event director, lie. at 402-8n2253 or tediger@oakEntry fonns for this years mail.peru.edu.

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· :grilled. chicken breast with peas. beans and carrots adding up to 289 .• caj.q.deswith 6.5 grams of fat.

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The event is sponsored by the PS Music Department and the student Music Educators National Conference chapter. It is made pos sible through the support of Dietz Music House of Lincoln and Omab and the Yamaha Corporation o America, who provide the pianos.

The Lion King goes on stage

BRANDON SCHUMACHER Staff Writer

AMANDA ERWIN Stqff Writer

lege years at UCLA a11d she was headed for law school,· but things didn't work<iµtql)ite that way. In her senior year, Union got a lege internship at an L.A.· model-

Date ofBirth: Ocfobet29, 1972: ing agency.

Hometown:• Om:aha, Nebraska When she flnished her· FilmQgraphy: "10ThingslHate shlp; she.became. a client. Ftom

Abm:it You'.' (1999), /'Sl1e's All there, she moye(l. to acting. ijet (19?9), It ()n" first acting joJr was (2000)., ''Two Cal1 Play That "Moesha." Aftel'that {2000), HT:he •Brtjthers" ....

(2?0J); ''AbanctoW /200+), '.'Bact

l3oysJI'' (2003), ''Cradle(2 the

Braye'!:·(2{)03), "DelivertJS,.From

Bva'' (2003), ''Breakfo.1 All the Rules" • / (2004), • ''TM ·Honeymooners''(2005); "Running · )Vith Sdssot$" .• C200<it ''Say Uncle" (2006), "Daddfs Little Girls'1 (2007), ''Constellation" (2007), ''Fo.otba11 Wiyes'.' (2007) Status: MUfriM but ·•

Beginning on Jan. 12. 2006 and ending on Feb. 11. 2007. the Broadway musical "'The Lion King" was imformed at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha.

What is considered Lo a once m a lifetime opportunity. ··The Lion King will leave anyone in awe. The Disney movie is a movie for little kids but, in my opinion, the musical is aimed more towards adults.

The colorful ensemble of characters and settings will keep the children entertained for a shm1 lime. but I have witnessed that most · children became reslless and uninvolved. due to fact that this musical has plenty of adult humor with not a lot to interst them.

While in the movie Timon does the hula, in the musical he does the Charleston. On three separate occasions there was a parade of characters through the isles. During the beginning of the musical, during the middle, and at the end.

During the intermission there was another parade, this time with people dressed in colorful outfits, holding poles with flying animals on the

Ghost rider was a quite disappointment

MARCUS ACKLEY

Contributing Writer

there are a few honorable mentions I would like to include. Eva Mendes ("Hitch") plays the role of Johnny Blaze's lover, Wes Bentley ("American Beauty") is Ghost

To save himself and for the sake of Rider's nemisis, and Sam Elliot love Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) ("Roadhouse") is Ghost Rider's sells his soul to the devil, only to overseer, the Caretaker. find out that he .will turn into a super In all honesty, I expected a lot hero at night named Ghost Rider. more out of Cage. I'll admit he is a

"Ghost Rider" is a product of good actor but his recent movies M such as "Wickerman" arvel Comics. Over the past couple of years the comic book industry and now "Ghost Rider''. has been ruling over the film indus- have fallen short of my try. Adaptations of such comics as expectations. A few "Spider Man" and "The X-Men" quirky sayings in a have reigned over the box office. movie does not make it a Columbia Pictures has brought great movie. Only Cuba "Ghost Rider" to the big screen Gooding Junior in "Jerry properly by using special effects Maguire" was able to that have become a custom in all pull off a one liner that box office hits. made the movie.

While Cage seems to be the only The only thing that A-List actor includea in the cast impressed me was the

tips. They twirled around and Lhe performers. All of them seemed around, making the cciiing come dedicated lo their job and ld alive. Shortly afterwards. Lhe sec- be ond act began with Rafiki and the tree or life.

Imagine having to perform every day of the week but one. The only day of the week that the actors don ·t have to perform is l \iOUld ha1e that this would make anyone grumpy.

rno1\'.

Ir you Jon ·l believe me, vou can believe that •,be Orpheurn ,,,\d ·.1ut of tickets for every within the first week.

Also take time lo appreciak the fact that lhe whole 1s live. The acting. ing is all real.

There is no lip l'r kissing: it•s the real deal. having to be able to sing a perfect ballad. dance in pe1foct rhyth111" and still breath.

I wouicl be completely exhausted. Lhcsc actors do this ali11t1s1 everyday and still the J:.,:oi performances of lhcir li\ cs.

special effects. Marvel Comics has come short in a couple of its last movie attempts, "The Incredible Hulk", "Dare Devil", and "Electra". I don't think this movie is aflop by any means, but I don't see it winning any awards in the near future. I would give it a measly six out of 10 stars.

talking with the actors I learned that most of them are happy just to be on Broadway though, and that they enjoy being able to act.

The actors themselves, who are dedicated young actors and actresses, spend almost every day in costume performing to a sold out theater.

I was privileged enough to make it back stage and meet a couple of

r 111 not saying that there were no mistakes or flaws within the perfonnance, but I think th.at just made the performance come alive all the more. This really was a ooce in a lifetime opportunity.

If you ever get the chance, clear your schedule and get the children a babysitter, "The Lion King" is a must see to all who have the patience.

African-American athletes pave the road

RANDI SCHMID Copy Editor

There was a time when athletics were segregated between whites and blacks. However, many great athletes found ways to break barriers of racial injustice to compete both professionally and in the Olympics. Here are some of the most notable African-American athletes to find fame by overcoming obstacles.

Jackie Robinson: When he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 he didn't just solidify a baseball powerhouse, he erased the color line as the first black MLB player, and opened the door for future greats such as Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Reggie Jackson.

Althea Gibson: In 1957 she became the first African American to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open (she took that honor in '56 at the French Open). That same year she was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press, the first African American to receive the honor.

Wilma Rudolph: On Sept. 7, 1960, at the Rome Olympics, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals, winning both the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter sprint and running the anchor leg on the victonous 400-meter relay team.

Wilt Chamberlain: Arguably the greatest basketball player in the history of. the sport, "The Big Dipper" holds numerous records including the one for most points scored in one game - 100 against the New York Knicks in 1962.

Muhammad Ali: ln 1964 Ali won the first of three Hcayyweight Champion of the World titles. against the fearsome Sonny Liston.

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his pro football

in 1968 with the Denver in 1999. Broncos a$ the first starting black Marlin Briscoe: Before being quarterback in NFL history. drafted in 1967, Briscoe played football at Omaha South High Tiger Woods: After winning his second Masters in 2001, Woods became the first player to ever hold all four major golfing titles at once: The Masters, The PGA Championship, The U.S. Open and the British Open.

The self-proclaimed "Greatest" would go on to be hailed Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated

Photo courtesy of: theleafchronicle.com School and at the University of Omaha. He began

career

Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy: were the first two African-American coaches in the Super Bowl. Smith was the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl trophy.

Bush plans to cut Veterans' healthcare I

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

Flipping through Tuesday's Lincoln Journal Star after my Wednesday morning class was cancelled, I was struck with anger.

On the third page of the paper, a thin article down the right hand page caught my eye Actually, it was the title, "Veterans' funds cut as .troops returning," that got my attention. I thought to myself, "What is going on here?" and read the article, multiple times. •

I could not believe it, President Bush and his administration, after deciding to increase healthcare funds, will cut the. funding by 2% two years later. The idea is to reduce healthcare funds from 2009 through 2010 and then funds should remain at the current level thereafter.

Critics believe that he is doing this to balance out his 2012 budget, and this is the most effective way to do it. The Bush administration, which just recently decided to deploy more

than 20 ,000 more troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, is defending that the 2% cuts will not have a significant effect on veterans' medical care and others returning from war. The numbers say otherwise, though.

While fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan pas been going on throughout most of President Bush?s time in office, Veteran Affairs budget trends have seen medical .care costs increase 86%. In fact, the budget has risen every year for over two decades, and now our executive government wants to reduce spending for veterans?

American soldiers, whether they are serving or retired, have been through hell and are changed forever through their experiences in war. Whether their country called on them to serve or if they volunteered to fight, they still risked their lives so that others did not have to.

So our president is showing his thanks by cutting their health care in order to find a way to reduce his budget? I do not know abqut other Americans, but I would gladly pay some extra taxes in order to help the

budget. I agree with President Bush that balanGfilg the budget is necessary, but I would rather have the government receive my money thrcmgh tal{es instead. of reducing funds for healthcare. · There are approximately 5.8 inillion veterans in the United States, with 263 ,000 of those veterans

ing from war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The rise in the number of vete.rans entering the VA healthcare system has risen 5% every year since the fighting in the Middle East began.

Ai.though 5.8 million people is not a large number compared to the total population of the United States, vet-

erans have families and friends who care about how they will be taken care of.

My grandfather served admirably in the Navy during World War II. He is in his 80s and will probably need more medical assistance as he gets older. His wife, who is battling breast cancer, is also receiving VA healthcare benefits, and as her medical expenses increase, the VA may not be able to help pay for the medical costs. War may not directly affect every individual, but it still effects us more than one might think.

There are plenty of people on Peru State's campus that at least know one person who has served as a soldier, and there are even quite a few veterans here on campus, not to mention all of the students at the satellite campus in Offutt.

As the war in Iraq and Afghanistan drags on and more and more of our friends and family members return with missing legs and permanent injuries, remember that the Bush Administration does not care.

Can good hygiene ward off cold and flu?

HEATHER WELLS

Contributing Writer

After spending four hours in the emergency room hooked up to an IV pumping fluids and being poked and prodded I am left with an appreciation. and a desire to take batter care of myself. According to the Unites States department of Health and Human Services each year flu complications cause ·an average of 114,000 hospitalizations and 36;000 deaths.

Both colds and flues can be passed through coughing, sneezing, and touching surfaces such as doorknobs. Touching your nose, mouth, and eyes after corning into contact with these contaminated surfaces makes it easy for cold and flu viruses to enter your body.

One of the best ways to help prevent the passing of colds and the flu is to wash your hands. According to a national study done by the American Society for Microbiology, Americans are most likely to wash their hands after changing a diaper before they would after coughing or sneezing.

Sometimes the people we come into contact with are infected. These people may not always know if they are sick because they may not be experiencing symptoms yet. Since you can't control what other people do during the cold. and

and make you feel better over all. Alcohol drinks and caffeinated beverages can have a dehydrating effect.

If you do find yourself sick you will notice as you walk down the flu season you need to take extra .--...-...-----...--...-.,,.,...,..,...,. care of yourself. Eating a balanced diet, getting sleep, and staying physically active will help the immune system fight off germs. I found out the hard way just how important fluids are.

Fluids such as water, juice, soup, and non-caffeinated drinks can -help with a number of things. These fluids can help loosen mucus, hydrate the body,

pharmacy isle all the different medicine options that ;ire out there. With all these different choices it may be hard to know what medicines to pick. It may seem easy to just go with a multi-symptom medicine

Jeffrey Delafuente, a professor and director of geriatric programs at Virginia Commonwealth University's school of Pharmacy, says that it is better to choose something that fits your symptoms.

Delafuente states that taking medicines for symptoms that you don't have may be harmful and unnecessarily exposes you to side effects to those medicines.

To find the right medicine

for your needs here is what you may be looking for. For stuffy noses look for nasal decongestants, cough suppressants quite coughs, expectorants loosen mucus to better cough up, antihistamines help to stop runny noses and sneezing, and acetaminophen can ease fever and reduce pains.

If looking for home remedies such as vitamin C supplements, zinc lozen,ges, and _Echinacea to treat or prevent cold and flue systems you may want to keep in mind little is known of the health effects. For more information on how to keep yourself safe during the flu and cold season go to Healthline.com.

Good credit history will make life easier

KURT LOCKARD Contributing

Since most of us were old enough to drive we have been getting credit card offers in the mail. The temptation -of all that money right -at our fingertips is often too much, which is why most of us were not allowed to have a credit card or any other type of credit at that age. As a result, having a good credit score did not matter to us.

_But now life is coining at you full speed. Soon you will be graduating, getting married, and buying a new car.

Associate Dean of Professional .Studies Bruce Batterson, who also teaches business finance courses, gives this advice: "Rule number one is: do not buy something you can't afford."

If the bank turns you down for a truck loan, the bank is telling you that you cannot afford to buy a new truck.

Expenses of any kind can make your head spin. The temptation of getting a credit card to help you make these transitions becomes much stronger, especially when you need to purchase something expensive and you are denied a loan due to a lack of credit.

This very thing happened to me. A few months ago I went into a jewelry store to buy an engagement ring for my fiancee, Laura Drier. Before g-0ing, I went to my bank to take out a small personal loan to finance it. They saw that my credit was good, but they also saw that my student loans would be due soon, and

denied the loan.

I had made Laura wait long enough and I would not make her wait longer. Also I would not take anything less than the perfect ring, which was far more than I could afford in cash. So I broke down and signed up for an in-store credit

No interest for 12 months with a credit line of $5 ,000. I knew under these conditions if I borrowed "' only what I needed, I could pay it off during the 12 month interest free period and not have any negative repercussions.

It is in the fine print that many people get in trouble. Ifyou look closely on these applications there are a few tricks that credit card companies use in order to make up the difference on that amazing 0%_ interest rate.

-First you have to make minimum payments each month, and if you miss one, you will begin to pay about 24% interest on the remaining balance.

Then there is catch number two: if you do not pay off the entire balance within the 12 months given, they will charge the interest that accumulated month to month over the course of that year and add it to the remaining balance.

I only went ahead with the decision when I was certain I could pay

off the entire balance in 12 months. Batterson put it very simply when he said, "Borrowers should always try to pay more than the minimum payments on credit caids. If you only pay the scheduled monthly percentage on a typical credit card, it can take more than >t 40 years to pay it off."

If you do

balance off in time. As a result a payment default may go on your credit history, which will make it much harder to get credit when you might really need it in the future.

Some other causes of bad credit are identity theft, cell phones, and inquiries.

Inquiries are when you go to purchase something and .the company that you are purchasing from has you fill out a credit application to see the amount you are eligible for with no obligations.

For example, let us say you are buying a car and you go to five different dealerships and fill out inquiries at every one of them. You finally find the car you want and you apply for financing to purchase it. But you are denied because most of the time dealerships and other entities use banks to finance your loan.

These banks look at your credit and they see that you have applied five different times for credit. The problem is they do not care why you did it. They only see that you have applied for credit several times and you have a large amount of credit available to you through other banks. As far as they know you are going to use that credit and that is a risk to them.

year as a result of good planning, then you will have accomplished something with a nointerest loan; and you have juS,t put a shining star on your credit report in · a win-win situation. But don't forget that on the opposite side of the spectrum is the lose-lose.

This happens when the borrower misses payments or can not pay the

Be aware that this does happen and you need to know not to fill out an inquiry at every place you go. Find the item you want first, fight them on the price to get them fo lower it to where you are comfortable, and then apply for financing to get it.

Some of you already have bad credit or are on the verge of it and

you are stuck.

Batterson offers some advice: "Getting out of debt requires behavior changes. People have to stop buying things on credit in order to avoid charging purchases on credit cards while trying to pay the cards off."

"Consolidation loans are not the solution. Consolidation loans are rarely an effective way to get out of debt, because after the consolidation, the borrower still has the old spending habits, along with unused credit card capacity," he adds.

Batterson suggests that people find themselves worse off after consolidation than before, because they owe twice as much - the consolidation loan plus the new credit card balances they ran up after the consolidation loan.

He believes the most effective method is to cut up the cards, change their spending habits, and apply every cent they can to paying_ off the debt as quickly as possible.

Overall, remember only use credit cards when absolutely necessary, then only charge what you can afford, and pay them off as soon as possible.

Never forget to read the fine print on all financing very closely. Remember that your credit is affected by late payments, cell phones, and inquiries.

Create a budget to know what you can and can not afford. Before making any major decisions give yourself time to think about it and talk to someone who is not emotionally involved and can give you a reality check.

Photo coutersy of: www.ouedollartrip.com

Tips to stay on track of your New Years resolution

TUYET-VAN SANSONE

Contributing Writer

It's two months into the new year and everyone is slacking on their resolutions. Staying in shape is hard work, physically and mentally.

Classes, work, and the struggles of everyday life can make keeping fit difficult and cumbersome. But for all of us slackers out there there is a solution. Here are some helpful hints and tips to making a trip to the gym and eating healthy seem less like actual work and more like fun.

Tip One: Grab a buddy! Working out with friends will keep you more motivated to work out. Having a

partner with you will make going to the gym seem more like an outing and less like a chore.

Tip Two: Get some healthy snacks. There are plenty of snack foods out there that are tasty and good for your body. Next time you feel like munching on something between meals grab an apple and peanut butter-or granola bar. Try to stay away from trans fats.

Tip Three: Go green, drink tea. Green tea will help boost metabolism.

Tip Four: Have a work out party. Invite friends over to join in on some yoga or pilates and afterwards make some healthy snacks together. The more, the merrier. Things are always fun if you have more people

participating.

Tip Five: Don't crash diet. Every-0ne knows ·that diets are no fun and not eating may actually cause you to gain weight instead of losing it. Eat what you like but remember to keep it within moderation. One of the main causes of obesity is over eating.

Tip Six: Keep a food diary. Keeping track of what you eat may seem tedious but it will be very helpful. Keeping a diary of what you eat will make you more aware of the foods you consume and turn you into a conscious eater.

Tip Seven: For the girls, shop for work out clothes. Having new outfits will be motivation enough to try them out.

Tip Eight: Bum a work out CD or play list. Make a soundtrack that will inspin; you to move. Always remember to stretch and

warm up before you work out to prevent injuries. Also, drink a lot of water to avoid dehydrating.

Lady Bobcats shows hope for playoff

The Lady Bobcats continued their exciting play on the home floor of the Al Wheeler Activity Center and swept the final home games of the season by defeating Newman University 87-86 and Central Christian College 64-54. The wins improved the Bobcats record to 819, 4-5 in MCAC play. The Bobcats are one of four teams battling for the final two playoff positions.

The Newman win avenged an earlier loss this year to the Jets. The Bobcats held a slim 43-39 lead at the break and maintained down the stretch. Leisha Tennal led the team with 21 points and connected on four of six shots from outside the arc. Freshman Ashley Kassik added 16 with Jennifer Epting and Alison Hill also reached double digits with 11 and 10 respectively.

The 5'3" Hill almost achieved a rare triple-double as she added 12 assists and nine rebounds. The Bobcats fired up 86 shots in the game and hit 34 for 40%. The scrappy 'Cats also out-rebounded their

taller foe by a 52-38 margin.

"Our kids really competed well and found a way to win late," said Coach Kevin Dobbs. "It's amazing what a little confidence and a few close wins can do for a team, as they now believe not only that they could win these games, but that they should win these close games. Our rebounding effort was our best all year and though we shot horribly from the three point line, we found a way to win."

The win over CCC on was a huge victory keeping the Bobcats in the playoff hunt heading into the final week of the regular season. The Bobcats held a 28-26 halftime lead and the game remained close until the final horn sounded.

Ashley Grant led a balanced attack scoring 13 points. Tennal added 10 as 10 Bobcats scored. PSC held a 46-44 edge led by Kassik with nine. The Bobcats shot a chilly 29% (17-59) for the game but held CCC to a 39% clip.

"We again out rebounded otir ·

opponent and found a way to assert ourselves enough to get a fairly comfortable lead for the last two or three minutes. This was likely our best defensive performance all year and the effort exerted by every player on Saturday was second to none," added Dobbs. "This is another big step forward for our program, to get a sweep of two quality teams on a weekend."

Men's volleyball season comes to a close

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

The Peru State men's volleyball team dropped another close match at the Al Wheeler Activity Center on Wednesday, Feb. 14 to MAMVIC (Mid-America Men's Volleyball

Intercollegiate Conference) foe, Missouri Valley.

The first two games were fairly close with both the Bobcats and Vikings exchanging leads until the Vikings finally pulled away in the final five points. The third game was not as competitive, and Missouri Valley completed the sweep with scores of 22-30, 2630, and 18-30. The Bobcats, who dropped to 0-5 on the season and 0- 3 in conference play, played very good defense, especially against a top five opponent.

"We were really scrappy out there, and played pretty good defense," said Coach Lexie Turnbull. "I think our offense could have played a little bit better though, but I was very pleased with our defense."

Leading the defense in digs,junior Brian Van Ness had 13 and added four blocks. Van Ness also had 26 assists for the game and leads the team with 140.

Brett Garcia contributed not only on the defensive end with three blocks and seven digs but showed the most offensive spark. Averaging three kills a game, Garcia had 14 on Wednesday and has now tallied 48 kills on the season which makes him the best of the best. Senior Captain Brian Weise, who is second on the team in kills, had nine, and marked 10 digs on the defensive end. By the indication of the stats and the feeling generated by Turnbull, it's upsetting to realize that the Bobcats lost such a good match. It was that third and final game in which Peru State just could not get it together.

"We didn't play well that third game. We weren't communicating and talking; we just weren't ourselves out there." said Van Ness.

In what was supposed to be the final home game of the season for the Bobcats, Peru State will have a second chance to honor their lone senior, Weise, on Wednesday. Feb. 21. It is a rescheduled game from earlier in the season against the Newman University Rockets who are 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the MAMVIC.

Warmer weather brings diamond season

Friends University weren't as bad, JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG but the 'Cats still could not earn the

Contributing Writer

With snow still on the ground, you wouldn't really think that it would be time for baseball and softball season; well, think again. As the weather gets nicer there is little doubt that it is time for to step up to the plate and players to take the field.

The Peru State baseball team had their first games over the Feb. 16 to the 18 weekend. Three games against the University Science and Arts of Oklahoma and two against Friends University

"W". Last season, Peru State had about 20 losses that were decided by 2 points or less, and an 8-9 defeat was definitely heart wrenching. Even the 3-5 loss was tough to swallow, but at least they have a couple games under their belt.

Bobcat

tinue to practice hard in preparation for their first games of the season which begins at home in Peru against Doane on February 28.

The Bobcats, last year's MCAC conference champions, look to dominate again this season. The team was very young last year, but had great upper classmen leadership which should continue this year. The 'Cats could be even better this year since last year's freshman class gained a lot of play-

Mar:J2

Mar.15

Mar.1.7 Nebr1tska Wesleyan

Mar.18. Nebraska Wesleyan

Mar. 20 Concordia University

Mar. 23 Oklahoma Wesleyan

Mar. 24 Oklahoma Wesleyan

Mar. 27 Bellevue University

Mar. 30 Newman University

Mar. 31 Newman University

ApL 3 Park University

Apr. .6 Central Christian

Apr. 7 Central Christian

Apr.10 MCAC Make-upDate

Apr, 13 College of the Ozarks

·

14 ColJege of the Ozarks

Apr.17 Bellevue University

Apr,20

CoHege

Wichita, Kan. Although the temperatures might have been fairly pleasant down in Oklahoma, the games themselves were not as nice. Especially from a Peru State standpoint. The Bobcats failed to score any runs in the three games down in Oklahoma, and were defeated by an average of eight runs.

Fortunately; the contests against

fans can just hope that when the team opens their home season on February 24 against Doane, things will be a little better, and there will be reason to celebrate.

As for the softball team, they con-

ence.

· The three seniors this year, Liz McGill, Kathleen Brown, and Tabitha Foster will be expected to lead the charge in defending their conference title.

After hosting and winning the Peru regional last year in the national tournament, Peru State lost in the second round. This year, everyone wants to go even deeper into the tournament, and possibly a chance to play for the NAIA championship.

Mar. 16 Sterling College

Mar.17 Sterling College

Mar. 21. Co11cordia University

Mar. 22 Graceland University

Mar. 24 Avila Tournament

Toasting St. Patrick's Day the Irish way

It is better to spend money like May neighbours respect you, May your glass be ever full. When we drink, we get drunk. May you have the hindsight to there's no tomorrow Trouble neglect you, May the roof over your head be When we get drunk, we fall know where you've been, than to spend tonight like there's The angels protect you, always strong. asleep. The foresight to know where you no money! And heaven accept you. And may you be in When we fall asleep, we commit are going, heaven no sin. And· the insight to know when My friends are the best friends May those that love us, love us. half an When we commit no you have gone too far. Loyal, willing and able. And those that don't love us, sin, we go to heaven. Now let's get to drinking! May God tum their hearts. So, let's all get May misfortune follow you the All glasses off the table! And if he doesn't tum their drunk, and go rest of your life, and never catch hearts, you're to heaven! up.

I drink to your health when I'm May he tum their ankles, dead. with you, So we'll know them by their May the Lord May you live as long as you I drink to your health when I'm limping. Here's to keep you in His want alone, me, hand and never want as long as you I drink to your health so often I have known many, here's to you, live. I'm starting to worry about my and liked not a few, And here's to own! but loved only one love and laughter- May the luck of the Irish and this toastis to you. I'll be true as long as you, Lead to happiest heights Here's to women's kisses, And not one moment after. Here's And the highway you travel and to whiskey, amber clear; If you're lucky enough to be toast to Be lined with green lights. Not as sweet as a woman's kiss, Irish May the saddest day of your enemies' enemies! but a dam sight more sincere! You're lucky enough! future worse than the hap- Here's to being single piest day of your past. Here's to a long life and a Drinking doubles May you always have a clean May your pockets be heavy- merry one. And seeing triple! shirt, a clear. conscience, and Your heart be light, May you live to be a hundred A quick death and an easy one. enough coins in your pocket to And may good luck pursue you years, A pretty girl and an honest one. That the tap may be open when it buy a pint! Each morning and night. With one extra year to repent! A cold pint-- and another one! rusts!

Phrases that will make anyone sound Irish

With these you'll never have to say that you haven't a baldy!

Any Use?: any good?

That's Arthur Guiness talking: when someone is talking rubbish while under the influence Ara be whist; Ask me bol· locks: ways of telling someone to shut up.

I haven't got a baldy: I haven't a clue

I was laughing me cacks off: I was laughing so hard trousers down

Cheese on your chin: your fly is open!

Cop on (to yourself): get a life/don't be so stupid

Doing a line: courting, seeing someone

Doing (or speaking) 90 to the dozen: going (or speaking) very fast

On the Doss: To be goofing off

Fair play/whack to ya!: well done!

· Fine thing/fine bit of stuff: admiring comment on member ofopposite sex

Get on like a house on fire: to get on real well with someone

ing.

How's the form?: how are you? How's the talent?: Is there anyone good looking/interesting about?

I've a mouth on me/Throat on me: I'm hungry/thirsty

Kick in the bollocks: very bad news

To have a Kip: take a nap Lamped him out of it: I really hit the guy hard, knocked him out Do a Legger: to leave the scene

Like a blue-arsed fly: running around, hectically busy

Mind yer house!: warning that one is going to be tackled from behind (sport)

Up the yard!: be off with ya! You couldn't hit a cow's arse Wise Up, Kop On: use your with a banjo: bad aim head, wake up!

Photo courtesy of:http://www.iboplus.com/

(;AB will sponsor the game show on Wednesday, March 14.

It will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the College Theater. Unlike last year this will be for any Peru State College student.

There will be four rounds giving four contestants a chance to win up to$200.

There will also be games in

between rounds giving audience members chances to win gift cards and more.

Greg Ernster will once again be hosting. The 26 "briefcase beauties" wm not only include students, but also faculty an(l staff I members such as Bruce Batterson, Mark Mathews, Jeremy LaBrie, Glenda Haley, Ted Harshbarger, Kristi Nies, and more!

outta that: no way or you're pulling my leg Hockeyed them out of it: really beat them, in a game of football or whatever sport you are play-

Missed by a gee hair: just missed On the ockie: playing truant from school, work On the piss: pub crawl, out drinking

Pull your socks up: get to work/get busy

Twistin' hay: you're starting trouble, usually in a playful way

E-mail and Facebook: Which one is your addiction?

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Editor

You spend more than five hours in front of the computer doing anything but homework.

You start a new day by logging into y0ur e-mail account and the last thing you do before going to bed is refreshing your mailbox to see if there is any new mail.

You hit the "check mail" button at least ten times a day. If you don't have any new mail, you immediately hit it again just to make sure.

Working on your class assignments, you stop every half an hour to look at your mailbox. You feel jumpy if you are unable to check your mail for more than a few hours.

While waiting for new e-mails to come, you open a new tab in the Internet browser to check your Facebook account. Although the ten-page paper that you have been putting off all week is due tonight, Facebook is still on your priority list.

You have to write a couple of insides jokes on your friends' walls, poke some people, check your crush 's status every five seconds to make sure he or she is still single, upload all the crazy pictures you don't remember taking; and at last, change your profile picture.

Writing an extremely long Facebook note is somehow more pleasant than completing the 250word discussion board for your online class.

The symptoms above are. causes for alarm not only because they are signs of addiction but they have become the worst social diseases.

Electronic mail is a natural use of networked communication technology that developed along with the evolution of the Internet. Email starts out as a useful mean of communication and is used mainly by businesses to connect with the world and stay up-to-date.

·Not anymore.

E-mail is now a tool used by many students to escape the harsh reality of life. In this virtual world, they can do everything anonymously and become who they want to be. They can foolthe world and themselves.

With the aid of technology, emails can be checked anywhere, anytime using portable devices. It is common for people to compulsively look into their e-mail's inbox at the most unlikely place: at the movies, in the bathroom, in church, and while they are driving or attending classes, meetings.

According to the Top Ten Reviews magazine, there are 31 billion daily e-mails sent. A person has average 1 3.2 e-mail addresses, and receives 10 e-mails on a daily

basis. The cost to all Internet users is $255 million. Daily e-mails sent per e-mail address are 56, per person are 174, and per corporate user are 34. ABC news estimates 190 million e-mail users worldwide, and six percent of them could have some form of e-mail addiction.

Like electronic mail, Facebook

week, and 93 logged in at least once a month.

It has changed the way that Generation Y, who are also known as the Net Generation or iGenratiou, iive their college lives.

Many students are guilty of spending hours upon hours creating flawless Facebook profiles to impress their peers. A flattering and nearly perfect picture is the start, afterward; it is the eclectic music tastes as well as several remarkable hobbies.

Facebook has allowed people to · be "friends" with people whom they have actually never said a word to in real life.

3. Create files where you can put inbox material that needs to be acted on.

4. Make broad headings for your filing system. so that you have to spend less time looking for filed material.

5. Deal immediately with any email that can be handled in two minutes or less but create a file for mails that will take longer.

6. Set a target date to empty your in box. Don't spend more than an hour at a.time doing it.

7. Tum off automatic send/receive.

• 8. Establish regular times to review your e-mail.

starts out with a good purpose: online socializing and networking, Only college students with a valid college e-mail address is able to have an account.

This is no longer true.

Facebook addiction has become a more. severe issue than e-mail addiction.

Techniques magazine states that 60% of students logged in daily, 85% logged in at least once a

Facebook and e-mails have gradually killed normal human interaction. People prefer to post a message to announce to the world their feelings, and would rather meet and make friends oitline than in person. They fail to acknowledge that life does not revolve around the virtual network and having 315 friends on Facebook is not the ultimate career goal.

The-CNN news providys a 12step plan to cure e-mail addiction. They can also be used as a tool to eliminate the Facebook attachment:

1. Admit that e-mail is managing you. Let go of your need to check e-mail every ten minutes.

2. Commit to keeping your inbox empty.

9. Involve others in conquering your addiction.

10. Reduce the amount of e-mail you receive.

1l. Save time by using only one subject per e-mail; delete extra comments from forwarded e-mail, and make the subject line detailed.

12. Celebrate taking a new approach to e-mail.

Delta Zeta dismisses then gets dismissed

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

On Dec. 2, 2006 form letters were delivered to 23 members of Delta Zeta's DePauw University Chapter in Greencastle, Ind. The letters told the sorority girls that "the membership review team has recommended you for alumna status. Chapter members receiving alumnae status should plan to relocate from the chapter house no later than Jan. 29, 2007." Cynthia Winslow Menges, the executive director of Delta Zeta, said that each of the woman who left the house were given $300 to compensate for the difference in

campus housing.

In sorority life having a few girls asked to leave a semester is nothing to make a fuss over. But when 23 young women in one chapter house are asked to leave people start asking questions. Especially when the only sisters left in the house are thin and conventionally beautiful. Delta Zeta's national officers decided that every overweight woman in the sorority was uncommitted to the betterment of the sorority, as well as the only Korean and Vietnamese members. Even the chapter president was forced to leave. Only 12 girls were left in the house, and six of them were so upset that they quit the sorority.

Of course the national members have justified this by saying that they held interviews for 35 of DePauw's Delta Zeta members, and had decided that several of them were not dedicated e"nough to recruiting new members.

Over the last few years DePauw's student had attached a negative stereotype to the Delta Zeta chapter, specifically that they were "socially awkward". Since this image was hurting recruitment the national officers warned the DePauw chapter that if things didn't improve they would close the chapter.

The sorority's determination to enlist new recruits didn't come entirely out of the blue. 2009 will be the IOOth anniversary of the DePauw chapter's founding. Which is why national Vice President Kathi Heatherly announced a reorganization plan for the chapter, which included interviewing each member on their commitment. The sisters were encouraged to look their best. Some of the women were so offended by the tone of the plan that they left the chapter immediately.

Even after the. interviews had taken place the women were. not allowed to return to their daily lives. The national representatives took over the chapter house in order to hold a recruiting event. Most of the sorority members were asked to stay upstairs in their rooms during the time when the freshmen were in the house. Only a select few, including several of the members who were asked to stay, were allowed to remain downstairs to speak to the recruits. The national chapter brought in several "slender" women from the chapter at Indiana University.

According to DePauw University this isn't the first time their chapter

THE PERU STATE TIMES

Editor-in-Chief

Assistant Editor

Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Distribution Manager

L<lyout Sta.ff

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Randi Schmid

Stephanie Hoffman

Jenifer Epting

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Amanda Erwin

Brandon Schunnnacher

Kellen Sailors

Laura Williams

Delta Zeta has had a lot of controversy over the years. In 1967 the sororities national leadership tried, albeit unsuccessfully, _to stop a young woman with a black father and a white mother from joining the chapter. In 1982 they didn't allow a black woman to join, which renewed the accusations of racism.

Delta Zeta remained quiet on this most recent issue though until early March. when DePauw University decided to officially sever all ties with the sorority. "We at DePauw believe that the values of our university and those of the national Delta Zeta sorority are incompatible," said the University's president Robert Bottoms.

After being informed of the news the sorority's national headquarters in Oxford, Ohio posted a statement

on their web site. The statement explained that the sorority was very disappointed in the university's decision to close their chapter. H went on to say "Sorority officials only considered each woman's commitment to Delta Zeta's recruitment plans when it decided which members to evict from the DePauw residence in November. No other factor was considered."

While the sorority seems to think that the media has been needlessly punishing them some of the women who were asked to leave the house were so upset that they dropped out of their classes. The sorority has apologized for any harm they might have caused these women, but that isn't going to get them their time, tuition money, or self-respect back.

Contributing Staif

. The Times, the official student newspaper of Peru State College, is published five times per semester by Peru State College students. The Times office is located in the College Publications Office in the AV Larson building.

Jacob Thompson-Krug

Heather Wells

Jeremy Kirkendall

Laura Williams

The opinions expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial staff. The Peru State Times is an independent student publication funded by student publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College.

All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters need not be students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be signed by the individual(s) submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words in length. The Times reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach the Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctimes@yahoo.com. or send material to the Peru State Times, Campus Mail. Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421. View us on the web at http://www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

Student exhibtion showcases proves talent

LAURA WILLIAMS Contributing Writer

The Peru State Student Exhibition is a great stop for culture and diversity. This annual exhibition showcases the art works of students involved in the Peru State College Art Department. With more than 30 pieces including paintings, drawings, prints, graphic illustration, and sculpture, the exhibit possesses great interest and above all, talent.

This time of year is a stressful one for the art students of PSC. Ever year we are given the.opportunity for our 15 minutes of fame. Paintings are framed, prints and digital imaging projects are matted, and finishing touches are applied. These preparations are made in light of the Student Exhibition. Art students prepare and enter works of their choice to be showcased in this show, and this year proved to be a successful one for many hopeful art students. A majority of the pieces consist of paintings; either oil, watercolor, or acrylic. The oil on canvas paintings of Ken Vakoc exhibit a unique and interesting use of color. His paintings, "Riders on the Storm" and "Pilot of the Storm" showcase this use of color and posses an ode to classic rock. First year painter, Long Kounthapanya, displays his knack for figures in his piece, "Maa gup Uhyee {Mom and Sister)."

Another magnificent example of talent lies within the works of Mindy Hughes. Viewing her drawings and watercolor is more like staring upon a photograph than graphite and paint. She exhibits an exceptional talent with these mediums; shown in her graphite drawing "Bob Marley" and watercolor painting "Bridget Bardot." Lindsay Parker's works consist of etching and aquatint, as . well as lithograph. Her pieces posses great visual interest with an edgy, retro style.

While a majority of the art work in the Student Exhibition are hanging uniformly on the carpeted walls, a select few pieces grace the floor space. The sculpture and

pottery entered into the show are a refreshing change of venue for the viewer. They are expressive, fresh, and intriguing. The sculpture, "Harpy," by Jenny Pasco is of the female form. It is accented with wings and a sweeping sense of beauty. "My Spine" is a piece by Kellen Sailors. It exhibits an excellent sense of craftsmanship and human anatomy. The one and only sculpture, not of pottery, is that of Cole Brockmoller. This untitled piece sits eloquently in the center of the exhibit, showcasing Brockmoller's creative touch. The piece itself has a flamelike quality, emphasizing its general, upward flowing motion.

In a nutshell, great art, and exquisite culture are only a step away. The Student Exhibition truly showcases the talent and imagination of the Peru State College art department.

Photo by Ken Vakoc

Microsoft vs Apple: Are the differences significant

HEATHER WELLS

Contributing Writer

Apple computers have received some strong image transformation with their marketing and advertisement strategies, market share. with MP3 players, and with many of the prevalent virus issues that seem to consistently attack Windows-based machines. However, how much of this is perception, how much is fact, and how much do these computers truly differ from one another?

Aside from some minimal icon and vocabulary differences, the user interface with the machines and their ability to navigate, use word processing programs, and product documents, spreadsheets, etc; there is almost transparency. Apple computers have the open-apple key, and Windows have the alt key. Windows have a two-button mouse and Apples have the single-button

mouse. These simple differences are not what differentiate the computers.

Apple has been long touted as the preferred machines for graphic and

create computer graphics as well as real-time video. Apple also maintains that it has the superior security, especially straight out of the box. This claim is true. Apple ____________________________, computers are a variable Fort Knox compared to the Windows counter parts. Also; Apples are much more functional, easier to navigate setup, maintain, · and perform preventative maintenance. Windows-based machines have the unfortunate lack of security that Apple has maintained for a very long time. Furthermore, Apple is not subject to

Apple enthusiasts. First and foremost, Windows-based machines have more variety, lower cost, and many more options to allow customization. Windows machines also have many third party and proprietary software programs that are often free and increase the security and functionality of the computer. While Apple does have many programs that are comparable to the free Windows programs, they are often sold at a premium price.

Apple computers and Windows computers are not the same, nor will they ever truly occupy the same

role that they are most strongly suited. Apple computers are more secure and easier to use out of the box, requiring less complex setup, and easier peripheral input. Windows based computers offer more diversity, upgradeability, user control, and aftermarket software as well as hardware. Market share is not even close, and barring some catastrophic failure in Microsoft's future or some innovation by Apple that completely saturated the market in demand and uniqueness, Microsoft will always remain the giant amongst the ant.

JACOB THOMBSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

Every student at Peru State College has been upset with a few bad grades here or there, but no one has ever taken that anger to the extent that a University of MissouriRolla student did.

Sujithkumar Venkatramolla, a 22year old graduate student at the technological research and engi' neering Missouri school, made what turned out to be false bomb and anthrax threat. On February 27, 2007, Venkatiamolla entered the civil engineering building armed with a knife and holding a paper bag, claiming he had a bomb and anthrax. After failing to drop the knife, police used a stun gun to apprehend the student.

student' was• and apparently distraught over his

penetration, file corruption, and "piggybacking" that infiltrates Windows machines.

Windows is not without its shining moments, unfortunately, for

the same ease of virus video. However, Windows-based machines have infringed on this long-held claim due to many software providers offering programs which allow someone to edit and

Bomb scare on college campus

grades," said Police Chief Mark Kearse.

After thorough searches throughout the campus building, the threat was confirmed as phony and no traces of explosives were found. In fact, the white powdery substance that was thought to anthrax was later identified by the Missouri National Guard as powdered sugar. Said Chancellor John F. Camey III, "Thankfully, this is a false alarm."

Wednesday, .February 28, Venkatramolla was charged with multiple crimes. These included armed criminal action, resisting arrest, false report of a bomb threat, making terrorist threats, and fustdegree assault of a law enforcement officer. Although he lives off campus with a roommate who knew nothing of the planned bomb threat, no one else is expected to be

charged in the incident. Venktramolla is from Nazambad, India and was a civil engineering student who has never had any previous history of disciplinary. issues. The University of Missouri-Rolla, which has a population of 5,850 students, was closed for the remainder of the day when the incident occurred but resumed classes later on Wednesday. The university tookroutine, anthrax precautionary measures by quarantining eight students and a faculty member. A total of 23 people were quarantined for several hours before being released Tuesday afternoon without any signs of illness.

Next time someone fails another one of those zoology tests or forgets to complete their lesson plan, let us just be glad students at Peru State College will not go to the same extreme.

Alpha Chi introduces new members

[Peru

, Neb.]) Peru State College

(PSC) President Dr. Ben Johnson today announced the names of a campus record 41 students who were recently inducted into the PSC chapter of Alpha Chi, a · national scholarship honor society celebrating its 25th anniversary on the PSC campus.

Alpha Chi recognizes the achievements of PSC's top scholars in arts and sciences, professional studies, and education and graduate studies. To qualify, students must be juniors or seniors and rank in the top 10 percent of their academic institution.

Dr Johnson said, "This year's Alpha Chi inductees have demonstrated a strong commitment to the principles of scholarship and character, and we are very proud of their achievements. I congratulate each and every one of them on their tireless pursuit of academic excellence."

PSC English Professor Dr. Bill Clemente, who also ·serves as faculfy sponsor and Alpha _Chi's regional secretary-treasurer, said, "The increased number of successful scholars reflects Peru Btate College's commitment to excellence both on campus and in our online programs," noting that the number of students eligible for induction into Alpha Clii who earn

degrees off-campus and online continues to grow.

Inductees elected to serve as chapter officers include: Melissa Lanik of Ceresco, president; Tammy Allen of Omaha , vice-president; JoAnn Queeney of Bellevue , secretary; LaRonda Saunders of Columbus, treasurer; and Karen Johnson of Plattsmouth , PSC's student delegate to theAlpha Chi National Convention.

As members of Alpha Chi, students qualify for individual scholarships at both the regional and national level. They are also afforded opportunities to publish their works in the society's journal, the Alpha Chi Recorder, and attend regional and national conferences.

The students were inducted into the honor society by Dr. Clemente; Dr. John Hnida, PSC associate biology professor; and Dr. David Edris, PSC band activities director and music professor.

Following is an alphabetical list of the inductees by hometown.

Nebraska ·

Auburn

Bristol·Kelsay, senior Belleme

Jonathan Brown, senior Kimberly Carder, senior Bill Grates, senior Jason Lang,junior

Scott Mazur, senior

JoAnn Queeney, senior Heidi Sanger, senior Darin Smith, senior John Taylor, senior Blair

Sharon Smith, senior Ceresco

Melissa Lanik, junior Columbus

LaRonda Saunders, junior Daykin

Lindsey Waldrep, senior Dewitt

Beth Mares, junior Dunbar. ·

Peggy Guenther, senior Humboldt

Kate McK.im, junior Lincoln

Matt Doeden, senior Dan Rose, junior Milford

PSC held Math contest

[Peru, Neb.] Southeast Nebraska divided into three divisions based 's brightest high school mathemati- on size. The event was coordinated cians took ·top honors recently at by Dr. Paul Hinrichs, PSC associate Peru State College's (PSC) 14th professor of mathematics.

Annual Greater Southeast Nebraska · More than 150 students participatMathematics Challenge. ed in team competitions consisting

PSC President Dr. Ben Johnson of a group calculator-based exam said, "This competition is a fun way and quiz bowl. Individual exams for southeast Nebraska 's top young were also given in calculus, pre-calmathemati<lians to showcase their culus, algebra and geometry. skills. Judging by their exceptional Faculty from the competing schools grasp of numbers, the students who participated in a teacher workshop partidpated in tlie challenge have on online assessments during the very bright futures ahead of them." student competition which was preSponsored by the PSC sented by PSC alum Angela Schmit. Mathematics Department, math Team Champions club Alpha Mu Omega and ESU 4, · Geometry · the featured 51 teams from 14 Division 1: Cody Bodfield, James area schools, iil_c\uding Beatrice, Verhoeff & Annelise MadisonFalls City, Humboldt-Table Rock- Norris Steineuer (HTRS), fohnson-Brock, Division 2: Mirrshall Joy, Joe Nebraska City Lourdes, Norris, Maschman & 'Skiler RamseyPalmyra, Pawnee City, Southeast HTRS

Consolidated, Sterling, Syracuse, Division 3: Lyn Withers, Colton

1 ·Thayer ·Central and Ame-S.· & ·Emily:JI©m 1Southeast i Weeping Water. The schools were Consolidated '

Algebra

Division 1: Quentin Danner, Justin Haupt & Mika Fukuzaki - Syracuse

Division 2: J.D. Bursovsky, Kali Schacker & Dustin Smith - HTRS

Division3: Hans Christensen, Craig Teten & Chelsea Johnson - JohnsonBrock

Pre-calculus

Division 1: Ryan Root, Evan Moore & Josh Blood - Beatrice

Division 2: Caleb Fangmeier, Emilie Heitmann & Jessica KrollThayer Central

Division 3: Katrina Keebler, Kharisa Salberg & Mitchell Travernicht - Sterling

Calculus

Division 1: Amber Fandrich, Josh Stubbendick & Scott HrabikSyracuse

Division 2: Jacob Wardyn, Louis Nutter & Brianna Wipl - Weeping Water

John S. Robison, junior

Mary Robison, senior

H. Michelle Zahn, senior Tecumseh

Paul Buss, senior Wayne

Pam Nissen, junior California

Simi Valley

Carla Kaye, junior Iowa

Council Bluffs

Sara Burbridge, junior

Lori Houtchens, senior

Mindy Morgan,junior

Omaha

Tammy Allen, junior

Kesha King, senior James Leichtenberg, senior Dan Swanson, senior Papillion

Michelle Freed, junior Peru

·

Karen Zost, senior Plattsmouth

Karen Johnson:, junior Tuyen Le, senior Syracuse

Robert, Remmers, junior Hamburg

Reva Benefiel, junior Harlan

Julie Murtaugh, senior Kansas

Wetmore

Kari Stallbaumer, junior Missouri

Rock Port

Jennlfer Clauson, junior

Photo courtesy of the Peru State Marketing and Public Affairs Auburn

Good

Nickelback rocks out Qwest Center

LINDSEY HUSEN Contributing Writer

Fireworks, cannons, eight-foot flames, plus three incredible rock bands: what more could you ask for at a concert? On Feb. 28, the Qwest Center in Omaha had all that and more when Nickelback, Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin came to town. A sell-out crowd was blown away by this incredible performance. The night began with Breaking Benjamin followed by Three Days Grace. Both perform-ances were great but neither band could compare to Nickelback's explosive show.

Nickelback's performance includ-

ed a mind-blowing guitar solo from lead vocalist and guitarist, Chad Kroeger. Ryan Vikedal impressed everyone with his nearly 10 minute drum solo. Fireworks and flames

added to the overall effect of his solo. Unlike some singers Ryan Peake's live performance of "Saturday's All Right" was better than the radio version.

During the middle of Nickelback's Kroeger explained that they are a redneck band that loves explosives and fire. They proved this by using rocket launchers to send t-shirts into the stands.

"The encore was incredible:· I have never heard anyplace $0 loud.

I think the walls were shaking,'' said Peru sophmore Justin Kearns.

"Nickelback sounds 10 times better live than they do on their CD. I don't know if it was because 'of all the effects that they had with their show, but I was completely blown away," sophmore Tony Powell.

Breaking Benjamin's performance was a little disappointing. It was hard to understand the words to the songs that you were not familiar with because the bass was so loud.

The best song was probably "Diary of Jane" or "So Cold."

Three Days Grace was much easier to understand and interacted more with the crowd. but still could not come close to Nickelback. Three Days Grace played two new songs that are to hit the airwaves soon. otherwise their songs ranged from "Home'' to ·'Animal I Have Become" to their last song "I Hate Everything (About You)."

Overall, if you missed this mindblowing concert, you missed out big time. This is one concert that was definitely worth the $39 .50 and sore throat in the morning. Nickelback. Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin put ·on one of the best concerts ever.

300 Spartans give life for freedom

MOVIE REVIEW

HEATHER WELLS

Conributing Writer

· thtitrliey.Wllvi offer the world."

"I think it's hilarious when people call Jessica Alba or Eva Longoria ble majoring in Theater and curvy. Come on. They're not International Relations. She curvy. They're small. I'm curvy." expe;.;ts to' graduate in the Spring of 2007.

Filmography: "Real Women

Have Curves" (2002), "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'' (2005), ''Lords of Dogtown" (2005), ''Muertes" (2007) , and the tekvision show "Ugly Betty" which began in 2006.

Interesting Facts: in 2002 she did a television commercial for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Her nickname is Georgina. "Lords of Dogtown" and "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" both opened

"300" is a retelling of the ancient battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. Director Zack Snyder ("D-awn of the · Dead") adapted Frank Miller's ("Sin City") graphic novel for the big screen. If your looking for more than just a passing similarity with history you may find yourself disappointed. In the movie "300" the Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. The movie derives it name from the number of Spartan worriers that that fought the insurmountable odds in the battle.

Spartan King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartan warriors show what true valor and sacrifice is in a small mountain pass where they meet the Persians. This pass allows the small number of warriors to hold for three Three days that Leonidas - \Yifc. Queen Gorgo Headey 1. uses le> try and uve.rcomi: the political opposition in Sparta and get the council to send the full army of Sparta to her husband's aide.

"300" is full of every warrior cliche and yet this only adds to the tone and graphic design of the movie. The movie is one piece of artwork after another. Every scene shows the work of CG!. The character themselves are perfect. Both men and women will have a fun time watching the characters, from the scantly clad women to the even more scantily clad men. The Persian army also offers.the more grotesque side with many twisted monsters that will have any fantasy or science fiction fan pleased. Of course the side of good looks great and evil is twisted as can be seen with the deformed Spartan that will betray the army.

The images in the movie are both crisp and clear and yet have a gritty graphic quality also. The lighting is always dramatic and the battle scenes are clear and uncluttered. It seems most battle scenes are rapid and confused. Snyder seems to favor unbroken shots taken down in slow motion that shows to great effect the fighting techniques of the soldiers.

"300" is a story told to great effect. A movie defiantly worth seeing, unless of course you are a history buff on the time period, though that still didn't stop me from enjoying the movie. I was just impressed that they made a movie on the battle of Thermopylae.

"Black Snake Moan" delivers sex and blues

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

"Black Snake Moan" is one of those movies where you can't be sure what you are going to get until you've seen it. The concept seems a little out there, and you can't help but wonder if the cast and director can make it work. But somehow writer/director Craig Brewer makes the whole thing work with his leading actors Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. Of course we probably should have known that Brewer could take sensitive subject matter and make it work. After all, he did it in "Hustle and Flow".

Even if you've seen the previews you still might be wondering why exactly Jackson has the half-naked Ricci chained up in his house. Well, the movie has an explanation sort of. Ricci's character, Rae, is well, addicted to sex. The movie offers up the minimum explaination for this, but she was abused as a child by her mother's boyfriend. Rae also enjoys the finer things in life, including coke and daisy duke shorts.

The movie revolves around the blues. Not just the music, although Jackson's character is a former blues man himself, but the blues lifestyle. Throughout the movie Brewer cuts to legendary bl_ues artist Son House, who explains ihe life of blues. A gritty life and one that can take a toll on a person's soul.

Brewer doesn't dodge the tough issues at all. Within five minutes of the lights going down we realize that there is something wrong with

Rae. As soon as has her boyfriend (played by Justin Timberlake) goes off to boot camp she starts twitching and itching and soon enough she's with another man. For her sex is a drug, and she's addicted. Things quickly spiral out of control for her when her boyfriend's best friend tries to take advantage of her when she's not only drunk, but drugged up. When she insults his manhood, he beats her senseless and leaves her on the side of the road.

Which is exactly where Lazarus (Jackson) finds her the next morning. Right along the dirt road leading to his small farmhouse. He is naive to her past and takes her in and goes looking for bandages and medicine for her cough and injuries. In town he learns about her reputation from a local drug dealer and returns home set on ridding her of her evil ways. When she starts having fevered nightmares and hallucinates her way outside he decides he needs to chain her up.

Poor Rae wakes up a few days later with a 40-pound chain around her waste that is padlocked to the houses radiator. She tries to escape, which leads to a humorous scene between the two stars. All told these two have some fabulous chemistry together.

The dialogue and acting really brings the audience in. You actually feel for Rae and hope that she will be able to overcome her problems. Even the occasional over-the-top actions and words of Lazarus add to the film. His blues background and the fact that he's wounded too

makes the film less about sex <\nd more about two strangers coming together to help solve each other's problems.

The climax of the movie comes when durin·g ·a storm Rae asks Lazil'rus to do one last thing before she leaves: play her a song. And he does. He plays a· song he wrote called "Black Snake Moan". By the time the guitar lets out its last wail the audience knows that the two have formed a strong bond. That scene alone is worth going to the movie for.

The ending is as happy as can be expected considering the theme of

the movie. At least Rae learns how to channel her urges, or at least she appears to be able to control them now. And she is even able to help her newly returned boyfriend deal with his issues. Ricci's performance in this movie is impressive, especially considering that she was really lugging around a 40-pound chain in her underwear for half of her performance. Jackson delivers the soulful performance one would expect from him. And even Timberlake is able to bring something to the table. The singer definitely has acting chops.

Show me the money,-but keep the work

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

Well, you've been in college for 'at least a year now, so you've probably realized that money leaks out of your hands, and bank account, like water. While it might sound like a good idea to go out and get a job, it could also be very time consuming. And, it would probably pay minimum wage, and you are already. working way to hard in class to go to work for less than $6 an hour. So, here are some solutions. Some of them are time consuming too, but they pay better.

You could sell it on eBay

.Since you're a college student you probably won't be able to buy PlayStation 3s in bulk and sell them, but there are some things that you could sell. In fact, used items are quite common on eBay. That leafuer jacket you haven't worn in years, sell it. Or, if you want to be more of an entrepreneur and buy things on eBay in bulk and then sell them again for a profit. The trick is to find something that everyone wants. You'll need to do your own research, but this can be very profitable.

Selling anything yourself comes with a lot of risks though. Particularly when it comes to buying in bulk and reselling. What if you can't move (resell) the product? And look out for deadbeat bidders. That is, people who manage··

to get the high bid, but refuse to pay. Also, there is the possibility that a bidder may request that the transaction fake place through an escrow service to ensure fairness to both parties. This might sound like a good idea, but beware, because some bidders create face escrow services to steal you items.

So, the good news, the earning

Family Health Services

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Toll Free Number: 1-800-691-8381

We offer quality, affordable reproductive health care and education for both men and women. Medical Services include: physical exams, Cervical cancer screening, sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, dispensjng of contraceptives and emergency contraceptives. Charges are based upon income and family size on a sliding-fee scale.

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, Call for an appointment.Peru clinic available.

potential is limitless. The bad news, so is the risk factor.

Plasma Baby!

If you want to earn up to $40 fast, consider donating your plasma. That's the yellowish fluid part of your blood that transfers nutrients to your cells. Plasma donation can be done up to twice a week (with at

least 24 hours in between donations), so the earning potential here is pretty good. As long as you are 19, weigh over 110 pounds and are healthy you can donate. You'll also need your social security card and valid photo id. But other than that it is the same as donating blood here on campus. The entire procedure takes place in less than an hour.

The bad news, you can't consume alcohol or caffeinated beverages for two days before you donate. Also, the lines to donate are often very long, and while the procedure might take as little as a half an hour, you might be in the center for several hours. Besides the time spent in the .center the nearest plasma donation centers are in Omaha and Lincoln.

Fruits of Your Loins (I mean labor)

Guys, if you want to make a quick $100 dollars or so, you can go to a fertility center and donate your sperm. The good news, it will only take you a few minutes, and you'll get to look at a magazine. The bad news, girls who donate their eggs can make somewhere between $2,500 and $5,000!

But ladies, before you get too excited and run off to donate, this process is· a lot harder for you. It will take several weeks, involve an in-depth physical and psychological check-up, and will involve surgery. And did I mention, you'll have to give yourself hormone shots so that you can produce "super eggs'. But it's all for a good cause. You'll be helping a loving couple create the child they never thought they'd have. When performed by professionals the procedure should be relatively safe and rewarding.

In the Name of Science

We've all seen the ads in papers encouraging students to participate in medical studies. They claim that ·it's a great way to earn extra money. In fact, it is one way to make up to, and in some cases even · over, $1,000. On top of the money you get the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that you've helped learn more about a drug that could help save lives. As far as the urban legends of horrible side effects you can rest assured that the FDA wouldn't let them test on humans if the product hadn't been proven to be safe.

Which means that the only real downside is that you will either have to travel back and forth for testing;or do this over breaks when you can be monitored. Some studies .do only need their participants on weekends though. Just make sure that the company doing the testing is reputable.

These are just some of the many ways that college students all around the country are making money. Don't be afraid to try out any or even all of these. Just make sure that you are aware of the risks. But, these activities are all safe as long as the necessary precautions are taken. So, go out and earn some , .money to pay, those bills! , Pboto.com;te's,y.ofhttp;//.www.fertilitysa.com

Busting the myths of birth control

AMANDA ERWIN Staff Writer

There are many conflicting messages scattered over the airwaves and through the rumor mills about the pill, the hormone based medication that women talce to regulate their periods and prevent fertility. Because of all these mixed messages thrown around, myths have grown about the "dangers" of the pill. Here are 10 myths, all of them debunked.

Myth #1: "It's risky to stop your period."

Studies have shown that suppressing your period for long periods of time has no long-term side effects.

According to Rebecca Could, M.D., an OB-GYN at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Pa., "The hormones keep the lining of your uterus thin, so nothing builds up." For many women suppressing their period has positive effects, especially for those who experience heavy flows, debilitating cramps, and menstrual migraines.

On the market today exist quite a few different ways to. accomplish this, including Seasonale, the pill that limits your period to four times a year; Seasonique, a similar pill

that may also help fight PMS; and Depo-Provera, the injection that may eliminate your period entirely for the time you are getting the injection.

Myth #2: "The pill ups your cancer risks."

Studies show that the use of the pill actually decreases your chances of getting endometrial and ovarian cancers. After one year of taking the pill, the risk of these cancers goes down by 50 percent. Even after taking it for only four to six months, cancer risk goes down by nearly 40 percent. After 10 years of talcing the pill, cancer risk actually decreases near! y 80 percent.

According to Katharine O'Connell, MD., an assistant clinical professor of OB-GYN at Columbia University, "The longer you keep the endometrium thin and · the ovaries inactive, you are reducing the· chance of the inappropriate cell division that characterizes cancer."

Myth #3: "The pill malces you fat and frigid."

The only proven side effect of the pill is brealcthrough bleeding. On the other hand, women who talce Depo-Provera do often gain weight. As for the libido, some studies show a decrease and others show an increase.

Myth #4: "The sponge is as good as the pill.;,

The birth control sponge bocks the cervix and contains a spermicide but also leaves an awful lot to chance. Also, its failure rate is 32 percent for women who have had a child and for those who haven't, the failure rate is still 16 percent.

Myth #5: "Long-term use of the pill is a no-no."

If you believe this myth, your

Cancer treatments unhelpful?

BRANDON SCHUMACHER Staff Writer

eradicate the whole infection. To Within one year the same journal malce matters worse, those who company published two different have had lung cancer in the past are articles about how chest x-rays are likely to regress. both good and bad for lung cancer.

Statistics show that lung cancer is According to the New York Times, For over the past decade an experi"Just last week The Journal of the ment has been conducted about lung the most deadly cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, "In American Medical Association pub- cancer and chest x-rays. Half the 2007 there will be about 213 ,380 lished a study concluding that spiral people were chosen to be given xnew cases of lung cancer in the CT screening is not only ineffective, rays while the other half, the control United States" and "about 6 out of but may actually be harmful, group, did not receive chest x-rays. prompting unnecessary surgery that Results indicated that those who had 10 people with lung cancer die within 1 year ()f finding that they have carries risks .on its own." If this is not received the chest Hays had a true, every time a person with lung 10 year survival rate over those who lung cancer." Unfortunately, accordcancer gets a chest x-ray the x-ray had received them ing to the New York Times the studwill help the cancer progress instead There are now two more research ies on x-ray's effects on lung cancer have been inconclusive. X-rays of digress. While at the same time experi!llents being held to prove one the New York Times reported, "Last way or another if x-rays help. us or might help improve lung cancer or they might actually worsen the dis- fall, The New England Journal hurt us. One experiment by the ease. Medicine published a study con- Dutch-Belgian collaboration, the Lung cancer is hard to detect with- eluding that spiral CT screening other by the National Cancer in the earliest stages and because we would most lung cancer cur- Institute. Until this experiment has cannot detect· those early stages it able." After publishing, efforts were been resolved, no further chest x' made to get people in to receive rays will be given to those with lung spreads. B;y. the, time ,_do«:tors Gatch , the gi;owth .it' is almost too late to· •.· chest exanunattons. cancer.

control may rrot be for you. But don't worry, there are other brands.

Myth #7: "Taking the pill past age 40 is risky."

You can talce the pill until menopause and after that you really have no need for it. On the other hand, if you're over 35 and you smoke, or have uncontrolled high blood pressure, or long-term or uncontrolled diabetes, your heart disease and stroke risks are elevated, and the pill raises them. Still, anyone with these problems are just fine taking progestrin-only pills.

Myth #8: "It's okay to talce any medicine with the pill."

chances of getting pregnant are quite a bit higher because despite what many people think, it's possible to get pregnant right after stopping. There is absolutely no medical reason to stop taking it.

Myth #6: "Pill side effects last forever."

You have to give your body the chance to get used to the new influx of hormones. The first three months of taking the pill tend to bring side effects. At the end of those three months, they usually go away. On the other hand, if they haven't gone away after three months, get a doctor's opinion. That form of birth

Sadly, many different medications can lower the effectiveness of the pill. Always ask your doctor if it's okay to take the pill if you are talcing other medications or even supplements.

Myth #9: "The pill malces migraines worse."

If you experience menstrual migraines, the pill won't get rid of them entirely but it often reduces them. On the other hand, women who suffer from migraines with aura (added symptoms that include numbness, weakness, hallucinations, or blurred vision) run the chance of increased stroke risk. For them, though, progestrin-only pins are a good substitute.

Season ends in trip to championship

· to the win over College of the JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Ozarks.

Contributing Writer Both Lovelace and Brett Spiker

The Peru State men's basketpall team ended their season with a loss but finished on a high note by playing in the MCAC championship game on Feb. 24.

Entering the MCAC tournament as the number three seed, the Bobcats looked to their three seniors: Marlis Lovelace, Brandon Barrett, and Chris Scheideler to help lead the way to victory. In the first round against defending national champion and Z2nd ranked College of the Ozarks, the 'Cats were in the. lead heading into the locker room at halftime.

After extending the lead by double digits at the start of the second half, College of the Ozarks never gave up. They fought back and chipped away at the Bobcat lead, eventually taking them over. Peru State ended with an 18-2 run that sealed the victory at 69-60 and put them in the championship game against number one ranked Bellevue University.

"It was a gutsy effort by as we battled and refused to go down against a quality opponent," said Coach Dave Walker, referring

had double-doubles with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and 10 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Barrett also added 13 points, and Joe Mews contributed 12 points in the victory. A 43-_33 rebounding margin held by the Bobcats what essentially won the game for them, especially when 16 of those were brought down on the offensive side of the ball created easy put-backs. Towards the end of the game hit 18 of 23 from the line, a 79 percent free throw percentage and helped ensure the win.

After the upset the night before, the 'Cats were playing for the conference crown against a Bellevue team that had only lost one game all season. In fact, the Bruins swept the Bobcats during regular season conference play. The idea of another upset came to mind when Peru State started the game off with a 14-4 lead, but Bellevue dld not let up. They eventually regained the lead late in the half, but were only up 3026 at the break.

"Bellevue's defense is their trademark," said Walker. "They make every shot a difficult one but we

hung in there and got some good shots late, but we didn't get enough to fall."

The final score, 74-58, did not indicate how well the Bobcats played or the relative closeness of the game. With only 2:20 left in the championship, Peru was only down by eight points which is a reasonable deficit to overcome.

Unfortunately, Bellevue was the number team and proved it by preventing a comeback. With two layups, and late free throws, the Bruins were crowned MCAC champions and received an invitation to play in the national tournament.

Barrett had 17 points to lead the Bobcats while Jesse Haynes had 11, and Mews added 10 more. Peru State only hit 35 percent from the field, and was 4-17 from three point range. Although the Cats finished with an 11-20 record, 14 of those losses were against ranked team. Half of those teams were ranked number one at one point of the season, too.

The team will look to the juniors to lead the team next year and replace the Cats' two best players, Lovelace and Barrett.

Photo courtersy of PSC Athelic home page.

Softball and baseball spend break on road

need to be ready as they face a JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG very good Dana College team, Contributing Writer Midland Lutheran, and then travel

While many students at Peru State College were enjoying their Spring Break relaxing at home or road-tripping with friends, the softball ·and baseball teams headed south to play ball.

The Bobcat softball team competed in the Tucson Invitational; playing 12 games in only four days. Peru got off to a good start by defeating Madonna University 9-0 in only six innings, and jumped out to a quick lead against Trinity International University. The Lady Bobcats couldn't hold on to the lead, and ended up losing 7-8. Later that day, the same sort of situation occurred, but this time Peru lost 8-9.

Although the team only came out of Tucson.:)Vith.four wins and eight losses, the Bobcats were able to notch some quality wins. By beating St. Ambrose University, Jamestown College, Judson College, and Madonna University, their overall record is now 5-10. With plenty of games left to be played, Coach Mark Matthews isn't too worried.

"I would like to be winning a lot more of these games, but when conference starts is when we really need to play our best," said Matthews. He has faith that his team will buckle down when it comes down to the wire in future games.

Matthews also felt that the team made "simple mistakes" in many aspects of the game. Fortunately,,a lot of breakdowns can be corrected through drills, and practice. Peru State has played some tough opponents throughout the season, especially while in Tucson where the average temperature was in the low-80s. Fairly warm v:rhen you consider that Peru cancelled classes the Thursday before break because of snow.

"You could really tell our girls were getting worn down, and it was very evident towards the end of the tournament," added Matthews.

to the Sterling Tournament in Kansas over the weekend. Even though the Peru State baseball team did not play in any tournament over break, they did, though, travel down to Oklahoma to play some games. Unfortunately, they were unable to win any of their games, but fought very hard. Going from school to school, the Bobcats played the University of Science and Art of Oklahoma, Southern Nazarene, Rodgers State, Oklahoma City University, and Oklahoma Baptist. By playing six games in eight days, it was easy to note that the 'Cats were tired, and in some instances were just outplayed. In game alone Peru State only managed two ruris against Oklahoma City University, but what was even worse was the fact that they gave up 25 scores.

Spperd6me H{)ifsfon • 52 lJni\rersityArena J{otistdn 75 Kirtgdome 64 Rupp Arena

Duke 69 Reuni6n Arena

Syracuse· 73 Louisiana Superdome

Oklah<)ma 79 Kemper Arena

.·

Seton Hall 79 Kingdome

D.uke 73 McNichols Sports Areiia

Kansas 65 Hoosier Dome

Michigan 51 Metrodome

Michigan 7J Louisiana Superdome

Duke 72 Charlotte Coliseum

Arkansas 78 Kingdome

Syi;aGU$e 67 Cont. Airlines Aren.a

Kt)tltucky 79 RCA Dome

Utah · 69 Alamodome

Duke 74 Tropitana Field

Florid51 76 RCAD'ome

Arizona 72 Metroclome

Indiana 52 Georgia Doine

Kansas 78 Louisi;ma Superdome

Georgia Tech 73 Alamodome

7.().

Dome

SitltLake City, Utah

lndia11apolfs, lnd;

Philadelphia, Pa .•

New Orleans,

Albuquerque, N. M.

Seattle,Wash. ·

Lexington, Ky.

Dallas, Texas

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K'l!lsas City, Miss.

Seattle, Wash.

Denver, Colo.

Indianapolis, fnd. ·

Minneapolis, Minn.

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St. Louis, Miss. .· ·1nc1.

CAB will sponsor "Bernie's Happy Hour" today at 7.00 p.m. in the college theatre.

Bernie's show is stand-up comedy with an inspirational message. His program is the #1 requested pro·· · grari). of its kind in the nation! He · will make you laugh and make you cry all in the same hour.

·.Bernie is qf the funniest comedians in America

Preregistration for Fall 2007

Preregistration for Summer

.Session 2007 is already Act soon to get the classes you want before sections start to fill up. Preregistration for Fall Session 2007 begins (with seniors going first) on March 20. When you see polar bears on the stairwell monitors, that's your reminder that preregistration has started, and ifs time to act. Find the class schedules for both summer and fall online at: http:// www.peru.edu/studentrecords/ScheduleofClasses .htm.

With Catsonline, you can preregister at your convenience. Questions? The Student Records staff will be happy to help.

GET THE CLASSES YOU WANT, PREREGISTER!

today. Discovered in a comedy contest by legendary' Steve Allen in 1992, Bernie's high-energy style, deliveryand timing have been compared to the best in the business

He has entertained American soldiers stationed overseas in over twenty countries, including ·an emotional and much appreciaed USO visit to Bosnia in 1999.

O'Grady case finally put tor

seeing each other for about a month side of the mattress· was covered in when she began to experience · blood. The stain spanned eight morning sickness. square feet and soaked almost two She had begun taking prenatal inches into the foam. vitamins and had tried talking to During their 14 hour search, invesEdwards' on several occasions tigators also found a large sword ·her condition. The first of with O'Grady's DNA on the tip and which ended with O'Grady in tears edges hidden in Edwards' closet. after a half an hour, according to her There was ·also blood found on the roommates. O'Grady knew that headboard, ceiling, and walls. The Edwards was having a child with lack of blood leaving the room indianother woman, and

LAST SEEN• . :.·..."'E8fl.4SKA..·

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

After a two week trial the jury in the Christopher Edwards' case was sentto deliberate. It only took them 11 hours to reach a· verdict.

"We; the jury duly impaneled and sworn to well and truly try do find the said defendant. guilty of murder in the second degree guilty of use

of a deadly weapon!'

Nearly a year after Jessica O'Grady went missing Edwards' was convicted. The last time that anyone had heard from the 19 year old UNO college student was on May 10, 2006, when she placed a call from her car saying that she was going to the home Edwards was staying at with his aunt. She was going to discuss her pregnancy.

O'Grady and Edwards had been

sentence Edwards is looking al a sentence of somewhere between 20 years and life in prison.

The jury was still relatively lo come to a decision though. with the vote being 1l- l on Sa1urda; March 3 J. This was just three hours before the 1·erdict read. ln ihc end the body turned out to be not as important to the jurors as was Edwards' attempts to hide evidence. Evidence was had been concerned about how he would react.

When friends and family hadn't heard from her 36 hours after she said she was going to Edwards' place they began to worry. They contacted the po!i'ce and began posting flyers and alerting news organizations. On May 13

inches into the foam.''

Shauna ·Stanzel, O'Grady's aunt, went to Lone Star where Edwards worked to question him. Stanzel claims that Edwards originally told her that he hadn't talked to O'Grady at all. When ·she told him about O'Grady's phone call saying she was going to his house, Edwards amended his statement saying that he had called her to cancel the plans. The search, lead by Division Commander of the Douglas County investigators David Kofoed, found significant DNA evidence. As soon as they entered ·Edwards' bedroom they found dried blood on the edge of the mattress, the 20 year old also had air fresheners plugged into every outlet to mask the smell. When investigators flipped the mattress over they found that the other

cated that O'Grady's wounds were so great that she eouldn 't escape the room under her own power. They also found bloody towels in.a trash bag in the garage, and blood as well as a shovel and gardening shears in Edwards' car.

Even with this overwhelming physical evidence the jury still had a hard time convicting the 20 year old of second-degree murder. Juror Laura Adams said that even though she was convinced that O'Grady was dead and that Edwards had killed her, she still would have felt more comfortable with the verdict if a body had been found. "I just didn't want to give him murder two unless I knew this young man could really do this," said Adams. After all, with a second-degree murder

enough to make him the first person in Douglas County to be convicted by a jury for murder w ilbout a physical body.

After the verdict was read family and friends on both sides were asked to leave separate! y, and

try to maintain emotional control as they left the courtroom, as per the court's instructions. Edwards' family and friends were the first to leave. Edwards' father, Bob Edwards, was only able to maintain his composure untiL he reached the courthouse's elevators, at which point he began to cry.

Edwards is scheduled to be sentenced on May 25. O'Grady's loved ones are still hoping that Edwards will confess as to where he left the body. There is no longer an option for a plea agreement; however, if he does confess to the location, the judge might take it into consideration during sentencing.

Photo provided by: http://www.someoneismissing.com

"The stain spanned eight square feet and soaked almost two

Senior art students display final works

HEATHER WELLS Contributing Writer

Art is subjective. Art is continuously changing. From person to person and day to day, art takes

on a different view for different people. Seeing an art show continues to offer new and exciting things for the eyes.

Three seniors are about to offer such excitement once again with their senior art show: Jenny

Pasco, Marie Sukup, and Heather Wells have put forth their best works for your viewing pleasure. Their art works are on show for all to see in the Peru State College Art Gallery from April 1 through May 4. There was a

reception many attended on Sunday, April from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Refreshments were offered during the art opening. All three artists presented at the art opening for any questions about their art works. Selected

THE PERU STATE TIMES

Editor-in-Chief

Assistant Editor

Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Distribution Manager

Layout Staff

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Randi Schmid

Stephanie Hoffman

Jenifer Epting

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Linze Thummel

Amanda Erwin

Brandon Schummacher

Kellen Sailors

Contributing Staff

Heather Weils

Linze Thummel

Marcus Ackley

Lindsey Husen

facob Thompson-Krug

pieces of art were also be available for purchase.

The three artists have very unique sense of style that is all their own. The art being presented vary differently in subject matter. This show offers three different views on art and the artist's portrayals of that outlook. Some of the subject matter that will be portrayed within the paintings consists of portraits. flowers. and firefighters.

The senior show is the stone to all an majors. A<:. such it is the keystone of and all that the artists have been working toward for the past years at Peru State College. Thi:-: show is a way for the art students to show their work and accomplishments. This show is by no means all that these artists are about.

All art majors are aware constantly of future senior show. This knowledge leads to the artists to continuously think of what will be presented at their show. This then leads to a de\ clopment of a cohesive :,how that may not expn:::;s all their ambitions and their creative purl l'oliu. The :1ri instructors. especially Anderson and professor Waln. are ah1ays more than \1ill HJ help any student succeed. department.

The Times, the official student newspaper of Peru State College, is published five times per semester by Peru State College students. The Times office is located in the College Publications Office in the AV Larson building.

The opinions expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial staff The Peru State Times is an independent student publication funded by student publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College. All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters need not be students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be signed by the individual(s) submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words in length. The Times reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctimes@yahoo.com, or send material to the Peru State Times, Campus Mail, Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421. View us on the web at http://www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

Upper-left painting by Jenny Pasco.

Upper-middle pottery by Marie Sukup

Upper-right painting by Marie Sukup

Lower-left sculpture by Heather Wells

"Deal or No Deal" returns to Peru campus

CODY WITT Contributing Writer ·

"Deal or No Deal?" the television hit game show became a reality at Peru State College once again on Wednesday, March 14 in the College Theatre. The game was sponsored by the Campus Activities

Board. Approximately 91 people offers are made to the contestant, attended the event, which turned out who then has a choice of either takto be a great success.

There were four rounds held throughout the night, with each of the four contestants having a chance to win $200. At the beginning of each round the contestant picks a briefcase to hold on to. Then they pick a select number ofbriefcases to open. By process of elimination

·ing the money or continuing on withthe game.

· Greg Ernster once again portrayed the host of the TV show, Howie Mandel. This year however he did not sport the original billd cap, but he d\d have Mandel's signature soul patch Ryan Voegele was first up on stage and ended up with $10. Next · up was Sarah Vandeventer and her game went down to the wire. Vandeventer decided to keep her own case that had one· · · dollar rather than take Briefcase Beauty Galardi's case that contained $100. ·As Galardi opened his case, he made the following comment: "They call me GMoney," and the crown went wild.

The third contestant to reach the stage was Jordan Haas who took away $30 while the final contestant, Jamie Wolbert, won a whopping $50.

In addition, there were several games played in between the rounds, and gift cerfificates

were given away to members of the audience regarding questions about faculty and staff. Questions such as "Which one of these faculty and staff has enjoyed the warm sun on the roof of the complex?" The correct answer to this question was Peggy Groff, and this knowledge aroused some interest from the crowd.

There were 26 Briefcase Beauties and several other contributing people who inade "Deal or No Deal" possible. Jeremy LaBrie, Galardi, Groff, Kristi Nies, Judy Grotrain,

.Mark Mathews, Bruce

and Ted

were the faculty and staff members that helped out being Briefcase Beauties.

Sara LaBrie, Coordinator of Student Programs, said, "I thought the show was a lot of fun. It was great to see members of the faculty and staff volunteering their time to be a part of this student activity. The students really see.med to enjoy that. I just wish students could have won more money!"

Student Senate members for 2007-2008 ·school year named

CODY WITT

Contributing Writer

Peru State College students Brandon Prater, a sophomore. from Falls City, and Amy White, a junior from Plattsmouth, were recently elected to serve as President and Vice President of the Student Senate for the academic year.

"I feel very honored and blessed to have received this position. I would personally like fo thank everyone, not just for electing me President, but for giving me a chance to make a difference on campus," said Prater, who is majoring in K-12 music education and music marketing.

"Peru has given me the opportunity to be involved with more activities then I ever imagined I could as a full time student. I have created many friendships that I am sure will last a lifetime. I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to give back some of what I have received," said White, a community music and private studio major.

Some of the goals during their term include upgrading the appear-.

ance of the student center and Twelve other PSC students have improving the campus as a whole. also been elected to serve as repre-

The PSC Student Senate meets sentatives on the Peru State College weekly to address student issues and Student Senate. Members are listed concerns. are alsorespon- below in alphabetical order by 5ible for planning and overseeing hometown, along with their year in annual Homecoming festivities. school.

Associate Professor of Business Nebraska

Bruce Batters.on serves as the group's faculty adviser._.

Heather Hurst, elected to serve on Student Senate for the first time said, "I feel that it is a great honor to be selected a Student Senate member. I think that we as a whole can make a huge difference in the school. I am very excited to be apart of that."

Dawson

Bridget Huppert - Junior

Fairbury

Samantha Meyer - Freshman

Nebraska City

Josh Gibbs - Sophomore

Omaha

Ashlee Barnett - Sophomore

Peru

Tammy Meyers - Senior Ruskin

Kayleigh Baker - Junior

Washington

Brittirti Propst - Freshman

Weeping Water

Tyson Wessels - Sophomore

Out of State

Clarinda, Iowa

Colton Harris - Sophomore

Glenwood, Iowa

Heather Hurst - Senior

Wichita, Kansas

Austin Reisig - Junior

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Jeremy Pfaff - Freshmen

Batterson,

Harshbarger

Photos by Sara LaBrie.

··Dance competitionan unique spring break

JAMES COLE

Contributing Writer

While most students were planning their spring break trips and putting off their social dance papers until the last moment, a select few were ·brave enough to accept Dr. Murray's offer to compete in fi:ont of professional dancers at the St. Louis Star Ball.

To prepare for this rierve racking experience, the competitors practiced every Tuesday and Thursday that Peru was not under snow and had water.

On Wednesday, March 7th nine PSC students and Dr. Murray met for a five hour dance practice to work out some kinks that still remained in each couples' dances. Johann is not one to let some virus get the best of him, so he assisted the competitors and instructed them on how things would be run that weekend.

The next momil).g Dr. Murray, Pam Murray and students left the commuter lot by 7 a m.

Immediately after checking into the hotel, everyone started preparing to leave for the ball. Pam worked with the girls to get their hair ready while the guys put on their ties and watched T.V.

First out of the gate were Noah Whitmore and Amy White performing the Argentinean Tango. They

were very well prepared. The 'cou- Bonnie >Baumgartner dancing the pie took first place in their division foxtrot. in this cheek to c_heek dance. ballroom dance to incorporate both slow and quick steps, the Foxtrot allows a lot of variety. The couple took another first place and we all went to Applebee's to celebrate.

Next up was the Waltz, a dance involving a steady rise and fall action· as the man does his best to show off the picture, the woman. Megan Katz and I competed in this. darice. We also placed first in our category.

Dr. Murray jokingly describes the American Tango as being the dance of cowboys arid prostitutes. Sara Carney and Ben Leseberg defied this description. Sara, in a beautiful evening dress, and Ben, in a full suit, performed one of their best Tangos and brought PSC another first place.

The last couple for the Thursday evening show was Jordan Marr and gnant. .. o do?

Early the next morning, Megan Katz, Dr. Murray, Kate McKim, Pam, and .I got ready for the last three dances for .the team. Megan and I took the floor for a Foxtrot solo and I was so nervous that I could barely keep my balance. My heart was pounding so hard that I could feel it in my toes.

We brought home one more first place and received a 93, 90 .5 and an 88 from the judges out of 100.

Kate McKim and Dr. Murray, performed in two latin ProfessionalAmateur dances. The Cha-Cha and the Mambo both involve a lot of hip action. The competition in these two dances was fierce, but the couple perfonned great together and took a third and a fourth place.

The professional show is the final event of the weekend. We all get dressed up one more time to enjoy the many turns and tricks that are done throughout the dances. In between each set of competitions there is a general dance break

where the audience can take the floor.

This experience is well worth the extra effort and financial expense. PSC students can dance through their spring break and do some St. Louis sight seeing.

Dr. Murray's ability to assist us through this experience while he was sick with what he was told was a viral infection, proves that he really cares about PSC students, success in all aspects.

A coach who will make sure you are well prepared for any situation and help you see success, not "failure". Dr. Murray is an inspiration and anyone else who feels this way should let him know it as he goes through this difficult experience.

Takes 26 years to shave mustache

CODY WITT Contributing Writer

When I think about Peru State College, .there are many. great people who come to mind, especially Ted Harshbarger, asses- · · ment coordinator at PSC. Harshbarger not only helps students by looking over their resumes, he is also one of the biggest supporters that PSC has. Ever since I met Harshbarger, he has always had a mustache. It has been a permanent fixture on his face since the winter of 198 l. The last time it was shaved off was when his ·volleyball team in Tecumseh had upset Wilber-Clatonia to win their first match after 14 straight losses. He recently had his mustache of 26 years shaved off by Phi Beta

Harshbarger is the state adviser for Nebraska PBL and he agreed to shave his mustache off if the state chapter met its fall fundraising goal of $1,500. Well, the state exceeded the goal by over $40, and he had to say goodbye to the stache.

Asked if he was nervous about taking it off, Harshbarger commented, "I was a little nervous because I

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wondered what it was going to look like when it was gone. And yes, I was a little scared because everyone knows Sherry and Christina can get a little giggly at times. And then when Sherry got nervous, it made me a little more apprehensive!"

Surprisingly, he is pleased with the results, and 90% of the. people who have commented on. it have said it makes him look quite a bit younger. For right now .though, Harshbarger plans to keep his mustache shaved, as it would take too long to grow it back and make it look good. He'll wait until after graduation and then decide if he wants it back.

What has been most surprising is that some people have noticed the change right away and others have not noticed it at all. Some people have said, "Did you get your hair cut Ted?" It is also funny to mention that the word has gotten around and Ted has received emails from peo.ple hearing about his mustache getting shaved. I guess Ted will have to accept the attention and get accustomed to his new look for awhile.

Photo by Pam Murray.

From left to right: Ben Leseberg; Sara Carney; James Cole; Megan Katz; Jordan Marr; Bonnie Baumgartner; Noah Whitmore; Amy White.

Lambda members Sherry Kvasnicka,. and Christina· Wusk.

Photo courtesy of the Academic Resource Center.

Testing service cancels plans for new GRE exam

(AP) The makers of the GRE graduate school entrance exam have scrapped an extensive makeover of the test, citing concerns they wouldn't be able to accommodate enough students at test centers.

The Educational Testing Service. which designed the exam. had already delayed planned revisions by a year, including lengthening the exam from two-and-a-half to four hours.

ETS also was planning substantive changes such as eliminating antonym and analogy questions and emphasizing more critical reading.

Most students already take the current version of the GRE on a computer, but ETS had hoped to switch to a more secure Internetbased system that would eventually expand the number of sites where the test could be taken

contribute to concerns that th<:: standardized testing industry. busy with dozens of national and state-level standardized exams. has too much on its plate.

The announcement confirms ETS "has repeatedly tried to rnsh computerized exams into the marketplace before they \\Cl\'. ready for prime time." said Robert Schaeffer. public education director of the group FairTest. which has been critical of the testing industry. pushed these flawed products lo increase test-maker income. not improve assessment quality or meet students needs."

The new version, however, was

courtesy o\ http://www.chipola.edu to be offered only about 30 times capacity to make the planned very carefully at the issue per year, whereas students are free switch this fall and would stick · of access and whether there were to ,the;: test at the o.ld test. and. the centers Internet-based testing cenalmost ahy-tiriie. · · · : · ·• where it ..vas alieal:!y being admin- ters livailable to ensure tbat every

On Monday, ETS and the istered. The test had been in <level- · student who wanted to take· the test Graduate Record Examination opmeflt. for about five years, said. Board said they did not have the Tom Ewing. last three months we've

could," he said. "It became clear that there were not enough domestically."

The GRE is taken by between 550,000 and 600,000 applicants to gr:aduate programs annually. The change involves very different issues than the scoring errors on .the SAT college entrance .exam that surfaced last year. But Monday's announcement could

Even though it scrapped the planned changes. ETS said it is still considering whether to increase the price of the exam. ll had previously announced the cost would rise but had not said by how much. The current exam costs $130 in the United States and $160 in most other places.

"We're still evaluating whether the price is going to go up," Ewing said. "We suspect it will but we just don't know at this point."

UNL students sued by recor.ding company for piracy

RANDI SCHMIDCopy Editor

Usually when one thinks of pirates, Johnny Depp in eye liner comes to mind. However, in tecent years, a pirate is no•longer a word used to describe one attacks or robs a ship at sea, pirate is also defined as "one who makes use of or reproduces the work of another without authorization."

For example, a pirate may be one who illegally downloads music or movies, whether or not they are for personal use. This is the definition given to the 36 University of Nebraska - Lincoln students who used the campus computers to illegally download music.

Of these 36 students guilty of this charge, only 13 of them have been sent a 1.etter by the Recording Industry Association of America urging them to settle before they are

actually sued. Settlements are being offered to students so they have the opportunity to avoid court or have public marks on theirrecords.

Why are so few being charged, you may ask?

The campus computers have actually saved many of their identities from being found out. The Internet protocol address on the UNL computers changes each time a computer is turned on. These addresses are only saved by the school for about a month.

Last month the recording industry claimed that it would file piracy' charges against 400 students at 13 campuses across the United States.

RIAA spokeswoman Jenni Engebretsen has criticized UNL .for not keeping the records that could help the RIAA find the culprits.

UNL was deemed a safe haven for illegal downloading by the recording industry earlier this year, and the campus ·was sent over 1,000 com-

plaints to fix the problem over this past year.

Each complaint cost the school approximately $11 to process and find the student causing the problem.

UNL has asked to be reimbursed "for this cost because it is not justified to use taxpayer's dollars to fund what they see as a problem of the RIAA.

However, the RIAA has been urgin·g several campuses to purchase software that would make illegal downloading virtually impossible for students. This software would make peer-to-peer networking unusable on campus computers.

UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman is not promoting the purchase of this software due to the academic tages that peer networking has to offer. However, the school is looking into other software that would make pirating more difficult.

Portions of this article were cited.from the Omaha World Herald.

New York ends search for romance

LINZE THUMMEL Staff Writer

After taking the remaining two guys, Chance and Tango, for a vacation in Mexico, New York makes her final decision.

Tiffany "New York" Pollard first appeared on "The Flavor of Love" competing to win Flava Flav's love, and then again in "The Flavor of Love 2." Both times New York came up shorL and Flav chose the other girl.

Since then Pollard has been given her own reality show, so that she too might find love. Twenty men came to woo New York and on Monday April 2 her decision aired on Vhl.

While in Mexico tensions were high between Tango and Chance who· both had very strong feelings for New York. The guys had to be separated after a fight at dinner the first night in Mexico. The fight was semi-instigated by New York who said several times throughout the series that she liked the guys fighting -over her.

She spent the following day with Tango. They went boating, picnicking, dining, and then went back to

New York's room for the remainder of the night. As soon as he left New York sent a message to Chance saying he would be spending the day with her.

New York and Chance swam with the dolphins and then had a romantic dinner before retiring to New York's room.

At the final elimination New York sent her mom, who was with her through the series, outside to wait. New York said she was "torn between what my heart wants and what my hem1 needs."

While she described what each guy meant to her, clips played of the good moments each guy had shared with her.

Finally, after much suspense, New York said she would ''bet on Tango," which eliminated Chance.

She cried out when Chance wouldn't "give her some love" before he left.

But New York had made her decision and the show had to go on. She went through the eliminatibn procedures of giving Tango a chain which read "I Love New York."

Johnny Depp

AMANDA ERWIN Staff Writer

Date of Birth: June 9, 1963

Relationship Status: In a longterm relationship with French singer/actress Vanessa Paradis. It's rumored that the two will be married in 2007.

The Black Pearl" (2003).

Up Next: "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" (2007), "Sweeney Todd" (2007)

Interesting Fact: He dropped out of school at t6 and joined a series of garage bands.

The next day New York deliberated and the guys went shopping. Chance bought a new suit, and Tango bought a gift for New York.

At this point the guy New York wouid chose was up in the air. The viewers thought that Chance would be the winner, (77% of the vote) but both dates went well so it was hard to predict who would win.

And then .Tango produced the gift he had bought New York earlier, which turned out to be an engagement ring.

New York said yes but the editing of her expressions and manners suggests she might not have been excited and didn't know what to do.

Which leaves the viewer waiting for the "I Love New York Reunion" show, where everyone can find oi.It what really went down after the final episode.

BiQgrapby: Depp was born in Kentucky but his family later moved to Florida. He has one brother and two sisters, as well as two children, a daughter born in 1999 and a son born i'i1 2002. He first got into acting while on a trip to LA with his ex-wife who introduced him to· Nicolas Cage. He started his career as a teen heartthrob. and has since managed to make a name for himself as a serious actor,

Filmograpby; "Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984), "Edward Scissorbaflds" (1990), "Fear and Loathing in Las. Vegas" (1998), "Once t)pon a Time in Mexico" (4003) 1 "Pirates of the Caribbean:

Quote: "As a teenager 1 was so insecure. J was the type of guy that never 'fitted in because he never dared to choose. r was convinced I had absolutely no talent at all. For 1 nothing. And tbat thought took away all my ambition too."

"Zodiac" leaves audiences feeling lost

MOVIE REVIEW

MARCUS

ACKLEY

Contributing

Writer

"Zodiac" is a review of the events that including many murders in the San Francisco area between the years of 1966 to 1971. If you go to see the movie, you may leave the theater feeling incomplete, due to the fact the case was never solved. The cast is lead by Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), a cartoonist of the San Francisco Chronicle who was obsessed with the case.

In real life, Graysmith wrote a

book based upon the actual events of the case. Besides Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey, Jr., whom plays Paul Avery, is the only famous actor in movie. He is another reporter for the Chronicle who was actually contacted by the Zodiac killer via a Halloween card.

The last assumed suspect was a man named Arthur Lee Allen whom was associated with the first victim, but before all the pieces of the puzzle were put together, Allen died. For more information, you should go see the movie or read Graysmith's novel. "Zodiac".

If you are interested in murder mysteries, this is a movie that you must 'see. However, be aware that the movie is quite long at two and ahalf hours and runs slow in some parts. The movie is rated R for mature language and violence in scenes.

I would not compare "Zodiac" to "Seven" although both are directed

by

Di!vid

''Seven" was a lot better as to acting and plot. But, in this case, I suppose Fincher did a good job based off of real life events.

"Summer of Sam" is a closer comparison to "Zodiac" and it is truly a good movie.

In the department I will give the movie 7 out of 10 stars.

Photo courtesy of: www.vhl.com

Fincher.

Photo courtesy of http://movics.about.com

andler fails to reign supreme

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Edior

ll has bel"ll almost \ix ) cars since the of l),: ! l broke rnany American hearh Over lVk:·.

\Yith 'lh1.: hes\ \If inten\ion:-; cif rcpr:,.>event.

tenlly

affcct b: this of pc<•plc 11 hu lo:,t their 101 d 11!1C\. AdC1111 Sandier. 11 ho \\ell kno11n as a JnO\ ic L'lcl\vn. fail.., tu hruadcr: his hnrimn:; \\ ill1 scri<ius roic

Charli1· F; ;;crnan. 1ornicr ,\fanl1altan den fr.,;.

Charlie iosl his wife and three· in lhc l)/i l crash.

to deal with this horrible reality: he gradually withdraws from the real world in an epic case - of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Charlie finds himself spending days roving the city on a motorized scooter, remodeling his kitchen, playing a video game, and shuting out all his memories.

Despite his attempts to forget everything, he is sometimes abruptly reminded of the tragedy by

friends and his parents-in-law.

The movie evolves around Charlie, yet Don Cheadly, who· plays Alan Johnson, is ·quite obviously the star. Alan is a dentist with a .successful business and a happy

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Photo coutersy of http://thecia.com.au family, however h.e later comes to terms with an emptiness at the core of his own seemingly perfect life.

The two college roommates reunite one day on the street after many years 'of not seeing each other. Alan hysterically tries. to help Charlie to re-discover his own humanity. And that is the failure point of this mutual-healing drama. The writer/director uses a give-andtake formula to tell the story. It fails to portray the struggle of the main character but redundantly goes on about how C.harlie fails to accept reality but living in the world that he created.

A serious issue of "Reign Over Me" is its length. Two-thirds of the

running time repeatedly depicts how miserabry alone Charlie is although viewers have figured it out from the beginning. The movie seems monotonous.

Sandler is a good actor, however., he is not yet at the point in his career where he can carry off a role like this one as evidenced by his character's overall lack of depth. A Sandler comedy is more preferable to this. The yelling, pushing, hitting, fighting, and drinking by him is not really something Sandler fans want to see.

The ending was disappointing and awkward. It leaves viewers with many unanswered questions as well as unsatisfying resolutions.

Guidelines to follow ·when bad weather hits

BRANDON SCHUMACHER Staff Writer

With the rain also comes thunderstorms, and often thunderstorms. bring hail. Even worse, be the formation of a tornado.

In addition to the large amount of snow received, · and the added water which is expected farmers may cheer as crops will be plenOnce again it's that time of year; tifuL the snow is gone and the rain has come. Usually it is said that April showers bring May flowers, however, this years rain started in March. Already during the past month there has been severe weather.

Though not much severe weather has hit the southeast Nebraska area, in other places such as Florida tornadoes have torn towns to shreds. However there has been at least four different tornado warnings with two close calls where. tornadoes tocuched down on the g:round.

According to the Farmers Almanac the United States is in for a rough year. Last year the United States suffered 'through a rough drought year, year the exact opposite is expected as. massive rains are predicted.

According to Wikipedia, "As of March 27, there have been 232 tornadoes in the U.S. (of which at least 112 were confirmed), with 46 fatalities." Now entering the fourth month of 2007 over 100 tornadoes have been confirmed.

Though tornado season is picking up, it has barely begun. Because of this reason it is important to make a pla11 of action. The following is alist ofthings to.' ' Photo courtesy keep in mind if caught in a car dur- ing a severe storm:

1. Never try to outrun a storm. Regradless of how fast a car is, Mother Nature is always faster.

2. Try to get unde.r an over pass. This is the safest places to be· if a storm gets too powerful.

3.Always keep a first aid kit in the car incase of and emergency or injury. In addition, keep bottled water and a blanket iJ1 the trunk incase trapped for a long amount of time.

4. Keep. flashlights in the car. If caught in the middle of the night some type of lighting will be .needed. Even if a cell phone does have a flashlight feature, it is ·important to carry a flashlight in addition to a cellphone.

5. Remain calm. This is easier said than done. If thin:gs get bad then things will get bad, but don't

loose focus of staying alive.

6. It is best to stay inside the car if caught in a lightning storm. Just don't touch anything metal. The tires on the car and the are acting as insulators, which keeps the person inside the vehicle from being fried.

7. If a safe place cannot be found during a tornado, forget the car and find a deep ditch in which to take shelter. Then hold on for dear life.

8. If all else fails, run around screaming as if you were a chicken with your head cut off. It just might be the end of the world.

By keeping these factors in mind when caught in a severe storm a better chance of survival is insured. If bad weather of servere Weather warnings are forcasted .try not to travel out into it. It just isnt worth taking the chance.

The high (lnd low points to caffeine addictions

HEATHER WELLS Contributting Writer

Caffeine is something that many people take in daily, and many would say they cannot live without.

Whether it is a cup of coffee to "wake ·up" to or chocolate from a ·secret admirer, caffeine exists with-. in many of the foods we eat and beverages we drink. Wrule many wo_uld state that they feel more alert, stay more alert, and have a clearer

mind because of their consumption of this wonder-drug, caffeine is a substance with some very dire consequences if not respected.

Let us begin with the effects on one's heart. Caffeine has a tendency to increase the irritability of the fibers in the heart. This means that the heart can be induced to enter into tachycardia, or an extremely fast heart rate often exceeding 150 beats per minute. This increased heart rate can actually cause the body to receive less blood and nutrients while increasing the workload

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on the heart itself. As the heart receives less oxygen and nutrients, orie might feel some chest pain. If this continues, that chest pain now becomes a full-blown heart attack. Still want a cup of coffee?· Maybe you do, so let us continue. Many take-caffeine to stay awake. Caffeine has a unique relationship with a naturally occurring substance called adenosine which, among its effects, aids in inducing the sleep cycle of the body, Caffeine gums up the system, you might say, by block-

ing some of the adenosine receptor sites. This effect can actually oring on insomnia even if you feel extremely tired. While this may not seem tpo much of a problem in the short-term, the long reaching complications could mean that one cannot sleep each night until much of the caffeine is out of their system. So we are all on the same page, the half-life of caffeine is seven hours, meaning that if you consumed 100 mg of caffeine, it is going to 50 mg in seven hours and zero in 14 hours.

Ask yourself how' 1iliany caffeinated · beverages you have consumed today.

Finally, your fine motor skills are going to be affected by caffeine. This means that if you have to make any fine movements, from drawing to inserting an IV in someone to performing any task that involves some fine motor skill, you are going to have a shaking hand that you will not be able to hold still. The most skilled may be able to compensate, but they would be much better if they had full control of their faculties.

So, all of those caffeinated sodas, cups of coffee, chocolate, specialty espresso drinks, and energy drinks could lead you to cardiac dysrhythmias, sleeplessness (did I mention that without sleep, your immune system is weakened?), and loss of fine motor control. While extreme overdosing can kill you instantly and chronically mild overdosing can lead to anxiety and psychoses, you may be setting yourself up for serious medical problems with just the amount of caffeine you are taking in now. If you want to talk more about this, just meet me at any one of the thousands of coffee houses. I will be having water; what about you?

Tsunami leaves thousands hoineless in South Pacific

JIONIARA, Solor11on Islands

(AP) Slirvivors picked through ruined stores Tuesday looking for drinking water and food in a Solomon Islands town devastated by a tsunami, as an international relief effort inade tentative first steps.

Thousands of people in the town of Gizo in· the South Pacific country's far west spent Monday night sleeping under tarpaulins or the stars on a hill behind the town following a massive undersea earthquake that sent tsunami waves crashing through the town.

At least 20 people were-killed in the Solomons and neighboring Papua New Guinea, and officials said the toll will likely rise further on Tuesday as a detailed aerial assessment was made of Gizo and surrounding villages where only

radio reports have bee_n collected so far.

"Today will be a telling day," deputy police corm_nissioner Peter Marshall said. "I suspect there will be further deaths to report as the day progresses, unfortunately."

National Disaster Management Office spokesman Julian Makaa told Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Tuesday that 15 deaths had been confirmed in the Solomons, and an initial damage assessment was "around 9-Hi houses, and a very rough estimate of the people affected is around 5,000 people."

ABC reported from Papua New Guinea that a fantily. of five had been washed away in that country's far east the first reported deaths there.

The Solomon Islands Red Cross said about 2,000 of Gizo's roughly

7,000 residents were left homeless out we're in the wrong spot," and that about 500 houses in the Marshall said.

town were destroyed, noting that "initial reports from other· islands _suggest sintilar or worse levels of damage."

Alex Lokopio, prentier ofhardesthit Western Province, said few of those left homeless had even basic supplies, and that their situation would turn desperate within days without help.

Marshall said officials would tolerate survivors taking goods they don't own until emergency supplies arrived.

"They are desperate times in Gizo," he said. "And we've got to be practical."

Supplies would start being funneled into the region Tuesday, but "it is important that we don't put everything into a location and find

One police patrol boat carrying emergency supplies arrived in Gizo from Honiara, the capital; overnight and three private charters were due on Tuesday. Australian and New Zealand ntilitary helicopters in the Solomons as part of a security force there were also expected to take part in relief operations.

The main airport, phone and power lines, and coastal roads remained damaged early Tuesday.

Witnesses reported a wall of water up to five meters (16 feet) high plowed into the coast five ntinutes after the massive earthquake, which knocked down buildings in Gizo.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare declared a national state of emergency and held mee_tings with his impoverished country's aid

donors about help. "We were lucky it happened during the day time and ·the people observed that the sea receded and that that was a that something was not right and most people moved tohigherground," Sogavare

said.

·

New Zealand Defense Minister Phil Goff said a ntilitary C-130 cargo plane woult! fly to Solomon Islands Tuesday with tents, tarpaulins and food for several hundred of the thousands of people hit by the disaster.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon said the world body had a humanitarian team ready to deploy to the Solomon Islands and has offered assistance to the government. The Australian -government and the Red Cross also announced aid pledges.

Endangered condor egg discovered

SAN DIEGO, California (AP)

An egg found in an abandoned eagle nest could herald the return of the California condor to Mexico, which hasn't had a breeding population of the iconic giant of the skies for about 75 years.

"This is a momentous occasion," Dr. Mike Wallace of the Zoological Society of San Diego said Monday. "We're all excited."

TheCalifornia condor, once on the brink of extinction, is the largest bird in North America with a wingspan of almost IO feet. Wallace and colleagues found the egg March 25 on a cliff in the Sierra San Pedro de Martir National Park, located in the arid interior of the Baja California peninsula more than 100 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Wallace climbed to the nest and took photographs and measurements of the egg, shining a bright light through the shell to determine that the egg was 45 to 50 days old. Condor eggs incubate for 57 days, meaning the chick could hatch any

day. There was also a chance the egg was dead, but Wallace said he did not smell any sulfur and the parent condors were still tending to it.

"We are all sitting on pins and needles waiting to see where the situation is going," said Wallace, who works for the zoological society's center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species. The society also runs the San Diego Zoo and its wild animal park.

The California condor was once widespread, swooping above the western United States, parts of Canada and Baja California.

A type of vulture, the condor scavenges dead fish and animals. As coastal population of seals and otters declined, so too did the bird.

The use of poison· to kill California's grizzly bears in the 1800s also devastated their numbers and lead shot remains a potential source of poison. Hunting, egg collecting and power cables were also blamed for hurting the creature's numbers.

Only 22 California condors were left by the 1980s, and the last docu-

mented sighting in Mexico was in the 1930s, Wallace said.

Condors don't reproduce until they are several years old, Wallace said. Thanks to a captive-breeding program, numbers recovered to a worldwide total of about 280. More than 100 of these fly free in the skies above parts of California, Nevada and Utah. Working with the Mexican government, biologists reintroduced captive-bred birds to Mexico in 2002.

Another species of condor, found in the Andes, is also threatened with extinction, but its numbers are in the thousands, Wallace said.

Several organizations have been working together to boost condor numbers under the Condor Recovery Program, which was founded in 1982 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Among them are several Mexican groups, the Los Angeles Zoo, Peregrine Fund's World Center for Bircjs of Prey and Oregon Zoo.

Peru State baseball ready for confere nee

play their style of baseball without feeling backed into a comer.

JACOB

Outfielder Matt Davis is doing his Contributing Writer job at the plate, and during last

THOMPSON-KRUG

The Peru State Bobcats are ready for MCAC play, even after losing two games to conference foe Bellevue University on March 27.

Prior to losing· to the Bruins, the 'Cats were on a four game winning streak after sweeping Oklahoma Wesleyan, making them undefeated in the conference over the weekend. Their overall record, 12-21, is expected to improve now that Peru will be playing teams they are more familiar with, and who are on the same competition level.

"We played a lot of tough teams at the beginning of the season," said outfielder Austin Reisig about the Bobcats' non-conference schedule.

The Bobcats' recent success can attributed to their pitching, which was somewhat inconsistent at ·the beginning of the season. Peru State is also making better contact with the ball, and scoring more runs. This helps keep the pressure off the pitchers, and allows them to just

week's stretch when the Bobcats went 6-1, Davis hit .538 with a .962 slugging percentage. He also had three homeruns and 11 RBI as he earned MCAC and Region IV Player of the Week. Davis' batting skills are nothing new, and in fact a couple weeks ago in an 11-12 loss to Concordia University, he went 5-6 at the plate including a homerun, a double, and 2 RBI.

Peru State is currently in third place in the conference, and looks to continue with their winning ways. Next on the schedule is the Newman University Jets who are currently 14-14, and have lost four straight games, and six of their last seven.

The Bobcats are getting the Jets at the right time, and hopefully Peru's momentum will continue, and Newman will continue to struggle.

After Newman, the 'Cats take on Park University, and then return home for a series against Central Christian College.

Photos by Jacob Thompson-Krug.

Foster is honored as player of the week

RANDI SCHMID Copy Editor

Tabitha Foster, a senior at Peru State College, was named the · MCAC softball player of the week for the week ending March 18. Foster was also named Regional player of the week and NAIA player of the week. Leading the Cats to 8-1, Foster also hit .680 with seven homeruns and 18 RBis.

This season has been extraordinary for Foster as she has broken numerous Peru State softball records. The previous single season home run record of 10 held by Kerry Brandt (1994) was shattered by Foster, who now holds the record with 18 home runs. She also now holds the career home run record with 25 to her name. There were four consecutive games where Foster began each of the games with a homerun. However amazing this seems to be, this is not the end of the record breaking for Foster. The previous RBI record was 50 and according to Foster, she now has 54 or 55 RBis.

Foster had this to say about the

season and her recognition so far: "Basically, I owe most of it to my team. If we weren't great as a team, I wouldn't be doing as well as I am. I'm not the most dominant strike out pitcher, but I do get a lot of ground balls and fly balls, which means my defense does most of the work when I'm on the mound so the defense behind me should get a lot of that

credit. Also, it takes good hitters in front of me to get on so I can hit them in, and good hitters behind me to hit me in. The homeruns just happen. I swing hard every time I get up, and sometimes it goes over the fence and sometimes it doesn't; but when it does, it's a bonus and it's ilice. I never expected to get any of the honors, or even to break·any

records; never really tried to do it, but I'm definitely not mad about it! I just go out there, play hard, and have fun!"

Being her senior season, Foster is thrilled with these honors, as is the rest of the team. Marie Poole, the junior catcher for the 'Cats, said that Foster has improved a lot since last year and is a very good clutch hitter.

Kathleen Brown, senior third baseman, said, "Tabitha has been on a tear this season. She is doing it with her bat as well as in the circle. She does a really good job of scoring the runners that get on base for her. It's awesome to see her step up as a senior leader on the team."

With all of this success. it would be easy to get a big ego and forget about your teammates, but it seems that Foster has stepped up her seniority on the team. Good luck to the Lady 'Cats on the remainder of the season and to all of the seniors on the softball team.

Photo courtesy of: faeebook.com

PSC men volleyball suffers rough season

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

As another regular season ends, the Peru State men's volleyball team looks for a strong finish in the. MAMVI Conference Tournament

in the West conference.

"We have definitely had our ups and downs this year," said Coach Lexie Turnbull. "It's been a long season, and all we can hope for is a good showing at the tournament."

Currently the team ranks number four in digs per game with I 1.4 in the MAMVIC out of 11 teams. on March 30 and 31 _ Another positive is junior Bryan

The Bobcats are the tenth and last Van Ness who is ranked fifth in the in the tournament and will play top-rated Missouri Valley in the first round.

The Vikings have already defeated the Cats twice this year, with the· first loss at home 3-0. The second loss occurred when Peru State traveled down to the campus of Missouri Valley CoUege and were beaten I-3.

conference with .4 service aces per game and a total of 21. He also leads the Bobcat team in assists with 483 and approximately nine per game.

Other team statistical leaders include sophomore Brett Garcia who tallied 156 kills this season with an average of 2.9 per game, and s.enior captain Bryan Weise

The Bobcats have.managed to win averaged 2.2 digs a game this sea.son and I .I blocks also. Both sta- two games ·this year, only one less win from. the previous year and tistics are higher than last year, and have· an overall record of 2-14 and Weise has shown great improveO-lO in conference play. ment through the seasons here at Peru State. In his career as a

The two wins have come against Calumet College of St. Joseph and Bobcat, he has tallied over 300 · kills, has had a receiving· percent- Moody. Bible, both part of •· , age of 92%, and recorded 221 digs

MAMVIC East while the 'Cats are Next year, the Bobcats will look

to Van Ness to help provide leadership for a young squad. Sophomore captain Mike Pena will also be asked to continue his leadership role and be a positive model: for next season. The 'Cats will look to

mer. It's not like all of the guys can be a part of a dub team because everyone is so spread out across the country." said Turnbull.

"Hopefully, we will be able to recruit some more players because it was difficult at times to only have seven players and only six of them being eligible."

As they head off for the MAMVIC tournament, the Bobcats will improve on .this year's record but prove that they have one last fight will need to work hard in the off- left in them before starting fresh season.

next year.

"It's tough in men's volleyball to get together as a team because everyone goes home for the sum-

March Madlless ends On high note for FIOrida Qators

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

On April 2, the madness in March finally ended with the crowning of the 2007 National Champion Florida Gators.

The Gators defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 84-75 in Atlanta, Georgia for1 their second straight basketball.championship. They are the first team to repeat in more than 15 years when the Duke Blue Devils did it back in the '90's. -

In fact, the Gators are the first team e\'.er to repeat as champion with the same starting line-up.

It is pretty impressive considering the young age at which many college stars leave to play in the NBA.

The game· looked to be a Classic match-up between two talented squads who were both number 1 · seeds in the tournament.

A rematch of the game earlier this season in December was won by · Florida 86-60, but this one was

Photo courtesy of: http://images,google.com supposed to be a lot closer; .the Gators had lost three of their last four games towards the end of the regular season.

It wasn't that the Buckeyes did

not play well; All-American center Greg Oden had a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds while guard Mike Conley Ji. added 20 points, but was 1-3 from 3-point

range. The Buckeyes. were actually ahead a couple times during the first 10 minutes of the game, but slowly the. Gators began to pull away.

Florida's depth on big men down low proved to be too much for Oden's inside game on both ends of the court

Al Horford led the Gators with 18 and 12 rebounds while Corey Brewer tacked on 13 points and 8 rebounds himself.

It was evident that the freshman Oden was tired by the end of the game, jogging and barely making back to play defense.

"They had four bodies running in at me," said Oden.

With Oden having to earn his points, the rest of the Buckeye team struggled to keep up with the fast paced tempo that the Gato.rs played at.

The fast break opportunities and rebounds allowed to Florida put some easy point on the board.

1 Ironically, Ohio State played had 8 fewer turnover and 6 more steals than Florida, but it was the 55% shooting percentage behind the arc

for the Gators that made the difference.

Florida seemed almost flawless in their six. games in the tournament. Their lowest margin of victory was 8 points, and their Final Four match-up against last year's runner-up, UCLA, wasn't even close, although the score may indicate otherwise. Ohio State on the other hand had trouble with Xavier, and barely pulled out a win against number 5 seeded Tennessee.

This is the second time in three months in which the Florida Gators have defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes for a national championship. The previous game was in the BCS title game when Florida shocked the football world with a 41-14 dismantling of the Buckeye team. The University of Florida is now being heralded as one of the most premier athletic programs in the country with three championships in 12 months.

For those wondering if Gator fans are satisfied, their chants during the trophy presentation said it all; "One more year. One more year. One more year."

Photo courtesy of Peru State College Athletic Departl1]ent.

PSC extreme face make-over

PSCJ presents: Probation and Policing in the State of Nebraska

When:Thursday April 12, 2007

Where: TJ. Majors,Room 302

Time: 11 :00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Please take this unique opportunity to listen to York, State of Nebraska Chief Probation Officer Sarpy, Cass and Otoe Counties, and John York, Police Canine Handler for the Nebraska Police Department.

Jodi York will discuss the current operation of the Nebraska State Probation opportunities within that system, and the daily challenges probation offrcers face in their I John York w.ill discuss his employment · enforcement, including · roles as a police sergeant, police lieutenant, and as a handler.Both .have significant criminal justice system in opportunity to hear from current practitioners.A question an<l answer session will follow their presenta-

well do you know these eight faces that can be found around Peru State College?

.With all of the supermodels getting facelifts and nose · jobs, we wanted to see how a student at Peru would look like with different features. This "new" person might be very hard to identify.

Can you figure out which features belong to whom?.

so :piease email ggalardi@oakiuai1:perii.edu,•.• :.:........ . ..·. . .· rosherman@acornmai1.peru.edu, or kasnJ.ussen@oak. ·· ¢rt},.equ >if ypu are interested in .attending. We IQQk ··.·.Jo you there. · · ·'.,prtg'acharter bus .ride to Wqr}ds of Fun your .park.which ·is a·much dis$37.95}. Space is

seat · Lqok for. CAB

questions;contact ... 2252.

Shooting shocks nation

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Editor

ASHLEY ALBERTSEN Editor-in-Chief

Police initially thought that the shooting at Virginia Tech's West Ambler Johnston dormitory was a domestic dispute between Emily Hilscher, a resident of the co-ed dormitory, and her boyfriend Karl Thornhill.

Police apprehended Thornhill for the murder of Hilscher and resident assistant Ryan Clark and the school decided that further action was not necessary.

until all of his students had escaped out a window. Unfortunately he was eventually shot and killed. Jocelyne Couture-Nowak fatally attempted to save her students by barricading her door and ordering them to the back of the room.

Zach Petkewicz, a student, barricaded the door of his classroom with a large table. The barricade held and none of the students in that class were killed.

After the first round of shootings several students in Norris Hall's room 207 barricaded the doors and tended to the wounded. Despite Cho's attempts he was not able to reenter the room.

upon anyone based on someone else's actions," said Kate McKim an Education Major

On the other hand, majority of students strongly believe that the school could have prevented the shooting by locking down, cancelling classes, or letting students go home.

"I know that I wouldn't be strong enough to physically stop him, and probably not calm enough to talk him down. I do know that I would pray a lot, and in the end ifI wasn't a victim, surely at a school this size it would significantly effect me. I would be devastated, and understandably so I think," said Laura Lockard.

To everyone's surprise the massacre had only just begun. Two hours later the real shooter, SeungHui Cho, entered Norris Hall and chained the main entrance doors shut. Cho then proceeded to the sec-

The shooting stunned the nation as well as Peru State College students. Most of them are horrified, disbelieving, sad, and angry. Some are reminded of the Colombine High School massacre.

Expressing her feeling towards the killer Samatha Sutton, a biochemistry major, said: "No one should ever have to feel so defeated by their peers and role models or from pressures they can not help. This killer couldn't take the pressure from the system so much that he could no ond floor and began shooting faculty and students.

During the shooting an estimated 175 to 225 shots were fired from Cho's two guns. A total of 30 people were killed at Norris Hall and 29 more

"I am overcome by sadness for everybody," said Chelsea Merrit an English and Education major.

deal rationally with himself or anyone else. His irrationality is what lead him to his violent outbreak against everyone on campus." College's

."Everyone needs to be loved, and if we aren't reaching out to people, even to the "out- were

authorities could close in casts" or "undesirables"

of society, then we are leaving a big open gap on him Cho committed suicide by shooting himself in the head in room 211 of Norris.

Despite the lack of advanced warning there were many attempts made by staff as well as students to escape the nightmarish scene.

Professor Liviu Librescu held his classrooms door shut against Cho

---Linda

Nobody blames or treats differently the Korean and the Asian population. Stud.ents share an agreement that what happened could have been done by anyone of any race or nationality.

"It wouldn't be fair to look down

for hatred to grow. Be the person who stands in that gap. Be the person who makes a decision to love, instead of just doing nothing," said Melissa Crom a PSC education major.

Responding to some parents' and students' concerns about that fact

that the town of Peru doesn't have a police department, Mrs. Linda Jacobsen, Vice President of Finance said: "PSC has a Crisis Management Plan and a Crisis Response Team. It is reviewed and updated every year. Alt:I:iough Peru does not have a city police department, we do have a County Sheriff and he happens to live in Peru. We also have a full staff of security personnel who are trained to respond to any emergency."

24 hour security coverage for the campus when students are here. The security department works with and cooperates with the Nemaha County Sheriff's Department, the Nebraska Highway Patrol and the Nemaha County Emergency Management Team.

mainly by two-way radios. All key personnel have radios and are instructed to keep them on their person while on duty. This includes the Senior RA's in the residence halls.

That would be Peru State College's primary means of getting the word out to take cover in such a situation.

"It is a terrible tragedy. I am sure that everyone at Peru State College shares my desire to express sympathy to the families of the victims. We want the students, staff and faculty of Peru State College to know that a safe and secure campus is our highest priority," said Jacobsen when asked about her personal thoughts of Virginia Tech shooting.

According to Jacobsen, the emer- Photo courtesy of gency communications is handled http://www.blogs.roanoke.com

"The emergency communications is handled mainly by two-way radios .... That would be Peru State

longer

primary means of getting the word out to take cover in such a

injured. Before situation."

Jacobssen

Peru's Misty Blues offers unique experience

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG Contributing Writer

Without much notice or attention on campus, a group of 16 show choir students meet once a week to rehearse their entertaining and exciting show.

This is not just any show choir though; this is Peru Sate's own Misty Blues. With the women dressing in shimmering Peru blu_e dresses and the men sporting black and blue tuxedos, they stun the crowd through their enthusiastic song and dance routines. The group, which has been around since before director Dr. Thomas Ediger can remember, practices for about three hours every Sunday night along with special weekend choreography sessions at the beginning of each semester.

The variety of music that Misty Blues provides is amazing. The group can perform numerous styles of music such as popular rock or country, Broadway or jazz in a professional manner. Many of the songs are performed with the men and women paired up,

Noah Whitmore has been a member of the group since he arrived on campus in spring 2006. He had seen the group perform before and knew that this was something he wanted to be a part of.

"The whole experience has been a blast," said Whitmore. "It's the most energizing, exciting activity that I have ever been involved with."

Just as a runner feels free and on top of the world, Whitmore experiences a performance high, like he is floating on Cloud Nine. Whether it is a graceful spin to a partner or a hand gesture to the crowd, the ener-

gy continues and flows throughout. One of the advantages of having such a great musical group like Misty Blues is that it acts as an ambassador for the college. They tours many area high schools, exposing them to the wonderful ta!-

ent that the college has. The group also hosts a show choir festival for high schools which raises money for the group and brings students to the college to see what Peru State is all about.

Misty Blues is an audition-only

group and there are no qualifications in terms of grade Je:ve.ls or credit hours. There are even members who are not music majors but participate because they love to perform and are good at it. The auditions are held during the first week of classes, usually on a Wednesday. Although a solo is required, it does not need to be difficult. The students must also learn parts of choreography to two songs during the auditions.

"These are used for the blending and choreography parts of the auditions," said Ediger about the two songs.

"Don't worry about what might happen if it's something that you want to do, you won't get there by just sitting around," advised Whitmore to anyone who may interested.

2007 Spring Fling week: "I got wet in Peru"

RANDI SCHMID Copy Editor

LINDSEY RUSEN Contributing Writer

The theme for this year's Spring Fling week was "I Got Wet in Peru."

The t-shirts were designed by Laura WU!iams and given out at events throughout the week. Campus Activities Board sponsored the week-long everit, which was an overall success.

On April 16, a picnic was held on the practice field behind the student center. Water games were available during the meal, including a giant

water slide, water balIOon launching at professors, and water gun games

Jeff Arett won the. \Vater slide competition. ·He sai.d the water slide "was a blast and everyone had awesome runs. I can't wait to do it again."

The Ultimate Dance Party was held the following day in the Al Wheeler Activity Center from 9-12 p.m. Music videos were played throughout the night as students danced the night away. Prizes were given throughout the night, including a portable DVD player won by Justin Kearns.

Stacy Fitch said, "The dance was a lot of fun. It was very obvious how much work CAB put into it. They did an amazing job, as usual.

The only downfall was that it was on a Tuesday night. I had class at 8:00 a.m. the next morning."

Hypnotist Frederick Winters performed his hypnotist/comedy act on April 18. LauraKjarwasoneofthe students who got hypnotized and she said, "It was definitely an experience. It's kind of scary knowing that you're doing something someone else wants you to do and you don't have a lot of control over it."

On April 19 caricatures by artist Paul Zanderholm were drawn in the Student Center. Many students got individual pictures drawn while others got pictures with friends or significant others. Cody Witt got his picture drawn and said, "The caricatures were something new and dif-

THE PERU STATE TIMES

Editor-in-Chief

Senior Staff

Assistant Editor

Copy Editor

Advertising Manager

Distribution Manager

Layout Staff

Ashley Albertsen

Pamela Bouterse

Phuong Tran

Randi Schmid

Stephanie Hoffman

Jenifer Epting

Ashley Albertsen

Phuong Tran

Lindsey Husen

Brandon Schummacher

Amanda Erwin

Linze Thummel

Contiibuting Staff

Kurt Lockard

Heather Wells

Cody Witt

Marcus Ackley

Jacob Thompson-Krug

Kenny Ainge

ferent. I started a conversation with the artist, and he was very interesting. The picture didn't take ioo long to create and I am glad I tool$: advantage of this fun activity.''

That evening an alcohol a)Vareness program was held in thy student center. Students were able to try on beer goggles to give them the effect of being under the influence. This was a very educational activity with an appropriate tone for a college setting.

On April, 20 a sand volleyball tournament was held outside of the Mathews dormitory. Held in the morning, the team that was crowned champions was "The Sandboxers."

Members included Allison Slager, Brian Weise, Witt and Husen. Witt

said, "The sand volleyball tournament proved to be a great time. It was a perfect day to play in the sand, and I think everybody enjoyed playing as well as having some good laughs in the sand." The referees for the day were Ted Harshbarger and Lexie Turnbull.

The week ended with a Sunday trip to Worlds of Fun. Forty-five students traveled on the charter bus to Kansas City. Heath Christianson was the sponsor for the day of fun. Doug Hayes said, "My first trip to World's of Fun was a blast. Not only did I go on all the rides, but I was with my best friends."

The Times, the official student newspaper of Peru State College, is published five times per semester by Peru State College students. The Times office is located in the College Publications Office in the AV Larson building.

The opinions expressed in the Times may not be those of the entire editorial staff. The Peru State Times' is an independent student publication funded by student publication fees. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration, faculty or staff of Peru State College.

All letters to the editor are welcome, and the writers of those letters need not be · students. Letters, cartoons, articles and so forth submitted to the Times should be signed by the individual(s) submitting them and will be published at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words in length. The Times reserves the right to edit.all letters to the editor for grammar and style. To reach the Times, call us at (402)872-2260, e-mail us at psctimes@yahoo.com, or send material to the Peru State Times, Campus Mail, Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421. View us on the web at http://www.peru.edu- keyword: Peru State Times.

Photo by Bill Clemente

Job Olympics allow students to showcase skills

where the student sat in a restaurant phone and take a message for some- competition. Many of the volun- place finishers got either a bh!e, red

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG environment and told the waitress one. It worked out well because the teers worked the events by judging or white ribbon signifying how well their order. there was actually a volunteer on the how well the competitors per- they performed.

Contributing Writer

On Wednesday, April 11, high school students and special educators from across the southeast Nebraska region filed into the Al Wheeler Activity Center to compete in the 2007 Job Olympics.

The Job Olympics, which is organized and put on by Mr. Greg Zost's SPED 460 class, is a chance for high school students in special education to compete in various life skills activities. The AWAC was completely taken over by students of all shapes and sizes, and all were anxious to begin their event with the possibility to earn afirst place blue ribbon. But the real reason for their attendance was to have fun.

Students from each of these schools participated in the morning activities. Schools included Weeping Water Public School, Syracuse High School, ESU #4 Life Skills, Nebraska City Public Schools, Falls City High School, Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired, Auburn High School, Humboldt/Table Rock/Steinnuer, Plattsmouth High School, Iowa School for the Deaf, Johnson-Brock Public School and Southeast Consolidated Public School. Each student could have competed in up to three of the 26 events. The events ranged from Janitorial in which the students

Each event dealt with a different other end who was having the con- formed.

For example, the Filing event was divided into.two levels. Lower level students sorted and filed ten pieces of colored paper into the appropriate color coded file. For the higher functioiling participants, they had to look at a person's name, find their folder whieh was categorized by last name and place the file in the correct folder.

In the Answering Telephone event, it was again divided into a lower and higher level. Those in the first group had to answer the telephone, ask who they were speaking to, introduce them and have a small

picked up trash and vacuumed a room, to Ordering from a Menu conversation. Competitors in the second group had to answer the

KURT LOCKARD

Contributing Writer

Over Spring Break, Jeff and Apryl Schwarz, Cody Bonertz and April Morse took an epic journey to Hollywood, Calif., with one goal in mind: to appear on "The Price is Right" before Bob Barker, the host of the show, retired.

Before you can appear on "The Price is-Right" as a contestant, you must first go through an interview. "It was a long day but the interview was super fun. The guy asked me to sing middle C, so I did!" said Jeff when asked what the interview process was like.

size, each student had to organize multiple events on top of regular classroom assignments, too. The students were also required to gather donations as give-aways for the students and their teachers, send out registration, write the schools letters, set up the AWAC, etc.

Without the help and enthusiasm. of the volunteers, the Job Olympics would have never been as successful as it was. Head football coach, Terry Clark, who teaches an adaptive physical education class volunteered his students to help with the

ran the Paper Shredding and Filing events.

Peru State College special education· teacher Patricia Rippe even entertained some of the participants with Bingo while they were waiting for the next event. During the actual competition, the SPED 460 class helped whenever a problem arose and visited with participants and their teachers.

By about noon, everyone had competed arid results were calculated. Each student received a participation ribbon, and the top three

The following sponsors and individuals desire recognition for their donations and support for Job Olympics 2007:

Peru State Athletic Department

Kansas Beef Council

Auburn State Bank

Heartland Community Bank

Wheeler Inn

"The 2007 Job Olympics particijob or life skill that the student may versations with the participants. "You really get a warm feeling pants displayed their skills in the possibly need in the future. Other All of the students in SPED 460 inside when you are able to see the competition," said Zost. "Their events included Happy Meal were required at the beginning of smile on these kids' faces, especial- determination and will to succeed Assembly, Paper Shredding, Filing, the semester to master two or three ly since things in their can be very was proven again this year." Recycling, Laundry Skills, Money events. Because of the small class difficult," said Josh Johnson, who Although Job Olympics at Peru Handling, Bussing Tables, State College may not continue, the Answering Telephone, Waiting experiences and lessons learned by Tables, Job Application, Stocking members of SPED 460 and the speShelves, Sacking Groceries and put- cial education participants themting Nuts and Bolts together. selves will forever be remembered. There were also different difficulty levels in which the events were grouped. For individuals who were lower functioning, many participated in events that fit their abilities. Some students who were higher functioning and had stronger cognitive and physical skills participated in more difficult tasks. The most important part of the competition was the practice and experience of a specific life skill.

Subway-Auburn

Burger King-Nebraska City

Shipley Floor

Norva Edwards

McDonalds-Nebraska City

Peru State College Admissions

Kerner True Value-Tecumseh

Tecumseh Public Library

The Lumberjack Co, Tri State

Contractors, & Midwest Custom Coatings

Cotty's Place

Peru State College Graduate Studies

_Wal-Mart-Nebraska City

Peru State College Education Department

Dr. Anthony Citrin

For Peru's Jeffery Schwarz "The Price is Right"

Not knowing if his vocal perlormance would be enough to get furn on the show, Jeff with his wife Apryl, and his friends took their seat in the audience. After just a couple of rounds, sure enough, Jeff's name was called out for him to "Come on down!"

Jeff excitedly ran down the isle and took his place. When he heard his name Jeff said, "It was so crazy!" As soon as he reached the bottom he was bidding. He missed the price on the first round, but in the second round he was only $200 dollars off and was the winner. He ran up on stage where he gave Bob barker a very excited handshake. Bob asked him where he was from and Jeff replied, "Peru, Nebraska."

· Bob then asked several questions

about Peru and the college. Jeff said Bob was "super funny."

Bob told Jeff that the game he would be playing was the Race Game. Jeff had to race to place the correct prices on prize different prizes within 45 seconds. "It was really crazy to be on stage doing anything!" Jeff stated. Each time he placed the prices, he had to race back to hit a button to tell him if he was right. The first time he only had on price right, so he raced back, and on his second try he got them all correct with several seconds remaining.

Soon after it was time to spin the wheel. It was there that this epic journey for Jeff ended as he did not beat the score spun before him. However, Jeff did not feel discour-

age because they had accomplished their goal, and he was walking away with a brand riew lawnmower, foosball table, table and chairs, washer and dryer set and patio heaters.

I asked Jeff what the coolest thing about the whole experience was and

he said, "Shaking Bob Barker's hand!" The show aired on CBS at lO:OOam April 5th. If you are lucky you can catch it again during a rerun, or if you must see it I have it on TIVO and others have taped the show.

Holy war brewing in Peru State ·

·•Thi} view•exprMsed fhts lirti" .cle arc: the

· State TilT!es *ffs'qpinfr>n. ·

KENNY AINGE Contributing Writer

As I walk through the valley ofthe shadow of death, otherwise known as Peru state College, it has come to my attention that there is a war going on. While no one is dying, and no guns are being fired, there is more, perhaps, at stake. Being an outsider to most of what is going on at this small campus I have noticed two groups forming to battle each other in the Peru State Holy War. I have seen the one side blissfully walking through campus, devout faith shining fourth. I have heard their talk, and the talk of others about their "crusade". I have also witnessed the other si.de: everyone else who is not involved

I am no stranger to religious battles, mind you. I am from Salt Lake City, Utah, and just in case you're unfamiliar, that is the Mormon capital of the world. Literally, the church head quarters_ loom over downtown, while temples and churches dot every block. The pres-· sures are thicker than the fog from

the salty lake just west of the town, and the attitude is much like the one present here: join, or be looked down upon.

I stand in the middle, neither to one side or the other: Though I was raised as a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of· Latter Day Saints, since my late teens I have set out to open my mind, talking to whoever will talk, and reading whatever I can about all religions and faiths, From Zen Buddliism to agnostic.

I have a problem' with the hdly war going on simply because I hear the chatter of my class mates, both crusader and not. Ihere so much talking down on the "faithful", and lack there of. l have heard names, jokes and gestures meant to harm the other with out their knowledge. I have heard horror stories.about curtain group's persecution of an interested member because of involvement with a church; a Christian

church at that. · anything they wish. And as long as Now I support anyone with faith. it does not interrupt the rights of It is to devote your time another person, they can worship to any cause, and I believe that a and live the way they choose. My person has a natural right to believe problem is not that this right is

being taken away, but that it is being compromised, for both sides, because a right to believe how you please is just as important as a right to not believe in anything.

I am not here to point any sort of finger in any side's face. I am just a calm observer with a small complaint, and some advice to keep this Holy War from getting out of hand. Before you judge, mock, or take offense to anything, try a little understanding. Realize your rights, and everyone else's and never act anyway to inflict on those.

Photo courtesy ofhttp://www.fargohistory.com

Brettmann sponsors games for students

DONNA NEEMAN

Contributing Writer

red. After all, every person there was either cheering for Nebraska or Nebraska. The Huskers were split into the Red team versus the White team. The estimated seating was

The Peru State College United over 54,000 Cornhusker fans.

from Texas. Although they are not from Nebraska, they still went to the game to cheer on the Huskers.

CODY WITT

Contributing Writer

Hall Council sponsored an exciting There were IO PSC students that evenuo end the scnool year: attend- took a van to the ,Qnce they .ing the Universicy of .Nebraska- arrived in Linc,o)n, ,_could Lincoln Rect and White football already feel the ex?itel!lei;it., , game.

"The Nebraska Cornhuskers. must

The Nebraska Cornhusker Spring have the biggest and fan Game was held in Lincoln, base. I've never seen so much red," Nebraska on Saturday, April 14, Justin Kuhn, a PSC student 2007. The kick-off was at 12:30 remarked.

P.M.

Kuhn came to Peru from Georgia Memorial stadium was a sea of while another student came here

Getting ready to graduate

question is _this "I have no idea, but if you figure it out for me please let me know via acornmail, facebook, or a text message."

I will be the first to admit that I

The group of students left the game early because the score was 38 - 0 at half-time. The Red team took the victory. The Whit.e team did not seem to be able to catch a break. By the end of the game, the score was the same as it was at halftime.

The United Hall Council's members include Donna Neeman, Renee Carlson, Tyson Thompson and Paul Moses. The club is sponsored by Jennifer Brettmann.

plex and getting ready for new student weekend in August 2003. I recommend living your college life to the fullest because it will truly fly by, unless you are on the typical seven year plan.

help guide me through the many decisions that lie ahead.

There are no words that can describe how fast these fotir years of college have flown by for this kid. It seems like only yesterday I was moving my stuff into the com-

It has not even sunk in that I will am very scared about graduating, because I have absolutely no idea graduate from college in less· than a week. To be honest, I am trying what I am going to do this sumt · fi 1 k I mer, or for that matter, the rest of o survive ma s wee so can alk d my hfe. On the other hand, it is an w across stage an receive my d l Th I h d honor to be able to graduate and 1p oma. en ave to re- o my d" 1 fr h cover letter, send in my resume, recei:e. a ip oma om sue a d h h .th prestigious place as Peru State an ave a p one mterv1ew w1 a C 11 Th d b o ege. ere 1s no ou t rn my company I have never ever heard d th h I h 1 ed d f mm at w at ave earn an 0. the people I have met at PSC will Fellow graduates, please let me know what you think of this question. "What are you going to do after Graduation?" If I get asked that same question one more time, well, I just might not graduate. My usual response to that

I have been blessed beyond belief, because I chose PSC and it really is time for me to graduate and move on. Graduation is another step forward in life and whether we are ready to accept the challenge lies within our self. Are you nervous about finding that perfect job? Everything really does happen for a reason and whether you are graduating this week or four years from now, remember to thank all the people that have and will help you walk across that stage, including yourself.

Changing the world, one school at a time

In rural communities across the country, storefronts stand empty, schools close or consolidate and family farms disappear. Sadly, many Nebraska communities fin.ct themselves facing the same fate.

There are many other communities, however, that continue to fight against this trend. Downtown businesses struggle to stay alive - some even thrive. Their schools, the heart of their communities, continue to graduate fresh, enthusiastic students looking toward the future. Thanks to an innovative program at Peru State College, the futures of 35 Nebraska students from three rural schools are especially bright.

When Peru approached three rural Nebraska high schools two years ago ab.out participating in the "High School to · College Transition Program," which would allow their juniors to rebeive a four-year scholarship to at least two administrators were understandably skeptical.

"My first thought was, 'what's the '·catch?''; said Paul ·· Sheffield, Shickley superintendent. "No one ·just'offers :ill entire junior class free college tuition."

· Prague Superintendent Gene Burton echoed that sentiment. "I was awestrrick and looked for the

'catch' at the generosity of this college."

Sheffield and Burton quickly discovered that there was no catch. But it's easy to understand their skepticism. The program, an 18-month initiative, assisted all juniors from Shickley, Prague and Rising City in becoming more academically and social! y prepared for collegiate success. The program offered a fouryear tuition waiver funded through private sources, the Peru State College Foundation and tuition remission programs.

The program, which is the brainchild of PSC President Dr. Ben Johnson, is the first of its kind in Nebraska - and possibly the country. Johnson said he devised the initiative because he has been concerned about the shrinking resources of small, rural high schools throughout Nebraska for several years.

"Despite the best efforts of their schools, we've found that many of the students who come to PSC are under-prepared. We warited to out to commuilities with services they Iitobably could not otherwise afford.11fiesserice'; we adopted their schools; and students," said J<>hnshli2'< · · ·

City Public Schools I

Superintendent Dan Albers said his school has experienced the challenges of diminishing resources throughout the last few years. "Like many rural communities, Rising City has struggled over the last few years to survive and maintain an identity that community members can have pride in and can rally around. Tough economic times have made life in our rural. community challenging for students and their parents."

"We chose these schools because they are small, in rural communities and have little to no history of their students attending Peru State. They were also within a two-hour travel radius of campus, which was logistically important as our staff logged extensive travel time between-each school ·throughout the 18-month endeavor," said Johnson.

The Transition Program is an outgrowth of PSC's Academic Resource Center, which focuses on helping students find success in college and, ultimately, in life. ARC teams began the program by assessing and diagnosfog each student's strengths and weaki:iesses theri creating individual actibn plans· to enhance their potential for academic success.

Staff from the ARC and the Office

of Admissions traveled to each community monthly to present workshops that focused on leadership, goal-setting, reading, writing, and essay and resume writing for scholarships, among other topics. Students also spent time on the PSC campus, took part in job shadowing opportunities and were allowed to take up to 15 hours of college credit courses while still in high school.

The. adopted students were made official Bobcats with college e-mail addresses, access to facilities and online library resources, and season tickets to athletic and other campus events. They were also paired with PSC student mentors.

And students weren't the only ones to benefit from their collegiate training. Their parents also participated, visiting campus and attending workshops to learn about financial aid and other college processes.

Of 39 total participants in the program, 21 are now freshmen at PSC and 14 are attending college at other institutions. Kailey Kennel, a freshman from Shickley, is among the 21 students who chose to attend PSC. With •her.first.college semester completed;· she .reflected on her experience.

"I felt right at home when I got to campus this Fall because I knew

what to expect. I already knew where everything was and I felt prepared for my courses. It was a great experience that! would definitely repeat." Kennel added that her parents were "amazed that a college would actually do this."

Jon Sanley, a freshman from Rising City who plays football for the Bobcats, said the program offered him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a free education. "This program had a great effect on all the kids and especially on me, because before I found out about this, I had no clue what I was going to do about college. But then out of nowhere this awesome program came out and automatically Peru State was at the top of my list."

Now that his 'adopted' students are enrolled and doing well, Johnson has no plans to stop here or rest on his laurels. He's already begun the process of petitioning Congress for federal funding to support another transition program at Peru State He hopes that federal officials will take notice of the program and work to create similar opportunities for students throughout the country.

Auburn 4th graders attend Peru's annual social studies fair

Peru State College recently sponsored 74 Auburn 4th graders in the college's annual Social Studies Fair, an event dating back nearly 20 years.

Under the direction of Dr. Anthony Citrin, professor of education, PSC social studies methods students worked with the 4th graders on projects for. approximately eight weeks prior to the event. Part of the preparation process included a visit to PSC's remodeled library on a. research field trip. Each child. was given a library card as part of his/her expenence.

·Students presented their projects to a panel of three judges. Trophies were awarded for first through fourth place as well as medals for the best oral and visual presentations. The event culminated with an awards ceremony and reception for the 4th graders, their

Alena Georges and Rachel Hinrichs

1st PJace for "NE Railroad"

Scott Riley, Cheyenne Robertson and Hannah Shimmel

2nd Place for "Homesteading"

Dallas Briggs, Stephanie Culling, Katelynn Moore and Claire Schulte

3rd Place for "John Brown's Cave"

Hannah Jones, Maggie Kreifels, Jarrett Oestmann and SierraWagner

4th Place for "Sod Homes"

Tyler Barker, Jentrian Hannes, Nicholas Koso and Taylor Santana

Row 1: Stephanie Culling, Claire Schulte; Katelynn Moore, Cheyenne Robertson, Hannah Shimmel, Scott Riley, Jentrian Hannes, Alena Georges, Rachel Hinrichs and Tristan Attebery. Row 2: Shaelyn Randall, Kelsey Huffman, Rex Harmon, Treston Singletary, Nicholas Koso, Taylor Santana, Tyler Barker, Maggie Kreifels, Hannah Jones, Jarrett Oestmann and Sierra Wagner. Not pictured are Lucas Constantine and Dallas Briggs.

Auburn Sport Shop

Athletic equipment and apparel, all your sporting needs

Good luck Peru State Athletes! lmt®©l© ©M@U@[M) @[li)rSJ W®[p)ilua@@ 826 Central Ave Auburn, NE 68305 Ph:(402)274-5236 Fax:(402)274-5379

Winners are pictured in the photo to the right.

Have you started your Potter-countdown? Student

AMANDA ERWIN Staff Writer

KENNY

AINGE Contributing Writer

With the last reported release date of the book standing at July 21, 2007, just eight days after the fifth movie is released, July is the magical month for Harry Potter fans.

Rumors abound

With less than one hundred days on how the seventh left until the seventh and final book book will end, with in the Harry Potter series is released and with the fifth movie being released just one week before, excitement is rising for Harry Potter fans. Many have already preordered their books, some having pre-ordered it months ago.

fans panicking over the possibility of Harry Potter being killed off. This rumor has it's origins in the fact that Rowling told fans that two characters would definitely meet their ends with the end of the last book. Rowling stated in

SPOTLIGHT

an interview that she has had the last chapter of the last book written 'for quite some time. She said that two main characters would die in the last book and also, the last word of the last chapter is 'scar.'

Sadly, with all theiriterviews that Rowling has been doing in recent months, a rumor that die-hard fans have been clinging to, that Rowling would write an After-Hogwarts series, has finally been put to rest. "At the moment I'm only planning to write seven Harry Potter books and I have no plans whatsoever to write an eighth book."

There are 'endless blogs and numerous comment boards speculating on

what will happen in the final Harry Potter book. Everyone wants to know who will be redeemed, who will be killed, and who will be the next expendable Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

(And is Snape really that bad of a guy?)

Rumors also abound concerning the next movies. Fans have been hearing the unsettling news that they might be losing some of their beloved main actors, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, might not be coming back for the last two movies. There seems to be nothing concrete. Depending on the source, Watson will definitely be back for the last two movies and she definitely won't be back for the last two movies. On the other hand, Warner Bros. is very confident that she will be coming back.

Comments

Nicole Wiederspan, age 19. from Prague, Neb. "I really used to like Harry Potter when I was younger, so hopefully sometime, if I ever have time. I'd like to read the new book."

Trace Venable, age 19, from Las Vegas, Nev. "Oh, word? Is that the kid with the lightening bolt on his head?"

Jeremy Silver, age 18, from Falls City, Neb. "Well, I'm not in favor either way, but I'm glad the final book is coming out because I'm tired of hearing about the new Harry Potter books."

ftom. Wasketball ·: times before finaily ·retiring f o(good while Jie was playing withthey.s: o DreilJ.l'l/ 1eanr. , Jq1Jn$on.

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Editor

Tiffany Kuhlmann, who is a Peru State senior majoring in Art education, from Nebraska City, Neb. never thought she would be a part of the MTV's television show "The Real World".

"I cannot sing and I am kind of short, there is no way I could be on T.V," said Kuhlmann. That's why she did not think about it twice when she submitted the videotape she made at her friend's house.

She simply rented a video camera from Video Home Theatre, filmed herself within five minute expressing her thoughts and feelings and explaining why she wanted to be on "The Real World".

On Monday, April 16 2007, Kuhlmann received a phone call from casting director, Jake Medway, saying that she might become MTV's next star. All she has to do is get the most votes for her website.

The website for the contestant will

Photo

courtesy of:http://www.travelinlibrarian.info

Abby Linnerson, age 19, from Nebraska City, Neb. "I'm excited that we will finally fond out what is going to happen, and all the rumors will be busted."

PSC student competes in "The Real World"

be set up next week. Kuhlmann will be given a user name and password to polish her own page. Within a month, she needs as many votes as possible to win a position in the show.

That means for the first time, a Peru State student will be on a popular nation wide television show. "I am very anxious and excited about this opportunity. Getting this far

Being supported by her parents and boyfriend, Kuhlmann is ready for any challenge. Nevertheless, she is quite nervous because living in a house with six other strangers for three months is harder than it seems.

"I have signed a contract with MTV to use my video on the internet. I hope I get the most votes because it is going to be a lot of fun," commented Kuhlmann.

"The Real World" which is a reality television program by MTV was first aired in 1992. It has become one of the first reality television shows to gain a national audience. According to CNN. it is one of the longest-running program in !11TV historv anJ the second-longest running reality television rrogram on television.

MTV started filming

is

testants casting for the twentieth season that is possibly the final season of the show.

to

Show your supp01i by voting for Kuhlmann at http://www.rntv.com

Left: Tiffany Kuhmanand. Right: Cameron.

the nineteenth season in Sydney, Australia on February 2007. Kuhlmann

one of the coninto the competition gives me confidence in myself. Being paii of "The Real World" is harder than getting into Harvard University and I have made it

the second round," said Kuhlmann.

Remembering Anna Nicole Smith

LINZE THUMMEL Staff Writer

From being discovered while dancing topless to becoming a Playboy center fold in 1992 and Playboy Playmate of the Year in 1993 to acting in movies, having her own reality television show and endorsing products such as Trim Spa; Anna Nicole Smith's journey in life was unlike any before it.

But what will Smith, born Vickie Lynn Hogan, be remembered for? Will she be remembered for her work with Playboy, her acting career or the events surrounding her death at age 39?

Speculation arose when she married oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II at age 26 when he was almost 90. Shortly after they said "I do", Marshall became ill and his son became his legal guardian. After his death, Smith spent the years in court battling for her part of his fortune.

Ajudge granted Smith $474 million

but, due to the appeal process, she never received the money. This appeal process would continue for the remainder of Smith's life. The ordeal took her to lows, including filing for bankruptcy. But she did not give up, taking her case all the way to the Supreme Court. But what Smith will be largely remembered for are the six months after the birth of her daughter. Within days of the birth, her son from her first marriage, Daniel, died in her hospital room from drug overdose. Smith later named her daughter Danielynn Hope. Within a couple of weeks, both current boyfriend, lawyer Howard K. Stern, and ex-boyfriend, photographer Larry Birkhead, filed lawsuits to determine paternity of Danielynn. In December, a Los Angeles judge ruled that Smith had to bring Danielynn to California for paternity testing, which Smith blocked temporarily.

Then on February 8, 2007, Anna Nicole Smith· was found dead in a

hotel room in Florida. There was much controversy over how she died- some people even accused Stern of foul play. And still no one knew who the father of Danielynn

results were not released until March 26, 2007: over a month and a half after her death.

Finally, Smith was laid to rest in the Bahamas next to her son, Daniel. The Broward County Medical Examiner stated he believed Smith died of "accidental overdose" after finding more than nine different drugs in her system.

On April 10, Birkhead found out that he is the father of Danielynn. But what will happen with in the lawsuit against Smith's former husband, Marshall, which went all the way to the Supreme Court? Will Danielynn be entitled to any of this fortune? That answer is still unknown.

There will be more fall-outs from the death of Smith, including possible charges against the doctor that issued all of the prescription drugs to Smith and the slander against Stern.

was. There was a debate lasting three weeks over where Smith's body was to be buried. The autopsy

Photo courtesy of: http://www.hotreport.net

B-class movies have comeback with "Grindhouse"

MARCUS ACKLEY Stcif.f Writer

In the 1970's a grindhouse was a once glamorous theater that had been unhinged through time and turned into a place of B-class movie mayhem. A grindhouse featured two or three movies in one sittingneedless to say the movies were not high class, yet they entertained the viewers and gave them the suburban drive-in theater feeling in a morethan-chaotic inner city. With such titles as, "The Big Bird Cage", "Scorpion '70" and "Caged Virgins" in the line-up, people could only expect a sleazy, erotic bloodbath.

That is why two of the current best cult and horror directors of our generation, Quentin Tarantino ("Jackie

Brown", "Reservoir Dogs", and "Kill Bill" I & 2) and Robert Rodriguez ("Sin City"), decided to team up and create the movie, "Grindhouse." This features two movies, "Death Proof' and "Planet Terror" connected by spoof trailers for new grindhouse fe!ltures such as "Thanksgiving" and "Werewolf Women of the S.S." The spoof trail-

ers were written or directed by either Eli Roth ("Hostel" 1 & 2) or Rob Zombie ("Devils Rejects").

In "Death Proof," a psychotic man named Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russel) stalks and kills beautiful woman (Rosario Dawson) with his car. This segment was written and directed by Tarantino and is not his best work, but in the tradition of

grindhouse theater, .the movies are not suppose to be that great in the first place.

"Planet Terror" is the more starstudded segment of the grindhouse feature with stars like Bruce Willis, Rose McGowan and Fergie of the Black Eye Peas. "Planet Terror" is basically about a police department and a woman with a machine gun for a leg (McGowan) who fight an army of zombies. I would have to say that this grindhouse feature comes in a close second place only to, "300" for the best movie I have seen all year.

One warning I will give all that attend this movie: prepare to be sitting for three and a half hours and make sure you do not eat a lot before you go and see this grindhouse film.

photo courtesy of: www.everythingtarantino.com

Scientists find most Earth-like planet so far

(AP)For the first time astronomers have discovered a planet outside our solar system that is potentially habitable, with temperatures, a find researchers described Tuesday as a big step in the search for "life in the universe."

The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form, and in galactic terms is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away. But the star it closely orbits, known as a "red dwarf," is much smaller, dimmer and cooler than our sun.

There's still a lot that is unknown about the new planet, which could be deemed inhospitable to life once more is known about it. And it's worth noting that scientists' requirements for habitability count Mars in that category: a size relatively similar to Earth's with temperatures that would permit liquid water. However, this is the first outside our solar system that meets those standards.

"It's a significant step on the way to finding possible life in the universe," said University of Geneva astronomer Michel Mayor, one of 11 European scientists on the· cteam f9und tj:te a: aisstifi have a lot of questions."

The planet was discovered by the European Southern Observatory's telescope in La Silla, Chile. What they revealed is a planet circling the

red dwarf star, Gliese 581. Red or if its a frozen ice ball with liquid dwarfs are low-energy, tiny stars water on the surface. If it is rocky that give off dim red light and last like Earth, which is what the prelonger than stars like our sun Until vailing theory proposes, it has a a few years ago, astronomers didn't diameter about 1 1/2 times bigger consider these stars as possible than our planet. If it is an iceball, as host.s of planets that might sustain suggests, it would be even Htet:The ,discovpry ofthe pbm-;:·-brgger. ;::·:..

et, named 581 c;_is sufe to fuel · 'Based on tbeory; 581 c should ies of planets circling similar dim have an atmosphere, but what's in stars. that atmosphere is still a mystery

The new planet is about five times and if it's too thick that could make heavier than Earth. Its discoverers the planet's surface temperature too aren't certain if it is rocky like Earth hot, Mayor said.

However, the research team believes the average temperature to be somewhere between 32 and 104 degrees and that set off celebrations among astronomers.

Until now, all 220 planets astronomers have found outside our solar system have had the "Goldilocks problem." They've been too hot, too cold or just plain too big and gaseous, like uninhabitable Jupiter.

The new planet seems just right or at least that's what scientists think.

Besides having the right temperature, the new planet is probably full of liquid water, hypothesizes Stephane Udry, the discovery team's lead author and another Geneva astronomer. But that is based on theory about how planets form, not on any evidence, he said.

"Liquid water is critical to life as we know it," co-author Xavier Delfosse of Grenoble University in France, said in a statement.

"Because of its temperature and relative proximity, this planet will most probably be a vety important target of the fu('1re space missions dedicated to the),search restrial life. On 1llie treasure map of the Universe, one would be tempted to mark this planet with ari X. 11

Anyone sitting on the planet would get heavier quickly, and birthdays would add up fast since it orbits its star every 13 days.

Gravity is 1.6 times as strong as Earth's so a 150-pound person would feel like 240 pounds.

But oh, the view. The planet is 14 times closer to the star it orbits. Udry figures the red dwarf star would hang in the sky at a size 20 times larger than our moon. And it's likely, but still not known, that the planet doesn't rotate. so one side would always be sunlit and the other dark.

Distance is another problem. "We don't know how to get to those places in a human lifetime," Maran said.

Two teams of astronomers, one in Europe and one in the United States, have been racing to be the first to find a planet like 581 c outside the solar system.

The European team looked at 100 different stars using a tool called HARPS (High Accuracy Radial Velocity for Planetary Searcher) to find this one planet, said Xavier Bonfils of the Lisbon Obser\iatOry, one of the co-discoverers.

"Now we have the possibility to find many more," Bonfils said.

Before you book your:extrastellar Photo courtesy of: news.aol.com flight to 581 c, a few caveats about how alien that world probably is:

Tips for getting cheap airline tickets

Break, Florida becomes one of the hottest places to go. So you may be arriving in the busy season.

Do you have plans for this summer? Working hard, hanging out with friends or maybe planning a vacation to your favorite vacation spot? If you are planning a vacation, how are you going to do it? Here are a few tips to get your vacation planned- whether it is by train, plane or automobile.

First thing you want to consider is "where do I want to go?" Depending on where you want to go will account for how much money you will want to save up and to take with you. Then you will need to find out how you want to get there, and whether or not your destination is in a seasonal up or down. Certain destinations become very popular depending when you go. Take for example Florida: durjng .Sprin_g

If you plan on a car trip, you will need to make sure that you have enough money for gas, food and hotel accommodations if needed.

Be sure to plan for how you will get to your destination. Directions by websites such as mapquest.com, Google or Yahoo maps are sometimes useful. It would be best if you take both an atlas and directions; it will make navigation much easier.

If you want really easy directions, try getting a GPS (Global Positioning System) for your car; such as a TomTom.

Plan on flying to your destination?

Make sure you watch the prices of airline tickets as they continue to fluxuate. One day the tickets may be $197, the next day $309.

To make things even easier if you are traveling by plane, get a combi-

nation price: a hotel room and a flight together in one bill. This will make things easier because you will only have to pay one bill rather than two, and usually you will receive a discount on both the room and flight if booked together through the same company.

When packing for your vacation, only take the essentials. Usually that would be clothes, personal affects, makeup, cologne, etc., but avoid things that are not needed or that you can buy, such as toiletries and food.

It is also be essential to have some type of plan laid out before you reach your destination, just so you know what is going on. This means that you may need to research your destination ahead of time. This way when you start your vacation all you have to do is relax and enjoy the good times.

BRANDON SCHUMACHER Staff Writer

Pet food scares bring on dining alternatives

HEATHER WELLS Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of http://www.healthypetnet.com

The pet food scare may be far from over for pet owners. It is bad enough that now buying food for a pet may make them sick and even possible kill them, but when can trust be put back into the pet food' industry? On April 19, 2007, another round of pet food ingredients was started Melamine, the chemical that tainted wheat gluten in pet food, was now also found in lots of rice protein. Melamine is a chemical that is to make plastics and fertillzei:. can cause kidney failure

and kill dogs and cats.

Wilber-Ellis Company voluntarily called back all their lots of rice proteins, but they did not identify the manufacturers. Natural Balance Pet Food also started a recall on Venison dog, treat foods and dry Venison cat foods due to finding contaminated melamine in some.

Menu Foods had started last month a recall of wet pet food and also urged distributors and retailers to stop selling the Venison dog and cat food. Del Monte pet products, Hill's Pet Nutrition, and Nestle were also part of the recall last month.

This most recent pet food recall may have been intentional. Imported ingredients, federal officials said April 19, 2007, may have been intentionally spiked with this chemical to boost protein content.

The Food and Drug Administration thinks this is one theory to pursue in how melamine, found in rice and wheat glutens, were used to make over 100 brands of dog and cat foods.

China, where the. contaminated )s from, states that the

Photo courtesy

melamine was not intended for pet foods.

One way to-protect your pets from the food scare is provide their food yourself. There are many websites such as http://www.simplypets.com/petrecipes/ and the Poop Pantry http://www.thepoop.com/pooppantry/default.asp that offer a variety of pet food recipes including bird, dog and cat. CBS had these pet recipes to offer:

BOW-WOW BROWNIES

Ingredients:

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons honey

1 cup of whole wheat {lour

4eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup carob chips

1/4 cup of carob powder

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend

oil and honey in a bowl. Mix in ·remaining ingredients. Pour into greased lS-by-10-inch baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

"Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome"

THEME RECIPE FOR CATS

Ingredients:

l cup water

1/3 cup dry rice (brown or white)

2 teaspoons com oil

1/2 teaspoon iodized salt

213 cup ground meat

1 tablespoon bone meal

2 tablespoons cooked liver

Directions:

Bring water to a boil. Add rice, com oil, salt and simmer for 20 minutes. Dredge meat with the bone meal. Add meat and liver to the rice mixture and simmer for another 15 minutes. Cool and serve. Leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen.

From: "Real Food for Cats: 50 VetApproved Recipes to Please the Feline Gastronome"

Finding health insurance that's right for you_

AMANDA ERWIN Staff Writer

Everyone needs health insurance. This is because one will need to visit a doctor at some point, and a doctor's visit can be expensive.

Some student would say that they• do not need coverage··· because they can use th on-campus clinic, but what if it was an emergency? What i{ it was something tha the campus doctor or nurse could not help with there? Then the student would still have to go to an off-campus doctor that would then cost money.

Remember, health insur-· ance covers more then just unexpected hospital visits. It will often pay for required medications and routine check-ups. Depending on the company. and coverage, it will som:etimes pay for optical or dental, as well.

What aboutthose people who are graduating college? Those students

taking ,the first true steps into the world .health insurance. They are on their own, a few with ii spouse around the same age. For some>it is

So how does one go about getting health insurance if they do not receive it through work and/or their parent's are not willing to continue to pay for it? First, look at all the different possibilities.

Which company has the cheapest rates? Which company has the best coverage?

which company offer ent people with different problems? It is probably best, though, to find 'something in the middle ground.

A few health insurance companies in Nebraska include Assurant, Aetna, Cigna, Pacificare and Fortis. All of them have perks and each has drawbacks.

not always the best.

What about the flipside? What about those people who get coverage through their work? Many of them have probably never even thought about getting private.health insurance, but it might not be such a bad idea. Often, it is possible to find

something with the same type and amount of coverage for far cheaper. So do the same thing as those peo· pie who do not get the luxury of employers who are willing to supply the health insurance. Shop around because there might be something better out there.

a completely new experience. They need to know that they have the security of guaranteed health coverage.

After comparing companies, go to the websites and get a quote. Then call and talk to an agent. Shop around. Do not settle for the first company that catches the eye. It is

of http://www.ettc.lrhsd.org

New restaurant brings freshness to town

PHUONG TRAN Assistant Editor

Stan Domikaitis and Paula Winkelman started their partnership with much enthusiasm; and that is how Boondocks was created.

"I was very pleased with the result of the grad opening. The band was playing very well [about] 250 people showed up that day;· said · Wikelman the owner of Boondockes.

The restaurant/bar is currently the center of Nemaha county's attention. Located on Highway 136, the restaurant used to be an old barn but not it is average looking place for college students and town locals to hang out.

The main dinning serves breakfast from 5.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. Vadous dishes are available such as

kitchen sink omelet, ham and la. cheese omelet, biscuits and gravy, The owners ofBoondocks try their Prices appear to be reasonable rang- best to create as much entertainment ing from $425 to $9.95. If cus- as possible. Wednesday night is the tomers prefer a small order, they Ladies Night where all ladies drinks also offer pancakes, bagels, hash are 50 cents off. browns, toast, bacon, and .so forth. Specials of the week are available "Ideas for breakfast are collected on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. from everywhere, especially· IHOP. The restaurant has a great competFor dinner, we mainly focus on itive advantage which is its great what Nebraska known for such as source of entertainment. Every two beef and prime ribs," said weekends, the local bands bring Domikaitis who is one of freshness into town with their Boondocks' owners. shows. Other weeks, it is the

Boondocks strives to satisfy its Karaoke/DJ music that stirs up the customers' needs and wants. That's Nemaha country atmosphere. why it opens not only for breakfast Boondocks provides numerous and lunch but also dinner. Lunch job opportunities to Peru State time is from 11 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. College students.

In addition to the main dining, "We are hiring dependable workBoondocks also has a lounge, which ers who are willing and able to offers appetizers and snacks for late work. Open positions are waitressnight patrons. You can order any- es, cooks, bartenders, and so forth," thing here, from a cheeseburger to said Winkelman. steak sandwich or shrimp quesadil- Most of the current bartenders

that Boondocks has are Peru State College students.

Winkelman is born and raised in Nemaha county. She graduated from Peru State College with a degree in journalism. She had been working for the college for 10 years helping with the newspaper and the yearbook.

The second owner of Boondocks, Domikaitis, is originally from Chicago, Ill. He joined the Military Academy and studied Physics and Engineering, and later earnea the position of second lieutenant for 12 years. Domikaitis moved to Nebraska and has been working for Cooper Nuclear station as an engineer supervisor for eight years.

"I would not be able to start the restaurant with anyone. Paula [Winkelman] is the cornerstone in business. I'm happy to open a business with her," commented Domikaitis.

Western Wats offers job opportunities to students

PHUONG TRAN Assitant Editor

Peru State welcomed an addition to its campus on April, 2007. Western Wats (WW) which is a marketing research company located a calling center in the Neal Hall by the complex.

Greg Graul, the former CEO of WW, has helped set up the office. Brooke Huym, WW director of operation of Nebraska is currently managing; and after May 7, 2007, Liz Albrecht is going to be WW manager for the entire calling center.

WW started its business in March 1987 in a garage and later turned into a successful business. It currently operates nine interviewing facilities located near colleges/universities through out the Intermountain West, Canada and the Philippines. In addition to the office in Neal Hall, WW also has other calling centers at Wayne State and Chadron State.

WW currently has -25 employees, who are high school students, local town people, and PSC students. The company is in the process of hiring about 20 to 100 additional employees and it is mainly looking for Peru State College students.

"We love to have college students as our employees. They can make their own schedules and work as

long as they want to. The minimum requirement is three to four hours per week," said Brooke Huym.

The company's preference is individual who is responsible and shows up to work as scheduled.

The office opens from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. because during the day, there is not enough work to sustain the hour. In addition, it is more flexible for students to work at WW when they don't have classes.

Numerous positions including workers and supervisors are available. The company strives to make work as fun as possible. Student employees will be able to work and enjoy a fun atmosphere; they can play games and earn prizes.

"I love my new job because it's really flexible and I know that there is opportunity to move up in the company," said Melissa Hester a PSC sophomore· majoring in music education.

A supervisor's include but are not limited to monitoring quality as well as quantity of phone calls, editing

survey results, and managing time cards. Depend on the days, he or she might do some surveys. Working hours required are 15 to 20 hours a week.

The company provides interviewing and client service to many companies, market research firms, political pollsters, and national commit-

tees.

If a company wants information, they contact a full service research company, who writes a questionnaire designed to collect the desired information. Afterward, employees at WW will call and interview business professionals and/or individual persons to discover their opinions.

Peru State baseball has a busy week

JACOB THOMPSON-KRUG

Contributing Writer

who are on a seven game winning streak, are also first in the conference with a 14-2 record. Playing a team of that quality, the Bobcats needed to play their best in order to hang with the Bruins who took In the midst of all the Spring both games with a score of 11-2 Fling activities, the Peru State baseball team was unable to defeat · and 10-2. Bellevue University on Tuesday, Peru State will need to pick it up April 17 at home.

Th B b t h h 1 t f as they face a four game series with e o ca s, w o ave os our of their last six games, have had York College on April 20 and 21. The Cats, with their third place trouble lately scoring runs. In standing in conference and a 10-8 fact, the Cats have been outscored record, need to play well in order to 39-20 in that six game stretch. retain their spot. During a weekend series with College of the Ozarks, Peru split There are only three teams the series but was shut out the first allowed to participate in the MCAC Tournament. game.

"'" t 't h.tt. th ball "I think if we can split with York vve JUS aren 1 mg e very well," said junior pitcher Phil and finish strong against Park Macke. University, we could get another shot at Bellevue," said Macke.

The hitting woes from the weekend continued into Tuesday's The Bobcats would most likely .th B 11 Th B face Park again in the first round of games w1 e evue. e rums,

Seniors played final home game

RANDI SCHMID Copy Editor

· The last of the regular season home games were played out for the Peru State softball team on the weekend of April 20-23. With a double header each day, these games proved to be trying on the team physically. However, the Cats played with determination and effort, making the most of the last home games.

Friday, April 20, Oklahoma Wesleyan traveled up to play the lady Cats. The first game was won 11-2 with a follow up win of 20-3 in the second game. Jamie Wolbert hit her first career home run, which just so happened to be a grand slam. Jocelyn Anson pitched well during the second game but was relieved by Kathleen Brown in the last mnmg. Yes, Kathleen Brown , pitched and Tabitha Foster caught for her.

Liz McGill said, "We needed to win these games in order to put us in the running for winning our conference and hosting the conference tournament. Bellevue is one game ahead of us and we play them next Friday. Hosting the tournament last year was awesome. Having so many fans at our game was such an

adrenaline rush, and it would be great to· do it again." All-in-all, it was a good day for PSC softball with two wins and some good old fashioned fun.

games brought a tougher competitor in Newman University. When asked about the games, Nicole Mercer said, "We played well overall today. We did not play as well as we could have, but we will be ready for Bellevue on Friday for the conference champion title."

The Cats defeated Newman 3-1 in the first game with help from a home run from Amy Mitchell. However, Newman came back with gumption in the second game, beating Peru 9-3.

On Sunday, although in a tornado watch, Peru prepared to play Benedictine University. The winds were high and the clouds rolled around throughout the games, showering the players at times with rain. However, the teams both played hard, but in the end, Benedictine came out on top for both games, 6-5 and 12-10.

It was a hard loss for Peru, as they have not been swept in a double header all season.

"The wind was a factor during the games, and we battled back but just couldn't pull out

the tournament. The winner of that game would then go on to play Bellevue for the conference championship.

Even with an 18-29 record overall, the Bobcats could actually make it to a regional by being conference champs. Bellevue could still get a regional bid because of their 32-12 overall record.

Heading into the final stretch of this season, the Bobcats will need to prove to themselves that they are not a middle of the conference team.

Coach Jason Cronin is in his 2nd year at Peru, and things should begin to look a little brighter.

Peru failed to make it to the postseason last year, but Cronin's leadership, and the trust of his players, the Cats could very well make a good showing at the conference tournament.

No matter the outcome of the season, Cronin will be sure to get his team into shape, and be able to challenge the likes of Bellevue and Park in 2008

the win. It wasn't that we played bad because we hit the ball. They were just a good team, but it was disappointing because this was the first time that had happened to us all year. However, we just need to get ready for Friday because those matter in conference standing," said Kathleen Brown.

This shows the optimism and determination of the softball team. Despite the losses over this weekend, they will prepare to play Bellevue on Friday, April 27, in order to battle them for the opportunity to host the conference championship games.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.peru.edu/homepage

Be sure to watch for updates by checking your acornmail account or for Peru State College press releases on the baseball homepage.

Photos by: Jacob Thompson-Krug

The Cycle

Melissa Hester

You DRINK Already?

You are too Young

To which the Seventeen year-old girl responds

I am GROWN and have been drinking for a while

One year later graduation comes and with the party more drinking

I am finally done with school, I am celebrating

Six months later a close friend dies and ill morning she drinks

My friend is dead I am drinking in her memory

Three months later there she goes to an engagement party with a friend This is a celebration lets have.another glass

One month later she is on break from college

I am letting loose lets take shots

One week later she is drinking after a hard test I know.I am in my room but it's just me and friends having fun

One week later she is drinking, by herself

It's not hurting anyone, I arri just drinking a little bit

Two days later she is driving drunk

I am not going to hurt anyone by driving, I am alert when I am drinking

The next day she is driving drunk again, ANOTHER drunk.driver hits her

0 GOD if I make it through this I will never drink again!!!

They both DIE instantly

HER FRIENDS DRINK IN MOURNING.